Hector came up beside her. “You can transfer your business to someone else or you can dissolve it. Running an escort service—”
Jesus Christ. Escorting clients wasn’t the same as prostitution.
When would these people learn the difference?
“What’s so bad about making an honest living?” Evelyn rubbed her hands together and addressed him in a pointed tone. “My women aren’t prostitutes. They keep people company. Most clients I work with are businessmen like yourself.”
“Right.” Hector held his hands out in a half-shrug. “I’ve used your place a lot. It’s classy. But your women can’t resist me. It’s annoying.”
“If you treat them like you treated me—”
Louis escorted her to the couch, digging his fingers into her sore shoulder. “Enough. Hector makes a good point. But I can see your side, too.”
She rubbed her collarbone. “M—me?”
“Don’t be modest, dear.” He kissed her cheek. “You do your job well enough.”
Eisen groaned. “I swear, Hector’s rubbing off on you.”
Good. Someone else knew about his flirtatious personality.
Maybe they could curb his temper, too.
“Anyway, back to my point.” A grin tugged on the corners of Eisen’s lips. “Men do feel more comfortable around pretty women. Perhaps we can refine your business to be a useful investment. You know, change some of their looks, establish a few ground rules, and then build up toward servicing better clientele. What do you say?”
To be honest, the proposition made sense.
Jemina expanded their clientele a while ago, but they hadn’t brought in any new customers since their schedules stayed booked. The only reason she met Louis was because Jemina introduced them when he came to the counter. If she hadn’t, Evelyn wouldn’t be sitting in his living room.
Then she wouldn’t have hit anyone with her Audi.
The only issue she had with Eisen’s plan was giving her control of how she ran Vixens. Would the old lady try ousting her once her usefulness ended?
Or would she buy Vixens outright and change ownership?
“To be honest, we’ve been working on expanding our client base.” She gestured to Louis. “My cousin—Jem—she’s great at meeting people and connecting with others, but her plans go awry sometimes.”
“Then control her.” Eisen’s voice turned matter-of-fact. “She won’t be able to help you for much longer.”
Oh boy. A juicy tidbit.
Evelyn leaned forward. “What do you mean?”
“I hired her as a bouncer at one of my casinos last month. She said she needed the extra cash. However, she’s got … how shall I word this … Sticky fingers?”
“Oh boy.” Evelyn chuckled. “You caught onto her quick.”
“What if she stole the money you should have paid Hector?” Eisen lowered her voice with a dramatic flare. “Think about it. Who else had access to your money besides your precious accountant? Her. Or whoever you hired as your assistant.”
The woman made a good point.
Still, Jemina would have asked her for money. She did in the past. She always hung her head whenever she asked to put Reggie’s Christmas presents on her Sears card, but she asked. She never stole anything. Never.
So, why work two jobs?
Something happened at home. Something big.
Whatever it was, she hid from Evelyn.
“She’s never stolen from me before.” Her voice took on a thoughtful tone. “Even at her lowest, Jem wouldn’t steal my credit cards. I don’t think she stole it, but someone else did.”
“Then find the culprit.” Louis took a generous drink from his tear drop shaped glass. “Otherwise, you’ll be on the hook for Hector’s money, and he’ll never stop bitching about it.”
He wrapped his arm around her.
Somehow, he turned up his body temperature a notch. Either that, or she made him become warm somehow. Nonetheless, he was too close for comfort while he had company.
Evelyn scooted away from him.
“I’m serious.” He rubbed her hand. “You need to find them and hold them accountable.”
“I don’t think anyone expected this.” She waved her arm around the room. “I know my cousin. She worked her magic to set up a harmless date, not pull me into—whatever you do.”
Eisen chuckled. “Ah, young love. I miss those days. Louis is right, though. You should catch the culprit.”
“I agree.” A predatory smirk crossed Hector’s lips, and he grabbed the television remote, pointing it at Evelyn. “I want my goddamn money.”
She snatched Louis’s tear-drop shaped glass. “And you wonder why you’re still single.”
“I have several women on standby.”
Evelyn coughed, almost choking on her sip of wine. Once she swallowed, she turned her attention to Eisen again.
“One more thing. I want your word that I’ll still own Vixens after implementing these changes.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Of course.”
Evelyn held out her hand. “Then let’s shake on it.”
“Oh, dear. We must teach you proper etiquette.” Amusement played on Eisen’s face as she stood. “Hector. Louis. Make sure Miss. Rodriguez is at my place tomorrow morning at the appointed time. For now, keep her here. I wouldn’t want her getting hurt again.”
Oh no. She couldn’t.
She missed too much time already.
“Wait a minute. I have—”
“You have other people who can handle your business for you.” Eisen patted her leg. “Enjoy your stay and rest. He has the rest of the evening free.”
Evelyn stuttered.
“By the way, we bought pizza. It’s in the kitchen.” Hector thumbed behind him. “We didn’t know what you’d eat, so we got a bit of everything.”
Her stomach growled.
Food made for a pleasant distraction.
She gulped down the wine, then beelined for the kitchen, hiding her embarrassment while leaning forward. No one held her hostage.
No one.
She’d escape this place yet.
10
“What an interesting development, Louis. She’ll become a worthy investment.”
Louis licked his lips at his girlfriend’s mannerisms. Oh, Evelyn was an investment, all right. She had brains along with the world’s sexiest figure. The dress suited her fiery personality—despite the cherry blossom’s feminine effect—but her body rocked that dress. Words like dynamite and sexy didn’t do her justice.
Those legs were to die for, though.
Her balance—still somewhat unstable—returned long enough so she could march out of the living room. She sashayed right at the end, then leaned into the swinging door.
Classy, but she still stumbled.
The concussion still impaired her.
“Louie.” Hector slapped his knee. “Pay attention.”
Louis turned his head toward him. “What?”
“Quit staring at her ass and go after her.”
“I wanted to make sure she didn’t fall.”
“Oh, we’d know if she did.” Eisen finished her drink. “There’s definitely chemistry between you two. You’re trying to be subtle, but you’re the dark knight in shining armor.”
Louis glowered. “That analogy would work if I wasn’t dead.”
“Yeah.” She handed him her empty glass. “We know. But this woman likes you. I didn’t need to use my powers to uncover her true feelings. She’s unsure of everything, but the mystery around you intrigues her.”
He scooted toward the end of the couch. “What’s your point?”
“If you were playing poker, she’d be your royal flush.” Eisen grabbed her pipe, then shouldered her purse over her good arm. “And you’d win your hand, too. Now, I have to leave. I’m meeting with my new nanny today around five-thirty. Don’t mess this up for yourself. You deserve a chance at true happiness, Louis.”
She walked to the front door.
“Edith.” He paused, trying to find his words. “Thank you. For sparing her, I mean.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Her finger waggled in the air. “Hector.”
“Yeah?”
“Make sure you bring her to my mansion tomorrow morning.”
“Right. Will do.”
She walked out the front door.
“Well, this is just peachy.” Hector flopped into the recliner. “I get bodyguard duty while you’re upstairs getting laid.”
The dhampir tapped his foot. “Excuse me?”
“The chemistry between you two is ridiculous.” He pointed the remote at the television and flipped through the channels. “Honestly, you should’ve gotten laid by now.”
Louis rose and followed Evelyn into his massive kitchen.
Hector could stew in his own jealousy.
By the time he arrived, she was licking hot sauce off her long, manicured fingers. She dumped two slices of buffalo chicken pizza on her plate, then reached for a slice of pepperoni. After that, she took the jalapeño from the pizza box and ate it.
Wow. He forgot how Latinas loved their spicy food.
“Somehow, I’m not surprised you like buffalo chicken pizza.” Louis stopped at the door. “I pegged you for a pepperoni and sausage kind of girl, though.”
Evelyn stopped, holding a finger in her mouth.
A wicked smile crossed his lips.
“Then again, I love that expression on your face.” His smile grew until he showed off his fangs. “You should do other things with your mouth sometime.”
She blushed. “You … this isn’t what it—”
“Come on, Evie.” He slid up behind her and grabbed a breadstick, waving it by her mouth. “You left yourself open, darling.”
His beautiful temptress attacked his breadstick with her teeth.
He ripped the breadstick in half and slowly licked the side of it. Not the best way to tempt her, but it worked. Besides, Darius stayed silent. He approved of his playful antics.
Her pouty lips parted.
Then she released a longing sigh.
“Oh, come on.” He grabbed a sixteen-ounce Pepsi bottle from the stainless-steel refrigerator and handed it to her. “You could have had my breadstick. You didn’t eat yesterday, you know.”
“I didn’t think you ordered carry-out pizza.” She sat the drink down. “I mean, considering this kitchen—no, this entire house—”
“I’m not your typical Native American.” Louis reached for another breadstick. “I grew up on an Indian reservation until I was eleven. When we left home, my mother ordered carry-out a lot.”
Evelyn nibbled on her pepperoni slice. “That had to be tough.”
“Yes and no.”
Talking about the reservation always brought a tear to his eye. The clan mothers called his onulhá foolish for leaving without their blessing. Still, she brought him and his younger sister to this metropolis and they attended public school until his graduation. He made his mother proud.
Then she home-schooled Talisa.
You’re such a killjoy. Darius’s voice went flat. You’ve got your girlfriend here and you’re thinking about baby Talisa and those horrible vampiric Native Americans. Maybe you’ll call your mother next.
Louis straightened until his back cracked. Can it.
Then listen to Evie or I’ll charm her into our bed.
Damn. The old man had nothing.
Sleeping with Evelyn wasn’t a threat.
“Is your family still at the reservation?”
“Yes.” He leaned against the wall, scrunching his eyebrows together. “Most of my tribe lives there, but my onulhá—sorry, mother—wanted a better life for us. My grandfather and the clan mothers didn’t agree, but I understood her reasons. If we stayed, I wouldn’t have gone to college for my business degree. I’d be as close-minded as my relatives.”
What would his family think of Evelyn? Talisa would welcome her with open arms. She turned no one away, but his mother believed the clan about the awful white people. However, she dropped her guard after meeting her third husband. Daniel treated her well.
For once, he wanted to take her to meet his mother.
They would get along.
“So, where’s your mother?” She finished her first slice. “Is she living here with you?”
“No. She’s back in New York.”
“Didn’t like Charm City?”
“Nope. Hated it.” He stole one of her buffalo chicken slices and ate it within six bites. “But she might move back soon. My family’s working for me while I set up my business ventures. It’s one reason I needed to meet Eisen at the party.”
Evelyn sat her plate down on the table. “Do tell.”
“Well, my mother knows about my job.” His voice rose in excitement the longer he talked. “She doesn’t know about—well, Eisen. Or you. She’s met Hector, though. I didn’t want her knowing everything.”
“Smart man.”
“I got lucky when I met Hector. He’s got wicked luck with running casinos and gambling places. He suggested trying to run my own business. So, I pitched my idea for a new cologne line to some investors and everything took off in about six months. It picked up like wildfire. Once Eisen helps me out, I can manufacture the stuff.”
And hide his undead scent, too.
“What’s this other business you talked about?” Evelyn attacked her second piece of pizza. “You know, the personal one?”
“They’re both personal.”
“Which one means more to you, though? The gambling business or making cologne?”
“Both.” He put his hands behind his head. “What about you? Did you always live in America?”
Evelyn swallowed her food. “Yes, considering Puerto Rico is part of the United States. Our fathers came to Charm City during their deployment.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Hm?”
“Military deployment.” She shuffled her feet. “They stationed my father at Fort Meade. Well, our fathers. Jem’s father still works for the military, I believe. That man won’t retire until he’s croaking on his deathbed. He’s as stubborn as they come.”
Louis gave a nervous chuckle. “So, did your family settle here?”
“No.” Sadness poured from her voice. “They went back to Puerto Rico when my father’s tour ended. But I stayed behind because of Jem. Her rebellious streak hit. She dated a guy and said she wasn’t leaving here and having a long distance relationship. Big words coming from a high schooler.”
She shoved the pizza crust in her mouth.
Well, well.
Family meant a great deal to her.
He wouldn’t find a woman capable of understanding family in the aristocratic court … not unless they wanted children by the time they turned twenty-five. Those who cared about their families wore their hearts on their sleeve. Gave back to the community. Shared a bond between their siblings despite their petty differences.
Louis put a finger to his lips.
He knew the perfect gift to give her.
“About Jem.” God, who named their child something so horrendous? “Has she always been so rebellious?”
“Yeah.” She sat her plate down. “To be fair, her man’s treated her good, but they had some rough spots when they first dated. If Hector thinks I’m a problem, he should deal with Jem full time. She goes to pieces after her boyfriend and her fight. She’s belligerent for days.”
He gave her a dubious look. “I don’t doubt it.”
“To be honest, she’s dated more than me. I haven’t been dating since I started Vixens several years ago.”
His eyebrow twitched. “She sounds like a handful.”
“Well, so is running Vixens. But it’s better than breaking her out of that sex trafficking ring she got involved with again. That’s why I’m so strict about how I run my business.”
“Evie.” Louis pushed a string of hair behind her ear. “You’re … well…”
He
faltered, then mouthed a word while playing with her hair. It came out garbled.
She leaned into him, letting out a soft moan.
Her scent deepened.
Dinner took a backseat.
“If we’re doing this—and we’re going on a date sometime next week—I have a favor to ask you.” His arms wrapped around her waist. “This relationship stays between us.”
“Mmm.” Could her voice get any sexier? “Like a secret?”
“No.” He rested his head in the crook of her neck and tightened his arms around her stomach. “No more clients. At all.”
She sucked in a quick breath. “Louis…”
“I learned one important lesson while being married. More than one man in the picture spells trouble.”
“Well, duh.”
“I want you for myself.”
“I warned you about Simon.”
“Yes, I know.” He kissed her neck. “I think he might have planned the bombing last night. That’s why you’re staying here with me until further notice.”
She wiggled her ass against him. “I don’t need protection.”
He took a tiny step back, avoiding those buns of steel. “You’re still off balance.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t punch somebody.”
“Look, I’m being serious.” His finger trailed against her jugular vein. “I’m doing this because I care about you. I’d like to date a living woman for once.”
Wow. What a bad line.
She killed his intellectual side by giving him a boner.
“Okay, let me try this again.” His hand moved of its own accord and trailed down toward the slit of her dress. “I’d like to introduce you to people as my girlfriend instead of pretending we’re dating. That’s how much I adore you.”
Evelyn leaned into his touch. “You’re cute when you’re flustered, you know.”
He squeezed her thigh, making sure his nails didn't dig into her skin.
Vampires were not cute.
“Since you’re here…” His voice dipped into the sensual range. “Let’s try something fun.”
She spun around and faced him. “You devil. You devious—”
He silenced her with a passionate kiss.
Garlic almost ruined the mood, but his hands made up for his shortcomings. He pressed himself against her while he kissed her harder. At one point, he lifted her off the ground and sat her on his counter.
Vulture’s Kiss Page 13