Freedom: A Vampire Blood Courtesans Romance

by A. K. Michaels

  ~ Chapter 8 ~

  I took in the view of the Scottish countryside as I walked. The beauty, even in the waning light, making me homesick, just a little. I loved my country but I certainly hadn’t enjoyed the weather.

  I was surprised the Scottish nation hadn’t grown gills, what with the amount of rain we got, but then again, that’s what gave us the splendid greenery I now saw. We could get all four seasons in one day and that wasn’t a one off either. It happened on a regular basis and we Scots were used to it. Tourists? Not so much.

  The sky was a murky grey as I trudged on through the damp grass toward where I thought I’d find Max but I stopped when I heard voices off to my right. I swerved in that direction, honing in on the sounds. It was definitely Max and if I wasn’t mistaken, he was talking to the Enforcer, Frankie.

  I started to jog toward them, still not seeing them but it didn’t take long for my new-found vampy senses to pick up on them. They were in the middle of a field and appeared to be leaning on something as they talked. I sped up a little more and a second or two later Max sensed me, his eyes seeking mine.

  I raised a hand and waved, expecting him to return it but instead he dropped what he’d been holding and dashed toward me, fast, shouting.

  “Stop, Flora, stay there.”

  His voice held that tone. The one that I’d only heard once before. The one I freaking hated. His sire order. My feet stopped mid-step and I almost fell flat on my face. What the hell was wrong with him?

  “Max!” I shouted back in anger. “What are you doing?”

  He skidded to a stop and grabbed me into his arms. “What are you doing up and about? It’s barely dusk?”

  “It’s Scotland, it’s easy to be outside before it’s fully dusk here,” I said grumpily. “What’s going on? Why did you order me to stop and why is Frankie here?”

  “I’ll explain later,” he turned to look back at the Enforcer who waved his arm and shouted.

  “I’ll finish up and I’ll see you back here in a couple of hours.”

  “Thank you,” Max replied before wrapping an arm around me and steering me away.

  “Tell me what’s going on?” I prodded, my annoyance rising.

  “Later,” he gave me a tight squeeze. “I promise you, I’ll explain later.”

  “What are you doing here in the middle of a field?” I asked, totally perplexed. “I expected to find you in the graveyard.”

  “That’s sorted,” he replied. “Graham has left to pick up his grandchildren for the funeral tomorrow morning and.."

  “Wait,” I interrupted. “Tomorrow morning? That means . . .”

  “I know, we won’t be there,” Max nodded “Apparently the kids don’t want any supernaturals present, and I can understand why, so they’re having a family only ceremony in the morning.”

  “Damn,” I sighed, sadness rushing through me. “Aye, I guess I can understand that but I feel bad. I’m responsible for—”

  Max stopped dead, forcing me to look up into his face with his hand firmly on my jaw. “No! You are not responsible for Patrick’s death. Donald and his lackeys are the only ones that are guilty, or should I say, were guilty. It’s not your fault, Flora, so don’t think that, baby.”

  I barely nodded as he carried on.

  “Graham has assured me that he, nor any of the family blame you, but the kids are grieving for their father and they just want family there. It’s understandable in the circumstances.”

  “I still feel to blame in a small way, Max.” I sighed as I leaned against him, taking strength from him. “A man lost his life because that coward wanted to get back at me and if I killed him a dozen times over it still wouldn’t be enough for what he’s done.”

  “I know.” Max’s hand ran circles on my back, soothing me in ways he probably wasn’t even aware of. “I’ve set up a trust fund, for Agnes and the kids. They’ll never struggle for money and the kids will be all right until they’re settled after their education, and then some. None of them will need to worry for a very long time.”

  I stretched back, looking up. “That was good of you.”

  “I can afford it. The family has worked for the estate for decades, it’s the least I could do and now Agnes doesn’t need to worry about that so it’s one less thing for her to fret about. I know she’s been worrying about her son and daughter. Having them away at university can be costly.”

  “You’re a good man, Maxwell Steele.” I reached up on my tiptoes, kissing him softly.

  “Don’t go spreading that rumor about,” he quipped back. “It’ll make my business negotiations so much harder.”

  “I’ll keep it under wraps.” I tapped the side of my nose as I smirked. “Now, are you going to tell me what you and that humongous Enforcer were up to?”

  “You’ll find out shortly,” he said mysteriously. “But, as we’re not required for the funeral tomorrow I thought we’d head back to New York later, if that’s all right with you?”

  I thought about it for a moment. Did I want to stay here, in Scotland for a while longer? Although I sometimes missed my homeland, at this moment in time, with everything that had happened, I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to be anywhere but here.

  “That’s fine with me.” I gave him a sly look. “Maybe we can have that catch up with Kristos and Myra when we get back?”

  Max laughed. “Sure, though I suspect it’s going to affect my bank account somewhat. Every time you two get together you go on a shopping spree.”

  “Hey.” I poked him hard. “Myra has great taste and I need all the help I can get in that department if you insist on dragging me to all your formal business functions.”

  “Okay, darling, I’ll call ahead and see if they’re available.” Max shook his head. “I swear when you two get together you’re like a couple of naughty schoolgirls.”

  I giggled, turning to look up and raising an eyebrow. “Now, that puts all sorts of ideas into my head.”

  “Flora!” Max’s eyes flared to life, burning with desire as I licked my lips.

  “You’re the one that said it,” I pouted.

  “I think you need some punishment, Missy,” he growled low, his hunger showing clearly.

  “Catch me if you can,” I snickered as I turned and took off back toward the Manor.

  “Oh, I’ll catch you all right,” Max groaned as he chased me.

  ~~~~~

  “Wow, you outdid yourself,” I moaned, still coming down from the many orgasms Max had forced from me. “That was outstanding, even for you.”

  “What can I say.” Max shrugged as he strode stark naked to the bathroom, and I couldn’t believe where my mind was going, again! “I aim to live up to my title of Mr. Sexypants.”

  “You shouldn’t walk around like that.” I licked my lips. “It gives a girl ideas, naughty ones.”

  He wiggled his ass a moment before he disappeared through the door. I let out a groan at the loss. “Damn, Max, get back here!”

  “No.” He stuck his head back in. “You need to get ready, we’ve got somewhere we need to be.”

  “What? Where?” I asked, moving the cover off my body and stretching out, trying to tempt him back to bed.

  “Stop it!” he chastised. “I mean it. We do need to go, now, so move that delectable body of yours. It’s important, darling.”

  “Spoilsport,” I whined as I reluctantly left the bed.

  “Plus, Graham will be here soon to pack for us. Remember we’re leaving shortly. I don’t think you want him to walk in and find you looking like that.”

  “Oh, I don’t know, it might brighten up his day,” I joked.

  “Or give him a coronary, and, darling, I don’t think this is the time for those kind of jokes.” Max raised an eyebrow.

  “Oh, shit, sorry, that was in bad taste wasn’t it?”

  “Life goes on regardless, darling, and it was just between us so no harm was done,” Max said softly then swatte
d my behind. “Now move, we’re late already.”

  “Late for what?” I griped as he moved with vampy speed getting dressed.

  “You’ll see,” was all he told me.

  I knew by his tone I’d get nothing more so I had a quick shower, very quick, then threw on some clothes, boots, and Max handed me a dark grey fur coat with a hood. It was one of his favorites and I tugged it on quickly before he snagged my hand and pulled me after him.

  “We need to get a move on.” He picked up speed, rushing along the hallway, down the staircase, out the door and into the night.

  Where the hell was he taking me? It was black as the Earl of Hell’s waistcoat, but of course we could see all right, but I was at a loss as to why he was dragging me through the countryside. Then I realized we were heading toward where I’d found him earlier with the Enforcer.

  Maybe now I’d find out what they’d been up to.

  As we carried on I hauled on his hand, stopping him. “Max, what’s going on? I can scent wolves, lots of them. Are we under attack?”

  He barely shook his head. “No, we’re safe.”

  “Max!” I jerked on his arm. “I’m not happy about going any further. Those fuckers are out there and they, well, they, shit you know what they’ve done to me for a long time. Why the hell would I go to meet them in the dark, in the middle of a freaking field?”

  Max turned in toward me, his free hand chucking me under the chin. “Hey, you trust me, don’t you?”

  I could barely nod as all my senses, every single cell in my body, was telling me to turn and run in the opposite direction.

  “Come with me, Flora, I promise you that you’re safe. Frankie is their Alpha and he is in charge.”

  Max leaned down and placed a brief kiss on my forehead. “I promise.”

  “Hmmf.” I shook my head. “I’m not happy.”

  “I’m very well aware of that,” Max replied. “But I still want you to come with me.”

  “If any one of those wolves so much as looks at me wrong I’ll rip their damn throat out,” I spat out viciously.

  “Agreed.” Max inclined his head and I was certain he was fighting to hide a smirk.

  I gave him a shove, just to show him I meant business, before I allowed him to lead me on.

  I kept my eyes peeled and scanning the area all around as we carried on, now at a walk which eased my worry a little. I didn’t want to rush headlong toward the pack of wolves who’d been my tormentors for such a long time.

  Their hulking figures started to come into view, in wolf form, spread out in a semi-circle near a large patch of fresh dug earth. There were several lit torches and Frankie stood in his human form, arms crossed and looking as scary and formidable as I remembered. He made a barely perceptible nod as we arrived but what shocked me was the gathered pack lowering their heads in a blatant show of submission to Max and me.

  What was that all about?

  “Not me, Flora, they are submitting to you and you alone,” Max corrected my inward dialogue.

  “These curs have a lot to answer for and this is just the beginning of their atonement,” Frankie said gruffly, his face a stone mask as he turned to growl at the pack.

  The wolves lowered even further and whimpered as one. The sight and sound doing things inside me I had no name for as a lump found its way into my throat.

  I barely managed to mumble, “Why are we here?”

  Max nodded toward the disturbed dirt on the ground. “Frankie was good enough to come and help me earlier. We buried Mallen and we’re here to lay him to rest. I thought this would be a good place for him and you can visit him anytime we’re here.”

  I looked at the ground, to Max, then Frankie and back to the ground. My beautiful and loyal horse, Mallen, that gorgeous vibrant beast that Donald and his wolves tore apart, was right there before me. I couldn’t think, my chest hurt, my throat closed, and tears pricked my eyes as sorrow invaded my soul.

  “I had to give him somewhere to be, so we could remember him,” Max whispered. “If it weren’t for him we would never have met. He brought you to me, literally. I can close my eyes and see you riding him across the fields, your hair flying out behind you. Flora, you looked amazing. The most beautiful, wild and free woman I’ve ever seen. I think I started to fall in love with you right then. If it weren’t for Mallen, I would never have found the love of my life.”

  “Max,” I sobbed, my legs almost giving out beneath me as emotion overtook me.

  “Flora.” Max held me upright, gazing intently into my eyes with such passion and love it took my breath away. “We’re not just here to say goodbye to Mallen.”

  “We’re not?” I asked confused.

  “No,” he said, smiling as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. “I’ve had special dispensation granted and Frankie has agreed to officiate at our ceremony, that is, if you agree to be my wife. So, Flora, my love, my soul-mate, will you also be my wife?”

  “What?” I stuttered. “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s simple really.” Max opened the box and took out the most simply exquisite solitaire ring I’d ever laid eyes on together with a plain wedding band. “I want to let the entire world know what you mean to me. I want you to be Mrs. Maxwell Steele. I know most of us don’t have this formal ceremony but my love for you has grown with every passing day, so much so, that sometimes I think I’m going to burst with how much I adore you. I would love you to accept my proposal and agree to be my wife.”

  My head was in a whirl. Marry? The man who rescued me and made my life a living dream of luxury, passion and love. Hell, who wouldn’t? I just had one thing to clarify.

  “I think I prefer Mrs. Flora Steele, if you don’t mind.”

  Frankie let out a sound, not sure if it was supposed to be a yes or something similar, but to me it was a gruff growl. Max on the other hand didn’t say a word, he simply picked me up and kissed me so hard that I thought he was going to consummate the marriage right there in front of the pack.

  “Excuse me,” Frankie interrupted. “I think we should get started.”

  Max released me, reluctantly as he frowned at the Enforcer. “Couldn’t you wait a moment?”

  “No,” Frankie shrugged. “Some of these wolves are young and have difficulty staying in their wolf form without the full moon so we need to move this along.”

  “I see.” Max set me next to him, his arm around my waist. “Okay, go ahead.”

  I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Max. I mean, I literally couldn’t. My head was all over the place and I’m pretty sure I heard nothing of what Frankie said, not until Max pinched me and nodded toward the large wolf who raised an eyebrow and said.

  “Well? I assume your response is ‘I do’?”

  “What?” I blustered, embarrassed and not entirely sure what he was talking about.

  Max whispered. “Just say ‘yes, I do’.”

  “Yes, I do.” I grinned like an idiot.

  Frankie shook his head but the resulting smile almost had me falling on my backside. It changed the Enforcer completely. Gone was the scary dude and in his place was an extremely handsome, and dare I say it, one fine and sexy man. Max’s low growl had my head snapping back to him quickly.

  “Sorry.” I giggled.

  Frankie frowned, obviously having no idea what had just happened, but then carried on. “So, with the power invested in me by both the Vampire and Wolf Councils, I now pronounce you man and wife. I wish you a long and happy life together and remember guys, we don’t do divorce!”

  With that he let out a short burst of laughter before getting himself under control and apologizing. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist that. I truly wish you both all the happiness in the world. I have a feeling I’ll be here for a while so give me a call next time you’re in Scotland.”

  Max gave him a curt nod before scooping me up in his arms and kissing me as if his life depended on it. I swear I saw stars
as his lips covered mine and his tongue danced inside my mouth, my thighs clenching together with need and desire. Well, until I remembered we were surrounded by a pack of wolves with noses that would be able to smell every scent of my arousal.

  I felt as if someone had doused me with a bucket of iced water as Max released me, his eyes twinkling with laughter.

  “Later, baby.” He steadied me, my legs suddenly feeling like jelly.

  Frankie let out a growl and in the next moment the pack howled in unison. It was full of sorrow and lament and, dare I say it, regret. My eyes flew to the Enforcer and he nodded once. “The pack apologizes for any wrong done to you, Flora, and for the loss of your beast. I, as Alpha, take responsibility for their actions and if there’s anything I can do for you, all you need to do is ask.”

  I was touched by his words and at first I was going to dismiss it, then I stopped, thinking. “Wait, there is something.”

  “Anything, name it, little miss,” Frankie said solemnly.

  “Patrick, the man who was killed,” I paused, letting the severity of what I’d said linger. “He was the man who looked after the gardens and I think that it would be nice if you could liaise with Graham to see if that could be taken care of.”

  Frankie didn’t pause, agreeing immediately. “I’ll take care of that. I understand the funeral is tomorrow so I’ll leave it for a few days and then I’ll contact Graham.”

  “Thank you,” I replied as Frankie gave another unseen order to the pack who silently slipped away into the darkness.

  As they left I felt an immense weight lift from my shoulders. It was the strangest feeling. An apology. Was it as simple as that? A simple apology for past deeds and I felt some sort of closure? Possibly. All I knew was I felt different and in a good way.

  “I can feel your peace,” Max whispered, his breath tickling my ear. “I’m glad something good has come from something so awful.”

  “Me too,” I admitted.