Dearly Beloved

by Jackie Ivie

  “I do not know.”

  The words shook and sounded sobbed. Dom bit down and got pooled blood in his lower lip from his own fangs. She gulped. He didn’t see it or hear it, but as close as he held her, and as attuned as he was to every nuance of her, he easily felt it. That righted his world. Not completely, but enough.

  “Well…at least you’re honest.”

  The slight air from her words seemed to cut right through him. Everything on him reacted. He had her gripped in his arms, his legs about hers and worse. They were hovering above the mattress. If he remembered any appropriate curses, he’d have used them.

  “This…is not working. And you need…to let me go.”

  She panted through the words. Dominick stopped the rotation that would have wound the sheet about them. Let her go? Never.

  “I can’t even think…when I’m this close to you. And we still need to have a talk. Now. Please?”

  The plea filtered through somehow, worked its way through his senses and cooled what felt like raging flames. Dominick lowered back to the bed and loosened his limbs, and somehow kept from grabbing her back when she slithered away from him to the other side of the bed. She gathered her legs and a prodigious amount of bedding to her in order to sit, facing him.

  “Good. This might work. No. I think you’ll need to sit up, too. Come on, Dominick. It’s not like you’re a real Greek god, lying around, while you wait for a nymph or two to drop in.”

  Dom regarded her for another moment, and then sat. He ignored where the covers slid but could tell it truly bothered her. He watched her flick a glance to his lap and back, while a blush infused her cheeks. He sucked in on his cheeks and narrowed his eyes, and somehow kept the hunger at bay. Barely.

  “Wow. I mean. Wow. This is so patently unfair. You should come with some sort of warning label or something.”

  He lifted an eyebrow and waited.

  “Maybe we should get dressed first. It’s hard to think of words.”

  She licked her lips again. He pulsed in place. And then she sighed audibly.

  “I mean it’s all well and good to hear of vampire stuff, but when it’s in front of your face. Well. It’s really different, you know?”

  He waited a few moments while the sound of her words dispersed. He shook his head.

  “They’re very sexy. Vampires, I mean. What am I saying? You’re very sexy. The vampire part just adds unnecessary mystique. I know. I’ll just tack on your age. You’re old. Way too old. Ancient, even. What was that about the Norman stuff? That was about eight hundred years ago. Maybe nine hundred. Right?”

  “I am twenty nine.”

  “Sure you are.”

  She looked as skeptical as she sounded.

  “Exactly as I was when turned. I cannot recall a moment of the past centuries anymore. How can I? I’ve found my mate. You.”

  Hell and damnation . He’d put inflection on the words that made her eyes widen while her lips gapped for breath. Her breath. Sweet. Sending tendrils of lightning that sparked right into him.

  “Dom?”

  She had the plea sound in her voice again. It chained him without iron. He made such tight fists about the sheet it shredded between his fingers. He locked every facet of his body as he shuddered for control. When he looked back up, she was watching him with unblinking eyes and the slightest whiff of fear. That wasn’t at all what he wanted. He wanted her fearless and challenging and spouting her words at him. And that finally worked at cooling urges and passions that no being should have to leash in.

  “About…this mate thing.”

  “Yes?” The word trembled.

  “I’m not so certain there is such a thing.”

  “There is.”

  “How do you know though? I mean, you’ve had close to a millennia of time. Surely there have been women—.”

  “Fate seals two as one. It has been this way since time began. You are my mate. It’s fated.”

  “What if I think fate is just a by-word for weakness?”

  “Weakness?”

  The word angered. He added that to the emotions he held at bay. It probably sounded in his voice since she stiffened. That just added unnecessary ballast to the cravings since the sheet molded to feminine curves that were already making his world a misery of suffering.

  “If things go wrong, it’s fate. If things go right, it’s fate. If you get cancer, it’s fate. If you’re healthy, it’s fate. If you get rich, it’s fate. If you end up homeless, it’s fate. See what I mean? It’s an easy thing to blame.”

  Dom regarded her for a span of time that could have engendered hours or mere moments. “I am not weak,” he finally told her.

  “Nobody ever said you were. Geez. Could you just put aside all the male macho nonsense and think here?”

  “There is no thought involved. You are my mate. It is not optional. There is no choice.”

  “There’s always a choice.”

  He shook his head.

  “So…I’m just supposed to up and accept that you’re claiming me and that’s all there is to it? I don’t get to say no?”

  “You wish to tell me no?” The words were choked and guttural.

  “Would you abide it?”

  She didn’t know what she asked! Dom hunched into a whorl of frustrated need, digging gouges into the mattress with holding it back, playing at a facade that didn’t match one bit of it. She should be able to tell from the way the bed rattled.

  “I do not know.” He finally replied.

  “Wow. I mean…wow. Dominick, listen. It’s not as if we don’t click, like…supremely well. It’s amazing. Making love with you is…well. Uh. More than I can describe. I mean, I’ve never run across anything so patently male and sexy in my life. That’s not it. It’s just…we hardly know each other, and mating sounds a lot like domination, and that’s just not me, and…um. Would I have to turn into a vampire, too?”

  He was on his hands and knees, having arrived in a blink of time to hover above where she’d fallen back, her hands on his chest, propping him from contact with bent elbows and stiffened arms. It didn’t work. His lips were on hers, pulling at her essence, sucking and tasting and drowning in the bliss, while his traitorous tongue spouted words he wasn’t even hearing.

  “Ah… Agapameni . You do not understand. I cannot hold it. It is too vast. Too…large. I love you. I cannot help it. I thirst for you. I need you.”

  “You’re right. We can talk…later. Much later.”

  She mouthed the words along his neck, licking her way to a spot behind his ear. Dominick groaned in appreciation at the first flick of her tongue against his earlobe. And then he arched upward in supplication as she nipped at him. And then he lost all semblance of control. And took her with him.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Heat radiated off the tarmac in waves, alternately sucking life and moisture from every living thing that got to participate. Courtney shielded her eyes at the desolate section of dirt and scrub brush just off the asphalt. It felt like the cool cotton of her sleeveless top and shorts were already stuck to her and she hadn’t even exited the plane yet.

  “Wow. He didn’t say we were going to hell.”

  “We are just outside Grand Junction, Colorado, Miss Courtney. It is not hell.”

  “Remind me one of these days to teach you about sarcasm, Rashid. I think you’d be a natural,” she replied.

  “As you wish, Miss.”

  Rashid waited at the bottom of the steps for her, a satchel in one hand and a purse in the other. He handed it to her once she joined him. It wasn’t hers. It was part of Dominick’s stash of female clothing and accessories, but it was nice to have a purse back, so she didn’t quibble over it.

  “Where is Dominick anyway?”

  “His Excellency is resting. He cannot go out when the sun is up.”

  “That isn’t a sun, Rashid. That is a fireball from hell. It’s going to fry my eyes. Did we pack sunglasses?”

  He set his satchel on the ground
where it immediately gapped open, and without any searching, he found a pair and handed them to her. They looked military issue and unfeminine but they were dark. Rashid was a very efficient servant. No fun to talk to, but he was efficient.

  “So tell me, Rashid-my-man, do we have some sort of transportation arranged?”

  “Of course.”

  “And…you’re going to tell me where it is?”

  “We are early. It hasn’t arrived yet.”

  “Then why are we off the plane? At least in there it’s air conditioned, even if it still feels like I’m moving.”

  “We have a minute, thirty-seven seconds to the pick-up time.”

  “A minute, thirty-seven seconds. Rashid. You’re fired.”

  “Of course, Miss.”

  “Are you always this pleasant? And cool? Sweat’s already dripping off me and yet here you are, covered head-to-toe, and actually look refreshed. What’s your secret?”

  “I sleep when I have the chance. I do not have the luxury of playing video games when I should be resting.”

  “I can’t sleep during flight. Never could. And I’ll have you know I’m a Gray Class marksman in the VIDWAR system, with so many registered kills I have a hard time getting anyone to fight me.”

  “This is a good thing?”

  “I’m an expert shot. With any weapon. I’m higher ranked than most of the West coast. And then some. If you knew your gaming systems, you wouldn’t have to ask.”

  “I see.”

  His eyebrows lifted and she saw a shadow of a smile before he turned to watch a vehicle, getting discernibly more distinct through heat waves as it neared.

  “Where are we staying anyway?”

  “The prince has lodgings reserved near Bookend Cliffs. At the Holiday Inn.”

  “The Holiday Inn. A vampire is staying at the Holiday Inn. Why am I finding this hard to believe?”

  “We always stay in hotels of this nature.”

  “May I ask why?”

  “Anything else could engender interest.”

  “A servant from the Middle East, wearing a turban, arriving in this desolate place on a private jet - and booking a coffin into a room - wouldn’t already do that?”

  “A coffin?”

  “Of course. For Dominick to travel in.”

  “His Excellency does not travel in a coffin. Why would you think such a thing?”

  “I was raised on vampire lore. Everybody thinks that.”

  “Well. It is wrong.”

  “So…how does he travel?”

  “You should ask His Excellency that when he joins us. Come. Our transportation approaches.”

  “How long have you been with Dominick, anyway?”

  “My entire life.”

  “You’re a vampire, too?”

  “Miss Courtney. Please. I am out in the sun.”

  The car was a tan SUV with tinted windows and black rims. It rolled to an easy stop right beside them. Rashid flashed a quick smile, showing teeth that would have blinded if she didn’t have her sunglasses on. She put him higher on her Jerk list.

  The man who stepped from the vehicle could have been anybody. Average height. Average build. Sandy-colored hair with a receding forehead. Khaki colored slacks, blue polo shirt. Anybody.

  “Hey! Welcome to Four Corners! Don’t bow, Rashid. This is the US of A. No obsequious greetings allowed. I’m Leonard. But you can call me Len. This her?”

  He stuck out a hand. Courtney lifted her brows and looked across at him.

  “Her who?” she asked with a cool tone. He dropped his hand.

  “Why…St. Guis’s mate. Was told to expect you. Welcome to the family. What? No bags?”

  “I’m not his mate.” Her grand cool attitude got ruined with a yawn.

  “Right. Come along anyway, then. Looks like some sleep is in order. We’ve rooms at the hotel. With big soft mattresses and tons of air conditioning.”

  He winked and opened the back door, motioning her into cool, dark interior. She didn’t know why she fought it. On second thought…

  “Are you a vampire?” Man! She wished her mind worked on zero sleep.

  “Not likely, Love. Look about. It’s daylight. You know…you might want to be a little nicer to your sitter. I didn’t exactly ask for the chore.”

  “My…sitter? As in baby -sitter?”

  “Not unless you plan on acting like one. Get in. It’s baking out here.”

  “I do not need a sitter. I’m perfectly capable of getting places myself, and I’m close enough to home to make a break for it. Why on earth would I get in?”

  “St. Guis has my sympathies. And this is going to cost Akron double. Would you please get in now?”

  She was close enough to reality to smell it! At the hotel she’d have more than air conditioning and a bed. She’d have a phone. Or she could stand out here and argue while turning into a sun-baked sweat-ball. Courtney got in.

  o0o

  “You rested?”

  Courtney’s nose came off the pillow and she blinked it into focus. She’d have moved her hands to swipe at her eyes, but the chains stopped her. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.

  “They put you in cuffs?”

  “Dominick. Finally. You know…it’s been uh…fun. I’ve had a wonderful time, really.”

  He pulled and one chain ripped right through the wooden post of her bed, allowing her to swivel onto her back. It was bad enough being chained to a bed without being in that position. She’d never felt so open and vulnerable, and—

  Holy cow . Her jaw dropped and her heart was right behind it. The guy was worse than stunning. He was menace and threat, and shiver-inducing. She should be used to the sight of him by now. But dressed head-to-toe in black with two short swords strapped to his belt and the hilt of another rising from behind him, and there were no words. Seeing Dominick the first time had shocked and stunned. Seeing him dressed like a warrior in the VIDWAR game could be her undoing. Easily.

  “You are not to be harmed. By anyone.”

  Len was really high on her Jerk list, especially since she’d almost made the lobby the second time he’d caught her. Now, she actually feared for him. “He…didn’t hurt me. Look. They’re padded.”

  Dominick hooked a finger beneath the metal and snapped it. He dispatched the other one the exact same way, leaning over her to do it, and then he looked down at her. She really should disguise some of the awed look she probably wore, and the slight smile on his lips showed he saw it. Evaluated it. And knew exactly what caused it.

  And this guy claimed her? Amazing.

  “Come. The moon has gone behind a cloud. It is time.”

  “Time to do what?”

  “My contract.”

  “You’re assassinating someone aren’t you? Just like you did with Shawn.”

  “Shawn?”

  He really didn’t know his name? “Shawn Elliot. My former Brother-in-Law, Shawn. From the yacht.”

  “Oh. Him.”

  “Yes. Him.”

  “In that event, no,” he finally replied.

  “So…you’re not going to go and kill someone? Then what? You’re attending ComiCon?”

  “I am not going to kill anyone like I killed Shawn. That was a failure and I do not fail.”

  “He’s dead, isn’t he?”

  “Along with several innocents. Come. We’re wasting time.”

  “Shawn was an innocent.”

  “He was a businessman with a bent toward crime. He had a contract out for his wife, Stella. She had a contract out for him. She contacted the better firm. Us.”

  “Please don’t tell me my sister is dead.”

  “No. I believe she is in the Witness Protection Program at the moment.”

  “For what?”

  “Safety. She is still the target of a contract that has yet to be filled.” He held out his hand.

  “Stella? Look, I know she’s heartless, but really. This is a lot to swallow.”

  “Tomorrow. We can speak more of t
his tomorrow. For now, hold to me.”

  “How can I contact her?”

  “You? You are counted among those killed in the explosion of the yacht. Your obituary was very short.”

  “You’re joking.”

  “I never joke. Now, come. Please?”

  “I can walk.”

  “We are not walking.”

  “This should be good. What are we doing, then?”

  She didn’t need to ask. It was a good thing it was dark and he didn’t go very high. At the speed he moved, it wasn’t more than a blink or so later before he seemed to just stop, descend, and then crouch, taking her with him. His hold wasn’t needed. Courtney was glued to him with both arms and legs. She untangled them from him and smoothed her shirt down over her waistband before rubbing at her arms. She was under-dressed for being out in night desert air. It was chilly.

  “Where are we?”

  She whispered it, which was stupid. They were in the middle of nowhere, atop a rock precipice, overlooking a large span of desert valley. And then she noticed a small circle of lights marking some sort of settlement.

  “About time you got here.” Len’s voice preceded the desert-camo clothed man, crawling toward them.

  “How many?” Dominick asked.

  “Eight on the perimeter fence. Six inside. They secure all their cult members in the underground complex for the night. I understand this is a ritual for their faith. I think it’s more like prison.”

  “Weapons?”

  “Automatics. Side-arms. Extra clips. Grenade launcher at the front gate. No info on the inside. Sorry.”

  “What is that?” Courtney pointed.

  “Cult devoted to peace – if you can believe that. Trouble is they don’t exactly practice what they preach. They kill anyone who tries to leave and they’re too stupid to keep from leaving evidence that a rich father can find and then seek vengeance for. Which explains why we’re out here…if you take my drift.”

  “You talk too much,” Dominick interrupted.

  “Right.” Len whispered back.

  “You stay here. With Courtney.”

  “You’re taking on fourteen plus armed men by yourself?”

  “I wanted a large assignment.”

  “I’m supposed to sit up here baby-sitting your little mate again? No way. And if you’re sentencing me to that, you really should anticipate the argument.”