Karma's Revenge (A Bad Girls Novel)

by Teresa Gabelman

  Using her fingers, she pried open the wound, happy to see the bullet. She could really use Darin’s help but knew that was out of the question. Using her thumb and forefinger, she held the wound open as wide as she could and stuck the tweezers inside. Getting a good grip on the bullet, she pulled it out as quickly as possible, knowing that going slow would cause too much pain. Once the bullet was out, she smiled with triumph. She freaking did it!

  “I did it!” She held up the bullet like it was an award and, in a way, it was. Dropping it in front of him on the table, she glanced down at him to see him staring. She looked that way, and their eyes met in the mirror.

  “Thank you.” His voice was low and deep, almost like a whisper. His eyes held secrets she wanted to know while he lay on top of her.

  “Huh?” she said stupidly.

  He leaned up from the chair, then turned to look her straight in the eyes. “I said, thank you.”

  “Oh, you’re ah, you’re welcome.” She then busied herself with cleaning the wound that was already healing and that put things in perspective very quickly. She was panting over this man who was her sworn enemy, a vampire with no soul, who had been hired to kill her.

  Axel stood and helped her clean up before putting the medical box away. As he headed back toward her, he noticed his blood on her clothes. “I have some shirts and sweats you can wear while I wash that for you.”

  Sophia looked down at herself. “That’s okay. I have a bag in my car with extra clothes.”

  “I’ll get it, Soph.” Darin stood slowly, then waited a moment before heading toward the door.

  “You sure?” Axel frowned, watching the man closely. “Don’t need you falling down the steps. I can get it.”

  “Nope, I feel better already.” Darin disappeared.

  Axel turned to see Sophia watching him closely. “What?”

  “Thank you for being nice to him,” she replied, a discernable look on her face.

  “And why wouldn’t I be?” Axel asked, puzzled.

  “Because he’s different than you,” she replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “Men like you usually aren’t nice to people like Darin.”

  “You don’t know me to make those kinds of assumptions.” Axel’s eyes narrowed. “And if you’re indicating that because he’s gay or that he dresses in women’s clothing that I should act a certain way toward him, you need not thank me for being a decent person.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way.” Sophia huffed, then sighed. “I mean, maybe I did, but thank you just the same.”

  “Don’t thank me for something you obviously have a hang-up about.” He was actually pissed that she thought he would treat her friend differently because he was different than himself. “And never judge me.”

  “I don’t have a hang-up about anything, and I’m not judging you.” Sophia uncrossed her arms, her hands fisting by her sides. “Stop putting words in my mouth.”

  That’s not all he’d love to put in her mouth, he thought as he stared at the plumpness of her lips. How good they would feel wrapped around his cock while she knelt naked at his feet.

  “Hang-up about what?” Darin walked back in carrying her duffle bag and interrupting Axel’s erotic thoughts.

  “Nothing.” Sophia took the bag and began rooting through it.

  “She thinks I should have a problem with you being gay as well as a drag queen,” Axel threw out, then grinned when Sophia shot straight up in the air.

  “I do not!” she hissed with a narrowed glare at Axel. “Stop putting words in my mouth.”

  “He doesn’t have a problem with it,” Darin said with a matter-of-fact tone. “Believe me, I would know. He’s also not gay, so my chances of getting in those jeans are—”

  “Darin!” Sophia’s eyes opened, wide in shock.

  “Sophia!” Darin mocked her. “We’re all grown-ups here, and I’m sure he’s not offended.”

  “Not in the least.” Axel shook his head, loving every single minute of seeing this woman squirm.

  “Most vampires swing both ways. Isn’t that right?” Darin again stated facts.

  “Very true.” Axel went from shaking his head to nodding.

  “We get quite a few vampires at Ruby’s.” Darin looked at Axel as if they were old buddies catching up. “I have to say, I’ve even had a taste of the forbidden frui—”

  “TMI! TMI!” Sophia shouted, putting her hands over her ears.

  Axel couldn’t help it, he broke out in laughter. He hadn’t felt so amused in a long time. He had a feeling with these two, things weren’t going to get boring.

  Chapter 11

  “Come, and I’ll show you where you can change.” He chuckled again, shaking his head.

  Sophia followed him while Darin stayed behind. They went up a set of stairs, and instead of watching his ass like she wanted to, she peered around his home. He had amazing taste or a great decorator.

  “The bathroom is through that door there. If you want to take a shower, feel free. Towels are in the closet as soon as you walk in.”

  Sophia passed him in the hallway, then stopped and turned. “I didn’t mean anything by what I said down there,” Sophia said, not looking directly at him. “I’m just very protective of Darin.”

  “An admirable trait.” He gave her a single nod when her eyes found his. “Can I ask you a question?”

  This time it was her who nodded.

  “How did you know what to do?” Axel studied her closely. “How did you learn to remove a bullet? I seriously doubt that’s part of a librarian’s curriculum.”

  “Nope, it’s not. When my sister was sick, I helped a lot when she was home with IVs and different things. And then after I started doing what I’ve been doing—”

  “As in killing vampires?” He cocked his brow.

  “Yes,” she replied, wondering why it was so easy to talk to this man. “I studied up on how to stitch wounds, remove bullets and such. And I figured with the way you healed, you wouldn’t need stitches so….”

  “No, I don’t.” He then turned to walk away.

  “What are you?” The question flew out of her mouth, and she wished she could pull it back, but she couldn’t. He stopped but didn’t turn toward her. He hadn’t jerked once when she had slid the sharp scalpel through his skin, but her question did the trick.

  “Get dressed then come downstairs,” he said as he continued down the hallway. “I’ll explain everything then, as well as ask a few of my own questions.”

  For reasons she didn’t understand, she felt terrible for asking him the blunt question, but in truth, he did keep evading her questions about his species. She started to call out to apologize, but he had already disappeared. With a sigh, she walked into the bathroom and about flipped out.

  “Oh my God!” She slapped her hand over her mouth as she looked around. His bathroom was bigger than her bedroom. A monster Jacuzzi tub with steps leading up to it sat against one wall. Next to it was the largest glassed-in shower she had ever seen. A bench was even placed inside so the person showering could relax while what looked like two massage jet shower heads aimed from the ceiling.

  She circled, noticing the his-and-hers counter with floating sinks. She was in absolute love with this bathroom. Quickly running back to the closet, she closed the door to the bathroom, took out a towel and washcloth, then wasted no time in getting naked.

  After a long debate on whether she wanted to soak in the amazing tub or be bombarded with massaging water, she finally opened the glass door to the shower and stepped inside.

  She walked to the center and looked straight up. Above her was a rainfall water head. No freaking way. Two massagers and a rainfall showerhead were almost too much. Glancing around, she spotted the controls and prayed she was smart enough to work them.

  Poking some buttons, she turned and giggled like a little girl when the rainfall showerhead exploded to life. She then hit the massager buttons and sighed when they came on. She was never going to leave this shower…
ever.

  Stepping underneath the spray of water as she unbraided her hair, Sophia let the hot water beat tenderly against her body. She knew she was moaning but didn’t care. Didn’t care if anyone heard her. This moment was to be cherished, and cherish it she would. Lifting her arms, she twirled so every part of her body was touched by magic. Would this be how she felt if Axel touched her?

  She stopped twirling, her eyes opening wide at the thought that popped into her mind. Suddenly the water began to feel sensual, and she realized that this was where Axel would stand, naked, as he showered. Her pussy tightened at the thought, her already puckered nipples tightening painfully, needing to be touched, squeezed, sucked….

  Her moan was deeper this time, with a totally different meaning. She looked over her shoulder out of the shower through the glass that was slowly steaming.

  Thoughts of this stranger taking her against the glass of his shower had her panting, her hands working double time to bring her to where she needed to be. If she could just pleasure herself, maybe thoughts of Axel naked doing the same thing in this shower would leave her confused mind.

  Suddenly the pictures in her head changed to him taking her from behind against the glass shower. Never in her life had she felt the explosion just those images brought her. She slowly sank to her knees, her breathing ragged and harsh, her body still pulsing with need. That didn’t lessen her desire for him; it only intensified it.

  Sophia sat that way, realizing that tears mingled with the warm water raining down on her. Her emotions were strung out and so strong she was terrified of them. What had she walked into and who in the hell was this stranger that she trusted him enough to enter her thoughts of pleasure?

  “So I guess we can say that assassin work is very profitable.” Darin shredded the lettuce for a salad as Axel cooked steaks on a dual range stove.

  “It’s not bad,” Axel replied, flipping on the vent above the stove.

  “Aren’t you a little nervous that I might go and tell a bunch of people?” Darin asked, making Axel turn to look at him with narrowed eyes.

  “No, not really.” An evil grin lifted the corner of his mouth. “But if you had thoughts of doing that I would… A. Hunt you down and kill you slowly or B. I would hunt you down, find you easily, and tie you up for Savior to find you unless I’ve killed him first. Then if that were the case, I would revert to A.”

  “You’re good.” Darin pointed the knife at him. “Real good.”

  “The best,” Axel added before turning back to the steaks. He really didn’t care either way who knew what he did. Of course he didn’t advertise his profession, and if people knew, it made his job harder. But in today’s world, there were more assassins out there than normal people.

  Hearing footsteps, he turned his head to see Sophia walking toward them. His eyes roamed her body dressed in a T-shirt and jeans with holes in the knees. She was barefoot. Her face was scrubbed of makeup, and she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. It took everything he had not to drop his prongs and take her right there.

  “Hey, Soph,” Darin called out. “Just a piece of advice.”

  “Yeah, what’s that?” She stopped at the island glancing around Axel to see the steaks cooking.

  “Don’t ever tell anyone what Axel does. The word assassin and Axel together should never leave your lips.” Darin popped a cherry tomato in his mouth. “Just sayin’,” he said between chewing.

  “Need any help?” she asked after giving Darin a weird, “what are you talking about” look.

  “Actually, if you want to fry up those potatoes I have cut over there….” He pointed with the prongs. He then reached above the island and grabbed a skillet that was hanging, setting it on one of the burners. “Have at it.”

  “Salt and pepper?” She looked around, searching.

  “Over there in that cabinet by the refrigerator.” His eyes fell to her ass as she went that way. Hearing Darin snort, his eyes shifted toward him. Darin was giving him a knowing look that included a sly wink.

  He focused on the steaks, trying not to let his eyes roam, but having her so close and the smell of her was almost too much. She had knotted her hair in a bun using her own hair to hold it which impressed the shit out of him for no reason he could figure, and he realized he liked looking at the sleekness of her neck. He wondered if it was as soft as it looked.

  “How do you like your steak?” he asked as he turned his attention back to what he needed to pay attention to.

  “Medium is good, but I’m easy.” She flipped the potatoes with expert ease.

  “Ain’t that the truth.” Darin snickered, then held up his hands. “Girl, you know I’m just kidding. There hasn’t been a man between those legs in—”

  The hot potato that hit him in the forehead shut Darin up. “Hey, stop messing up the man’s house.”

  “Sorry,” she said to Axel, but gave Darin a glare.

  “I think with that comment the whole pan would have sufficed,” Axel replied, liking the thought that no man had been near her in a while.

  “Hey, buddy.” Darin took the salad to the table. “We have to stick together here.”

  Axel didn’t reply, but put the steaks on the platter, and with everyone’s help, a huge meal was ready to be eaten. Sitting back, Axel realized that it had been a long time since anyone other than himself had sat at this table. It had been even longer since he enjoyed the company of anyone other than himself.

  They ate in silence, but he felt the tension heating up in the room. Pushing his plate away, he leaned back and stretched. He noticed Sophia was picking at her food.

  “You need to eat,” Axel said, scanning her plate before looking at her.

  “She never eats,” Darin replied for her. “She can cook like nobody’s business, but she eats like a bird, especially when she’s nervous.”

  Axel frowned, not liking that she didn’t feel at ease. “You’re safe here.”

  “Am I really, Axel?” Sophia looked up from her plate.

  Safer than you’ve ever been in your life, his mind shouted, but his mouth remained closed until “I’m a half-breed.” The only response he received from her was her laying down her fork, her eyes on him. “I walk between two worlds.”

  “I don’t understand.” She glanced at Darin then back at her.

  Axel knew to them that made no sense, but to him it did. How could he be either when he belonged to neither? Living his life this way had suited him the best. He had no side. He was his own man. “I am neither vampire nor human. I am both. I belong to neither race, so I walk between worlds.”

  Chapter 12

  Sophia stared in silence after hearing the saddest words she’d ever heard. His voice was strong, with no hesitation in what he spoke. It was as if he believed that he belonged… nowhere. Her heart bled for him. How terrible to feel as if you had no one in this big world. Before she could say anything, Darin spoke.

  “I know what you mean.” Darin pushed his empty plate away. “I’ve never felt like I belong. My dad always wanted his boy, the football or baseball star, the construction worker to take over the business.” He sighed before his mouth lifted into a smirk. “But what he got was a boy built for football, baseball, and construction, who wanted to wear makeup, and perform. I love who I am, but when the lights dim and I’m Darlene the Darling, I’m happy. I love to sing and perform. It’s me.”

  The table was silent for a few seconds, each of them lost in their thoughts. Finally, Axel glanced toward Darin.

  “But he still called you son.” Axel’s response wasn’t really formed in a question. More of a statement of a “you still had someone” fact.

  “No, he didn’t call me anything.” Darin sniffed, looking uncomfortable but he continued. “My mom, who was very supportive, tried to get us on good terms, but she failed repeatedly. He left for work one day and never came back. My mom died a year later.”

  “Damn, man.” Axel reached across and squeezed Darin’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.
”

  Sophia was so close to giving Axel a hug for his compassion but stopped herself. This was their moment, not hers. Her eyes focused on the hard chisel of his chin, the smooth lines of the contours on his face. He was definitely a handsome man, but something deeper drew her to him, and now she knew exactly what that was. His compassion for others, which was totally opposite of what she would expect an assassin to be. She also realized—in a totally unrelated thought—it was a pity he had put on a shirt. Ugh, she really needed to get a grip.

  “I’ve made peace with it, and I’ve got awesome friends who are family.” Darin smiled, but she could see the sadness in the depths. It was a sadness she had witnessed in moments of doubt Darin suffered through. “So you’re a vampire, huh? I didn’t think vampires eat food. They just… drink or suck blood?”

  Sophia was glad Darin changed the subject, even if he did use his vampire voice to say suck blood. She wanted to know more about the man sitting next to her who was a complete oxymoron.

  “I’m a breed. There’s a big difference,” Axel replied, standing and grabbing his plate and then Sophia’s before looking at her. His gaze held the same sadness as Darin’s. “You sure you’re finished?”

  She nodded, her appetite not what it used to be since her sister’s death. “It was really good, but I’m full. Thanks.”

  Darin and Sophia shared a look with each other before he returned to the table, grabbed Darin’s, then came back and sat down.

  “I don’t live on blood. I have no fangs, but I am immortal. My strength is ten times stronger than a human, and I can read minds.” His eyes flashed first to Sophia, who immediately slapped her hands to her flaming cheeks.

  “No, you can’t.” She prayed with everything she had that he was lying. Oh my God, if he had read her mind, she would die. Absolutely fall on the ground in a heap of mortification and die. “You’re lying.”