Shadows in Bloom: A Dark Romance Anthology

by Lola Malone

“Whoever is hiding like a little bitch,” he drawled, ambling toward the center ring where the sound had come from, “come out, come out.”

“You’re talking about me as if I’m a commodity,” he blurted before he could help it. “You are,” Ledger agreed. “But whether or not you’re a precious one is up to me to decide.

“Is he a groupie?” Ledger snickered. “That’s rich. I bet he has a favorite, doesn’t he? Who does he fanboy over the most? You can tell me.” Nikita shifted on his feet but, after only a moment of hesitation, replied, “Saint.” “Boo.” Saint was a member of the Brumal. “The Retinue guys are way hotter.”

Ledger had fully made up his mind. If Nikita was going to insist on throwing his life away, he was going to oblige. By taking it.

“Oh,” Ledger seemed to realize he’d left some things out, “the doctor is my mom. She went off on me about how that was no way to treat my boyfriend.” “Boyfriend?” He chuckled. “It’s not like I was going to correct her and say, ‘Actually, Mom, he’s the man I own’. Boyfriend has a better ring to it anyway. Less wordy. Besides, does it matter what I call you? You’re mine. I’ll call you what I like, and I like the sound of boyfriend.”