Page 79 of Twice Bitten

“That Prime looks like he might get to Beckett first. He’s furious.”

I still wasn’t sure what to make of Alric today. “He’s pissed because Beckett embarrassed him. Everything is about image to him.”

Edmund hesitated before he spoke. “I’m not so sure. Maybe in the beginning, but the vampire just brought in a woman who’s valuing your wood floors. He restored me and seems intent on making things right. Perhaps we’ve misjudged him.”

I sighed. “No one like him does anything without strings attached. They may not come today or tomorrow, but I promise you, he’ll make me pay for it soon enough.”

“He’s coming,” Edmund whispered. “I’ll find you later.”

I pushed away from the door and intercepted Alric. “He didn’t get this far.”

Alric’s gaze flicked over my head. No doubt he could scent Beckett back here, but at my look, he didn’t press the issue. “A cleanup crew just arrived. I’ll have them start in your bedroom.”

“Please let me know how much the cleanup costs. I’ll write you a check.”

Alric sighed, despite having no need to draw breath. The sound of sheer frustration in the gesture almost made me laugh. “We’ll discuss this later.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Alric lifted his hand. “We would do the same for anyone else this happened to. Despite my personal opinion of you, in this regard, you are not special.”

I frowned up at him.

“Come. The appraiser wishes to speak to you.”

The next three hours passed in a blur of conversations, signing documents, and cleaning up. I’d lost thousands of dollars in furniture and home decor, ninety five percent of my dishware, my dishwasher, oven, and fridge, and the cleanup crew still hadn’t come out of my bedroom—a fact that was making me feel more apprehensive than anything else tonight.

He’d missed most of the items sitting against the backsplash on the counter, including my coffee pot. Thank the universe for small favors.

Leo had dipped out a while ago, though I spotted him standing outside by his SUV. Alric was the only one left besides the cleaning crew. He stood by the ruins of my fridge, a grim expression marring his perfect brow.

He opened his mouth to speak just as someone came out of my bedroom—a vampire, turned within the last few months if I had to guess. The newer ones had a look about them. Their skin tones were usually still fresh and rosy, and they hadn’t yet developed that immortal stillness definingolder vamps.

He wiped his arm across his sweaty forehead and dipped his head in acknowledgment before addressing Alric. “Prime, almost everything in the room is destroyed.” He slid a look my way and swallowed hard. “I don’t have the right equipment for the cleanup of the…fluids, but I can have it here by tomorrow morning.”

“Gods,” I breathed and turned away, my breath coming rapidly. The thought of what he must have done in there turned my stomach. Nausea roiled in my gut, and I hurried to the guest bathroom.

I made it just in time to empty the contents of my stomach.

Staying here tonight was out of the question. A broken sob bubbled from my lips as I hovered over the toilet, hugging the bowl. He’d violated my sanctity, destroyed my property, and done unspeakable things inside my bedroom.

What could he possibly want from me that would cause him to go so far?

Hot, acrid tears slid down my face. I blew my nose and cleaned myself up, straightening my shoulders before walking back out.

Only Alric remained. The entire cleaning team had vacated. My bedroom had a redXmade from tape stuck across the door.

The Prime leaned against the wall in the kitchen, arms crossed over his chest. “Asking if you are alright seems a foolish question.”

I pulled over one of the undamaged kitchen stools out and sank onto it. “I’m going to a hotel tonight. Are any of my clothes salvageable?”

Alric’s eyes flashed with fury. He shook his head. “I’ve sent my strategist out to procure a few things for you.”

At my look, Alric smiled. “She’s female, Alex. No burly male vampires are fingering your lacy underthings.”

My face heated crimson. Not only did I not want a vampmessing with my underwear, I didn’t want anyone digging through my unmentionables’ drawer.

At my silence, Alric sighed. “I think you would like her if you weren’t so prickly about everything and everyone.”

My lips thinned. “Not the time,” I growled.