“Megan!” hollered Maximus.
She stopped at the elevator and pushed the button. “What?” she asked turning back to look at him, her eyes watery.
His face softened and he raised his hand. “Godspeed.”
The elevator dinged loudly. With trembling lips, she nodded, and then got into the elevator.
Maximus sighed as the door closed and then waved to us. “Come on, then. I’m pretty sure we don’t have all night.”
Chapter Seven
Nikki
Maximus led us through his luxurious hotel suite into a back office, and then motioned for us to sit down. I studied him as he went behind his desk and planted himself into the high-backed office chair. With his broad shoulders, longish-blond hair, and goatee, I had to admit, he was pretty hot for a guy in his thirties. He reminded me a little of Brad Pitt when he starred in Legends of the Fall. My mom’s favorite movie of all time.
“So,” said Ethan, breaking an uncomfortable silence. “You have information for us?”
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin with his index finger. “Actually, I think we may both have information to share.”
“You go first,” said Ethan.
Maximus smirked. “Should we toss a coin?”
“Do you know where my mother is?” I blurted out, wanting to get to the point. The testosterone in the air was starting to suffocate me and I had no time for Alpha males of any species.
His eyes shifted to mine. “Not exactly. I’ve heard that she’s here with your brother, though.”
“Well, we suspected that,” replied Duncan, folding his hands across his chest. “Tell us something we don’t know.”
Maximus’s hazel eyes hardened. “First I need to know if any of you vampires are responsible for the motel murders happening around this city?”
“We haven’t killed anyone,” I replied evenly. “And some of us prefer the term, Roamers, by the way.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Ethan was trying to keep a straight face.
“Roamers?” replied Maximus. “Hell, I don’t give a shit if you call yourselves blood-sucking demons. What I need to know is who in the hell is discarding bodies in my city like goddamn candy wrappers? The last few weeks we’ve had three bloody massacres that are obviously vampire, excuse me,” he sneered, “Roamer related.”
“Sorry, but we really know nothing about it,” I replied. “We just arrived here.”
“Maybe so, but whoever is doing it, doesn’t seem to give a shit that it stirs up Vegas’s finest, making things more difficult for both of our kinds. Now, I need this shit to stop, so if you have information, spill it.”
“Dude, we seriously know nothing,” said Duncan. “At least, Nikki nor I know squat about the murders. This vampire thing is new to us; we barely know how to make a hole let alone cause any massacres. Now, him,” he nodded towards Ethan, “I’m not so sure about.”
Ethan shook his head and smirked. “Thanks.”
“Do you know anything?” asked Maximus, turning to Ethan. “Or, hell, is it you leaving a mess in my city?”
“I didn’t know this was your city?” he replied arrogantly. “I’m sorry, are you the mayor? Did I miss something?”
I wanted to slug him.
“Oh, make no mistake,” answered Maximus, his eyes beginning to glow a yellowish-orange. “It is. Not only do I own this hotel, but I’ve got investments all over the city. And, I don’t expect you to know this, but I’m also in law enforcement, so I have my hands in everything. I have the power to throw your ass in jail or worse, if I think you’re fucking with my little town.”
“A cop?” I asked. “Aren’t you a… Lycan?”
He smiled. “First and foremost, yes. But being a detective is something I truly enjoy. Not only do I get to hunt for bad guys, but I can keep better tabs on what’s going on in the city.”
“And you own businesses all over town, including this hotel?” asked Duncan.
He seemed to relax the more he spoke to Duncan. “Well, I inherited this hotel from my father, as well as the investments.”
“He died?” asked Duncan.
“He was killed, actually. Murdered.”
Ethan sighed. “Let me guess, he was killed by a vampire?”
“No. Another Lycan.” He smiled coldly. “Victor Van Buren. The same asshole who is now on the hunt for you. Specifically you, Nikki.”
I stared at him in surprise. “Me?”
“Apparently, someone’s commissioned him to kill you.”
“Caleb and Celeste,” said Ethan, folding his arms under his chest. “Has to be.”
“Maybe,” replied Maximus. “But obviously your life is in grave danger. Not only will he be hunting for you, but so will his clan.”
I swallowed. “His clan?”
“His pack. There are about ten or so of them.”
I couldn’t even respond. The idea of ten Lycans hunting for me was even more terrifying than my recent change into a vampire.
“Obviously this guy is an Alpha?” asked Duncan.
Maximus turned to him. “Yes. My advice to you is to take her as far away as you can. There’s no way the three of you are going to be able to take on a big group like this.”
“Why don’t you help us?” I asked. “You said he killed your father? Help me find my family and we’ll leave.”
“I have helped you, by warning you about Victor.”
“But we can’t just leave without my mom and brother. And… that gal who left here a few minutes ago, Megan? She said you’d help me.”
“Make no mistake, I’m hunting for Victor, but on my terms. Right now his entire clan has been dispatched and it’s too dangerous to try and take him out. One Lycan and three vampires against that group. No way. It’s suicide.”
“Don’t you have your own pack?” asked Duncan.
He sighed. “I did. But they’ve scattered, wanting to live normal lives. Or at least try. Today was the first time I’d seen Megan in almost twenty years.”
“Look, do you have any other information for us about my family?” I asked, on the edge of hysteria. Just when I thought things were going our way, bigger problems were erupting.
He shook his head. “No. The only reason I knew about Victor is because one of his pack, an old friend of mine, confided in me.”
“Who?” I asked.
“A woman who hates Victor as much as I do, but is too terrified to leave.”
“Was that Megan?” asked Duncan. “Did she join his pack or something?”
He chuckled. “God, no, Megan hates the bastard. She’d love to kill him with her bare hands, and she’s one of the nicest people you’d ever meet.”
Ethan’s lips thinned. “You mean Lycans that you’ve ever met.”
“As far as I’m concerned, we’re still people.”
“Don’t listen to Ethan,” said Duncan. “He’s always trying to start something.”
“Fuck you,” replied Ethan.
“You’re not my type,” he replied with a cocky grin. “Ask Nikki, she knows.”
“I can still take you out,” growled Ethan, his eyes glowing. “Don’t test me.”
Duncan raised his hands in the air, mocking Ethan. “Oh, I’m shaking in my boots.”
I cleared my throat. “Can we get back to business?”
“Are they always like this?” asked Maximus, shaking his head in disgust.
I nodded. “Pretty much.”
“Nikki is going to need real men to protect her, not two assholes constantly bickering,” warned Maximus. “If Victor gets his hands on her, he’ll do unimaginable things and that’s before he kills her.”
“He sounds charming,” I replied, tapping my foot nervously.
He smiled bitterly. “He’s a crazed lunatic, Nikki. Like I said before, get out of Vegas while you still can.”
I stood up. “Thanks for warning. I appreciate it. But, I’m not leaving Vegas. Not until I find my family. Come on, guys.”
Duncan and Ethan stood up.
“Wait,” sighed Maximus. He got out of his chair and took out his wallet. “Here’s my card, call me right away when the shit starts to hit the fan, which it will. I guarantee it. I’ll do my best to try and help you.”
“Thanks,” I replied, staring up at him. “I appreciate any help you can give us.”
“You’ll need it with these knuckleheads,” he said.
Ethan scowled. “You’re a funny guy, Max. Listen, I doubt you’ll be hearing from us,” said Ethan, putting his arm around me. “Nothing is going to happen to Nikki. Not with me around.”
“Or me,” said Duncan.
“On the contrary, boys. Something will happen if you stay in town. Something bad,” he said. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Chapter Eight
Celeste
Celeste crept out of Victor’s suite while he slept, trying not to wake him. Her body was still sore from being ravaged by the mongrel, who’d not only nipped her savagely a few too many times, but had also maimed her chest with his claws.
No accident there.
Fortunately, she’d healed quickly, but now needed to feed and regain her strength. She adjusted her bikini cover-up, making sure she showed enough skin, especially cleavage, and decided to search for dinner.
As she stepped into the elevator, a distinguished gentleman in his sixties was inside by himself. He was dressed as if ready for a round of golf, and she suddenly recalled him from the night before. He’d been with his wife in the casino, drunk and boasting about how he was some big golf pro from Florida. Annoying as he was, his body was husky and now hers for the taking.
He eyed her cleavage appreciatively as she moved to stand next to him. “Hello there.”
“Hi,” she smiled.
“What floor?”
She batted her long lashes. “Whatever floor you’re getting off on, handsome.”
His eyes widened and then he chuckled. “Now, honey, don’t go teasing an old man like me. You’ll bring my blood pressure up.”
“Oh, I’m not teasing,” she replied, taking a step towards him. “Not yet, anyway. Let’s find a place where we can be alone, and I’ll show you how serious I am.”
“Are you one of those high-class call-girls or something?”
Seething inside, she forced a smile. At least he’d said high-class. “No.”
“Oh, sorry. Hope I didn’t offend you?”
“Not at all. Listen,” she said, touching his zipper. “I’m just lonely and need a little companionship. Maybe a little more, if you know what I’m saying?”
He grinned, his watery blue eyes staring at her in glee. “You don’t give a man much choice, do you?”
She slid her arms around his neck and pressed up against him. “There’s always a choice,” she whispered, moving her lips to his ear. “Feel free to back out now, if you’d like. Otherwise, you’re all mine and… I can’t promise that I’ll go easy on you.”
He sucked in his breath. “You do whatever you’d like to me. I don’t bite.”
She licked the droopy skin under his earlobe and shuddered at the promise of taking his life. “I do.”
***
An hour later, Celeste arrived back at her own hotel, The Drake, which was across the street from the Mandarin, still reveling in the aftermath of her kill. Not only did she feel fresh and alive, but the look of terror on the old geezer’s face when he’d figured out what he’d gotten himself into, was still making her tingly all over. The terror in his eyes and the way he’d tried to escape had been most amusing.
Stupid fool deserved it, she thought.
They all do.
Still remembering the pain and regret in his face, she smiled. For her, the terror she invoked was better than anything, even the blood itself. Although she had to power to make the experience enjoyable, she never usually did. Not like she had for Duncan and Nathan.
Of course, that had been different. She’d wanted to change them into Roamers, especially after that sniveling Nikki kept bashing her and Caleb’s kind. To turn the two most important people in Nikki’s life into Roamers would be the ultimate revenge. Well, she’d already succeeded with Duncan and now needed to finish her work on Nathan. Just one more bonding and he’d be all hers. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Nikki’s face – if she lived long enough to find out.
Nikki.
Her nose wrinkled in disgust. She hated the girl and wasn’t about to share her father, let alone Duncan, with the little twit. Duncan was hers, now. She’d claimed and bonded with him. And, he was still pining for Nikki. Still at her side.
Well, she decided, as she turned on the shower, if he had to die with Ethan and Nikki, then so be it. Duncan’s feelings for the little bitch hadn’t changed in the least after she’d given him the dark gift. It was one of the reasons she’d run to Faye, to enlist her help. To kill Nikki.
Obviously, Faye had failed to kill her, since the three had obviously arrived in Vegas. Celeste had stumbled upon Duncan after leaving Motel Paraguay the other night, and then had followed him until he’d started shadowing Nikki and Ethan. The jealously oozing from Duncan was so strong, that it had both enraged and strengthened her own resolve to destroy Nikki. The girl was a pariah and had to be eliminated for good.
Where was Faye, anyway?
She hadn’t checked in, nor were there any signs that she’d arrived in Vegas. Caleb thought Ethan may have had a hand in that. He was obviously more powerful than ever. But, no match for Victor and his clan. There was little doubt that the three of them would soon be Lycan fodder.
She closed her eyes as the warm water washed away any remaining traces of dried blood from her skin. Now that she’d set up the hit on Nikki, Ethan, and Duncan, it was time to finalize Nathan’s change, and claim him for hers and hers alone.
***
Nathan
The next time Nathan woke up, he was alone in the hotel room, the bed next to his, empty. Obviously, Nikki was still missing.
Sighing, he got up and grabbed a bottle of water from the small refrigerator. After chugging it down, he wiped his mouth and decided to leave the hotel room. It was time to find his own answers because something about his mother’s was bugging the hell out of him. Nothing she’d said made sense. Nikki would never run off with someone like that. As far as he was concerned, she was always the level-headed one out of the two of them. Something wasn’t right. Perhaps Ethan was forcing her to come out here?
Now that seemed more accurate.
Nathan scowled. He was going to throttle this Ethan character if he got his hands on him. Nobody makes his sister do anything against her will. That was bullshit.
He only wished that Duncan was around, to help him sort this shit out. He and Duncan had become really good friends the last few months. Although it was obvious that Nikki had dissed him, Duncan hadn’t let it come between their own friendship. They’d started hanging out, even going to that new club together, with Celeste. Club Nightshade.
Celeste.
That was another thing. What the hell had happened between Celeste and Duncan? It wasn’t cool toying with two friends like that. He definitely didn’t like sharing girls, especially with a friend. As far as he was concerned, Celeste was now off limits and he hoped Duncan felt the same way. A girl like that obviously had issues.
Or maybe she was just some kind of nymphomaniac?
As all of these thoughts rambled through his head, he took another shower and tried to ignore the rumbling demands of his stomach. He was still afraid to eat after throwing up earlier, but also knew if he didn’t get something else in his stomach soon, he’d be worse off.
As he was stepping out of the shower, he heard someone entering his room, and quickly threw on his boxers, a fresh pair of jeans, and T-shirt. When he stepped out of the bathroom, he froze. “Celeste.”
She was lying on her side in bed, holding her head up with the palm of her hand. “Hi, Nathan,” she said, looking as
sexy as ever in a tight tank top and short skirt.
He walked over to his duffel bag, grabbed a bottle of mousse and a comb. “I was just getting ready to leave. Search for Nikki. They haven’t found her yet, have they?” he asked, trying not to think about how delicious she looked on his bed.
“Not that I’m aware of.”
He moved to the dresser and sprayed some mousse into his hand. “You want to help me look for her then?”
She got up from the bed and stood behind him. “Maybe. I thought we could have a little fun first,” she said, sliding her hands around his waist. She slipped her hands under his T-shirt and rubbed his ribcage. “What do you say?”
He sucked in his breath as her hand dipped lower. “Uh….”
Chuckling, she rubbed her chest against his back. “Come on now. Remember how much fun it was last time? And,” she whispered, “the time before that?”
“I thought it was just once?” he gasped as her hand slipped inside of his jeans.
“Oh, honey, it was twice. I can’t believe you’ve forgotten already.”
He thought of Duncan and wondered how many times he’d been with her.
“Celeste,” he groaned, surprised he had the willpower to remove her hand. “Although I’d love to keep doing this, I can’t. Sorry.”
“Why, baby?” she pouted as he turned around to face her.
She smelled like candy and he fought an overwhelming urge to find out if she tasted like it. “For one, I need to find my sister. Second, you and Duncan,” he frowned. “I do know about that, by the way. Third, I’m starving.”
She threw her arms around his neck and rubbed against him like a kitten. “I’ll feed you,” she whispered, bringing her lips to his neck. She licked under his ear and moaned. “Please, Nathan. I want you so bad.”
“That’s not what I meant,” he said as her hand reached to his zipper and tugged it down. “I… oh, God…”
She smiled against his neck and slid her hand back into his jeans, stroking. “Let it happen. Let me pleasure you.”
Vengeance (Night Roamers) Book Three Page 5