“Please, everyone, calm down,” Delilah begged.

Abel held Hooker’s eyes.

“I would not harm her,” Abel said low.

Hooker didn’t twitch.

“There were those who would. They are no longer of this world. I made them that way and didn’t give it a second fucking thought,” Abel continued.

Hooker said nothing.

“It happens again, I’ll do it again, my brothers at my side,” Abel went on.

Hooker remained silent.

“I’d die for her. I’m two hundred and five years old and I’ve been raised with love. I’ve been blessed with family. I’ve shown and been gifted with loyalty. I’ve known joy. But I’ve never felt complete until I had Delilah.”

Hooker stared into his eyes for some time before his gaze shifted to Abel’s brothers at his back.

Finally, he turned his head and took in Jian-Li, who sat calmly amongst a bunch of twitchy bikers, the remains of her generosity scattered across the table, the depth of loyalty she’d created standing at Abel’s back.

Hooker didn’t miss it. Not any of it.

And he relaxed in his seat, murmuring, “Boys, stand down.”

“Are you fuckin’ kidding?” Jabber demanded.

Slowly, Hooker looked to his friend. “Look at her, brother. Look at our girl. Does she seem harmed to you?”

“That doesn’t matter,” Moose fired back, and Hooker looked to him.

“Drugged?” he asked.

“The fucker’s a fuckin’ vampire,” Snake ground out.

Hooker turned to him. “Look around, man. You ever know an asshole who earned family like this?”

Snake glared at Hooker.

Poncho whispered, “Magio.”

Everyone looked to him.

He was looking at Delilah.

“It’s not surprising, mi amor, that you’d live a life filled with magic. Only the special ones live magic. I’m happy for you, Lilah.”

Delilah relaxed by his side.

The rest of the room stayed tense.

“Jesus, Poncho, your mystical bullshit doesn’t jibe here. The guy’s a vampire,” Moose reminded him.

Poncho looked to Moose. “He’s a warrior. Destiny has brought Lilah to him and destiny can be fickle. Giving you bounty, but doing it at the same time tryin’ to take it away. You can’t have treasure, amigo, unless you endure the perilous journey to find it. Lilah had some weak-assed fuckwad at her side and shit went down in life, natural or supernatural, she’d hold him up, or fall trying. She didn’t get that. She got magic. She got a warrior. You should be happy and you should be relieved. Because from the shit they just laid out, for whatever reason, she’s a target, and we’re all fucked without his fangs at our girl’s back.”

That was when Delilah said softly, “I love you, Poncho.”

He turned instantly to her. “You got that back, Lilah. Know it.”