Gator Baitin' (The Grateful Undead series Book 2)

by Susan Stec

  After I laughed, I got up dusting off my ass. Marcus slid my shirt over my head about the time the rodeo guys got within shouting distance.

  Cowboys surrounded us—everyone stared at the dead bull.

  "Isn't there some sort of background check you guys are supposed to do before you let someone ride a bull?" I asked, tucking my shirt into my jeans, one shoe on, one off, my eyes searching for the other one.

  "They had the proper paperwork, Ma'am," a man said, wearing an official name tag.

  Jeni's voice nipped my eardrum. Shut up, Mommy Dearest.

  "Lady, that was one expensive bull. It's gonna be a piece of prime beef on someone's dinner plate, now," the man said, sneering at Mom. He took off his hat and wiped his forehead.

  "Yeah, but the crowd loved me." Mom smiled.

  ~~~

  Chapter 10

  Is he mother's little helper

  ~~~

  "Mother, what the hell were you and Dorius thinking?" I glared at her. "That was no plan. It was a damn disaster! You almost got trampled by a bull. And the next time you get me involved in one of your schemes, I expect to be well informed."

  "Susan, shut up. The bull's dead and gutted. Bye-bye Vamp-bull," Mom said, turning away from me.

  I simmered watching her butt wiggle over to the floor to ceiling windows on the front side of the living room, and turned my anger on Christopher. "Get on that damn computer and pull up BAMVC. I want to talk to Dorius!" Truthfully, I wasn't as mad at Mom as I was at Dorius. He pulled this stunt, getting exactly the reaction from me he wanted.

  Christopher sat on a bar stool in front of me, still dressed in the ridiculous Mickey Mouse outfit, swinging his stupid boots at my hip. He exchanged a look with Gibbie, who was strutting along the counter.

  Jake sidled by me, heading toward the sliding doors that led out to the screened porch. Marcus leaned on the kitchen counter, watching the scene play out.

  Paul cleared his throat. "Susan, I suggest you let this slide. Your mother did just what Dorius asked her to do. If you hadn't jumped into the ring it would have gone exactly as planned. It's your ass I had to save because the bull evidently enjoyed your cleavage as much as the cowboys." Paul plopped down on the couch.

  There had to be smoke coming from my ears. I stood by the counter in the dining room, eyebrows slammed together.

  Marcus added to my anger. "He's correct, darling. Your mother created the diversion that was needed. And I would like to take the opportunity to remind you that your mother is a Seraph and therefore should be respected and obeyed unconditionally. I spoke with Dorius, smoothing things over for you, but you really should know your place, sweetheart. I realize this is new to all of you, but Dorius is pleased with the way things turned out."

  If he could have said anything that would have pissed me off more, I sure as hell couldn't think of it. I whipped around, giving him angry eyes. "Of course he is. I got my half-naked ass dragged through a shitload of bull dung! And it's all his fault. The bastard! We should've known what was going on, damnit!" I strutted over to the laptop and booted it up myself since no one was moving in that direction.

  "Susabella, you're giving your sister a good run for idiot of the year. It's the sex! You know you can't think when you're screwing around," Mom said, shooting Marcus a frown.

  He raised one eyebrow in her direction. "Maybe it's the lack of that’s clouding her mind, Concetta. If she would just let me relieve some of the tension…"

  "None of you get it! Dorius is playing me," I argued.

  Christopher pulled two blood bags out of the refrigerator, walked over and shook one at me.

  I snatched it, jabbing it onto my extended fangs.

  Marcus eyed the bag of blood, shaking his head. "You wouldn't need that, precious lips, if we went up to the bedroom."

  "Bite me!" I growled around the bag but it sounded like, ite e.

  Gibbie flew up, high-fiving Christopher. Christopher smacked his little hand with one finger. "She's really not biting, fairy, but you gotta love the way this is going."

  My brows wrinkled the skin at the bridge of my nose. Gibbie shrilled a giggle.

  Jake farted loudly, aiming his ass out the sliding glass door. "Sorry, I just can't help it. Between your mother's teeth and your anger, I'm a basket case." Jake eyed me nervously, a loud burp erupting from hands covering his mouth.

  I was about to address that issue when Paul took up the slack. "Susan, killing the bull, a very expensive piece of property, not to mention prime rodeo material, was a risk. We couldn't just destroy it. Bull riding is a very political sport. Fights would have broken out, threats been made, an investigation started. Dorius knows what he's doing. He may be a pain in my ass sometimes, but I do respect his ability to understand the human race and our threat of being discovered."

  I tilted my head toward Marcus. "See, sweetie, all he had to do was explain this in a rational manner, and I totally understand. NOT!" I turned to Paul, one hand on my hip, the other swinging in his direction. "So, Alpo-Breath, you totally believe Dorius kept the rest of us out of the loop so Miss I-Know-It-All, over there could do her job? You actually think it has nothing to do with pissing me off?"

  Gibbie answered the question for him with a flutter of wings, right in my face. "Dorius doesn't like you, that's perfectly clear. However, you're giving him plenty of ammunition. He's very astute. He knows how to pull your chain. If you call him, you play right into his hand. I say you ignore him and we get on with business." With that said he hummingbird bolded over to Mom and hovered in front of her. "What's next on our agenda, Chick?"

  I couldn't dredge up a spiffy comeback before Marcus walked over to me and clicked off the laptop. I gave him a spiteful look and hit the on button with a quick stab.

  Mom walked over with a determined gait and clicked it off again. "Susan, cut the shit. We have work to do and you're not the boss around here so deal with it."

  I leaned over the laptop, reaching for the button again. A slapping of hands ensued, getting a round of laughter from everyone.

  Mom grabbed my hand and squeezed. "The gator has been seen at Gatorland again, and we're going to get it this time."

  I pulled my hand free as she gave me a set of her famous Italian eyes. It's basically a glare, but with a power boost that stated she'd had enough and the shit was about to hit the fan if I took it one step further.

  Jake whimpered. Mom turned Italian eyes on him and cut him off in mid-fart; didn't help the smell.

  "Jake and I will go talk to the curator again," Mom said. "Paul and Gibbie will check out the property. If the vamp-gator is there, we'll destroy it. If not, maybe they can get a trail this time."

  Mom turned to Marcus. "I want you, Susan, and Christopher to check out the lake near Faith World. Mort will meet you by the docks at the church."

  Christopher sat up in his chair and smiled at me.

  Mom was still giving orders. "There's a bass tournament after a sunrise service. Remember, gators travel more in the early morning as well as early evening, so use those times of day wisely." With her little announcement evidently finished, she headed in the direction of her room.

  Christopher looked excited. I smiled at him for the first time tonight; content with the knowledge Mom had no clue what was going on.

  "I'm getting out of this zoot suit. I'll meet you two at the Jeep in thirty minutes." Christopher headed for the downstairs bathroom. "Dress appropriately. We want to blend in with the church crowd and the fishing tournament entrants. You never know what might come up."

  "I guess I'll go throw on something churchy, yet fishy. How about you?" I asked Marcus.

  Marcus rubbed a hand over his chaps. "I'll just remove the leather. Are the rest of my clothes presentable church attire?"

  Paul laughed from the couch.

  "Aren't you going to get changed?" I asked Paul, ignoring Marcus as I walked by the couch.

  "I'll do my changing when Gibbie and I get there." He smiled. "Right now, all I w
ant is a big roast beef sandwich."

  Gibbie buzzed by, headed for the dock and Mort. I hit the stairs without Marcus.

  * * * *

  Two hours later Marcus and Christopher followed me to the dock where we were supposed to check in with Mort the troll.

  "'Bout time you…got here. The fairy…filled me in." Mort leaned on the dock, his head just above the water line.

  "I know it's early, but any fishermen on the lake yet?" Christopher asked.

  "Nope, getting ready…ah…over by…the church. They're doing a special…service…for the anglers. You might…want to check…it out. I got the dock…covered. They'll be…putting in the boats…in about…two hours, from…what I overheard," Mort drawled. I always wanted to twirl my hand in a hurry it up gesture.

  "We'll head for the church, be back out before it ends." Christopher turned on his heel. Marcus frowned. I smiled.

  We sat in a pew three rows from the front, directly behind the entrants in the contest. It was blatantly apparent who they were. They looked like human billboards. Each fisherman had on a team uniform covered with sponsor logos. The names of boats and outboard motor preferences covered hats, shirts, and jackets along with names of the casting rods and lures that they felt brought in the big ones.

  The crowd, excited and anticipating the big day ahead of them, sat waiting for Pastor Julie to make her grand entrance. Christopher stood on the pew beside me, eyes riveted to the door she would come out of.

  A hush came over the anxious crowd as the piano announced the woman they were all waiting for.

  She pranced out, dancing to the center of the stage, microphone in hand. Raising it to her lips, she let out a long breathy, "Amen."

  The parishioners all stood, pulling us with them as they chanted Amen or praise Jesus.

  Marcus softly growled.

  "My special guests, I welcome you," Pastor Julie whispered with a sexy voice.

  The walking advertisements whistled and hooted, not unlike a good crowd at hooters on a Saturday evening.

  Marcus moved restlessly beside me.

  "Let's all hear it, people!" Julie shouted. "Give praise to my Lord!"

  As the spectators exuberantly responded, the piano kicked in and the choir started singing praise. The people around us joined in. Marcus flinched and became rigid when the old woman beside him grabbed his hand and raised it with hers. "You are about to be born again, young man." She smiled at him.

  "That would be quite extraordinary," Marcus quipped.

  She turned her head to the woman on the altar and began to sing cheerfully, tugging Marcus back and forth with her.

  I laughed joyously, clapping my hands in time with the music and gave up several obnoxiously loud Amens.

  Marcus rumbled in my head. I elbowed him, leaning forward to smile at the woman with his hand in hers. "This is his first time, sister. Thank you for your added encouragement."

  The woman grabbed Marcus' face and laid a big kiss on each cheek. "May God bless you young man."

  Marcus shot me a deer in the headlights look.

  "The devil will not enter my house!" Julie roared, getting a loud response from her followers.

  "Amen!" I shouted. Marcus was seething.

  "Daddy, do you feel the power in this room?" Christopher asked, climbing in Marcus' arms. He leaned over and grabbed the old woman's right breast. "Mommy says these are for feeding, but she says I can't bite. So how do they work?" he asked with a cute cherubic smile.

  "I can feel power in this room, people. Can I hear an Amen?" Julie said, dancing across the stage.

  "AMEN!"

  Marcus grimaced, and very fatherly-like wrestled Christopher's hand from the woman's breast. "Christopher, that's not proper behavior." He turned a sheepish glance at the woman. "Sorry, we don't take him out much. He has ADD, and presently we're having some medication issues."

  With a forced smile, the old lady adjusted the lace collar on her dress, cheeks pink. Marcus pulled Christopher across his chest, probably glad to have his hand back.

  I laughed when Christopher licked his neck and puckered his lips in a kiss.

  "Mommy says if Daddy doesn't stop drinking and slapping her around, she's not going to have relations with him anymore," Christopher told the woman. Marcus' grasp tightened.

  "Christopher! We don't talk about Daddy's drinking in public!" I half-assed scolded and feigned an uncomfortable giggle.

  The old woman shook her head. "Out of the mouth of babes." She frowned, shaking her finger at Marcus. "But you can change your life if you embrace the Holy Spirit, young man."

  "My mouth is un-sanctuary, so Mommy won't let me lick her neck no more. Maybe it wouldn't be un-sanctuary if I licked yours. Can I lick your neck, lady?" Christopher asked, angel curls bouncing, his tongue running over his upper lip.

  Marcus gave him a shake.

  The woman's eyes became large, her hand shot to her throat.

  My uncontrollable giggles turned into strangled squeaks. "Sweetie, I said it's unsanitary, and put your tongue back in your mouth. There will be no licking," I warned.

  "But…" Christopher started.

  "I assure you, we will have a nice talk with the boy as soon as we get home." Marcus had a death grip on the old immortal in a child's body.

  Christopher smiled, laid his chin on Marcus' shoulder and cuddled close, eyes scanning the back of the room.

  The music cranked up, everyone started singing again. Marcus was shoved back and forth by the animated crowd while Pastor Julie skipped center stage, kicking up the hem of her black dress. She had a beautiful, sexy voice as she sang along with her followers.

  Christopher tugged my shirt, pointing to someone in the back of the church. I followed his finger to an old dark-skinned man leaning against the back wall in a shaded corner of the room. My eyes met his for a split second; the resemblance was astonishing. 'Eval Reboryn' was written all over his face.

  ~~~

  Chapter 11

  Let's meet up at Gator Swamp

  ~~~

  The entrants began launching their boats. The men, knee deep in water, tethered them to posts at the edge of the bank as the three of us kept watch for anything with red eyes.

  "Where are you going?" I asked with both hands on my hips, glaring at Christopher's butt as he headed back toward the church.

  "I wanna sneak back in to see if the old black man I saw in the church is talking to Julie. He didn't come out after the service."

  "Christopher, we should not separate," Marcus called after him.

  "Damnit! He's gonna get slapped this time!" I turned to catch up with him and Marcus grabbed me in mid-step, jerking me back.

  We looked like a couple having a parental argument as we played tug of war with my arm while Christopher ran around the back of the building.

  "Your sister can track us on the surveillance monitor. I don't think it wise we all go back into the church," Marcus warned.

  I looked at his hand on my arm, my upper lip doing a little snarly thing. He quickly let go, raising his hands in front of him. "Just trying to keep us on target, darling."

  JoAnn's snappy voice nipped my rebuttal. Looks clear in your area no little red eyes. We're expanding our perimeters to cover the rest of the lake and surrounding shoreline. I'll keep you posted.

  I grimaced, reaching for the talk button between my breasts.

  "Well that's good. I guess the boaters are safe for the moment." I smiled smugly for Marcus. "How are Mom and the rest of the guys doing?" Taking my finger off the button I headed for the church.

  "We're not going back into that church. Let him go. We should keep our eyes on the lake." Marcus gave me a stubborn look.

  I worried my brows. "You don't have the automatic microphone thingy turned on do you?" He shot me a 'give me a break' face.

  Jeni said, I talked to Mom just a few minutes ago, no luck in finding the gator yet. They're searching the grounds. I'll get back with you if they—

  JoAnn cut in,
Jeni is monitoring communications with Mom and Jake. It says in the book of rules we're only supposed to work with one group in one location. She really can't talk with you, Susan. Just wanted to let you know. I could tell that JoAnn's bossy matter-of-fact manner was more for Jeni's benefit than ours.

  Marcus snickered and I pushed my call button a little too hard. "Jeni, goddamnit, take the frigging book away from my sister and toss that sucker somewhere she can't find it."

  She can't heeear you, JoAnn sang.

  I filled my lungs with air and turned to Marcus. He had a wicked grin on his face. "What?" I asked.

  "Darling, you're adorable when you spar with… well, anyone." His eyes sparkled. I wanted to run kisses right up his square jaw, ending on his smiling lips. He was driving me crazy.

  "Let's just go find him," I said, pulling my eyes off his chiseled jaw.

  Marcus sighed disagreement and reluctantly followed me.

  We were behind the church when Christopher walked out the back door.

  "The old man had a lengthy conversation with Julie's sister, Kim. I wonder what's up with that. Julie wasn't there." Christopher looked excited.

  I put my hand on my hip, cocked it, and shot him a curious look. "Hmmm, I thought it was Julie he set this whole demon thing up with. Do you really think that man is Eval's father? I wonder if he knows Dorius has him."

  Marcus scolded, "We do have a scheduled reason for being here. I think we should discuss this later, don't you? I'm—"

  Hey, you guys, why aren't you by the lake? What's going on in the church? JoAnn asked with an aggravated voice.

  "See," Marcus said, glaring at Christopher and me.

  Pushing the button on my chest, I put a smile in my voice. "Christopher thought he saw a conspicuous squirrel enter the church, but all's well in there. We were just heading back to the lake."

  I think that's a good idea, since I can see several red glows coming from the shoreline around the back of the lake, and I think the gator's about a hundred yards off the boat dock. You guys need to be out on that lake with the participants! You better do some mind-pushing because you know as well as I do, you can't get on the lake unless you're fishing in the tournament.