Fashionably Hotter Than Hell: Book Six, The Hot Damned Series by Robyn Peterman Read Free Book Online

club.
     
    "Look, it doesn't matter. Raquel doesn't want me. She's made it clear," I stated.
     
    "Have you made you intention clear? Ethan asked.
     
    "Very," I shot back. Under no circumstances would I share my humiliation from two hundred years ago. That was between Raquel and me.
     
    "Do you think it's because you ripped Raquel’s legs off all those years ago?" Astrid asked as she sat forward and clasped her hands together in excitement.
     
    "Possibly… and it wasn't her legs. It was her arm. Only one arm," I added. For a brief moment I contemplated Astrid’s theory and then brushed it aside. "No, how could she be mad about that? She deserved it and it grew back."
     
    Again with the silence.
     
    "She was trying to kill me at the time," I protested. "We're Vampyres. This sort of violence is normal."
     
    "Hmmm… there's a lot you don't know about women," Astrid muttered with an eye roll and an unladylike snort.
     
    "Fine," I relented. "It was a thoughtless move, but I've apologized numerous times over the years for that one."
     
    “Did she ever accept your apology?” she asked.
     
    “No.”
     
    “Then she’s still pissed. I would be fucking furious if someone ripped off my legs,” Astrid declared.
     
    “Arm,” I corrected her.
     
    “Whatever,” she snapped. “I say you offer up your leg, or at least a foot, and let her tear it off. It’s not really normal dating protocol, but we’re Vampyres. I think it might just work.”
     
    “Are you insane?” I hissed.
     
    “Define insane,” she said.
     
    "Enough,” Ethan said. “I believe she's your mate. So does our father.”
     
    My eyes shot to Ethan’s and my chest constricted. Why did all of this have to be so complicated? Mates were supposed to recognize each other. Why couldn't I find someone who wanted me as much as I wanted them?
     
    "Now you just have to convince her," Astrid said logically. “I still think a dismemberment would go a long way.”
     
    “Sweetheart?” Ethan said.
     
    “Yes?”
     
    “I’m quite positive we can come up with a better idea than maiming Heathcliff,” Ethan suggested.
     
    “Fine,” Astrid huffed, put out that her bloody horrid idea had been shot down. “How can he convince her?”
     
    "It won't be easy," Ethan muttered. "She has…"
     
    "What?" I demanded. "She has what?"
     
    "Issues," Ethan replied cryptically. "Issues I'm not at liberty to talk about."
     
    "Wait one fucking minute," Astrid griped. "Why don't I know about Raquel’s issues?"
     
    "Because it's truly not my tale to tell. It's hers and it's not a pretty one," Ethan said as he put Astrid on the couch and began to pace the room again. "Here's what I will say… Raquel has given up her Monarchy of Europe. She has turned her rule over to our brother Gareth."
     
    "But he rules the largest section of Asia.” I was completely shocked by the news. "When did this happen?"
     
    "Right before she came here. My father’s fine with this. He has given his blessing. Gareth is a solid and honest leader, even if he can't seem to keep it in his pants," Ethan said with shrug.
     
    "Will he be at the wedding?" Astrid asked.
     
    “My father?” Ethan asked confused.
     
    Astrid smiled. “No. Your manwhore brother.”
     
    "He wouldn't miss it," Ethan replied. "He adores American Vampyres."
     
    We were getting off track. "I’m a little lost here. Why would Raquel do that? She's one of the finest and deadliest leaders in the world. She's beloved by her people and completely insane. They would die for her," I said as I tried to figure out what would make her give up her birthright.
     
    "That was all really good except for the insane part," Astrid coached.
     
    "Did I say insane?"
     
    "Yep." She nodded.
     
    "Interesting. Well, I meant that, but I didn't mean to say it," I told her.
     
    "I'll let it go this time, but if you say something stupid again, I'll have to zap you. The pain will train you to be more of a gentleman where Raquel is