Loved by the Vampires

by ERIN BEDFORD

  "You're a lucky one. The vampire must have been in a hurry to have left you alive and not enthralled." The doctor seemed quite happy about it as he went about writing on his tablet.

  I exchanged a look with Tristan, who seemed even more suspicious, and murmured, "Yeah, really lucky."

  We sat in silence while Doctor Colton finished up his report and then shuffled to the back of the room. He returned with a medicine bottle and handed it to me. "Take these if the pain becomes too much and drink plenty of fluids. And no hunting." He gave me a pointed look and then to Tristan, said, "I mean it. You hunters think you're invincible because you're sturdier than the average human, but you're still mortal. You'll die just like the rest of us if you push it too hard."

  I nodded but had no intention of doing what the doctor advised. I had a job to do and not much time left to do it.

  Once the doctor left the room, Tristan moved back in front of me. "You let him go, didn't you?"

  Staring down at the ground, I contemplated lying again, but Tristan didn't seem like the type to go running to the president to tattle on me. If he was, then I'd already be dead or worse, in Marcus's place.

  Lifting my head, I stared him dead in the eye. "Yes."

  Tristan turned his back on me. "Fuck. Fuck. Damn it, Piper." He spun around and glowered at me. "I put my neck out for you. If they find out you actually let him go and I defended you, they're going to think I had something to do with it too."

  "I'm sorry, I had no choice." I kept my gaze on him, showing all the determination that I had to keep my guys safe.

  Frowning tightly, Tristan grabbed a nearby chair and flipped it backward before sitting down. "Okay, okay. That's good. You were enthralled, but I don't know how we'd prove it with the holy water not working." Tristan rubbed his jawline, his eyes thoughtful. "Maybe the vampires have found a way around it?"

  Tristan was close enough for me to touch, so I reached a hand out, placing it on his arm. Tristan stopped talking to look over at me. "No. I wasn't enthralled. I did it. I released him of my own free will." I sighed and shook my head sadly, hating to do this to what seemed like a good guy in every other aspect but the vampire hunter part. "I'm not here for the reason I said I was."

  Those friendly eyes that had looked my way when I first stepped into the base hardened. His voice sliced through me with how cold it was. "What do you mean? Who are you?"

  To my relief and terror, we were interrupted by Bishop. He didn't knock but barreled into the room with a victorious expression on his otherwise ugly face. I was happy that I'd been playing dead when he'd been carrying me, or I didn't think I could handle being touched by someone with a bad guy look to him. His nose was crooked from getting broken too many times, his ears were what they called cauliflowered from one too many hits to the head, and he had a snaggle tooth. His overall appearance put him just above Quasimodo, but several steps below Tristan, who wasn't even in the realm of my guys, which probably put me in a biased position when it came to beauty.

  "The president wants to see you." Bishop crossed his arms over his chest and grinned wickedly down at me. "Now."

  Exchanging a worried glance with Tristan who turned away from me, I released an annoyed sound and made a show of getting up from the bed. I grabbed the daggers Tristan had sat on the bed next to me and put them back in their sheaths, wincing at every action. If I was going to play the victim, I had to take it all the way. I almost blew it with Tristan, but I had a brief reprieve—as long as the president believed my story and didn't kill me on sight.

  When I got close to him, Bishop tried to grab my arm, but I jerked away from him with a glare. "Don't touch me."

  Bishop sniffed, then snickered. "You won't tell the boss no. None of them do."

  I pushed past him to the open door. "Well, I'm not anyone."

  This only made Bishop laughed harder. "That's what they all say."

  We marched out of the infirmary, me in front, Bishop behind me, and Tristan bringing up the rear. I didn't know why he was coming. Especially if he didn't trust me now. Perhaps he thought that since he’d stuck up for me, that meant he had to keep playing along to keep his own head attached. Either way, I was grateful. I didn't want to be alone with Bishop. He seemed the type to try and stick me before I could even get to the president just to spite me.

  The hunters were all gathered in the common room, the scene so much like the first night I walked into the manor, except this time, where they mostly ignored me before, they all stared at me. Some were just curious looks. While others glared at me with open hostility. It seemed Bishop had been running his mouth since I'd been in the infirmary.

  I felt as if I was walking down the gauntlet and I very might well be walking to my death, surrounded by enemies with none of my men in sight. A part of me wished I'd gone with Marcus while I had the chance. The other part needed to see this through. If I was meeting the president, this was my chance to plead my vampires' case. Or at least, maybe strike some kind of deal with him.

  "Where are we going?" I slowed my steps to allow Bishop to take the lead as I realized I had no idea where the president was.

  Bishop smirked and strode passed me. "This way, your lord and master is waiting."

  I snorted, but my hands dropped to my daggers. Not grabbing them, but letting my fingers linger near them in case I needed to fight. I didn’t touch my gun. Billy always advised me never to draw it unless I planned on using it. Daggers seemed like a safer bet if I needed to be quick.

  Instead of heading into a different part of the house, Bishop led me toward the auditorium.

  "Doesn't the president have an office?" I queried, my fingers twitching as things started to get worrisome. Or more so than they already were.

  Bishop looked over his shoulder with a sneer. "You meet where the president wants to meet. He wants to meet in the auditorium. Be glad it's not beside an open grave."

  My teeth gritted, my jaw tightening almost painfully. He had a point, but it still didn't make me feel any better about it.

  The walk to the auditorium was long and painful. The only silver lining on the whole damn thing was the night was pretty. The stars shone down on us, the full moon lighting the pathway to my doom. Okay, I was being a bit dramatic, but still, it wasn't that far off.

  Halfway there, I felt eyes on me. Eyes I couldn't see in the dark. I felt them on me like a caress on my skin and I wondered.

  "Keep moving," Bishop called behind him, and I realized I'd stopped, staring off past the gates.

  There was someone out there. One of my guys? I hoped and feared it was. I didn't want them to get hurt or ruin my only chance to fix this. Or worse, pull me out before I could accomplish anything.

  Rayne? I pushed my thoughts toward where I felt the eyes. If you're there, stay away. If you love me, you won't interfere.

  It was a shit thing to do, using his love for me against him, but I didn't know what else to do to keep him and the others from coming for me. I could do this. I had to do this. I wouldn't live my life on the run.

  Begrudgingly, I caught up to Bishop, Tristan still on my heels. My footsteps slowed when the lights of the auditorium blinded me for a nanosecond. When my eyes adjusted to the light, I noticed the place was empty. The absence of people in the auditorium made it more intimidating and creepier than earlier that day when it boomed with squealing hunters.

  "Ah, there she is."

  My gaze jerked from the vacant seats to the stage, where a lone figure stood. His attractiveness could rival my men’s. The dark curls on his head glistened from the product in his hair. An impish grin quirked his bow-shaped lips and a single dimple peeked out of his cheek. Shining diamond studs pierced both ears, giving him a boyish look. It was countered by the navy suit that could give Antoine's suits a run for their money. Overall, he did not look the part of what I expected for a vampire hunter leader. I'd expected something more in the leather Van Hellsing stock, not the billionaire playboy look.

  Bishop stepped to the s
ide of the stairs, moving to take a seat in the front row like he was waiting to watch a play unfold.

  I stopped before the stage, unsure if I was supposed to meet him or wait here.

  President Vincent stared at me, his eyes sliding up and down my form, but I couldn't tell if it was in appreciation or suspicion. The New Jersey accent that came with his words was no less shocking than the words themselves. "You must be Piper Billings. Maid and human servant of the master vampire, Antoine Durand. My name is Vincent. Please tell me why you have infiltrated our home."

  Only one word formed in my mind. Fuck.

  Chapter 13

  Piper

  I stared in horror at President Vincent. Tristan choked on air behind me and a quick look at Bishop told me this was old news to him. How he knew me was a mystery, but not one that needed to be solved right now. Currently, I was more worried about the man standing in front of me, holding all the cards.

  Getting over my shock, I grabbed the handles of my daggers and narrowed my gaze on Vincent. "I suppose I should say it's an honor you know who I am, Mr. President."

  His lips ticked up into a smirk, and Vincent waved his hands in front of him, a large gold ring on his right hand shining in the stage lights. "No need for such formalities, Piper. Call me Vincent."

  "Fine, Vincent," I snarled with more venom than I meant to. "What now? Introductions are out of the way. Do we fight now?" I shot a cautionary glance around the still empty auditorium.

  Vincent tucked his hands into his pockets and walked slowly to the edge of the stage. "If you would like. But I, myself, prefer the more civilized approach. At least, at first."

  My brows rose to my hairline. "I apologize if I find that a little hard to believe. From what I've seen, you hunters are just as barbaric as the vampires you hunt."

  A hand clamped down on my shoulder, and without looking to see who it was, I reached back and grabbed them by the wrist, twisting it and shifting to the side as Billy had taught me. Tristan gasped in pain, but I didn't release him, unsure if he was still on my side or not.

  "There's no need for violence. No one here plans to harm you. At least not yet anyway. Besides, why would you attack the only hunter here who defended you? Bad form." Vincent shook his head and clicked his tongue.

  With reluctance, I released Tristan and took a few steps back from him. I hated to admit it, but Vincent was right. That didn't stop me, however, from being cautious.

  Turning back to Vincent, I decided I didn't like being talked down to. With the stairs too close to the smiling Bishop and pouting Tristan, I grabbed the edge of the stage and threw myself up and on to it.

  With a small smile that was anything but pleasant, I crossed my arms over my chest and cocked a hip. "Now that we are on even ground, why don't you tell me what you want? If you know who I am, then you've probably figured out why I'm here."

  Vincent scanned my defensive form and nodded in one swift movement. "I see no reason to go on with pretenses. We both know you're here to save your vampires, but for the life of me..." He huffed and moved his hands from his pockets to cross them over his chest, his fingers in his armpits as he thought. "I can't figure you out."

  I furrowed my brow and then shrugged. "What's to figure out? You're attacking my guys who are the least dangerous vampires out there and I want it to stop."

  A choking laugh came from Bishop, and he scoffed, "Least dangerous, my ass."

  I turned my head slightly to face him, but didn't take my eyes off of Vincent. "Yes. If you hunters are such experts in vampires, then you would be able to figure out which ones are actually a danger to society and which are simply trying to live a semi-normal life."

  Vincent threw his head back and laughed. "This is why I am so intrigued by you, Piper Billings." He ran a hand through his curls and shook his head as he began to pace. "You've only known about vampires for how long? Two years?" I jerked my head in agreement, not bothering to ask how he knew that. "And in that time, not only have you been able to ensnare one of the most prestigious and oldest families, but you have drawn the attention of an ancient. It's because of you we were able to take down Boris. And I believe it’s you we owe thanks to for taking out Valentine, or I suppose your vampires are responsible. Either way, it was in response to their devotion to you."

  I swallowed hard at the mention of Boris and Valentine, but put on a brave face. "I didn't do it for you. They were monsters." Ignoring the chortle coming from the peanut gallery, I glared at Vincent. "The kind of monsters you should be hunting. Not the Durands."

  Vincent nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. Yes. I agree wholeheartedly. And that is why, Piper Billings..." He stopped before me and offered me a small smile. "I would like to offer you a deal."

  I gaped at Vincent while Bishop jumped from his seat, cursing me and everything that was holy.

  While I stared at the man in front of me, wondering if he had been hit in the head one too many times, Bishop threw the biggest hissy fit of the century.

  "President, you can't be serious! She's vamp bait. She let one of our captives go and now you want to work with her?" Bishop added a few more expletives that even had my ears burning.

  "Bishop." Vincent didn't even move his gaze away from mine. "Get out."

  "But President—"

  "Now." Vincent's gaze flicked to Bishop in a final warning before the man huffed in defeat and stomped as loudly as possible out of the auditorium. "Tristan."

  "Yes, President?" There were fear and respect in Tristan's voice.

  "Do you have anything to say?" He formed it as a question, but everyone in the room could tell it was more of a warning.

  Tristan, being the smart guy he was, quickly replied, "Nope. Nothing. I follow your lead, always."

  "Good." The smile returned to Vincent's lips as he returned his attention to me. "Now, can you tell me, Piper, why exactly all these vampires seem so intrigued with you?" He reached out and took a strand of my hair, which had fallen from my ponytail, and rubbed it between his fingers.

  "Just lucky I guess." I smacked his hand away, earning me a teasing grin.

  "Oh, I doubt that. You have a fire in you, Piper. Something I haven’t seen in many of my hunters." He went back to pacing, speaking as if he were talking to a room full of people, or maybe he just liked to hear himself talk. "You went from broke and living in your car to the live-in maid and then to human servant. One would think you were enthralled by the vampires you serve—"

  "I don't serve anyone," I interrupted him. "I'm not property. I get paid for a job and I do it."

  "Very practical. I like that," Vincent mused, and then turned back to me. "That doesn't explain why you've decided to bed all six of them, including their ever-faithful butler."

  "Well, have you seen them?" I retorted sarcastically.

  Vincent cocked his head to the side. "So looks mean more to you than morality?"

  I sneered at him. "Don't twist my words. My relationship with the Durands is my business and mine alone."

  "Ah, not so alone I would think." Vincent winked.

  It took me a moment to realize what he meant and I gasped.

  At my startling realization, Vincent's eyes sparkled. "Oh, yes. I have eyes and ears everywhere. For instance, you thought we were oblivious of who you were when you snuck into our base." My shoulders hunched at that. "But I've had eyes on you from the beginning."

  I twisted around to glare at Tristan, but he looked as surprised as me.

  "Don't blame Tristan. He didn't know anything about it. They wouldn't be spies if everyone knew who they were." Vincent chuckled at his own joke. "No, I've had eyes on you for a while. It wasn't until Frankfurt that I realized how useful you might be to us."

  I was beginning to piece together what exactly Vincent wanted from me and I didn't like it. Not at all.

  Baring my teeth at him, I snarled, "I won't spy for you. I just want you to get off the Durands’ case, and if I have to kill you to do it, I will."

  Vincent shook his he
ad, his hands up in a defensive gesture. "You have me completely wrong."

  I withdrew my daggers and pointed one in his direction. "Then you better start getting to the point. I'm getting tired of this back and forth."

  Vincent inclined his head. "Very well." Taking a deep breath, seeming to steel himself for what he was about to say to me, Vincent closed his eyes for a second and then opened them, a look of what I could only describe as a cat about to devour their prey filling his eyes.

  "I want you."

  I blinked. "Uh, what? Sorry, I'm taken. Like really taken. Besides, the fact that you're on the vampire hunter side and I'm shacking up with vampires is kind of a deal-breaker, don't you think?"

  "No." Vincent's voice showed all the patience of a saint. "I mean, I want you to work for me."

  I gripped my blades tighter. "I already told you no."

  Vincent dismissed me with a wave of his hand like my denial was of no consequence. "You do not seem to understand the magnitude of your predicament." He held both hands up as if they were a scale. "You want me to call the hunt off on your men." The last word came out as if calling the Durands men was painful. "And I want to bring order back to the vampire world. It's a win-win."

  Now I was stumped. How the hell did he expect me working for him would make that happen? I was only one person. He had a whole organization to do his bidding.

  "Now, I know what you're thinking, why you? What could you give me that the thousands of hunters in my command couldn't?"

  Vincent had me there.

  He laced his fingers behind his back and rocked on his heels. "You have only been a human servant for a little over a year now, yes?" He didn't wait for me to agree or disagree before he continued, "And in that time, you have shown more dedication to your training than any of my hunters and have come further as well. I can assume those muscles and blades aren't just for show?"

  My lips twisted to the side in a wicked smirk. "Would you like to find out?"