Vampire Debt: Supernatural Battle (Vampire Towers Book 2)

by Kelly St Clare

  Kyros always listened when Laurel spoke—which meant he respected her opinion.

  Which meant…

  Ah, I see.

  “Noted,” I said after a beat. “If you were to recommend thirty, that would mean twenty-three other Vissimo could live on the estate, no?”

  Her lips twitched. “That would be the most logical position for us.”

  My own smile faded. “I’m happy to follow any recommendation you provide, Laurel. But to be clear, anyone who comes to my estate will follow my confidentiality rule. I must stress how important it is that I can trust each and every person who enters my property.”

  My comment hung heavy in the SUV.

  Had I offended them?

  Perhaps, but the words needed to be said. I wouldn’t openly discuss my grandmother’s secret agenda ever—not outside the hidden office, but the more vampires on my property, the greater the risk of discovery. My crew were loyal, but the Indebted were in a desperate situation. Issues like Fernando’s spying stint couldn’t arise.

  This was a calculated risk, however. One I really had no choice but to take to protect the people in my care. To protect Tommy.

  “I’ll make the rules very clear to any who are selected,” Laurel said fervently. “You are a friend to the Indebted. That hasn’t changed even though you’re no longer Miss Tetley.”

  “I appreciate that,” I said with equal honesty. “In my experience, my name changes everything. People decide how they’ll treat me before knowing me.”

  “Is that why you speak to us so much?” Jillian said from the back seats. “Because Vissimo see us as slaves and nothing more?”

  “Could be.” I lifted a shoulder. “I hate the way you suffer because of crimes you never committed. The seven of you saved my life not so long ago, and I consider myself in your debt, not the other way around. So with those words about confidentiality spoken, I won’t bring up the subject of trust again. You have it unless you break it.”

  Laurel jerked her head. “Understood. Your faith in us will not be broken.”

  I stared past Kelsea as the estates whipped by.

  There was another loose end. A loose end I planned to use to my advantage.

  “Laurel?”

  “Miss Le Spyre?”

  I faced forward. “Make sure Fernando is one of the Vissimo who join us, would you?”

  Her eyes flew to meet mine in the mirror. “Fernando?”

  “Yes.” I sat back, smiling. “It’s time we had a little chat.”

  I’d avoided Level 66 at all costs while masquerading as Miss Tetley, but now it was the place I had to be. That was where Kyros delivered his verbal instructions to the team each day—where he spoke of the probabilities and forecasts and the team push and various long-term strategies. There, he met his siblings to discuss final plans before approval, and that’s where the real strategies were hammered out. Where Level Expert bluffs were formed.

  I had to wiggle my way into that room. The heart of Clan Sundulus’ brainstorming for Ingenium.

  Somehow. Without raising suspicions.

  I’d spent three days formulating additions to my grandmother’s established plans and re-establishing communication with her team. The new offensive side to the Le Spyre game would roll out immediately, fronted by the group in Churchill. Their first job was to double the size of my workforce.

  But I had my own part to play.

  Priority number one? Working my way back into Kyros Sky. I mentally ticked that off as I strode through the halls of Level 50 toward the cafeteria.

  Priority number two?

  Well. That would take a whole other level of commitment.

  A visit to the salon and my hair was two shades lighter and silky to the touch. Barrel curls bounced gently with each of my high-heeled steps as I entered the cafeteria. Despite my ulterior motives for being here, I couldn’t help feeling like a jilted girlfriend crawling back because I was desperate for Kyros’s attention.

  I’d dressed with that in mind.

  Not by wearing less, by wearing more.

  The dress was perfect for a cocktail party or romantic weekend getaway. The floating material was petal pink, knee-length, and the neckline drew together with a tie. I’d looped the ends into a floppy bow that rested off-centre at the base of my neck. With white buckle heels, a soft grey coat, and natural make-up to highlight my youth, my look screamed I have my entire life ahead of me and I’m classy as fuck, you meaty bastard.

  Silence descended as I strode for the fruit buffet. The reaction of the Vissimo was the exact reason I’d come here for lunch—their breakfast—before my shift from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

  That. And—

  “Basilia.” Kyros’s voice slithered over my shoulders, eliciting a shiver I felt to my very core.

  Damn him.

  He stopped beside me, and I forced myself to take him in, to feel my raw reaction to his body and the desperate anticipation of a sweaty night tangled together.

  Then I let the frantic need flitter away to the trash heap where it belonged.

  “It’s Miss Le Spyre. Use it.”

  His soft growl slipped between us, but I ignored the warning as I loaded strawberries and diced mango onto my plate.

  “I didn’t expect you to come,” he said with a bite I knew was filtered excess from my order.

  “To the tower or for lunch?”

  When he didn’t reply, I gathered the answer to my question was both. A yearning belonging to Kyros struck me full force, and my wide eyes flew to his before I remembered myself.

  This fucker didn’t get to yearn for me.

  “There are things we must discuss,” he said low, stepping closer. “Will you join me for breakfast?”

  The warmth of his body seeped into mine. “You expect me to sit with you? After what you did?”

  I popped half a strawberry in my mouth, insides clenching as his gaze dropped to my lips.

  His meadow-green gaze flared. “I’m not deluded enough to expect that. We must arrange the finer details of your changed contract with Live Right. It’s a business discussion, nothing more.”

  Yeah, sure. “Oh, then I’ll figure things out with Angelica.”

  His jaw clenched, and I popped another strawberry in my mouth, humming with pleasure as the sweet juice flooded my mouth.

  Kyros lifted a hand and wrapped a strand of my butter-blonde hair around his forefinger. He could surely feel my loathing, just as he could feel the white-hot lust spearing me at his touch.

  “Four days ago,” he said so softly I could barely hear. “Around this time. What happened?”

  Four days ago, I’d cried hard enough and long enough to fill a lake. For a lot of reasons, but Kyros was definitely one of them.

  His betrayal had pushed me over an edge I’d spent twelve years avoiding.

  Tilting my chin, I closed the distance between us, resting my fingertips on his muscular chest. I let my gaze roam over his muscular frame, sliding my hands down to tug at the bottom of his charcoal waistcoat. Reaching up, I twitched the sleeves of his crisp white shirt into place and adjusted his perfect tie, my insides purring as his pure want rolled through me.

  For a moment, just a calculated second, I allowed my yearning to rise too.

  When his lips parted, I locked the longing away.

  I patted his chest. “It could have been fun, Kyros. Such a shame you fucked it up.”

  I heard several gasps from the audience studiously pretending not to listen.

  As I turned away, Kyros whipped out an arm, capturing my hand. He drew me back, eyes dipping and scanning as though searching for something only he could see.

  “How do I un-fuck it all up?” he eventually asked.

  More gasps.

  Hushed murmurs.

  Shit, even I was shocked at the show of humility in front of his minions. Except Kyros firmly believed in the singing of our blood. Or whatever the fuck it was. Despite what he did and did not feel for me, the alpha viewed me a
s his true mate. The humility wasn’t for me—not because he loved me or was sorry. Kyros already believed I would be his and wished to know how most efficiently to get there.

  Poor guy.

  I wasn’t going to let him lose me. Not really. But the chase had to be believable.

  Checking my watch, I murmured, “You don’t un-fuck anything, Kyros. We move on from here. It is so sweet of you to offer though.”

  He blinked, and I slid my hand free.

  Waving at the staring vampires, I said, “Have a good day, everyone. Go knock ’em dead.”

  They redoubled their efforts not to openly eavesdrop.

  That’s right, fuckers. Listen away. You’re playing my game now.

  I’d returned as a spy in their midst—my grandmother’s spy. They had no idea what was about to hit them.

  Vissimo would rue the day they entered Bluff City when I was done with them.

  11

  “Mr Trenington,” I said as the door opened. “My name is Basilia Tetley. How are you today?”

  The face of the early-thirties man didn’t even twitch in welcome. He had the appearance of a long-distance runner who forced himself into corporate clothing during the week. “Are you a Jehovah?”

  I pulled up short. “What’s a Jehovah?”

  “A Jehovah’s witness.”

  Oh. “No, not a Jehovah.”

  His gaze sharpened. “What electricity company are you from?”

  Lucky I knocked back a coffee after seeing Kyros. This guy was a live one. “Not from an electricity company either. Would you like another guess?”

  “You’re from Live Right.”

  I pulled a face. “Is it that obvious?” And was that the ranking? Jehovah, electricity company, and realtor?

  He started to close the door. “Not this time. Usually I can peg them straightaway.”

  You’re one of the smart ones.

  “Yeah,” I said. “Pretty easy to spot. Usually.”

  The door widened a crack. “You notice it too? Their eyes?”

  “Hard to miss, isn’t it?” I dodged the question, scared I’d gurgle instead. “But you’re right. I’m here to discuss the possibility of Live Right purchasing your home.”

  He seemed disappointed I wasn’t eager to swap conspiracy theories.

  “Right.” Mr Trenington said. “I am looking to sell, but I won’t sell to Live Right or Foremost. They’re up to something. Aliens, perhaps. I won’t give them more power.”

  I nearly whistled.

  Wow, this guy had super good instincts. Shoving down the urge to pat him on the back, I instead answered, “Completely understandable, Mr Trenington. If you change your mind, here’s my card. I assure you, I’m not an alien.”

  I’d had them printed myself, the number linking to my untapped phone that Daniel updated the firewall on yesterday. If Mr Trenington called this number, I wouldn’t be buying the house on behalf of Live Right.

  “That’s what an alien would say.” He still took the card, gaze boring into my back as I left.

  I strode down the grass driveway of the small abode in Purple, rattling off a text to my Churchill team.

  54 Page Street. Mr Trenington. Values local business and transparency. Two days.

  The phone chimed a second later. I read the text.

  Received. Forwarded to Head of Sales for acquisition.

  The team of ten sent a report each day with proposed properties to purchase based on the recent purchases of Foremost and Live Right. In addition, I employed four real estate agents who travelled to Bluff City from surrounding cities. They had a 75 percent success rate for acquisition—25 percent higher than Live Right.

  I planned to kill two birds with one stone during my Live Right shifts. I wouldn’t lift a finger to acquire houses for Kyros. Maybe just one every so often to keep up the illusion. All other properties I visited were to gather intel for my team.

  Doing it felt so fucking good.

  But that wasn’t enough.

  Years of forecasting reports in the hidden office had told me that if I didn’t expand my operations, then I’d never win this thing in my lifetime. Grandmother must have planned to accelerate acquisition—she’d mentioned finishing this before she passed, but there were no details of such plans. The Churchill team was on a need-to-know basis despite the confidentiality agreements—and the incriminating evidence I’d found for each of them in one of the filing cabinets in the secret office.

  I’d looked over the books, studying how my grandmother had pushed growth. Slowly. Only every couple of years. She’d had me and my parents to worry about, no Indebted to protect her household, and the bigger operations got, the higher the risk of being caught.

  My position was stronger.

  My game had to be more aggressive.

  This wouldn’t occupy my entire life.

  I opened the door and rolled over Josie to reach the middle seat.

  She snorted, pushing my leg off her lap. “I was about to get out.”

  “Just saving time.”

  “Mrs Gaughton’s, please,” I told Laurel.

  She peeled the SUV away from Mr Trenington’s curb.

  The vampire cleared her throat as we tore through Purple on the way to Orange via Pink. “I made the recommendation to Kyros last night, Miss Le Spyre.”

  “Thirty?” I quirked a brow.

  She nodded. “He wants fifty stationed on your estate.”

  My brows shot up. “Fifty?”

  Shit, this could work out perfectly.

  Her grip on the wheel tightened.

  “Typical guy trying to show off.” I rolled my eyes, playing the part.

  Laurel’s eyes glimmered for a beat before she cleared her throat. “We know you won’t want to house so many—”

  “Oh, that’s what you’re worried about?” I blurted. “If fifty of you want to come to the estate, it’s no problem. You’ll have to double up on rooms, and some will need to sleep in the pool houses and old staff quarters at the back of the property, but if that’s cool with you guys, I’d love to have you.”

  Quiet descended.

  I tapped my lip. “I feel bad for the other fifty. Is there any way to rotate guard duty so everyone gets some time away from the tower? You guys will need to avoid my staff whenever possible—I don’t want them terrified by your Vissimo-ness.”

  Jillian whispered to Evie, “I told you she’d let us.”

  I pivoted on the seat. “You guys thought I’d shut you down?” Jaw dropping, I scanned all seven of them. “You totally did! Ouch. You know me better than that.”

  Kelsea hung her head.

  “We apologise,” Laurel said, her blue eyes burning. “It’s hard for us to trust anyone who isn’t in debt like us. Even then, it takes a while to let newcomers in. Our situation is tenuous—”

  I held up a hand. “Truly, I’m not offended. But I want you to know, all of you, that no matter what’s happening between Kyros and me, I would never do anything to bring harm to your sisters and brothers. Not willingly.” Because he can just compel the truth out of me.

  Josie sniffed, wiping her face.

  The timing was right. “Laurel, when we get back to the estate, I need a word with you.”

  “Certainly, Miss Le Spyre.”

  “Just Basi, please. That goes for all of you.”

  Laurel shifted in her seat. “Basi. Only out here. Not in the tower.”

  I conceded the point as we pulled up outside Mrs Gaughton’s.

  I’d called her yesterday to explain why I’d ghosted our date, citing a breakup as the reason. “I’ll be an hour at least. More if she turns this into an extended dinner.”

  “We’ll be here,” Kelsea said fiercely.

  Laurel nodded. “We will. And Basi?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Fernando will be at the estate when you return. He’s appropriately fearful of what you may say.”

  She’d totally laid into him.

  “Good,” I said gri
mly, climbing over Josie before she could hop out of the way.

  “Stop it.” She whacked my butt.

  “Why would I when that’s the reward?” I asked her, wiggling my behind.

  Rolling her eyes, she gave me a gentle shove.

  “Basilia!” Mrs Gaughton was already outside. “Do your friends want to come inside?”

  Jesus, they’d fear her to death.

  I straightened, marching up the driveway to meet the elderly woman. “Thank you for the offer. They already ate and they’re listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks. It’s at a good part.”

  “Stephen Fry’s voice could melt my panties right off,” Mrs Gaughton replied seriously.

  Interesting. “How’s the garden looking?”

  We both surveyed the lavender bush.

  “It looks great, Mrs Hannah.” I wasn’t lying either. “There’s new growth. And the rest of the garden too. You planted fresh marigolds?”

  She preened. “Sure did. Won’t look right if the lavender is flourishing and nothing else.”

  “Got a hose? I’ll give everything a water and weed.”

  The older woman protested. “Not in your nice clothes. You look like you’ve been to a high tea or something.”

  “Had to dress up to show the ex what he was missing.” I sincerely hoped Laurel and the others didn’t carry that tidbit back to Kyros. We were technically off the estate, so their reporting was fair game.

  She sniffed. “His loss.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” I kicked off my heels and shimmied out of my grey coat. “Where’s that hose? This garden is going to look epic.”

  She pointed to a spot in the middle of the garden where a green hose was coiled. “It will look perfect for when my sister visits.”

  Her sister? “Didn’t she visit a few weeks ago?”

  Mrs Gaughton flushed. “She’ll be here in a month.”

  I took in her flushed face. “That’s okay. I must have misheard. I’ve had a bit on my plate.”

  She fluttered a hand my way. “Don’t worry. She was coming but had to put off the trip because of health issues.”