Crimson Rush A Vampire Romance (Crimson Book 1)

by Lorraine Kennedy

  Daya usually had some inside information when it came to the supernatural. That was on account of her granny being Cherokee. Indian people tended to be a little more open to things like that than other folks.

  Too bad Daya was out of town. A little inside information would have been great about right now.

  After double-checking the locks on all the windows and doors, I climbed the stairs to the second floor. I still had the same room I’d had when my mom and dad were alive. It suited me fine, so I didn’t feel the need to take the master bedroom, although it was bigger.

  Everything in the house was exactly the same as it was the day my parents were kill in a car accident on the old highway between Cookson Springs and Stilwell.

  I’d kept the house the same, partly because I couldn’t bear parting with so many memories, and partly because I’d been so busy trying to put my life back together. Though I kept telling myself I’d get to it next week, or maybe next month, I sometimes thought I’d never have the strength to do it.

  Thinking of Mom and Dad brought on the familiar pang of sadness and intense loss that had taken over my life since the accident. I quickly pushed it away. The last thing I needed tonight was to get depressed.

  After a hot shower, and brushing my teeth until they gleamed, I was finally relaxed enough to crawl into bed. But before I did, I made sure to turn off my alarm. There wouldn’t be any need to get up and go to work in the morning. My job at Westland’s was history. I’d have to call and tell personnel I was quitting, but I didn’t have to get up at four in the morning to do that. It wasn’t long before I fell into a troubled sleep - haunted by ghastly scenes of blood and death.

  * * *

  The gentle rocking of the porch swing didn’t do a lot to ease my anxiety. My apprehension continued to grow as I watched the sun disappear from the western sky. Other than the roses, I’d heard nothing from Luke or Charlie.

  Though I’d originally planned to wait until they returned to make my next move, I was getting impatient. The longer I waited, the bigger the risk more people would die. Besides, I figured my best chance of finding a way to help Max was at Club Crimson.

  When the last rays of sun faded from the sky, I got to my feet and smoothed the wrinkles from my jeans, and white lacy blouse. I had no clue if Club Crimson would even hire someone who wasn’t a vampire, but I was about to find out.

  The club didn’t open its doors until eight in the evening, but I’d seen cars in the parking lot at least an hour or two before that. Hopefully, someone would be there, preferably someone who wasn’t a vampire.

  It was only a few miles from my house to Cookson Springs. The club was located on the outskirts of town, in an old warehouse that had once been used to store and sell farm equipment.

  When I pulled into the large parking lot, there was only one other car, a black Camaro.

  The exterior lights were on, but it wasn’t yet dark enough to see them well. The outside of Club Crimson wasn’t all that impressive. In fact, it was kind of shabby, but the fresh coat of paint they’d thrown on helped.

  Instead of the ugly tan color it used to be when it was an warehouse, it now had a fresh coat of white pain with red trim. There were a few windows, but they had also been painted.

  I wondered where the vampires went during the day. It was a possibility they stayed at the club, but it wasn’t all that big. If there were a lot of vampires hanging around Cookson Springs, I had my doubts they all lived at Club Crimson. It was difficult to imagine having a vampire as a next-door neighbor. I was gradually beginning to realize that scenario was a real possibility for anyone living in Cookson Springs, or any city for that matter.

  I hadn’t decided how I was going to explain my sudden interest in working at the club. If Marcus remembered me, I was sure I would have to have some kind of explanation.

  There was always the option of telling the truth, at least in part. I didn’t want to go back to work at Westland’s.

  Getting out of the car, I took a deep breath and started toward the entrance. If I didn’t get this done with, I would lose my nerve.

  It took three rounds of knocking before the door finally opened.

  When I first saw him, I thought for sure I’d come face to face with one of the vampires. Then I remembered he was the same guy who had announced Night Reign on stage.

  At least he wasn’t a vamp.

  There were really only a couple of indicators that pointed to him not being a vampire. The remaining sunlight that fell across his face was one. Not only didn’t he burst into flames, he didn’t even wince. The other sign that he wasn’t a vampire was the turtleneck he was wearing in eighty-degree weather. There was only one reason to wear a turtleneck in warm weather, and it wasn’t something I cared to think about right then and there.

  “We’re closed,” he said tersely.

  “Oh I know you’re closed. Actually, someone told me that since this place was new … y’all might be in need of some help, and I’m really really in need of a job.”

  He shook his head. “No. We’re not hiring.”

  I’d only been there a couple of minutes, and it already wasn’t going so well.

  He started to shut the door, so I had to think fast.

  “I’m great at waiting tables and washing dishes. I even do laundry,” I said, flinching inwardly. With all the lies I’d had to tell lately, I was near ready to wash my own mouth out with soap. I guessed Mom was probably turning over in her grave about now. Not that all of it was a lie, just the waitress part, but I could fake it. At least I hoped I could.

  Leaning further out the door, he whispered. “You need to scram. Take my word for it … you don’t want to work here.”

  “Aaron … who are you talking to?” The smooth female voice floated out from behind the door. The owner of that voice had a very pronounced southern accent, which meant she was from much further south than Cookson Springs.

  Aaron twisted around so that he was facing whoever was standing behind him. “It’s just someone looking for a job. I told her we aren’t hiring.”

  “Why ever did you do that? Bring her in.”

  Turning back to face me, he gave me a now you’ve done it look, before stepping aside so I could enter.

  Keeping with the Goth theme of the club, the woman was wearing a tight black skirt and a low cut blouse, along with matching knee high leather boots. Her dark hair fell in ringlets to the middle of her back. She had the prettiest eyes I’d ever seen. They were dark blue, with just a hint of violet.

  What would it be like to be so perfect?

  The woman smiled, revealing stunning white teeth. “So you’re interested in working here?”

  “Yes. I figured with y’all only being open a couple of months … maybe you would still be needing some help.”

  The woman raised one of her perfectly shaped brows. “Have you ever worked at a night club?”

  “No, but I’m willing to learn.”

  “Miss Lavelle. What an unexpected surprise.”

  I nearly jumped clean out of my skin when I heard Marcus’s voice. I was even more startled to see that he was standing right next to me. I was positive he hadn’t been there a second before.

  Although I’d spent hours thinking about what I’d say to Savoy, if by some chance I had another run in with him, at the moment it felt as if my tongue was glued to the roof of my mouth. Even if I could have remembered what I’d planned to say, I was completely incapable of speech.

  To my immense relief, the woman didn’t give me a chance to respond.

  “I didn’t realize the two of you were already acquainted. Miss Lavelle came here to ask about a job,” she said, directing her words to Marcus.

  His gaze fell on me. “Don’t tell me that Thorne was stupid enough to put you up to this?”

  The laughter I saw in his eyes made me want to crawl into a hole. This was a stupid plan. There was no way we were going to fool Marcus Savoy.

  I shook my head. “He has nothing to
do with this. Actually, he’s gone right now.”

  There was a faint twinkle in the depths of his blue eyes. “Is he? If that’s true … then you are not nearly as smart as I thought you were,” he told me.

  “Someone was killed at Westland’s yesterday. I don’t feel comfortable working there anymore. It doesn’t seem safe,” I rushed to explain.

  So far, everything I’d said was true. I didn’t feel comfortable or safe working at Westland’s now.

  Marcus laughed out loud. “And you think you are safer here? I almost feel insulted you would believe I’m that stupid.”

  Now I was in a fix. I had a vampire on both sides of me, and they were completely aware I was up to something.

  “Sorry,” I muttered. “This was a bad idea. I’ll just go look for work somewhere else.”

  I swung around to leave, but then he was in front of me, blocking my way.

  Damn was he quick!

  “Not so fast. Why don’t you come in the back and we’ll talk about this?” He motioned in the direction of the room where I’d had my last encounter with him.

  Since I’d already gotten over the idea of going undercover at Club Crimson, I was not thrilled with the prospect of spending more time with Marcus.

  I shook my head. “That’s okay. I’ll just be on my way.”

  “I’m sorry if you misunderstood me, but it wasn’t a request.” He smiled, but without humor.

  As I stared into his eyes, I felt a cold knot of fear form in my stomach. He could sense my fear. I was sure of it. Luke had told me vampires could sense fear.

  If I had any hope of making it out of Club Crimson alive, I knew I’d better mask that fear.

  “Okay,” I said with a slight nod of my head.

  “Shall we then?”

  I followed him into the room, flinching a little when he reached behind me to close the door.

  “Now you can tell me the real reason you are here. What are you up to?”

  Like many members of the male gender, my father had been an avid football fan. He’d always told me that the best defense is a good offense. Taking that advice to heart, I put my hands on my hips and glared at Mr. Rock Star Vampire, Marcus Savoy.

  “I told you why I was here. I came here to ask about a job … because of what happened at my work yesterday morning.”

  He took slow - purposeful steps toward me, until he had me backed against the door. “And what makes you think you would be any safer working here? How do you know I wasn’t the one who did the killing?”

  He was too close. When I was this near him, it was like my brain shut right off. All I could think about was getting closer. There was no way I was going to accomplish anything, if I became faint whenever he was anywhere near me.

  I drew on my determination not to let him intimidate me, or seduce me. “I know it wasn’t you. It wasn’t even a vampire.”

  He backed away, giving me a little breathing room.

  “How do you know this?” he asked.

  “Because I saw the thing that killed Johnny. It wasn’t a vampire, at least I don’t think it was.”

  “Really? What do you think it was?” It was evident that I’d piqued his curiosity.

  “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “It was my friend Jaycee … but it wasn’t her. It was like she was a zombie or something,

  His eyes grew openly amused. “A zombie?”

  “Well I don’t know if she was really a zombie, but she looked like one … and she was eating his stomach,” I explained.

  “That is interesting,” he muttered, but I got the feeling he was talking more to himself than to me.

  “Can I go now?”

  “Why would you want to do that? I thought you were here to get a job?” he asked, in a casual - almost teasing way.

  “Yeah but …”

  “You’re hired,” he said, cutting off my words. “I don’t need another waitress, but I could use someone who can take care of things for me during the day.”

  Now that the opportunity was right there in front of me, I was fairly sure I no longer wanted it. It had been a foolish idea. Working for Marcus Savoy was just plain crazy.

  “Well do you still want the job or not?” he asked.

  I swallowed hard, trying to find a way to tell him that I’d changed my mind, but he didn’t give me the chance.

  “You can start by seeing what you can find out about your missing friend … and don’t forget to leave your address and phone number with Grace on your way out.”

  Well that seemed harmless enough, and I’d planned to look into it anyway. “Okay,” I said before turning to the door.

  Stopping, I looked back at him. “Can I ask you a question?”

  He didn’t say anything, so I continued. “Why haven’t you killed me? I mean … since I know you’re a vampire.”

  A hint of a smile touched his mouth. “I think you should be asking yourself why you are risking your life to be here … of your own free will?”

  I left without giving him an answer. I didn’t have an answer that wouldn’t give away my true motive.

  But was helping Charlie my only motive, or did I harbor some strange fascination for these creatures of the night? Even I wasn’t completely sure of my motive.

  * * *

  I was surprised to see Luke sitting on my front steps when I drove up. Before I had a chance to get out, he was already standing next to the car and opening the door for me.

  Again I was amazed by how swiftly they could move. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to it.

  “Where have you been?” he inquired. “I was starting to get a bit worried.”

  “I was at Club Crimson. Where’s Charlie?” I asked when it dawned on me that Luke was alone.

  “He got busy, so it’s just me.”

  “Oh, thanks for the flowers,” I told him.

  “You’re welcome, darling.”

  I unlocked the door and stepped inside, expecting Luke to follow, but when I turned back I saw that he was still standing in the doorway.

  “I didn’t think vampires needed an invitation each time they came.”

  His eyes flashed with good humor. “They don’t … but it’s only right and proper that I wait to be invited.”

  I could feel a smile creeping up on me. Luke’s gentlemanly manner was a major contrast to how I pictured a vampire.

  “I understand if you don’t feel comfortable being alone with me,” he said, and started to turn away.

  “Of course you can come in … just no biting!”

  He chuckled. “No worries. I’ve already had my meal for the night.”

  If that was supposed to reassure me, it didn’t work so well. I found the image of Luke sinking his fangs into someone’s neck a little unsettling.

  “So what were you up to at Club Crimson?” he asked.

  “Getting a job there … like we talked about.”

  He seemed surprised. “Really? And how did that work out?”

  “He gave me a job.”

  His left brow shot up. “That was easy … too easy.”

  “It was because of the murder at my work yesterday. I think he was interested in that,” I explained.

  “Yes, I heard about that.”

  “What I reckon you didn’t hear was that Jaycee didn’t really go missing. She was the one who killed Johnny. She was crazed out of her head … kind of like a zombie.”

  Luke grew silent, and almost seemed to be brooding. “That’s interesting.”

  “That’s what Marcus said.”

  “So you are on a first name basis with him now?” he asked, his mouth twisting wryly.

  “It’s not like that,” I said, purposely putting a frown on my face.

  “You’ll want to be careful Star. He’ll chew you up and spit you out, and that’s if you’re lucky enough he lets you live through it. I’ve seen him toss aside queens,” he warned.

  The warning was completely unnecessary. I wasn’t planning on getting that close to him, but th
ere was something I did want to know.

  “Can vampires really have sex?”

  Luke burst out laughing. “Sure we can. What a drab existence it would be if feeding was our only physical experience, though we do feed from our lovers most of the time. For us … feeding is like an aphrodisiac to the ultimate joining.”

  Strangely enough, I found the thought of sex with a vampire erotic, but no way was I willing to entertain the thought for too long, so I changed the subject.

  “Have you ever killed anyone by accident?” I asked.

  Charlie had already told me that Luke was skilled at feeding without killing his prey, and that most of the time he fed from blood bags. I still couldn’t help but wonder.

  Luke’s eyes grew distant and he turned away. “Time to talk about something else.”

  “Would you like something to drink … a beer or a cup of coffee?” I added quickly. I didn’t want there to be any kind of a misunderstanding.

  Luke shook his head. “But if you don’t mind?” he asked, motioning toward the couch.

  “Of course,” I nodded.

  I took the chair opposite the couch. “You said you’d tell me more about vampires.”

  “What would you like to know?”

  “If you’re dead, how can you eat or drink anything … even blood? How can you digest it?”

  Out of all the things I could have asked about vampires, asking about this seemed a little dumb, but it was the one detail about the vampire myths that had always puzzled me.

  “There are only a few differences between humans and vampires. Yeah I admit … they are whoppers, but still.”

  “Okay … tell me about them.”

  “Like there is some sort of mystical power that gives human’s life … there is a similar power that allows the vampire to cheat death. When we are made into vampires, we are reanimated with the same soul and body functions as we had when we were human … well almost. We do need to feed to stay alive, and we must always remain in darkness. That’s our curse.”

  I shook my head. “It can’t be the same power that gives humans life. It’s too evil.”