The Bloody City Read Online Free Page A

still keeping my edicts.”
    “And Robbie Beecher’s followers?”
    “Were never my people to begin with.”
    June scooted to the edge of the couch. “What are you going to do with us? Now that you’ve found out Sam is here. Kill us?”
    Occam swiveled toward her. “If I were going to do that, I would have done it the instant the two of you showed up in the Nocturnal District.” He walked back to his chair and flopped down. He folded his hands on his stomach. “I’ll help you. Your offer intrigues me.”
    Sam stared at him. “Just like that?”
    Occam picked up the tube. “Just like that.” He rolled it between his fingers.
    “And we can walk out of here?” Sam asked.
    “Of course. But I expect you to enjoy my hospitality first.”
    Sam huffed. “I’m not sure I would enjoy your hospitality, Occam.”
    “You can’t seal an agreement without a celebratory drink. Fix us some drinks, Belle.”
    Belle got to her feet.
    “You want to seal the agreement, don’t you?” Occam arched an eyebrow at Sam.
    They’d probably need to seal some wounds before they left.
    June took a shot of vodka but refused the powdered rim. Sam sat beside her on the couch. Zack sat on the arm of Belle’s chair. Side by side, they were clearly related. Occam did two shots and a line of coke to seal the deal. He oh-so-politely offered his mirror, but June and Sam refused.
    “You’re a mess, Occam,” Sam informed him after he threw back his own shot. “How you seized any respect around here is beyond me. And how the hell did you know it was me?”
    Occam snorted and set his mirror aside. “I’ve learned the tells over my many long years.”
    Suddenly, it wasn’t Occam sitting in the chair, but Sam.
    “I can see through the glamour,” Occam-Sam said.
    June’s head was already spinning from the one shot. She thought she might be having a nightmare.
    “Great,” the real Sam said. “So that’s what you are. I’m so pleased to call you my brother.”
    Occam blinked back to himself.
    “Thank you for sending June,” Occam said. “She’s an absolute delight.”
    “I take it you didn’t actually have a conversation with her?”
    “You know what?” June shot at him. “Eat me.”
    Occam gestured at Belle. “Why don’t you make June another drink?”
    Belle got up and poured another shot. June flexed her fingers. They were tingling, but it was only an alcohol buzz. Occam hadn’t poisoned her. Yet.
    “We can’t hang out here all night,” Sam said. “We’re not safe out in the open, not even here.”
    Belle sauntered over to June, glass in hand. June lifted her hand to take it, but instead of handing it over, Belle fell into her lap, all warm, soft flesh, and perfume. June froze, arms raised, frowning.
    “Um…”
    Belle smiled a tiny smile and lifted the glass to June’s lips. June jerked her head back, staring at her.
    “What the hell?” Sam said.
    “Occam.” Zack shook his head.
    Occam arched an eyebrow. “Oh, my bad. I’m not very good at this, am I? I thought she might like your sister, Zack. Belle.” He waved at her.
    Belle crawled out of June’s lap, taking the drink with her.
    June gritted her teeth, getting it now.
    “I’m not gay!” June shrieked. “Oh my God. Really?”
    Zack stood up, and in passing his sister, took the drink from her hand. He walked toward June. The movement of his hips, the swagger in his stride instantly, inexplicably distracted her. He plopped in her lap, as his sister had. June relaxed, warmth spreading through her limbs. When Zack lifted the glass to her lips, she drank without hesitation. Belle crawled into Sam’s lap, straddling him.
    “You can stay for a while,” Occam said. “The night is young. Dawn is far away.”
    June gazed at Zack, enraptured. So gorgeous, perhaps the most gorgeous man she’d ever laid eyes on. A heat spread through her that had nothing to do with the vodka. His body was solid and firm, and he smelled heady and mysterious. She gripped his