Fitzhugh wobbled, arms out in the corkscrew shape for a moment, then he slowly, carefully unwound himself and started laughing. The sound was shrill and maniacal. Blood trickled from his lip, but the split had already healed.
Eyes aglow, he pointed at Pierce. “You’re a dead man. How dare you, a human, strike me? I’m the vampire governor of this state.”
“We know who you are,” Francine said. “And frankly, you deserved that punch.” She looked at Lionel. “He needs to go.”
“Agreed, pet. Your invite is rescinded, Fitzhugh. If only I were human and that was enough to remove you immediately from my home.” Lionel then simply spoke the words, “Security. Library.”
A split second later, the doors opened yet again, this time to give entry to four large men, one or two who were not vampires. Two of them took hold of Fitzhugh and, with another man in front and one behind, removed him from the room.
It was done so quickly and efficiently that Fitzhugh didn’t even have time to protest. All that remained was the champagne bottle in its puddle on the parquet floor. One of the bartenders hurried over with a rag to clean it up.
Donna rushed to Pierce. “Are you okay?” Frowning, she took his hand in hers to inspect it. The knuckles were already swelling. “Hitting Fitzhugh must have felt like punching concrete.”
“I’ll be fine,” Pierce said. “Your blood has already kept me from breaking any bones.”
“This is my fault,” Francine said. “I should not have allowed him to come.”
“You had no choice.” Donna didn’t want her friend to feel guilty about this. Fitzhugh was the one to blame. “He’s mad at me. All because I refuse to treat him with whatever reverence he thinks he deserves.”
Lionel put his arm around Francine. “Donna’s right, pet. Fitzhugh’s actions are his own responsibility.”
Bunni came over to peer at Pierce’s hand. “Nice hook for an attorney.”
“Thanks,” he answered with a smile.
“Hey,” she said to the bartender who was still behind the bar. “Get this man some ice already.”
Pierce took a breath. “I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I’m sorry.”
Neo and Temo joined them. Temo shook his head. “I would have done the same thing. You just got to him before I did.”
LaToya and Meghan moved a little closer, plainly curious about everything that had just happened.
The second bartender brought over a clean towel filled with ice. Donna took it and held it on Pierce’s knuckles. “He definitely earned that punch.”
“But,” Pierce said, “I still shouldn’t have done it. I know I’ve made things worse for you.”
Lionel sighed. “He’s not wrong.”
Donna looked at him. “What does that mean? How much angrier could Fitzhugh get?”
“It’s not just that he was publicly humiliated. A human who works for a vampire and strikes another vampire…it’s a bit of a gray area, but there could be consequences if Fitzhugh presses charges.”
Donna felt the familiar cold chill of dread down her back. “Are you saying he could involve the council?”
Lionel nodded.
“He won’t,” Francine said. “He might think about it, but Fitzhugh won’t want it known that an assistant drew his blood. He has too much pride to let that get out.”
“I hope you’re right,” Donna said. She flattened her hand against her cleavage until she felt the hard metal of her crucifix. Please let Francine be right.
“Come on, now,” Lionel said. “We can’t let this derail our fun. Frankie is correct. Nothing will come of this once Fitzhugh sobers up and realizes what an ass he was.”
Donna nodded and smiled, wanting to be convinced. She didn’t need more bumps in the road ahead. She wanted to coast for a while. To have smooth sailing on glassy seas.
After all, her children were coming to visit soon. She didn’t want them worrying that their mother’s new life was more dangerous than the last.
Although she was starting to think that coasting would not be possible. It hadn’t been in her old life. Why would it be any different now?
Chapter Thirty-two
Francine clapped her hands. “Why don’t I take you on that tour I promised? Unless you’re not up to it, Pierce?”
He smiled. “I would love to see the rest of your beautiful home.”
“Then follow me, kids.”
Francine was a marvelous tour guide, and because of the party, she seemed to pick up with each step more guests who wanted to hear all about the brownstone. On every floor and in every room, she had a story to tell, often involving her late third husband, Artie, and some celebrity he’d gotten to know from his life as a movie producer.
The fame of the stars who’d been guests for dinner and overnight was jaw-dropping, so it was no surprise that the home was filled with Hollywood memorabilia too.
Donna found it all fascinating, and in no time, she’d forgotten enough about the dustup with Fitzhugh to have fun again.
They worked their way to the top, then back down to the basement and the pool—complete with mermaids—and then out to the garden, which was a space so well done it was hard to imagine they were in the heart of Manhattan.
As they stood in the garden, with lanterns setting the area aglow, tiny flakes began to fall.
Neo looked up. “There’s the snow they promised.”
“It’s kind of magical,” Donna said.
LaToya held her hands out to catch the flakes. “It is pretty.”
Donna looked at Francine. “Thank you again for doing this. For opening your home. It’s been a wonderful evening.”
Francine’s joy was evident in her face. “I’m so glad you still think that despite what happened.”
Donna waved the words away. “It’s forgotten. You’re right about Fitzhugh. He’s too proud to want to make it public. He and I will never be friends, but that’s okay.” She smiled at all the familiar faces around her. “I have all the friends I need.”
She lifted her champagne flute, which had been refilled just a few minutes ago. “To the First Fangs Club, new friends, and new experiences.”
Everyone raised their flutes as well, then much clinking of glasses followed. As everyone drank, Charlie joined Donna.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news…”
“I know,” Donna said. “Dawn approaches.”
“It does, Governor.”
“Thank you for the reminder.” Donna went to Francine. “We’re going to head out. I hope someday I can repay you for this wonderful evening. Not sure I can do it with the same style and panache you’ve managed, but we’ll do something. I promise.”
Francine bubbled over with happiness. “Honey, I’d go bowling with you if that’s what you wanted to do. You just tell me when and where. Have a safe ride home. See you next group?”
“You know it.” Maybe she could take Christina along. That would be all right, wouldn’t it? She gave Francine a hug, said goodbye to Lionel with a kiss on the cheek, then goodbye to Bunni, Neo, Meghan, and LaToya with hugs as well.
The rest of the group said farewell, and at last, they departed. Not without Donna noticing a sly, hastily exchanged kiss between Temo and Neo.
When they were settled in for the drive home, Donna checked her phone for the first time that evening and found a text from Rico that had come in hours ago.
Prints from the gun are Big Tony’s, and the gun matches an unsolved murder. Nicely done. Oh, and get this. Carmella is a dental hygienist. She switched Joe’s records.
Big Tony could join his brother-in-law in prison. And Carmella would probably get additional charges for helping Joe fake his death. Wasn’t that nice? She smiled. There was a lot to smile about. Tonight had been a good night. Even with Fitzhugh’s nonsense.
“Pierce?” she said softly.
“Yes?” he answered from the front passenger seat.
“How’s your hand?”
He flexed it. “Not bad. N
othing broken. I’m sure it’ll be sore tomorrow.”
“Thank you for defending me.”
“It was my pleasure.” He laughed. “It really was. I’ve never met anyone more punchable than Fitzhugh.”
Temo snorted. “Ain’t that the truth.”
“That’s only because neither of you ever met Joe.”
After much laughter, Charlie sighed. “I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite us.”
“If it does,” Donna said, “we’ll deal with it. There’s no problem so great that you cannot find a solution.”
They all went quiet again until they were home and on their way up in the elevator. They all went to the penthouse, Temo included, to see how Penina and Rixaline had done. The two were watching a movie in the living room, a pizza box on the coffee table and the scent of popcorn in the air.
Rixaline greeted them all with a big smile. “How was the party?”
“Very nice,” Donna said. “How were things here?”
Penina answered. “Uneventful. We had a good night.”
Rixaline nodded. “Penina taught me a haka. It’s a Samoan war dance that intimidates your enemies.”
“Maybe I should learn that,” Donna said.
Penina smiled. “Anytime, boss, but my cousin says you do intimidation pretty good already.”
Donna laughed and glanced at Temo to find him smiling.
Something chimed, and Charlie pulled her phone from her evening bag. Then the chime sounded again, and they realized it was all of their phones. Donna’s, Pierce’s, and Temo’s.
Donna took hers out to check the screen. “Incoming video message. Are we all getting this?”
“I think so,” Charlie said.
“Is it some kind of countrywide alert?” Pierce asked.
“Wouldn’t that just be a text message?” Donna pressed the arrow to play the video. A dimly lit holding cell of some kind appeared in shades of bluish gray. A man was bound to a chair in the center, head down.
Temo shook his head. “I don’t like this.”
“Me either,” Donna said.
Just the same, they all watched as the footage played on their phones.
A fae walked into view and grabbed the man’s head as he spoke into the camera. “We know you have the dhamfir. Return her to us, or your friend dies. You have forty-eight hours.”
He yanked the man’s head back.
And Donna looked into Rico’s face.
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About the Author
USA Today Best Selling Author Kristen Painter is a little obsessed with cats, books, chocolate, and shoes. It’s a healthy mix. She loves to entertain her readers with interesting twists and unforgettable characters. She currently writes two best-selling paranormal romance series: Nocturne Falls and Shadowvale. She also writes the spin off cozy mystery series, Jayne Frost. The former college English teacher can often be found all over social media where she loves to interact with readers:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram
For More Paranormal Women’s Fiction Visit:
https://www.paranormalwomensfiction.net/
Other Books by Kristen Painter
PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION:
First Fangs Club series:
Sucks to Be Me
COZY MYSTERY:
Jayne Frost series:
Miss Frost Solves a Cold Case: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Ices the Imp: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Saves the Sandman: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Cracks a Caper: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
When Birdie Babysat Spider: A Jayne Frost Short
Miss Frost Braves the Blizzard: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Chills the Cheater: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Says I Do: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Happily Everlasting Series:
Witchful Thinking
PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Nocturne Falls series:
The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride
The Werewolf Meets His Match
The Gargoyle Gets His Girl
The Professor Woos the Witch
The Witch’s Halloween Hero – short story
The Werewolf’s Christmas Wish – short story
The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée
The Vampire’s Valentine Surprise – short story
The Shifter Romances the Writer
The Vampire’s True Love Trials – short story
The Vampire’s Accidental Wife
The Reaper Rescues the Genie
The Detective Wins the Witch
The Vampire’s Priceless Treasure
Sin City Collectors series:
Queen of Hearts
Dead Man’s Hand
Double or Nothing
Standalone Paranormal Romance:
Dark Kiss of the Reaper
Heart of Fire
Recipe for Magic
Miss Bramble and the Leviathan
URBAN FANTASY:
The House of Comarré series:
Forbidden Blood
Blood Rights
Flesh and Blood
Bad Blood
Out for Blood
Last Blood
The Crescent City series:
House of the Rising Sun
City of Eternal Night
Garden of Dreams and Desires
Nothing is completed without an amazing team.
Many thanks to:
Cover design: Janet Holmes
Interior formatting: Author E.M.S
Editor: Joyce Lamb
Copyedits/proofs: Chris Kridler
Suck It Up, Buttercup: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (First Fangs Club Book 2) Page 26