He didn't mind. “You know my motto, Mina. Shoot first, and we’ll fix the rest later.”
She visibly relaxed.
“What did it feel like to you?” asked Jolie, trusting her donor’s instincts.
“It was vampyre. I could feel the energy pounding at the house, trying to see how secure we were.”
Jolie’s anger pulsed through her body. “You did wonderful, Mina. You called for us, and you protected Chloe and Margharite. No one is leaving the house without a guard from here on out. It’s too dangerous.”
The woman nodded. “If you’re done with me, I think I’ll get Chloe situated, and then Margharite. That girl is a trooper. She must think we live in a circus.”
There was no doubt. Sometimes, she thought the same thing.
Jolie headed back into their bedroom to talk to the new donor. “Tomorrow, Margharite, we’ll have to take blood so we can reach you. Right now, you’ve had a rough transition into our family, so we’ll call it a night. I’m sure you want to rest after this mess.”
“I am a little wiped out,” she admitted. “It was a long day.”
Jolie motioned to the door. When they were gone, she focused on her men. “You both saw Belladonna and Morden there?”
“Yes, mon amour. They were dancing and drinking.”
Flynn agreed. “I was watching them watch you,” he stated. “She looked like she was green with envy.”
“Maybe it was because of my men,” she stated. “They are sexy.”
While they’d like to believe that, neither man was buying it--not in this situation.
“I’m betting it’s more because of Death,” offered Flynn.
She agreed. “I have a problem with all of this. It isn't like Mina to freak out for no reason. There had to be a vampyre here.”
Flynn went into cop mode. “Could it be a curious vampyre who was checking out our society? After all, they didn't attack, and if they knew we were gone, that would have been the prime time to do it. We would have lost our donors, and that weakens us.”
It was possible.
Before she could speak, the transformation began. Both men tensed, eyes bleeding dark.
“What?” she asked.
“We have company,” they said in unison, as the predator in them surfaced.
“There’s someone near the house,” said Jacques, his fangs descending into his mouth at the idea someone was in his territory and stalking their mate.
“It’s the detective,” Flynn offered. “He’s here.”
Jolie knew she needed to keep calm. The men were already on the edge. She could see it on their faces. They were out for his blood.
“We need to get rid of him, or at least figure out what he’s doing out there.”
Flynn blinked at her, his mind working overtime. “I have an idea, but you’re probably not going to like it.” He directed that at Jacques.
The man tensed as he focused on his mate.
“What?”
“I suddenly feel like a moonlight stroll, and maybe we could look at the stars.”
Jolie grinned, getting what he was thinking. “And I suppose if a super quiet vampyre stalked his every move, we would be completely safe,” she said, glancing over at Jacques. “You’re the best one to sneak through the dark,” she admitted. “This is your thing.”
Where they expected him to protest, he didn't. That spoke to how much he wanted to kill the man. Jacques was obviously hoping Detective Montclair would cross some line.
Jacques began shedding his armor. “We better get changed and ready to go. I look forward to this hunt.”
Yep, his intent was crystal clear.
Fifteen minutes later, Jolie and Flynn were sprawled out under the stars on a blanket, looking up at the sky. Since they were bait, they might as well get comfortable.
Where better than cuddled up together?
When Jolie would whisper in his ear, chills would shoot across his body. Somehow, he didn't think it was the nippy air, but instead her wandering fingers. They already had his jeans open.
Despite trying to make it look like they were simply making out, both Jolie and Flynn were scanning the area.
‘Jacques, what’s he doing?’
‘Right now, he’s watching you both with binoculars. Apparently, he likes a show.’
Once more, Jolie’s hand wandered lower, stroking Flynn through the material of his boxers.
‘I hope that if he pulls out a gun, you have us covered,’ Flynn said, trying to concentrate. It wasn’t easy.
“I do. If he even thinks about hurting you, I’ll take his miserable cur of a life.’
That was good enough for her. Jolie rolled, placing her body over Flynn’s as she began passionately kissing him.
‘What are you doing?’ he hissed, pushing her lips away from his so he could stare into her eyes.
‘Do you think he’ll believe that we came out here and weren’t going to make out?’
‘You and I both know what I meant, and it had nothing to do with kissing. Your hands have been in my pants for the last ten minutes. Trust me… he knows we’re fooling around.’
Jolie’s hands wandered up his chest so that so that she could slowly unbutton his shirt.
“Jolie,” he muttered, seeing the glint in her eyes.
She could feel his body harden beneath hers as lust filled his voice. If they were going to be out in the open, Jolie was going to enjoy it.
“Flynn,” she murmured, leaving kisses across his chest.
When he buried his hands in her hair, her body shook. Then the world turned, and Jolie found herself beneath him.
‘Flynn,’ she tried to protest.
‘Nice try, baby, but I wasn’t born yesterday. You’re not shielding my body with yours and using sex to distract me. Call me old fashioned, but I get to protect you.’
She went to protest, but his mouth shut her up. As his tongue glided across hers, Jolie couldn’t think straight.
He was just as screwed. The irresistible scent of mate floated through the air. It was a mix of lavender from her perfume and blood pumping just below her skin.
It called to him.
“Okay, that was a very bad idea,” he whispered, feeling the predator in him trying to break free.
Jolie knew they were playing with fire. Flynn didn't have total control of the beast within.
“Kiss me, Flynn,” Jolie whispered, as she forced her fangs into her mouth.
He didn't hesitate. When he felt the prick of her fangs slicing into his lip, he was helpless. The eroticism called to his incisors, and they, too, joined the party. He’d never fed from her like this, and never while she was feeding from him.
The mix of blood in his mouth was something he’d never tasted before. It was something so addictive, that he might need to taste it every day, just to survive.
“This is incredible,” he muttered, trying to keep up with the kiss.
She giggled. “So hot, Detective.” Jolie was glad he was enjoying it. This was something she and Jacques did quite often.
‘What’s he doing, Jacques?’ asked Jolie, reaching for her other mate’s mind.
‘He’s still watching, but now he’s also taking pictures,’ he admitted. There was anger in his voice. ‘Can I kill him now?’
Jolie laughed into his mind. ‘No.’
Slowly, she pulled away from the special kiss. When she rolled, the detective was back beneath her, but before he could protest, she spoke up, “We don’t need him to get a picture of us with blood on your face,” she whispered, licking a stray drop that ran from the corner of his mouth to his chin.
Okay, she had a point. He was a sloppy eater.
“Now we’re both good.”
“Thank you, baby,” he said, pulling her back down to meet his lips. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll just enjoy kissing you. The bait needs to have some fun.”
She didn't mind.
Flynn deepened the kiss, sharing their mingled flavors. When she w
as lost in the mating of mouths, he rolled, putting her back beneath him.
When she made a little breathy sound into his mouth, he was wild. Kissing her was like nothing he’d ever experienced before, and he hoped he could fill his life with moments like this.
So did she.
‘I could do this all night,’ Jolie admitted, whispering it into his mind, as she ran her hands through his hair.
‘Yeah, not me. I’m close to giving the detective a show he won’t ever forget.’
Jacques joined the conversation. ‘Wrap it up. He’s moving closer to you both, and that makes me uncomfortable. Get inside--I don’t trust that he won’t do something stupid, and as much as I want to kill him, I won’t risk you both.’
“Okay, baby, let’s go get warm,” he said loud enough for the prying detective to hear him.
“Sure thing my sexy little love bunny,” she teased.
He gave her a look. “You’ll pay for that.”
Jolie grinned. “I can’t wait.”
Pulling his mate to her feet, Flynn gathered their blanket. As they held hands, walking back toward the safety of the house, a chill ran through them both.
Was it the night air?
Or something far more sinister?
There was no doubt that eventually, they’d find out.
CHAPTER Fifteen
Thursday Early Morning
He entered the house only after he made sure the detective had vacated the property. While he wanted to kill the man, for now, he’d settle with getting him far from his mates.
When he entered their quarters, looking every inch the warrior, Jolie couldn’t help but admire him. Here was a killer, but he’d kept it in check.
She had to give him credit.
It couldn’t have been easy.
“I don’t like this,” Jacques stated. “He’s really obsessed with you, Jolie, and you can’t imagine the look on his face as you were kissing Flynn. It looks like he now sees him as an obstacle to you.”
That worried her. She ran her fingers down his arm. The last thing she wanted was to see him get hurt.
“Good. Then he isn’t focused on Jolie,” he admitted. “I’d rather he be gunning for me.”
That made her sick to her stomach.
Flynn brushed some hair from her cheek. Oh, he was well aware what making out in front of the crazy would do. That’s exactly why he did it.
He’d rather wear the bull’s-eye any day.
“He won’t touch Flynn,” said Jolie. “That will happen over my dead body.”
Flynn snorted.
She continued, refusing to go there. “If he tries, I’ll kill him myself.”
“I agree,” Jacques added. “I’ll hold him down and bleed him dry.”
Flynn stared at them like they were crazy. “Hello? You realize that I’m sitting right here, and not exactly helpless, don’t you?” he stated.
When she patted his knee, he growled.
“Now do you see why you’re not going anywhere with him alone?” he added.
“Shhhh. I’m watching Jacques strip,” she stated, intentionally changing the subject.
Flynn rolled his eyes and sighed in frustration.
Jacques unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his pale flesh. He noticed her eyes never left his hands. While that simple act turned him right on, he knew the truth.
“Normally, I’m game, Jolie, but we need to rest. I have a feeling bad things are coming.”
She didn't disagree. Instead, she patted the bed beside her. “Maybe tomorrow,” she purred, luring both mates in.
Who was he to deny his mistress anything?
Jacques slid his arm under Jolie’s head and the pillow, allowing her to cuddle into his body. “Mmmm…nice,” he murmured.
Brogan took that as his sign to get into position. From behind, he spooned Jolie’s body. Across her torso, he rested his arm until it found a home on Jacques’s abs.
When he didn't move, Flynn assumed it was a good location.
“Mathew is staying up until dawn, and then Flynn will take over for a while. It looks like we’re back to sleeping in shifts once more,” Jolie stated.
“It’ll be fine, mon amour, but I do have to say that maybe France wasn’t such a good idea after all.”
“I vote for Disneyland next time,” whispered Flynn, as he began to slip into sleep. “No one ever gets staked on Space Mountain, and the scariest thing there is the cost of a bottle of water.”
The last thing he heard was both of their laughter as exhaustion claimed him.
* * * H a r c o u r t e * * *
Thursday Mid-Morning
Jolie was being called back from the darkness. She could tell that it was still early, but she willingly let herself float into awareness.
When she opened her eyes, Mina stood above her.
It didn't bode well for her.
“What happened now? Is it Chloe?” Panic rushed through her body.
“No, Mistress. The pain in the ass detective is here again.”
Jolie glanced over to check on Flynn, only to find him gone. Her heart began racing.
“Where is he?” she asked.
“Oh, I woke him first. He asked me to give him a head start before I woke you. He mentions something about ‘handling the situation’ once and for all.”
She stared with her mouth open. “What?”
“I said,” Mina began.
Jolie slapped herself in the forehead. “I’m going to torture his sexy ass when I get my hands on him,” she muttered.
Mina tried not to smile. She warned the detective. While she would always have allegiance to Jolie, the men were also part of that too.
Jolie jumped out of bed to race to her closet.
“Where are they?”
“Master Flynn is entertaining him alone in the den.”
“Oh my God!” she muttered, pulling on clothing as fast as she could. All she could pray was that Montclair wasn’t in pieces in her house. “He won’t leave any evidence.”
Mina giggled despite the look Jolie gave her.
Racing down the stairs as fast as she could, Jolie tried not to draw too much attention to herself. Once outside the den, she could hear the two men arguing.
Yeah, this was going to be bad.
Really bad.
Jolie hoped for the best.
“No! I already told you that Jolie isn’t going without me, and that’s the end of the discussion.”
“But, Detective…certainly you can see how important it is to have her look at the last crime scene.”
“I’m not debating the importance. Jolie can go and analyze it all she wants, but she’ll have me with her. That seems to be the part you’re not getting.”
“I can’t clear you.”
“Then she isn’t going, I’ll walk you out.”
“Detective Brogan, surely you…”
Jolie walked demurely into the room and went past the detective to her mate’s side. Instantly, she curled against him.
He knew, in that exact moment, that he was in some deep shit, but it didn't matter. He was laying down the law--for him-- and for their relationship.
Staring up at him, she shook her head. “What are we discussing?” asked Jolie.
Flynn wasn’t backing down. “How you’re not going to a crime scene unaccompanied. I think I said it was happening over MY DEAD BODY.”
Jolie heard the tension in his voice.
“I was trying to tell Mr. Brogan, that you will be perfectly safe with me. There is just no way to get him clearance to the scene.” He refused to call him detective.
Flynn tried to stay calm. “It’s not happening, Detective Montclair. She takes me or our head of security.” He wondered how pissed Jolie would be if he beat the man to a pulp in their den.
It was time to step in and stop the men from fighting. “I’m afraid that I have to defer this to my fiancé, Detective. I won’t go with you without him or security. My Flynn isn't being overly protect
ive. He’s doing what’s right for us.”
Flynn relaxed.
“What you don’t realize is that I’ve had issues before.”
“Issues?”
It was Flynn’s turn to have some fun. “We’ve had some prowlers on the property with binoculars and cameras. Our security guy saw them, and we’ve decided to keep Jolie safe. Once we find that sick bastard, and rip his eyes out of his head, then we can revisit this discussion.”
The detective looked startled, and even though he tried to cover it, they could tell he was worried.
“Binoculars and cameras? How do you know?”
“We have excellent security and saw the gentleman last evening. Unfortunately, our armed guard couldn’t get close enough to overpower him. Next time, we’ll be ready.”
Jolie caressed his cheek.
Montclair swallowed. The predators in the room heard it. They could also smell his fear.
The asshole was busted.
“Okay, bring him or your security man.”
It amazed her how fast Flynn had rattled his cage. Jolie found it hard not to be amused. Her mate was ready to tear the man apart to win this one.
“Great. Shall we get started?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Detective, but I’m not available for a few days yet. I’m currently wrapping up some other loose ends.”
“Really, what could be more pressing?”
He sounded jealous and possessive.
It was a big clue to them. He was definitely unhinged.
Jolie was pulled even closer to Flynn’s body. She could feel the low rumble in his chest. He was about to neuter the man.
“I can’t discuss that, Detective. It’s doctor-patient confidentiality.”
Flynn struggled to keep his fangs in his mouth. They were ready to break free, and then find a home in his throat.
“Yes, but of course. I’m sorry, Doctor. I hope you can forgive me for intruding. Will you call me when you’re available?”
“Certainly.” She glanced over at Flynn. “Will you escort the detective out? I’m going to make myself something to eat. Are you hungry, my sexy love bunny?”
Dangerous Misery (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 3) Page 26