Page 36 of The Vampire’s Temptation

Kenton snapped. “Do you think I know the answer to that?” he yelled. He followed Lawrence’s gaze to the splintered remains of the table he’d shattered.

“Seven hundred years and I have never seen you lose your temper in such a way, Kenton.”

Because he never did. Until today.

“Look at me.”

“I don’t take orders from you—”

“Or anyone. I know. You are, or were, the eldest son to one of the most powerful men in Northumbria. A ruthless killer responsible for nearly eradicating an entire family line—my brother’s to be exact—and a onetime king.”

Kenton took a long sip of gin. “It was a small country,” he conceded.

Lawrence didn’t smile, but his lips twitched as if they wanted to. Kenton refused to look at him because he’d been ordered to do so, but he could see the Scot’s expression from the corner of his eye.

“You take orders from no one, save your brothers, and even then it is you who is in control. Even of Rowan.”

It was true, Rowan was more difficult than Drake to control, but his brothers rarely overruled him, knowing it was their safety he cared most about in this world.

“And yet, you’ve gone against your own nature, certainly your brothers’ wishes, and allowed the lovely Alessandra Fiore to live.”

Indeed. And he could make no more sense of it than his enemy could. He finished his drink in one large gulp, then, without speaking to his guest, made himself another. Finally, his temper cooled enough for him to ask the Scot a question.

“Are you drawn to her?”

It was the most civil tone he’d ever taken with a Derrickson, and it seemed to take the Scot by surprise.

“I am.”

So that was it. For some reason, this woman drew vampires to her more powerfully than—

“But no more so than I am to others of her kind.” The brooding look he gave him made Kenton regret speaking. Usually, he was better at shielding his thoughts from his opponents. But he clearly was not himself today.

“I see.”

In that moment, Kenton hated him more than any other man on earth.

“Well? Don’t be so cryptic, Lawrence. Clearly you know something I do not.”

“It seems as if I have my wish. That two weeks’ cease-fire I mentioned—”

“What of it?”

“You dismissed me earlier, but I ask again, in light of recent developments, for a two-week truce. Do not tell your brothers or call them here. Let us regroup while—”

“And why would I agree now when I did not before?”

Lawrence stood, placing his empty glass on the fireplace mantle.

“Because, my dear Kenton, you have no more desire to see me at every turn than I do you. And because it will give you more time to discover what I already know about the Fiore family.”

Kenton gritted his teeth.

“Furthermore, you will find a way to ensure Alessandra no longer fears me—”

“You’re mad.”

“Because you need my help.”