To Die For

by Trista Ann Michaels

  She turned to him blankly. “What? Oh, yes. I did. Thank you.”

  Kaelen watched her sip at her coffee in silence. She appeared tense, worried.

  “Where’s Stacy?” she asked.

  “She’ll be back soon. She went with Vincent to speak with the council.”

  Amy nodded and let out a slow, tired sigh.

  Kaelen’s lips twitched slightly. “I would like to think that sigh is related to me, but I have a feeling it’s more to do with something else.”

  “I have work I need to finish at home,” she said. “And no, you can’t have the research.”

  Jason grinned behind his cup before replying to Kaelen. “I thought you got that already.”

  Kaelen scowled. “So did I.”

  “It’s amazing,” Jason said, smiling. “You can make grown men cry and beg for their life, but you can’t get a few files of research from a mere slip of a girl that probably doesn’t weigh much over a hundred pounds soaking wet.”

  “Shut up, Jason.”

  “Oh, no,” Jason said as he set his cup back in the sink and pushed away from the edge of the counter. “I’m not about to let you live this one down.”

  He left the room, leaving him alone with Amy, who watched him warily over her cup.

  “You look like you’re afraid I’m going to jump you,” he said with amusement.

  “I am. I’m not sure my privates could handle it. I’m still sore from last night.”

  Kaelen chuckled, and she scowled at him, making him chuckle even more.

  “You know,” Amy said thoughtfully, “you’re not as menacing as Vincent makes you out to be.”

  Kaelen smiled. “Then perhaps I should work on that. Maybe I should practice on you.”

  “I think you’ve had enough practice. My ass still stings.”

  “Spanking is not menacing.”

  Amy snorted softly. “That’s your opinion.”

  Kaelen stood and walked over to her, pinning her between him and the counter. “If you think that’s menacing, maybe I should show you just how tame that is in comparison.”

  She swallowed as though nervous. “In comparison to what?”

  Kaelen reached out and took the cup from her hand and set it on the counter. Grabbing her elbow, he pulled her against him. Her soft gasp caught his attention, and he looked into her eyes, which had darkened with desire, and couldn’t seem to bring himself to look away.

  “Ever been tied up?” he asked in a low voice, and he’d swear he felt her shiver against him. “Totally at my whim? Ever had a man in your pussy while a toy filled your ass?” She swallowed again, and he lowered his head, putting his lips close to hers. “Ever been whipped with a flogger until you came?”

  “No,” she croaked.

  “Good,” he whispered.

  Chapter Seven

  Amy drew in a sharp breath, wondering if he really intended to do those things. She wasn’t really sore; she’d just told him that, not wanting to appear too needy where he was concerned. She didn’t want him to think he’d won, that he could get her anytime he wanted. But wasn’t that what was about to happen? Wasn’t he getting her without even the tiniest bit of a fight?

  Of course he was. All he had to do was crook his finger, and she’d come running, her pussy wet, her breasts full and aching, her legs trembling. She couldn’t resist him, and he knew it. She knew it too; she just hated admitting it.

  “All right, Romeo. Out!”

  At the sound of her friend’s voice, Amy glanced around Kaelen’s shoulder to see Stacy making her way over. Vincent leaned against the doorjamb, his arms crossed casually over his chest. There was nothing casual about Stacy, however. She looked pissed and ready for battle.

  “I mean it,” Stacy snapped as she shoved at Kaelen’s shoulder, forcing him away from Amy. “Now.”

  Kaelen scowled back toward Vincent, who only shrugged in response. His lips twitched slightly in amusement, and Kaelen’s scowl deepened. Stacy grabbed Amy’s arm and tugged her from the room before anyone could say much of anything.

  Amy stole a glance back at him over her shoulder as Stacy pulled her from the kitchen, and Kaelen wanted to run after her, steal her back from her friend. Vincent moved to the side, allowing them to exit through the door, then turned back to him.

  “You couldn’t do something other than just stand there?” Kaelen demanded.

  Vincent pushed away from the frame and headed for the French door that led to the terrace. “We need to talk.”

  Kaelen shook his head as he watched Vincent walk past him and step outside. Kaelen followed, but his mood didn’t lighten; instead it worsened. He’d always hated Vincent’s bossy demeanor. Two alpha males who were as alpha as they were had no business living in such close proximity.

  “What?” Kaelen snapped as Vincent pulled one of the patio chairs from under the table and sat down.

  “Sit down, Kaelen.”

  “Do I look ten to you?” Kaelen growled. “Tell me what you want to tell me.”

  “Fine,” Vincent drawled as he leaned back and clasped his hands over his stomach. “Merrick petitioned the council to take over your seat…in light of what’s happened, of course.”

  Kaelen froze and stared at Vincent in shock. His brother did what? Surely he’d misheard him. He grabbed one of the chairs and quickly sat down. “Come again?”

  “You heard me.”

  “Why would my brother do that without talking to me first?”

  “Why would he do it at all?”

  “Don’t answer a question with a question.”

  “It’s a question that needs an answer, Kaelen.”

  Kaelen stood again, his anger rising. “Are you trying to suggest that my brother is behind this?”

  “I never said that, but apparently the thought just crossed your mind.”

  “Oh, fuck you, Vincent. My brother would not plot to kill me.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  Kaelen stared at Vincent as though the man had lost his head, and he just might before the night was over if he kept this up. “What the hell are you up to, Vincent?”

  “I’m trying to help you figure this out. Merrick isn’t looking for you and in fact is plotting behind your back to take your seat.”

  Shaking his head, Kaelen began to pace. “Merrick would know that I would come to you. He knows that if I’m still alive, I’m here, so why does he need to look for me? It’s only logical he would stay away, especially if someone is following him to try and track me.”

  Vincent’s lips thinned as he tilted his head to one side in acknowledgement, but Kaelen could tell Vincent wasn’t convinced. Vincent had a reason for believing what he did. The question was would he share it?

  “What have you heard?” Kaelen asked.

  “I haven’t heard anything. It’s just a gut instinct.”

  Kaelen’s heart sank. Unfortunately, everyone knew to trust Vincent’s gut instincts. Even Kaelen. They were usually spot-on. Some believed he had a little psychic ability, but Vincent could never pinpoint exactly what it was, just generalities. He could sense things about people or upcoming events. If Vincent said he had a gut feeling something bad was about to happen, everyone put their guard up.

  With a sigh, he dropped back into the chair. “All right, Vincent. Talk to me.”

  Vincent sighed and unclasped his hands. He sat forward and rested his elbows on the patio table.

  “Something about all this feels off to me. It feels as though Merrick is hiding something. I’ve felt it before but always just assumed it had to do with his pretending to be you periodically while you were away. Now I believe there’s a little more to it. Something we don’t know. Jason’s assistant may or may not have been working with someone with that whole vampire blood drug thing, but he was definitely afraid of someone. He tried to warn us that night you… Well, you know.”

  Kaelen snorted. “We killed him, Vincent. You can say it.”

  “I don’t know that I would
call what you and those other vampires did just a regular killing. That was brutal, Kaelen, even for you.”

  “I’ll give you that,” Kaelen replied as he cringed. “So you think that someone Jason’s assistant was afraid of was Merrick?” Kaelen asked. At Vincent’s slight nod, he continued. “You’ve met the man, Vincent. He may be able to play me, but he’s definitely not me. He’s the complete opposite of me.”

  “If Merrick is that good at playing you, then how do you know he’s not that good at playing someone else? Like someone soft-spoken and docile, for example.”

  Kaelen opened his mouth to say something, then shut it quickly. Was Vincent right on this?

  No.

  He refused to believe that. “I will not accept that my own brother would try to kill me. Come up with another scenario, Vincent. This one isn’t going to fly with me.”

  Vincent lifted his hands in surrender and sat back. “I’ll tell you what,” Vincent began. “You work on your own theory. I’ll stick with mine. If I’m wrong—”

  “If you’re wrong,” Kaelen said as he pushed his chair back and stood. “You’re going to find yourself atop a perch, naked, with the entire council in attendance to watch.”

  Vincent gave him an arrogant sideways grin. “That will make their day.”

  Kaelen rolled his eyes and turned to leave the terrace. “And if you’re lucky, I won’t let the vamp minions feed off you.”

  “I’m not wrong,” Vincent called softly after him, and Kaelen stiffened. With a soft growl, he shoved the door closed, letting it slam loudly behind him.

  * * * *

  “Stacy, what the hell are you doing?” Amy asked as Stacy continued to pull her down the hall toward Jason’s study.

  They stepped inside, and Stacy shut the door behind them before turning to examine her closely. “Are you okay?”

  Amy raised an eyebrow. “What did you think would be wrong with me?”

  Stacy let out a sigh and leaned against the door, crossing her arms under her breasts. “We know Kaelen was in your room last night.”

  Amy rolled her eyes. “Half of Europe probably knows.”

  “Well, there was one scream in particular that was probably heard in Paris.”

  Amy felt the heat of a blush move over her cheeks, and Stacy snickered.

  “Just talk to me,” Stacy said softly. “Let me know you’re okay, that he’s not forcing himself on you or coercing you or whatever it is that vampires do.”

  Amy sighed and moved to sit in one of the leather chairs facing Jason’s desk. “He’s not. I’m just…confused.”

  Stacy sat in the one across from her. She was silent, waiting for Amy to continue.

  “I’ve been fascinated with vampires my whole life. I’m Goth, for crying out loud. I live for that undead stuff.”

  Stacy smiled slightly.

  “The fact that they’re real, it…” She stared at Stacy, mentally searching for the right words. “He scares me. Not in the fear for my life kind of scared, but…I have no control when he’s around.”

  “Of course you don’t. That’s what worries me.”

  Amy shook her head. “It’s not that. I know vampires can seduce people into doing things they wouldn’t normally do, but that’s not what I mean. I can’t deny him, and it has nothing to do with his seductive power. It’s just him.”

  Stacy nodded in understanding. “I’m the same way with those two knuckleheads upstairs.”

  “Would being a vampire be so bad?” Amy asked softly.

  “I don’t know. You’re the only one who can answer that.”

  Amy nodded, knowing her friend was right. Just once, though, regardless of how rational or even irrational, she wanted her to say yes or no. Just once, she wanted someone else to make the decision for her. What if she hated it? What if this infatuation faded? What if Kaelen was only playing with her and didn’t feel the things she did?

  Stacy kicked at her leg gently with the toe of her black shoe. Amy looked up at her questioningly.

  “The way Kaelen was looking at you in the kitchen…is like Jason and Vincent sometimes look at me. I think he cares for you, whether he admits it yet or knows yet himself.”

  “What good does that do me if I can’t bring myself to become what he is?”

  The door opened, startling both of them. Amy turned to see Kaelen standing in the doorway, his face stern, his eyes narrowed, his lips set in a thin line. He looked angry and so incredibly sexy Amy could hardly breathe.

  “Out,” he commanded at Stacy.

  Stacy glanced at her, and Amy nodded once, letting her know she would be okay. Her friend stood slowly, probably just to antagonize Kaelen, and walked toward the door. As she went past, she glared at the vampire in warning. One thing Amy could say about Stacy with absolute certainty was she had balls. She showed absolutely no fear of the vampire or, usually, most anything else. It was what made her a great detective when she worked for the police force.

  Kaelen slammed the door as soon as Stacy was clear. The sound of the lock clicking in place had an ominous ring to it as he turned to stare at her hungrily. She began to back away until her hips hit the desk, blocking her from going any farther. She stopped and tried to still the trembling in her fingers as he began to slowly stalk closer.

  She wasn’t afraid. At least not of him. It was herself she was terrified of. The hunger that coursed through her veins at the very sight of him made her knees want to buckle.

  “Don’t even think about trying to get away,” he said as he wagged his finger.

  Amy raised her chin.

  “And don’t even think about fighting me either.”

  “Why don’t you just tell me to undress and spread my legs?” she replied sarcastically.

  Kaelen’s eyebrow rose. “Now there’s an idea. But I prefer a little more foreplay.”

  Amy swallowed and tried not to let him see how his words affected her. “What do you want, Kaelen?”

  “Besides you?” he asked, his lips twitching as though trying to fight a grin. When she didn’t respond, he sighed and said, “I need to know if you remember anything from that night in your apartment.”

  She shook her head and relaxed a little. He’d been teasing her and now turned serious. Sometimes, the way he could jump from hungry to no-nonsense made her head spin. “Just what I told Jason.”

  “I can get into your head and see what you saw. Perhaps I will see something you don’t remember.”

  She immediately tensed again. He could get into her head while they were awake? Could he read her mind as well? What else would he see? “You want to do what?”

  “I need to know who that was, Amy. Vincent thinks my brother may be involved. I need to know.”

  “Do you think your brother would really do that?”

  “I would hope not, but…Vincent’s gut feelings are too accurate to ignore.”

  “The man who attacked you wasn’t your twin. I saw enough of him to know that.”

  “So did I, but I know the men who work for my brother. If it’s one of them, then it’s possible Merrick could be involved.”

  Amy shook her head. “That doesn’t mean he’s involved.”

  “It wouldn’t be a certainty, no, but it would definitely make it more likely. Vampires tend to stick together. If one of his assistants is involved, then more than likely they all are.”

  Amy could see the sadness in his eyes. If his brother was involved, she had a feeling it would hurt him greatly. “What if he is?” she whispered.

  Kaelen took a deep breath before answering. “Then I deal with him.”

  Deal with him? Just how would he deal with him?

  “All right,” Amy said with a reluctant nod. “Do it.”

  Kaelen took a step toward her, and a thought jumped into her head. If he could see into her mind, could he see her Carbonite password? And would he take it?

  “Wait.”

  Chapter Eight

  Kaelen narrowed his eyes as her whole body drew
up with apprehension. He knew what had suddenly upset her. He could sense it. Her thoughts were on her research and the possibility that he could take her password. He could.

  “Just that night, Amy,” he whispered. “Just when he attacked.”

  Amy looked as though she didn’t quite believe him, but relented anyway. She remained tense, and Kaelen gave her a soft smile of understanding.

  “I know it’s weird, but you have to relax. This isn’t going to hurt, but you can’t be tense either. It will make it harder to find what I need to.”

  She visibly swallowed and nodded in understanding. He wanted to hug her, to tell her everything would be fine, but he had a feeling it wouldn’t help. She was still leery of him, and now she was letting him into her head, letting him have access to every thought, every emotion. Probably the last place she wanted him to be. He could certainly understand why. His sometimes brash sexual comments and very demanding sexual fetishes probably didn’t help matters either.

  What could he say? He liked it naughty, dirty, and sometimes a little on the rough side. Apparently, if her screams were any indication, she did as well, which made her all the more appealing and irresistible. She had an appetite to match his own.

  He cupped her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “It’s going to be fine,” he whispered.

  She licked her lips, making him almost groan out loud. He leaned forward and placed his forehead against hers. “Close your eyes,” he murmured.

  Her eyes closed, and she began to relax. He closed his eyes as well as he concentrated on her thoughts from that night. He could see her room, feel her tension and desire, see himself as she turned to face him, heard her concern about her passwords as he stared at her across the room. It was right there. He could take it, and she wouldn’t even know it. His problem of the proof would be solved. As he stared at her, as he held her thoughts in his head, he couldn’t. He couldn’t bring himself to break her trust like that. She’d let him do this, despite knowing what he could take.

  His attention returned to that night, to reliving the events that led up to his attack. A couple of times he even cringed at some of the things he’d said and how he’d deliberately tried to frighten her. No wonder she sometimes stared at him as though he were Satan incarnate. He’d acted like him that night. Even he could admit to going a little too far.