She’d already been doing it for so many years.
“If my mates agree, we’ll foster you for the year. You won’t have to worry about paying the bills or feeding the hungry. We’ll take the pressure off.”
His eyes filled with tears. “But why?”
“Because I can.”
Jolie’s mates supported her decision. She could feel them in her mind, giving her the okay.
“I’ll have Jacques contact you in the next few days. Give him your bank information, and you’ll have enough money to start up your family and lead it the way it should be led.”
“And if I fail?”
Flynn spoke for her, “We’ll come back and assimilate your vampyres into our home, so they don’t suffer.”
Roman studied his hands. “That seems fair.”
It really was.
“Thank you, Mistress Jolie. I’m humbled.”
Jolie stood and put her arm through Flynn’s. “You’re going to have to be proactive. At night, walk your home, look for evidence of spells, and be diligent. It will keep your family safe. We’ll find the person doing this, but you need to protect your family.”
Roman stood and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you,” he said softly before her mates walked her back to the SUV. “I won’t let you down!”
And he really wouldn’t.
Heading back toward his home, he felt the weight lift off his shoulders.
This was going to be easy.
Or so he hoped.
Once back at their SUV, Jolie sat and the men stared at her. She knew what they were thinking.
“I know…I let him off easy. After all, he attacked, but we all know that was the spell influencing him.”
Both men began laughing.
“You think that’s what the look was for?” Flynn asked.
“Uh, it wasn’t?”
“Let’s give you a hint,” said Jacques. “It had to do with his lips on your face.”
She started laughing. “Seriously?”
“Let me guess. He thought you were sexy too,” snickered Flynn, trying not to let it bother him.
She was amused, and she knew how to shut them up.
Jolie laughed softly. “Actually, Flynn, he thought you were hotter than me, and he had some creative things he wanted to do with you.”
Flynn began sputtering.
“Let’s go,” he muttered, giving her a look.
Laughter erupted in the SUV, and none of it belonged to Flynn.
That was no big surprise.
* * * H a r c o u r t e * * *
Paris
She strolled into his office as if she owned the place. When he glanced up from his work at the desk, he noticed she was dressed in some very revealing outfit.
That was interesting.
Her long black hair was intricately braided, curled, and styled. It was easy to see in what era she’d been born.
Her regal behavior gave her away.
“I didn’t expect you to visit,” he said, putting down his pen. “Shouldn’t you be out searching for Jolie Harcourte?”
Her laughter filled the room. “Oh, I have people on it. I’m going to have her in my grasp, and soon.”
He hoped so.
“Her brother won’t break. We’ve done everything. He’s not giving her up.”
She grinned. “I know you can break him. Someone as strong and lethal as you? It should be cake, Gradius.”
His eyes dilated.
He wasn’t sure if she was trying to provoke him or if she was trying to kiss his ass.
Gradius wasn’t sure which he’d dislike more.
“What are you saying?”
“Just that you have it under control. You’re awful suspicious, aren’t you?”
She crossed the room and hopped up onto the corner of his desk. When she took his glass of wine and had a sip, his eyes tracked her.
“By all means, help yourself.”
She flashed him a brilliant smile. “I think I will.”
She moved so fast, pushing him back in his large chair. She was straddling his body and drinking from his throat before he could say a word.
Gradius moaned as she pressed herself to him. He didn’t feel threatened at all. He could break her if he wanted. Instead, he might use her for his own needs.
After all, his favorite human consort had been killed by Alexzandre Harcourte.
As she fed, he pulled her head from his throat. His hand was wound into her hair.
“In my world, we ask if we can drink first. I never let anyone taste me. Now you have a problem.”
She laughed.
“In my world, we take what we want, and worry about the rest later.”
“What are you saying?” he asked.
“That I want you.”
“Because I’m the head of the Tueur or because you genuinely are attracted to me.”
She studied him.
“Because you’re the head of the Tueur.”
It took a second.
He roared in laughter. No one would ever dare tell him the truth like that. Here, this small woman had managed to make him laugh, and that was priceless.
“If you’re going to drink, then I want to partake too.”
She tipped her head. “Go ahead.”
He laughed even more.
“You’ve misunderstood.”
He moved so fast, she found herself pressed to his desk, her legs spread, and him ready to take her.
“I can drink from anyone, but this…I am selective.”
There was the hiss of zipper, the tug of her undergarments out of the way, and the nudge of flesh.
He never looked away from her.
“Please.”
With that, he buried himself in her body over and over again. He’d not felt that need in a long time.
It was waking back up.
He had news for this woman. She’d remain until he got his hands on Jolie Harcourte. Then…she’d be his.
He always wanted his brother’s concubine.
And he was going to have her soon.
∞ Chapter Twenty-Six∞
Sunday
Early Morning
When they returned from Master Patrick and Mistress Saxton’s, they had found pretty much the same thing near their homes. There were spells there too, and they’d found them just in time.
They also had issues with the vampyres getting rowdy, and they had two human mates each go missing.
It was alarming.
When they left, Jolie was feeling the drain, and she knew she needed to get Flynn to join her as she rested. Tomorrow all hinged on her getting him to go to death with her.
Once he did, Jacques and Percy would move them to the cottage where the ceremony would take place.
It was perfect.
Jolie yawned in the car.
“Baby, are you okay?” Flynn asked.
“I’m tired. These two little firecrackers are wearing me down.”
Flynn grinned at her. “I guess then I shouldn’t try to wear you down then too.”
Jacques snorted. “We have a long day tomorrow. We should rest.”
“I can patrol.”
Jolie knew she was up. “You can’t. You promised me that when I went to death, you’d come find me.”
Yeah, he did.
“Yes, I guess I should keep my word. Jacques, do you want us to find you?”
He figured he could pull this off. “Yes, if you would. I don’t know how easy it’ll be.”
“I can do it.”
Flynn seemed to buy it.
“You’ll have to be dead. I’ll need to drink from both of you before I go to death.”
They looked at him.
“Yeah, that’s what you can do if you drink dead man’s blood. It’s like a homing beacon. It helped me find Jolie.”
Jacques knew that was going to be an issue. He wasn’t planning on going to death. Well, it was time for a change in plans.
He sent Mina
a message, explaining what was going on, and she said she’d wake him after Flynn was gone to death.
Perfect.
“I’m going to be so glad to get off my feet,” Jolie admitted. “How do people do this over and over again?” she asked. “Pregnancy is hardcore.”
“Want to have more children?” Flynn asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
“NO.”
He laughed. “You’re no fun.”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
As they pulled into the garage, Flynn was the first one at the door to carry her inside. She didn’t argue, but instead rested her head on his shoulder. His hair tickled her nose, and she loved it.
The scent, feel, and familiarity gave her calm.
As they carried her upstairs, the house was silent.
“Where’s my partner?”
They had to make something up, and fast. Tommy was in on the wedding surprise, and they didn’t want it blown now.
“He and Camille are having a romantic evening out. Cari is with death.”
He seemed to buy it.
“I remember romantic nights with my mate,” he whispered into her ear. “We used to get naked, fuck like animals, and then repeat it all over again.”
His words heated her blood. Now that Rinnon was living in him, Flynn wasn’t as hesitant as he had once been. He was more hard, icy, and wild.
He was more like them.
She loved it.
As he carried her upstairs, he lowered her to her feet. “Do you need to feed?” he asked.
Jolie didn’t. The little ones were calming down. What she wanted was to have really hot sex, but she’d save it for tomorrow night. It would be their wedding night, and she wanted to make it special.
This was Flynn’s day.
“No, I’m good, my love. Can you just snap my clothes away. I’m too tired to even undress.”
He wiggled his eyebrows.
“I’m too tired for that too.”
She hoped he didn’t peek into her mind.
“My back hurts.”
He looked concerned.
There was her mate.
“Want me to rub your back?” he asked, as their clothes all disappeared. He was getting stronger that now he just had to picture them naked, and it happened.
“No, but can you hold me and follow me to death?”
He crawled onto the bed.
“Both of you go to death, and I’ll drink.”
They did as he asked.
When they were gone, he called for Mina. She touched his mind.
‘Yes, Master?’
‘Wake me in a couple hours. I want to patrol.’
‘Absolutely, Master.’ She knew that wasn’t going to happen, and Mina hoped he wouldn’t be angry.
When he cut off the connection, he ran his hands over his mates’ bodies. They were getting cooler by the minute, and he wanted to place his body over them to keep them warm.
“I love you both,” he whispered, right before sinking his fangs into Jolie’s still throat. As her blood covered his tongue, he could taste the difference.
She was definitely dead.
When he’d taken enough, he did the same to Jacques. The entire time he was feeding from them, something felt off.
He didn’t know what.
He didn’t know why.
But it was there.
He’d have to investigate as he searched the darkness for his mates. Flynn hated seeing them like this, but he’d promised to find them.
He’d always keep his promise.
Calling for death, he pushed himself into the darkness, seeking his lost loves.
The second he was gone, Mina snuck in, placed her hand on Jacques’s chest, and brought him back.
“Thank you.”
“He wanted me to wake him in a couple hours.”
Jacques figured he was going to want to do patrol. “Get Percy. We’re going to move them now. If he wakes early, we’ll already be there.”
Mina didn’t hesitate.
They were getting married.
It was beautiful, and no one deserved it more.
* * * H a r c o u r t e * * *
Sunday
Late Afternoon
Jolie felt the air around her stir and she knew it was Mina calling her back from death. She surfaced toward the light and opened her eyes.
It was going to be an amazing day. Jolie knew what she’d added to the plans, and the men in her life were going to be surprised and caught off guard.
Weddings were meant to be celebrated.
They were meant to be fun.
This was something so special for all of them. This would heal Flynn, lock Jacques to them, and give them one hell of a memory.
“Happy wedding day, Jolie,” said Mina, kissing her on the cheek. “You asked to be up before Flynn to get ready. Kiera has given you the master suite, and Flynn is in the study. If you need my help, I’m ready to do whatever you need.”
She hugged the woman.
“Thank you for being here, Mina. I’m so glad you’re here to share this with us.”
“I am too,” she admitted.
“So, how’s Percy?” she asked, as she began getting ready.
Mina blushed. “He’s amazing.”
Jolie grinned. “He’s crazy about you.”
“I can’t believe it, but he is. All I know is the last six months have gone by crazy fast. He saved and bonded me to him. It woke something in me. I love him.”
Jolie held her hand. “I know the feeling.”
Mina helped her into the white lingerie that she’d wear beneath the dress. As she laced her up, Jolie was going over the checklist in her head.
“Has everyone been notified?”
She nodded. “Yes, and they’re here. They’ll arrive as the wedding is beginning. Jacques still thinks it’s going to be small, just us, and that’s it. I don’t know how you fooled him, but you did.”
Jolie was glad.
He deserved to have his family there. When Jolie had contacted his father, the man was surprised.
She’d expected him to be a dick, but he didn’t make a single snotty comment, and he’d not called Jacques to bitch or moan.
It was a start.
She was hoping that when her mate saw his family, he’d realize that this was his day too.
“Do we have everything ready for Flynn?” she asked.
“Vanth popped home and found the pictures he’d had hidden in that dusty old tub. She also found something else.”
“What?” Jolie asked.
“I know you’re not familiar with the customs of humans when it comes to certain things, but I have a suggestion.”
“What?”
“I know Jacques got you a dress, and it’s gorgeous, but Vanth found Flynn’s mother’s gown tucked away in another tub. It was there with his father’s tuxedo.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Mina, that’s amazing.”
“I think it would mean everything to him since he can’t have them here on his wedding day.”
She wiped at the tears. “You’re so thoughtful. I love you,” she said, hugging the woman. Jolie was so very attached to the people in her life. Mina mattered.
She was like a sister.
“Where is it?”
She went to the closet and pulled it out. The dress was at least sixty years old, but it was in gorgeous shape.
It was lace and beautiful material.
“I’m wearing it. I hope I can squeeze these two into it with me.”
Mina laughed. “We measured it. You’re smaller than Flynn’s mother was, so I have some sewing stuff here. We’ll get you into it.”
She kissed her. “Thank you for this.”
“Do you want me to switch out Flynn’s tux for his father’s too? We can put their picture on the table with the wine, and he should figure it out.”
She nodded. “Please. I want him to have a day he’ll never forget.”
She w
anted that too.
Mina left the dress and headed out to get Flynn his tuxedo. She couldn’t wait to see the master’s face.
When she was gone, Jolie was about to start her makeup when the room wavered.
“Hello, Death.”
There was laughter.
“I used to be able to sneak up on you. You’re no fun, Jolie.”
She turned to face Death. When she did, she gasped. “NO! You won’t dare pull this today!”
Death laughed. “He could have his mother here for his special day,” she offered. “I can play dress up.”
Jolie headed right toward her. “Stop! Change back right now. You’re not going to hurt him on our wedding day by looking like his dead mother!”
Death laughed.
“You realize I could take you right now. I could end your life. You need manners, Jolie.”
She didn’t care. “Then take me, but I won’t let you hurt him.”
Jolie knew that if Death even tried, Rinnon would lose it. He’d be on a warpath.
“You’re right. He would. You’re lucky you’ve found his favor. At one time, I was his favorite.”
She didn’t say a word.
“You can’t hurt him with this.”
She snapped her fingers. “Very well. I do have a gift for you.”
She held out a box.
Jolie took it, and it actually tingled in her fingers. When she opened it, the stone inside it glowed red. “What is it?”
“That’s the Destroyer’s Stone. It’s a tradition from our family lineage.”
Jolie stared at her. “What exactly is your lineage?”
Death took a seat. “That’s not really important.”
She thought it was. “You had a relationship with Rinnon, didn’t you?”
She laughed. “Oh, we certainly did. We rocked this world. Literally.”
Jolie didn’t exactly enjoy this conversation. “I see.”
Death laughed. “It’s a weird kind of relationship, Jolie. He’s technically my father, but he’s not, but he is, and we shacked up. When you’re Death and a demon God, you don’t exactly have a lot of dating options. You also don’t have the taboos associated with it.”
Dangerous Sacrifice (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 6) Page 31