Vulture’s Kiss

by E. M. Whittaker

  Louis patted his back pocket.

  He’d enjoy making her find out.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice softened. “I shouldn’t have used them again without your permission.”

  She scoffed. “How do I know you won’t lie again?”

  “You’re asking a thirty-five year old man—”

  “You’re older than thirty-five.”

  He gritted his teeth. “You’re asking me to cast aside something I’ve used as a defense mechanism for the last few decades.”

  Evelyn made a thoughtful noise. “Yes.”

  “Women—as a whole, mind you—are unreasonable creatures.” He treaded on dangerous ground. One wrong word and she would disconnect the call. “You are asking for something most dhampirs wouldn’t dream of doing. Well, the ones who embrace their vampiric side, anyway.”

  “Don’t you?”

  “I suppose I’ll ask your permission the next time I use them.”

  Her tone turned defensive. “There won’t be a next time.”

  “Yes, there will.” He changed into his khakis. “You’re curious. You want to see if you can resist my powers. If you’re making this decision consciously of your own free will.”

  Her anger tapered off, but her voice could cut through steel. “Are you coming for your wallet or not?”

  “I’ll meet you outside Vixens in a half hour.”

  “Fine.” She paused, then let out a breath. “I…I’m trying to come to terms with this. I just got used to werewolves and shifters for Christ’s sake.”

  He buttoned up his dark purple shirt. “I know.”

  “You’ll see me again, right?”

  “After I’m finished with this meeting.” His tone stayed cordial while he finished getting dressed. “We must do something about that naughty behavior of yours, dear. Now, meet me there. Don’t be late.”

  He ended the call, left the bedroom, and called Hector again. When he answered, Louis spoke first, rushing his words.

  Damn her seductive voice.

  “She’s meeting us in a half hour.” He headed towards the garage. “I’ll wait for you inside the Beetle. And before you ask, I’ll handle Evie. I’ve got something in mind for my little vulture.”

  “What if she stands you up?”

  Louis patted the handcuffs in his pocket. “She won’t. I made her a deal she can’t resist.”

  Hector’s voice turned back to a dangerous hiss. “She’s a cunning little shit.”

  “And I’m one hell of a crafty vampire.” A grin spread across his dark lips. “I’ll see you in about fifteen minutes.”

  “You better keep your libido in check, Louie.”

  He hung up the phone with one hand, then shoved it in his pocket. His friend always worried about him at the wrong times. No, his libido would be fine until he met Evelyn.

  He’d make her beg for mercy after handcuffing her.

  For once, warmth radiated through his chilled body, and Darius didn’t interfere with his plans. The old man approved for once.

  He rubbed his hands together and waited for Hector.

  Her sweet voice wouldn’t enchant him this time.

  * * *

  Abandoned parking lots spooked Louis, but Hector kept him company while waiting for Evelyn. He didn’t ease the dhampir’s fears about muggers coming after them with billy clubs and guns in the parking lot.

  They wouldn’t overpower them, but Darius had a running commentary whenever Louis tried warding off danger. The vampiric counterpart always urged him to feed on an unwitting soul every chance he could.

  He didn’t need the extra aggravation tonight.

  Darius shifted in his head, then poked him. You’ll have to feed on fresh blood sometime, you know. It’ll stave off those urges about drinking your sweet flower.

  Louis growled. He would worry about food later.

  He had to calm Hector down first.

  The lion shifter—or Mr. Motormouth—had stayed silent throughout the entire car ride. He sat with his arms crossed over his chest while rocking back and forth in his seat. He muttered curses every few seconds. They ranged from certain four letter words to inventive phrases.

  When they reached their appointed meeting place, his friend went silent.

  Then he paced around the parking lot.

  Under normal circumstances, Louis wouldn’t care, but Hector didn’t brood about his problems unless something ate away at him. His anger festered the longer he paced back and forth.

  He’d destroy things at this rate.

  Hector muttered Evelyn’s name, spitting it out like a demonic curse. He ripped a tire from a rusted Impala and chucked it toward the entrance.

  Louis cracked his neck.

  His sultry temptress had touched a nerve.

  He suspected as much by Hector’s behavior last night. The man grew tetchy when he became attached to women. In Evelyn’s case, he had known her for years, so there would be some camaraderie between them.

  If it was sexual, he didn’t know.

  To be honest, he didn’t care. Whatever they did in the past was their business.

  Right now, he had to calm his friend down before he exploded.

  He’d hurt Evelyn at this rate.

  No, he won’t. Darius stretched, causing a throbbing pain in his temple. Besides, a little fear never hurt anybody. It would teach little Evie a lesson. Make her beg for your forgiveness. She’ll forgive you later when she cools down.

  Louis scowled. Damn it, Darius. Go away.

  Get Whiny-O to talk. It’ll pass the time before your sweet flower arrives.

  He chortled. You like her.

  Darius stayed silent.

  Fine.

  Two could play at this game.

  “Hector.” Louis stepped out of the car, then slammed the door shut. “Come here.”

  The shifter closed the gap between them in seven steps. “What?”

  “You feel slighted about Evie.”

  “The bitch stole ten grand from us.” His voice changed to a biting, aggravated tone. “I thought she’d be better than her conniving cousin of hers. She always cared about me. Even when I irritated her, she always listened to what I had to say. Now, she pulled a stupid stunt like this.”

  Louis rested a hand on his shoulder. “I know.”

  “Maybe she wanted to soften me up.” Hector kicked the Beetle’s tire. “I never knew when women were bad for me, anyway. Look at Porscha. She bled me dry in college. Those dark eyes suckered me—”

  An explosion erupted in the distance.

  Thank God.

  If Louis heard about Porscha again, he’d strangle him.

  No shit. Darius flexed his fingers. Let him take out his aggression on these thugs. You find Evie. Make sure she doesn’t get hit in the crossfire.

  Great. Another person he’d have to protect.

  He scanned the perimeter.

  The explosion came from the parking garage on their right. Four men put explosive charges underneath of the remaining cars. They ran back to their Ford Bronco, arming themselves with machine guns. Once they finished, they sped out of the parking garage.

  Those pricks headed in their direction.

  “Hector, block the entrance.” Louis kept his voice low. “Four guys are blowing up cars in the next parking garage.”

  “That’s why I smelled explosives.”

  He shoved the shifter toward the entrance. “Go before Evie gets here.”

  Another series of explosions went off.

  He flashed over to the parking lot.

  Five more cars exploded. Three of them caught on fire.

  No blood auras lingered around the explosions.

  Good. No casualties.

  This time.

  If he could capture the drivers, they would be safe. Well, Evelyn and Hector would be. They weren’t blessed with all his vampiric abilities. Superhuman strength only got them so far.

  So did Hector’s righteous fury.

  A burgundy Audi p
ulled into Vixens, stopping halfway into the lot. Then they drove in reverse and turned it around.

  A BMW X4 pulled up behind the Audi.

  The two cars collided.

  The Audi smashed into the driver’s door of the BMW, then drove off. Their brakes squealed while they hightailed it out of the parking lot.

  Cherry blossoms lingered on the breeze.

  Goddammit.

  Evelyn hit Eisen’s car.

  Louis cursed, hurrying toward the BMW. What was Eisen doing here, anyway? If Hector told her to meet them here, he’d do more than strangle him.

  He almost killed their business investor.

  They had to negotiate a truce, not kill someone by accident. Now they’d never get her to reconcile with Trenabour. Not unless he professed his undying love for her in the intensive care ward. Either way, they would never stop hearing about this car accident.

  There went his business investment.

  “Shit.” Hector ripped the driver’s door open. “She got injured when the airbag deployed. Should we move her or leave her alone?”

  Louis scanned her blood aura, overlooking her bloody nose. It had cracks around her face, chest, and ribs.

  Eisen took one hell of a beating.

  “Louie?”

  He pulled her upright, wincing at the bruising on her face and nose. Her entire right side of her face swelled and turned discolored.

  “I’ll get her.” He undid her seat belt and pulled her out of the vehicle. “She’s pretty banged up. I’m pretty sure she broke something.”

  “Louis.” Eisen stirred, croaking out his name. “I’m… all right. Hard… to breathe.”

  He stroked his hands along her ribs. “You’ve got a few broken ribs. We’ll catch the driver.”

  “She seemed… scared.”

  Duh.

  Evelyn never dealt their underground life.

  “Hector, call an ambulance.” He waved the bigger man over to him. “I think she broke her ribs. There’s something else, but I’m not sure.”

  “If I knew about this, I wouldn’t have asked them to meet us here.”

  “Shut up and call an ambulance.” The dhampir stressed each word. “And then call Marco. I want him to bring Evelyn to the normal warehouse. Tell him he can hog-tie her if he has to. I don’t care. She’s not getting away with this. This wouldn’t have happened if she—”

  Eisen grabbed his sleeve. “I want her.”

  He gave a resigned sigh. “I know. I’ll bring her to you.”

  “She… didn’t mean to. The poor… poor girl… panicked.”

  Hector’s golden eyes blazed with anger. “She also stole my fucking money.”

  “Look, she met us here.” Louis motioned for Hector to take the injured woman. “Send Marco after her.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she doesn’t deserve to have gunmen chasing her. Besides, we can’t follow them. Someone has to protect her right now.”

  “Fine.” Hector pulled out his phone. “But you can’t protect Evelyn from Eisen. Also, I’m getting in one good punch because she pulled this shit.”

  Louis loomed over him. “I’ll handle her.”

  “No.” His friend’s anger brimmed to the surface. “She injured Eisen backing out of her own parking lot. She needs to pay for what she did. A cold hard punishment, not something playful in your goddamn bedroom.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He tapped his foot against the asphalt. “Why do you think I’m asking you to send Marco?”

  “Louie, I’m this close to staking your vampiric ass.” Hector almost pressed his thumb and forefinger together. “Keep watch while I make this phone call.”

  Louis grabbed the other man’s phone and dialed a number.

  He’d handle this himself.

  “Marco, it’s Louis. I need you to get someone for me. You might have to restrain her, but please bring her to the warehouse. She’s a fighter, so take proper precautions. You’re allowed to use force if necessary.”

  He hung up.

  The adrenaline rush finally hit him.

  His throat burned at the thought of bringing Evelyn back by force. There had to be a loophole toward giving her a lighter sentence. She tried giving back his wallet for goodness sake.

  The woman didn’t mean to intentionally hit Eisen.

  Louis dialed 911 with shaky fingers, keeping his distance from Hector. He’d figure out something before they reached the warehouse. If he didn’t figure out a loophole, no one else would protect her.

  He wouldn’t lose her a second time.

  8

  An hour later, Evelyn sat inside the Inner Harbor tunnel, fuming after listening to her countless voicemail messages from Louis. They grew angrier the longer he called her, but she couldn’t risk calling him back.

  Her pursuers found her after fleeing from the car accident.

  She chased off quite a few gunmen—and caused more accidents, too—but they outwitted her when she reached the Harbor Tunnel. The bastards surrounded her, destroying the Audi in seconds.

  She dove into the tunnel before it blew up.

  This wasn’t what she imagined when she stole his wallet. She expected his phone call earlier that evening…no, expected it. He fell into her waiting hands, agreeing to meet with her tonight. Then she’d asked him about his powers. Instead, they became separated by loud explosions and gunmen.

  Those bastards would find her soon.

  Evelyn rested a hand on her heart, forcing her racing heartbeat to slow down. For a moment, she returned to her homeland’s tropical beaches with starfish along the sand. The warm sun beat down on her. Cute guys walked down the beaches while her friends sunbathed in bikinis.

  Then she returned to her harsh reality.

  If she lived through this, she would visit Puerto Rico again, dragging her rebellious cousin along with her. It had been fifteen years since they visited home—since Jem stayed behind in the United States. Jem’s mother would forgive them the moment she hugged her niece, nephew, and her daughter’s lifelong boyfriend.

  Her siblings would adore them.

  Jem’s father was another story. Military men were rough around the edges. She didn’t blame Sanchez for being angry when Jem said she wasn’t returning to Puerto Rico. It was hell keeping her here because of the immigration laws, but those changed once Puerto Rico became part of the United States.

  Cars whirled by her as she sat on the walkway.

  She would live through this.

  Evelyn clutched her handbag, then took a deep breath. She could hold off one of her stalkers off with her makeshift knives. If another man came, she’d pummel him to death until she found a better weapon.

  No one would kill Evelyn Isabella Rodriguez today.

  She let out a shuddering breath, trembling from the adrenaline rush. It felt incredible, but tiring because she couldn’t punch anything. Pummeling someone put her on cloud nine. It always did.

  That wouldn’t be the case today.

  Her cell phone rang.

  Evelyn slid her hand over the red button and answered it, keeping her voice low. Halfway through her customary greeting, something pressed against the back of her head.

  Well, shit.

  They found her.

  Louis’s voice washed over her, quelling the panic for a few seconds. His words came out muffled from the blood pounding in her ears.

  She jutted her chin, then grabbed her weapons out of her hair. “One minute. I’ll call you back.”

  Evelyn jammed the tiny knives into her assailant’s foot.

  The gunman’s bloodcurdling screams drowned out Louis’s reply.

  She shoved the phone in her bra. Always the best place for women to hold their phones during an emergency. Her hands were full and she couldn’t risk hanging up the phone.

  He’d just call back again.

  Damn it, she couldn’t make out the assailant’s face because of his cheesy ski mask. Oh well. It wouldn’t stop her from subduing her target.

&
nbsp; She pulled her knife out of his foot.

  Then she punched him in the stomach.

  The coward went down, hugging his sore abdomen. He moaned, whimpering in pain.

  One down. Several more to go.

  Another gun clicked from behind her.

  How embarrassing. They needed a squad of gunmen to take one woman down. A superhuman woman, but whatever. Any other woman would cower in fear, scream, and give them what they wanted.

  If action flicks taught her anything, she couldn’t let her guard down. They would take her ransom or torture her.

  Or kill her execution style.

  She shivered.

  No more watching action movies before bed.

  The first gunman she fought pointed his gun at her chest, wrapping both hands around his gun.

  Evelyn twisted her arm and slammed the knife into his chest.

  Blood gurgled from his lips.

  He reenacted the classic dying scene—looking at his moral wound in complete shock. The man backed away, pulling the knife out of his chest.

  She grabbed her trusty weapon from him.

  Then she spun around and faced another assailant.

  This time, the attacker yanked on her arm, then twisted it behind her back. He disarmed her with his other hand.

  Evelyn tried stomping on his foot.

  He twisted her arm harder.

  “You’re lucky the boss sent us before Eisen’s men killed you for his bribe money.” His hot breath tickled her ear. “Now, hand it over the wallet, chickie.”

  Jesus. This wasn’t about witnessing the car bombings.

  Everyone wanted Louis’s wallet.

  Her first assailant stumbled backward while coughing up blood. He stumbled, then swayed in place. He’d die within minutes.

  Time to end this.

  Her emotions left her.

  She wrestled with her second attacker, scooting closer to the dying man. Once she got close enough, she kicked him over the walkway.

  A commuter screamed while running the bastard over with their car.

  “Damn you, woman.” Attacker number two—a dark haired Italian man—pulled her away from the walkway and snatched her purse. “That—that took guts. You’re lucky we hated that little prick. Now, grab the phone and talk to the boss.”