Dangerous Misery (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 3)

by Kelley, Morgan

  This was going to be one hell of a surprise.

  * * * H a r c o u r t e * * *

  Entering their quarters, Jacques was met with Jolie’s laughter. He could hear her giggling from the bathroom, along with a sloshing sound.

  Someone was playing in the water.

  He smiled.

  Coming home called to him.

  They called to him.

  This was his family, and Jacques knew that he was very lucky to have them.

  Then he thought back to Arian.

  God! He was so glad that Jolie was his mate. It wasn’t just the woman’s physical attributes that turned him off, but her general behavior. She seemed like an opportunistic bitch.

  What had Alexzandre been thinking?

  Inside the bathroom, Jacques found Flynn and Jolie splashing each other in a water fight. There were clumps of bubbles everywhere.

  He couldn’t help but grin.

  “My, my, children, what a mess you’ve made. Father goes out and the little ones wreck the place,” he said, laughing.

  Jolie turned toward his voice. “Jacques! I missed you.”

  When he approached the tub, Jolie pulled him down for a kiss. Her lips moved effortlessly over his, welcoming him home. Suddenly, he felt the desire to get soapy.

  ‘Then do it,’ she offered into his mind.

  “She’s been manhandling me,” Flynn admitted.

  When she turned and stared open mouthed, he made his move. Grabbing her ankle, he yanked her under.

  She came up sputtering.

  Both men laughed. It was hard not to. She was covered in bubbles.

  When he did it again, she remained under the water.

  “Uh oh,” Jacques stated, knowing what was going to happen next. Jolie only took so much teasing before she retaliated. Generally, it was of a sexual nature.

  They were just lucky like that.

  Flynn tensed as Jolie moved across his lap. When she stroked him with her mouth, he nearly went cross-eyed. “Yeah, it’s been a rough time while you were gone.”

  He snorted. “Yes, I can tell.”

  Jolie broke the water and once more faced her other mate. “I really missed you. Do you want to get in?”

  Flynn slid over, making room for him.

  “I’d love that,” he offered, stripping from his clothes. “How can I say no to a bubble covered Jolie?”

  “It’s almost impossible,” stated Flynn.

  She waited for him to climb into the water. Immediately, it heated back up. “Thank you, my love,” she stated, climbing into his lap.

  Jacques loved how cozy that moment was. “You’re welcome.”

  Jolie ran her fingers over his flesh. “You’re even more pale than usual.”

  He shrugged.

  Flynn ratted him out. “He’s been up all day.”

  Jacques lifted an eyebrow. “You don’t look like my mother.”

  Jolie flipped her wet hair from her shoulder. “You should feed.”

  When her hands went into his silky black hair, Jacques had to admit he lost the ability to think. “I won’t say no to that,” he stated, his fangs slipping into his mouth. As he found the perfect spot, he sunk in.

  They both moaned.

  Flynn watched, feeling the flush creep up his throat. He enjoyed watching them. It was love.

  ‘It’s the same when I watch you, Flynn,’ stated Jacques.

  For some reason, that gave the detective a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

  Jolie’s hand found his, connecting the three of them. When she tugged him closer, he willingly went.

  When Jacques was finished, he held Jolie against his torso. Like a big satiated cat, he rubbed his chin against her shoulder. On her flesh, he could pick up the scent of expensive bath oil and their other mate.

  He was jealous. He missed out on rolling around.

  ‘Later,’ she promised.

  Jacques would hold her to that promise--maybe after she got her surprise. Speaking of which…

  “We need to go out later.”

  She looked up at him. “Oh? Where to?”

  He shook his head. “It’s a secret. Flynn and I have a present for you. We wanted to give you a huge memory of our trip here.”

  Glancing over at Flynn, she smiled. “Is that why he’s been keeping me company all afternoon?”

  He laughed. “Yeah, the sex had nothing to do with it. This was purely babysitting.”

  “Can you give me a hint?” she asked.

  “No.” Jacques made sure his mind was closed down. He knew Jolie. She hated being left out of the loop. She’d poke, prod, and dig until she ferreted out the secret. Now would come the hard part.

  “Please?”

  Flynn shook his head. He had an idea of what was going on, but none of the details.

  “What should I wear?” she asked.

  “Where we’re going gets chilly, so something warm.”

  She chewed on her lower lip, trying to figure it out.

  Flynn laughed. “Before we get all ‘date night’ up in here, don’t you think you should tell him about earlier? Since we nearly died, he might be interested.”

  That had Jacques’s attention. “What happened?”

  Jolie told him about the episode with Chloe. As she shared everything, he looked more and more concerned.

  “That’s not good.”

  Flynn snorted. “You think? She actually called her by her first name. Death had to step in and settle the cage match. It was scary as hell.”

  He kissed his mate. “Mon amour, we may have to cut her free at some point. We can’t sacrifice all of our lives for a demon.”

  Jolie was well aware. “It was like she was trying to get a rise out of Flynn. I was scared for him.”

  Jacques patted the man on the shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  “I have to be honest. I would have shot her if I thought it wouldn’t have gone south, and fast. I don’t like having something that powerful out of control. Death doesn’t creep me out anymore, since I’m more dead than alive, but a rogue demon…that’s some scary shit, my friend.”

  He agreed.

  “Has she tormented anyone else?” Jacques asked.

  Flynn shook his head. “I checked on Mathew. He’s healing, a little freaked out, and dying to get in Jolie’s bed.”

  She stared at him. “Flynn!”

  Jacques laughed. “Yeah, I’m aware. I can see it when he’s checking out your body. That’s his ultimate goal. You can see it in his horny little eyes.”

  “Jacques!”

  “Anyway, he asked about her a few times, hinting that he needed to see her, but I thought it was best he not be brought into our room,” Flynn stated.

  Jolie didn't understand.

  “He’s a grown vampyre, baby, not a child. He was broken when he got here, and he needs to recover. You being his surrogate mommy isn't going to help that along. He’s a lesser vamp. You don’t cuddle everyone in the house, do you?”

  “I do when you’re at work. I wait until you’re gone for that very reason.”

  He opened his mouth.

  Jacques laughed.

  “Well then, since we’re loaded, I’m quitting my job.”

  “See why I work from home?” Jacques teased.

  Jolie shook her head in exasperation. “He’s harmless.”

  Both men laughed outrageously at that.

  “He’s got the hots for mommy. It’s not happening,” stated Flynn. “I’m drawing the line. He was hurt, he healed, and Clariel nursed him back to health. You didn't have a primus kissing all your boo-boos, did you?”

  She looked down. “I didn't have that luxury.”

  His heart hurt for her. “And for that I’m sorry, but the answer is still no, Jolie. He’s not using you as his security blanket.”

  Jacques was ready to cave. The idea that she healed alone, chained to a wall, killed him.

  Then Jolie did something unexpected.

  “You’re right
, Flynn,” she offered, touching his cheek. “Thank you for not treating me any different when I shamelessly threw out that attempt for pity and to get my way on this.”

  He kissed her palm. “You don’t want to be coddled like a wounded child, right?”

  She nodded.

  “We care about Mathew, but there’s a line, Jolie. We’re at it.”

  She glanced over at Jacques. “Do you feel the same about this?”

  “Yes, only I want to hurt him more than Flynn does. The detective is far calmer than I am. You have two men in your bed, and that’s it.”

  She let it go. “Okay, about tonight. What’s my surprise?”

  They laughed now that the tension was gone.

  “I’m not telling you,” Jacques stated, lounging in the bubbles. He leaned back, bracing his feet on the lip of the tub. “I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to wait, and for the record, I can feel you in my head, digging around.”

  She released a frustrated breath. “I hate surprises. They never go the way you expect.”

  “This one will,” he promised.

  What more could she say?

  Standing in the tub, bubbles slid down her body. The heated looks from her mates pleased her.

  “I’m getting all wrinkly. I think I’ll go dress.”

  “Need help?” Jacques asked.

  “If you give me a clue…”

  Flynn stared over at him, wondering if the man would crack. Jolie was standing there, naked and wet. A lesser man would crawl after her on glass.

  He would.

  “No.”

  “Then I dress alone.”

  She dried off and headed out, making sure to put a little extra sway in her walk. Jolie wasn’t mad, but she wasn’t above torturing them either.

  The men waited for her to go.

  “Holy shit! She’s a handful.”

  Jacques agreed.

  When it was safe, he reached outside the tub for his pants. Pulling out a box, he handed it to his mate.

  Flynn opened it without saying a word.

  “That’s to replace the amulet.”

  “It’s gorgeous.”

  “There’s more, but you’ll have to trust me. Right now, she’s trying to break me with sexy images and profane talk. Trust me when I say…I’m tempted.”

  Flynn laughed.

  “I’m glad you think this is funny,” Jacques stated.

  He shook his head. “I’m not laughing at that.”

  “Then what?”

  “You’re thinking sex, and we’re in a tub alone. This is awkward.”

  Jacques roared with laughter. This was something he never realized he missed.

  Brotherhood.

  Camaraderie.

  “Then we should get out.”

  “Gee. You think?”

  * * * H a r c o u r t e * * *

  Both men waited for Jolie in the room after they had finished dressing. Jacques went with leather pants, and a white silk shirt, simple but very much his style.

  Flynn, on the other hand, dressed to the nines. If he was going to the top of the Eiffel tower with Jolie, he would make it a night to remember. He picked black dress pants and a simple black button down dress shirt. When he pulled his hair back, Jacques lifted a brow.

  “What?” he asked, going on guard. “Do I look bad?”

  Jacques grinned. “No, you don’t. I just can’t remember the last time you pulled your hair back. You generally leave it loose. It’s just different, that’s all.”

  “I’m making a memory.”

  “You’re definitely dressed to do that. You clean up real good, Detective.” A few months ago, Jacques wouldn’t have said as much. Only recently had he been opening up to the man before him. Before, he was wary, but now he was sure that Flynn was the perfect mate for them.

  “When you take a woman on a date, you should look your best,” he said, hoping he didn’t look like an idiot. Flynn wasn’t good with this suave thing.

  “Wow,” said Jolie, as she wandered out of the closet.

  “Too much?” asked Flynn.

  Jolie knew how self-conscious he was about a few things in life. This was one of them.

  Instead of commenting, Jolie crossed to him and went into his arms. Something special had to be going on tonight. “Flynn, you, dressed up, is never too much. In fact, I think you look perfect.” She pulled him down for a slow kiss. When she broke away, she whispered against his lips. “Really, wow.”

  “So I pass, huh?”

  She laughed. “Well, I would change one thing,” she offered. “Will it upset you?”

  He shook his head. “No, what?”

  Jolie tugged his hair free. “I like running my fingers through your hair. Plus, the scent turns me on.”

  He grinned. “I’ll never pull it back again.”

  Jacques snickered.

  He faced his mate. “See? I told you it wouldn’t hurt you to dress up a bit more.” He grinned wickedly.

  Jacques laughed and held out his hand for Jolie. “Are we finally ready?”

  “Yes, I think I am,” Jolie admitted, turning in a circle. While they told her to dress warm, Jolie still couldn’t help but feel that tonight was special.

  She went with classy Parisian style. The pencil skirt and silk shirt in black made her look mysterious, and the red high heels made it all pop.

  As she pulled out her lipstick, she paused. “Are we done making out?” she asked.

  Flynn laughed. “Not likely.”

  “Then you better be ready to wear red.”

  In their minds, she showed them their bed, white silk, and bodies splattered with blood from wild love making.

  Both men moaned.

  “Tease,” Flynn stated, his fangs peeking out. “Someone should put you over their knee.”

  She touched his cheek. “Maybe later.”

  With that, she headed out.

  “She’s evil,” he stated.

  Jacques tossed his mate the box from his pocket. “Yes, but we should be grateful.”

  “Oh, I am.”

  They found her in the kitchen. “Can you help me into my coat?” she asked, waiting for one of them to step forward. Instead, they stared at her clothes.

  “What?”

  “Your outfit is lacking something. What do you think, Flynn?” he asked, getting the scene set.

  “Uh, yeah. Come to think of it, you do look kind of…bland. There’s no sparkle.”

  Jolie was appalled. “You think I look bland? That I have no sparkle?”

  “A little, mon amour, but I think we can fix that.”

  Flynn held out a delicate box that was tied with a blood red ribbon. “Try this.”

  Jolie relaxed. They were setting her up. The idea that she’d lost her allure had scared her. It was her fear they’d only see her as the harbinger.

  At the counter, Jacques grabbed two red roses that he’d placed there earlier. “These are from us,” he whispered, kissing her on the cheek. Flynn did the same as each man handed her a crimson rose.

  Jolie took the two roses and held them to her nose. “They’re lovely, thank you. Can I open the box?”

  “Yes,” they said at the same time.

  Jolie opened it.

  Before she could speak, Flynn continued, “This should make you sparkle.”

  Jolie looked from the now open velvet box to their faces. Both were wearing duplicate smiles.

  She touched it reverently. In the box sat an exquisitely carved cameo. She’d never seen anything quite so beautiful in all her life. It was ruby red, and in the center sat the silhouette of two black roses, crossing each other at the stem. It immediately reminded her of her mates and the flowers that they’d just presented to her.

  “It’s the most beautiful necklace that I’ve ever seen,” she admitted as a tear escaped.

  Her men undid her and with very little effort.

  Flynn began, “We may never get your mother’s amulet back, but we wanted you to know that to
day, we’ll start our own tradition. From here on out, this ruby cameo will signify us, and one day, you may choose to pass it down to our children.”

  Her heart skipped. What wouldn’t she give to have children with him? She hid the secret pain in her heart, so they didn't know the truth.

  “Oh, Jacques, Flynn, this is amazing.”

  First, she went into Jacques’s arms to share a gentle kiss. It warmed her heart and sent shivers down her spine. When he finally released her, she gave him the words in her heart, “Je t’aime.”

  Next, she faced their human mate. Her life had changed the second she saw him. “Flynn, I’ll cherish it forever,” she vowed, moving into his arms. When their lips met, the kiss was so dizzying that it almost stole her breath.

  ‘I love you,’ he whispered into her mind.

  ‘I love you too,’ she answered.

  “Thank you both for such a beautiful gift. You’re so special to me. This night is amazing.”

  “This is only the beginning of what we have planned for you,” Jacques promised.

  Jolie touched the ruby cameo in the box and couldn’t wait to wear it. Quickly, she bounced off to find a mirror and see her reflection with her new amulet.

  Once she was out of hearing range, Flynn smiled. “She’s going to have a stroke.”

  “Yes, she will. When she sees the real present, Jolie is going to never forget this night.”

  “Okay, spill the details. She thinks the jewelry was the big finale. What’s up your sleeve to really blow her away?”

  He reached for Flynn’s mind, taking the extra step to make sure she was blocked from their connection.

  ‘I’ve found her brother, and he’s alive. He’s meeting us at the top of the tower.’

  ‘Well holy shit! That’s all I can say.’

  CHAPTER Nineteen

  The car trip was filled with laughter and discussions on what they were planning for the night. It was finally Jolie who decided that they needed to discuss the pink elephant in the room. Everyone was carefully trying not to bring up Belladonna, but it needed to be discussed.

  She wasn’t going away.

  “Do we move on her?” she asked.

  “I’ve already begun to put the plan into motion, mon amour,” answered Jacques, grinning at her in the mirror. “She’s going to be really angry, but it was poetic justice.”