“Cat.”
“Cat, I don’t know. Every time I got involved with fixing your shit, it always turned out bad…for me.” He took a sip of the cognac.
“Not this time, sugar. I promise. Scott is a pain in the ass Fed. No one will miss him. And the bounties are worthless as well. They’re human pieces of trash not worth converting. Please, baby, do it for me for old times. I’ll make it worthwhile. You remember how good we were together.” Sliding a hand from his arm down his abdomen to between his legs, she rubbed the growing bulge there.
His desire was directed at Alexandra, not Ecaterina. While his old love whispered in his ear carrying on about making a hit on a human, he watched his new love across the room. The taste of Alexandra’s blood lingered in his mouth. He wanted more. Damn she was giving in too, until the bitch walked in.
“Stefan, are you listening to me? Stefan!”
“Yes. I was thinking about what you were saying. Kill a human named Johnson, blah, blah and some bounties in Miami, blah again.”
“No you weren’t. You were looking at that fat ass bitch you’re training as your new slave.” Standing, she slammed the chair back up along the wall and knocked the table over, spilling the drinks on the floor. Ecaterina walked in the direction of Alex and the male companion, with fire in her eyes and fists curled and at her side.
Stefan acted quickly, and with vampire speed to place his body in front of Alexandra to protect her from Ecaterina’s wrath. He wasn’t quick enough.
Ecaterina reached the booth before he did. Knocking the table out of the way, she grabbed Alexandra pulling her to her feet. “If I can’t have him, you sure as hell aren’t either, whore.” Ecaterina pushed her head to the side and sunk her fangs into Alexandra’s soft flesh as she struggled and screamed.
Stefan grabbed Ecaterina by her shoulders and yanked her by the hair, pulling her off Alexandra. “You jealous psycho bitch. Get out of here.” He still held her by the hair with one hand, the other around the neck.
“I like it rough, Stefan, and so do you, as I remember. Go ahead, hurt me. Make me scream in pain and pleasure.” She licked the blood dripping from a glossy, white fang, swirling her tongue along her bottom lip around to the top lip. “Hmm, she tastes good.”
His eyes glowed red. “Never Ecaterina. Never again. Now get out and take your pet with you.” He tossed her several feet across the floor.
As she laughed, a low pitched, guttural sound escaped from her throat. Rising with the help of the male companion, who had hid out of the way when the turmoil erupted, she pushed him away and stood on her own.
Stefan returned his attention to Alexandra. Slumped on the floor with her back resting against the booth seat, head flopped to one side, she coughed between sobs.
“Prinţesa mea, speak to me. Alexandra?” Stefan knelt down close, whispering in her ear with his soothing voice. He examined the bite marks which looked more like gashes. Ecaterina had charged animal-like, intending to kill Alexandra. The rate of bleeding alarmed him, especially coupled with shallow breathing. On the other hand her heartbeat was strong. I still have time to act.
Gently lifting her into his arms, he carried her behind the stage to the club offices. Everyone in the club stood gawking at the incident that had taken place. A human woman remarked how erotic the scene played out and clapped thinking it part of the club’s entertainment.
Stupid human.
Silence broke in the room with the woman’s comment and other clapping and chatter followed. The emcee caught Stefan’s eye as he passed by him. The astute barker recognized the reality of the situation and received a message from Stefan to take control, shifting the attention of the crowd back to him with the next scene moving on stage. The players set up quickly.
Stefan lowered Alexandra to the couch in Gregori’s office. Blood seeped out of her wound and onto the leather surface. He cursed, knowing Gregori would be furious. Oh well, he’ll have to get over it.
Stefan studied his new love for a few moments. He had to act fast. The loss of blood became critical. Its scent teased his nostrils, tempting him to take what small amount remained. He had not had anything significant since the bottled blood back at his house earlier in the evening. “Damn it to hell, Alexandra!”
He waged a silent war within knowing she didn’t want to drink blood. The idea repulsed her and he made a promise. The vampire blood, his blood, was the only thing that would save her life right now. And then the issue of her being a hunter. A vampire saving the life not only of a human, but a hunter, Gregori would consider this a betrayal. What would he do?
Without further hesitation, he propped Alexandra’s head up with a throw pillow from the sofa. “Forgive me, prinţesa mea,” he said and bit into the vein of his right wrist. Dark sanguine blood trickled from the two shallow wounds he inflicted. Using his fingers, he smeared his blood onto her gashed flesh on her neck to heal the wound. Within moments the bleeding ceased and the skin closed. He milked the vein and gently placed his other hand behind her neck, raising her to his wrist.
At first, a small trickle touched Alexandra’s lip and he whispered, “Drink Alexandra, drink to live. I cannot lose you. Alexandra, hear me. I command you. Do not disobey me. Drink.” His voice velvety, yet coaxing; he winced at having to use harsh words and commanding her. Not willing to let her go, he wouldn’t turn her without her permission, taking her blood was off the table as a choice. Choosing life was the only option. Once she recovered, he’d convince her he’d done the right thing.
Alexandra licked the blood from her lip as he commanded. Within moments, she grabbed Stefan’s arm and drew his wrist in, suckling on the blood flowing from the puncture. Color came back to her skin, her heart beat steady. Stefan pulled his wrist away and sealed the prick marks by licking them. He reclined her back onto the pillow. Her eyes fluttered, remaining closed. Before drifting off to sleep, she moaned and murmured something incoherent.
Stefan went into the adjacent private bathroom and dampened a cloth with warm water, returning to clean Alexandra. Most of the blood had trickled down her neck and absorbed into the corset. He was saddened. The delicate lacy lingerie looked beautiful on her, despite the objection of purchasing it. The precise cut of the underpinning showed off her hourglass figure magnificently and he loved her in it. Tomorrow night he’d buy another one to replace the stained one.
A knock came to the door.
“Yes,” he called out.
The door cracked open. “Master Stefan, it’s Sheena. I have Medena’s handbag and blouse. I thought you’d want them here with you. I’ll put them on the desk.” Moving across the room, she laid the items down, then turned to leave and stopped.
“How’s she doing, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Without looking up, his gaze remained fixed upon Alexandra, while stroking her cheek. “She’ll be okay with enough rest.”
“That’s good. I like her, for a mortal, anyway. There’s a…a light about her.”
He looked up at Sheena. “You see it too?
“Yeah, like a glow around her whole body. I wanted to be close by and taste her from the moment we met, but I knew she belonged to you. Where did you find her?”
“She found me.”
“Really? What’s her real name? I know it can’t be Medena. That’s a strange name for her.”
He laughed. “You’re a smart girl Sheena.” He turned back to Alexandra. “Her name is Alexandra. Alexandra Carlton.”
“The protector of mankind. I like it. It’s an interesting name for one so delicate and beautiful.”
He looked back to Sheena, his brow wrinkled.
Sheena nodded and walked toward the door to leave.
“Sheena, wait.”
Abruptly stopping at the door, her eyes engaged his. “Yes Master Stefan.”
“Where’s Teo?”
“I think he’s in the front of the house tonight?”
“Get him for me, please.”
“Yes, Master Stefan.”
�
��And Sheena, no mention to anyone as to Alexandra’s true name. Her name is Medena to anyone who asks. Understood?”
She nodded.
Stefan watched Alexandra breathe evenly. Confident the worst had passed, the physical part of it anyway, he relaxed. As for the mental end, only time would tell. He saved her with his blood and anticipated her displeasure. The alternative would have been to let her die, and he wasn’t having any of that. She entered his life when he was ready to end everything. He’d be damned if she left him alone in the world again.
“And damn the bitch that made me do this to you. I’ll make her pay. I promise you.”
A cell phone ringtone played a rock song. The annoying sound came from Alexandra’s handbag. Stefan found the perpetrator and answered.
“Hello, Alexandra’s phone,” he said.
“Who the hell is this?” a deep, gruff voice came back.
“This is Stefan Marin, and you are?”
“Why are you answering Alex’s phone? Where is she?”
“Alexandra is…indisposed at the moment. How can I help you?”
“What do you mean indisposed? Who the hell are you? I was supposed to meet her. If you’ve harmed her in any way, I’ll bust your ass up in so many ways it’ll take you a month of Sundays to put the pieces back together again. Now put Alex on the phone.”
“Ah, you must be Alexandra’s brother, Jordan.”
“Yeah, that’s right. She told you about me?”
“Yes, we are at another club taking care of some business and have run into a bit of a problem, but everything is okay now. Tell you what, why don’t I have one of my men bring you over here and you can see Alexandra here instead of waiting. How does that sound?”
“Uh, yeah, sure. Is everything all right?”
“Yes, she’s fine.
After hanging up, he shook his head. Now, he has to deal with another human. The older brother of the woman he’s falling in love with.
A knock on the door and Teo stepped inside.
“You asked for me Master Stefan?” Teo, a vampire knight employed by Gregori asked.
“Yes. I wanted to let you know your new submissive arrived tonight from Master Sorin. I checked her out. She’s waiting for you in Room Four. I was preoccupied earlier. Otherwise I’d have told you sooner.”
“Not a problem. Thank you Master Stefan. By the way, I overheard Anton talking to that Robert Cramer rich dude. He has a couple of state politicos with him. I think they’re looking for some action tonight. Probably some building project Cramer wants state approval rammed through appropriations. I guess he’s here buying their votes. Just wanted to let you know.” Teo exited the room.
“Great. Thanks Teo.”
Fuck! Can my life get any more complicated?
Chapter 10
Alexandra awoke disoriented and with a throbbing headache. The last memory before everything went black, the crazy bitch vampire charging up to her and…sinking fangs into her. The thought jolted her upright.
“What the hell happened? Oh, my God, I’m dead.” Grabbing her throat in a panic, and looking around the room, a panicky question crossed her mind, “Where am I?”
“Alex, you’re not dead. It’s okay, babe.” Jordan assured her.
“Jordan? Oh my God, Jordy!” She threw her arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly. He returned the embrace, sitting down on the couch with her.
“Hell, baby girl, I’m not going anywhere. You can lighten up on the hugging a bit.”
“I’m sorry.” Releasing the embrace, she sat back. “I’ve missed you, that’s all. Oh it’s so good to see you.” She smiled, and punched his upper arm.
“Back at ya.” He punched her, lightly.
“How did you get here?”
“This dude sent someone for me after I called your cell and he answered.”
“Oh yeah, I was supposed to meet up with you. I lost track of the time. Speaking of which, what time is it?”
“Hell if I know, let me see.” He flipped out his cell phone and looked at the face. “It’s after midnight, twelve forty-nine.”
“Good grief. How long was I unconscious?”
Stefan stood out of the way in the shadowed corner of the office, watching the interplay between the two siblings.
“I hate to break up this love fest, but we do have to get to work. Alexandra, how are you feeling?”
His presence surprised her. “Stefan, where did you come from? I didn’t see you standing there.”
“On the other side of the room. You didn’t answer me. How are you feeling?” he asked sternly.
“Hey, you can’t talk to my baby sister that way.” Jordan stood defiantly.
Alex grabbed his wrist. “Jordy it’s okay. He didn’t mean to sound the way he did. It’s his way, old school and all.” She looked at Stefan and grinned. “I’m fine thank you. And you’re right. We do need to get to work. I have to tell you something important. I think I have a lead on the rogue vamp.”
Rising from the leather sofa, dizziness rushed through her head, creating a sensation of the floor slipping from under her feet. Stefan quickly moved to her side and helped her sit down.
“Whoa,” she said, her hands grabbing her head.
Jordan caught her around her shoulders. “You’re not all right. What actually happened to you? This asshole told me you tripped and bumped your head, but I don’t believe him. Tell me Alex.”
Staring into Stefan’s face, she searched for answers to Jordan’s questions. The confrontation brewing was exactly what she feared would happen when these two men bumped heads. Big Brother versus Big Vamp Lover.
“I tripped in the club. It’s dark in there and I bumped my head. I’ll be okay, Jordy. I need to take it slow. Stop being such a big brother and fussing over me. Please?”
“I don’t trust him, babe. He’s a vamp and we’re breaking the rules by even sitting here having a civil conversation with him.”
“Jordan Carlton behave. He’s helping me with this bounty. He’s risking his job with his Master by helping me, so be nice to him. I trust him.” Placing her hand on Stefan’s, she squeezed it affectionately.
The gesture riled Jordan more. “Jesus, Alex! You’ve slept with him haven’t you? Damn it, you’re going to lose your license and be brought up before the Council for so many violations if you’re found out.” Standing, he paced the floor, throwing his arms up over his head. “And Mom and Dad, they’re going to shit little green apples when they hear about this. Good God Almighty! Their little girl is fucking a vampire. What else have you done? Not that anything else could top this.”
“Now I know why you talk the way you do, prinţesa mea.” Stefan laughed.
“You think.” Her laugh joined his.
“This isn’t funny Alex.”
“I know it isn’t.” Still feeling a bit unsteady, she rose slowly and walked toward her brother. “Jordy, what Stefan and I do is our business and as far as the Council is concerned, well, what they don’t know won’t hurt them. I am staying objective on this hunt and I will get my vamp and bring him to justice. The Council can’t fault me for doing my job. As for Mom and Dad, well, they’ll get over it because they love me and know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt myself. And you will get over it too Jordy and so will Paul, when you tell him of my so-called transgressions. We’re family and nothing can tear us apart, nothing.”
Jordan glared at Stefan, fingers curled into his palms. “You’ve done this to her, brainwashed her with your freakin’ vamp mind control. I’m not going to let you get away with this.” He lurched toward Stefan.
“Jordan, stop. I mean it.” She threw her arms up to his chest. He towered over her by at least a foot, but height never proved to be an advantage during their battles of wills over the years. Slowly, he backed down.
Stefan stood behind her. The two men sandwiched her between them. Her arms outstretched to put distance between them and her. “Enough I said. There are more important matters to attend than wor
rying about my personal affairs. There are people dying because of a psycho vamp on the loose with a deadly virus. Don’t you think that is more important than arguing over who I sleep with? Grow up boys. I’m a big girl. I can make my own decisions about who I can and can’t fuck. Got it?” Finding no answer from Jordan, she shifted her attention to Stefan and waited for a response from either one.
“Got it?” she asked again, in a stronger tone.
“Yes, I think the lady has spoken,” Stefan said with a grin on his face.
“Jordy?” Her eyes surveyed him sternly.
“Yes, and I promise if he hurts you, he’ll have to answer to me.”
“Your threat is noted.” Stefan nodded his head to the brother.
“Good. Now that’s settled, can I please tell you what I learned tonight which might help with the case?” Stepping between the men, she headed toward the door.
Jordan and Stefan stared each other down, neither one wanting to give ground. Stefan gave a low, throaty growl.
“You don’t scare me vamp.”
“Out of respect for Alexandra, I will not fight you Jordan.” He turned away and walked toward Alexandra. “You’re welcome to join us if you want to help,” he said smugly.
Jordan grumbled something indiscernible under his breath and followed them out the door.
Alex sat between the two men at a corner table at the front of the club. The back room sex scene wasn’t the place to talk about vamp hunting. Hell, this room wasn’t much better, Alex thought. Without all the sex, she could at least concentrate better. Mental confusion as a result of the crazy vamp attack left her feeling disoriented. A couple of hours seemed to have disappeared from memory.
“Stefan, the female vamp looked familiar. I’ve seen her face somewhere before.”
“Yes, Ecaterina. What about her? Where did you see her?”
“I don’t know where. I think she might be the rogue though.”
His brow furrowed and he shifted in his seat. “Why do you think that? Because she called you a name and…tried to attack you?”
“Attack you? Who tried to harm you, Alex? You said you tripped and bumped your head.” Jordan’s went up an octave at the end.
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