CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

L ance and Sofia teleported back to the castle, landing outside the garage. He pressed a button and one of the roller doors opened.

“Why didn’t we just go to your room?” she asked.

“I want to get something from my car,” he said, taking her hand and leading her inside the large basement space filled with a ridiculous amount of expensive vehicles.

They stopped when they heard an engine. Lance turned and saw Kurt’s car pulling into the garage. He noticed his civilian clothes and knew the guy was returning from a few hours of R he was in love with his mate, and soon he would find out about the future of his career.

“Hey, what’s up?” Kurt asked, leaping out of the Ferrari. With one look at the female in his arms, Kurt’s voice softened. “How are you doing, Sofia?”

“I am well, grazie. That’s a beautiful car you have there,” Sofia purred.

Kurt entertained Sofia with specifications about the GTC4Lusso, its top speed (208 miles per hour), and other statistics which he doubted she cared much about as they stepped into the elevator. When the doors opened, Sofia stepped out before them.

Lance felt Kurt’s stare and he turned to him. “Hey, man, good luck today.” Kurt slapped him on the shoulder, his hand resting there.

Shit was starting to feel real.

“That bad, huh?” Lance let out a dry laugh.

Kurt lifted his shoulder. “Dunno, man. Just take care, okay.”

Shit.

“Yeah, thanks.”

Taking Sofia’s hand, Lance led her through the castle to the king’s office. He knocked once, smiling down at her when he felt her shiver.

“Hey, it’s okay. No matter what.” She nodded at him and returned his forced smile.

“Enter,” Vincent’s voice boomed through the thick castle door.

Lance pushed the door open, and they stepped inside. Then he cursed. Beside him, Sofia swallowed loudly. In front of the king’s desk sat two chairs.

“Sit,” Vincent ordered roughly.

He was used to the king’s briskness, but when he felt Sofia shiver beneath his hands, he felt close to saying something. It was likely the frown on his face said everything.

Brayden and Craig stood on either side of the desk. He gave them both a brief nod as he steered Sofia to one seat and then took his own.

Christ, this felt like a job interview. Or was it an exit interview?

He was about to find out.

Sofia released Lance’s hand and twisted her fingers in her lap. Then, taking in a long, deep breath, steadied herself while letting it out, and bravely looked at the king.

She’d been thinking about this for days. Perhaps longer, if she was being honest with herself.

She loved Lance more than she’d ever thought possible. If she could leave him and return his life to him, she would. But the mating bond didn’t work like that. Neither of them could live without each other now. Not full, rich lives. And not for long. Not like they would want to; they would always choose each other.

Sofia knew now she’d been on the wrong side of truth all her life, but she was still a smart and capable leader. If she needed to negotiate today, she would do so with all she had left in her. And she would not do it by holding Lance’s hand, letting him prop her up.

This was her mess, and she needed to fix it.

“Before we begin,” the king said. “I want to acknowledge what you have done, Sofia, to help us capture Stefano Russo and uncover most of his operation.”

She lowered her head respectfully and thanked him.

“I will not pretend to understand what you have suffered, but I know the price has been high. The entire Moretti family is grateful to you.”

Sofia felt tears form in her eyes, but she blinked them back. “Thank you, my lord. And the vampires?”

He seemed impressed she would ask. Of course she would. Had he thought her a monster too?

“As we speak, a task force is evacuating them,” the king informed.

“Have we found all of them?” Lance asked.

“We’ll know when the team reports back. Three members of the black team are assisting the SEALs,” Craig answered.

Both she and Lance raised their eyebrows at the mention of the highly trained US marine involvement.

“Wow,” Lance said.

The king grinned.

“We have the patent of the daylight device used to capture them. How many have been manufactured and distributed will take some time to trace,” Brayden added.

They all shivered.

“We’re hoping the survivors know something, but that will take time once we can assess their physical and mental health,” Vincent continued.

Sofia shook her head. “Those poor vampires. It was truly terrifying in those labs, and I felt so powerless. Can you imagine how they were feeling? Just horrifying.”

Vincent leaned forward, his arms resting on his desk, his hands clasped. “You have been very powerless in recent weeks and months. It is no wonder you can sympathize with them, Sofia.”

She stared at him.

“If I could...” She shook her head. “God, this is going to sound weak, but it’s the truth. If I could turn back time or change anything, I would never have joined the rebellion.”

Vincent held her stare for a long time, not saying anything, so she pulled her big-girl panties on and continued. This was her one shot. For her, and for Lance.

“They have some strong views against the monarch rule, and I’ll be honest, there are some things I still agree with. I’m a pragmatic vampire, and it’s hard not to see the destruction a dictator leadership has had in the human world.”

The king nodded. “I have never had an issue with the basic principle of the rebellion. Freethinking should be encouraged.”

Sofia had heard him say this once before, and she felt he sincerely believed it.

“My father, and his father before, also felt the same way. Do you believe me a dictator, Sofia Ferrero?”

She shook her head. “No, Your Highness. Not at all.”

“Yet the decision of your future, and that of your mate, lies in my hands.”

Her cheeks flushed as she felt put on the spot. She turned to Lance, then looked at Craig and Brayden. The king was testing her; she knew that.

She drew a deep breath.

“No, I don’t believe it does. First, I believe you are a vampire of high morals. You will have consulted with your queen, and the prince. Perhaps others. Second, our future is ours to create no matter your decision today.”

“She’s right,” Lance spoke beside her, taking her hand.

“And last, you have invited us here today to hear from us. From me,” she said, her heart pounding, and she knew they could all hear it. “I believe I can add value to the kingdom should you choose to trust me. With my knowledge and contacts, I can help dialogue between the existing rebellion—those who do not pose a danger to me.”

“Ah, no, you are not. What the fuck? We didn’t talk about this, Sofia,” Lance growled.

“Please, Lance,” Sofia said, shaking her head. “I will not let you lose your job and your family”—she waved her hand around at the males—“because of me.”

“I’m not going—”

The king held his hand up just as Brayden leaned away from the wall to interrupt them. Craig smirked.

“Okay, okay, let’s just take a step back for a moment,” Vincent said, and everyone went silent. The king studied her, then glanced at Lance. “Your patience a minute longer, Lance. I am, as you know, a mated male, so I appreciate your angst.”

“Yes, sir,” Lance ground out.

The king’s eyes landed on hers. “Sofia, this is all about you. Lance has been an honorable and loyal senior member of my team for a very long time. None of us wish to lose him.”

She nodded and swallowed.

“Yet, that cannot sway my decision. The safety of the vampire race, all vampires, lands on my shoulders, and I take that responsibility very fucking seriously with every breath I take every damn day.”

More swallowing.

“So, do I completely trust you? No.”

Sofia stopped breathing.

“And I would be a fool to trust you, wouldn’t you agree?” She nodded and shrugged simultaneously. “Yet, I do not believe you would betray your mate or return to the rebellion. Or the family who betrayed you.”

Sofia shook her head. “Never!”

The king sat back and lifted a pen to his lips, tapping. “So, I have a proposition for you. Times are changing at a rapid speed right now. I don’t want you anywhere near the rebellion. You have paid your dues.”

“ Thank fuck ,” Lance cursed beside her.

“I need someone who understands the delicate nature of our survivors to slowly gain their trust and learn what we can from them as they heal,” Vincent continued. “Someone with compassion and an insight into what they went through.”

Her mouth slipped open as she took in what he was saying.

“If you are willing to do this, then you may both live in the castle, and De Luca can keep his position as Senior Lieutenant Commander.” He narrowed his eyes. “Let me be clear, Sofia: you will be a member of my team, reporting to me regularly. Do you understand?”

She nodded and turned to Lance, who looked as shell-shocked as she suspected she did.

“You may have time to think about it,” the king offered.

“No!” she shouted. “No, I don’t need to think about it. I want to do it. I want to help those vampires. And want Lance to keep his job...and family.”

Vincent slammed his arms on the desk, and she jumped. “Then it’s settled. You are our new Empathy Liaison Officer.”

“Vince, man.” Brayden winced, shaking his head.

“What?” The king turned in question, completely oblivious of the impact he had on those with PTSD. Sofia smiled. She would never call him harmless, never in a million years, but his heart was in the right place.

She wished she had known what an incredible king he was before, and while he had said her time with the rebellion was over, she had a strong desire to open their eyes. This male loved his race and cared about them. There wasn’t a leader alive that she knew of who she could describe like that.

“Never mind. Welcome to the team, Sofia,” Brayden said.

She smiled, and before she could stand, Lance had already pulled her into his arms and was spinning her around. His lips landed on hers forcefully as Craig muttered get a room.

“What about Russo?” Lance asked, looking up at the males when he dropped her to the floor.

Vincent, now standing, crossed his arms and grimaced.

“There are many of us who want his head, De Luca. When we believe we have all the information we can get out of him, then I will decide. Today is not that day.”

“Do you really think he will talk?” he asked.

“Time, and torture, will tell,” Craig replied.