by Tara Sampson
No more Shelby and no more Leo because he was too bewitched by the meager human to let the higher-ups have her. They would have no qualms in taking care of him too.
Picking up the phone, he quickly dialed the number. He brought the handset up to his ear and as it started to ring, he drummed the fingers of his free hand against the dark wood of the desk, his eyes still focused on the closed door.
“Ric,” she came on the line and snapped, “I told you not to call me at this number. It’s too dangerous. You better have something important to say or I’m going to…”
He slyly cut her off.
“Tatiana, baby. I have some interesting news that I think may solve all of our problems.” He stopped for a theatrical pause and then added, “Every last one of them; including a certain pesky human that I know for a fact you would love to be rid of.”
She breathed out and he could almost see the wicked smile on her face.
“Do tell, darling, do tell.”
“I don’t have anything to say to you,” Shelby clipped, taking several steps backwards.
“Too bad, because I have plenty to say to you,” Isabella retorted, sticking her chin up in the air. She walked over towards the window and peered outside at the blackness of the night as it began to lighten into shades of lavender and blues as the sun started to make its morning rise.
She shook her head, refusing to look at the human.
“I don’t even know what he sees in you.”
Shelby bristled at that statement and put her hands on her hips.
“And I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
Isabella let out a soft chuckle, one so melodic that it sounded like winter bells ringing in the air. Slowly, she turned around and faced her.
“He’s my son and he is my business.” She walked away from the window and advanced towards Shelby. “For some reason, he has it in his head that you are his bride.” She stopped in front of her and reached out to pick up one of Shelby’s limp curls, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “Why on earth he thinks that, I haven’t a clue. You’re drab, simple and just plain, completely lackluster compared to what he can have.”
She dropped her hair so that it fell back on her shoulder.
“What I do know is that you’re not, nor will you ever be good enough for my son and I think it would be best for you to realize that now because sooner or later, and I’m hedging my bets on sooner, he will marry Tatiana and you will be nothing but yesterday’s news.”
Shelby breathed in deeply, forcing herself to maintain control.
“As I’ve said before Mrs. Risso, my relationship with your son is none of your business. Now…” she walked towards the door and held it open for her, “I do believe that we are finished here.”
The older Mrs. Risso didn’t care for the way that the puny human tried to dismiss her. She was the regal one here. She had the status and she would leave when she damned well felt like it.
“I don’t think you’re listening,” she said to her with narrowed eyes. She closed in on her and pushed the door closed with a haughty snap and bent down so that their noses touched. “I want you to leave these premises, now!”
Shelby snorted.
“Lady, you have no idea who you’re dealing with. I’m not leaving. Leo is my man and we have some unfinished business.”
Isabella took in her state of dress, or rather lack of. All Shelby wore was one of Leo’s silk button-up shirts that came to her mid-thigh.
“I can just imagine.” She rolled her eyes. “What part of you not belonging here with Leo are you not understanding, human?”
Frustrated, Shelby stepped back from Isabella; again, needing some breathing room.
“I didn’t ask for this,” she exclaimed lowly. “He was the one that brought me here. He’s the one that made me what I am now.”
“Well then, I’m failing to see the problem. Just leave,” she reiterated as if that was the best solution for everyone.
Shelby pinched her eyes closed. A few days ago, that’s exactly what she tried to do but she couldn’t fight it and now she didn’t want to.
“I can’t,” she growled out through tight lips. She already felt too strong of a connection with him and just the mere thought of leaving Leo left a terrible empty ache in her chest. Opening her eyes which were now glowing bright red, reflecting her rising temper, she repeated in sure and steady words, “He is mine and I can’t leave him.”
Isabella huffed and threw her hands up in the air and for the first time she was finally showing some loss of restraint.
“Why not? It’s easy enough…just walk out the door.”
“Because I won’t let her,” Leo said in a voice that was so cold and so deadly, that the candles lining the room flickered out, leaving the three of them shrouded in darkness. One minute he was across the room by the doorway, the very next he was at Shelby’s side, placing a possessive arm around her shoulder. “Any more questions, Mother?”
Chapter 22
“You can’t do this!” Isabella cried, “You’re a Risso and Risso’s do not bind themselves with…with that,” she waved in Shelby’s direction, clearly showing her distaste for the young girl.
“I do whatever I damn well please,” Leo roared. With a simple flick action of the wrist, he brought the room back to life with candlelight. Shelby went to move away from him and he stopped her by simply pulling her closer into his side, locking her there. “I have already made my position clear, Mother. If you can’t respect that, then there is the door; leave.”
Isabella scoffed. “You can’t be serious! You’re choosing this little leper over your own mother? What has happened to you Leo? Where is my sweet, loving son that would do anything his mother asked?”
He rolled his eyes. His mother’s penchant for the dramatics was a bit too much for him.
“I’m still here, Mother and my final decision has been made,” he said quietly. “Shelby is my bride and I’ll say this one last time; if you can’t accept that, then you are no longer welcomed in my home.”
“But…but…the party, the wedding…what am I going to tell everyone?” Isabella was no longer looking at Shelby or Leo. She was staring off into space, wringing her hands together. “It was to be the event of the year.”
“Whoa,” Leo interrupted, loosening his hold on his subdued bride. “What are you talking about, Mother? Party? Wedding? You’ve completely lost me.”
He watched her as she spun lividly around the room. She continued to mumble about invitations and RSVP’s, not paying Leo any mind at all.
He released Shelby and went to his mother, grabbing her by the shoulders and forcing her to stop and face him.
“Mother, talk to me. What wedding are you talking about?”
She fluttered her thick dark lashes and stared up at him under the blackened veil.
“Yours and Tatiana’s of course.” She lifted her shoulders in a light shrug. “Who else would I be talking about?”
Leo growled a menacing sound and if it hadn’t been for Shelby jumping up and grabbing his arm, he probably would have gone for his mother’s throat. Shelby tugged at his arm and he glanced down at her; a large part of the fight going out of him.
Shelby inclined her head toward his mother and gave Leo a look that said to calm down. Standing there, he closed his eyes and struggled to maintain that calm. It was then that the idea came to him. It seemed to be the answer to all of his problems.
He opened his eyes and reached for Shelby’s hand, interlocking their fingers together.
“Look, Mother…we need to get this straight right now. There will not be a wedding because I’m already betrothed. I have told you this repeatedly. There will be no party, so whatever you had planned, cancel it. I’m taking my bride on a month-long honeymoon.”
And that was his brilliant idea; going away, just Shelby and him—alone. He could spend the time he so badly needed with his bride to ease her into her new way of life. He could leave Ric to research this
prophecy and find out what the hell was going on and find out why shifters were after her; all the while keeping her in a secluded location. It would solve all of his problems at once. It was perfect.
“What?” Isabella hollered, her eyes going red as she flew across the room at him. “No Leo! No, you can’t do that.”
Leo pushed her back with one hand, holding her away from both him and Shelby.
“I can and I will, Mother. We leave at nightfall. You may stay here if you want but keep in mind what I said. You’re only welcomed here as long as you can accept my bride.”
Isabella froze. Her eyes swung in Shelby’s direction.
“You,” she whispered, the growl lacing her voice. “This is your fault,” she accused. “You’ve hexed my Leo.”
“Mother,” Leo cautioned, “I would advise you to shut up.”
“You little bitch. You’re ruining all of my plans. It’s not supposed to be like this. He was supposed to be with Tatiana. I’ll kill you, human,” she spat at her feet. “I’ll kill you with my own two hands if I have to.”
“That’s enough!” Leo pushed Shelby behind him and headed for his mother. “You are no longer welcomed in my home, Mother.” He stood in front of her, more intimidating than he ever was. He put one hand on his hips and pointed to the door. “Leave, Mother.”
Isabella shook her head and snapped it up to her son. Her lips curled up into a silent snarl.
“From this day forward, you are dead to me, son.” She drew her hand back and with all the strength she had, she slapped him soundly. “Do you hear me you wench—dead!”
Leo’s head whipped to the side from the force of his mother’s hand when it connected with his cheek. He didn’t dare say a word. Slowly, he turned his head back around, turning those dark, brooding eyes on her and pointed at the door, affirming his command.
Isabella shook with rage and in one final effort she made a move to dive at Shelby. Leo was faster though. He grabbed her by the waist and through her roughly against the wall.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Mother but I’m telling you now, you try that again and I won’t hesitate to rip out your throat.”
His mother fell to her knees. She glanced up at her son and let out a wail of pure heart-breaking anguish. The sound was so cutting that even Shelby could feel the woman’s pain in that single cry.
Her murderous gaze flitted to Shelby’s and the hate that she held for the young girl was as clear as day. Shelby had the urge to shrink back from the intensity of the heated gaze when his mother suddenly covered her face with her hand and disappeared into a fine mist.
All Shelby could do was stand there. She was shaken; there was no doubt about that. In the span of fifteen minutes she came to the realization that she loved Leo and by his actions against his own mother, she knew that he loved her too.
After her parents’ divorce, she thought that she would never be able to feel love again. In their own bitterness with each other, they had so easily broken her.
But now…now her grand knight in shining armor was here and he loved her. He truly loved her.
“Shelby?” Leo knelt down in front of her, worry creasing his brow. “Are you okay?”
She glanced down at him, cupped his cheek and smiled.
“Yeah, I am,” she told him honestly, still reeling from her discoveries.
“Are you sure?” he asked again, grabbing her free hand and holding it between both of his. He was more than embarrassed by his mother and hated even more the fact that Shelby was here to witness it.
“Yes,” she laughed, leaning in to brush a small kiss against his lips. “Are we really going on a honeymoon?”
Leo brought her hand to his lips, letting his mouth linger against the powdery silk of her skin. His relief was imminent. He liked seeing her like this; smiling and happy, no longer trying to fight him at every turn. He longed to keep her that way for the eternity that they would share together.
“Yes,” he told her, grinning. “I think we need some alone time together. What do you say to that, my sweet?”
She leaned into him again, kissing him with more ardors this time.
“I say hell yeah,” she whispered against his lips, still smiling.
Leo lifted her and her legs instantly wrapped around his waist. Turning his body, they switched places so that he was sitting on the bed and Shelby was straddling him, sipping the sweet nectar that she offered with her mouth. He trailed down her chin and she tossed her head back, offering herself up to him freely.
“Where would my bride,” he kissed the base of her neck, taking satisfaction in her shudders and then continued, “like to go?”
“Somewhere warm,” she breathed out, “with sand and waves,” she rattled off, thinking about their last intimate session. “A deserted island maybe?”
“Mmm,” he sighed, kissing his way back up her neck, searching for her mouth, “Your wish, my sweet, is my command.”
“Hello.”
“Mr. Dardonte?”
“This is he. Who the hell is this?”
Ric stood up, keeping his eyes on the door in case his master walked in.
“Who I am is no concern to you, sir but what I have to tell you, is.”
A long silence hung on the line.
“What are you talking about?” The senior council member was cautious, but curious at the same time.
“What if I told you, sir that I knew where the girl from the witch’s prophecy is?”
“Hold on a minute?” Mr. Dardonte said. He stood up and walked to his office, closing the door behind him so eager ears wouldn’t hear his conversation. “Alright, you have my attention. Tell me what you know?”
Ric smiled, knowing that he had him.
“Have you heard about Leo Risso’s new bride?”
“Tatiana?” the councilman asked, wondering what the hell Leo had to do with the prophecy. He had been close to the vamp’s father and had known Leo since he was a mere babe in the cradle.
“No,” Ric replied, “the human that he turned and bound himself to, Shelby Tanner.”
“What?” The councilman couldn’t hide his outrage.
“She, my friend, is the one that the prophecy speaks of. She’s the one that will bear the child that will change our lives forever.”
“No,” he said more to himself, than to the mysterious guy on the phone. He didn’t want to believe it, not Leo. But why would this man lie? “Um,” he swallowed, knowing that something would have to be done. This child could not be born. If the prophecy was true, then this child would single-handedly ruin everything they’ve been working for over the last ten years. “I’ll talk to the others,” he said in a strained voice. “You can rest assured that the problem will be dealt with accordingly.”
“That’s what I was counting on, sir.”
“Yes, and thank you kindly for the information.”
“You’re welcome,” the stranger replied and ended the call.
Ric’s plan had been put in motion. Now, all he had to do was sit back and wait. The council would take this matter in hand and soon, his problems would be solved. No more human…no more Leo and no more of this damn servant business. He would soon be hailed a hero.
With a shaky hand, Mr. Dardonte hung up the phone. He walked over to his desk and slumped into this seat. This was the break they had been looking for; a way to wipe out the prophecy but at what costs? Who would have thought that the enemy they had been searching for all along was their own leader’s, Albert Risso’s, grandchild?
Chapter 23
“It’s settled then,” Leo noted, running his hand through Shelby’s golden hair. He could lie here all day and be content just to revel in the soft feel of the silken strands as they tickled his fingertips, but that wouldn’t happen today. He made his bride a promise and it was time to get moving. “I’ll line things up with Ric to make sure the estate is taken care of while we’re gone and at sunset, we’ll go hunting. Afterwards, I’m taking you, my beauty,” he tugged
playfully on her hair to gain her attention, “on a honeymoon fit for a queen.”
Shelby was lying across Leo’s chest, staring up at the ceiling with a huge smile on her face, enjoying the feel of his hands in her hair when that one word, hunting fully registered. She froze, knowing exactly what he was referring to and then pushed up on her elbows to stare back at him.
“I’m not going hunting,” she said stubbornly, her nose slightly upturned and her chin firmly set. “And frankly, I would prefer that you didn’t either.”
Leo raised a challenging brow at her.
“We’ve been over this, my sweet. You have to feed and the only way to do that is to hunt. It’s what we are. It’s part of our survival and I don’t want to hear anymore of this not going hunting nonsense. You’ll go and you’ll feed, end of discussion.”
Shelby scoffed. Leo stepped over the line with his dour commands of what she would and wouldn’t do. It was high-time that he learned that she wouldn’t always appease him; especially in this. Sitting fully up, she tossed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes on him.
“Do you wanna make a bet?”
He tried to hide his smile. His bride had a temper and every time that it sparked, certain parts of his lower body seemed to come to life in a really big way. In a matter of seconds, he was so hard that he was pretty sure his groin was sporting an impressive zipper indention.
Slowly, he stood up, his much larger body dwarfing hers.
“Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do,” he countered. His face suddenly grew much more serious. “You have to feed, Shelby. You’re a vampire and vampires live on blood. It’s all part of the food chain and we’re at the top of it. Think of it as the circle of life.”
“Circle of life, my ass.” She turned away from him, feeling disconcerted. She strode over to the window, and peeked out, wrapping her arms around her middle. “Anissa told me there was other ways. She said something about blood bars. I’ll drink blood if it’s given to me,” she said turning back around to face Leo, “but I’m not a killer. I will not kill just so that I can feed.”