Romancing Austin

by Riley Bancroft, Evelyn Berry, Cara Carnes, Jax Garren, Irene Preston, Rebecca Royce, Chandra Ryan

  Rhiannon grabbed her shoulder. “He’s buying drugs. No! He can’t buy drugs! He just got out of rehab!”

  Cash and Alex both looked at Sofia.

  Oh God. They knew.

  “He quit making music last time.” Rhiannon continued, oblivious to the men’s stares. “But does the dealer care? No. Just like the fucking assholes who keep pushing that shit on my mom.” She started after them, like she planned to stop him.

  “Okay,” Cash intoned slowly as he put a restraining arm around Rhiannon. “Let’s go sit by the fire.” He half dragged, half carried her as she tried to get to Dex and Miguel.

  “You don’t understand. He’s a recovering addict. And an artist. We need his music. Who let that asshole in?”

  “I’ve heard his music, Celt. He’s not an artist.”

  Sofia stared at the ground, miserable under Alex’s gaze. Yeah, it was the stupid rock star’s choice to do the coke, but he wasn’t some kid having a little extra party in his night. Addiction was shit to beat. Miguel tried to play like it wasn’t his fault, but he was part of the system. And tonight, so was she. Dex’s fall from the wagon partly fell on her shoulders. Sure, at the next party he might do it again. If he was giving in today, there was no reason to believe he wouldn’t give in tomorrow. But tomorrow it wouldn’t be because of her. It was stupid and probably pointless to stop him, but her decision wasn’t about Dex. It was about who she wanted to be. “I have to go.” She turned on her spike heels and followed Miguel and his client inside.

  Alex followed. “How can I help?”

  She shook her head. “This is a family matter. It’ll go better if you stay out. Miguel won’t hurt me.”

  Dex accompanied her ex into the bathroom.

  She hustled across the floor and shoved her foot in the door before it closed. Alex was right behind her. She held a finger up. “Please. Stay here.”

  He clearly didn’t want to, but he retreated a step, still in easy distance but giving her space to handle things.

  Miguel opened the door, ready to chew out whomever was interrupting his sale. His stance relaxed when he saw her. “Oh. It’s you. There’s another bathroom downstairs.”

  She shoved the door open and burst in. Dex was already leaning over the counter, lines ready to go. She swiped the powder into the sink and turned it on.

  Miguel shoved her away with a distressed cry. “¡Loca! What the hell?”

  Dex popped up to standing, looking not-so-hot with his finger still pressed to his nose. “Did Lana send you?”

  She pushed herself between him and any remaining crystals on the counter. “Who’s Lana? Doesn’t matter. You graduated rehab. Get your nose off the powder.”

  Miguel grabbed her hips and hauled her away from Dex. In Spanish he yelled, “What the fuck are you doing? Have you lost your mind? You just rinsed a hundred dollars down the drain.”

  She snapped back in Spanish, “I’m not helping you deal. I don’t believe in it, and I’m not supporting it. I revoke your party invite. Get out.”

  His eyes lit with fury. “You can’t kick me out.”

  Dex pressed against the wall as though he could remain anonymous. She rounded on him and reverted to English. “What’s wrong with you? You have a show tomorrow. A new album. You have fans waiting for you, and last time you were on this you quit making music for years. What are you thinking doing it again? Stupid pendejo.”

  “I…” He looked toward the sink, and she could see the hunger in his eyes. She wondered if he’d scrape it hoping for any leftovers.

  She took his chin and made him look at her. Those pretty blue eyes she’d thought so glorious a few years ago looked pained and needy. “Kick him out of the party.”

  “What?” Miguel asked. “Sofia…” His voice was a warning growl. He was not going to forgive her. She didn’t blame him.

  She ignored her ex and focused on Dexter. “Pick. Right now. What is it you want out of life? Music? Or to get high? Because history says you aren’t capable of doing both.”

  He looked so sheepish standing there, eyes darting between the counter and Miguel. Just when she thought he’d ask for another bump, he cleared his throat. “Get out.”

  “Who?” Miguel asked. “Me or puta loca here?”

  “You,” he said. “I’m clean. And I need to stay clean. So you need to go.”

  Miguel’s gaze returned to her. She’d never seen him so pissed. “Marcos is not going to let this slide. He can’t, chica. You’re fucked, and I can’t help you. I’m not even sure I want to.” He stormed out, his anger so palpable people moved out of the way. He’d never looked at her so fiercely before, like she was nothing.

  Had she done the wrong thing?

  Dex squeezed her hand, his breath heavy as he forced his gaze from the counter to her face.

  No, she hadn’t done the wrong thing. It wasn’t the smart thing, but she felt right with herself.

  “Thanks,” Dex said softly.

  The Dex Reed had thanked her? One bright spot in a dismal night. She was so telling Rhiannon. She squeezed his hand back. “You’re welcome.”

  Dex stopped in the bathroom doorway. His gaze followed Miguel hungrily as the dealer headed for the exit. With a regretful sigh, he headed the opposite way.

  Shaking, Sofia stepped out after him. Now what? The moral high ground was not the safest place to be.

  Alex was there waiting for her. “Are you okay?”

  She rolled her neck. Now, not only did she owe dues, but she’d likely be expected to pay for what she’d washed away. Possibly to pay Miguel back for any extra product he’d bought for the party and hadn’t sold yet. She felt bad about hurting him, and just thinking about all the money she owed gave her the first twinge of a headache. “I think I’m about to be a target for every psycho who rolls into town. And please don’t say you’ll protect me. We don’t know each other well enough for those kinds of promises.”

  He took her hands in his warm ones. “Will I get a chance to know you well enough to say such things in the future?”

  The connection sent energy through her. Energy and hope that maybe she could find a way to work things out. “I’m sorry about last night.”

  “I was quite fond of last night until the end. The last five minutes… eh. But the hours before?”

  “The hours before were damn fine.” She stepped closer to him. “And we should consider repeating them.”

  He cocked his head, feigning thoughtfulness for a moment. “Considered. I vote yes. Possibly tonight?”

  She laughed and he looked so pleased with himself. “Not tonight.”

  He pouted.

  “I have a lot of thinking to do.”

  He opened his mouth to speak, and she put a finger on it, stopping him.

  “If I can use your help, I’ll ask.”

  He nodded.

  Holding his hands in hers, she bridged the space between them and kissed him once on each cheek and once on the lips. The restrained fire of his kiss promised wickedly wonderful things in the future.

  —

  “Where’s Sofia?” Rhiannon asked when Alex returned to the roof.

  He joined them against the railing by the fire. “She went home.”

  Cash shot him a questioning look.

  He held Cash’s gaze. “She rejected their offer and is trying to figure out what to do. Last night’s paramour is not part of the figuring.” He couldn’t help smiling. “But he will get to see her again.”

  Rhiannon frowned. “What are you talking about? Other than you two boning last night. She told me that part.”

  “Boning?” he asked. What were they, twelve?

  “Horizontal hula. Beast with two backs. Playing hide the train.”

  Cash snickered like a randy teenager.

  Alex scowled. “I know what it means. I’m simply—”

  “Offended by my blunt tongue? You’ll get used to it. Why did she leave?”

  Alex’s phone went off. Instead of answering the witch, h
e pulled it out and leaned against the railing to a forty-some-odd-story drop.

  Sofia had texted him. How late are you available in case I reconsider my plans?

  His hand clenched on the phone so fast he feared he’d break it. Dawn is at 7. I’m yours ‘til then.

  Excellent. I have thick drapes.

  “Aw,” Cash said. “Look at him with the idiot grin. Somebody’s getting a booty call.”

  Alex ignored them and read her next message. Give me an hour or so then come over?

  He reread, and his pulse sped up as his body stiffened in anticipation. Yes.

  Shit. The word sat on his screen in an incongruously happy bubble. Followed by: Help.

  Fear froze his insides. Where are you?

  No answer. He leaned over the railing, using his better-than-human sight to see what he could spy. A tiny altercation had started nearly below him. “Cash.” Cash and Rhiannon, both wary, hopped up beside him. “She’s in trouble.” And he was high in the air while she was on the ground. A vampire could fall about five stories before it got dangerous. He was up over forty.

  “Stairs.” Cash grabbed his elbow.

  “She needs help now.” It was easily the stupidest thing he’d ever done, but he didn’t think twice. There were balconies on every floor. He launched over the railing.

  “What are you doing?” Cash called.

  He caught the first balcony. Let go. Dropped to the one below.

  “Shit, man!” Cash was still yelling. “Idiot. Someone’s going to see you.”

  He was out of hearing. It took seconds instead of minutes for him to reach the ground. A woman and man, both with rifles, dragged Sofia into the alley behind the condo. Poachers looking for a jaguar pelt. Rage raced through him, and he tore off after them.

  Sofia lashed out with a sweep kick, and the man landed facedown. She reached for the woman.

  The woman clapped her hands, yelled, “¡En fuego!” and a ball of fire appeared between her fingers.

  Sofia ducked.

  Fuck CoVIn’s no violence rule. They were attacking Sofia. They were going to die. Alex plowed into the witch. They crashed to the cement.

  The ball bounced twice and exploded, blinding him. Heat radiated through the alley as gravel cycloned into him. He ducked. The witch scrambled off.

  As soon as his vision cleared, he checked on Sofia. She was scraped but otherwise looked fine. Her claws popped out, but she didn’t fully shift as she leapt to her feet, ready to fight. She was his warrior goddess, ready to kick some ass, exactly as he remembered her from the atrium battle. This time we’re fighting on the same team.

  The man circled her, and Alex wanted to go for his throat.

  The witch created another fireball. The man raised his gun.

  “Run!” Alex yelled. He seized the witch and threw her, magic ball and all, into the man. The gun went off with an explosion of sound.

  Sofia ran for him. He pulled her behind a trash bin and covered her body with his own. A bigger explosion torched the air, engulfing the alley in flames. He held Sofia until it was over, hands covering her hair as best he could as she clutched his shirt, her face buried against his collarbone.

  Together they peeked around the edge of the now searing hot metal canister. Body parts of two incomplete humans strewed the alley.

  Sofia looked at him, unfazed by the grisly mess. She was an obligate carnivore. Most jaguars didn’t eat humans, but she might have a stronger stomach than even he did. All she said was, “Gun plus magic fire equals big boom.”

  “I thought it might.” He helped her stand, then put an arm around her. She leaned into him, his partner on the field. It felt really good.

  Sofia growled, sounding more cat than human. “Didn’t you sign a nonviolence contract? CoVIn can’t find out about your involvement. We have to scrub the alley.”

  Something did have to be done about the mess. They couldn’t leave it for CoVIn—or the police—to investigate. He squeezed her. “You don’t need to. I made the big boom.”

  She pinched his ass. “Saving my life. We’ll clean up the guts together.”

  “Want help?” Cash strolled over to them, an eyebrow raised as he took in the scene.

  Alex cringed internally. He’d killed two humans in front of him. “Shit.” Now Sofia was out of the Texas jaguar pack and he was out of CoVIn. One thought of the poachers dragging Sofia away, though, made him set his jaw. “I would do it again,” he told Cash.

  “Of course you would.” Cash, looking mighty amused for the situation, shook his head and clucked his tongue at Sofia.

  Alex ignored him and turned to Sofia. “We’ll figure something out. It’ll be okay.”

  She nodded stiffly, her fingers turning cold. “Yeah.”

  At least the disaster had brought them together.

  “You’ll be fine,” Cash continued, still so blasé Alex wanted to hit him. “Especially because right about the time you threw the witch into the gunman—before you’d technically killed anyone—I made my final decision about your application to join the hirdh.”

  “My application?” Alex hadn’t applied to get into the military command of CoVIn. What sort of an idiot would he be for even trying? Nobody in CoVIn wanted an ex-Liberi in charge of their protection.

  “Yeah. My secretary filled it out for you last month. She didn’t know half the answers and got creative. You should read it sometime.”

  “Why would she fill out an application for me?” Unless Cash had ordered her to.

  “I’m not stupid enough to think I’ve lived this long on my mediocre brainpower. I’ve survived because I pick the right people to trust. That’s why my first act as general was to form the hirdh. The guys on the team so far, they’re good folk, trustworthy and brave. None of them think like you do, though. None of them would diffuse a situation with a book. Or throw a casting witch into a gun to create an explosion. I asked every applicant the same question—how would they kill me—and you are the only one who didn’t attack with some esoteric weapon or ambush me. Your way was the only one to piss me off—because it would work. Aside from your balcony jumping stunt, you think first, then act. It’s a weird and unnatural order. I could use more of it in my life.”

  Alex grabbed Sofia’s hand and couldn’t speak. Cash had been testing him, and he’d never realized it. Never considered he could be a candidate for something as lauded as the hirdh.

  Sofia spoke. “So what was your decision? He’s in, right?”

  “Yeah. And I got it approved through the council last week: if I did put you in the hirdh, you’d gain automatic entry into CoVIn as a full member. Suffice it to say, about a second and a half before exploding the poachers, you became a CoVIn member. The old agreement is void, and you fall under CoVIn law.”

  That was better than automatic expulsion, but CoVIn law didn’t allow vampires to run around killing people. “So I have a hearing with the council?”

  Cash smiled. “You’re on my team, so you’re court martialled for killing two humans in action. I decide your fate.”

  Relief washed through him. “And?”

  “You’re required to attend combat training until you can wield a two-edged blade to my satisfaction. Your sword’s in my car. As is your bank account information. Payout is currently five million, but if you’d prefer to wait a hundred years like the rest of us did, it’ll get significantly higher.”

  His jaw loosened. “I’ll take the money.”

  Cash nodded. “I figured.” He pulled out a phone and nodded at the mess. “I’m going to get a crew for the alley. It’s disgusting.”

  Sofia squeezed him. “I’m so happy for you!”

  He had money and a secured position in CoVIn. Exactly what he wanted. But Sofia was still alone and wasn’t ready yet to let him protect her. He had power, though. That meant he could use it. CoVIn had affiliate status covering associates who weren’t vampires. “As a member of the hirdh, I have a formal request.”

  Cash finished his text.
“Yes?”

  Alex pulled Sofia in front of him. “A veteran of the atrium battle, Sofia Velasquez, is in need of asylum. She helped us in our time of need. We should honor her as an affiliate member, granting her our protection.” He squeezed Sofia’s hand. “It’s not me standing between you and those who would hurt you. It’s CoVIn. Is that okay?”

  She looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Hell yes. I would gladly accept CoVIn status.”

  “Excellent,” Cash said. “Protection granted pending council approval. I recommend you two find somewhere to hole up for the night while it goes through.” He winked at Sofia. “Preferably some place expensive because he’s rich and wants to spend it on you.”

  Sofia smiled, looking happy and free for the first time since he’d left her work yesterday. “Works for me.”

  Alex put an arm around her.

  Cash pointed a finger at him. “You’re going to work your ass off for me, right Moreau?”

  “Yes. Yes I will. You will not be disappointed.”

  “Good. If you want your money, meet me at my car before I get bored and drive away. I gotta make sure Rhi erased the memories of everyone on the roof. That jumping maneuver was so damn boneheaded I had to try it too.” He headed out of the alley, texting as he went.

  Sofia pulled Alex away from the carnage and into the street. Her fingers slid between his in an easy connection he liked. “Why me? All this time you’ve sought me out, and I’ve never figured out why.”

  Alex looked at their joined hands, fingers intertwined. “At the atrium battle, we never met, but you spoke to me.”

  “I did?”

  “Yes. You told me to come back. I watched you fight. You were magnificent. And your smile stayed so bright despite the fierce situation. I wanted your hope. I wanted your life. I wanted you. You told me to come back, and I did. I took my soul for you.”

  Her eyes were wide in surprised wonder. “I inspired you to find your soul?”

  He ran his thumb over her hand. “For seven months now, you have inspired me every time I come to see you. You are my ray of hope in a hard world.”

  At the street they stopped. She put her free hand on his cheek. “When I found out what they wanted from me, I thought of you. When I changed my mind and followed my heart, I thought of you. I’ve never lost my soul, but you inspire me to follow it. Not a bad start for us.” Her hand warmed his skin as her smile warmed his heart.