by Nina Pierce
Alex. No doubt the woman would be devastated by the professor’s death. The two of them had been working for years to perfect the blood wine vampires in town had come to depend upon. Derived from the blood of pigs that Glenn raised, the three of them were close to mass producing the product. The tribunal had great hopes it would be the answer to human blood consumption for the entire vampire population.
“Fire marshal come to any conclusions?” Reese asked.
Josh searched the desk, but apparently found nothing. “Accidental, like the others. Coroner’s got the body now. Preliminary findings indicate the professor stumbled and hit his head. The fire definitely ignited from the fireplace in the office either before or after the man passed out. They suspect he may have been trying to extinguish it when he hit his head.”
Reese looked at Josh knowingly. This fire had been set deliberately, but without evidence of an accelerant, the fire marshal would believe it was nothing more than an accidental death like all the others that were still considered suspect and under investigation by RISEN.
“Is there a computer?” Reese asked.
“Melted. I’m sure there’s no way to recover the hard drive. They’ll be back to collect it regardless. You know, make sure it’s totally hopeless.”
“Another big, fat nothing.” Josh stepped over the debris littering the floor. “Looks like we’re finished here.”
Reese stole a look at the eastern horizon. “I’m not really interested in getting caught here when the sun comes up. Not good for my complexion.” He slapped Josh on the back as they made their way down the stairs and back to the station.
Chapter Three
Alex led Ronan down the stairs of O’Malley’s Tavern into the private wine cellars. Her legs trembled with exhaustion, her head fuzzy from the restless night that had passed. Normally her mornings off from the university were spent reconciling the night’s receipts and restocking the bar, perfect activities for a woman on the brink of collapsing. But when Glenn called before dawn saying something had come up unexpectedly, it left Alex responsible for this morning’s appointments. Just as well. She needed to stay busy to keep her mind off her new reality.
A fire. The death of a colleague. Research gone forever.
Alex had no doubt her payment for keeping secrets was coming due and collection had already begun.
“Aye, I’m pleased I get to see your operation.” The heavy brogue of Ronan’s native land pulled Alex from her depressing thoughts. “I didn’t know until recently the wine you brought to work was made and bottled here at the tavern.” The lilting tone of the vampire’s speech settled her twitchy nerves. “How long has O’Malley’s been providing for the vampire population?” He asked innocently, dragging a well-manicured nail across the stones of the foundation.
As if he had drawn it across her skin, a shiver sped up her spine, leaving goose-flesh in its wake. Alex mentally shook off his hypnotic hold and unlocked the heavy wooden door. This man was not interested in her, only the product she had to sell. “The blood wine has only been available to the general population for the last few years. It’s a closely guarded secret. There are few who actually know the blood base comes from Glenn’s pigs. It wasn’t until the tribunal caught wind of it that we really needed to step up production.” The metallic smell of rusted metal and damp wood replaced the heady odor of Ronan’s spicy cologne. Alex took a great gulp and refocused. “Glenn and I worked on it for decades before we even thought of offering it to the vampires in the area.”
“So, you let all your customers pick up their product here?”
She laughed. “Hardly. There are only a few vampires we trust with the location.” She pulled the chain on the low-wattage bulb hanging naked from the ceiling. Its weak light chased away the darkness but not the shadows. Normally, Alex enjoyed the damp quiet of the cellar, but something about being alone with Ronan seemed a bit reckless. “They pick it up weekly and distribute the wine out to the community. I shudder to think what could happen if everyone knew we made and bottled it here in the cellars.”
“Then I feel quite privileged.” Ronan peeked into the adjoining cask room. “Quite a setup you have here.”
Despite the months she’d worked with Ronan in the chemistry department, Alex was overwhelmed by the confidence and sophistication that surrounded the man like a warm cloud. It was difficult not to be drawn into its bewitching embrace. No wonder he always seemed to have someone new decorating his arm.
“I became a full partner with Glenn about twenty-five years ago. Glenn had been working on perfecting the blood wine long before I joined in the endeavor. Feels like only yesterday when I bought in.”
Ronan stepped close to her, his mane of butterscotch hair spiking erratically around his face, accenting the elegantly arched brow. “You are a fascinating woman, Alexandra. I am bewitched by your beauty.” With a graceful wave of his wrist, his finger swept a short lock of hair behind her ear. “You don’t worry about the locals wondering how a lassie stays so young?”
His gaze roamed her face, lingering on her mouth before taking a leisurely glide back, hypnotizing her and leaving her speechless. Possessive hunger swam in the coffee depths of his eyes, reaching in to touch her soul, giving her an odd sense of familiarity that had nothing to do with their casual friendship. Something dangerous and unsettling crawled just beneath the man’s polished veneer. Alex wasn’t sure if she wanted to run from it or fall headlong into its protective grip.
“Hello,” a male voice called from upstairs.
Like a switch, the heavy footfalls coming down the stairs broke their odd connection. Alex cleared her throat and stepped away. “I know you talked to Glenn about your first order. I’m sure he mentioned he’d put you on the schedule.” Alex rifled through the stacks of papers on the heavy oak desk in the corner until she found the clipboard with the orders. Flipping a couple of pages, she worked to focus on the task at hand and not the heartbeat pounding in her ears. “Ah yes, two bottles.”
“Alex, you down here?” called the voice again.
“In the wine cellar,” she hollered back. Alex didn’t need to consult the appointment calendar to know who was thumping down her stairs.
“Glenn called and asked me …” Reese Colton strode around the corner, coming to a dead stop at the threshold. Time hung suspended. No one moved. Hostility instantly crowded the confined space, making it hard for Alex to catch her breath.
Questions ricocheted over Reese’s features.
The vampire filling the doorway had done nothing more than spend time at her bar with the rest of the off-duty firefighters. Perhaps he was a bit more flirtatious, even shared a toe-curling kiss with her on several occasions, and though she’d wanted more, Reese had taken it no further. Despite all of that, the moment shared with Ronan brought a stab of guilt that just pissed her off. Alex didn’t owe this vampire anything.
“Reese. You know Ronan Nason?” she asked, pleased it sounded as cavalier as she’d intended.
“Um … yeah, we met a couple of months ago at the university.” Reese removed his sunglasses with such deliberate precision, Alex was sure they would slice the heavy tension in the air.
“Reese was one of the firefighters who responded to that horrible fire in my chemistry lab,” she said, working to fill the uncomfortable silence. “The one where my grad student was killed?” The young woman had only recently settled in South Kenton as a doctoral student of Alex’s. The lab and all its contents had been burned so badly, the university wasn’t sure the insurance would be enough to replace everything. Fortunately, the grant money from the tribunal would guarantee a complete refurbishment and extra funding for Alex’s research. “And I’m sure the fire marshal did his job, but it bothers me that we don’t know the whys of it all.”
“The death was ruled accidental.” Both men spoke at the same time.
Her gaze flew between them. “Yes,” the word dragged slowly out of her mouth. “Still, it’s hard for me to understand how a gra
d student in chemistry could have been so careless.”
“No doubt the poor woman let the Bunsen burner from one of her experiments get out of control,” Ronan said. “Thank goodness no one else was caught in the blaze.” He looked to Reese for corroboration.
“Any life lost in a senseless fire is one too many.” Reese’s words were as hard as the look he shot Ronan. “It’s a code to live by.”
“Aye, ‘tis true for sure. Still, we have to be grateful it wasn’t worse. Perhaps more safety education needs to be done. I’m all for keeping students safe.”
“So I hear.” The half smile Reese flashed held a challenge—not humor.
Alex couldn’t believe her ears. Ronan’s reputation of hitting on underclassmen of both sexes was well known at the university. Apparently, his notoriety had also seeped into the town rumor mill and it was enough to raise Reese’s hackles. If Alex didn’t do something soon, the testosterone flying through the air would likely wound them all. She cleared her throat to draw their attention back to her. “Yes, well, okay then. Back to the task at hand.” Checking the scheduled appointments, Alex was surprised. Reese wasn’t expected for another hour. “You’re early, Reese. If you’re in a hurry, I’d be happy to—”
“No, I’m good.” Casually leaning against the door jamb, Reese crossed his booted feet at the ankles, tucked his sunglasses into his chamois shirt and folded his arms over his chest. His contentious stare never left Ronan’s annoyed expression. “In light of all the recent fires, Glenn wasn’t comfortable leaving you here on your own. When he called and asked me to give you a hand this morning, I told him I was happy to help with the appointments.”
Alex’s heart flipped in her chest. She’d spent months trying to entice Reese beyond innocent flirtations and innuendoes. Now, when she’d made the decision to cut her ties with South Kenton, the man looked as if he were going to devour her in one lusty bite.
“I’m quite capable of handling things on my own,” she said, pleased when her voice didn’t betray the electric current of awareness snapping over her nerves. “Besides, Chris will be here after his morning classes at the university.”
“Then how about I stay until then?” There was no confusion in the slow, smooth smile Reese offered her.
“Reese is right, Alexandra. ‘Tisn’t a good idea for you to be alone down here. Obviously, the professor was targeted last night. You really can’t be too cautious at this point.”
Reese simply acknowledged the statement with a nod.
Ronan flashed her a plastic smile that had melted the resolve of many women at the tavern, but did nothing for her. “And now that that’s settled. I am in quite a hurry. I’d appreciate it if you could fill my order, Alexandra. I have another pressing engagement this morning.”
“I’d be happy to get your two bottles, Ronan.”
Ronan stopped her. “I’m finding the transition more difficult than you explained. I’ll need double that amount.”
“But I’ve been bringing the wine to you for a few weeks. You should’ve weaned yourself to a pint a day last week. A bottle should last you around three days. I’m sure we’ve talked about this. And didn’t Glenn confirm the instructions?”
Ronan looked at Reese and then back to her, a blush coloring his cheeks. “I’d rather discuss my difficulties with Glenn. It’s apparent you don’t understand how it all works.”
Alex certainly did understand. It had been her contribution to the wine mixture that had finally made it work as a dietary replacement for vampires. The number of bottles and vampire requirements was carefully monitored. Even two bottles could mean not filling the need of another vampire. But she had no desire to embarrass the man further in front of Reese. “Of course. We don’t want anyone to go hungry especially during their transition. But I can only give you the two bottles today. We’ll discuss more only if you can’t make this work.” She rushed into the back room, not giving the vampire time to argue.
Alex loaded bottles from the wooden wine racks lining the back wall into the boxes on the floor. Each bottle held the thick elixir of pig blood, vitamins, and a synthetic component of anti-coagulants and various other chemicals she and Glenn mixed themselves. The wooden vat in the center of the room, half-filled with the chemical serum, was waiting for Glenn’s weekly twenty gallons of blood. It took four weeks to age the life-giving concoction in large wooden wine casks lying on their sides on the opposite wall of the storage room. The synthetic blood wine offered vampires a viable alternative to human or animal blood. For some vampires, not having to sink teeth into flesh for sustenance was a welcomed gift.
At one time, Alex had been proud that O’Malley’s little side business provided nourishment for a couple dozen vampires. Of course, that had been a few years ago when she’d worked closely with Glenn to discover the right formula. Within the last few months, she’d come to hate entering this room to mix and bottle the blood cocktail. She wanted nothing more than to dissolve her partnership with Glenn and leave the mountains of California for the salty shores of the east coast. Home.
She loved the man and owed Glenn her life—literally. Alex simply needed to leave before he found out what she’d done. The revelation would surely wound his heart more than any wooden stake.
Stacking the boxes, she took a moment to settle. Alex wasn’t sure when she’d become a damsel in need of saving, but the two vamps going all Neanderthal in the other room certainly believed her incapable of taking care of herself. She wasn’t sure if she was flattered or insulted.
Fortunately, both men had remained in their respective corners, where she’d left them. Their gazes intently followed her as she set the boxes on the floor next to the desk. Filling out the information on the clipboard, she handed it to Ronan to sign. Their little winery was as precise as any pharmacy. “I loaded in two extra bottles. But it’s all you have for the week. Don’t drink it all in one sitting.” Alex’s attempt at humor fell flat.
The corners of Ronan’s mouth lifted, but the pursed lips held no mirth. “If I find other vampires interested in weaning themselves onto the wine, how do they get on your list?”
“Just mention them to Glenn. We’ll find someone who’ll make sure they get what they need. Glenn trusts you not to tell anyone where it’s bottled.”
Ronan bent low, took her hand and brushed his lips feather-light across her knuckles. “‘Tis always a pleasure spending time with you, Alexandra.”
Neither of them missed the low growl emanating from Reese.
Ronan straightened. Smiling as he withdrew a bulging gold money clip from his pocket, he counted out some bills and threw them on her desk. Apparently, the gesture had been meant to goad Reese, not flatter her.
“I’m pleased you and Glenn trust me enough to allow me into your cellars.” He scooped up the box with one arm and turned to Reese. “Do keep her safe from the unsavory vampires.”
“My pleasure.”
“Don’t forget to bring back the bottles,” she called at Ronan’s retreating back. Alex ran damp palms down her jeans. The musty room had suddenly become stifling. She didn’t speak until Ronan’s footfalls receded up the stairs. “Seriously Reese, I’m fine being here by myself.”
He pushed from the wall, stalking toward her, his body an overwhelming presence sunking the breath from her lungs. “I have no doubt you can take care of yourself.” Reese stepped up to her, the wall of his chest brushing her breasts. She craned her neck, coming up against the hunger sparking in his eyes and turning them a deeper shade of emerald. The fresh scent of his cologne wrapped around her nose, melting her defenses.
“I have no desire to be your guardian, Alex.” Reese’s voice dropped to a sultry whisper that heated her blood and sent her heart racing. “Perhaps Josh was right and my interest in you hasn’t been as obvious as I thought I’d made it over the last several months.” His gaze roamed slow and hot down her face and neck to rest on her heaving chest before searing a leisurely path back to her mouth. “But I’m thinking
your body has been aware.”
Alex searched his face, reading the intention only seconds before Reese’s mouth slanted over hers. The heat of the kiss obliterated any coherent thought and no matter how bad his timing, Alex couldn’t have pulled from Reese if she’d wanted to. His hand reached up to cup her neck, his thumb grazing her chin as he changed the angle and invited her to deepen the kiss. She opened for him, the silken heat of his tongue darting in to tangle with hers. His taste, warm and familiar, sent awareness skittering over her nerves. The man certainly knew how to weaken her resolve.
She broke the kiss, his hot breath washing over her face. “I have appointments. People are going to show up any minute.”
Reese’s gaze dropped to her mouth before slowly dragging back to her eyes. A smile slid slowly over his full lips. “I suppose it wouldn’t do for the tavern owner to be found in a compromising position.” He stepped away from her. “An hour. Maybe two. It’s all I’m willing to wait. I’ve obviously been remiss in showing you exactly how good we are together.”
* * * *
Hope knew she should be exhausted. The sun had risen hours ago, throwing its rays across the papers littering her coffee table. Despite her lack of sleep, the thrill of the hunt kept her poring over the internet sites and taking notes. As much as she hated to admit it, she had Ronan Nason’s cynical comments to thank for awakening the reporter’s curiosity that had kept her up all night.
She’d stayed at the mansion fire several hours after the flames had been contained and her cameraman had gone back to the studio to edit footage. Not so much to see Josh in action, though that had definitely been a thrill, but Hope had wanted to take some time to talk with the fire marshal about the recent rash of deadly fires. The man hadn’t come out and said they were all related. His body language and what he was careful not to say, however, intimated his office believed they were all likely connected.