9781936653027BorntobeWildArsuaga

by Cynthia Arsuaga

  Stefan stopped abruptly and stared down at her. “Why do you think it would be a vampire doing this? The possibility exists with either the Feds or a private corporation having the capability of controlling this situation.”

  “Hmm. You’re right. Sorry, I jumped to conclusions. What if the government is involved, or even a crime syndicate or a private corporation, the implications this poses is still scary. We have to find this rogue or decoy or whomever it is spreading this virus and coerce them to talk and get to the bottom of this.”

  “I need to know everything you do, Alexandra. If this contagion is bad as you say, catching the rogue, whether vamp or human, is critical. We can find out the motive behind spreading the virus later.”

  She smiled, wide-eyed. “I take that as a yes?”

  Stefan smiled and put his hands on her shoulders. “Yes, I’ll help you. The Vampire and the Hunter. Who knew?” He let out a low growl, shaking his head.

  “No, that’s the Hunter and the Vampire. This is my bounty and idea.” With arms crossed over her breasts, chin turned up, and with an fully-charged intensity in her eyes, her body language screamed¾don’t mess with her, she won this argument, so back down.

  “You know, Alexandra, I started this night hoping I’d see you again, and here I am arguing over whether or not I’m on top or bottom with you.” His voice was soft and melodic.

  “If I initiate an idea, I always want to be the one on top.” Her heart raced. Did I just say that?

  “You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” He closed the distance between them.

  The physical closeness awakened a burning desire for Stefan that hit her without warning. Her face flushed. “I don’t think I’m feisty. I know what I want and go for it. Like this bounty. I had a hunch based on the facts. I hopped in my car in Florida, drove to Virginia, and here I am talking to you in the moonlight on a beach.” She bit her bottom lip as she dropped her voice with the last words.

  “I have a feeling you get your way a lot. Let’s head back to the club. I want to explore this idea of a possible conspiracy. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Vampires are inherently immune to disease. We thought it a rumor when we heard about the virus.” Stefan reached around her waist and rested his hand on her hip. Even though she flinched, the gesture felt right and didn’t pull away.

  “We?”

  “Gregori and I.”

  “Oh.”

  They reached the boardwalk and stepped back onto the pavement, brushed the sand from their feet, and put their shoes back on to walk the distance back to the club.

  As they drew near the entrance, Stefan stopped and faced her. “When we get back inside, don’t talk and keep your mind tight as possible. Let me check around for any new clients in town. I don’t want anyone to find out you are a hunter. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. I know the drill. Shut up, be quiet, and let you do the talking. Typical male vamp macho, take control thing.”

  “Be compliant to me, not bitchy, Alexandra. You are here for sex and a fix as far as everyone else is concerned. So act the part. Not the tough girl. I know you have it in you.” He ran his fingers along her cheek and down under her chin, lifting it slightly. Lowering his lips to hers, he brushed them ever so close without touching.

  Lowering her lashes, she fluttered her eyelids. His breath warmed her face. Teasing her, it seemed like seduction was a game to him. Fighting to deny the burning ache, her body wanted this man, vampire or not. Why would he actually want her when there were slimmer and prettier women to choose from? It’s only because he wants my blood and nothing more, right? Blood is blood to a vampire.

  Blood! Vampire! You’re on a job, Alex!

  Opening her eyes, she put her hands on Stefan’s chest and pushed him away. “Stefan, enough of your mental games of seduction. I’m not your prey. This is a job. Suck on someone else for your dinner. I’m not attracted to you or you to me, so stop the mind crap on me.” Adjusting her blouse and hair, she raised her clutch in her hand. “I have a wooden stake in here and don’t think I won’t use it on you if you keep trying to use those lame ass vamp tricks on me. I thought I could trust you?”

  He snickered and shook his head. “You can, sweetheart. I thought you were flirting with me.”

  “I wasn’t flirting. I was being nice to you so you would help me.”

  “Hmm, and you were sure your beguiling female charm would work on me?”

  “You’re helping aren’t you?”

  “Because I let you think you were charming me.”

  “Really? Well, your vamp tricks aren’t going to work on me anymore, now that I know what you’re up to.”

  “I can’t have one more practice run before we get inside to make sure we’re convincing, sweetheart?”

  “Practice run? My granny’s eye. And stop calling me that endearment. You’ve called me sweetheart several times. I’m not your sweetheart.”

  “Yes, prinţesa mea,” he called her my princess instead of sweetheart, in his native language. Was he calling her princess because she acted like one, in a derogatory way or a nice way? Either way she wasn’t sure it was any better than sweetheart.

  Stefan opened the entrance door and nodded to the doorman as they entered and then through the atrium into the bar area.

  “Gregori is here. He might see right through this ploy we’ve agreed to. Do not say anything and stay close to me.” Stefan slid his hand around her neck, drawing her close to him. Gregori walked toward them from across the room.

  “Stefan. Did you take care of the trouble at Transfixed?” Gregori asked.

  “Yes. Couple of politicians in town for a meeting showed up unannounced bullying their way in. I took care of it. They are satisfied. I gave them Tasha and Milica. Our women will take care of them and send them on their way without any more trouble.”

  “Good. I don’t want any Feds up our ass.” Gregori turned his attention to Alex, ogling her from hips to face and everything in between. “Who is this Stefan? I haven’t seen this flower here before. Is she new?”

  “Excuse my bad manners. Alexandra Carlton this is Gregori Van Zant. Gregori, Alexandra.”

  Gregori took her hand in his, turned it over, and brought her wrist to his lips to kiss. “A pleasure Alexandra,” he said in a low, husky voice.

  “You can call me Alex, everyone does.”

  Stefan rolled his eyes.

  “You must be the beautiful woman who has turned my enforcer’s head.”

  His deep silver gray eyes pierced through her, sending shivers down her spine. Smiling, “Thank you, I guess,” was the only response she could give.

  Stefan’s hold became more firm on her neck. “Alexandra’s new in town. Visiting from Florida. We were about to go to one of the private rooms when you came over.”

  “Hmm, a long way from home. Don’t let me keep you from your fun. Stefan, I’ll talk to you later. Alex it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again.”

  Again, he gave her a glance with those silver gray eyes which sent shivers down her spine. Damn these vamps! Oops!

  “Yes, my pleasure as well.” Forcing a smile, she hoped he didn’t hear her thoughts.

  As soon as Gregori stepped away from earshot, Alex peered up at Stefan and whispered, “Did you hear my thoughts?”

  “No, did you swear to Gregori?”

  “Yes, but it wasn’t real bad. The thought slipped out before I realized it. Hopefully he didn’t read my thoughts. Other than the tiny faux pas, did I play my part?”

  He brushed his fingers across her cheek and down to her chin. “Yes, you did. I told you when I glimpsed in your eyes I saw trouble. God help me you’re going to get me in deep.”

  “Good. I’ll keep you on your toes. You know I only mean business. No vamp mind control games, you promise? This is serious, finding this rogue carrying the deadly virus is my highest priority.”

  “Agreed. Let’s go to a private room and talk. Not here.”

  “Do yo
u have access to a computer?”

  “In the office. Why?”

  “Do you have a database with the entire list of vamps living in the area?”

  “I’m not telling you what is in our database. Is this actually what this is about? There isn’t a virus is there?” He stopped abruptly and a serious expression creased his face.

  Sensing he doubted her true intentions, she reassured him. “Yes, there is a virus, and no, I’m not out to get information about who’s who. I think we need to cross-reference suspects with known criminals and private corporations involved with vamps.”

  “We can’t use the club computers. Too many eyes and ears.”

  “Do you have access from your lair or do you work and sleep here as well?”

  “No, I have my own private place.”

  “You don’t want to take me there?”

  “I don’t take anyone to my sanctuary and no one, including Gregori, knows where it is. I met you last night Alexandra. You’re a human and a hunter, and you’re asking me to take you to my lair. Now who has stupid written across their forehead?”

  She giggled. “Ah, good ole Rule Number Ten. The writing on the forehead will get you every time. Although, there is more to the rule than writing on body parts.”

  “What is it with these rules of yours?”

  “Vamp Hunter Rules. I live by them. My dad taught them to my brothers and me since we were kids. They are like the Ten Commandments. I’ll teach them to you some day.”

  “No, it’s not necessary.”

  “C’mon, we need to get going. We don’t have the entire night. Is it far from here?”

  “Is what far from here?”

  Tilting her head to the side, she stared at him, raising an eyebrow. “Where do you think? You have to trust me Stefan. I trust you, and that’s saying a lot on my part. You want to catch this person, don’t you?”

  He hesitated at first, and answered, “Yes.”

  “Then, let’s go.”

  He shook his head. “Trouble, thy name is Alexandra.”

  As they departed The Black Rose, arms hooked around each other, she couldn’t help but giggle. This man is too funny.

  As they were leaving, her thoughts of how comfortable this man felt coiled around her arm kept her mind concealed from him. He was easy to talk to, made her smile, and a delicious treat to watch, like chocolate syrup dripping over ice cream. Considering vampires as sexy never crossed her mind. They were vile creatures of the night, evil beasts, murderous parasites bent on causing pain and death, not pleasure and life worth living. None of these were attractive traits in a man she wanted to make love to. Coming from a proud tradition of vamp hunters, it was a fine custom she meant to keep. Alex wanted a man who believed in the same things she did.

  Except this vampire, Stefan Marin, was different somehow.

  Oh, hell. He is gorgeous in a sensuous, seductive way, and extremely mysterious and dangerous, and I think he knows it. Randy had him pegged. Women do drool over him, and I’m no exception.

  For the first time in her life she considered actually having sex with a vampire if the situation arose.

  Chapter 5

  Alex allowed Stefan to drive the ‘stang, a rare concession to any man she’d give permission to, let alone a vamp she told him. And he didn’t bring anyone to his sanctuary, even his closest friends, he told her. The compromise¾she would wear a blindfold and the GPS would be turned off—he’d drive five miles below the speed limit. The deal sounded more like a demand. The car came to a stop in the garage of his lair and the door closed behind them, shutting out the world.

  “We’re here,” Stefan said. “You can remove the blindfold.”

  He opened the car door and slid out of the seat. With vampire speed, he stepped to the passenger’s side door before Alex removed the black scarf. He opened her side and offered an assist. Picking up her clutch from the seat, she slipped her other hand in his, and brushed her breasts along his chest as she stood.

  “Hmm, work out much?”

  “Every night.” He winked.

  Stefan took a step back, allowing her to turn and walk toward what was presumably the door into the house. Reaching around her back, he unlocked it. They entered a small area with terracotta tile floors and stark white plaster walls. Stefan led the way to another door and opened it.

  In amazement, she peered around the doorframe into the open space. “An elevator?”

  “Do you prefer to walk up three flights of stairs?”

  “No. I’ll take the elevator.”

  They exited the lift on the third level Stefan called home. Alex followed Stefan into the grand room which compromised the top floor. The ceiling soared two stories and the wall of windows and doors across the back were of glass, revealing the blackness of the night. The moon rays beamed in through the glass, no artificial illumination was needed to see as she strode across the dark bamboo wood floors. Through the pitch black wall of night, she became mesmerized by what lay beyond. Where were they? In the rural part of the city? They didn’t drive far from the club, so that couldn’t be true. By the ocean still?

  As she went further into the room, she noticed the starkness of the furnishings¾a sleek low-back leather couch, an Eames chair and ottoman, glass table, and a Flokati rug. When she reached for the door handle at the window wall to explore outside, his hand came to rest on top of hers.

  “What are you doing?” His brow arched, and took a step toward her.

  “We’re at the oceanfront, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can I step out and see or are you hiding bodies out there?”

  Cocking his head, he said, “Alexandra, I don’t hide bodies,” and opened the door to let her walk out. With a perfectly straight face, he added, “After sucking their blood, I destroy them by chopping them into tiny pieces.”

  She stopped and turned to face him. He leaned against the door jam, arms crossed over his chest, one leg crossed over the other at the ankle, and a mischievous grin on his face.

  “Ha Ha. More of your vamp humor?”

  “I thought it was a good one. I’m getting better, don’t you think?”

  To keep from laughing, she bit her bottom lip. No way was she ready to let him know his jesting amused her as much as it did, especially his dark wit.

  “I’ll boot up the computer. Would you like something to drink? I have some nice vintage in the wine room.”

  “No, thanks. Maybe later.” Keep a clear head, no alcohol¾Rule Number Nine.

  He turned and went inside, laughing as he did.

  “What?”

  “I heard you.”

  “I wanted you to.”

  Grinning, he walked to the study.

  Alex leaned on the balcony railing, directing her attention to the ocean beyond. The moon shone down on the water with a thousand sparkling gems gleaming across the surface. The sound of the surf roared in the distance. Damn, a house like this has to cost a pretty penny. Stefan must be well off financially. Being raised in a three bedroom, one bath, one-story house in Narcoosee with two brothers, two dogs, a cat, and a mom and dad made for tight quarters. Growing up, she didn’t have much in the way of nice clothes or material possessions. The family worked hard and appreciated what they had. As a vamp Stefan lived a long time, how long she didn’t know, probably amassing a fortune over the years. She wasn’t jealous¾well, maybe just a scant¾of what he possessed. Longevity didn’t explain it all. Sacrifice and good business decisions entered the picture somewhere along the way. Still, he drank blood to survive. Not exactly a total life of luxury in her opinion.

  Maybe he didn’t have anything worthy of her jealousy, after all.

  Turning to go inside, a tripod with a camera attached and set up on the far end of the balcony caught her eye. She walked over to inspect it. Odd. Why would a camera be here exposed to the elements?

  Alex peered through the viewfinder. The horizon? Nothing there, only ocean and sky. Darkness. As she extended her index
finger to press the shutter, a hand covered hers and stopped the movement from pressing the button.

  “Do you always mess with other people’s belongings without asking first?” He stood in front of the camera gripping her hand.

  His touch startled her. “Where did you come from? You scared me.”

  “This is my home and know everything happening. You had no business touching personal items without permission.”

  “Cool your jets. I didn’t mess anything up. I only peeked through the viewfinder.” She held a hand over her chest for a few seconds. “You know, you could announce your presence when you come back in a room and not scare the shit out of me. You could give me a heart attack.”

  “Unlikely. You’re healthy.” He paused for a second, gazing intensely into her eyes. “Let’s go in. The computer is on.”

  “Great, let’s get to work.”

  He led her back through the living room and down the hallway to the study. The room was small, although large enough to include the necessary equipment and furniture for a functional workspace¾a desk, chair, credenza, and two bookcases. There were two upholstered chairs in front of the desk which Stefan moved one around to the backside for her to sit and view the computer. The only light in the room came from the monitor screen.

  “Where do you wish to begin?” he asked.

  “Is there a way to cross-reference any of the Masters of the Families in the Syndicate with their outside business connections?”

  “I’ll call up the Masters and the businesses they run. I’m not sure if we can source any other businesses they manage.”

  “Let’s see the dealings. I’ll run them against any list we keep.”

  “Who’s we?”

  “The Bounty Hunters Society. We keep an up-to-date data base of known vamps with their histories, locations, and business dealings. Maybe I’ll do a split screen and check them simultaneously to save us some time.”

  Stefan gave her a fierce squint and fell back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest.

  “What? You think we don’t watch you vamps and network, Stefan? How do you think we do our job so well? You never figured out our secrets before now?”