She shook her head, closing her eyes, knowing those weren’t her words, but the words of others that Elisa had heard many times over from the prejudice of her kind. She did hate when vampires trespassed in her head. It had taken her a good year to learn to block out most of them.
But there were a few she couldn’t block. Elisa took a deep breath remembering the one who had her on the floor last week as he ripped through her mind searching for she didn’t know what.
“You’re shaking, what’s wrong?” Lancelot asked. She turned back around to face him as Tarek and Jason turned their attention back on her.
“Nothing, just remembering something,” she said and smiled.
“Tell us? You’re still scared of the testing. Why?” Lancelot asked.
“Let’s just say working for Tarek has been an eye opening experience and that many of your kind have no respect for us puny humans,” Elisa said as the car came to a stop in front of an old diner.
The door opened, but Jason said something to the driver and shut the door again, turning to her. “Who hurt you?” Jason asked. He wasn’t much for words, but she had seen him pissed before. Right now the little twitch of his cheek muscle was a good indication he was ready to blow.
“Fine, if you want to know. It’s done and nothing can be done about it, but I’ve had experiences with your kind roaming inside my head.” Elisa looked out at the window at the passing cars.
“I learned how to block most of the merely curious ones, but once in a while I’d get a real jerk who didn’t care about the blocks I had in place. Well, last week I had one that was really bad and he didn’t care that I was down on the ground in pain as he tore through my head.” She shivered. “It was like someone took something very personal from me. He went through everything, even…” she couldn’t say it.
Elisa turned to look at them again and the anger in their gazes had her sucking in her breath. “As I said, it’s in the past, but this testing is going to hurt because of what happened. Now can we go eat? All of a sudden I’m hungry,” she asked and Jason flung open the door, getting out before anyone.
She knew he was scanning around for any threat. Jason was all business and Elisa knew he ran a security firm for some of most powerful people in the world.
He stood over 6’2’ and was built like a fighter. He had a small scar on the back of his right arm and one on his chin. The last time she had seen him, he had come upon her as she was stepping out of the shower at her mom’s house. The guest bathroom had been in the process of being revamped, so Elisa had used the master bath and she guessed Jason had had the same idea. His gaze had traveled down her body heating everything inside her. The front of his pants were unzipped and he wore no shirt. Boy, he had a big one down below. Elisa shook her head, and looked down, trying to calm herself with the memory of that night.
Jason dipped his head down into the car at the same time Elisa looked up. He had a smile on his face. “All is clear,” he said, and winked at her.
“Damn,” she whispered, knowing full well that all three of them had heard her and that they knew what she had been thinking. So much for her blocking techniques around these guys.
Lancelot leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. “We are supposed to know what you are thinking. How can we please you, and make you happy, if we don’t know. But this man who did that to you was wrong and he will pay for hurting you.” Lancelot looked over at Jason, and he nodded.
“It will be done. No one touches what is ours and you are ours, Elisa. We might be family through marriage, but it’s not blood linked. But soon you will carry our blood in your veins and we’ll make sure no one will do this to you again, we promise.”
She couldn’t help it. Elisa smiled at him as they all got out of the limo. “You know that is the most I’ve heard you speak since I’ve known you.” Elisa’s nipples had hardened and she knew the three of them could smell the dampness in her panties. “You have a voice that can melt anyone, you know that?” she asked.
A slow grin covered his face, and his hand came up, wrapping around the back of her neck, holding her. “I don’t care about anyone but you, and if my voice does what it’s doing to your body, then I just might have to speak more,” he said. If at all possible, the octave pitch in his voice dropped lower, sending a quiver in her belly and pussy.
Lancelot reached over and pushed Jason away. “Stop it, I don’t’ think our beautiful one here is ready to expose herself to our hungers yet, especially in front of an audience. And I will not expose her to one now.” Lancelot reached down and squeezed her ass cheek. “We are very, very jealous men. No one gets to see you, unless we decide otherwise. Now, come. Franco is waiting for us.”
Jason took one hand and Lancelot the other, while Tarek opened the door for them. She’d never been in this part of town, let alone this expensive diner.
Candles and small lanterns lit the inside of the place, giving it an ambiance of romance like in the old days. But what made her moan was the smell.
Her hand went over her belly and Elisa knew her face was a nice pink color now. She had gone all day without eating and her stomach was protesting at not being fed.
“Franco, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Lancelot said and shook the man’s hand.
“It’s an honor to have you here, I’ve personally made sure every dish is up to your standards, which is hard to do, my friend. Now introduce me to your woman.” The handsome dark hair man asked. Even his eyes seemed to be dark, but in a very erotic away.
A pinch to her ass had her jumping and glaring over her shoulder at Tarek. “You don’t need to be thinking he is sexy.”
“I can think whatever I want. We are not committed to each other yet, but don’t think I don’t notice you looking at the women at work,” she snapped, before turning toward Franco with her hand out.
“My name is Elisa Martin and I’m not theirs yet. You have a very nice place here, Sir. I’ll have to remember to put this place on the list at the hotel.”
Franco smiled and took her hand, bringing it up to his mouth and kissing it.
Lancelot reached out and took her hand away from Franco. “There will be none of that and you are ours, make no mistake of that.” His voice dropped to match that of his brother’s, which had her squirming next to him.
“Stop it,” she hissed and he laughed.
“Then be good,” Lancelot tucked her under his arm and looked up at Franco. He was grinning at them both.
“Smartass, show us to our booth. I can’t wait until you find yours,” Lancelot grumbled, following his friend and not allowing her to leave his side.
As they moved through the diner, Elisa glanced around. “Um, why is everyone staring at us?” Elisa asked, feeling a little bit uncomfortable all of a sudden, almost like that one day.
She stopped. Her teeth started to chatter as Elisa hugged herself. “I want to leave, please,” she said trying to turn as all three of her men surrounded her along with Franco and a couple of others he had called over.
“What is it?” Lancelot turned her so she was staring at him.
“He’s here, it hurts,” she managed to get out. “It feels like I’m not supposed to be here. It’s not just one person this time, but he is here too.” Her stomach knotted and Elisa would have fallen if Lancelot hadn’t scooped her up in his arms, rushing her out the door, followed by Tarek and Franco.
“I want the names of everyone in this damn place now!” he yelled at Tarek while turning the corner to follow Franco up a private staircase.
Chapter Four
“These are my private offices, no one is up here. I’m so sorry, Sir. Please forgive me. I had no idea anyone would do this.” Franco ran around the office, turning on lights.
She took two deep breaths. With the pressure in her head and stomach almost gone, Elisa rubbed her cheek on Lancelot’s chest, taking in his scent, just trying to ease the shaking. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin dinner,” she finally got out as Lancelot sa
t down on the big couch.
“You will not apologize for those downstairs, but they sure will be apologizing when I get done with them,” Lancelot snapped, rubbing her back and arms.
Franco got down in front of them on his knees, his head bowed. “Please forgive me, Sir, I should have prepared better. I just can’t believe…It’s my failure,” Franco pleaded his case.
“Wait a minute,” she said and tried to sit up, but Lancelot placed a finger on her lips and shook his head.
“This is your place of business, but did you know how others would react to a human being brought into your place?” Lancelot asked, his voice had a little whip to it.
Franco straightened his spine. “There is a spell to keep humans out, but as you are with her and she is part of you, she should not have been affected. But this was not the spell. What happened here was from the people below.”
“So what happened is not your fault but those below?” Lancelot asked as Jason came into the room and sat down next to them. He reached over and took her out of Lancelot’s lap, placing her into his, hugging her tight.
“Yes, it’s my fault. You are in my establishment, damn it, and it shouldn’t have happened!” Franco snapped and got up, glaring at Lancelot. “Don’t even go there with me. Those who are downstairs will never again visit my establishment. Do you need the list of individuals?” he asked Jason who shook his head.
“I know each person down there and there was a man that left before I could check him out, but he didn’t get away, I know where to find him.” Jason bared his fangs.
Never had she seen Jason so furious, so upset, but this was scary. His hold on her tightened and he took a deep breath, sighing. “I’m sorry, beautiful. I didn’t mean to scare you, but the thought of that man hurting you again…” Jason mumbled into the side of her neck.
“I’m fine now, really. Why don’t we go back to my place and we can whip something up there?” she asked.
“No, please stay here. The diner will be cleared out in a few more minutes and it will remain closed for the rest of the night. Please, will you allow me to give you that special dinner?” Franco asked her.
“Why did you do that? Do you know how much business you lost because of that?” Elisa might not be a math whiz, but she knew there had to be over a hundred people downstairs. “All that money you lost.” She shook her head. “I’m so sorry.”
Lancelot snorted as he stood and held out his hand. “He is not worried about money, little sister,” he teased.
“Um, don’t do that, because just eww…” she said placing her hand into his. “I sure hope your kind don’t screw around with blood relatives?” Elisa asked as Franco opened a different door, leading them down into the diner.
Jason laughed behind them. “No, we feel the same as you, but my brother was teasing you. And as for the money Franco lost, honey, Franco is worth millions. Do you really believe a few thousand is going to upset him? His reputation and honor is more important than money.”
At the bottom of the stairs, Tarek stood and came right to her when she stepped down. “Are you okay?” he asked and placed a kiss on her cheek while checking every inch of her.
“I’m fine, a little tired and cold, but the pain is gone.” She rubbed her arms and at once Jason covered her from behind with his jacket.
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Thank you.”
“I’ll turn up the heat. Can I bring you something warm to drink?”
Elisa looked up at Lancelot, then at Franco. “Well, I’ve never had an Irish coffee and I heard they are to die for,” she giggled and they all moaned.
“That was just wrong,” Tarek said.
“Follow me, I’ll show you where your table is and I’ll get you that drink, but no more bad puns please,” Franco pleaded and she laughed.
Elisa couldn’t hold back laughing. “One more,” she said and looked up at Lancelot who gave her a look, but Elisa only laughed harder as she slid into the big booth Franco had shown them to.
“I was just wondering if I was so cold because I’m supposed to be your blood mate. I mean aren’t vampires supposed to…” Jason covered her mouth with his. His kiss was gentle, but commanding, taking control right off the bat. He bit her lower lip and slid his tongue inside while wrapping his arms around her.
“Now tell me we are cold?” he snarled and she fanned herself when he released her.
“I was just teasing, I know you’re not.” Elisa glanced at Lancelot who slid in on her other side as Tarek moved next to him.
Kissing the side of her neck, Jason whispered. “I should have done that and more so long ago.”
“We both should have, but it had to wait, and for that I’m sorry, pretty lady.” Lancelot reached under the table and squeezed her knee.
“So tell me, Franco, what do you have planned for our dinner?” Lancelot asked, sitting back, his arm now behind Tarek.
“He belongs to us too, my Little Geeky girl. Does it excite you to know that while one of us is buried deep in your pussy, another one of us will be buried deep into Tarek’s ass?” He asked so that everyone could hear what he said.
“Damn it, Jason, that isn’t a discussion for here,” she glared up at him. “And it’s rude.” Elisa snapped, hating when she got embarrassed, it always reminded her of how her father used to do it on purpose.
Elisa could still hear his hateful words in the back of her head. “She might be smart, but she’ll never attract a real man and she’ll never survive in the real world, just like her mother.” Her hand trembled as she reached out to take a drink of her water, but Jason engulfed her hand into his, bringing it up to his mouth.
“I’m sorry. I never ever meant to bring up painful memories Elisa, and your geekiness is very sexy to each of us.” He kissed and held her hand tight.
His eyes held the sorrow in them for hurting her. “No, it’s okay. I know you were teasing. It’s just somethings things just trigger memories that I wish would stay buried.” She leaned over and kissed the bottom of his chin.
“Your father saved us. You have no idea the bad place we were when he met mom. He’ll always be my father in my heart. Question though. Why didn’t I see you two when I was smaller? I mean your dad has been with my mom for years. Well, since I was eight.” Elisa smiled and nodded to Franco who placed her drink in front of her.
“For dinner we start you off with your appetizer, Carne Crudachopped. A steak tartare with raw mushrooms. Followed by your salad Stracciatella, zucchini, toasted garlic and Calabrian Chile after that.”
“Impressive, but then again I never expected less,” Lancelot said and nodded to him.
“I know how picky you can be. The King’s chef only wants the best for his family, as it should be. Main course is Lamb Chops with Fregula, Pecorino Romano, Butternut Squash and warm Potato salad. For your sweet tooth, we have Peach & Blueberry Napoleon homemade ricotta, blueberry conserve.”
She frowned and looked up at Lancelot. “You know don’t you? You told him?”
Lancelot leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. “Of course I know you’re allergic to Chocolate. We know many things about you. Thank you Franco. Everything sounds great,” Lancelot cocked his head to the side and nodded, but turned his attention right back to her.
“We were there for the wedding. I don’t think you remember, you hid most of the time. I’m surprised your mother got you to walk down the aisle as a flower girl, but you were beautiful even then.” Lancelot tapped her nose and set back taking a drink.
“That’s when we knew you were meant to be more to us, but you were only a child, so we had to stay away. Oh, don’t get me wrong, we were around watching, especially those dates in high school,” Jason grumbled.
She laughed. “You’re lucky I wasn’t too popular in high school. Even though my homecoming fellow was hot. It was just too bad he wanted something I wasn’t ready to give up then.” She swirled her drink around before taking a sip.
The warm liq
uor heated her insides as well as her belly. “But then again Stan didn’t deserve it either,” she snorted. “So Mom made you stay away, didn’t she?” Elisa glanced up at Lancelot, and he nodded.
“Yes, and don’t mention that pinhead’s name. He’s lucky we were with the king then or he’d be buried right now.”
Chapter Five
Lancelot loved how her smile lit up her face. “Then you shouldn’t have waited so long now.” She tilted her head to the side, studying him. “Why did you wait? I’m 27? You’ve been a while with the King, why not ask him when you knew about me?”
“Because we knew there was someone missing. It wasn’t until Jason came here to check on our woman that we found Tarek. You only go once to the king for things like this.” Lancelot squeezed Tarek’s shoulder.
“While Tarek and Jason kept tabs on you, for the last month I have been making the arrangements for our new home. Everything must be approved before we bring anything over.” He glanced to Tarek and nodded.
“We have a gift for you,” Tarek pulled out the small box and put it in front of their woman. “I know you understand what it is to be blood mate to one of us, but with three of us, it will be difficult, to say the least. However, as you know, there is no choice. There is only one for us, you.”
She looked at Tarek, then down at the box. “What are you doing?” Elisa ran her fingers over the lid. “This can’t be happening.”
“We can’t give you any more time, Little Geek, but we do want to give you a wedding that you deserve. Open it,” his brother said.
“I really don’t need…” Elisa opened the box and just stared at one of the most unique rings she’d ever seen.
“This is what is called a Mokume Wisdom Three stone ring. Unique, like you are.”
Tarek snorted. “Each stone we picked out. The center being Lancelot’s, the brown diamond, since he is the eldest in our family. On the right side is my stone, the blue Sapphire, and on the left, Jason’s, the Ruby, all different but stunning.”
Her Stepbrothers Are Blood Suckers Page 2