by Tina Folsom
Creating new vampires willy-nilly was a big no-no in their society. One didn’t just run around and turn people. It was irresponsible. “What’s gotten into him? It’s one thing to want to take his anger out on me and Amaury; it’s another altogether to go around creating vampires.”
“He’s using it to gain loyal supporters. If they prove themselves loyal to him, he turns them, as a reward so to speak. At the same time he makes sure he’s got some dirt on them, so they have no way of turning against him.”
Samson looked straight at him.
“What kind of dirt?”
“He has them commit a crime for him, makes sure everybody knows who the culprit is, then saves and turns them. And thus he’s created a loyal follower, somebody who owes him big. I think he’s collecting an army. And he’ll need it if he wants to destroy Scanguards.”
“Is that what Paul thinks?”
“Yes. It looks like he wants to take the company down to hurt you and Amaury.”
“Damn! How many does he have?”
“We have no way of knowing, but I suspect that our two bodyguards who killed their clients are some of them. I believe it was all a set-up.”
“But they committed suicide.”
Gabriel shook his head. “That’s what eyewitnesses said, but the dead bodies couldn’t be identified. The first one was burned to a crisp, the other bodyguard jumped into the Bay according to witnesses, and the body has not been found. The eyewitnesses could have been tampered with. For all we know, Luther used mind control to plant false memories into their minds so they would testify that they saw the two die.”
“And they would even pass a lie-detector test,” Samson continued, “because they wouldn’t know they were lying. Clever.”
“Yes, Luther was always smart.”
“So for all we know, Edmund and Kent could be vampires. And supporting Luther. Who knows how many others he’s turned before those two. Any idea?”
“Paul had no information on it.”
Samson balled his hands into fists. “We have to stop him. He’s gone crazy. Who is with us?”
Gabriel glanced at his boss. “I’d say only the inner circle. I suspect that Luther’s been planning this for a long time.”
“You’re right. I’ll assign my guys to the search. We’ll coordinate with Zane and the others. Amaury can run the show.”
Gabriel sighed. “About Amaury …”
“What about him?”
“I think his loyalties are divided right now.”
Samson frowned. “Amaury’s loyalty to me is without question.”
“The woman,” Gabriel said.
Samson paused and closed his eyes for a moment. “I hadn’t thought of her. Damn, you’re right. I’d hoped finally something would change for Amaury. I don’t know how much longer I can pretend I don’t know what he’s going through.”
“What he’s going through?”
“Yes, his gift.” Samson sneered. “As if he can fool anybody.”
“You know of his pain?”
“He’s my oldest friend. I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I didn’t know the pain he’s going through every day.”
Gabriel gave Samson a surprised look. “And I thought I was the only one who knew, because I sensed his memories, as much as he was trying to shield them from me.”
“When I saw him with Nina last night, I could feel that he was much calmer than usual, as if he was at peace. Whatever she’s doing, it’s good for Amaury. He needs a break. But I’m afraid we can’t let him continue this, as much as I feel for him.”
“Do you think she knows her brother could be with Luther?”
Samson clearly contemplated Gabriel’s question. “If she does, then the reason she’s with Amaury isn’t his good looks.”
“Shit.” Gabriel didn’t like that idea at all. If she was in her brother’s camp, she would be a danger to Amaury and all of them. “He needs to know.”
Samson nodded slowly. “I think you’re right. We can’t trust her. If she was as close to her brother as she claims, he would never have kept her in the belief that he’s dead. We have to assume she knows.”
“Then she’s been using Amaury and us to help Luther.”
“That’s a distinct possibility.” Samson looked straight at his second-in-command. “We have to contact Amaury and warn him.”
Twenty-seven
“I know you’re in there. Open the damn door, or I’ll kick it in.”
Impatiently, Amaury hovered outside of Nina’s front door. The place was a dump. Sure, he didn’t live in the best area of town either, but there was no way he’d let her continue living in this vermin-infested place. At least he had a good reason to live where he did.
“Go away.” Nina’s voice came from inside the apartment, the first sound he’d heard in the five minutes he’d been banging on the door. It was a start.
He dropped his voice an octave, using all his persuasive powers, knowing mind control didn’t work on her. “Please, Nina. We need to talk. Let me in, chérie.”
A moment later he heard a chain being released and the door being unlocked. Finally.
“Nina, please let me come in.”
Nina opened the door and stepped back. He glanced at her face and recognized that she’d been crying. Had he done that? He felt like a complete and utter jerk for making her cry.
Quickly, before she could change her mind, he went inside, closed the door behind him and locked it.
“What do you want?” There was a good dose of defiance in her voice, and she served it up straight without any disguise. He deserved as much.
Amaury shifted his weight uncomfortably onto the other foot. It was critical that he didn’t make a mistake with her. Despite the fact that he couldn’t sense her emotions, he knew she was hurt. He was the reason for her big brown eyes reflecting sorrow and resignation. He realized he’d messed up. With his tendency of acting like a bull in a china shop, the odds of mending what he’d already screwed up weren’t in his favor. No self-respecting bookie would take that bet.
“I want to apologize.” Now there was a phrase he hadn’t used much before. It felt strange coming from his lips, but it was the first thing that came to him.
Nina didn’t answer. Instead, she looked at him with her big brown eyes, the hurt sitting deep within. It hit him in the gut, as if she’d punched him.
“I only wanted to protect you,” Amaury tried again. “I was scared I would hurt you.”
“You didn’t want me.”
How could four little words cause such pain? Didn’t want her? That’s what she thought?
“What did I do?”
“Nothing, you did nothing.”
He didn’t understand. Damn, why couldn’t he sense her? Why couldn’t he figure out what was wrong? “Please, Nina, talk to me, tell me what I did wrong.”
She sniffed. “After I told you what I did, you didn’t ...” Her voice broke off.
“I didn’t what?” he probed.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. Please go.”
“The hell I will. I won’t leave. Nina, I’m not moving one inch until you’ve told me what’s going on.”
His statement seemed to get her dander up—good. He preferred it when she was fighting him rather than running away from him.
“What do you want, Amaury? Haven’t you slummed it long enough?”
“Slummed it?” He grabbed her upper arm and pulled her close. “If you’re referring to yourself when you talk about slum, I suggest you stop it right now.”
“Give it up. You don’t have to pretend you care. If you’d cared at all, you wouldn’t have left me alone when I needed you. There, now you know. Now, go.”
Amaury sighed with relief. That little misunderstanding had gotten her all riled up? If only everything was as easy to fix as this one.
“You silly little kitten. Don’t you know that I wouldn’t have wanted anything more than to hold you in my arms?”
“Then wh
y didn’t you?” she barked, clearly not believing him yet.
Despite her resistance he pulled her into his arms. “Because my hands had turned into claws and my fangs itched for a bite. I was angry, chérie, and I wanted to hurt the man who did this to you. But I didn’t want to hurt you. I couldn’t hold you—please believe me. I wasn’t in control of myself.”
“I thought you didn’t want me anymore because you know my past. You know I’m trash.”
Amaury pulled back and looked at her face. “You, Nina, are the only good and innocent person in this room. You’re not trash.”
He kissed her softly on the cheek. “I will kill anybody who hurts you.”
“I don’t want you to kill for me. They’re not worth it.”
He shook his head. “You are the most confusing woman I’ve ever met. I need to know something.” Amaury paused, knowing her answer was more important than anything. “Did you mean it when you offered me your blood tonight? Did you want me to bite you?”
He felt his heart lurch into his throat as he waited for her to respond.
“You didn’t want it.” It wasn’t a straight answer, but he could work with that.
“How would you know?”
“Because you said so.”
“I said I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t hurt me.”
“You have that much faith in me?”
She nodded. “You’ve protected me. Why would you hurt me now?”
“A woman’s logic. How can I argue with that?” Amaury paused. “Nina, why do you want me to take your blood?”
She pressed her lips together.
“Why? Please tell me.”
“Promise me first that you’ll take my blood.”
“Believe me, I’m so far gone, I won’t be able to resist. I just want to know why.”
“I don’t want you to touch anybody else.”
She was jealous? His heart skipped a beat. She was jealous! And possessive!
“You … I … oh, God.” He had no words to express what he felt. Instead, he tightened his arms around her and brushed his lips against hers. They molded to him instantly.
“You’re mine.”
Mine.
So utterly right it felt to realize she was his, that no matter what, he wouldn’t let go of her. Amaury took her lips in a fierce kiss, branding her, searing the memory of it into his brain. His lips felt raw when he released her, and Nina breathed as heavily as he did.
“You’d better tell me that you want me too.” He searched her eyes for an answer.
“I do, but—” she started.
His heart leapt. She wanted him. “No buts. If you want me, you’ll have me. All of me. And I take all of you. No reservations.”
He felt her arms wrap around his torso as if she would never let go of him again.
“I’m—” He started to say “blessed,” but he wouldn’t let such profanity pass his lips. “Please tell me you want to be mine.” He needed to hear it, needed to know he wasn’t dreaming, he wasn’t misinterpreting her.
Nina pulled away an inch and looked at him. “Amaury, I want you, but I’m scared you’ll toss me aside when you’ve had enough of me.”
“Silly woman. I might be an idiot, but I’m not stupid enough to let go of the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Are you hungry now?” There was a wicked glint in her eyes.
He was ravenous. “Yes, hungry for your body and your blood.”
“Does it hurt?”
Amaury smiled. “No. It will be like an orgasm rippling through your body.” He shuddered at the thought of it. Soon, his fangs would dig into her vein and he would drink from her, while he impaled her on his shaft. There would be nothing better than to drink from the woman he desired while he made love to her.
Amaury took in a deep breath and inhaled her scent. She would be his woman. He’d never been so sure of anything else. Nina gave his mind peace and his body pleasure. As for his heart? If he didn’t know any better, he’d say she was defrosting his heart too.
***
Nina felt self-conscious with the way he was devouring her with his eyes. No man had ever looked at her that way. Amaury looked imposing as he stood in her small studio, yet this powerful vampire had just confessed that he wanted her. Her, a nobody.
His hard body pressed against hers, and she could sense every muscle, one in particular. He desired her, and the evidence of it nudged against her stomach, hard and huge, begging for attention.
She knew she’d gone completely crazy, yearning to be with a vampire. Not just any, mind you, but Amaury. As if she had the same fascination with vampires as what she’d recognized in Eddie’s incoherent scribbles. And what had it gotten him? An early grave. Would her fate be the same if she played with fire—that fire being Amaury?
What if he was right and he couldn’t control himself when he bit her? Would he bleed her dry? Yes, she was scared, but she was even more frightened of not being with him. Under his touch she’d been alive, and she’d finally felt a connection to somebody. A connection she wasn’t willing to give up no matter what it meant in the long run.
Nina wasn’t thinking of a future. It was dangerous to dream of a future. It created expectations, and she didn’t want that. She didn’t want to expect something and then be disappointed. It only led to more pain.
If Amaury wanted her now, she would take that and hold on as long as she could, but brace herself for when he would realize that this wasn’t meant to last.
She recognized the lust in his eyes and the hunger for her blood, but she didn’t delude herself. He was a vampire, he was gorgeous, and he would remain young forever. She had nothing to offer him, but her body and her blood. Maybe for a few weeks or even a few months, he would be hers. And then he’d move on to another conquest.
But she wouldn’t think of it, not tonight. Tonight she’d make a few memories she could keep for herself for when she was alone again.
“Are you gonna kiss me?” Nina asked him.
“Only if you tell me what’s going on behind that furrowed forehead of yours. Are you having second thoughts? We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I’ll be with you even if you don’t want to give me your blood.”
Nina shook her head. “No. I don’t want you to do this with anybody else.” Her objection came out harsher than she’d anticipated.
A huge grin spread over his entire face. “There’s no need to be jealous.”
“Jealous? Who’s jealous?” She didn’t want to be seen as some needy, nagging girlfriend. Men ran from that first chance they got.
“You, chérie. You’re jealous.” Amaury kissed along the edge of her jaw. “It’s lovely.” His lips trailed down her neck, planting feather-light kisses along the way.
She tilted her head to give him better access and held her breath. She would feel his fangs any moment now. Heart racing, her pulse beat a violent tat-TAT-tat-TAT-tat-TAT under her ribcage, and blood pounded in her ears.
Suddenly, he chuckled and lifted his head to meet her gaze. “You didn’t think I was going to bite you just now?”
Nina tried to pull herself out of his arms. He was toying with her. “You— ”
“Shh, Nina.” He put his finger on her lips. “When I take your blood, I want to be making love to you. I want to feel your naked body joined with mine. I want you to remember this moment for the rest of your life and think back on it as the most amazing pleasure two people can ever experience together. This will be special for both of us. There’s no way I’d rush this. Trust me, I want this more than you can even imagine.”
Her heart leapt at his admission. She eased back into his embrace and moved her lips over his. “You can’t possibly want this more than I do.”
His soft laugh tickled her mouth. “If you want this only half as much as I do, I’ll die a happy man.”
“But aren’t you immortal?”
“Pretty much. I guess I’ll just have to be the
happiest man alive then.”
“You mean this will make you happy?”
“Not this, but you, chérie. Only you.”
Amaury’s kiss was soft and tender, almost reverent, as if he worshipped her. His mouth fitted to hers, nibbling gently on her lips, teasing and tasting. Nina inhaled his scent, a mixture of earth and leather, and she catalogued it. She would recognize him anywhere just by his lips and his scent.
Her senses were attuned to him, taking in every detail: how his skin felt, how he sounded, even the heartbeat she felt under her hand which she’d rested on his chest. The heartbeat of a vampire. A heart which beat rapidly and unevenly against her hand as if he wanted to tell her of his feelings in Morse Code. Just as lower, his need pulsed against her in a different rhythm. His long, hard cock ground against her with every breath he took, assuredly and evenly.
She felt secure in his arms as he held her, one hand cradling the back of her neck, the other snaked around her waist. Only now she noticed that her feet didn’t touch the ground. He’d lifted her up and kept her suspended in midair as if she weighed nothing.
“Am I dreaming?” she mumbled against his lips.
“If you are, then we’re having the same dream. And I’d rather not ever wake up from it.” His lips claimed hers, and this time he kissed her with more urgency, nudging her lips apart with his probing tongue, until she surrendered to his demand.
Nina felt him move, and moments later he lowered them onto the bed. As Amaury rolled to the side, his hand went underneath her t-shirt. The moment his fingers touched the naked skin on her back, she felt as if she would spontaneously combust. She couldn’t stop a moan from escaping her lips, all the while turning into a puddle of unbridled desire.
His skillful tongue tunneled deeper and coaxed her body to feel more pleasure, while his thumb stroked upwards along her spine. Her trembling hands worked on the buttons of his shirt, but his mouth was too distracting for her to concentrate on anything else. She was unable to make her hands work in a coordinated fashion.
Nina released a frustrated sigh.
He instantly pulled away to look at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t get those damn buttons open.”