Quinn

by D. B. Reynolds

  His eyes flashed open. Christ, where had that come from? He couldn’t get involved with Eve or any other woman. He had a challenge to win and a territory to run. Hundreds of vampire lives depended on him. He didn’t have time to worry about a woman, other than as a source for blood. And if spectacular sex went with it, all the better.

  He sat up, and his senses automatically spread through the rest of the house, touching every living person—human or vampire. He sensed Garrick and Adorjan rising to wakefulness, as more of the others began to stir with every minute that passed. By now, his vampires were all well-rested and well-fed, a strong fighting force that would be tested over the next few nights.

  It was while he was showering that he sensed another presence on the estate. One who couldn’t match a vampire’s strength, but who was powerful all the same.

  “Damn it, Eve,” he muttered, toweling himself off quickly. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “DAMN IT, EVE, WHAT the fuck are you doing here?” she muttered to herself as she watching the closed gate through her binoculars, waiting for the almighty Quinn to grant her entrance. The human guards who’d been there when she’d first parked down the street were being replaced by vampires. The two groups were consulting, giving a shift report, she supposed, as if this was some ordinary corporate head­quarters instead of a vampire’s lair. It shouldn’t have surprised her. Quinn was a bossy guy. He probably did run his vampire empire, or whatever they called it, like a corporation. She’d like to see that board meeting. Did they serve warm blood in flasks, instead of water? Did vampires drink water? They drank booze, so why not?

  Forcing her thoughts away from such trivial considerations, she continued her surveillance. She was there to talk to Quinn, to settle, once and for all, what this thing was between them. And, also, she admitted grudgingly, to finish their discussion about her vampire killing. Whatever else happened between them, she knew she couldn’t go on as she had. Now that she’d gotten to know—and, er, fucked—Quinn, and after meeting his cousin, and even Adorjan, she couldn’t justify killing every vampire she met on a dark street. Yeah, sure, Adorjan was a scary motherfucker, but that didn’t mean he deserved to die. There were plenty of scary humans, too. Some of whom were even involved in the kind of crimes that had gotten her brother killed.

  And that was the other truth she’d had to face. Her beloved brother, the most important person in her life, had been involved in a criminal conspiracy dirty enough that it had gotten him killed. It destroyed a little piece of her soul to admit that. The same man who’d soothed her skinned knees and cheered her football games, who’d screened her dates and yelled louder than anyone at her graduation, had been a criminal. She didn’t know why he’d done it, or even what he’d done to make his criminal bosses angry enough to murder him. But Quinn was right. Alan hadn’t been an innocent mowed down by evil vampires. He’d put himself at risk and paid the price. But had he considered the price she’d pay if he died? Not the vampire hunting—that was on her. But what about the empty spot in her life that no one else would ever fill?

  She sighed and rubbed her eyes, telling herself she was tired, not crying. When her eyes blinked open, she saw that the gate finally had been rolled back. Not all the way, but just enough to—

  A knock of her window startled her into a high-pitched shriek. She glared at the man standing outside her car door, looking in. Not a man, she realized, catching the glint of red in his eyes, but a vampire. Of course. She buzzed the window down just enough to hear him.

  “What?” she demanded. “This is a perfectly legal parking spot, and—”

  “Lord Quinn has invited you to join him.”

  That’s what he said, but what he clearly meant was that Quinn had ordered him to drag her inside kicking and screaming, if he had to.

  “Fine,” she said and buzzed the window back up. She’d hoped to force the vamp to jump back in order to keep his nose from being squished, but the damn window didn’t move fast enough. He gave her a smug look, which she ignored. She’d intended to go in and see Quinn anyway, so what difference did it make how she got there? She was curious to know how they’d spotted her. She was well down the block, under a tree, with no lights anywhere.

  Shoving the expensive binocs inside her pack, she hefted it onto her shoulder and climbed out of the car, closing and locking it behind her. The locks wouldn’t stand against vampire strength, but they might deter crooks of the human variety.

  “Lead the way,” she told the vamp, but he shook his head.

  “I don’t think so.” Something about the way he said it made her think he knew how she’d spent the last few years and wasn’t willing to give her his back. On the one hand, yay her! for having a big bad vamp afraid of her. On the other hand . . . shit, maybe she’d killed one of his friends. Maybe even someone he loved.

  This whole “vampires are people, too” thing sucked.

  The vampire guided her all the way into the house, then up the wide stairway with its exquisite crystal chandelier. The first floor—what Americans, and probably Quinn, called the second floor—was a long hallway, with subtle sconce lighting that hadn’t been there the other night. Or maybe it simply hadn’t been turned on. With the extra light, she could see details. The dark wooden wainscoting consisted of panels that were lovingly detailed, probably antique, and the raw silk wallpaper above them would have cost more than all her belongings combined. It was all terribly beautiful, and it all fit with what she knew of powerful vampires. They had money. Sorley’s house wasn’t as tasteful as this, but it was stuffed with priceless antiques, and the house itself was in one of Dublin’s most exclusive neighborhoods. If she’d once doubted Quinn’s determination to rule Ireland—not his singled-mindedness, but the practicality of such a goal—she didn’t anymore. Not after seeing how he was settling into this house. And not after witnessing his ruthlessness the other night, or the way the vampires around him treated him like royalty.

  She looked up to find Garrick standing outside the open door to Quinn’s office, giving her a death stare. She might have won over Quinn, but his cousin still hated her. She smiled brightly, but his expression didn’t change.

  “I’ve got this,” he told the vampire who’d brought her this far.

  She turned to watch as the vamp didn’t say a word, simply spun on his heel and headed back downstairs.

  “Lord Quinn is waiting for you,” Garrick said, drawing her attention.

  She noted the formal address, figured it had some meaning for him, but didn’t know how she was supposed to react. She gave him another bright smile and said, “Thanks,” then walked past him into Quinn’s office, head held high.

  “Close the door, Eve.” Quinn’s voice from behind her sparked a shock of remembered lust, her breasts seeming to swell as an ache settled between her thighs.

  She had to draw a careful breath before she turned to meet his bright blue gaze, knowing he’d see the desire in her eyes if she wasn’t careful. It would be a mistake to let him have that much control. He was already arrogant enough. He gave her a knowing look, and Eve swore inwardly.

  Standing near the discreet bar tucked against one wall, he lifted a beautiful crystal decanter filled with dark gold liquid and poured himself a drink. The dark, peaty scent of Irish whiskey filled the room as he held up the decanter. “Drink?”

  She shook her head. She’d never been much of a whiskey drinker, for all that it smelled divine. A half-pint of ale was more her speed, and she rarely finished even that. “Did I interrupt something?” she asked, fighting to keep the snark out of her question. “Your cousin didn’t seem happy to see me.”

  “Well, you’ve been killing vampires, lass, and he doesn’t want me dead.”

  Eve couldn’t stop the jerk of surprise that had her eyes going wide and her mouth opening in shock. “I’d never hurt you,” she breathed.

 
Quinn gave her a bemused smile and settled behind his desk, studying her.

  She knew it was stupid, but her feelings were hurt. She hadn’t expected a soliloquy of everlasting love, but a hello kiss would have been nice. After all, they’d practically attacked each other last night, as if they couldn’t get enough. He’d even taken her blood! And now, he was treating her like an annoying neighbor.

  Fine. Who cared?

  Too restless to remain still under that careful gaze, she wandered over to the window, which mostly looked out over the side yard, with its winding path and carefully manicured shrubbery. If she looked left, she could just see the detached garages, which hummed with activity. Lots of coming and going, though she didn’t know what for.

  “Why are you here, Eve?” Quinn asked.

  She swung around and tilted her head curiously. “How did you know I was here in the first place?”

  He shrugged. “I always know where you are.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He gave her a vague look. “I’m a powerful vampire. I keep track of the people who matter to me.”

  She experienced a moment of pure, feminine satisfaction at that admission. She “mattered” to him. But then she frowned. Damn him. What did that mean?

  “I have a question,” she said abruptly.

  There was that bemused smile again, as if he found her entertaining.

  “Is this real?” she blurted out. She’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted him. No matter how cool he pretended to be, he’d been just as hot for her as she’d been for him. And that had never happened to her before. So she needed to know. “Are you doing something to me? To us? Making me want you the way I do?”

  The elegant crystal tumbler thumped to the desk, and she thought for sure the glass would shatter under the crushing grip of his hand. “Fuck, Eve,” he snapped. “I thought we were past this.” He threw the glass at the empty fireplace, breaking it anyway.

  The office door popped open almost instantly. Garrick took a half-step into the room, his gaze sweeping over her, before landing on Quinn.

  “It was just a glass,” Quinn said quietly, glancing at his cousin. “Thanks, Garrick.”

  Garrick gave Eve a careful look, said, “My lord,” and ducked back out again, closing the door.

  Quinn waited a moment, then stood and leaned over his desk to say tightly, “No, I’m not doing anything to you. No one’s doing anything.” He gave her a look that was hot with more than just anger. “I want you. But I’m not going to live with this constant suspicious bullshit. You either deal with what I am, once and for all, or go find some nice Irish lad, have lots of boring sex, and pop out a bunch of babies.”

  It was Eve’s turn to be pissed. Hell, she had a right to be pissed. He wanted her? Well, then, why the fuck hadn’t he acted like it when she’d walked in? And what the fuck was up with the, “I’ll be in touch,” line when he’d left her this morning? That wasn’t something you said to a person who mattered.

  She stormed around his desk, ready to get in his face, only to find him giving her that damn bemused look again. She tightened her hand into a fist and swung at his smug face, but he caught her hand with ease.

  “No hitting,” he said, laughing.

  She ground her teeth so hard, she could hear the noise. “For the record,” she growled. “I don’t want some nice Irish lad, and I sure as hell don’t want a swollen belly.”

  He raised one eyebrow. “What do you want?” he purred.

  She glared at him, then sighed in resignation. “For some reason, you fucking American bastard, what I want is you.”

  Quinn reached out, wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, and pulled her in until she bumped against his chest. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?” he murmured, his whisper a warm brush of air against her ear.

  Eve felt her temper rising again, since he’d been the one being an arse about things, but he didn’t give her a chance. Twisting his fingers in her hair, he tugged her head back, met her eyes, and said, “Good evening, Eve.” And then he kissed her, melting away her anger and des­troying any thoughts she’d had of resisting.

  “Damn you,” she whispered, when they came up for air. His arms tightened and he kissed her again, deeper this time, his big hands sliding down her back to cup her ass and press her against his erection. Eve moaned softly, pushing her breasts against his chest and shivering with perverse pleasure when her tongue caressed his fangs.

  Lifting her easily, Quinn swiveled to place her on his desk, then stepped between her thighs and pushed her legs wide, until the thick bulge of his erection was nestled against her sex. Hips flexing, he rubbed over her swollen clit until she found herself grinding against him, her arms twisted around his neck to keep him from moving away. She leaned back to tug his shirt out of his slacks, and he took advantage, slipping two fingers into her blouse and popping the buttons one by one until he bared her bra, and then twisted the front catch open on that, too. The bra fell away to either side, spilling her breasts into his waiting hands. Leaning forward, he drew the tip of one into his mouth, stroking her nipple with his tongue, sucking it to a stiff peak before biting just enough that she could feel it, and then grazing his fangs over the soft flesh until he drew the smallest trickle of blood.

  Eve groaned as the stinging pain traveled like an electric shock, shooting down through her abdomen and groin until it plucked at her clit, until she’d have sworn she could feel the stroke of his tongue on the throbbing nub. Quinn licked away the small bit of blood from her breast, his tongue sliding over and back to twirl around her nipple, as he reached beneath her skirt and slid his hands into her panties to cup her bare ass. Eve shuddered with pleasure when he moved his teasing mouth to the other breast, tasting and biting in turn, taking his slow time while she grew more and more frantic with desire.

  Sliding a hand between their bodies, she gripped the hard bulge of his erection through the fabric of his jeans. It was Quinn’s turn to groan as she slid his zipper down and reached into the opening to wrap her fingers around his thickness. His penis was all hot velvety skin and steely hardness. She closed her eyes, loving the feel of him, wanting him deep inside her. She scooted closer to the edge of the desk and would have slid herself right onto his cock, but he went suddenly still, his arms tightening around her protectively a moment before a knock sounded on the office door.

  “We’ve got trouble, my lord.”

  Quinn cursed silently at his cousin’s voice. There was very little privacy in a house full of vampires. Garrick knew what Quinn was up to with Eve and wouldn’t haven’t interrupted him if it wasn’t serious.

  For one minute, he considered fucking her anyway. She was ready for him, her pussy hot and soaking wet where she’d been grinding it against his cock, her arousal like the sweetest perfume. It was nearly as enticing as the rush of her blood, its delicious scent so close beneath the satin beauty of her pale skin. Her breasts were full and lush, narrow trails of blood betraying the mark of his fangs, her nipples as hard and ripe as berries, and just as succulent. She was still rocking against him, whisp­ering his name like a plea over and over again . . .

  Quinn shut his eyes and stepped back, pulling the two sides of her blouse over her beautiful breasts. “Rain check, sweetheart.”

  Eve blushed in hot embarrassment and began hurriedly putting herself back together, slapping away his hands when he ran the backs of his fingers over her breasts while pretending to help her fasten the bra. “Is it always this busy?” she asked quietly, her fingers shaking as she slipped the tiny buttons into their holes.

  “No,” he muttered. “Only when I’m trying to seize a country.”

  She chuckled, then looked up to meet his eyes and realized he was serious. “Oh. Right.”

  He reached for the lowest button on her blouse, his fingers ridiculously large for the nar
row button holes.

  “I’ll do it,” she said brushing his hands away. “You take care of your own self.” She nodded at his raging hard-on.

  Fuck, Quinn thought viciously. Or not. That was the problem, wasn’t it? Stepping away from her seductive heat, he zipped his jeans and shook his hips, trying to get his unruly cock to loosen enough that it didn’t look like an animal trying to break free. Which was what it felt like right about now.

  He eyed Eve, while she tried to get everything covered, and decided he didn’t want anyone else to see her like that. She was his, in all her enticing, frustrating, irritating as hell, sexiness.

  “Stay here,” he ordered and walked over to the door, opening it enough that he could slip into the hall without making it look like he was hiding anything. His cousin knew better, but Garrick did no more than cock a cynical eyebrow.

  “What’s happened?” Quinn asked.

  “Got a call from that human gang leader at the port—Neville. He says there’s a bunch of Sorley’s people down there making trouble. He wants to know what you’re going to do about it.”

  “Shit. Sorley has a mole somewhere, probably in Neville’s gang. He knows about our deal and doesn’t like it, so he’s decided to fuck it up.” Quinn looked to the side, thinking. “All right. Who knows about this?”

  “No one. I took the call and came directly to you.”

  “Good. I want this kept quiet. A small group—you, me, and maybe three more. Only people we can trust absolutely, vampires from our original team. We leave in ten minutes.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Garrick strode away without another word, taking the stairs quickly, but without any evidence of urgency. Anyone seeing him would see nothing out of the ordinary.

  Quinn watched him go, then opened the door behind him and slipped back into his office.

  “I have to go,” he said, walking to the wall behind his desk and pressing a hidden panel. A door popped open to reveal a collection of weapons—guns and knives mostly, but there were a few grenades, and even a small crossbow. He’d bought the latter on a whim and had never had a chance to use it. Even the guns were only for backup purposes. He wouldn’t have much credibility as a vampire lord if he had to rely on human weapons instead of his own power.