Read Dead Man Running: Book Two - Supernatural Bounty Hunter Romance Novellas for Free Online

swelled that she didn’t even hesitate about becoming a vampire to be with him.  But as a newborn vampire she would spend the first few months of her life struggling with her new abilities, and would be vulnerable to attack.  Viktor would not take that risk.
    So, as it stood, Viktor was forced to watch her from the sidelines.  At his insistence, she had to treat him badly in public, and make people believe she hated him.  She told everyone they had a bad break-up and took scorned woman to a whole new level.  He was disturbed at how good she was at that.  If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear she loathed him. 
    The only person who knew of their connection was Marcus.  At Viktor’s request, the snake tried his best to keep Alma out of trouble.  But it was kind of like trying to make a dog wear roller skates . 
    It was also Viktor’s idea that she should date other men.  She wasn’t allowed to sleep with them, of course; he’d have to kill them if she did , but for appearances sake, she went on dates with the multitude of men who asked her out. 
    The vampire was displeased at how many men were actually interested in his mate, displeased, but not surprised.  He also made sure he was there in the background when she went on these dates.  Just in case he had to snap their arms if they got too grabby .  The alligator she had gone to dinner with that night had been especially abhorrent in trying to fondle her leg all night.  Still, it was his idea that she date… she reminded him of that every time he complained about it .
    Viktor silently walked back into her bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed.  In sleep, she was an angel.  He smirked, reflecting that when awake she was more of a devil.
    His fangs unsheathed.  He pressed them into his bottom lip.  A few drops of blood bubbled.  Quickly he leaned over and pressed his mouth to hers, smearing the blood.  Instinctively she licked and swallowed.  The mark he had given her would heal by morning.  His chest tightened at the thought that no one would know she was his.  It was like he hadn’t even been there, like they hadn’t been together…
    He steeled himself with one last longing look at her beautiful body, before quietly leaving her apartment.  He carefully strolled down the street alert to the sights and sounds around him.  He was certain nobody was watching him.
    With every step away from her, his heart grew leaden.  A growl caught in his throat.  He couldn’t go on like this.  Something had to be done, and soon.
    Chapter Six
     
    Alma hummed happily as she moved around the bail bond office.  She pointedly ignored the other occupants who were huddled around Mia’s desk.  They were reading the lead story in Playa Lunar’s second most-popular newspaper, The Daily Lunar.  The most popular was basically a gossip rag that contained less than twenty percent of facts.   Whilst reading, Mia gasped now and then, Carly tut-tutted, Jackson snorted and Logan sighed.
    Vampi res came out to humans about fifty years ago, just a little while after shifters.  Recently they had been making strides for vampires to have the same rights as all other species.  As well as the same punishments for law breaking .  There were a number of people who thought that, as vampires were dead, they shouldn’t be allowed to vote or own property.  And there were a number of vampires who believed that, as they were dead, the laws didn’t apply to them .  But, mostly due to the effort of the vampire member of the Council of Supernaturals, there would soon be total equality for the undead race.  Or, at least until last night, there would have been…
    The Council had assembled in Playa Lunar to discuss the law that would allow vampires to vote, and to even run for office.  If it passed, there was a possibility that one day there could be a vampire congressman or even a senator!
    However, last night the vampire Council member, Julian Holgersson, had been