Release, book 3 of The Angler series by Annie Nicholas

but not if I had to run later this evening. I reached out to Tane once more and found nothing again. My mouth went dry. What would I do if they killed Rurik? The last time I’d lost someone I loved it had ended with me trying to drink my sorrow away. This time I’d have someone to catch my fall. I’d have Tane, if I could find his sorry ass.
    The bag appeared mostly empty. “Ok ay, that’s enough. I’ve gotta run.” I yanked out the IV before Red could protest and pressed my thumb to the insertion site to stop the bleeding. “You going to pass me a Band-Aid or just glare at me all night?”
    Shaking his head, he searched the drawers until he found what I asked for.
    I got to my feet, only to be swept into another bone-crunching hug.
    Red was there when Colby had pulled me out of the liquor bottle. He knew why I’d been drowning myself. “Ya call if you need me. Ya don’t need to be alone, babe.”
    I clung to his big shoulders and inhaled his cheap cologne. “Thanks.” The urge to ask him to come with me almost won over my common sense. It would split his loyalties , and I couldn’t do that to Red. He’d been too good to me. I couldn’t be a slayer and date vampires. I’d made my choice a while ago, and so had Red. Pushing from his arms, I gave him a sad smile.
    “How do you plan to find him when a whole city of slayers can’t?”
    “I don’t have to. He’ll come for me.”

Chapter Eleven
     
    Anthony and Red argued in the next room as I prepared to leave the building. They had left my wad of cash in my pocket so I could take a cab back to my hotel. Kam might be waiting. If not, then I’d travel back to the orphanage. How long did I have before the Nosferatu heard of a vampire hunt in Rome and added up all the facts?
    Time raced against us. We should leave the city ASAP. Maybe hiding in the mountains would be best.
    I hurried to the front door, passing empty dormitory-like rooms, but Anthony stepped in my path. “You should stay and rest for the night.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
    “I’ll rest in my hotel. I have confidence in your people keeping the streets safe.” I patted his beefy bicep and scooted around him. “Thank you for patching me up. I appreciate it.”
    “If you did then you would remain here and not risk my people’s lives by stirring this vampire again.”
    “I’ll be leaving the city in the morning. I promise.”
    Red leaned against the wall. “I told you it wasn’t any use in arguing with her. Connie can take care of herself most of the time.”
    I blew Red a kiss. “Love you , too.”
    He grinned. “Stay in touc h.”
    I closed the door on Anthony’s stern face and flagged a cab quickly. It was getting late and the streets were empty , so it didn’t take long for us to reach my hotel. I paid the cab driver but kept my attention on the street. Neither male would be in my room. They didn’t know the number or what name I’d used to register so I waited outside the door in the light and listened to the noises of the night.
    My limbs weighed heavy. The blood helped , but it wouldn’t replace my lack of sleep. I’d been awake since the afternoon and last night I’d been unconscious—not the same thing. I leaned against the wall and searched the shadows. If Kam were out there, he wouldn’t hide. His absence left my chest hollow. I wrapped my arms around myself afraid to shatter in public. When this night was over, I’d fall apart in private. What if Rurik didn’t come looking for me? I groaned and hung my head. I wanted to scream and shout and rage at the world, but it would waste what energy I had left.
    Seeing Red again had stirred old heartaches. The slayer team had treated me well and in return , I’d betrayed them by running off with a slick vampire lord. Could our present situation be karma? I sighed. Didn’t matter; I wouldn’t change a thing even if I could. The Rome slayers had been very accommodating in comparison to Colby’s team. They never