That had their attention.
“Jacques, what did you do?” asked an alarmed Jolie, as she glanced back and forth between her two mates.
“Don’t look at me. He hasn’t let me in on the big plan. I was home in bed with you.”
Jacques smiled. “Flynn, mon ami, you were a bit busy healing, or we could have done this little mission together. I think you would have found it amusing.”
“Oh hell! What did you do?” questioned Flynn, sensing Jolie’s growing alarm.
“I simply returned the body of her betrayer and nothing more,” he admitted. “Oh, and I dropped her into the coffin.”
They waited for it.
“Why do I think there’s definitely more?” Flynn asked. “You wouldn’t be smiling like that if that was the end.”
Jolie’s eyes went as big as saucers. “You didn’t, Jacques!”
“Yes, I actually did.”
“What?” Flynn inquired, still confused as Jolie broke into hysterical laughter.
“I dumped the body, left a little blood all over the house, and then called for Detective Montclair,” Jacques admitted, as his mate stared at him.
“You sicced the cop, who is a hunter, on a vampyre? Isn’t there some vampyric code that you broke by doing that?”
Damn it!
He was right!
Flynn would have loved that little mission.
“I did send the cops in her direction, and she deserves it. Let them try and prove to council it was me.”
“Wow, that is out of control and reckless.” Flynn added, laughing more. “That’s more me than you.”
Jacques glanced over at his friend. “I guess we share a few more traits.”
Jolie continued to laugh as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I’m glad we’re amused now because council is going to kick our asses,” said Flynn thoughtfully, but a smile remained in place.
Why stress it?
This wouldn’t be the first, or last, a council was gunning for them.
“You’re devious,” Jolie stated.
“Well, I had plenty of time to think about it as I watched the ones I love, lying wounded in bed.” His voice went serious. “She made you bleed. I take that very serious.”
“That means that the detective should be popping up any time now,” Flynn stated.
When her phone rang, they both looked at her. Could that be him?
She shook her head. “Bonjour,”
“Bonjour, Jolie! Are you okay? I heard you had a few rough moments.”
“It’s nothing we’re not used to, Jasmine. Right now, I’m on a date with two of the sexiest men in the world.”
“Oh, you left my brother at home and picked up a stranger?” she asked, knowing he’d be listening.
“Tell her that I heard what she said, and that I’ll make her pay one day,” said Jacques.
Flynn just laughed. “I knew I liked her--a lot.”
Jasmine heard the interplay and giggled into the phone. “I was calling to see what you had planned for tomorrow evening, mon ami.”
Jolie glanced up at Jacques in the rearview mirror, and he shrugged. “As of now, there’s nothing on our schedule, why?”
“If you’re available, do you think that Flynn, and that brute of a brother of mine, could stop by my home and meet my mate? I really want him to meet my family.”
“That sounds wonderful, Jasmine, but I have a problem. I have a few more vampyres here in Paris. I can’t leave them at home, especially now. Belladonna is searching for a way to get to me.”
“Bring them with you. The more the merrier!”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely! Your family is always welcome in my home. Plus, you’re almost a sister since you took in that big bully,” she added. “Then again, I question your sanity. He’s a tyrant.”
Jolie laughed when Jacques lifted a brow.
Then Jasmine dropped the bomb.
“I’m planning on a human marriage, Jolie--in a church, and with all the trimmings.”
It was obvious that Jasmine was worried about what they would think. While human marriages were uncommon for their kind, they did happen.
Mostly, vampyres did it to hide among people. Getting married in a church made you less of a target. All the crosses and holy water helped you mask the truth. Their kind mated until death, so once the killing times ended, so did the need for human bonds of marriage.
The only other reason they happened was when the human mate you married needed that last piece of humanity to remind them of what they once were.
Jolie couldn’t help but glance over at Flynn, and immediately, he looked away. It made her wonder if he’d been thinking about marriage at some point too.
Her heart skipped at the idea.
She only wished she could give him that one thing.
“Oh, well, you have to be completely crazy for the human if you’re taking that route,” she said softly, knowing exactly what that felt like.
Flynn took her hand in his, giving it a squeeze.
“I am! I really want my brother to meet him. They’re both really good men.”
Jolie noticed that she sounded nervous, like a young girl.
“I would really like his approval.”
Jacques glanced up at Jolie in the rear view mirror. “Tell Jasmine that I’ll be there, and not to worry about my father or what I think. It really only matters what she feels.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, feeling a little teary eyed. She’d missed her brother so much. “Goodnight, Jolie. Kiss Flynn and my brother for me.”
“I do at every chance I can.”
“Yuck on the brother part! Definitely not a yuck on the Flynn part. In fact, make that a really big Flynn kiss, then tell me all about it,” she said, laughing as she hung the phone up.
“Okay, I love her,” said Flynn, still avoiding Jolie’s eyes. He wasn’t quite sure why the topic of marriage bothered him, but it did on some deep level.
Jolie put her phone away and looked out at the passing traffic. “We’re going to the Eiffel Tower?”
“Yes. Your surprise is at the top.”
Jolie loved the tower. It was a romantic place to visit with the man you love. Now, she was going to be doubly lucky, going up there with both men.
It all made sense.
The roses.
The necklace.
Flynn dressed up.
The men were giving her something special to hold in her heart. Paris had been a hard pill to swallow. Goethe had ruined it for her.
Here, they were trying to give it all back.
“I love both of you.”
It was said out of the blue.
They returned the sentiment.
As the car stopped, her men appeared at the door. Jolie promptly took her place between them, reveling in the way she felt safe.
“I’m excited,” she stated.
The men were glad.
“Oh look! The elevator is available.”
Flynn glanced over at his mate. He was pretty sure that Jacques had used some vampyre trick to make that happen. When he grinned, there was confirmation enough.
They rushed inside, taking their place against the back wall. As the elevator began its climb, Jolie was entertained. They were a spectacle. The other people in the car stared at them like they were an oddity.
She was simply holding their hands.
Really?
This was shocking?
It made her want to be really bad.
‘Don’t do it,’ Jacques warned.
Flynn wasn’t a fool. ‘Do it! Do it! I’ll let you crawl all over me!’
She laughed out loud, drawing even more attention.
Freeing their hands, she pretended to coif her hair, trying to stop herself from giggling uncontrollably. The men in her life were polar opposites.
Flynn would do anything.
Jacques was more reserved.
When the car door
of the elevator opened, Jolie couldn’t help herself. She gave them each a slap on the ass, garnering looks from both of them.
“Sorry. I lost my head in there,” she whispered.
Neither man really minded. Once they stepped out into the starlit night, the date had begun.
“I’d forgotten how stunning it is up here,” she offered.
They agreed.
Flynn stood looking out at the scenery. “When were you here last?”
“We left France before it was built, but in the years we wandered through Europe, we had the opportunity to come back when it was completed. I think our last time here was one hundred years ago, or so.”
“It’s beautiful.”
Jolie hugged him tightly. Sometimes, she forgot that he hadn’t been with them for the last five centuries. This was all new to him.
“I’m glad you’re here to see it with us.”
“Thank you for sharing this,” he said. When Jacques’s hand touched his shoulder, he glanced over. That’s when he saw the approaching male.
It was time.
“I think your surprise is here,” whispered Flynn to Jolie, kissing her ear.
“Yes, look who we’ve found,” added Jacques, stepping out of Jolie’s line of vision to reveal the man he’d been blocking with his body.
Jolie turned. Nearby, she noticed the statuesque figure of a man. At first, she didn't understand. Then the look on her face told the tale. That one look would be something they would cherish for centuries to come. It went from confusion, incredulousness, and then pure happiness.
She had to be dreaming.
“Alexzandre?” she asked, her eyes filling with tears.
“Yes, Jolie.”
She couldn’t think. Instinct kicked in, and she raced towards him.
When he opened his arms, neither could fight the tears. “Mon Dieu! Jolie! I don’t understand how this is happening!”
Jolie sobbed as she clung to her brother. In all honesty, she was terrified that this was some dream, and he would disappear from her life again.
“Alexzandre, I’ve missed you so much!” she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck. The kisses she rained across his cheeks were full of sisterly adoration.
This was definitely her brother. The scent of family wafted back, filling her senses.
When he pulled her back, so he could look at her, Alexzandre was visibly shaken. “Jolie, you look just like our mother did when we lost her.”
“Alexzandre, how…?” She watched him nod toward her mates.
Of course they did this.
Why was she surprised?
“Thank you for what you’ve given me. I’ll never forget this moment for as long as I live.”
Both men said nothing. What could they possibly add to top this emotional moment?
As Jolie went back into her brother’s arms, Flynn turned to his other mate. “You did something amazing tonight, my friend.”
“We did,” he corrected.
“Thank you, Jacques, for allowing me to be part of this.”
“We’re family. I love you both, so we should share in this reunion. Look at her face. This will chase away her shadows and repair the wounds on her heart.”
“Yeah, you’re a good man, Jacques,” said Flynn. He focused on Jolie to revel in her happiness. This was a thing of beauty.
When she turned, Jolie knew it was time.
She pulled Alexzandre toward the men in her life. “Alex, these amazing men are my heart and soul. This is Jacques Degaul and this is Detective Flynn Brogan. They’re my life.”
He shook their hands. “Thank you for doing this.”
Jolie took it one step further. She launched herself at Jacques first because this had to be his handiwork.
When his mouth covered hers, she slipped into his mind.
‘This has your suave fingerprints all over it, Jacques Degaul.’
‘I don’t believe that I leave fingerprints.’
‘I love you, Jacques, forever. Thank you for this.’
‘As do I, Jolie. You’re my heart.’
When Jolie released him, she turned toward her other mate. Immediately, she went into his arms. Her mouth sought his.
‘I’ll love you until the day I die.’
‘Yeah, well, why buy jewelry when you can give the gift of family?’
‘Later, I’m going to give you a gift.’
He couldn’t wait.
She broke away, running her fingers across his rough cheek. “Alex, we have so much to talk about. I want to hear everything.”
“Name the time and place, Jolie. I’m ready to hear about the last six hundred years.”
“Holy shit! I better get to the liquor store. That’s going to take a lot of wine. You Harcourtes are lushes,” Flynn teased.
Jolie slapped him on the ass. “Trouble.”
“We can go back to our place,” Jacques suggested. “It’s private.”
He noticed that they now had ever more attention. With the undead, that wasn’t a good thing.
Alexzandre didn't want to let her go, but he knew they needed to get moving. “I’ll have my driver follow you,” he said, kissing Jolie’s hand. “I can’t wait to share in your life.”
Jolie was led to the elevator. Try as she might, that fear was back. In fact, she was sure she could hear Goethe’s sick laughter in her head.
This was going to be a problem.
The truth wasn’t always pretty.
When they finally got to the car, the men noticed that she was quiet.
“What’s wrong? You were just happy,” asked Flynn.
“He’s going to ask about Goethe.”
Then it hit them.
This wasn’t going to be as happy a reunion as they expected. Jolie would have no choice but to relive her past. Of course Alex would want to know everything. What brother wouldn’t?
“Crap,” muttered Flynn.
Jacques looked back at Jolie in the rearview mirror. “I’m sorry. I didn't think…”
She touched his arm. “Don’t. I don’t want your pity. I want your support to get through this.”
He nodded, struggling to give her what she asked.
Flynn took her hand. “What do you want me to do?”
She thought about it as her stomach churned. “I may need you both to help me through this. I want to believe that I’m strong enough to pull this off, but the thought of telling someone the truth--it makes me sick.”
“I understand,” he offered.
Jacques was grateful for their mate. The detective was really good with handling the emotional landmines that scared the hell out of him.
“I say be honest and hold nothing back. You can’t be ashamed of what you had no power over, right?”
She nodded, staring at her hands.
He lifted her chin. “I’ll do it for you.”
Jolie appreciated his offer. “No, I’ll man up.”
Flynn smiled. “Great. Then Jacques gets to be the girl. He does wear that cologne.”
He glanced over, knowing what the man was doing. “I’ll have you know that it’s designer, Mr. Stetson.”
Jolie laughed, despite the knot in her stomach. “Thank you again.”
When they pulled into the driveway, the men headed toward the door. Inside, they waited for Alexzandre to enter.
“Welcome to our home,” Jolie offered.
When they stepped back, the man entered.
“I’ll get us some tea,” stated Jacques. He had a feeling they were going to need it. Well…Jolie would.
They took their seats on the comfortable sofa. Flynn sat with Jolie practically in his lap. He knew how difficult this was going to be.
Alexzandre began, “I can’t tell you how shocked I was to find out from Jacques that you were alive. I hope that the last seven centuries have been kind to you, little flower.”
At the use of her nickname from childhood, she nearly crumbled. Fortunately, Jacques returned with her tea. Now, he
r hands would be kept busy.
“I’m still shocked too, and we have so much to discuss.”
“But you’re well?” he asked.
Jolie took Flynn’s advice. “I am now, Alex. At first, it was hard. How about you?”
He stared at her.
Flynn was surprised at how much they resembled each other--the eyes, the nose, and even the dimple in their one cheek when they smiled. Here was Jolie’s doppelgänger, but only more masculine.
“Life has been what it should be,” he stated. “My mate and I are doing well. We’ve been together for almost four hundred years or so”
Jolie sipped her tea, but her eyes never left her brother’s face. He didn’t appear to be happy, and from the blasé tone in his voice, she was pretty sure his mating wasn’t a true match. “That’s great, Alex. How did you meet her?”
“After I left Goethe’s service, I was sent to the M’Orissa society to be a guardian. It was difficult to be accepted after coming from that family. He was notorious for being uncontrollable and dangerous to our kind.”
Jolie dropped the delicate cup, and it shattered on the wood floor. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, bending to pick up the pieces, only to have Flynn touch her wrist.
“We’ll handle it,” Jacques stated, moving closer.
Jolie was glad Flynn was still by her side. With each look from her brother, her strength faltered.
“Jolie, what’s going on?”
“Nothing. Please continue,” she urged. Meanwhile, Flynn stroked her back.
“I went to the M’Orissa family and guarded the primus for the next three hundred years, and then mated with his youngest, Arian. I’ve helped her take care of the family since. Recently, she’s tried to branch off from her family and become primus of her own clan, so I’m trying to support her choices.”
“But are you really happy, Alexzandre?” Jolie had to ask. She needed to know that all she survived through was worth it--that it gave him a chance.
Alexzandre shrugged, sipping his tea. “Are you asking if I mated with my soul mate? No, but she never came along. Let’s face it. I’m not young anymore. I’m as happy as can be expected, Jolie. We can’t all find that one. Sometimes, the happy ending doesn’t exist. I’m a realist.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“She’s not a bad mate. We disagree on more things than we probably should, but I wanted to branch out, and she was the way.”
Dangerous Misery (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 3) Page 33