“Well, that leaves me with a slight predicament. You see I was going to offer you the post of Manager of the Spa. Since Serena left, we decided to split the running of the hotel and the spa into two posts. But it would need someone covering some hours of every day. It’s a very prestigious position and brings you into contact with most of the Carbon Beach residents and visitors.” Ted’s voice trailed off a little while he allowed Leonie to process her thoughts. “Of course, if you prefer part-time hours, then your original position is open to you.”
Leonie sat up straighter. “No. I’ll take the Manager position. Thank you. I’m so honored and overwhelmed. There will be plenty of time around my shifts to see Carbon Beach, and look at the view I’ll see when I’m at work.” She pointed to the window. Most of the spa rooms overlooked the front to add to the client’s feelings of relaxation.
“Indeed.” Ted said, giving me a secret smile. Hopefully Leonie would settle in Carbon Beach until she was no longer dependent on a handout from myself and Serena.
“Right, well, thank you for your time, Ted. Once you’ve talked over her contract; reception know all about her booking. Could you ensure she’s settled in her suite?”
“Of course.” Ted stood and shook my hand.
“I’ll call you later, Leonie, to see how you are settling in and if you want anything.”
“Thanks, Smith.” She stood up and actually hugged me. I felt myself stiffen but slowly I managed to loosen my body and I patted the top of her head.
“Take care.” I said and left them to it. I walked past the bar and once again the alcohol spoke to me, Just one sip. There’s no one here to see you right now.
I put my head down and left the building quickly. I had somewhere else to be. Another demon to face.
After parking my car I knocked at the back entrance of 66 Club in Pasadena. The door opened slightly and I gave the password, “pussy”. The doorman opened the door wider and let me in. “Denny’s in the back.”
The smell of stale beer hit you the minute you walked into the rear of the club. Various staff members were around getting the venue ready for the evening. I knocked on the wooden door of Denny’s office. “Come in.” I pushed open the door.
Every time I stepped inside here it made me think of a dressing room of a diva pop star with a devil fetish. There were flowers and candles—all of them red. Bowls of red M&Ms. Wooden masks—every one of them with an evil grimace—hung on the walls. The office smelled of incense, and a half cracked mirror sat on his wooden desk, ready for snorting cocaine up his nose.
“Smith. Long time no see.” Denny failed to raise a smile. He barely managed an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I’ve been busy.”
“Oh I’ve seen the press, we all know how busy you’ve been. Why don’t you take a seat though and we can get caught up.” He picked up his phone. “Harlow. Get a bottle of Jack here now.”
I shook my head. “No. I don’t drink anymore.”
Denny’s brow creased, and he cracked his knuckles. “I’m sorry. Are you in a position to refuse me, Smith, because with what I have here, I don’t think you are?”
I sighed. No matter how much I tried, I could never escape my past.
Harlow came in. Her platinum blonde ringlets bouncing as she walked. Her breasts jiggled as they strained against her tight corset. She placed a drink in front of both of us. Denny pulled her toward him and she sat on his lap giggling.
He raised his glass. “Cheers, Smith.” He said.
I picked up my glass.
7
Serena
My twenty-four hours at the clinic were up. Flynn had stayed as he said he would, but it had been strange. Doctors and nurses visited the room regularly to check my vitals. Flynn had taken the couch, aware I’d tried to suck the doctor dry. I guessed he was probably as apprehensive as I was disoriented.
Dr. Ramone had been in and discharged me. I was free to go. So why was I sitting on my bed frozen in place?
“Is everything okay, Serena?”
I forced myself to stand up and walked over to the patio doors, looking out over the mountains. Here it was peaceful and I could gather my thoughts. There I would have the four of them around me fussing. Would they understand my need to get to know the new me? No matter what the doctors had said about retaining my previous identity, the fact was I was now a vampire. I survived on blood. So they weren’t really telling me the truth. I was not the same person who had come into the clinic.
Flynn picked up my luggage while I grabbed my coat and purse and we left, bidding farewell and thanking the staff. Outside was the familiar red Porsche.
Smith smiled as he looked at me, but I noticed it didn’t reach his eyes. I needed time to talk to my complex man. The thought struck me that it had not been a good idea to leave him to sort out Leonie’s arrival, and I wondered if that was what had left him looking so down.
“How are you?” He asked.
“I don’t know.” I replied honestly.
Once home I immediately felt a lot better as I walked in among my familiar surroundings. It was as if everything was in high definition. The colors of the mosaic on the floor of the currently drained pool almost hypnotized me. There was an extra pull toward my lovers too. I could smell their scent, their arousal, notice every individual hair on their head, the cadence of their voice. But although I knew they yearned for me, to see what it would be like now we were all the same, I was not ready. Not mentally. They needed to give me time.
A drill sounded from the second floor and I startled. “Sorry, they’re working late on the library as it’s almost finished.” Flynn said.
The library. The room I was so excited about, but now all I could think of was my being a vampire. I walked over to the kitchen drawer and took out a fork. I held it in my hand and squeezed. The fork bent like I was holding marshmallow, not steel.
I could feel eyes watching me. Flynn and Smith glanced at each other. I caught the look. While once it would have been too quick for me to notice, now I was the same as them. Fast.
“There’s a lot for you to get used to.” Smith said. “You’ve changed.”
He got it. He understood what the others didn’t.
“Yeah. I feel… adrift.”
“Don’t put pressure on yourself.” He moved closer to me and placed an arm on my shoulder. “It’s not every day you become a vampire.”
“I can’t explain it. It’s different for you four. You were born that way. It’s all you’ve ever known. I’ve been a certain way for twenty-five years and now I have to learn new ways. Don't worry, I’ll be fine. I just need time.”
“Why don’t you go to our room and rest?” Smith suggested. “Oh and I put your mail on the nightstand.”
I nodded and made my way upstairs. Opening the door of our bedroom, I once again absorbed seeing it again with my new finely tuned senses. Then picking up my mail I walked out and to the guest room next door. I flung open the door, the cream walls and simple furniture soothing me as I entered. The room had only a Queen sized bed and for tonight I wanted to be alone. I’d spent the previous hours with Flynn, and before that there was always one of them around. Right now I needed my own space. I sighed. I’d become a vampire to unite with my partners but at the moment it was distancing me from them.
Words floated disembodied from downstairs.
“Give her time.”
“Only just changed.”
I wanted to turn my hearing off. Returning to our room I rummaged through my travel purse for a pair of earplugs and placed them in my ears. It returned my hearing to what I had previously considered normal and I sighed in relief.
Then I changed into a fresh pair of pajamas and returned to the guest bedroom.
Flicking through the mail, a handwritten letter caught my eye. It had been forwarded from my apartment in New York. I ripped the envelope open.
Serena
You’ll probably believe this to be a hoax, but I assure you, it's not.
&n
bsp; I saw your story in the press. Recognized your face.
Because you look just like me.
I believe I’m your father. I’d like to meet with you. Though I understand if you don’t want to meet with me. I guess you are wondering where I’ve been for the last twenty-five years.
My cell number is at the bottom of this letter. I live in New York. I know answers to questions you may have about your heritage.
Vern Johnson.
I read and re-read the letter. Checked the postmark. It was two weeks old. Could this be true? Was it really my father writing to me? I knew nothing about him and would require a DNA test to believe him. Though that was now out of the question unless it could be done at the clinic. He knew answers to questions I had? Had he known my mother was a succubus? Thoughts spun around my brain, making me feel like I was on a Tilt-a-Whirl spinning and spinning. I needed to step off the ride, just for one goddamn minute. Throwing the letter on the floor, where it floated under the bed, I laid back and closed my eyes. Let my brain shut itself down to recover from my body’s recent trauma.
When I opened my eyes the next morning I found an open bottle of blood on the nightstand. I quickly chugged it down, licking my lips and feeling it quench the hungry thirst I’d woken with. After showering I put my pajamas back on and adding a robe, I made my way downstairs.
All four of them sat at the dining table as if they’d been waiting for me for hours. Maybe they had?
“How are you feeling?” Jayden asked. “Do you need any more blood, or was that one bottle enough?”
“Yeah, it seems enough thanks. I’m going to try a coffee though. See what it’s like.” Jayden jumped up, but I put my hand up. “I got it. Thank you though.”
Jayden looked disappointed. That guy needed something to do. I didn’t need a constant assistant.
I took a taste of the black syrup and thank God it still tasted fantastic. Then I breathed a sigh of relief. I sat at the table noting Smith’s smirk. “What?”
“You and your coffee. What would you have done if it had been horrible?”
“Staked myself.” I shot out before my brain engaged. Then I looked at Smith in horror. “I’m sorry, Smith. I didn’t mean…”
“Yeah, I know you didn’t.” He said, “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
But I did. I wished I could take back what I’d said. It had been so insensitive.
“So what are we doing today?” Jayden asked.
“I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m going to check in on Leonie.”
“It's your first day home, don’t you think you should take it easy?” Flynn said.
“No. I feel absolutely fine and Leonie hasn’t seen me since she arrived here. I want to pop in on her and say hi to Ted. I won’t stay long and if any of you insist on playing bodyguard you can come with me and hang at the hotel. Leonie will just think you’re crazy possessive.”
“I’ll come then.” said Smith. “Cause I am crazy possessive.”
I laughed. “Right, I’ll call and check when she’s free and then we can make our way over to the hotel. I’ll meet her in the restaurant. Why don’t you go work out while we chat?”
“You just want to lick the sweat off my body, don’t you?”
“Aww you got me all worked out.”
I swallowed the last of my coffee. “Maybe I should have an extra bottle seeing as I’m heading out in public, just to be safe.” I headed to the fridge for a cold bottle of blood then yelled, “Catch ya later,” to the others and left the room.
Leonie looked well when I saw her. Her brown hair had been cut and recolored with chestnut highlights, and her nails were French polished.
I air-kissed her on both cheeks. “You look amazing.” I told her.
“Well, I figured if I was gonna run a spa I’d better look polished myself.”
My eyes widened. “You’re running the spa?”
She flicked her hair behind her shoulder. “Yes, did Smith not tell you? Ted offered me the Manager’s position. I couldn’t believe it. I have so many ideas, and the other girls are great. My room is amazing. I’m already so happy, Serena. Thank you.”
“I’m so pleased for you, and look, you didn’t need a man. You got that job because Ted was obviously impressed with you when you worked here before.”
“Yes, he said he was disappointed when I left because customers had spoken highly of me.”
“See. Right what shall we do? Do you fancy a walk on the beach? I could use some fresh air.” And Smith’s safely in the gym so I can get away for a while.
“Sure. Are you okay? Smith said you’d had a small surgery. You do look a little pale.”
Yup being a vampire tends to do that to you, but hopefully a couple of days at the beach will disguise it.
We set off on our walk.
“I’m okay, just tender. Listen, can I ask you something? You spoke about your mom and how she wanted you to marry a rich man.”
I saw Leonie’s jaw set.
“Do you not have a father around?”
“Why?”
I scrubbed a hand through my hair. “Sorry, I’m messing this up. I was adopted. My mother died when I was young. I didn’t know my father.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Leonie’s expression softened.
“The thing is, and please don’t mention this to the guys yet, but a man claiming to be my father has written me a letter. He wants me to meet him. I don’t know what to do.” I knew I was taking a chance unburdening myself to a woman I barely knew, but I desperately needed to talk to someone independently of the guys, someone who might understand what I was feeling.
Leonie kept glancing at me as we walked. “I knew my father. He was a drug addict who beat my mother. She managed to earn the sympathy of a very rich man and left my dad. My father died of an overdose not long after. Not suicide, just a bad batch.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be. It was the best thing he ever did. Not all parents are loving. Some are bastards.”
“So you think I should ignore the letter?”
“Oh no. I was just talking about my father because you asked. Your dad could be nice. Then again how do you know it’s genuinely him?”
“I don’t.”
“Well, aren’t you an ex-journalist? Find out.”
“I guess it couldn’t hurt to do some digging around. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
There was a minute of silence as we walked, caught up in our own thoughts.
“Have you settled back in okay? I know it’s early days.”
“I’ve been in touch with some of my old girlfriends and we’re arranging a night out. I’ve a second chance and I plan to make the most of it.” Leonie fixed her gaze on me. “And I don’t plan to leech off you forever more. As soon as I get back on my feet, I won’t be asking you to subsidize my living costs.”
I placed a hand on her arm. The heat from her skin zinged through my palm and I withdrew as carefully as I could. Everything was new and taking time to adjust to. “Please don’t take it as leeching. Accept it as what it is. Our apology to you. You shouldn’t have had to leave. I hope we can genuinely become friends.”
“I think we already are.” Leonie smiled at me. “Now I must get on as I’m working soon, but I’ll be in touch about that night out, if you’re interested in tagging along.”
“Thank you, Leonie. I’m not very good at making friends. It means a lot.”
We walked back to the hotel, where Smith greeted me, freshly showered and looking flushed. I licked my lips, I couldn’t help myself.
“You escaped. That wasn't the plan. You should have told me you were leaving."
"Well, as you can see I'm fine."
He sighed. "How did it go?”
“Good. She’s settling in well. How come you didn’t tell me she got offered the Manager’s position at the spa?”
“It was her news to tell. Not mine. So, now what are we doing
?”
“I suppose I should go back to the house seeing as the others are petrified I’m going to do something stupid.”
“They care, Serena. It’s because we all love you. You’ve got to learn to let us in. We’re not your past, we’re your future.”
“Said beautifully. Are you not your past, Smith?”
He sighed. “I’m a work in progress.”
“Me too. But, come on, you’re right. Let’s go home.”
I walked into the house to find Carter pacing the floor like an excited ant. “Oh thank God, you’re back. I have news.”
Jayden shook his head. “Guy’s about to pop. If you’d been any longer I reckon he’d have floated up into the sky like a balloon.”
My eyes searched Carter’s face. “Have you heard back from your audition?”
“I got it!” He squealed. “I got the job! I’m going to be in ‘Madison’s World’ playing her new love interest. They’re saying if my part goes well, I could end up a regular as they are wanting her to settle down. I start tomorrow!” Moving closer, he picked me up and swung me around. “Filming is only forty minutes away, although sometimes it can go on into the night and if so there’s a trailer for me. It’s just perfect.”
I laughed in his arms. “Carter, I’m so happy for you. That’s amazing. Finally you are getting your big break as an actor.”
“And I’m not the only one with news. Flynn has been shortlisted for a prestigious photography exhibition under a pseudonym. He’s off to New York.” He placed me back on my feet and I swung around to look at Flynn, whose face was not happy despite the news.
“Yeah, thanks, Carter. Kinda would have liked to tell Serena myself.”
“Sorry, man. I’m buzzing.” I giggled at Carter. He was wired from the news.
I sat on the couch opposite Flynn. “Tell all.”
“So as you suggested, I entered a photography competition. It’s about architecture. I found a competition that had only a day left to enter and submitted under a different name. I found out today I’ve been shortlisted to the final ten. The winner is announced at The Diamond Gallery in New York City on Thursday.
Filthy Rich Vampire Husbands Page 4