Quinn

by D. B. Reynolds

  “No,” Garrick assured him. He jerked his head at Adorjan, who immediately got the others organized to begin dragging the unconscious vamps into one of the unused garages. Garrick then turned to face Quinn, scanning him from head to toe, taking in the bloodied knuckles, the swelling knot on his forehead. “A head butt, my lord?” he asked dryly . “Isn’t avoiding that sort of thing what being a vampire lord is all about?”

  Quinn grinned. “I needed to vent. It’s been a rough few nights.”

  “Eve giving you a hard time?”

  “Eve hates my guts.”

  “You silly kids,” Garrett chided.

  Quinn narrowed his eyes. “Don’t push your luck, asshole.” He raised his hand and flexed one swollen fist. “Fuck, that hurts. No sense in fixing it before I question the others, though. We have any liquor in this house?”

  “Are we in Ireland? Of course, we have liquor. There’s a full bar in the den, and another one in basement.”

  “Good. They’ll wake up soon enough,” he said jerking his head at the unconscious vamps. “Make sure you maintain a guard. You know where to find me when they come around.”

  EVE SQUINTED through the high-powered binocs. Her eyes stung with the effort, but she couldn’t take her gaze away, couldn’t risk missing a single minute of what she was seeing. She only wished she could record the whole thing. She had her phone, but wasn’t sure if it could catch the long-distance details, and didn’t want to divert her attention to find out.

  Quinn was over there. And he wasn’t alone. It looked like the vampire version of the OK corral. A real standoff, like in the old American westerns her da had been so fond of. Except without guns. She’d followed Quinn to Dublin, using the tiny tracker she’d slapped on his Range Rover outside her flat. It hadn’t been a car chase, since she’d been so far behind. But she’d counted on him not finding the tracker, and the tracker not falling off, before she made it to Dublin and got a fix on him through the app on her phone.

  She’d expected to find him at Sorley’s mansion in Donnybrook. That’s why she’d followed him, hoping to figure out once and for all what his deal was with the vampire lord. Were they allies? Or had Quinn told her the truth about wanting Sorley dead?

  Instead, she followed him here to Ballsbridge, to this lovely, ivy- covered brick two-story building that looked like it housed some gentleman financier and his perfect family, not a gang of ruthless vampires. But then, hadn’t she thought that’s exactly what Quinn was when she’d first met him? Not the family part, but he’d definitely been a gentleman. Even knowing what he really was, she’d still bet he wore a three-piece suit as well as the highest paid banker in Dublin.

  When she’d first arrived at this house, she’d seen only Quinn and his gang, who’d been carrying on like they were moving in, just like anyone else would. They’d spent a good hour unloading duffle bags of gear, and boxes of who knew what. They’d probably been working for a while before she’d arrived, too, since it had taken her some time to follow the signal to this house, and then to find a good vantage point from which to do her spying.

  Lucky for her, the couple across the street had gone out for the evening—based on his suit and her elegant dress—while she’d been sitting in her car down the street, wondering if she dared sneak closer. And then she’d strolled down the block, trying to look like she belonged, hoping Quinn’s vampires didn’t have a watch out for her specifically.

  She’d breathed a sigh of relief when she’d made it to the neighbor’s gate and ducked behind the thick wall that surrounded their house. They’d left their gate open, which most people seemed to do in this neighborhood. Although not Quinn, she’d noticed. His solid wood gate was closed, so you couldn’t see what was going on behind it. The wall around the property was also designed for privacy, with thick blocks of stone that were tall enough to keep out all but the most determined climber. That wasn’t Eve. She did, however, climb the sturdy chestnut tree that hung over the neighbor’s perimeter wall. Its branches were more than broad enough to hold her and it had a trunk fat enough that she wasn’t completely uncomfortable as she perched up there with her binoculars. The houses were far apart in Quinn’s new neighborhood, but between the height afforded by her treetop vantage and the tree’s location close to the street, she had a good view directly into his yard

  And that was how she’d come to witness this incredible scene. Quinn had just killed that other vampire, but not until after he’d beaten the shit out of him. That part of it hadn’t surprised her all that much. The other vamp had attacked Quinn first, and for all Quinn’s gentlemanly ways, he was a big guy in great shape. He also had a temper, which he mostly hid behind that icy control of his, especially with her. But she’d known instinctively that if he ever let loose. . . . Well, that vampire—the one who’d shown up with a gang, looking for a fight— had just learned what happened when Quinn let loose. Quinn had beat the shit out of him and then punched a hole in his chest and ripped out his fucking heart! Right there before her eyes. She’d killed vampires, and she’d seen them go to dust when they died. But she’d never seen anyone, human or vampire, slam a fist through bone and flesh and tear out someone’s heart.

  Part of her was horrified. She was still shaking inside as she replayed the brutal scene in her mind. But another part of her was glad that Quinn was strong enough to take care of himself. Proud even. What the hell was wrong with her?

  Movement snapped her attention back to Quinn’s house. His vampires, including his cousin Garrick and the big bodyguard, were dragging the remaining unconscious vamps into a garage, apparently having decided they needed privacy. She was lucky Quinn hadn’t done so earlier. Maybe he would have, if he’d realized how bloody the confrontation was going to get. Or if he’d known anyone was watching. She’d had a bad moment when he’d seemed to be searching for watchers in the surrounding trees. But his gaze had moved on quickly enough, and she’d started breathing again.

  She waited until they’d all disappeared from sight, then scrambled out of the tree, gaining a scraped forearm for her troubles. Apparently, her tree-climbing skills were a bit rusty. She pulled her sweater over the scrape, which was oozing blood, and walked casually down the street, not drawing a full breath until she was back in her car. Her heart was racing and her breath was a little short, but mostly, she was agitated by what she’d seen. And confused. She’d been all set on hating Quinn and everything he stood for. She hadn’t fooled herself into believing she could kill him, but she’d been ready to kill the others, if the opportunity presented.

  But now . . . what if he’d been telling her the truth? What if he was here to replace Sorley? To change the way Irish vampires lived and conducted their business? What if he’d help her get the vampires who’d killed her brother?

  And from the deepest part of her heart, where still lived the last remnant of the girl she used to be before her brother’s death had changed everything, came a fragile whisper of hope. What if she could go back to who she’d been, back before vengeance had become her life?

  She sat in her car, waiting for her heart to stop pounding, waiting for the unbidden tears to stop streaming down her face, and knew what she had to do. She was going to have to talk to Quinn.

  QUINN STROLLED into the empty garage—empty of cars, anyway— and raked his gaze over the assembled vampires. He was still feeling mean, which didn’t bode well for them. He’d confined himself to a single drink—two fingers of a very nice scotch—which had tasted fine, but hadn’t helped his mood any, since booze didn’t have any effect on vampire physiology. His knuckles still ached and his head hurt. What the fuck had he been thinking with that head butt? The vampire symbiote in his blood was working to heal the injuries, but the headache lingered. Quinn could have healed himself in an instant, but he didn’t want to waste power if it turned out this group was going to be more trouble than he thought. Looking at them now, he knew
it wasn’t necessary. A quick scan told him that none of them had any power to speak of. Conover had been a strong master vampire, with enough power to be a valuable tool for Sorley. Unfortunately, he’d had ambitions beyond his abilities. When he’d challenged Quinn, those ambitions had ended in death.

  But none of his followers even approached master level. Conover apparently didn’t want any challengers arising out of his own clique. These six were all ordinary line vamps, nothing more. It infuriated Quinn that Conover had risked their lives in a battle that, once he’d met Quinn, he had to have known he couldn’t win.

  Quinn flexed his hands again, feeling the ache, and knew he had to douse his rage. Using a wash of his own power, he healed the injuries left over from his fight with Conover, and brought his temper under control. Oddly, it was the memory of Eve and their last encounter that remained a spark of discontent in his thoughts. He wanted to believe it was worry for her safety, nothing more. He would have felt the same for anyone he knew, if they were following a dangerous path, taking too many risks. But Quinn had never been one to lie to himself. He knew it was something more than that. Eve had gotten under his skin in a way none of his other women ever had. He wanted her to be more than safe, he wanted her with him. Wanted her clever, frustrating, stubborn self in his life. Which went to show what a twisted sense of humor the fates had. He was a vamp with a plan—organized, tidy, some would say anal. He had a checklist in his head, ticking off items as he moved toward his goal. Eve was like a mini hand grenade sent to fuck his list up. And he wanted her . . . in his life and his bed.

  Fuck.

  With an effort of supreme will, he shoved thoughts of Eve far away, into the back of his mind. He had other lives to protect tonight.

  “Pay attention,” he said abruptly. Every vampire in the garage, including Garrick and those of his own people who’d been standing guard, snapped to attention. “You have one chance, right here, right now. Swear to me or die.” He let his gaze touch every one of Conover’s remaining vampires, where they were seated on the floor. “Be very clear about one thing. If you leave this garage alive, your soul is mine.”

  One of the vamps stood defiantly. “What right do you have to demand anything of us? Sorley rules Ireland, not you.”

  Quinn nodded, acknowledging the vampire’s point. But . . . “My right comes from millennia of vampire tradition. You challenged me, and you lost. Your life is forfeit, but I’m giving you a chance to live. Know this, however. I have more than enough power to detect lies and deceit. If you swear falsely, or if you ever betray me, your death will be long and painful.”

  The vampire’s mouth pursed into an unhappy grimace, but he bowed his head and dropped to his knees in acceptance. The others, who’d been looking to him for guidance, did the same.

  “What’s your name?” he asked the vampire who’d challenged him.

  “William McKeever,” he muttered. “But they call me ‘Numbers,’” he admitted grudgingly.

  Quinn tilted his head curiously. “Numbers? Why?”

  “I’m a chartered accountant.” One of the other vamps snickered, and McKeever added, “And I might gamble a bit.”

  “Successfully?”

  “Aye, my lord.”

  Quinn thought that might be the most interesting thing he’d heard that night. He glanced at his cousin. Garrick was good with numbers, too. Good enough that he wasn’t welcome in Atlantic City. Garrick gave Quinn a smile and a small shrug.

  “All right, McKeever. Can I call you ‘Mac?’”

  McKeever nodded almost eagerly, as if he didn’t like his current nickname. “Please, yes, my lord.”

  “Okay, Mac, let’s get this over with.” Quinn walked over to where the vampire still knelt. Taking the small knife Garrick offered him, he rolled up his sleeve and cut a four-inch gash in his forearm. Blood immediately gushed from the wound, pooling in the hand that he held out.

  “William McKeever, do you come to me of your own free will and desire?” he asked formally.

  The kneeling vampire’s nostrils flared at the scent of Quinn’s blood, but he didn’t answer right away. Instead, he raised his eyes and searched Quinn’s face, then nodded, as if he’d found whatever he’d been looking for. “I do, my lord.”

  “And is this what you truly desire?”

  “My lord, it is my truest desire.”

  Quinn offered his bloody arm. “Then drink and be mine.”

  McKeever—Mac—drank. Tentatively at first, as if not knowing what to expect, and then hungrily as if he’d never tasted the bounty that was a vampire lord’s blood. And maybe he hadn’t, Quinn considered. Not every vampire in Ireland had been turned by Sorley, or by Lord Tiegan before him.

  Quinn jerked his mind back to the present, where Mac was still gorging on his blood. He had five other vampires to bind, and his blood supply wasn’t endless. In fact, after tonight, he was going to need a re-supply. He hadn’t had fresh blood since he’d tapped the little brunette at the pub, after his fight with Eve. He had to think back as to which fight it had been. There’d been so many. So why was she still in his thoughts?

  Shaking his arm slightly, he pulled his wrist away from the vampire’s eager mouth. Mac sat back on his heels, dazed, licking blood from his lips. Adorjan stepped forward and took his arm, urging him to his feet and making room for the next candidate.

  One by one, the others came forward and swore, much as Mac had, each sucking down more of Quinn’s blood and seeming just as dazzled by the power of it. Until the last of the six knelt before Quinn and swore . . . falsely.

  Quinn pulled his arm back and stared down at the kneeling vampire. “I did warn—” But the vamp was already on his feet and racing for the exit. Before anyone could grab him, he was smashed to the ground by a hammer force of Quinn’s power. He lay there, pinned to the garage floor like a bug, straining to move. Quinn strolled over and gazed down at him. “As I was saying,” he said calmly. “I did warn you. I will not tolerate betrayal.”

  “I didn’t—”

  “No, you didn’t. Your sin was even greater. To swear falsely on the blood of a lord. . . .” Quinn gave him an almost sad look. “Your choice. Your consequences.” Pulling the sleeve down over his bloody left arm, he held his right hand out instead. With a thought, he filled his empty palm with a ball of blue fire that danced to its own music in the dim light. He raised his eyes slowly, meeting the vampire’s fearful gaze. “Burn,” he said simply.

  And the vampire burned, twisting and screaming as he was engulfed in a cloud of blue that seared his guts and sizzled on his skin. The other vamps stared in horror, shrinking away from him as though fearing the invisible fire would spread.

  Quinn watched and felt nothing. This vampire would have betrayed him, would have endangered every other vampire, and every human, in his household. One couldn’t tolerate a viper in one’s own nest. If anything, the foresworn bastard had gotten away too easily. Quinn only regretted that he didn’t have the time to prolong the vamp’s agony as he deserved.

  With a snap of raw power, he increased the flame’s heat until the vamp simply disappeared, incinerated in an instant, a pile of dust on the garage floor. He eyed the pile in distaste. They were going to need a private space outside for this sort of thing. Or at least, a concrete floor and an efficient means of vacuuming.

  But he was done for, more tired than he could remember being in a long while. Sunrise wasn’t far away and he’d bled enough for one night.

  “Make sure everyone is secure for the day,” he told Adorjan, then left the garage with Garrick at his side. Someone had apparently decided he needed a bodyguard, even in his own house.

  “We need to accelerate work on the basement vault,” he told his cousin.

  “I know. We’ve already made it livable and private, gotten rid of the windows, reinforced the above-ground portion of the wall
s, both inside and out.”

  “We need vault doors at the stairs. One up, one down.”

  Garrick nodded. “With your permission, I’d like to call Lucas’s man Ronan, to get a referral for the big doors.”

  “Lucas,” Quinn said, “is a fierce fighter, and by all accounts a good lord to his people. He’s also far too proprietary when it comes to this island, and he’ll stick his nose in everywhere if I don’t push back from the outset. But go ahead and call Ronan. Ask about the doors, but don’t tell him anything else.”

  “I’ll be careful. You calling it quits for the night? It’s early enough that we could hit a local pub if you need it.”

  Quinn shook his head. “Tomorrow night will be soon enough. We’ll go out first thing. We might as well establish ourselves in the local blood bar.”

  “If there’s nothing else, then, I’ll give Adorjan a hand.”

  “Nothing. I’ll be in my quarters, tucked away safe and sound.”

  “I’d rather you be tucked in the basement.”

  “Later. I need privacy right now. I might come down before sunrise, but, if not, I’m secure enough.”

  “You’re the boss.”

  Quinn nodded and headed down the hall alone. Garrick was right. He should be spending his days in the basement. But until it was completely renovated, he preferred his own quarters. The basement was as big as the first floor. It was one of the reasons he’d bought the house. It meant he and his vampires could have a separate and secure space for daylight sleep, behind vault-style doors, with small, private rooms for everyone, and larger rooms and suites for him and his senior staff. And after the basement was completely renovated, he’d turn his attention to privacy of a different sort. He wanted more land, more distance between him and his neighbors, even if that meant buying every property that touched his. Distance equaled safety, as well as privacy. The blood bars might be popular, but not everyone embraced the existence of vampires. There were still plenty of dangers out in the world for his people.