Blood: Under the Skin Book 1

by K. B. Ladnier

  Footsteps sounded, letting me know the doors were opened in the vehicle.

  “She awake, yet?” Hollis asked from Vex’s side. I felt his knuckles graze my cheek softly in affection.

  “Not yet. How’s the vamp wrangling going?” Asked Sloan.

  Hollis sighed. “It’s going. Some of them have woken up. We’ve had to chain a few because they were so deprived of blood during their captivity with Bellamy, they tried attacking us. There were a few though that were just out of it and managed to ask when they could go home.”

  “That’s to be expected,” replied Vex. “It’s a shame so many had to die unnecessarily.”

  Sloan snorted. “You don’t sound like you believe that.”

  “I like a good fight, what can I say? Betty hasn’t had real action in decades and needed to be set free.”

  “Seriously, why on earth do you love that thing so much? What made you decide to just pick it up and claim it as an object of your affection?” Hollis asked.

  I did my best not to shift as the question caught my attention. In all seriousness, I wanted to know the answer to this just as badly.

  Vex chuckled. “I found her the night I left Lucy. In the abandoned loft I left her in, there was Betty. She was under the stairs leading to the basement that I had put Lucy in. I never told her, but I went back there before leaving the city that night. I wanted to feel close to her one last time even if I couldn’t see her. My foot fell through on of the steps as I went to leave and when I pulled it out, a perfectly forgotten hammer rested under the broken step. I grabbed it and held on,” I could practically feel the smile in his voice as he reminisced. “I guess in a way, it was a connection to where I turned the first and only woman I ever loved. Betty became a possession to me that symbolized that. It’s why no one else can touch her other than Lucy. She’s just as much hers as she is mine.”

  I couldn’t do it anymore. The beautiful reason behind his strange obsession made me burst into tears.

  “You little shit! You’ve been awake this whole time!” Sloan guffawed at me.

  I sat up and tried to rub the bloody tears away, but I was just so in awe of Vex’s love for me that they just kept coming in wracking sobs. “I’m s-sorry! I was j-just so comfortable laying here and then t-that s-story!” I threw my arms around Vex’s neck and hugged him tightly to me.

  “That was a dirty trick, pet. But I’ll forgive you as long as you promise not to rub your snot on my shirt.” He joked, rubbing circles into my back.

  I pulled back and wiped my nose. “You have blood and ash covering you, yet my snot offends you somehow?”

  Vex gave me a sexy side grin. “I can handle some blood and ash, pet. But mucous I draw the line at.”

  I shoved his shoulder with a laugh.

  “Where are our hugs?” Sloan asked in offense. “We love you just as much you know.”

  I laughed and threw myself at him, laying an obnoxiously loud kiss on his lips. “You hush. I’ve got plenty to go around.”

  “Then you best bring some over here. I just got kicked in the shin by a teenage vamp that woke up from the BloodLust. I think that deserves a kiss to make me better.”

  I smiled and climbed over Vex’s lap to jump into Hollis’ arms, wrapping myself around him like a spider monkey. “That’s not exactly how it works, but I’ll make an exception for you any day Mr. Big Bad agent.”

  After giving him the hugs and kisses he deserved, Vex and Sloan joined our little group, all of them hugging me in between them.

  Bellamy was gone and the BloodLust vampires were set free.

  Vex and I got our revenge for what he’d taken from us.

  And I had my three men safely clustered around me, loving me more than I ever felt I deserved to be loved in ways I never thought I could be. Life was exactly what I always wanted it to be.

  It’d been two months since I killed Bellamy, and life pretty much returned to normal for the most part.

  Our stand against the vampires spread like wildfire, making me and my men a bit of celebrities. There were reporters flocking to my and Claudia’s doorstep nonstop for the first two weeks. Thankfully, Vex intervened after getting annoyed with the constant yammering of the people beneath the windows of the apartment. Unfortunately for them, Vex had slightly diabolical ways of dealing with people he deemed annoying.

  He apparently had smuggled a few flash bangs and gas bombs from the weapon room at the station. When he had enough, one day, he jumped from the coffin he bought for my place and grabbed one of each, dropping them into the big dumpster in the alleyway under one of the windows. When it went off, the people scattered like cockroaches, screaming that someone was trying to kill them.

  When I heard the bang go off, I startled awake and gave him a chastising look. His response was, “What? I didn’t do it.” Which was clearly, total bullshit, considering he was the only other one there. Subtlety was not Vex’s strong suit.

  Hollis wrapped up his case and was given a few rewards from the city for his service to it; Agent Bentley stood right next to him at the ceremony to receive the same ones. He was given a raise in his pay and decided to get a bigger place where all of us could live together. We’d all be moved in within a week. A fact Claudia was not too fond of when we all agreed it was best. Mine and Claudia’s apartment was just too small for three large males and us two.

  Speaking of Claudia, she was happy to learn that Abraham decided to live here in the city with her permanently. He didn’t trust us not to get into any more trouble and stated he’d be handling all business from here from now on, only leaving for large board meetings with the people who helped run his business in Las Vegas. Claudia was proud of me when she heard it was me who killed Bellamy. She doused me in a fray of glitter that night when we got home, saying it was the only way to celebrate.

  Sloan and I returned to work a few days after the siege.

  Ricky, Randi and Ethan were all glad to have us back, saying that the guy they hired in our stead was just fucking shit up. They were happy to finally fire him and get back all the clientele they were missing out on in our absence. After all, I was still the only tattoo artist in the city who could tattoo another vampire. If anything, our recent help saving some of the BloodLust vampires from Bellamy only brought me more clients. A few of which were actually some of the vampires taken.

  It took me a bit to convince Vex to let me tattoo him. He was very much against marring his quote on quote ‘beautiful, markless skin’. When he did though, it was only so he could get Betty’s image tattooed on his forearm. That way if he ever lost her, he’d still have a reminder of the night he changed me. It was actually kind of sweet.

  Being with three men, I’ve learned, was quite a task to keep up with. Especially because all my men had insatiable appetites and cornered me to undress me any chance they got. I was pretty convinced that Claudia no longer felt so betrayed by the idea of my moving in with them, when almost every time she had come home after the night of the siege, I was pinned naked against or on some form of wall or furniture. She started knocking on our own door after that.

  I couldn’t help it, though. The Lucy Love Nest concept had grown on me and I was not about to lose another second of being with my men.

  Today, Vex, Sloan and I were in the process of moving a bed into the new apartment. Since they didn’t make coffins big enough for all four of us to fit in, we decided on forgoing it entirely. Instead, the room was permanently sealed light-tight and a bed was the agreement. It was the last piece of furniture to move in.

  “Hey, babe?” I heard Hollis say as he came in the front door from work, sliding off his vest and setting it on the floor.

  “Hey handsome. How was work?” I asked, giving him a quick kiss hello as I unpacked some boxes of my things.

  He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Another day, another case. We’re hearing word of a possible vampire run, sex trafficking ring going on. Gossip among the informants is, humans are disappearing and some o
f the vampires we go to for tips have seen a few of them reappear on street corners in the industrial areas. They look drugged and have bite marks all over them.”

  My mouth gaped open. “That’s awful! Do you have any idea who’s behind it?” I asked, stopping what I was doing to give him my full attention.

  “Right now, it’s all hearsay. Yeah, there have been some disappearances, but who’s to say the rumors are true? Diego is working on it right now. Says he can probably find someone who can connect the two. If he does, it’ll be our next case.”

  “Well, for those human’s sake, I hope it’s not. Claudia was involved with something like that when she was human. That’s how she came to be turned by Abraham. If you find anything, let me know and I’ll see if she can help you out.”

  He smiled and kissed me hard and deep. “You’re amazing, you know that? I love you.”

  “I love you too,” I replied with a wide grin, reveling in hearing all my guys saying that at least five times a day to me.

  “We could so use some of that love back here!” Sloan shouted from the bedroom he and Vex had been setting the bed up in. “The bed is all finished and empty!”

  “But we are in the bed, how is it empty?” I heard Vex ask Sloan in confusion.

  “Oh my god! I meant empty of her! It needs a damn female in it or it’s just weird!” Sloan argued back.

  Hollis and I looked back and forth between the room and each other, both of us holding back the laughter that threatened to explode from us. Those two were always going at it like children fighting over a toy.

  “Betty is here, too. That’d be two females if she joins us.”

  “Betty is a tool! Not a her! Damn it! Lucy, tell Vex that Betty can’t come to bed!” Sloan groaned in aggravation.

  Here we go again…

  I looked at Hollis with a raised brow. He gave me an impish grin in return.

  “So, you going to come willingly or will I have to force you? Because I’m not going in there without you.”

  Oh yeah, life was definitely good for me now.

  The End…For now

  Author’s Note

  This is the end of Lucy’s story, but don’t worry! She will be making an appearance in the second set of serials for Book 2 in the Under the Skin Series, where everyone will learn more about the glittery, sultry vampire Claudia.

  For my information on KB’s books, follow her on Facebook!

  Facebook.com/kbladnier

  Alternate POV

  Hollis

  (This is just an extra that didn’t make it into the book itself. It is not edited.)

  I finally had a lead.

  It’s insane that all it took was a picture of a damn tattoo to send us in the right direction locating Viper. He had remained elusive far too long. My heart hammered in my chest with elation as I pulled my car up to a stop in front of the only tattoo shop where vampires could be tattooed. The name of the artist was a Lucy Bryant. Apparently, she too was a vampire and has been the only one to discover the secret formula to make these tattoos stay.

  As I approached the glass door, I was able to get a quick look of the occupants before entering.

  As soon as I saw her sitting at her station, I swear my heart stopped.

  I’ve traveled many places in this world and seen many women of unimaginable beauty. But the vampire that sat there was the most breathtaking of them all.

  Her golden-blonde hair was styled in soft dreadlocks that was put up into a pony-tail. Her pale skin that most vampires had was like porcelain; smooth and glowing to perfection and riddled with intricate tattoos that only added to her appeal. She had the most amazing heart shaped lips and long thick eyelashes that complimented the red of her eyes. Her black skinny jeans were ripped at the knees, and even in the loose, fitted white t-shirt, I could tell she had an amazing body.

  I squared my shoulders and went in, hoping I could remain as professional as possible, even with my pulse racing like never before.

  She looked up as I stepped in, her face falling from the wistful smile that was there, to a look I wasn’t used to receiving in my line of work; curiosity.

  She didn’t look scared, but intrigued by my arrival.

  Her and a man I hadn’t noticed, approached the counter as I did. The man I could tell was werewolf and obviously very protective of her by the way he moved himself in front of her. He also looked irritated rather than fearful of my presence.

  “We have done nothing wrong.” The wolf growled. He was trying to intimidate me.

  Let him try.

  I didn’t acknowledge him and simply stayed focused on the enticing beauty that was trying to push herself around him. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she wanted to come closer to me.

  “My business is strictly for Miss Bryant and it is in peace.” I replied calmly.

  One of her delicate brows raised up at me before she glared at the wolf then nodded that she was fine.

  “What do you want and how do you know my name?” She asked me with an air of suspicion.

  I held back a smile.

  She was a fiery girl. Her voice was sensual, yet I don’t think even she realized how sexy she sounded. Damn it, why’d she have to be this fucking attractive.

  I introduced myself to her and let her know I was here to ask her some questions pertaining to my case.

  “Alright,” she responded. “I guess I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”

  I shook my head. “No, you don’t. It would be considered obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting a wanted supernatural. It’s best you just comply.”

  She seemed irritated by my response, which only made me want to get to know her that much more. I liked her spirit and her fire. She was strong, not just physically, but in all manners. She didn’t show fear easily. I admired her.

  I showed her the folded picture of Viper’s tattoo and explained what I needed to know.

  She was pretty forthcoming and explained she’d only seen him the one time, but that it was definitely Viper.

  I asked her for his paperwork, which the werewolf decided to get for me. He gave me one last side look before turning to go to the back.

  I took out my notebook and asked for a description.

  “How do you not know what he looks like if you have a picture of the tattoo?” She bit out.

  I was immediately turned on. No one ever talked to me the way she just did and it took everything in me not to jump over the counter and ravish this woman.

  I kept my tone as bland and unexcited as possible as I explained why we had no description for him.

  The werewolf came back out then, brandishing the paperwork i’d been waiting for. I scanned it and read the address and phone number off, mentally saving the information for later before handing it back to him.

  “And the description?” I asked her, yet again ignoring the wolf. She listed off what she remembered and I jotted it down. “That should be all,” I said, placing my notebook back where I had it. “Is there a way I can get in touch with you in case I have further questions?”

  Or wanted to ask you out sometime, I added in my head.

  I knew i’d be able to reach her through the shop’s phone. but I honestly just wanted hers. Seemed like a good enough excuse to get it. She went to her station and grabbed a business card, coming back and handing it to me.

  I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to graze her finger with mine as I grabbed it, tucking it into my vest for safe keeping.

  “Thank you for your cooperation,” I said politely, bowing my head and getting out of there as quickly as I could.

  I could still feel her eyes follow me as I walked out and rounded the corner to my car.

  The moment I was sat inside, I took a few deep breaths in and out and squeezed my hands on the steering wheel to the point I might break it.

  I knew the second I had touched her, even that tiniest bit, there was no way I could stop myself from finding an excuse to see her again. Never in all my year
s of life have I ever wanted someone so much after having only spent mere moments with them.

  What the fuck was wrong with me?

  Other Books by the Author

  Make Me a Wish: The Conduit Trilogy Book 1 (co-author)

  The More the Merrier: A Naughty Nights Novella (releasing November 2017)

  Polarity of Us: A Northern Lights Novella (releasing December 2017)

  Acknowledgments

  I want to thank quite a few people for helping me make this book happen. First and foremost, my best friends and fellow authors; Anita Maxwell, NR Spratlin, S. Bruner and NK Stackhouse. You four have truly been amazing through this whole process and I’m so lucky to have you supporting me every day. Lucy came to life because ya’ll didn’t let me give up and continually pushed me to keep going.

  I love you guys beyond words.

  To my editor Rachael Kuntz of Muddy Waters Editing, you are a damn lifesaver! Your skills are unparalleled.

  To my cover designer Stacy Ane, words cannot express how beautiful you made the cover for this book and all the serials that made it up. Your talent and ability to be one of the kindest people I have ever met, made this a thrilling experience. You brought beauty to my book and I’m forever grateful.

  About the Author

  K.B. Ladnier is from a small city in Southern Mississippi. She has one daughter and three cats who she claims are stealing her soul in only tiny doses so she won't notice. She is a cyborg and spends most of her time hiding from her tiny human so she doesn't have to share her snacks as she reads her favorite books. She hates the beach, yet lives only ten minutes away from it and daydreams of mountains and snow. She is married to a hot nerd and loves him dearly even though he hordes cookies and occasionally hides her prosthetic leg from her so he can get a quick escape when she’s mad. She plans to write as long as people continue loving what she does, otherwise she's going to say screw it and do her second dream of owning a coffee shop. Though, she may still do both.