“Are you asking me out, human?” she teased.
“Not asking,” Ricco replied, shoving a hand through his blonde hair. He was nervous about her answer, but he tried not to let it show. He was taking a chance and he knew it. If she wanted a vampire, he knew there was no competition.
Keelie looked at Brea, silently questioning her. Brea smiled and nodded. “Fine, we’ll be done in a minute.”
The ladies got showered and dressed. “Is this dress too much?” Keelie asked, examining herself in the full length mirror. It was teal with a plunging neckline and dark blue sequins at the waist. It set off the color of her icy blue eyes beautifully.
“Better not be. They better be taking us somewhere nice. Especially if they are going to drag us away from our work to do it. Besides, have you noticed them doing anything half way?” Brea answered.
“No, and hey, you look fantastic.” And Brea did. She was wearing a slinky black dress that had just appeared in her wardrobe. It was made of silk with a gathered scoop neck and no sleeves. It was complete with a pair of black heels that had straps that wrapped around her ankle. Brea choose to leave her hair down, and it spiraled wildly down her back. She wore the barest amount of makeup, just a little mascara, a bit of shadow on her eyelids, and a shimmering lip gloss. Just enough to draw attention to herself. Brea licked her lips, enjoying the raspberry flavor to the gloss. Satisfied it was as good as it was going to get, the women walked down the stairs arm in arm.
The foyer where they expected to see the men was empty. “Of course, the mister I am so important rock star is still primping,” Brea muttered. She was hungry, and she had expected a certain reaction from Angel when she came down the stairs.
“You know men primp as much or more than women do,” Keelie said.
“Not true,” a velvety voice said from behind Brea. She could tell by the way Keelie’s eyes got wider and she sucked in her breath that the men were standing behind her. Slowly she turned.
Angel was wearing suit. A suit, damn it! It was black as his hair, which he had twisted into a single braid down his back, sleek, and hugged his shoulders in just the right way. He wore a white shirt under the jacket, a pair of black slacks that were creased to perfection, shiny black shoes and above all else, he wore a black silk tie. All he needed was a pair of dark sunglasses and he would have looked like a guy from Men in Black. And damn he was hot.
Ricco was dressed much the same, and Keelie noticed. He had even tamed his blonde hair. They looked perfectly respectable.
“You look incredible,” Angel said to Brea.
“Not so bad yourself,” she sighed.
“But I am afraid your ensemble is missing something,” he mused, a smile lighting his eyes. He pulled a blue box from his inside pocket, God, it was from Tiffany’s! He unceremoniously opened it, and pulled a diamond necklace from it. He slipped it around Brea’s neck and stood back to admire it. “That’s better.”
“I, um, I mean, I …”
“A simple thank you will do just fine, Mon Amour,” he purred.
“It’s too much.”
“When will you learn that nothing is too much? There is nothing I would ever deny you, nothing I wouldn’t give you.”
“But why? I mean, I just work for you.”
“Not tonight, you don’t. Now, let’s be on our way.”
It seemed only minutes later that the foursome was sitting at a table in the classiest Italian restaurant in LA. Brea ate her food carefully, for fear she would drop something on her dress. It was just that kind of embarrassment she had been hoping to avoid. Keelie and Ricco sat opposite of Angel and Brea, and they were talking softly amongst themselves and giggling. Angel managed to scoot close enough to Brea that his thigh was touching hers. He even slid his hand under the table to lazily draw patterns on her knee.
The dinner went off without a hitch, and the group left the restaurant. Immediately outside, Angel’s head snapped up and he sniffed the air. “What is it?” Brea asked. She noticed that Keelie was sniffing the air too.
“Blood,” Keelie answered. Angel dropped Brea’s hand and told her to wait. He and Keelie walked around the corner of the building and into an alley. Brea set out to follow.
“He said wait,” Ricco reminded her.
“Since when do I listen to any man? Come on,” she said, taking Ricco by the hand.
“Just for the record, this is a bad idea,” he grumbled, but followed suit.
Brea turned the corner and screamed.
Angel was kneeling over the body of a woman. She was young, about Brea’s age, she was covered in blood, and her throat had been ripped out.
“Baise! Get her out of here!” Angel shouted over the screaming. Ricco quickly gathered Brea up in his arms and hauled her back around the corner where she could no longer see the dead woman.
“Can you smell him?” Angel asked Keelie, whose nostrils were flaring. Her eyes were especially icy, showing her inhuman nature.
“I think I can,” she said. “It is a fresh trail.”
“Follow him. Don’t let him see you. Call me when you find something.”
“I can do it better as a wolf,” she said, slipping out of her dress.
Brea somehow managed to muscle her way around Ricco and back into the alley just in time to see a tawny wolf lob off into the night. Keelie was nowhere to be found.
“Do you know who she is?” Brea asked in a timid voice, looking at Angel and not the body.
“No,” he said with a frown. “I thought I said,”
“I know,” Ricco interrupted. “She’s very persistent.
“I’m ok, really. We should call the cops.”
Angel pulled his cell phone out and dialed Detective Corbin’s number.
EIGHTEEN
“Who else has seen the body?” Samuel asked.
“Just us and Keelie. She should be getting back here any time now,” Angel told him.
“Why did she leave in the first place?”
“I’m sorry, I forgot. Keelie is a werewolf. The man left a scent trail. Her nose is sharper than mine. I told her to follow him, but not anything else. She should call soon.”
“A wolf, huh?”
“Is that a problem, De-tect-ive?” Brea snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Again, my apologies,” Angel said. “She has been through a lot tonight.” Angel wrapped his arms tighter around Brea’s shoulders. She was wearing his suit jacket, and it hung to her knees. Even though her mascara had run, leaving dark circles under her eyes, she was scared and irritable, he thought she never looked more beautiful.
“I think whoever is doing this definitely wants to connect it to you,” Samuel said.
“I am starting to think so myself. The coincidences are just too many.”
Brea was trying to listen to the men’s conversation when she felt a cold nose nudging her hand. She looked down and saw the same tawny wolf from the alley. Her first reaction was to jerk her hand away from the beast. It was larger than any normal wolf, and Brea wanted to keep her hand. The wolf looked up at Brea with the bluest eyes she had ever seen. Icy blue eyes. Human eyes.
“Keelie?” she whispered.
The wolf gave a sharp yap, then bared her fangs, allowing her tongue to loll out the side of her mouth in what could only be described as a wolfish grin. Brea tentatively touched the wolf’s head. The animal bumped Brea’s hand with her muzzle, and Brea knelt down to scratch behind her ears. “You make a pretty wolf. Can you understand me?” Brea asked.
Keelie gave another sharp yap and jerked her nose up. Brea took that as a yes. Brea was suddenly fascinated with her friend. She had known Keelie was a werewolf, but had never seen it for herself. She stroked her friend’s fur, enjoying the way course hair covered the softer, silkier hair underneath. “I always wanted a dog,” Brea smiled. Keelie growled and snuffed her nose.
Angel and the detective watched the interaction silently. Brea showed no outward fear of the wolf, although Angel could t
ell the detective did not feel the same. Anxiety poured off the man in waves. It was no secret that wolves were exceptionally strong and could be very dangerous. But this was Keelie.
Ricco sauntered over and petted Keelie. She nudged him with her muzzled and he knelt down to her level. She dropped her head on his shoulder.
“As nice as this is, could someone tell me if she found anything?” Samuel said sharply.
Keelie backed away from everyone and changed. Where the wolf once stood, a woman replaced. She rose from all fours onto her feet with all the grace of a flower opening. Realizing she was as naked as the day she was born, Ricco shrugged off his jacket quickly and wrapped it around his date.
“I followed his trail to an apartment building on Ocean Blvd. I didn’t go up to the door, but I can tell you which one,” Keelie finally said.
“Take her home,” Samuel said to Angel. “I will get Keelie’s statement and see that she gets home safely.”
“I will stay with her,” Ricco added.
Angel nodded in agreement, and walked Brea to the car. “Not exactly the way I wanted our date to go,” he said.
“At least it was interesting,” Brea replied. She was trying to make a joke, but nothing in her face was happy. She was staring out the window with a blank expression on her face.
“If the two of you don’t mind, I’m going to get my dress back on,” Keelie called over her shoulder as she sauntered back into the alley where she had left her clothes.
Samuel and Ricco watched her retreat. “That’s one lovely wolf,” Samuel mused aloud.
“Yes, she is,” Ricco agreed. “Don’t even think it.”
“What?”
“That’s my wolf,” Ricco smiled.
“I didn’t realize,” Samuel sighed.
“So, you really think this is directed at Angel?” Ricco asked.
“I do,” Samuel replied. “Are you one of his crew?”
“I am the head of his human security team. I see to everything that needs taken care of during the daylight hours. I am responsible for guarding the estate while he and his family sleep, also for all the daytime employees.”
“So, what’s it like? Working for vampires?”
“It’s just like working for anyone else, I guess. I wouldn’t really know, I’ve been with the band since I was eighteen. The only other job I’ve had was slinging hamburgers. I went to a show one night, got me a backstage pass, and met the guys. I asked if they needed help on their road crew, and they were impressed with my sensibility, and my size. The rest, is history.”
“Ok, let’s go,” Keelie chimed in, now dressed but still wearing Ricco’s jacket. He smiled to himself and put his arm around her.
The trio piled into Samuel’s Buick as the coroner loaded the body into an ambulance and drove to Ocean Boulevard. “Do you work for Angel as well?” Samuel asked Keelie.
“No, I’m a waitress at Rhino’s, just like Brea.”
“Ever thought about a career in law enforcement? We could use a nose like yours on the force,” he replied.
“No, I hadn’t ever thought of it. Don’t you have to go to school for that?”
“Yeah, but we got this program where the force will pay your tuition in return for x-many years of service. You should think about it.”
“Humph,” Ricco said.
“What?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You don’t like the idea?” Keelie asked.
“Sounds dangerous, is all.”
“I’m a wolf!! Do you know how easily I could kick your ass right now? Never mind that I have three years of martial arts training, but I am biologically stronger and faster than you, human.”
“Easy,” Ricco said, putting his hands up in a show of submission, “I was just saying it might be is all.”
“There it is,” Keelie said, temporarily dropping the subject. “He went into that apartment, number twenty three.”
“Let’s just sit here and watch for a minute,” Samuel suggested.
They didn’t have to wait long before a woman stumbled out of the apartment. She was about the same age as the previous victims, but with dark hair. She wore a blank expression on her face, and Ricco knew.
“Definitely dealing with a vampire,” he said.
“What makes you say that?”
“Look at her eyes. She’s had her memory wiped. Most likely, he fed on her and who knows what else, wiped her memory of the event, and sent her on her way.”
“But why didn’t he kill her like the others?” Keelie asked.
“She might not fit the profile, who knows. This guy is sick.”
“Well, let’s go talk to him,” Samuel said, getting out of the car.
“Wait, I’ll go with you,” Ricco said. “Remember what Angel said, he might be more cooperative if I am with you.”
“I’m going,” Keelie said.
“No you’re not.”
“You men may need some muscle to protect you.”
“Not going.” Ricco rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Yeah, just try to stop me,” Keelie said, getting out of the car herself.
Samuel knocked on the door. “Open up, police!” he bellowed.
After a moment, a man answered. He was tall and lithe, dark hair and almost black eyes. “Can I help you?” he said.
“I am detective Corbin and this is Ricco and Keelie.” The detective stared at the vampire in front of him. “We would like to ask you some questions.”
“And what might those questions be?” the man asked in a perfectly polite tone.
“What is your name? And where have you been tonight?”
The next thing the three of them knew, they were seated in the car, driving back to Angel’s home. Ricco shook his head, trying to remember how they got in the car. He looked at Samuel in the driver’s seat and immediately noticed the blank stare in his eyes. Ricco whipped his head to the back seat only to find that Keelie wore the same expression. “Mother fucker!” he shouted. “Wake up man,” he shouted, shaking Samuel’s shoulder. “Keelie, wake up!”
“Huh?” Samuel said, coming to. “What happened?”
“How did we get back in the car?” Keelie asked from the back seat.
“The son of a bitch got in our minds! He sent us away from him! Damn it!” Ricco barked. He chided himself for it; he knew better than not to protect his mind.
“They can really do that?” Samuel said.
“Yes, some can. I know better. The guys spent hours and hours training me to protect my mind, and I blew it. Some can only hear your thoughts, some can control them if you allow it. He must be pretty damned strong to control all three of us.”
“Give us the crash course, how do we stop him from doing it again?” Samuel asked.
“Well, try to think of anything unrelated, like a song. What I do is try to imagine a brick wall surrounding my brain. Anything like that usually works fairly well,” Ricco told them, running his hand through his blonde hair.
“Well, I am going back to that apartment. He probably isn’t there now, but I want to have a look around. I’ll call in for a warrant. You guys can come or I’ll take you home.”
“I am soo going with you,” Keelie said. It was plain to see how irritated she was with the whole situation.
“Me too,” Ricco agreed.
Just as expected, the vampire was long gone by the time Detective Corbin arrived back at the apartment. He had called the Judge from his car, and his warrant had been granted. Samuel didn’t bother to knock, he just kicked in the door.
“Nice,” Keelie remarked.
“There’s a bit of fire in this old man yet,” Samuel smiled back at her. “Come on, let’s hurry up before the forensics team gets here and ruins a possible crime scene.”
“After you,” Ricco said, waving his hand out in front of himself, motioning for Keelie to go ahead of him.
Keelie stepped inside the apartment. Other than the barest of couches
and a TV, the front room was devoid of any decorations or furnishings. She sniffed the air carefully. This was definitely where the vamp she followed had come. The air was stale, though.
The men stayed behind her, allowing Keelie to take in all the scents in the apartment. The bathroom was empty, and smelled heavily of mildew. The one bedroom was the only place that held any personal belongings at all. There was a chest of drawers that held men’s clothing, a closet full of blankets and a full size bed. Keelie’s nostrils flared and she turned to look at Detective Corbin.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Blood,” she replied. “A lot of it, too. I also smell bleach. Someone tried to clean it up, but there is still some here. I think you may have your crime scene.
NINETEEN
At his home, Angel helped Brea upstairs and into her room. She flopped down on her bed and started mumbling. The stress finally hit her, and it hit hard. “I never, I mean, I never saw anything like that before, God! It was awful!” she cried, sobbing.
“Mon amour, Je suis vraiment de sole, I never want you to have to see that again,” he cooed , cradling her in his arms. “I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am.”
Brea began to sob uncontrollably. She knew she was staining his shirt, but Angel didn’t seen to notice or care. She cried for the dead girl, she cried for the sight, she cried for reasons she didn’t understand.
When finally the tears ebbed, Angel pulled her to the bathroom. “Come, a hot bath will help.” He drew her bath and helped her out of her dress. Still in shock, Brea gave little notice to the fact that he undressed her. She barely noticed that he rubbed the soft wash cloth over her skin. It was about the time that he tipped her head back and began pouring hot water over her head did she really notice that he was bathing her.
“I can do this, Angel. You don’t have to.”
“I want to,” he said in a hoarse voice. He gently massaged the shampoo into her hair and rinsed it clean. When he was satisfied, he lifted her out of the tub and into a bathrobe. He wrapped her hair in a towel and scooped her into his arms.
He sat them both on the bed, she in his lap, and released her hair. He rubbed the towel on it, removing any extra water, then began pulling a brush through it. Brea wanted to tell him to stop, but it felt too good. No one had so lovingly brushed her hair since her mother had been alive.
Out of the Dark (Forbidden Love) Page 11