Accidentally Married to…a Vampire?(Accidentally Yours #2)(14)
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Niccolo appeared to be forcing a polite smile on his face. Perhaps he wasn’t used to people not following his orders. Then, without warning, he pulled her body into his once again, making sure she was well aware of his hard flesh. She shuddered.

“No,” he said in a low, rumbling voice. “I expect you to come with me because we belong together. Because you will never be content with any other male. And because I am your one true mate. Finally, you will come with me because you are clearly an educated, independent woman who goes after what she wants regardless of the opinion of others.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “Now, I believe I’ve answered your questions and have provided adequate avenues for you to save face. You must now come and do as you’re told.”

What? She wanted to tell him to take a hike, but the words danced away. There was that crazy pull again. She couldn’t think straight.

His voice smooth and deep, he said, “You see, mio cuore. You feel the truth. This is why you will come to our home in New York, where you will be treated like a queen. I then plan to marry you and make you mine forever.”

Forever? There was that dang word again. This was so confusing. Did he really believe she was his “mate?” He really wanted her? Out of every female on the planet?

Illogical. They were too different.

He was indescribably gorgeous and strong. He was also apparently very wealthy and wasn’t lacking in the intelligence department. Or the ego department. Did she mention gorgeous? How about really strong?

She, on the other hand, was an outdoorsy bookworm who actually liked playing with worms. Science, life, understanding how it had all evolved—putting order to it—nothing made her feel more at home.

Helena, you idiot, he said he wants you. Why fight it? Not like you have a chance in hell of forgetting about him. The attraction was undeniable. Like hunger. Like thirst. She felt like she might simply burst into flames if she didn’t go with him. Her need to understand this attraction, the “why,” was even greater.

But he was a vampire.

“How do I know you won’t kill me?” she whispered, instantly regretting the stupidity of her question. Who would admit to being untrustworthy and murderous? A vampire might.

Niccolo frowned. Clearly he didn’t appreciate having his honor questioned. Helena felt that odd sensation once again. Anxiety. Stress.

“As you heard from my conversation with Reyna, I slay Obscuros who prey on innocent humans,” he admitted freely. “And as you’ve witnessed, I kill evil men who do the same. However, before you judge, I urge you to recall how my willingness to do so saved your life. Twice. Not to mention your friends.”

“Okay. Good point.” He’s very honest. I should ask how he is in bed. She slapped her hands over her mouth. “I didn’t just say that out loud again, did I?”

He shook his head “no.” “But I would appreciate your answer.”

“I don’t recall you actually asking me anything. It sounded more like a command.”

His face turned an angry shade of red. “Buon. Will you come with me?”

She wanted to believe in this fairytale type of love. So what if the guy wasn’t human? Nobody’s perfect. Truth was, he was too tempting to resist—a mysterious, strong, sexy creature. And although she couldn’t explain what was occurring between them, she knew resisting was useless. She craved to be by his side.

Simply fascinating. Yes, she would go with Niccolo. She would learn everything she could about him, his kind, and this…primal fixation. There had to be some sort of scientific explanation, like pheromones.

She’d kick herself forever if she didn’t find out. Curiosity killed the evolutionary biologist.

“Yes.”

Chapter 5

Ten Miles South of Tucson.

Niccolo’s dark eyes studied the state-of-the-art GPS inside the sleek black stretch-van filled with eight of the queen’s finest warriors.

I must buy one of these fascinating “car” machines, he thought to himself. Just as soon as I learn how to drive.

Dozens of compact digital monitors tiled one side of the van’s interior. Niccolo had never seen so many gadgets and flashing lights, all just so they could remotely observe an abandoned military hanger about a quarter mile away. In the good ol’ days, we just hid behind a bush.

A faint sherbet orange tinted the horizon, and a lonely tumbleweed bounced across the dusty road sprinkled with garbage. This rundown, isolated warehouse district was the perfect place for a rabid vampire coven to thrive and go unnoticed.

For another twenty minutes, anyway.

Soon, the foul bastards would be settling down for their naps. A perfect time to attack. Niccolo and his men had accounted for all but one of the coven: their leader. But instead of feeling anxious, he found himself welcoming the time to reflect as they waited. Since his return to duty, and to this new, strange world, he’d had little quality “me-time,” as modern humans now called it. And he was going to need a whole hell of a lot of that if he were going to digest the massive transformation the world had undergone.

Big shock number one: over ten thousand, vile, bloodthirsty Obscuros now roamed the earth.

Big shock number two: the Obscuro population exploded three centuries ago, about the time he’d vanished.

Perhaps it’s not so unbelievable that the world would go to merda without me. It’s not as if the queen could command the army. She can’t even tie her own shoes.

The most puzzling account, however, was Bloody Big-Shock Number Three: during his absence, the gods had created a new race specifically dedicated to killing Obscuros. They called themselves Demilords.

Ridiculous! As if I could be replaced!

Nevertheless, everyone spoke of their unstoppable strength and ruthlessness. It was said they could take out any vampire, that they’d kill anyone who got in their way. No rules, no Pact holding them back.

Lucky bastards!

But…unstoppable? I’d have to see it to believe it. Lazy seems more befitting. Niccolo saw few signs of these so-called mighty warriors. Reports of new covens, dozens of them, were coming daily. Where the hell are these Demilords?

On the bright side, a tiny part of him felt satisfied to be back in the saddle—leading the queen’s army, even if only temporarily. Soon, the prophecy would be fulfilled, and he would be a free man.

But will you be able to turn your back on the world? Obscuros will still exist after you’re no longer the General. And who better to extinguish them than you?

True. He was damned good at it. And yes, the world had changed as Helena rightly pointed out—women worked and led their households, giant metal birds flew in the sky, and this thing called electricity powered everything under the sun—but killing these cretins was something familiar and noble. He was born to squelch evil. Specifically, Obscuros. Just like my warriors…