“There’s a link with the sex club. We need to be here when it’s open.”
“I’m game for that.” Palmer spoke up. “You think the Chief will sign the expense report authorization for some new clothes?”
“Oh, yeah, I can see the look on the accounting clerk’s face now. Leather pants, whips, chains, and masks. Yeah, that will go over real well.”
They laughed.
“C’mon. Let’s grab lunch and head back to the office.”
“Johnson, it’s been decided. You’re going in undercover with Alex tonight. These are your outfits.” To the expression of dismay gathering on Johnson’s face, Chief Martin tersely added, “Deal with it.”
Johnson fingered the leather leash. It was stiff and unyielding. The scent of leather piqued his nose, drowning the musty smell of the office. At the end of the leash was a matching black collar for Alex’s neck. The small chrome spikes caught the room lighting.
“Sir, I want to continue on this team, but asking me to participate wearing this is inappropriate.”
“Alex. You wanted to work for us. Here’s your chance. You won’t blend in with a pants suit. You want to nail these vamps then this is the way. We need one more piece of the puzzle. Your task is to prove the vamps distribute Blue, a licensed but controlled substance. The listening electronics you carry are the best we have, although in your case Alex it was a challenge to find a place to hide it.”
“You’re right. I’ll do it.” She turned to Johnson. “C’mon, it won’t be so bad. I’ve been to a vamp club in Virginia. They are…stimulating, but we will be there to do a job.”
“Surely there is another way, sir.” He looked at his superior pleadingly from behind the files stacked on his desk.
“No, unfortunately Washington wants us to move quickly. When Blue turned up, they gave me the green light. We have to act fast before any of this crap gets out to the public. Washington fears panic, either because the media gets wind or there’s an actual exposure.”
“That’s all fine and dandy, but, Jesus Christ, have you seen the things sent over for us to wear? This is Alex’s.” He held up the leash and collar before remembering the blinds on the window were opened and jerked them out of sight. “He pointed toward the leather pants and mask, still in their box. “Chief, this is embarrassing.”
Martin’s brow raised and his lips twitched ever so slightly. The expression made Johnson grind his teeth with chagrin. After working under his boss’s command for the last year, he recognized how this appealed to a streak of perverse humor in an otherwise excellent supervisor.
“I can always take you off the case and put Palmer in. Would you prefer that?”
Hell no! “No sir. What time do we go?”
“Good. Meet at SGM after your shift is complete. According to our source, nothing happens at this club until past midnight. We’ll have back up in the area if you get into trouble. Palmer will be your liaison on the outside listening every minute and coordinating with the local law enforcement. Are there any other questions?”
“How do we get in? Isn’t this a private, member’s only club?”
Martin handed a large envelope to Johnson. “Everything you need to know is in here.”
“Thanks.”
“Good luck Johnson and take care of Alex.”
“I will sir.”
“I can take care of myself, but thank you for the thought, sir.”
Chapter 19
Stefan nervously paced the floor of his room. Tonight he desperately wanted to touch Alexandra’s mind, to call out to her, a purely selfish need on his part. She worked at SGM. For certain, the woman he caught a glimpse of a couple nights ago was her. If he tried to contact her, another vamp in the vicinity could hear their thoughts. No, he couldn’t risk her life. He’d find another way.
And then there was the secret meeting scheduled for this evening. Gregori and several other vampires, from Masters to Knights to Sergeants were due to arrive, including Sorin, Master and Commander of the Eastern European Family, fifteen leaders and their accompanying entourages.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Stefan, put this on. We’re going out tonight, baby,” Ecaterina cooed.
“You think you can dress me now? My mother has been dead a long time.” He sized up the black leather pants and white silk shirt. “Jesus, Cat, you know I hate wearing leather. What’s this about?”
“We’re going to a club. Emil, ah, I mean Dragos. I still can’t get used to his real name. Dragos wants you to see another part of his operation. Be ready in an hour.”
Tension built throughout his body. He threw the clothes down on the couch beside him and held his head in his hands. What the hell am I doing here? This has to end tonight.
He showered and dressed. The tight fitting pants cut his thighs and butt cheeks so sharply, he didn’t know if he’d be able to move. Every ripple showed through the leather skin. He knew Ecaterina purposely brought him a size smaller. The silk shirt glided smoothly over his bare shoulders and clung to his body. He left it loose around his hips and unbuttoned at the neck several inches.
The clothes he wore said it all. He felt trapped, restless while the beast within wanted to rip something apart. Anything would do. He walked toward the window. The outside world, dark except for a few streetlights, reflected an amber glow from the pavement below. The night was clear, the moon a sliver short of full. No one could see in the tinted windows. He watched and wondered what the rest of the world did to pass the night away—and what Alexandra did at this very moment.
His body clenched at the thought of her, his prinţesa. He closed his eyes as the lust raced through his body like a tidal wave, surging with unbridled power. It almost buckled him to the floor as it flowed straight to his cock aching against the tight pants. His hand rubbed the bulge jutting from the leather and he groaned softly as he tried to keep his passions under control. He wanted to touch Alexandra, to taste her sweetness, to smell her essence, to see her fiery green eyes as the burning desire rose within her, and hear her cry out in ecstasy in his arms. What the fuck is going on with me? I’m a walking sex-on-a-stick for this woman. Stefan never had such feelings for a woman, a human woman at that.
The sound of the chamber door startled him and he turned.
“Ooh baby, is that for me?” Ecaterina watched Stefan move his hand from the erection and glided across the room toward him, licking her lips. “You look hot as Hell in these pants, just like I knew you would.” Her hands stroked across his thighs, brushing the length of the rock hard cock pressing against the leather.
He grabbed her wrists, pulling them to the side. “Enough Cat. I’m not interested in playing with you tonight. If Dragos is ready to go, I’m ready. Let’s get this over with.”
“Fine, he’s on his way downstairs and probably waiting for us in the limo by now.”
* * * *
All day, Alex fidgeted about the upcoming assignment. The morning started out with seeing poor Haley, stripped naked, murdered, the drug Blue dripping from her mouth, as blood oozed from vampire puncture wounds on her neck. Thinking of the ordeal still nauseated her.
Before the shift started, she went on a brief shopping expedition in search of an accessory for the masquerade at the sex club, the final touch on the disguise for a party where not successfully blending in could cost her life. What the hell am I doing? This has to end tonight.
The tight dark denim jeans cut her butt, showing the attractive roundness. She purchased a pretty corset top, not dissimilar to the one Stefan bought her in Virginia. The outfit surely would help her fill the part of the submissive slave girl on Johnson’s leash tonight. Add some extra makeup, do up her hair, and the outfit would be all set.
To her added surprises, her supervisor at the lab assigned her to Haley’s position of handling the new experimental drug, XB1120. Alex, of course, knew it as Blue. Were three women the lucky charm? Two women who worked on the drug, died in the club Euphoria with the drug in
their system. Would she be next?
Tempting as it was, she didn’t smuggle any Blue out of the factory at the end of the work shift. She agreed to meet Johnson at his apartment, change clothes, and leave for the club from there. The entire time she hoped Chief Martin with Palmer had enough back-up agents. A bad feeling about this assignment sat heavily in her gut. Why did Jordy have to go back to Narcoosee? Sure could use him right about now.
After a torturously slow day at work, eleven o’clock didn’t come soon enough. As the big hand touched twelve, marking the eleventh hour, she jumped out of her seat, through the door, and past security. Upon leaving the parking garage, the unmistakable color and profile of Johnson’s Tahoe passed ahead through security.
Twenty minutes later, she knocked on the door to Johnson’s apartment.
“Hey Aly, come on in. You can take the bedroom to get changed. I’ll change out here.”
“Thanks.” She’d been to his apartment a few times before while visiting for mind-block exercises. It was nice. A granite countertop separated the kitchen from the living room. One brown sofa, a low, square glass coffee table, and a flat screen television perched on a small cabinet filled most of the great room. One shelving unit crammed with books beside a small table holding a laptop and printer took up the rest of the space. A door on the other side of the great room led to a small, but adequate bedroom and bathroom. The compact space exactly fit her ideal, once she saved up enough money to be out on her own. Maybe after this assignment, capturing and bringing in Ecaterina, and collecting the bounty, she could afford to move out of her parents’ house.
Wasting no time, she stripped out of her work clothes, slipped into the new jeans, sucking in her stomach. The corset came next, switching out her bra for the lacy tight-fitting contraption. It accentuated her breasts nicely, pushing them up high, almost spilling out over the fabric and nipped in her waist. She styled her hair and freshened up her makeup.
Alex walked back into the bedroom, put her right leg on the edge of the bed, and pulled up the leg of her jeans. She’d set her ankle holster out and made quick work now of securing it. This piece of equipment was her back up plan. Chief Martin had his and Carlton Bounty Hunters, Inc. had theirs. The precisely carved wooden stake fit into the holster easily. The weapon, about the size of a Scottish Dirk, wouldn’t alarm on a metal detector, and in her hands, was deadly to a vamp. The holy water fit snugly into a side pocket of her clutch.
Bringing her leg down she inspected it to ensure no sign of the weapon could be seen. After slipping on the four-inch heels, she made one last check in the mirror, and grabbed her bag. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Alexandra Carlton was ready to go get the bad vampire.
Emerging from the bedroom, Johnson’s eyes locked onto her and didn’t let go. She took notice of the bulge in his black leather pants grow. “You look incredible,” he said.
“Thanks, but I feel…exposed and fat.”
“Oh no. You look mighty fine Aly. Sit. I have something for you.” He went to the kitchen and returned.
He sat next to her on the couch. He reached around her neck and fastened a studded black leather collar around the back. He was within inches of her cheek, his warm breath brushed close to her ear and sent shivers down her spine. She closed her eyes. Damn he smells good, like a walk in the woods after a spring rain. Really heady.
“There. Now you’re my slave for the night.” Their eyes met and for a moment they were lost in each other’s gaze.
“Okay,” she broke the spell. “I think we need to go. It’s late.”
“Mmm, yeah. You’re right.”
* * * *
Stefan’s gaze methodically surveyed the inside of Euphoria, probing with narrowed, hooded eyes into the many shadowy niches, the deep padded booths covered in purple velvet, past the flashing strobe lights meant to disguise the various dark sexual desires which brought mortal men and women to the vampire dungeon. The bar had a small area, lit with pendant lights over the black granite counter. A small dance floor and a stage area took up the front, enhanced by dramatic pleated, purple, velvet drapes. The remainder of the club slipped into darkness around the perimeter.
“What do you think of the club Stefan?” Dragos asked as they slid into one of the booths with an unobstructed view of the stage.
“Not bad. Seen one, seen them all.”
Dragos laughed. “Yes, that is true, but I have something new and different.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a vial filled with a blue liquid.
“Blue blood,” Stefan said.
“Hmm, I like that. Yes, Blue Blood, the Vampire Blood of Royalty. I might use that in the ad campaign. Thank you.”
“They’ll be hooked and coming back for more. The Feds won’t be able to stop it. The laws will be changed after the virus takes care of the matter here shortly,” Ecaterina interjected.
“Yes, my dear. You’ve done a great job of spreading the virus. Everything is in motion.”
“You haven’t told me what effect this Blue Blood has on us when we feed on someone who has it in their system. Do we become addicted?”
“Ah, good question, my son. Yes and no. It enhances the adrenaline rush, prolonging it in our system. In essence, we could become addicted I guess if you feed strictly for the rush, but I suspect you don’t.”
Stefan nodded.
The waitress took their order, and returned within a few minutes.
“I noticed you don’t make this a member’s only or private invitation club. Why not?” Stefan asked.
Dragos grinned. “I want more patrons. We started out exclusive, but membership was low. No one could afford us. We had the same clientele returning. I grew bored with them. When I opened it up, this is what we get now.” He waved his arm around. “A wealth of succulent meat to choose from any night of the week. Don’t you agree my dear?” He grabbed Ecaterina’s hand and kissed it.
Stefan leaned back against the booth and leisurely scanned the dance floor. Loud sexy music pumped through the dimly lighted club. Shadows passed back and forth, women giggled, as men chased the women, using tired old pick-up lines. Some were biting and feeding openly, others less conspicuously. Dance music, a mix of Latin sounds and hip-hop, blared from the sound system.
So far, he found no one who looked appetizing enough to feed upon or who deserved to have the honor of his company tonight. There were a few perverts not worth his time and a few first-timers who wouldn’t be into playing and too scared to do anything but whimper. Others too drugged up to really enjoy the moment, and still others looking for a good fuck but not willing to lose a pint of blood over it. He only fed and had sex on those who truly did it for the pure pleasure. Mindless killing, fucking, and bloodsucking were over-rated. He did enough of all three over the past five centuries. He was numbed by it. The effects of the acts only lasted for a few moments, and during those moments he felt alive. Each time it seemed shorter and shorter. Until Alexandra walked into his life.
“Nothing appears to suit you, I see.” Dragos ran a large hand through his thick raven black shoulder length hair. He normally wore it tied back, but tonight opted to wear it loose. His ethics for choosing who he fed from were different from Stefan’s, a difference which was one reason for their discord. Stefan may disagree with Dragos but who was he to say what was right or wrong? Dragos fed on who he pleased. He was the Grand Master of the Southeast Florida Family and had certain powers and privileges others didn’t. Stefan noticed his sire had not changed since he last saw him.
He stretched out his long, leather-encased legs underneath their table nestled in a darker part of the club. “Not a damn thing.” Voracious hunger didn’t gnaw at him tonight as it normally did. Why, he wasn’t sure. The thoughts of Alexandra he figured surely would have made it more pronounced, but not so.
“Our dear Stefan isn’t in the mood for any fun, I suppose,” Ecaterina said.
“There’s more to life than a good fuck, Cat. Unlike you who is always i
n heat.”
“Ah, he has you there my dear,” Dragos said.
“Go to hell Stefan.”
Stefan scanned the room once again to see if anyone else had entered worth satisfying his bloodlust. His senses returned nothing. Everyone in the club was already engaged and no one new entered.
Damn. Later tonight when he meets his friends, he’d hit the streets on his way to the gathering.
Why did he keep searching when there was nothing worth feeding from? Compulsive behavior or boredom? Most likely the latter. He snickered. “I’m tired of this place. Are they having any scenes tonight or only private role-playing in the rooms? Otherwise I’d prefer to go somewhere else.”
“Patience, my son. The show will start soon. In the meantime, have another drink and relax until Cat and I return.”
“Where are you going?”
“I have a surprise to get this party started.” He winked. “We’ll be back shortly. Come my dear.” He took her hand and helped her stand. They walked across the room. Stefan watched them disappear behind the stage draperies.
Stefan didn’t like the way Dragos made the comment. He suspected the surprise had something to do with the Blue Blood. Within a few minutes, his question was answered. The music died down, people gathered around the stage, as Dragos stepped out from behind the drapes. After a few words of introduction, he motioned to a few of his guards to bring the vials of blue liquid to the patrons for a sample of the new designer drug. A small drop, placed on the tongue, was all that was needed for the desired effect.
Stefan watched as a line formed and one-by-one the humans in the club stepped up on stage and opened their mouth to receive Dragos’ offering. The ritual reminded Stefan of receiving communion. The only thing missing was the small wafer. Was this Dragos’ sick way of snubbing his nose at religion? The vampire was sick. Yeah, this has to end tonight!
After a few minutes of watching the ritual, a sudden unfamiliar heaviness invaded the room diverting his attention from the stage, his senses amped up. That normally only happened if another vampire suddenly entered the room. Then he noticed the vampires who were already in the club were also agitated. The humans high on the blue drug were the object of their attention and his. This is what Dragos meant by getting the party started. “The drug is an aphrodisiac to vampires. That’s why I feel this way?” He needed to quench his bloodlust and sex thirst.
9781936653027BorntobeWildArsuaga Page 21