Rhemy: Immortal Forsaken Series #4 (Paranormal Romance Novella)

by Verika Sloane

  She turned around, surprise in her eyes, and started to walk back.

  Precautions still had to be made.

  “Are you able to get in touch with Marex?” he asked. At her nod, he added, “That’s my price.”

  Her smile made him feel less like an asshole. “No problem.” She took out her cell phone, and when the man on the other end answered, her tone was all business. “It’s me… I’m fine, just need a favor. Don’t ask why because I can explain later. Can you have Daulton call my cell as soon as possible? Thanks, Zander. I owe you.” She hung up. “Zander Kane is the biggest shifter ally Daulton has.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard of him.”

  Many times over. For the past six months, his name kept coming up over and over in their meetings. None of Kane’s men were club members. Rhemy sort of wished they were, to confirm the rumors and strengthen their club even more in numbers. Kane’s men were open about peace with vampires in their daily lives, while the rest were only open once a month.

  “What’s Kane like?” he asked.

  “Oh, uh. He’s…”

  Rhemy waited, raising at brow at her shift to awkwardness.

  “He’s…you know. What you imagine a pack leader to be like. Formidable. Brash. No bullshit. Arrogant.” Her mouth quirked. “He’s a lot like Marex, which is probably why they’re so tight. Two of a kind. Two of two different kinds, I guess.”

  The smile he gave her was wan. “Former lover of his, are you?”

  Her blue eyes narrowed. “How did you know?”

  “I’ve mastered the skill of reading body language. Professional poker player and all.”

  She lifted her chin and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, it wasn’t exactly a regular thing and he ended it months ago. Once I decided to find a new mate, we knew we were through.”

  “Hmm. I feel sorry for your future mate. Clearly, you have high expectations because of Kane.”

  “And because of my husband. Despite his faults, Maurice was a decent leader. I’d have high expectations regardless.”

  He cocked his head. “Oh, but you didn’t like him as much as you liked Zander.”

  “Will you stop—” Her cell phone went off. Looking vastly relieved to have been interrupted, she said, “It’s a video call, so be prepared to show your face.” She slid her thumb across the screen. “Hey, Marex. I’m standing in front of Rhemy Carrington. Know who he is, right?”

  “I do.”

  “Great. He needs you to vouch for me.” She held out the phone. “Here he is.”

  It was that easy to reach the revolution leader? Rhemy checked the desire to be impressed. He took the smart phone, looking at the most wanted vampire in the underworld, who must’ve had his phone on a stand, as he was sitting in a chair like a chairman of the board. “Daulton. Is it safe to do a video call like this?”

  “I thought it best for you to see that it’s really me. If I were you, I’d be skeptical with a voice call.”

  He had been. “You must think highly of Lila to take a risk like this.”

  “Sneezing out loud is a risk for me. Anyway, I wanted to see what you looked like, too. Your name is whispered around the underworld a lot these days.”

  “Whereas your name is shouted.”

  “Just how we both like it, right?”

  Rhemy started to smile. “Indeed.”

  “With any blessing from the gods, we’ll be able to talk in person. What you’ve formed is quite extraordinary. Had I known about it before my capture, I would’ve made it a point to meet you.”

  “No offense, but I would’ve been reluctant to take that meeting. I’ve plenty of life on the edge. I prefer to live on flat ground. I’m no revolutionist.”

  “But you are an idealist. The two parallel.” He sat back and crossed his brawny arms. “Anyway, what do you need from me regarding Lila?”

  “Just that if she comes to my club, and does anything other than what she says she’s going to do, you’ll take responsibility.” He raised his gaze to Lila, who visibly swallowed.

  Daulton didn’t hesitate. “Whatever reason she’s there it isn’t to cause you trouble, I can assure you. Any move she makes is preapproved by me. You can trust her.”

  That was all he needed. “Good enough. It was a pleasure, Daulton.”

  “I will be at your door eventually, Carrington.”

  “Be sure you use the back door,” Rhemy said, hearing Marex’s low laugh, then handed the phone back to Lila. “You’re in.”

  There was deep, genuine gratitude in her gaze as she thanked Marex for his endorsement and hung up. “Thanks.”

  “Before we go in,” he said, his hand on the door handle. “I feel a little protective of you now. No, you don’t need or want it, but this is unprecedented, and I’ve no idea how the group will react. While I can vouch for the honor of every vampire and shief in there, I can’t guarantee you won’t be subject to some blunt comments or even mockery. If anyone insults you or makes you uncomfortable, just signal me, and he’ll be dealt with. I don’t tolerate disrespect.”

  She appeared taken aback. “Oh. Well, thanks. Addressing a bunch of chest-pounding males is my wheelhouse these days. I’ll be fine.”

  Rhemy had no doubt about that.

  He gave Sal instructions and told the other two bouncers the same. Each gave wide eyes when he explained about Lila, but they curiously didn’t tell him it was a bad idea. Keeping her out of sight, he drew in a deep breath before reentering the room and pulled a few men aside to settle things down and spread the word that he had to make an announcement.

  Immediately, the members looked concerned as he stepped up on a crate to address them.

  “Everything’s fine, gentleman,” he said, putting them at ease. “I just need your attention. There’s a shiya here, and she’s requested to speak to y’all.” Murmurs and puzzled glances were exchanged. “Marex Daulton himself vouched for her, so I’m breakin’ one of my rules and letting her say what she has to say—”

  “A shiya? In here?” exclaimed a vampire member.

  “Yes, and if anyone has a problem with it, he can talk to me personally,” he warned. “She obviously knows about the club, and from what she tells me, a lot of the underworld does. I don’t know if we’ll be able to meet like this much longer. I have a feeling our world is about to get a lot less private. Changes are coming, gentlemen.” He gave a nod to Sal, who went to bring Lila in. “And there could be a shief in this room whose world could definitely change.”

  Lila came in, head high, and every head turned as she walked by them. Rhemy held out his hand to help her up while he stepped down.

  Several appreciative growls from shifters rumbled through the room, eyes glowing. A few vampires also looked up at her with appreciation. A mix of both groups crossed their arms, as if annoyed with her interruption of their evening, but respected her enough not to groan aloud.

  Rhemy moved to lean against a pole in the back of the room.

  She leaned on a leg, a hand on her hip, assessing the room before speaking. “My name is Lila Harris.” A few men shifted their feet. “Yes. That Lila Harris. Mate to Maurice Harris. If any of you aren’t aware, my husband led the White Fire Pack, and over a year ago, he went missing without a trace. I can longer lead my pack alone. We need an alpha.” Nods and whispers sprinkled throughout. “Not just any will do. I came here, on this night, for a reason.”

  Her gaze traveled over the group again. If Rhemy wasn’t mistaken, there was a little desperation in her eyes, as though she’d expected to find someone specific. Eventually, she looked down and drew in a breath. “I want a mate who believes in what I believe. No more conflict between vampires and shifters. No more attacks in the night, assassinations, and segregation. I didn’t always think this way, but I do now. You must be prepared to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk, if and when you’re confronted with our enemies. As you can imagine, it hasn’t been easy to find someone who will do that.”

  “Why doesn’t one of your
own take over?” someone yelled out.

  “We’re a fairly small group. We lost some men when Maurice didn’t come back. To be honest, my husband ruled with intimidation and cruelty. The few left still fear he’ll return. The others that are willing to step up don’t deserve the honor of alpha. I want a fair competition of the right to choose. No one should get it by default.”

  One of the shiefs—a newer member and former lumberjack, named Wade—stepped back from the crowd. He kept his eyes locked on Lila for a few moments before he turned and marched by Rhemy without a word, eyes aglow, reeking of lust and heading toward the restroom.

  Rhemy huffed with a smile. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to hog-tie him when he came out.

  After a few more minutes explaining about her pack, Lila was done. “Thanks for hearing me out. I’ll stick around if any of you are interested in the where and when.”

  While most the group dispersed to go back to their sparring and drinking, half a dozen or so seemed interested.

  “That didn’t take long,” he remarked when she came toward him.

  “I told you it wouldn’t. Where should I hang out to talk to them?”

  “Wherever you want.”

  She seemed a little off-kilter, though she’d expressed no nervousness until now.

  Instead of coming at her like a mob, the men formed a single line while she took a seat on one of the bar stools by the door. Rhemy tampered a smile of pride. They were introducing themselves with respect and patience, when their instincts were probably shouting to fight over her in an all-out brawl. Looked like they’d learned something from vampires, or were at least putting it into practice that night.

  It only took a few minutes for her to get through the line, and she seemed anxious to leave. When the last man shook her hand and walked away, she came back to Rhemy to say goodbye.

  “Not what you expected?” he asked.

  “To the contrary, I’m impressed. I was hoping for one or two. Five said they would be there. It’s a lot to ask to lead a pack and stand with Marex. This went beyond my expectations.”

  He wasn’t buying it. He studied her, sensing disappointment. “But?”

  She hesitated, then caved. “To be honest, I was hoping my true mate would be here. My wolf was clawing in my mind to come to this place, and I guess I thought that had to be reason.”

  So that was why she was so desperate. “I’m sorry, Lila.”

  “Sorry for what? You did me a huge favor. Without this, I’d have to settle for the man who’s least afraid of my husband’s ghost.”

  “When is the competition?”

  “Next week.”

  “You’re cutting it close.”

  “I’d only been told about your club a month ago. It took me that long to find out where it was and who to talk to.” She sighed, smiled, and held out her hand. “Thank you, Rhemy. I promise I won’t tell anyone what you did for me tonight.”

  He shook her hand. “You’re welcome, darlin’. I wish you the best of luck. Truly.”

  Because he didn’t feel right letting her walk out the door unescorted, he asked Sal to shadow her until she was safe to her car or cab.

  He checked his watch. After midnight.

  “Rhemy,” said Jermaine, striding toward him. “You really think this could be one of our last meetings? Why?”

  “The secret is out, far and wide. If we don’t stop now, a UCC investigator could be the next one at my back door, and take us all in.”

  Jerome snorted. “I’d like to see them try. We’re not stoppin’ nothin’. In this till the end.”

  The others gathered around and nodded. “The end,” they repeated, all looking to him for some sort of confirmation.

  Lila was right. It was bigger than him, and whether or not he could shoulder the responsibility of what he’d created, it was his, and it was time to let the club grow away from its nest. And make it fly.

  Jermaine slapped his hands together, rubbing them. “Rhemy. We need a plan.”

  “Of course. But first. Drinks,” he joked, and they all chuckled.

  Heading toward the bar, he saw Wade emerge from the restroom, his brown hair appearing as though he’d run through it with wet fingers, his shirt tucked in, his face washed. He scanned the room, then looked somewhat panicked.

  Rhemy rested a foot on the rung of a stool and poured a thick glass of bourbon. “What’s wrong, Wade?”

  The shief charged toward him. “Where is she?” he asked with a growl intermixed in his tone.

  Rhemy quirked a brow. “The shiya? She’s gone.”

  Wade shoved the towel in Rhemy’s hand and marched for the back door. “No. She’s mine.”

  Rhemy wasn’t the only one who watched as the shief slammed out to the alley.

  Oh, Lila. I think you just missed your mate.

  Five

  The erotic dream went on and on.

  Taelour woke up in a sweat, covers twisted, body drowning in invisible fire.

  It’d been no ordinary dream, but an experience, as though she’d seen her future. A fantasy of her and Rhemy in bed together, his mouth worshipping every inch of her body, his tongue swirling in every sweet spot, his hands running along her legs, skimming up her back. He whispered hot, dirty things in her ear, telling her he’d waited for her, needed her.

  Loved her.

  She flopped on her back with a moan and tried to go back to sleep, only to be exquisitely tortured by a similar dream with the exact outcome: waking up wishing it was real.

  Smothering her frustrated scream with a pillow, she gave up, ditched her bed, and took a hot shower.

  As she’d predicted, her brothers had been hosting a party at the house last night, and she had been able to dodge a bucket of questions by claiming exhaustion and heading straight to her cozy wing. So far, no one had bothered her.

  She flung open her closet, determined to find something sexy to wear for that night.

  Her closet offered only a few choices, and yet after two hours, the choices she’d made were now crumpled in a heap around her feet. She kept telling herself all she needed was to pick a dress she looked good in and impress Rhemy.

  No. Aleck. Not Rhemy. She needed to impress Aleck.

  But every time she tried one on, the only man she imagined gazing at her in it was Rhemy. What kind of color would he like? Would he prefer something short or long?

  In the end, she put on a dress she thought fit the bill for what Rhemy had recommended. It was silk, a rich, vibrant color of deep sunset, a burnt orange with hues of pink. It had a cowl neck, thin straps, and a mermaid hem. Because of that, it required thong panties, no bra.

  It was the sexiest, fanciest thing she had.

  Really, too fancy. She’d worn it years ago to that royal party…

  But, she had nothing else to wear, and it deserved another night out. The only thing she wasn’t happy with was her hair, which was too thick to stay up without a thousand bobby pins. She gathered it as much as she could and clipped it, letting a few strands fall where they may.

  Her brother Seth had whistled as he lounged in the family room watching SportsCenter with Jake. She told them she had a date with the vampire who had a key to the Centurias, and after a few questions of where she’d be, he and Jake wished her luck.

  She arrived shortly before ten and was let in immediately, even though she’d lost the red card thing. When she walked in and saw Rhemy’s back as he leaned casually on the bar, her heart jumped to her throat.

  She stopped. Not prepared to see him yet, she’d assumed he’d send for one of his staff to come get her. She was actually breathless the closer she got, feeling as though she floated the entire way.

  Rhemy turned his profile, spotted her out of the corner of his eye, and turned.

  Sensual warmth enveloped her. He looked incredible in a fitted sport coat with a collared shirt underneath, showing off a column of strong, masculine throat. Strangely, the sexy-preppy look now turned her on to the point of girlish madness
. Or maybe it was just him that made her hot, regardless of what he wore.

  His brown eyes glowed topaz so quickly, she wondered if she’d actually seen it, or just wished she had.

  “Very nice,” he said, tucking a hand in a pocket. “I love the color.”

  I knew you would. She brushed a lock of hair from her eye. “Thank you.”

  He directed his attention to the bartender, just as aloof as he’d been the night before. “Two glasses of champagne, please. And have a bottle sent up to my apartment.”

  To her disappointment, nothing had changed. All the same, butterflies with wings of flame fluttered in her stomach. “Is your friend here?”

  “No, but he should be any minute.”

  Eager to get it over with, was he? Not that she could blame him.

  Once their champagne flutes arrived, he gestured for her to follow him, and up to his apartment they went, at the end of the hall from his office. As soon as Taelour walked in, she was in awe of the open floorplan, classic furniture, original medallions, the twin antique chandeliers, and an insane amount of windows for a vampire, all of which faced south.

  At her request, he gave her a tour—showing off his enviable view of the river—yet noticeably avoided showing her the bedroom. He then directed her back to the living area and a server brought up his champagne on ice.

  She took a seat on a high back chair on one end of the coffee table. Rhemy sat at the other. Facing him felt so exposing, so she turned her body to the left, crossing her legs, sipping her champagne, and taking interest in the memorabilia on his walls.

  “Have you lived here all your life?” she asked, dying to put an end to the awkward silence.

  “Most of it.”

  An alto sax stood in the corner. “Do you play?” she asked, gesturing to it.

  “On rare occasion.”

  She whipped her gaze on him, smiling. “Really?”

  “Don’t get excited. I’m not that good. But sometimes the fellas talk me into comin’ down for a session.”

  “I’d love to hear you play.”

  His small smile faded. “You probably won’t.”