Talon tore away, the Range Rover barely missing several other vehicles as he veered around them in the confines of the alley but Flint didn’t care. His attention was on the body in the back with him . . . her head now on his lap as he gently moved her blood-soaked hair away from her dirt covered face.

“Fuck!” he cursed as he saw the extent of her injuries. The wound on her head was bleeding profusely and one side of her face was swollen and already bruising. “I should’ve killed that fucker.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” Talon swerved around a corner, glancing over his shoulder. “You’ve no idea what you’ve done, Flint. We’re in deep shit and now’s the time to tell me why.”

Flint inhaled deeply, taking in the aroma of vanilla and caramel . . . his soul soaring and his head shaking as he knew just fucking knew what he held in his arms. Amazement coursed through him at the thought as his eyes ran over his precious cargo . . . taking in every detail. Her hair that was filthy and matted with blood, but he knew it would be glorious once washed, reddish brown with highlights of cherry shining through, her skin was pale, perfect . . . apart from the bruises that were now marring its beauty. Her hands were delicate, fingers small and thin, lying limply across her body. He pulled her gently onto his lap, cradling her in his arms, and wiping her hair from her face where it had stuck to it with the dried blood from her head. She was small, tiny, and he was terrified he’d break her . . . but he’d take care of her, protect her, make sure nobody would fucking hurt her again. He’d destroy anyone who ever tried . . . he’d rip them apart for even thinking about it.

A strangled growl escaped him at the mere thought . . . Talon glancing over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow and asking, “Will you fucking tell me what’s going on? Why I just risked my neck for you?”

Flint tipped his head. “Have you ever heard of a Vampire’s Thirst?”

Talon shook his head. “No, what the hell is that? Sounds painful, is it a sickness? Do you need a Healer?”

“Not anymore.” Flint exhaled. “Long story short. It’s something that affects a Vampire when they’re going to find their Bloodmate . . . that’s something similar to your fated soulmate, but it’s much rarer. So much rarer. Well, this beauty here . . . she’s mine. I’ve been feeling off for a while and when I was coming in, on the jet, and flew over the castle, shit, something happened to me, magical, like it was calling to me and that’s why I asked you to bring me here tonight. I had no idea what I’d find, or even why I had to come here, but now I do. It was so I could rescue her.”

Talon shook his head, “I don’t understand, Flint. What are you saying?”

Flint paused, inhaling that magnificent blend of aromas again . . . vanilla and caramel. Allowing it to settle inside him and he knew without a shadow of doubt in his mind, in his soul that this broken and bloodied young woman was that most elusive of beings. That most magical of gifts sent to him by the universe: a Vampire’s Bloodmate.

He’d never felt such euphoria in his life. His very, very long life, and he had no words to describe it. None whatsoever. He was a simple man, a man’s man. Tough, hard . . . a bodyguard who’d fight to the death to protect Victor, his friend and brother, but now he had someone else that he cared about just as much. No! Hell no! Looking down at the bedraggled body he held, the feelings coursing through him paled into insignificance for what he felt for the man he called brother and that shocked him. He never thought he could feel more for anyone than he did for that man . . . but he did for the tiny person he now held in his arms.

“Talon, this is mine . . . she’s my Bloodmate,” he finally managed to get out breathlessly, voicing it aloud bringing him happiness and fear in equal measure because now he had to keep her safe. Now he had someone else that depended on him and that weighed heavy on his heart, but he would not fail her. He refused to allow anyone to harm the most precious thing alive. He’d fight to the death, with his last breath he’d battle to keep her safe. Nobody would take her from him. No-fucking-body!

Talon whistled through his teeth, but remained silent for a few moments before he replied, “I’m happy for you, but that doesn’t mean we’re not up to our necks in trouble. Flint, that was Kragen Smithson, and he runs the biggest, and worst, gang in Edinburgh. Hell, probably in the UK. He’s into everything from drugs, to his specialty of human trafficking . . . and we just stole one of his girls. He’s going to come after us and he’s not going to stop until he gets her back.”

He let Talon’s words sink in, the meaning of them curling around his insides and causing him to snarl viciously. The thought of his beautiful Bloodmate being in their hands having a profound effect on him, anger rising to heights he’d never before experienced. It ran through him like hot lava, burning his very soul and searing every part of his body . . . his skin felt as if it were on fire, his vision blurring and his fangs erupting once again as he thought of his Bloodmate being in danger. He would not, could not allow her to fall into the hands of such despicable bastards.

“I’ll kill them. Every last fucking one of them if I have to.” A vicious roar erupted from him, filling the cabin of the car. “I don’t care who the fuck this Kragen is, Talon. If he comes anywhere near her, I swear, I’ll tear him apart.”

Talon didn’t answer. Not right away, and silence greeted him for long moments before the Wolf responded. Flint could feel his unease as the man drove them through Edinburgh’s backstreets until they joined the main roads, finally. Soon they’d be on the motorway and heading back to Quinn’s estate. “You better ask for help then . . . whoever you know who’s got connections, Flint. Get on the damn phone. Now. Because I’m telling you straight up, we’re going to need it.”

He didn’t hesitate, didn’t have to. Pulling his phone out, he hit speed dial and called the one person he knew he could turn to for help in any damn situation.