“Gentleman,” I said with a little fang showing, “is there something we can help you with?” My night was getting better and better. First the Magistrate, then the kids playing at being gangsters, and now the Vintonie boys. The fun never ends. Woo-fucking-hoo. They looked from one to the other as they danced around, trying to surround us, and at the same time, trying not to be threatening—but you can’t have it both ways.
“We have a message,” the blond one said, pulling on the collar of his shirt. His skin was a ruddy red and healthy, though his body was starting to bloat with excesses.
“Mr. Vintonie wants to see you,” the dark one with the pock-marked complexion said, twisting his head around, adding to his friend’s message.
“Now, why would Mr. Vintonie want to see me? I don’t have anything of his. Does he have something of mine?” I asked, wondering aloud as I slouched against the side of the building. “You want to tell your friend to come out, or should I go in and get him?”
“Come on, Bobby. Quit fucking around. Get out of there,” the blond one, probably the boss of the three, called to his friend. The third was a young, bulky man, with a great comb over covering what was sure to be a balding head beneath it. He showed me hard, little eyes and mean thoughts. He kind of growled as he came to stand next to his friends, and I snorted at his entrance.
“All right, fellas,” I glanced from one to the other, “why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” I wandered around their little group, watching their jitteriness, each taking comfort in the other’s presence. They probably thought there was safety in numbers, but they were wrong.
“Oh, come on guys, spit it out. I don’t got all night. Why the hell are you here?”
The blond one looked around his group, clearing his throat.
“Donny, don’t say nothin’, Mr. Vintonie wants them to come to him,” the one with the pock marks said.
“Shut your mouth, Paulie, he ain’t gonna come if I don’t give him something.” Donny swung back around, pissed that he had to answer to me, his neck redder still. “The boss has some information he thinks you’ll want, but you have to come to him. He said to tell you it’s safe.”
Glancing at David, then back at the boys, I considered my options. ‘The boss’ might have something we needed or maybe it was a trap, I mean, who’d trust these apes? But on the other hand, if I sent David back to Lucius, he’d be watching my back, and any trap would be ineffective, most likely.
“Kid, I want you to tell Lucius where I’ve gone.”
“No, I won’t … You can do that thing … reach out to him …” He backed away, starting to refuse, but I held up a hand, stopping him.
“I need you to do this. I have to go see if they have something for us, or if they’re blowing smoke.” He shook his head and I gave him my eyes, letting him see the truth. “I’ll be fine,” I said firmly and meant it.
David turned and peered at the men. “If anything happens to him …” He grinned, but without mirth and found each of their eyes, his voice softening, “I’ll know who to look for.” He left walking at a normal pace until he was out of sight, and then blurred with a burst of speed. Lucius would know where I was before I got there.
“So, guys. Are we going or standing around while you all jerk your cocks?” Snapping my fingers brought their gazes back to me. “We need to see the boss, right?”
They shuffled their feet and looked up at me. “Yeah, we’ll go, but I want your word that we’re safe in the car.” Donny, the one with the ruddy neck, let his face get redder yet.
Tipping my head back, more fang peeked out, and I laughed, my blond hair billowing in the breeze, creating almost a curtain for me to hide behind. Like I needed it. “You’re safe, at least while we’re in the car.” Laughing harder, I took off my sunglasses, pretending to wipe my pale grey eyes. “You’ll be just fine, I promise,” I said looking up, giving them a little peek at the true monster.
We moved to their Lincoln, and Paulie, whose pock marks were the highlight of his face, held the front passenger door open but I motioned him ahead. “If it’s okay, I prefer the back.” Smirking, I helped myself to the backseat with Bobby who clung to the other door like an escape hatch from hell. I chuckled all the way to wherever their boss happened to be. These bozos didn’t know what they were getting into or how to get out of it.
Tonight was going to be a good night after all.
Part Four
“Mobilize your men, station them in and around your home. The same with your daughter’s, tell her a murderer is on the loose, tell her whatever you need to. Do it now, Anton, if you want to survive the night,” I grounded into the phone. “Do it right this fucking minute.”
Orders were barked, calls made as I listened in the background.
“It’s being taken care of Mr. Draco,” Donny’s voice boomed through the air waves.
Then, Anton Vintonie growled over the line, “There’s a problem. Michela’s not buying.”
“Fuck! Tell her … No, don’t say anything. I’m on my way,” I replied and dropped the phone.
Chapter Twenty-One
The Vintonie family compound was an ostentatious monstrosity. It couldn’t even be called a home … maybe some type of palatial atrocity. It screamed new money and little self-control. Men walked the perimeter carrying double action pump rifles. These men meant business. If it wasn’t so easy to reach out and snap their fragile necks, I’d have been scared.
Donny approached me. “This way, Mr. Draco.” He squeezed the man’s shoulder nearest to us, spoke quietly, before turning back to me.
“You know, I have exceptional hearing, no need to whisper. I’m sure your guards will be watching for my family. Here’s the thing though, if they’re coming, these guards of yours … well, they’ll never see them.” Sneering into his paling face, with the tiniest bit of fang still showing, I inclined my head. “After you, Donny,” I said, tipping an imaginary hat.
The inside of the home was as loud and gaudy as the exterior. He led me into a lavish room with long red sofas facing each other. A sumptuous white rug covered the marble floor, thick and richly plush. Centered on the far wall rested a large fireplace tall enough for a man to stand upright inside, garish statuettes graced each corner. On the wall across from the fireplace sat a massive wall of books whose bindings had never been broken, with nary a speck of dust. The odor of fresh ink mixed with the other scents in the over indulged, boarding on repulsive, room, the ones my beast was dying to taste.
“If you’d like to take a seat, Mr. Vintonie will be here shortly.” He backed away and out of the room, making to close the door.
Halting him, I called out, “Um, Donny? Leave the door open. I don’t want to be closed up in this …” I glanced around at the tastelessness, “space. Don’t forget to tell the boss, I won’t wait for long. Not my style.” Flashing him a quick grin, I watched as his dark eyes grew wide and his face reddened again, but he nodded and left the door open.
What the hell have I gotten myself into this time? flashed in my thoughts as I stood in the ugly room. Donny’s footfalls continued down the hall, coming to a stop, then a soft knock on one of the heavy doors reached my ears, telling someone inside that Mr. Draco had arrived. That someone bellowed to get the hell out, and I’d be waiting for a while.
Gathering myself to leave, I strolled out of the room’s door, meeting Donny on my way. “Tell the boss my time is important too. I’m getting the hell out of here.” His face darkened further, almost scarlet, knowing I’d heard the conversation between he and Mr. Vintonie. He was probably going to get smacked, but hey, that wasn’t my problem.
Opening the door, I stepped out into the warm night and gazed up at the nighttime sky. The stars were amazing. If I couldn’t have the sun, at least the stars were still able to twinkle down, sharing their meager light. Glancing toward the wrought iron gate, I made my way down the long drive when there was a scuffling behind me.
“Mr. Draco,” a small feminine voice
pleaded. “Mr. Draco, forgive my father’s arrogance.” Her voice was surprisingly educated. What the hell was she doing in a place like this?
Turning to the voice, my eyes were met by a strikingly beautiful young woman. Her stature was small and athletic, her auburn hair long and curling over her shoulder, but her most stunning feature were her eyes, sharp with knowledge and bright blue, almost glowing in the night’s darkness. My heart suddenly thudded to life. She made me want to catch my breath.
Holding out a hand, I introduced myself. “I’m sorry, you seem to have me at a disadvantage. I’m Benedict Draco, and you are?”
“I’m Michela Jennings. My father is Anton Vintonie.” She smiled up at me, showing a dimple as she threaded her arm through mine, leading us back to the house. “You know, Mr. Draco, he thinks he’s showing you how strong he is by making you wait. Can’t you give him his little bit of power this one time?” She smirked just a little. She didn’t think her father was as big a deal as he thought he was, and as I stared into her clear eyes, I chuckled back. She tinkled a laugh, and I swear when her face lit up, it was like the sun bursting into the night sky, glorious in its splendor. I was glad my sunglasses were in place or I’d have squinted against its shining beauty.
Blinking, not sure if my eyes weren’t deceiving me, I gazed back at the young woman as I let her lead me inside the house I’d been so anxious to leave moments before. Suddenly, it didn’t seem like such a bad place to be, pretty nice actually. She led me to the gaudy room with the blood red sofas. “Ms. Jennings, do you live here?” Suddenly, my beast clawed inside my skin. There was something about this woman, and I wanted to know more.
She laughed, crinkling the corners of her eyes. “Please, call me Michela.”
She beamed like a ray of sunlight, bringing her own special light to the night, before answering my question, and my heart stopped for a moment before thundering.
“God, no, I couldn’t stand living in this monstrosity. We have a small house in the suburbs, Lake Park, my husband and I.” Her gaze became darker and shadowed. “Not that Rob spends much time there, which on most days is a good thing.” She shivered as if a sudden chill possessed her and her brow creased. “My father may have money, but I want nothing to do with how he makes it. I’m only here today because it’s my mother’s birthday. It’s the one day we agree not to argue, for mama’s sake.”
“I’m sorry. I had no intention of intruding on your family dinner, please forgive me.” Now I felt contrite, bristling with annoyance. “Why would your father call me here when he should be spending time with you and your mother?”
Her face darkened again. “Mama passed on five years ago. It’s an old tradition that’s too hard to break. I should try to come more often, but it’s too difficult being here. Since Mama died, Daddy and I don’t get along. She was our buffer, the peace keeper. It’s been better since I’m out of college … and married.” The last part was said with loathing. Whatever had happened, she wasn’t happy with its ending.
“Again, I apologize. I can’t seem to keep my foot out of my mouth this evening. I’m sorry for your loss. Can I ask what happened?”
“Cancer of course, it’s the great equalizer. It doesn’t care how much money you think you have, how much better than everyone else you’re perceived to be, or how powerful you are. It comes and takes whoever it wants.” She twisted away, the memory of hurt lingered in her eyes. I knew about death coming and taking whomever it wanted.
“The pain never gets old, does it? The loss of someone we love.” By the gods, I’d only met the lady, but her spirit called to me, and I wanted nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and promise the pain would never come again. It would be a lie, but one meant to comfort. Seldom have my sensibilities been affected like they were at this moment. I shook my head, trying to clear the cobwebs away.
She wandered over to the mantle, running her hand along its cool marble surface. It was a warm night, yet she wore wrist length sleeves and a blue scarf around her slender throat, the same color as her eyes. “I could start a fire. Are you chilly, Ms. Jennings?”
“No, why do you ask?”
“Oh, I thought with the scarf and—”
“Let me check to see if my father is available yet.” She cut me off. Her lips may have curved up, but in politeness. I felt the distance between us grow and become frosty. I’d said something wrong. She was another mystery for me to figure out.
Moments later, the robust man who came to our home bustled into the room. His broad shoulders stretched his tailored shirt almost to the point of ripping the material. His face was slightly squashed, probably from one fight too many. Anton Vintonie had finally found the time for me, after demanding I’d come to this atrocity he called home.
He strode across the length of the room, holding out his beefy hand, and as he grasped mine, he squeezed, just for a second, a bit too tightly. “Mr. Draco, you’re Lucius Draco’s son if I remember right. Nice you could come.”
“It was nice to be asked, Mr. Vintonie.” I let a little sarcasm leak into my voice before becoming serious. “You have a lovely daughter, and your home is …” I glanced around, clearing my throat, “one of a kind.” I smiled down at the man, not to put him at ease—that wouldn’t have been possible—but to let him know we stood on equal footing.
He must have understood my intentions because he reached over and clapped my shoulder.
“Call me Anton, Ben. You and me? We’re gonna be friends.” He leered and I got the distinct impression of a shark circling the room, and I didn’t like it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Perhaps you’d like to explain Mr… . Anton?” My beast was uncomfortable with another predator in the room, but I kept it at bay, soothing its nervousness. The need to hunt was growing, the hunger intensifying. It always came with agitation. Too bad I’d already sent David away.
His face creased, lips lifting, but it wasn’t pleasant. His predator was enjoying having the upper hand. “I hear you’ve got a problem. And, I might be … ah … persuaded to give you a hand.” He circled one the sofas, a jittery hunter unsure that mine wouldn’t strike. Finally, he came to rest and chose a spot he thought best to his advantage, sinking into the cushions and throwing his beefy arm over the back. “Why don’t you sit down, get comfortable, and we’ll have us a chat.” He scratched the underneath side of his clean-shaven chin.
Unease filled my body. I didn’t want to sit on the grotesque, blood-red sofa. I wanted to leave this place that smelled of copper and death since my beast liked both. Rolling my shoulders, I tried to relax, ease the beast with platitudes, assured it of a hunt later. Reluctantly, I chose the sofa across from him, and sat on the edge. “Okay, I’m listening. What’ve you got for me?”
He shook a fleshy finger at me. “Not so fast. We gotta make a deal.”
Sighing, I rolled my shoulders again, trying to release some of my tension. My beast growled loudly. Soon it would burst from my body. It liked the little bit of humanity that still resided inside Anton, it liked it a lot. “What kind of a deal would that be, Mr. Vintonie?”
“I told you, call me Anton.” He grinned again, his pearly whites glistened in the room’s light, salivating as with a fresh kill. “You got a problem. One of them bloodsuckers’ on the loose, and you need to catch him. We’ve never had any trouble with the bloodsuckers before. But this thing’s bad, you gotta get rid of it.” He eyed me up and down. “And don’t you try to tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about. I know more than you think. Can’t tell you how I know, just that I do. It’s my business to know these things.” He bristled a bit and scoffed. He was taking pleasure in his attempted show of power.
Fortunately, my pinky had more strength than this little man. I reached out to touch his thoughts, but death, blood, and gore were in the forefront of his mind, and I had to jerk away or let the beast out to play.
“My problem is I want to open a spot across the river,” he continued, never knowing of my in
trusion, “but every time I send out some of my guys, things seem to happen to them. You know what I mean? I’m running out of help.” He laughed, but not in a good way, and then he went on. “You gotta cut me some slack. I don’t want my own boys to think I can’t handle myself.” He pulled on the collar of his neatly tailored shirt, easing the tightness around his thickening throat.
Standing, I shook my head. “Sorry, not going to happen, my friend.” I smiled. “But thanks for the invite. We’ll return the favor real soon.” My beast gave him a grin, and he looked uncomfortably away. Walking across the room, I turned one last time. “Say goodbye to your lovely daughter for me. She’s the only reason I stayed. Night, Anton, have a good one.” I met his eyes for a moment before turning away to leave the gaudy room.
“Wait, all right, just wait a fucking minute. I’m still gonna help you. This bloodsucker’s been after my people, too. Boy, you’re a real hard ass, you know?” He struggled up and out of the cushions.
“Yeah, I’ve been told. So, Anton, what do you mean by bloodsucker? Don’t tell me a big strong guy like you believes those stories about vampires? You know that’s only make believe, right?”
I slumped against the door jam and looked at my host, just a little fang peeking out. It was one thing to play vampire with him or his thugs, but quite another to acknowledge their existence. For all I knew, he’d try to find some, pay someone to make a few. No matter where you are, there’s always someone willing to do anything for a profit. The bloodlust of a vampire combined with the little humanity some of Anton’s enforcers had, say someone like Bobby, would be a scary thing. If he lived long enough to make it work. It might be a blood bath of unknown proportions.
“I only know my boys been finding bodies, homeless mostly. Looks like they’ve been drained dry.” He shrugged his bulky shoulders as if to say, not my problem.
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