Delgado’s breathing picked up when he looked down at the panther.
Wheeler cracked a smile. “Don’t worry, Delgado. It’s not her you need to worry about. I told someone a long time ago that I wanted to put you in the ground, and maybe it didn’t mean so much back then, but it sure as hell does now. You put my woman in a cage. No one makes my woman a slave,” he growled through clenched teeth. Wheeler glanced down at Naya, knowing her animal would only understand his tone. He pressed down on her nose. “Stay.”
Wheeler heard the footfalls when Delgado took off, so he ran after him and glanced one last time over his shoulder. “Stay!” he shouted, holding out his hand. The confused panther paced in a circle and growled at him.
He sprinted down the hall, bounded up a short flight of stairs, and flew into an opulent living room. The shocking change of scenery took him off guard for just a moment. The only remnants remaining from the party were empty glasses and ashtrays on the marble tables. The ceiling lifted so high that he could see the second floor, guarded by an ornate iron rail. The house looked more like a hotel with its crystal chandelier and expensive décor.
A shot fired and pain seared through Wheeler’s right shoulder. He stumbled, blood trickling down his chest and back.
Delgado stepped into sight on the opposite end of the room, standing in front of a giant window with the drapes closed. “You didn’t really think you’d walk out of here, did you?”
Wheeler glanced around. “You only have two guards? That’s real interesting.”
“You can’t trust Breed,” Delgado said, taking a confident step forward, his arm still outstretched and aiming the gun. “So long as the guards follow their orders by keeping the cages locked, there’s no reason for excess staff. I prefer humans to do my dirty work, but in this new line of business, I needed to bring in a few morons I could trust, just to keep an eye on things when I’m away.”
“Fatal mistake numero uno,” Wheeler said, strolling forward.
Delgado narrowed his eyes but didn’t take another shot.
“You’re secluded, so no one will find you. You’re discreet, so no one will find out what you’re doing. You keep the animals caged so none will escape. But every time you hold one of your little betting parties, that’s when you’re weak.” Blood trickled down Wheeler’s arm and splashed onto the white tile. “Any time those cell doors are opened for any reason, including a fight, you’re showing your Achilles’ heel. If you were seasoned like the men I’ve known, then you would have had at least ten guards at different checkpoints in the room after the fight ended.”
“No one is ever stupid enough to attack,” Delgado said, his brows slanting down. “They know it leads to punishment.”
Wheeler chuckled darkly and ran his bloody finger across a white chair. “Not everyone is a good doggie.”
The gun cracked and this time Delgado missed. Intentionally?
“Shaky hands?” Wheeler asked. “Was this all about money?”
“Immortals don’t deserve the wealth they have. Why should I work my ass off for nickels and dimes just because I don’t live as long? Now that I’ve finally made a name for myself in your world, I found someone willing to turn me.”
Ridiculous. Men like him always counted on a Mage or Vampire to bring them over, but few ever were. Maybe it’s the principle of things, but Wheeler had seen many humans simply disappear after they paid for immortality.
“I don’t think you could handle being a Mage,” Wheeler said. “You’d fucking electrocute yourself.”
“And that’s why I chose a Vampire. I don’t have to deal with a Creator, and I’ll be strong and undetectable. What a waste. I could have made you a rich man at the expense of a few worthless lives.”
Wheeler was closing in on Delgado, separated by only ten feet of air.
“So why don’t you kill me?” Wheeler asked, holding out his arms. “Here I am.”
Delgado gritted his teeth. “Because a buyer offered me five million for you, and that should cover the expense for my Vampire friend.”
“So all I am is just a meal ticket into immortality? That might put a damper in your plans if I bleed out from this hole in my chest.”
“Then shift.”
A smile crept up Wheeler’s face. “You sure about that?”
“Not here; in your cell.”
Wheeler stepped forward another pace. “And how do you think you’re going to get me in that cell? Because your sweet-talking sucks. I know you’re not going to shoot five million dollars in the head, so you just proved my point about exposing your vulnerability. You’re the one holding the gun, but who the hell is really in control here? That’s right. Why don’t you put the gun down, sweetheart, and let’s settle this like men.”