CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

" D ial his number," Brayden said, shoving her phone across the table.

"He'll kill me." Elizabeth shivered.

"I will if you don't," Brayden growled. "You have thirty seconds before either me or my big friend here drains your blood."

Craig screwed his face up behind her and Bray nearly smiled. Neither of them had any interest in her blood.

Tears poured down her face as he waited.

"Twenty seconds."

"You're putting my life in danger." She wept.

"Jesus Christ." Craig threw his head back. "What part of ‘you've been captured by two vampires, and we are threatening your life' don't you understand, woman?"

This time, Brayden did chuckle.

Because he was right.

Elizabeth frowned at him and ran her hand over her belly.

Was she fucking with them? Cunning fucking bitch. Brayden flew across the table and wrapped his hand around her throat.

"Phone him now. Or you will not be breathing in the next three seconds." He growled, feeling the power of the Moretti blood vibrate in his veins.

Before he sat back down, she was scrambling for the phone.

Finally, the ring tone filled the room, and they were calling his arch enemy.

"Elizabeth," the Russian voice answered. "I'm busy, my little sex kitten."

"Gross," Craig rumbled.

Silence.

"Who is there?" Nikolay demanded as Brayden lifted his finger to his lips and held the human woman's gaze.

"My name is Brayden Moretti, and you have my mate. Tell me where she is, or I will kill your wife and unborn child."

Silence.

Then, "It seems we are at a checkmate then."

Brayden's brows lifted in surprise. He hadn't expected that.

Tears poured down Elizabeth's cheeks. She hadn't been lying. Nikolay was incapable of love. Most psychopaths weren't.

He almost felt sorry for her.

Craig closed the gap between them and grabbed her hair, making her cry out.

"Ow. Help! Nikolay!" Elizabeth screamed.

That's better.

"Give me the word and I will suck every drop of blood from her, my lord," Craig growled, his deep predatory voice filling the room.

"Stop. Please, I'm innocent. My baby," Elizabeth screamed some more.

Brayden watched the screen on the phone.

"I'm dying to kill her. She's way too noisy. Say the word," Craig continued.

"My demands have been sent to your brother. Do what you will with the woman," Nikolay said.

Then the phone went dead.

Wow.

Just fucking wow.

He didn't think it was possible, but he actually hated the guy more for rejecting the woman.

Craig released Elizabeth, and she crumpled onto the table.

Brayden stood.

"Give me your phone." He reached out his hand and Craig tossed it to him.

Then he phoned his brother.

"About fucking time." Vincent answered.