I clung to him as if I could make this moment last forever, knowing this time was evaporating by the second. That we soon had to return to the real world. Had to discuss plans of escape.
He panted, drooping against me, sweaty and burning hot. I ran my palms down his back, keeping him close. “I love you, Jameson,” I whispered into his skin as if I could brand the words there.
A little thump resounded within my tummy and Jameson lurched back. “Woah, was that him?”
I gasped, holding my belly.
“It could be a girl you know,” I teased, smiling as I felt the kick again.
“Maybe.” He grinned, dropping to his knees and pressing his ear to my stomach. “Sorry I woke you up, bro,” he whispered.
“Jameson!” I giggled. “Don't even say it.”
“What? I'm sure I'd be pissed if I was woken up by a massive-”
I slammed a hand to his mouth. “Don't you dare,” I laughed. “He is not aware of what just happened.”
“See, he is a boy.” Jameson stood, looking triumphant as he tugged up his fly. He picked up my clothes, helping me into them, planting little kisses on me as he did so.
I gazed at him, in awe of how much this man loved me. Of how much he'd been through. It pained my heart to think of it.
“What are we going to name him?” he asked, tugging on his shirt.
I shook my head. “I thought you were keen on Jameson Junior?”
His grin widened. “Sure am, but I reckon it'd get shortened to JJ. And I'm not having a kid who sounds like a pet dog.”
“Says the Werewolf,” I teased.
He rubbed his thumb over my cheek, his smile growing further. “Why don't you think of a name? Reckon you've earned it, baby.”
“Baby?” I furled a brow, mock-offended.
“Yes, my baby.” He placed a kiss on my forehead. “That a problem?”
“Only if I can call you snookums,” I jibed.
He barked a laugh. “Alright, I'll try and stick to Firefly.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Silas opened the door a crack, poking his head around it with his eyes closed. “Can I come in now? I've been standing in the corridor. And no, this door is not soundproof. And yes, I'm going to have nightmares forever.”
“Weird kinda nightmares, bro. Unless you're not into hot Werewolf sex.”
I punched Jameson's arm, but couldn't fight a grin.
Silas stepped into the room fully, shutting the door. “Thankfully for you, there's no one staying in the rooms around us. Otherwise I'd have had to walk in and shut you both up.”
“Well, if that had happened, I'd have slammed your head into a wall, so I guess it's your lucky day.” Jameson beamed, dropping an arm around my shoulders.
It felt so good to have him back. Despite our current situation, I was over the moon. Even Rockley Jones and his pen knife wouldn't be able to stamp out the fire in my soul after today.
Silas's gaze dropped to his possessions that Jameson had swept onto the floor. “You arsehole, that equipment is expensive.”
“Well it was either that or screw in your bed.” Jameson shrugged.
“There's another bed right there!” Silas pointed to the single bed, his left eye twitching.
“Yeah I just didn't really feel like using that bed,” Jameson taunted.
Clearly there was still a lot of tension between them. I'd hoped they might have put aside their differences considering our circumstances.
“Can we just move on please?” I folded my arms, not wanting to discuss mine and Jameson's sex life a moment longer. “We need to make a plan.”
Silas sighed, moving to collect his things from the floor. He went to put them back on the dresser then decided better of it and stowed them in his doctor's bag. Jameson was grinning and I pinched him to try and wipe the smug expression from his face.
“We have a plan,” Silas said. “We just have to wait for your friends to show up.”
“And what if they don't come?” I questioned. “What if they didn't get the message or- I don't know, they can't get in when they arrive.”
“Who's coming? Varick?” Jameson bounced up and down on his heels, his gaze bright.
“Hopefully,” I said with a smile. “Silas sent them a message.”
“Oh...thanks man,” Jameson said, dropping his bravado. “I mean, ya know, I'm not overly thrilled about the memory removal stuff, but I guess you pulled through in the end.”
Silas stood upright, smiling and I hoped they were finally making bridges.
“Must have been hard, pulling your head out of your own arse long enough to help someone else though,” Jameson said and I sighed, giving up on their relationship entirely.
Silas rolled his eyes. “Drop the shit, Jameson. You need to get ready for what's coming. You shouldn't let Ulvic know that you've got your memories back, not until we can figure out an angle here to work.”
Jameson's hands curled into fists. “Oh yeah, that prick. Guess I can play along for a while. So long as this plan results in me ripping his head from his shoulders and throwing it into a vat of hot tar.”
“That's so specific,” I said, eyeing him.
“What can I say? I'm creative.” Jameson smirked and I couldn't fight a laugh.
I started telling Jameson everything, from Rockley capturing me, to us pretending Silas had removed our child.
“You should go back to your room,” Silas said eventually, his eyes on Jameson. “Just lay low for a while until I can come to you again.”
Jameson eyed me longingly. “I don't want to leave.”
I reached out for him, looping my arms around his shoulders. I brushed the loose strands of hairs away from his temple, gazing into the pools of his eyes with a smile. “We'll be together again soon.”
He gripped my waist. “Forever.”
I nodded, emotion squeezing my heart. “Yes. Always.”
Silas eyed us with a sad frown on his face. “I'm going to do everything within my power to help you both. I promise.”
Jameson nodded, kissing me lightly before moving to Silas. He hesitated a second, then dragged him into a hug.
I watched with raised brows as Silas patted his back and Jameson released him. “See ya Silas.” He walked back to me, dipping me low and planting a world-spinning kiss on my lips.
I nuzzled into him, dragging him closer until nothing seemed to exist but us.
He pulled me upright and I walked him to the door, gripping his fingers. He lifted my hand to his mouth, pressing his warm lips to the back of it. “See you soon, baby.”
I shook my head at him. “See you soon, snookums.”
Jameson
I was back. Like the terminator. Only better. And more badass. I was primed to rip off Ulvic's head right then, if only I hadn't still been bound by his command. Arsehole had it coming though. One day soon, there was some serious head ripping to be had. And I was gonna relish every moment.
Nothing could shake the foundation of Cass and I's relationship anymore. We were a mountain. No scrap that, mountains could be eroded. We were energy. Pure, unwavering energy that surged through this world like a life force. Yep. Unbreakable. And that meant it was only a matter of time until our enemies fell at our feet and begged for us to spare their pathetic lives.
I was unable to communicate any of that as I arrived back at my room and Ulvic appeared from the lift at the end of the corridor. He was in a fancy suit I was sure didn't belong to him. A-hole much?
“Oh Jameson, there you are. I've been looking for you.” He seemed in a jovial mood, a little skip in his step.
“I went for a walk,” I lied.
He nodded. “Well, would you like to go for another one? Rockley's set up a party downstairs. The rest of the pack are already there.”
“A party?” I asked as if I was excited.
“I know how much you love a disco. I didn't want you to miss out.”
Who says disco? He was such a douche.
&n
bsp; I slapped a broad smile onto my face. “Sure, let's go.” Seeing as I was mega-satisfied from my recent encounter with Cass, it wasn't too hard to fake a good mood.
I headed after him into the glitzy lift and we took it down a few levels before stepping out into a huge casino. Everything was coloured red. As if red was the new black. Definitely wasn't. Had Rockley not heard of the rainbow?
There's other colours in the world, bro. I'll send you a Dulux paint swatch in the mail from my new life abroad. Far away from you and your sucky taste.
“Cool, huh?” Ulvic nudged me.
Why was he acting like an excitable kid today?
“Yeah,” I said vaguely.
I spotted Nadine and the other Werewolves around a table with Rockley Jones. Waiters were topping up their glasses with champagne. Admittedly, I fancied a drink.
“Good evening, friends,” Rockley said, rising to his feet. “How do you like my casino?”
“Oh it's delightful,” I said, a little too sarcastically for him not to notice.
A waiter handed me a glass of champagne and I knocked it back before gesturing for him to refill it. Ulvic dropped into a seat beside Rockley, looking a tad too comfortable for my liking.
Enjoy the power-trip, Hundy-pie. It ain't gonna last long.
Rockley clapped his hands. “Music,” he demanded and thumping electronica music filled the air.
Yay.
Doors opened in the wall behind us and several men and women exited, dressed in next to nothing. Two of the men were white-blonde with slim, muscular frames, their chests bare. Ulvic's type.
The women were just as scantily dressed, wearing nothing but lacy underwear.
“Dey are human,” Rockley muttered to Ulvic. “I had to give Silas a Siren. You should have seen his face, my friend. It was most amusing.”
Ulvic laughed, sipping his wine.
Oh lovely. Let's all have a good laugh about how Silas got molested.
Even though I wasn't massively keen on the guy, I wouldn't celebrate him being lured in by a Siren for the sake of Rockley's entertainment.
“Where is Silas?” Ulvic asked.
Rockley waved a hand. “Busy with the redhead. She had a procedure today to replace that baby of hers.”
No she didn't, sucker.
“What?” Nadine asked in alarm.
Rockley laughed. “Oh does everyone around here have to be so damn moral? It's so dull.”
Nadine glanced at me, reaching out and resting a hand on my arm.
One of the white-blonde men slid into Ulvic's lap and I watched with undisguised disgust as he began to stroke Ulvic's chin. That hair was no coincidence. I'd met Ignus in the past. Knew Ulvic had a relationship with him. That probably should have been my first clue toward his true nature. How could you love a psycho creep like Ignus Helsing?
Mekiah went rigid in his chair as one of the girls dropped into his lap. “Hey, big boy,” she purred.
He remained still, trying not to touch her as much as possible.
“Mekiah is pair-bonded with Reason,” Ulvic said.
“Oh let dem have a little fun,” Rockley said. “It's not every day I allow Werewolves to have free rein of my resort. Dey are privileged here because of you.”
Mekiah turned his head away as the girl tried to kiss him.
One of the girls made a move toward me and Nadine stood, planting herself in my lap before she could get there.
“Thanks,” I muttered.
“Anytime,” she said, moving her head to my ear. “Where did you sneak off to today?” she breathed against my neck.
I looped my arm around her waist, glancing at Rockley and Ulvic. They were chatting casually as the men and women flirted and moved in and out of their laps. Apparently Rockley swung both ways.
I turned my head toward Nadine, dropping my voice to a breath of a whisper. “Went to fetch my memories.”
Her eyes widened with hope and she planted a kiss on my cheek. “Thank god,” she sighed.
Reason was drinking copious amounts of alcohol, fending off the half naked guy who was trying to entice her into a dance. I gave her a look of pity and she rolled her eyes. My pack were strong as hell. This was child's play. Rockley could be doing a whole lot worse to us.
“Do you have a plan?” Nadine whispered, shifting closer to me still.
I pressed my lips together, nodding. I couldn't go into the details then, but hoped it gave her strength to know I had a plan. Nadine wanted out of this shit-astrophe as much as I did.
My ear was drawn to Rockley and Ulvic's conversation as they spoke openly in front of us about their future plans. “So I've deposited two million into your account. That should be enough to get you set up as the Lord of Hund manor. I've invited a group of Hunters here in a few days time to discuss our future business. I've started building resorts all over de world. With deir help, we'll be Gods amongst men by de time de Immortals are revealed to de general population.”
“Mr Jones, sir?” a guard stepped into the room. “You have some visitors. Shall I bring them through?”
Rockley shifted the blonde girl out of his lap, rising to his feet. “I'm not expecting visitors.”
The guard waited for him to make a decision.
“Alright, bring dem in. At gun point mind.”
“Yes, sir.” The guard scurrried away, returning a minute later with a lift of guests. I gazed past Nadine's head, my stomach swooping at the sight of the three people being escorted by the guard.
The arsehole Lynch, some dark-skinned dude I didn't recognise, and my little friend Mercy Helsing.
“Accolt,” Rockley blurted, seeming thrown. “Jesus Christ, you didn't tell me you were coming.”
“You always loved a surprise, Dad,” Accolt moved across the room and Rockley gave him a hug.
A mother-effing hug. The only thing I'd ever seen Rockley embrace was a Vampire whilst he buried a blade in its belly.
Mercy's eyes fell to me, widening. She looked a little thinner than the last time I'd seen her, but at least she was standing upright, her leg evidently healed. I moved Nadine out of my lap, standing and moving forward, catching myself at the last moment.
You're not supposed to know who she is dip-shit.
“Hey mutt, how's those fingers of yours?” Lynch approached.
Rage poured through me in waves, but I had to give him a blank stare instead of what I really wanted to give him - a broken neck. “I'm sorry, who are you?”
“Wow, ugly and stupid.” Lynch laughed.
Oh what the hell? I beamed then headbutted him in the face.
“Jameson!” Ulvic barked as Lynch stumbled back, cupping his nose.
“Holy shith! He bwoke my nose!” Lynch wailed, holding his face with both hands.
I backed up, shrugging. “No one calls me ugly. This face is a god-given gift.”
Rockley silently took a bottle of V blood from his pocket and handed it to Lynch, laughing and clapping me on the shoulder. “I do love dese wolves sometimes. Dey are so feral.”
Lynch downed the blood, glaring at me through narrowed eyes.
Mercy moved smoothly past him, throwing her arms around me. I pretended to be surprised, but gave her a little squeeze before pressing her back. I'd kinda grown found of Baby H. And I was sure glad she was alive.
“Thought you might be dead,” she said, gazing up at me with those sparkling blues of hers.
I shrugged. “Still here. Do we er, know each other?” I threw a cursory glance at Ulvic.
“What?” She frowned.
I was saved from answering as Lynch barrelled toward me, looking ready to fight me to the death.
I'm game if you are, buddy.
Rockley stepped between us, laughing like this was a lovely reunion between friends. “Ah Mercy Helsing. De blood traitor.”
“Leave her, Rockley,” Ulvic said, surprising me. “She's been through enough.”
“Dat so?” Rockley pressed his tongue into his cheek. “Alright
den, you're all welcome to my party.”
Shit, how much power did Ulvic have over Rockley?
“Come, come, sit.” Rockley gestured to all the chairs. “Colt, you can sit wid me.” He dropped into his chair, patting the one beside him. “I want you to tell me everything. I know you wouldn't come here unless it was absolutely necessary.”
“We want our money,” Lynch growled, dropping into a seat and grabbing a glass of champagne as a waiter offered it to him. “The homo owes us since his dad's gone and died.”
“Excuse me?” Rockley snarled, his eyes narrowing. “Say dat again.”
Lynch downed another glass of wine, glaring at Ulvic. “I said. That homo owes us our money.”
Rockley turned to me and I raised my brows. “Jameson, dat your name?”
“Uhuh,” I grunted.
“Well, Jameson, I see you have a little dislike for dis man here.”
I shrugged. “He called me ugly.” And made me break most of my fingers. And put out cigarettes on my chest. And frankly, his moustache alone is enough of a reason to hate him.
Rockley looked to his guards, beckoning one closer and whispering in his ear. In a flash the guard moved to Lynch, seizing him and dragging him to his feet.
“Woah what the f-” Lynch started but the guard smashed a fist into his face then hauled him across the room toward a large pit. He shoved him in and a crack sounded as he hit the bottom.
My heart danced in my chest.
Rockley turned to me again. “Fancy joining him in dat pit? We'd be mighty grateful for de entertainment.”
Nadine raised her brows at me, shaking her head, but I got to my feet, cracking my neck. “Oh, why not?” Ulvic didn't need to know my real intention here. He knew I could be volatile, even if he did think this was a little extreme for one insult.
“Off you go,” Rockley said and I marched toward the pit, rolling my shoulders to loosen my muscles.
I didn't much like Rockley's games, and I would never have seen myself taking part in one willingly. But I had a score to settle and I wasn't gonna pass up the opportunity.
I heard footsteps following me and as I turned, lowering myself into the pit, I spied Rockley and Ulvic moving closer to watch. Some of his guards drifted towards us too.
Wolf Games: Severed Fates (The Vampire Games Book 6) Page 14