He had no idea what these feelings for Alyssa were or what damned road they would lead him down. All he knew was that he needed to protect her.
There was a knock at the door, and when he checked the monitor, it was Leke. The vampire had been trying to meet him since this morning, but Blade had shut himself away inside the crème walls of his office, wanting to be alone with his thoughts.
He released the lock, and Leke entered the room, wearing his signature leather jacket over a shirt and jeans. As he sat on the other side of the desk, Blade made a point of looking at his watch. “Bit early for the meeting, aren’t you?”
The vampire removed his jacket and placed it on the back of the chair. Getting comfortable? He leaned forward on the table, his biceps expanding until it seemed they would stretch the seams of his white shirt. The collar was open, exposing a section of his tribal tattoo. “I was in the area so thought I’d pop by.”
“Come off it, Leke. You’ve always got some government job or the other up your fancy sleeve. I don’t believe you have the time to just pop by.”
The vampire nodded. “I just wanted to check what’s going on with you, Blade. I mean, for the last few days…you’ve behaved distracted, turning up late to meetings, which isn’t you. And suddenly, you want to stop handing James’ girls over, even though you were the one who pushed for it—to be honest, I’m worried about you.”
“There’s a lot to do here, Leke.”
“There always has been. But it’s never caused you to behave like this before.”
“I’ve just been thinking about the club’s expansion.”
“And yet you turn up late to meetings to discuss it.” He glanced at Blade’s laptop. “And you still haven’t got that damn proposal in yet—even though you were over the moon about it last week.” How the hell was he supposed to focus on proposals and meetings when Alyssa was in danger? If James found out where she was, would Blade even be able to protect her? When he clenched his fingers into fists, the vampire’s eyes went there. “I heard you called a doctor the other day,” he mentioned. “A human one.”
“That is my business.”
“It is.” The vampire’s face tightened. “But you’re not the kind to have anyone in your villa. Hell, I’ve never met someone who craves being alone so much. But as if that’s not enough, you make a massive decision about James’ girls, one that has implications for supernaturals across the borough, and you don’t consult anyone first. If you’re up to something that affects the rest of us, we need to know, demon.”
Blade released a deep sigh. He was tired. Tired of dealing with so much shit alone. Tired of holding things together…but most of all, tired of being alone.
But what did he want? An image flashed before his eyes, of Alyssa with him in that villa. Living together. They would both chat and share drinks every evening...he could even teach her to swim. And then his mind went to that time when she’d fallen into the pool—and he had to drag her out…
“Bloody hell, demon. You’ve gone from looking like you want to rip my throat out to smiling. There’s really something going on, isn’t there?” Leke paused. “In my experience, there’s only one thing that can have such an effect on a being like you. Who is she?”
Why the hell did he handle all his burdens alone when there was no need? These guys…they were his business partners, but they were also his friends. If he ever needed any of them, they’d be there for him, just like he would be for them. “She’s one of James’ girls.”
The vampire sucked in his breath. “You stay alone all these years, and when you went for someone, you really did pick, didn’t you?”
“She’s not just one of James’ girls. He wants her for himself.”
The vampire’s eyes flashed. “And what does she want?”
“We haven’t talked, but I think she wants to stay with me.” No, he knew it. He had ignored those little looks she gave him, how she melted against his body, and the way she screamed his name when he was inside her. She did not fake any of it. And when she had settled against his chest last night, asking him not to leave her, the longing in her voice was obvious, even to a loner like him. He had closed his soul off for a long time, but she had touched it, bringing it back to life…
Leke ran a hand through his cropped dark hair. “What are you going to do?” Those piercing blue eyes flashed again, indicating he cared about this situation. And a burden lifted from Blade. There was no need for him to do this on his own, was there? He didn’t need to make decisions or deal with the mob alone.
He didn’t need to be alone. Life could be different, if he would just have the bloody courage.
“I can’t send her to James,” he admitted, “But if I don’t, things will kick off. There will be repercussions for a lot of other people.”
“I know where you’re coming from, but how long are you going to worry about repercussions? I supported your decision, but I’m also fed up with how James is holding us to ransom with his threats.”
“I can’t start conflict in Manhattan, just for my own needs.”
“Come on, Blade. You’ve spent years thinking about others and working your ass off to maintain a truce. Nobody will blame you if you think about yourself for once. In fact, we’ll back you up.”
“But what about the supernaturals lower down the ladder? What if they can’t defend themselves—”
“They won’t be alone, though, will they? Put it this way, Blade. I know many others who feel this way. Whatever decision you take, we’ll be there. I’ll be there, right behind you.”
“I appreciate that.” Blade’s chest expanded as relief filled it. Why the hell had he felt as if it was his sole responsibility to maintain harmony in Manhattan? All it took was opening up, and the burden was shared. As for Alyssa...he knew he cared about her and wanted to look after her…protect her from James. But opening up to her would be even harder than talking to Leke. But he couldn’t think about that right now. “Enough about me, vampire. How have you been?”
Leke’s mouth twisted. “Rasmus is causing problems.”
“But he always does, doesn’t he?” That wolf shifter had gone rogue after his brother was killed during the government crackdown on supernaturals. He tried to start a militant group among their kind, one that would target human agencies. When he realized that most supernaturals weren’t interested, he left with a group of wolf followers, and these days was only heard of when he caused a disturbance somewhere or the other.
“He’s crossed the line this time,” said the vampire. “Apparently, he’s decided that the best solution is for him to go around changing humans to his kind. He’s bitten a few already.”
“Shit…”
“You can say that again. My contact from the government has been in touch. They want me and my horde to find him and stop this new project of his.”
“I don’t envy you.” Each time Leke took one of their kind down, powerful supernaturals got pissed.
“I’m just hoping that Veronica gets to him first. Ever since Rasmus tried to lay a claim to her turf, she’s been after his blood.”
Shit…if it kicked off with James, gangsters like Veronica would get involved, too. She might not see eye to eye with the mob boss, but she hated supernaturals more than he did...
His mobile rang. James. As if he’d conjured up the man himself. What did the fucker want to remind him about this time? When he heard the shaking voice on the other side, every bone in his body went cold. “Blade?”
“Alyssa?”
His knuckles turned white as he gripped the table. The vampire stared at his hand but said nothing, waiting.
“Alyssa?” He could barely get her name out. “Where are you? Are you still in the villa?”
“No. I’m at James’ house—”
No! There was the sound of struggle as the phone was snatched from her.
“Hello, Blade.” James’ low voice sent terror through him.
“You’d better not touch her.”
> “How did it feel, hearing her voice for the last time?” The last time? No fucking way. “I can’t believe you were so lax, Blade. Calling a doctor to your villa. I mean, since when did demons need doctors? It didn’t take long for him to spill his guts. And what do I find out? The man I’ve dealt with and trusted for years had my woman.”
“She doesn’t belong to you.”
“Ah, but she does. And you know what? I’d arranged some big fuckers to pick you up. But the whore offered to give herself up instead.” She’d given herself to a man she was terrified of, to save him? Some big guy he was. All these years, he’d given in to James’ demands, afraid of the repercussions, and Alyssa took a step like this when she knew what the mob boss would do to her. She had more damn guts than him.
“Listen, James. If it’s me you want, I’ll come to you. Let her go—”
“You know something, Blade? I’m going to enjoy that cunt even more now I know what she means to you. You’ll spend the rest of your long years knowing that she gave herself up to save your sorry ass.”
“James. Please—”
“No need to worry about anything else, Blade. As far as I’m concerned, we’re good now that I have Alyssa back, and you’ve been punished for your misdemeanors. The truce still stands.”
And with that, he hung up.
Blade flung the mobile against the wall, smashing it into pieces. Red filled his eyes as he placed his hands on the table, ready to throw it. But the vampire teleported behind him and enclosed him in his muscled arms. “Stop it, demon! Get out of the rage.”
Blade spread his arms, forcing Leke to relinquish his hold, and then picked up the table as if it was a chair. When he flung it against the wall, it fell apart, leaving a dent. It wasn’t enough. As his horns elongated and skin transformed color, the vampire was saying something, but he couldn’t hear his words because of the pounding inside his head. Blade needed to break something...Me. He deserved to have every damn bone in his body broken for not protecting Alyssa. Because he’d behaved like a fucking coward, she was now with James. And who knew what the hell he’d be doing to her right now?
He dropped to the floor, smashing his fists against the ground. The pain wasn’t enough. It never would be, because no matter how much he hurt himself, it was nothing compared to what James would put Alyssa through. He would punish her not just for her disobedience, but for what Blade had done. She wouldn’t survive…something broke inside him, and he watched through a haze as drops of water fall to the thick carpet. His tears? So much for being soulless. Right now, he wished he was.
The vampire’s voice came from a distance, telling him he couldn’t help her if he didn’t get himself out of this state. Leke was right, but as he tried to overcome the rage, all he felt was a pain that went on and on. He roared until the windows cracked and then, finally, he fell into darkness.
SHE WOULD NEVER HAVE THE chance to speak to Blade again. She would never hear his voice or be in his arms.
Alyssa had come to James’ home over an hour ago—a huge white mansion with perfect gardens and a water fountain flanking it. No sign of the crimes and horror that went on inside. As she walked past blooming roses and greenery, she’d known she wouldn’t walk out of here unchanged. When she approached the arched entrance, Drake was stood before it with his suited men: his personal gang of twenty. They were the reason danger never crossed the threshold of James’ home. Drake hadn’t immediately stepped aside so she could enter, as if he was giving her the chance to get away…wanted her to take the chance to get away. When she didn’t retreat, his jaw tightened as he stepped aside.
She had entered the drawing room and then sat on an armchair to wait, her heart jumping with each passing second as she tried to distract herself with the antiques arranged around the room. James was sickeningly nice to her when he turned up, saying how pleased he was to have her back where she belonged…going on about how worried he’d been about her. And then he took out his phone and made the call. It was both torture and bliss, hearing the demon’s voice for the last time.
After ending the call, James placed his mobile on the Victorian coffee table. He leaned back in the armchair—the vintage floral fabric it was covered with was out of place in a mobster’s house. “Did you enjoy talking to your lover?”
She didn’t even have the guts to look into his eyes. “He was just trying to help me. There was nothing else between us.”
“You mean he did all that and didn’t even get a fuck for his efforts?”
“He wanted nothing from me.”
She doubted that James would believe it, but she had to at least try.
“Look at me, Alyssa.” The smile that appeared on his wrinkled face made her even more nervous. “I’m not happy about you lying to me. You know that, don’t you?” He sighed, looking at her with accusing eyes. “We used to be so good together, Alyssa. Yes, I got a bit rough, but only because I liked you. Why the hell did you change? Because of the demon?”
Tears bit at her eyes. “I haven’t changed.”
He stood, holding his hand out. “Come, my love. Let’s get you into something nicer.”
She stood and held his hand, her heart thumping against her ribs. She had to get through this. The mobster’s hand was gentle as he led her out of the drawing room and into a wide corridor, so empty that for a moment she had the wild idea of making a run for it, but she would not get very far. If she tried to escape and was caught, she would be in a much worse situation than she was now. And if she did escape, James might go after Blade instead.
He opened the door to a bedroom and then waved his hand in an aristocratic manner, so pompous it would have made her laugh under different circumstances. “Please enter.” The room, done up in lilac and white, was more of a suite. A massive chandelier, four poster bed and huge windows. She did not recognize the abstract artwork that hung above the fireplace, but she had no doubt it was expensive. On top of the bed was a beautiful organza gown in sky-blue. “Do you like the dress?”
“It’s beautiful.”
His smile etched deep lines into his face as he trailed a finger across her cheek. The tender side of him scared her more than the sadistic one. What would come after this calm? He pointed to a door in the corner. “How about you get nice and cleaned up and then wear this dress?”
She entered the huge white bathroom that had a bathtub on one side and a rainfall shower on the other, but when she put her hand on the door, he said, “Keep it open.” And then he stood at the doorway. Her heart jumped to her throat as she took her clothes off. His beady eyes were stuck on her the whole time, but she tried to pretend he wasn’t there as she stood underneath the shower. She took her time, wanting to delay whatever he’d planned for her. “We don’t have all day, Alyssa.” There was irritation in his voice. She turned off the shower and reached for one of the towels on a low shelving unit, conscious of how his eyes grazed over her backside when she leaned over. She wrapped a towel around herself, grateful to hide her naked body from his scrutiny.
“You are thinner,” he mentioned.
She almost burst out laughing. What did he expect? She’d been so busy avoiding him that she’d barely worked or eaten. The room was set up with everything a woman could need, and that somehow made the situation even more cruel. She would have preferred a small dingy room, because going from this haven to wherever he planned to take her would be hell. She took the hair dryer from the dressing table and dried her hair. Once that was done, she removed the towel and pulled on the strapless gown. His eyes were stuck to her as she pulled it up over her breasts.
“Beautiful,” he breathed. He crept closer, his eyes almost like those of an admiring lover as he placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face the mirror. She looked at her reflection through dead eyes. It was a lovely gown, but he might as well have dressed a corpse for all the feeling it generated in her. He brought her back against him so she could feel his erection as his hand came up to cup her breast. She stared at
the wall next to the mirror, going into the blank zone where she escaped for such encounters. His arm crossed her chest as he slipped his hand inside one of the gown cups. He squeezed her nipple, hurting her. When she did not respond, he pinched harder until a whimper left her mouth. He grunted in satisfaction. “By the end of today, you’ll be screaming, my love.” He said it with a smile, such content on his face that he could have been promising her sexual pleasure. “Now come, child. I’ve arranged a special party to celebrate your return.”
Her hand trembled when he held his out toward her. She took it with limp fingers and then followed him out of the room. When something fell on her cheek, she wiped it with her free hand. Tears.
At the end of the hallway, he opened a door, and the world around them changed. They were now in a gray concrete corridor that displayed no attempts at beautification. He led her over the cement flooring, opening a set of doors at the end. He waved his hand with the same flourish that he’d used to introduce her to the luxury bedroom. “Please enter.”
She entered the room and froze. It was a bare concrete chamber with a door on the other side, and in the middle of it was a wood platform, split down the middle and suspended on a frame. Above them, chains hung from the ceiling. A whimper left her mouth at the sight of the implements on the table next to the wall. Blades of different sizes, a tiny hammer, screwdrivers, plugs and other items that could be inserted into the body…she pulled her gaze away, not having the guts to check the rest of the items. “No.” Her body shook, teeth chattering. “Please.” She fought for that numb feeling to return, but the fear cut through it, shredding it. Whatever happened now, she would feel it with her full senses. Her lips trembled as more tears fell down her face. “I’m sorry, James.” She fell to her knees, like the demon had once told her to, subjugated herself before the mob boss. But he just kicked her, so she landed on the floor.
“Lie down, Alyssa. If I have to force you, it won’t be pretty.”
Demon's Soul (Blood Moon Book 2) Page 13