“Your turn, love. We fixed me for the moment; now let’s deal with your problem.”
“I don’t have a problem,” Reysa responded a little too quickly.
Christian wrapped his arm around her pulling her tightly to his chest. “You’re such a bad liar. I’ll help you. Let’s talk about your vampire mate.” Reysa stiffened in his arms. “I haven’t smelled him around the place since we got back. I take it he hasn’t returned yet.”
“It’s probably for the best.” Reysa had been trying to convince herself of that since he left, but the words seemed hollow to her empty heart.
“It’s not. He’s your mate. You need him as much as he needs you. Denying this will just cause you both pain.”
Reysa sat up resting her head on her elbow. A look of shock in her eyes as she tried to accept Christian’s words. “You hate him. Yet you are encouraging me to be with him.”
Christian nodded. “I hate him, but I hate seeing you in pain more.”
“Why can’t you be my mate?” This was a question Reysa and Christian had asked themselves so many times. Their relationship was so easy, so natural, so uncomplicated. They would be the perfect pair yet the fates decided they belonged to others. Christian had not found his yet, but Reysa found hers whether she wanted him or not.
“Because, love, that would be way too easy and life could never be that simple. Not for us at least. He presents more of a challenge. He tests your nerves, but he stirs your passion like no one else. There’s something to be said for that.”
“I would prefer the simple life.”
“You’ve lived the simple life for years. Now it’s time for excitement. There will never be a dull moment with that vampire by your side.”
Reysa growled as she flipped over on her stomach with her head buried in Christian’s duvet. “Some days I’m not sure if it’s more tempting to kill him or love him.”
“I could believe that. He has that effect on people. I know you love him whether you want to say the words or not. I can tell. I think his biggest problem is that he needs to know you love him and not me.”
Reysa popped up on her knees. “I’ve told him a million times that we’re just friends. He refuses to believe it. He’s jealous of every guy I’m with as if I am this slut that sleeps around.”
Christian sat up, tugging one of Reysa’s locks. “Love, look at this from his perspective. He’s an insecure vampire who’s found his mate yet the woman he wants lives with another guy and they have a child together. Look at us, Rey. This ease between us which is so natural for us would make any man jealous. We’ve shared so much of ourselves with one another. We know each other inside and out. We’ve shared a life, a home, a family, a bed for all of our lives. It’s a nonissue for you and me because we know it’s innocent, but from the outside looking in, I could see why someone would be jealous. If I put myself in his shoes, I would have a hard time with this too, especially if I had a hard time accepting love or believing I was worthy of it.”
Reysa buried her face in her hands. She was at a loss about how to remedy this complicated myriad of relationships all so essential to her. She knew Christian was right, but she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t give Christian up and she shouldn’t have to, but she needed a way to help Kaden feel more comfortable otherwise they would never work and she would be destined for a life of misery.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m not giving you up.”
“Damn right you’re not, but you need to show him that he matters. He is your one true love, your mate. You may love me, but you’re in love with him. It’s not the same kind of love and he needs to know the difference. There’s no competition here. He wins your heart and soul. He needs to know you choose him over me. You need to know that as well.”
Reysa knew Christian was right. Right now, she didn’t know where Kaden went or if he would come back. She couldn’t just abandon everything and search for him. There was too much danger on the horizon. They had uncovered some useful information form the demon’s lair. Broderick being the computer genius was able to hack into the encrypted files and find some interesting facts about mescah and the plans to refine the drug so that the effects were even more lethal faster.
They were also working on other similar drugs they could use against the vampires and lycans. Chemical warfare seemed to be their focus, which was a logical choice considering they were not as physically adept as the stronger lycans and vampires. What they lacked in physical prowess, they made up for in developing enhanced weapons that could cause mass destruction with few casualties on their side.
Reysa sent copies of all the information she discovered to Lucian. Although she had some doubts, she knew it was the right thing to do, but she couldn’t help but feel like a traitor to her kind. Deep down she knew that the violent path her kind was taking wasn’t the right choice. Killing innocents in the name of peace was never the right choice.
Part of her worried that maybe she was putting too much trust in Lucian and the Council. It was the Council that helped to create the rift between the races. Lucian was not a part of that and he seemed sincere about remedying those past wrongs especially after nearly losing his mate. Did he have the power to change those he attempted to govern? She prayed he did because if he failed, they would all be doomed.
II
“How much more money do you have to lose before you’ve had enough?” Julian pulled up a chair next to Kaden at the black jack table at the Bellagio. Kaden was sitting at the $500 minimum per hand table, but he was playing multiple purple chips at a time nearly losing every hand. Julian had watched him for the last couple of hours giving money away by making one silly decision after the other. It was like he wanted to lose.
Kaden had hoped he could drown his sorrows here for a little longer, but of course Julian found him just to torment him some more. He figured he deserved it after the way he behaved. Reysa had been bloodied and battered and rather than comforting her and easing her pain away, he let his jealousy rear its ugly head once again. Too prideful to admit he was acting like a jerk, he lashed out at her and stormed away like a bratty child. No wonder she preferred the wolf. After everything Christian had done to her, he faced up to his shame and she forgave him. Here he was gambling his life savings away rather than making amends for the wrongs he committed.
“Kaden, it’s time to go.”
Kaden bet another two thousand, ignoring his brother. The dealer dealt the first card to Kaden as well as the other two gentlemen, who had joined his table. Kaden had a jack showing while the dealer drew a six. Kaden received his next card, a five. The correct move was to stay. The assumption would be that the dealer had sixteen and would have to take a hit, which would likely result in a bust. Kaden’s fifteen would be good enough. He knew the rules, but he felt like taking more risks. It was only money. He took the hit. The dealer paused to give him a chance to rethink that horrible play. The other two gentlemen urged him to stay. Of course they were concerned that Kaden’s foolish play would cost them in the end as well, but Kaden didn’t care.
“I said, 'hit me!'” he demanded. Kaden drew a six. The other guys stayed on their hands, fourteen and eighteen respectively. The dealer forced to hit drew a four giving him twenty. Had Kaden stayed, all three would have won as the dealer would have busted with a twenty-two. Kaden was the only winner. The other two men were fuming. One slapped the table and turned his fury filled eyes onto Kaden.
“You stupid son of a bitch. You cost me a thousand dollars.”
Kaden studied the fuming human. He wore an oversized white cowboy hat and fancy brown leather boots. His jacket was definitely designer; although Kaden wasn’t knowledgeable enough about fashion to know which name. He was wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt he bought at Walmart the day before after ruining his last good pair of black leather pants.
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Today, you lose.” Kaden grinned inciting the man further.
“I lost because
you’re an idiot,” the cowboy shouted.
“Kaden, let’s just go,” Julian pleaded. “We don’t need trouble.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just playing. If cowboy doesn’t like the way I play, he should find another table.”
“Listen to your boyfriend and leave,” the cowboy mocked.
The cowboy was really starting to irritate Kaden now. “Look, dude, this is your last warning. I’m not usually this generous, but I’m giving you one last chance to fuck off before I throw you out. Either sit your greasy ass down and play another hand or shut up so I can play.”
Kaden turned to face the dealer, but his sharp periphery vision caught sight of the cowboy’s fist before it met his cheek. Humans were too slow. Using his quick reflexes, Kaden caught the man’s fist with his hand and squeezed tight breaking the man’s knuckles. The man cried out in agony as security approached. Kaden let go and stood up grabbing his remaining chips.
“Well little brother, now I’m ready to go.”
The two sped out the hotel before security could catch up to them. Outside they could hear a rather loud and poor rendition of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” which was the song the famed Bellagio fountains were currently dancing to. There was a large crowd watching the fountains and the Celine wannabe. As they got closer, they spotted the singer standing on the railing in four inch suede blue Manolo Blahnik’s. An eerie feeling settled in the pit of Kaden’s stomach as he looked up and caught the waves of golden hair flowing in the breeze.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. You brought her?” Kaden asked Julian.
“Aunt Cori was determined to come with me. I couldn’t say no.”
They watched as the song ended waiting for the crowd to throw stuff at her, but to their surprise everyone cheered vociferously for her. Corinne bowed, jumped off the railing and marched over to them.
“I just love that song. Maybe I should sing another?”
Both boys simultaneously yelled out “no.” Corinne looked a bit insulted, but Julian quickly added, “I think we should leave. Now that we found Kaden, it’s best we move on.”
“I just don’t want to hear you sing ever again,” Kaden added.
Corinne punched him hard busting his lip. “Hey, you got your right hand back. Should I call Fi-Fi?”
Kaden ignored the remark. It was safer that way.
They followed Corinne as they walked down Las Vegas Boulevard. Kaden stopped at the New York New York casino and hailed a taxi. He directed the taxi to take them to a nearby strip club.
This was the stereotypical club that reeked of smoke, stale beer and horny unattractive humans vying for the attention of silicone enhanced strippers. Corinne frowned as two women danced suggestively in front of Kaden and Julian peddling their fake assets. Neither brother seemed particularly interested in the silicone twins although the eager women continued to flaunt and flirt.
“Not my idea of a good time,” Corinne complained.
“Then leave,” Kaden snapped. “I didn’t ask you to come.”
“You know, Kaden, I get why you’re upset but get over it. You’ve crossed the line of sympathetic to just pathetic. Stop being such a coward. You want the girl? Go get her. Stop hiding in the shadows while someone else takes what you want.”
“Aunt Cori’s right,” Julian added. “You’re acting unworthy of her.”
Kaden was stunned to hear that comment from Julian. “You’ve been telling me from day one that I was not worthy of her and now you’re acting as if I should be with her. I thought you wanted her.”
“If only I were so blessed. She would make the ideal mate, but unfortunately for me, she is not my mate, she’s yours. I cannot ignore the bond you share and neither can you. It is true I don’t think you are worthy of her, but you need to learn to become worthy. We don’t get to pick our mates. Bad luck for Reysa, but she drew the short straw and got you.”
Kaden should have been insulted by Julian’s words, but he felt the same way. Reysa deserved so much more than he could give yet she was the one for him. She was the one created for him to love. And he did love her. There was no point in denying it any longer. These two days without her had been hell.
“You need to go to her, Kaden. Apologize for being you and ask for a second chance. Earn her, deserve her. Give her a reason to choose you other than the bond you share.”
“Why are you helping me when you hate me?”
“I’m doing this for her. As someone who cares about her, the best thing I can do is help you to be worthy of her otherwise you’ll just hurt her like all your other victims. She’s the one you can’t afford to break.”
“I want to fix things with her. I also want to fix things with you, Jules.”
Julian turned away, unable to face his brother. There was a time Julian would have relished the opportunity to have a real relationship with Kaden. They had been so close once. Julian had idolized his big brother. Kaden had meant everything to him. He was not only his brother, but his best friend as well. The strain of their broken family had severed their bond.
Their father had clearly favored Julian. His disdain for his elder son so obvious. Julian never understood why. Daughton would say that Kaden was a curse, a blight on the family, but Julian would defend him. Daughton promised him that, one day, he would see Kaden for what he was and he would remember his father’s warning. Julian regretted not heeding that advice. As they grew older, Kaden set out to destroy everything that mattered to him. Julian could forgive almost all of it, but he would never forgive Kaden for taking Helena away.
Helena may have manipulated both of them, but Julian had loved her. Kaden should have stayed away. Julian knew he wasn’t being totally fair to Kaden about Helena. She used her succubus powers to seduce Kaden, but Kaden had flirted with her a number of times, setting the game in motion. Kaden wanted to hurt him and that’s the part he couldn’t forgive.
Julian had been one of Kaden’s biggest supporters, yet his brother turned on him time and time again. Julian would forgive and would stand by him only to be hurt by Kaden once again. Their father was not right about much, as Julian learned recently, but he was right about Kaden. Had Julian listened years ago, he could have avoided so much pain.
Julian faced Kaden. For a moment he was tempted to give in, but he would not be his brother’s victim ever again. “We can’t be fixed. It’s too late. The best I can offer is toleration. I will put up with you for the sake of our mother, and for the sake of Reysa, but I can’t be your brother in any meaningful way.”
Kaden expected that response, but a little part of him hoped for a miracle. He could not blame Julian for the way he felt. Kaden knew he deserved it. You couldn't undo a century of causing pain with a few empty apologies, but Kaden refused to give up on them. Not only would he earn Reysa’s love, he would earn his brother’s as well.
“I understand Jules, but I’m not giving up on us. One day I will convince you of how sorry I am for the mess I’ve made of our relationship.”
“That’s just it, Kaden. I do believe you’re sorry. You’re always sorry, but as soon as I give in you’ll turn around and destroy me again.”
“I’ve changed, brother. I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“That’s a chance I just can’t take. Not again.” Julian walked out of the club leaving Kaden with Corinne. She had been very quiet during the exchange, which was unusual for her. Corinne didn’t know the meaning of quiet. She always had an opinion and was always willing to express it whether it was welcomed or not.
“Come on, Aunt Cori, I know you’re dying to say something.”
Corinne sat up flipping her golden hair to one side. “Well, I do have a few thoughts. Don’t get mad, but I saw something like this on Oprah.” Kaden turned to leave. “Just hear me out for a minute, please.”
Kaden reluctantly sat back down. “There comes a time when words are not enough. You need to show Julian that he can count on you. That you can be the big brother he still so
desperately wants but can’t admit to needing. He’s protecting himself as he should until you can show that he doesn’t need protection from you. This will take time. You have a lot to make up for, but you're worthy of forgiveness; you’re worthy of love. As soon as you believe it, others will open themselves up to you. At least you’re taking the right step with Jules. I’m proud of you for trying to undo the wrongs of the past.”
“Who the hell are you and where is my Aunt Cori?” Kaden laughed as he embraced her.
“Maybe I’m finally growing up too.”
“Just an hour ago you were belting out a Celine Dion song while standing on a railing wearing four inch heels at the Bellagio. You haven’t grown up that much.”
Corinne elbowed him in the ribs. “There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun once in a while.”
“True. Seriously though, what about you? How are you going to fix your relationship mess?”
“I have a little bit more growing up to do before I can fix my problems.”
Kaden hated to see that saddened look in Corinne’s eyes again. “If he can’t forgive you, then he doesn’t deserve you. As someone wise once told me, you need to forgive yourself first.”
Corinne nodded in agreement. “Who would have thought we could have such a deep conversation in the midst of human women shaking their plastic ginormous boobs in our faces. Well, I suggest we leave now otherwise, I’m going to work the pole. I’ve always been tempted. At least mine are real.”
Horrified, Kaden shouted, “Let’s go!” and sped out the club knocking over several tables and chairs. Corinne casually stood up taking one last look at that tempting pole. “Maybe another time.”
III
As soon as Reysa opened the front door of her home, she sensed him. Her body stirred, awaking from a two day slumber. Every ounce of her had missed him. Finally, she felt like she was coming back to life.
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