Vampires Never Cry Wolf

by Sara Humphreys

  Sadie. Killian reached across the seat and took her hand in his. The warmth of his flesh swiftly engulfed hers, reminding her of what bathing in the glow of the sun felt like. You and I both know that what’s happening between us is anything but temporary.

  Gathering her hand in his was a remarkably disarming gesture that warmed her heart even more than her flesh. Her belly quivered while she stared into those kind caramel eyes, and she was terrified by her own emotions. Being sexually attracted to Killian was something she could deal with. After two centuries, sex wasn’t a big deal. The tug in her chest, however, the one that clenched tighter with each moment of tenderness he displayed, that was another story entirely. The prospect of an emotional entanglement was far more terrifying than being unable to keep her bloodlust in check.

  No, we don’t, Killian. We have no idea what could or will happen. Actually, that’s not true. We do know that your father and the rest of your people would never in a million years accept a vampire for their queen. And that’s working under the assumption that I even want to attempt that lifestyle adjustment. Sadie slipped her hand from his grasp and leveled a deadly serious look in his direction. It took me a long time to accept who and what I am. I’m not going to grovel in front of your parents and beg for their approval or something. I’m a vampire, Killian. That will never change.

  I know that. A sad smile played over Killian’s lips. He clasped his hands in his lap and let out a slow breath. I will respect your wishes. I won’t discuss our relationship with my father, if that’s what you really want—at least not yet. However, I do plan on telling him that I’m relinquishing my place in line for the throne.

  Sadie’s mouth fell open in stunned silence. For the first time in her two centuries, she was actually speechless. Killian was planning to give up the throne for her?

  The car came to a stop at the curb in front of the club, and David got out of the car, leaving them alone.

  “You don’t even know me,” Sadie whispered, her eyes searching his for some kind of explanation. “Killian, this is crazy.”

  “No,” Killian murmured. “But I know enough to know that I want to learn more. I want to discover everything there is to know about you, Sadie. From finding out what music you love to figuring out what makes you laugh. That smile of yours, the one that lights up a room—I need to know what I can do to make sure I see it every day for the rest of my life. I have no interest in being king if I can’t have you for my queen.”

  Still not entirely sure she’d heard him correctly, Sadie stared at Killian with pure disbelief. She had a million questions running through her head, but before she could ask any of them, David opened the car door and the sounds of the city flooded the space.

  “Let’s go,” Killian said quietly. “We need to get those samples from the foreman before he leaves.”

  “Oh, right.” Sadie blinked and shook her head, having completely forgotten why the hell they had come there in the first place. “The samples for Xavier,” she said absently.

  Killian offered her his hand and helped her from the limo, which made her feel surprisingly ladylike, even in her torn jeans and combat boots. Sadie was many things—tough, smart, capable, and tenacious—but she never really thought of herself as ladylike or sexy. Yet somehow Killian could make her feel like a desirable woman, instead of a scrappy, independent fighter.

  Removing her hand from his far larger one, she captured his smiling gaze and realized that she felt positively delicate around him. How bizarre was that? Sadie could kick butt with the best of them, and except for silver, she was impervious to real injury from weapons. Like most vampires, she was a killing machine and tough as nails. Yet around Killian, she felt almost fragile.

  “What do you think?” Killian asked with a broad smile and a sweeping gesture toward the building. “Is it too much?”

  Sadie almost laughed out loud because even though he was talking about the sign for the club, she was still thinking about him. Tearing her eyes from his, she turned her attention to the massive signage that hung above the gleaming surface of the building. The front of the club was polished black granite that glittered in the light of the streetlamps, reminding her of a starry night. Hanging above the silver and black doors was an enormous sign that said “The Loup Garou.” The scrolled lettering was a brilliant, deep shade of cobalt blue, and looming behind it was the image of a luminous, electric full moon.

  Slipping her hands in the back pockets of her jeans, Sadie nodded her approval and elbowed Killian in the ribs. “Not bad and not at all subtle.”

  “Does that mean you like it?” he asked, folding his arms over his broad chest as he stood by her side, appraising it along with her. “And for the record, calling your club The Coven isn’t exactly subtle either.”

  “Touché, my friend.” Sadie squinted and moved closer to the slick granite that covered the front of the building. Upon closer inspection, she saw a design carved into the stone. She ran her fingertips along the cool surface, and sure enough, there were grooves. She was about to ask him what it was, when lights flickered and the design came to life. “Whoa.”

  Sadie stepped back to take in the full sight and a smile bloomed slowly across her face. The front of the building no longer looked like some boring, old club in New York City. Instead of glittering granite, the front of the Loup Garou looked like a moonlit forest. Even the doors were incorporated into the design, and instead of plain, old doors, they looked like the entrance to a path through the trees.

  “This is absolutely beautiful,” Sadie whispered. She barely noticed the humans who were gathering on the sidewalk to check out the stunning artwork. “I can’t believe I haven’t heard about this from anyone. It’s…amazing. I mean, it looks like I could step right into that forest. Jeez, Killian. If the outside looks like this, what the hell does it look like inside?”

  “A mess, actually,” he said with a laugh. “I wanted to get the outside finished so we could generate some buzz. You haven’t heard about it because tonight is the first night I lit it up.” Killian inched closer and lowered his voice to conspiratorial tones. “I wanted you to be among the first to see it.”

  “Me?” Snapping her head toward him, Sadie’s heart clenched in her chest as she captured Killian’s stare. “Why me? I mean, I’m your competitor.”

  “You are many things, Sadie,” Killian said slowly. “You are smart, beautiful, a savvy businesswoman, a devoted coven member, and tough as steel. I wanted you to see it first. I value and respect your opinion, because unlike most other people in my life, you won’t feel obliged to lie to me and tell me you like it if you don’t. Your honesty, though it’s sometimes painful, is one of your most endearing traits.” His gaze flicked over the length of her body so swiftly and surely that she practically felt his eyes on her. Dropping his voice to barely above a whisper, he leaned closer. “Tonight, after David and Ivan are sent on their way, I’ll show you what other qualities of yours I admire.”

  Sadie’s body hummed and desire burned brighter with each passing second. Terrified she’d lose her head and maul him right there on the sidewalk, she stepped back abruptly and shoved her hands in her pockets again. She moved toward the front doors, her stare affixed firmly to his. “Let’s see if what you’ve got inside is as snazzy as what’s on the outside.”

  Turning on her heels, Sadie almost tripped over her own feet when she spotted David holding the door open. She’d completely forgotten the guy was standing there and likely watching her interaction with Killian. She practically groaned with embarrassment while moving past him and into the Loup Garou.

  Once over the threshold, Sadie stopped short. Killian hadn’t been kidding. It was a mess. As she let out a low whistle, the door clanked shut behind them with a sound that echoed through the cavernous space of the club. At the moment, actually, it wasn’t a club. It was a construction site that would eventually be a club. The most unique feature o
f the large, open space was the balcony that ran all the way around the massive room.

  “Are you going to have VIP tables up there?” Sadie asked, pointing up to the balcony. “Or will it be solely for dancing and observing other dancers?”

  “Both.” Killian went to a table at the center of the room that was laden with papers. He waved her over and opened the blueprints before showing her the club concept. “The bar will be over here along the far right wall, and tables will be sprinkled throughout the club, essentially surrounding the dance floor. The DJ booth will be up there, at the center of the balcony and directly across from the main entrance. There are four stairways that lead up to the balcony, as well as two emergency exits that lead out to back stairwells. They empty out into the alleys on either side of the building.”

  Sadie nodded and inched closer to him. His large hands splayed out on the paper, and she tried not to think about those strong, talented fingers of his. Watching him run his forefinger along the blueprints, she couldn’t help but recall how it felt to have those fingers running over her.

  While he spoke, Sadie stole a peek at Killian’s strong profile. She didn’t think she could find him any more attractive than she already did. With the stubble-covered chin and the wavy hair that barely brushed the collar of his blazer, the guy was hot. Add the intense passion and focus he exhibited when talking about his business, and he was downright irresistible. Killian was driven, intense, intelligent, and passionate, and he possessed a confidence that was just a hair shy of arrogant.

  “My office is back here,” he said, jutting a thumb to his left. Sadie tried not to pay attention to the enticing heat that radiated from his body, but good luck with that. Clearing her throat, she nodded and turned her focus back to his blueprints. “The entrance to the kitchen is in that far left corner. Even though a bank of tables will surround the dance floor, I’m going to have a cluster of tables on the left side. The tables and chairs will be from my family’s furniture company. It’s all rustic wood and handmade. The walls will be a similar design to the front of the club. I want people to feel like they’re in the Alaskan woods at night.” Taking a deep breath, he turned and peered at her intently. “So, what do you think?”

  “I have to hand it to you.” Sadie made a sweeping gesture with one hand and smiled. “This place is going to be unique.”

  “Unique?” Killian narrowed his eyes and pointed at her. “That’s not code for crappy, is it?”

  “No.” Sadie laughed. “Definitely not. Unique is good. Listen, Killian, there are hundreds of joints in this city, and it’s really tough to find a new spin on an old business. You just may have done it.”

  “So I’ve impressed you, Ms. Pemberton?” he asked with a lopsided grin. Lowering his head, he murmured, “I’d say that bodes well for the rest of our evening.”

  David cleared his throat from his position by the door, reminding them both of his presence. Sadie stepped back, increasing the distance between her and Killian, who shot an irritated look at his friend. Killian opened his mouth to say something, but they were interrupted when three humans emerged from the swinging door that led to the kitchen.

  “The kitchen is just about done, Mr. Bane.” A rotund fellow hitched up his pants while he approached. Since the other two men followed, Sadie assumed the big guy in front was the foreman. “The appliances are installed and in working order.”

  “Thank you.” Killian shot a glance at Sadie. This is the one. “Before you leave, I’d like to ask you a question about something. Join me in my office.”

  “Sure thing.” Mike wiped his sweaty brow with a filthy-looking handkerchief from his back pocket. “You guys go on. I’ll see you back here tomorrow morning.”

  The two other men, dirty and clearly exhausted, waved wordlessly before leaving. Sadie didn’t miss the nervous energy that exuded from the humans as they went past David and out the door. Perhaps they simply sensed something different about him.

  Leaving David to guard the front door, Sadie followed Killian and Mike to the back of the club and into Killian’s office. Shutting the door tightly behind her, Sadie turned around and caught Killian’s eye as he gave her a slight nod. He’s all yours.

  “So, what’s up?” Mike asked. Sweat beaded on his upper lip as he stood in the unfurnished office in between Killian and Sadie. He fiddled with the clipboard in his hands and thrummed his fingers on it nervously. “You’re happy with the paint job and the carpeting, aren’t you?”

  A swirl of excitement curled in Sadie’s belly as she moved closer to the human. Some vampires—Olivia, for example—weren’t fond of glamouring humans, but Sadie had to admit that she loved it. It was an intense experience to push her way into someone’s mind and peel away the bullshit to get to the core of who they were.

  Once she was about a foot away, she met Mike’s pale gray stare with hers and pushed her mind into his. Like a hot knife through butter, Sadie entered the human’s feeble consciousness with her far stronger one. The instant she linked her mind to his, the man’s rotund body went limp. Swaying on his feet and with his mouth hanging open like a fish out of water, Mike drifted into the coma-like state of the glamour.

  “You’re safe, Mike.” Sadie continued talking, keeping her voice soft and melodic, while she removed the specimen bag and tube from her back pockets. “I just need to get some of your hair. Can you pull out some strands and put them in this bag for me? It’s okay. You won’t feel any pain.”

  Mike nodded wordlessly and did as Sadie asked. She held the bag open for him and flicked her gaze to Killian, standing silently behind the human. Looming large, he watched with rapt fascination as Sadie worked her magic.

  “Thank you, Mike.” Sadie sealed the bag and stuck it in her back pocket. “Now open your mouth.” Making quick work of getting a saliva sample, she tucked the swab back in the tube and secured it. “That’s wonderful, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Mike mumbled. The faraway look in his eyes didn’t waver, and the man’s breathing remained calm and steady.

  “I want to ask you a question, Mike.” Sadie lowered her voice further and looked past him, her gaze latching with Killian’s. A smile curved her lips and that swirl of excitement in her belly ratcheted up a notch as she stared into Killian’s heated gaze. “Do you believe in vampires or werewolves? Are you a familiar?”

  “No.” Mike let out a snort of derision and his meaty body swayed toward Sadie. “That’s a lot of crap.”

  “Good.” Sadie winked at Killian. He’s definitely not a familiar. Placing both hands on the human’s shoulders, Sadie met his gaze and pushed further into his mind. “When the door opens, you’ll remember being in the office with Mr. Bane. He told you what a fine job you’ve been doing and that he loves the way his office came out.”

  “Fine job.” Mike sighed, and half a smile cracked his pudgy red face.

  Sadie walked backward toward the door, with her eyes set on Killian’s. Curling her fingers around the brass knob, she opened the door and said, “Time to wake up, Mike.”

  The foreman woke from the glamour with a huge grin and spun around to face Killian.

  “Thank you so much, Mr. Bane.” Mike grabbed Killian’s hand and gave him an enthusiastic handshake. The expression on Killian’s face was nothing short of amused. “I am so happy that you’re pleased. I promise you we are on track to open one month from today. We just have to finish up the main room and the balcony.”

  “That’s fantastic news.” Killian clapped the man on the shoulder and gestured toward the door. “Come on, Mike. I’ll walk you out.”

  Now it looks like you’re the one who’s impressed. Sadie couldn’t help but feel completely satisfied with herself, and there was no stopping the smile on her face as she followed them back out to the front. She wasn’t sure which she enjoyed more: the way Killian had looked at her while she glamoured the human, or the fact that she had don
e something that only a vampire could do. Being a vampire might have certain limitations, but there was no denying the perks.

  Killian spoke quietly with David near the door after Mike left, and Sadie lingered by the table with the blueprints. She heard the front door open and close and didn’t have to look up to know that David was gone, which meant she and Killian were alone.

  “Where’d your friend go?” Her stomach fluttered in anticipation as she heard Killian approach with slow, sure steps. “Did you give him the rest of the night off?”

  “Yes.” His heavy steps echoed through the room, and he removed his jacket as he strode toward her. He draped it over the folding chair at the end of the table, and that cheeky grin spread across his handsome face. “I believe he has plans to meet up with your DJ.”

  “So you know about him and Justine?” She pushed aside the papers before hoisting herself onto the table, nibbling her lower lip. “You don’t have a problem with it?”

  “Why would I?” Killian tilted his head and cast her a confused look. “What he does with his personal life is his own business. I don’t care who he sleeps with.”

  “What about that Ivan guy?” Sadie challenged.

  Two steps closer.

  “I don’t care who he sleeps with either,” Killian countered.

  “Very funny.” Holding Killian’s burning stare, Sadie swung her combat-boot-clad feet back and forth and braced her hands on the table on either side of her hips. She gripped the edge of the table in an effort to retain control. She was afraid she’d strip off her clothes and beg him to take her right there on the table. She might be his bloodmate, but shouldn’t she play a little hard to get?

  “What I meant was, is Ivan as willing to look the other way as David? One of your security team members is banging a vampire. I can’t imagine that’s following protocol.”

  While Sadie tried to keep her fangs at bay, Killian walked over and stood in between her legs. She sat up taller but didn’t let go of the table, even though the heat of his enticing body was wickedly inviting. She wasn’t sure what to do or say, other than hold his stare, so she decided to let him make the next move.