by Unknown
“Then, I’m not going either.”
She stared at the woman. “Which part of ‘I’ll carry you there’ didn't you get?”
Mambo stood her ground, even staring down the two men but neither jumped in to save her.
Jolie’s two mates were stuck between a rock and a hard place. There was the sexy bedmate who made fantasies come true, or the old Voodoo priestess who could mess with them.
Yeah, this time it seemed safer to take their chances that Jolie wouldn’t hold a grudge.
“But he could be in danger here.” Mambo insisted, sitting down. “He comes or I don’t.”
Jolie stared at the woman, finally giving in. “Fine, but I do not want that…. creature, sliding around my home. If I catch him out of a cage, I will personally make myself a new pair of boots or a purse,” she threatened, walking to the door of the store. “Flynn, will you please escort Mambo to our home. I don’t want to be near Leroy. We’re never going to be friends.”
“Sure thing, Jolie.”
They headed outside.
“Mon amour, are you unwell?”
“No, Jacques. I’m just very angry that there are vampyres who would dare play with Voodoo to get their way. I am mad and nervous all at the same time.” She slid on her helmet before straddling her bike. “Let’s go home. I feel very off balanced out here.”
“Very well,” he answered, following his mate out of the French Quarter and toward their home.
On their way out, they never saw the danger lurking across the street from Mambo’s shop, standing in the shadows.
There was more than one vampyre wandering around, and this one had particular interest in the man they had left behind.
It didn't take Mambo long to get all her things ready. Brogan helped her load everything into her car before he waited for the priestess to follow him.
As he hopped on his bike, there was a twinge in his gut as that feeling rose up, grabbing his attention. Glancing across the street, he swore he saw a familiar face watching him.
It forced him to blink.
When he looked back over, no one was there.
Maybe it was the loss of blood or his imagination playing tricks on him.
Yeah, that had to be it.
Starting up his bike, he motioned to Mambo that they were heading out.
Brogan couldn’t wait to get home and out of the open. He wasn’t sure what was wrong, but that feeling wasn’t letting up.
His number one cop rule popped into his brain.
Always go with your gut.
It will save your damn life.
∞ ∞ ∞
After arriving at the house, they parked their bikes in the garage. Jolie was just pulling off her helmet and scanning the house when her mate roared up.
“I can’t tell if Chloe or Mina are here, and we all need to feed, especially Flynn.”
Jacques risked the drain and reached for one of their donors. Neither was available. “They’re still at the plantation. I believe only Devin is home, since his and Zola’s car is in the driveway.”
Jolie moved toward the stove to turn on a pot of water. “I’m so tired, Jacques.”
“You’ve had a long night,” he replied, pulling her against his body. “In fact, we all have.”
“You’re thinking about something, because I can feel your concern, Jacques. What’s going on in your head?” she asked.
“Well, tonight you held that vampyre alone, and while you’re strong, you’re not that strong.”
She understood what he was saying. “After you, Flynn, and I came together, I noticed I was able to draw on his energy too, not just yours. So, if I get what you’re saying, you’re concerned as to how my power is growing.”
“I worry about you,” he offered.
“Are you concerned for my wellbeing, or are you more concerned that I’ll go rogue and be unstoppable?” she asked, laughing.
He relaxed when she didn't seem offended.
Reading his mind, she continued, “I am not angry, Jacques. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Flynn’s human, so I can’t really be unstoppable.”
He dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “I just want you to be safe and happy.”
Jolie curled into his body, burying her face in his shoulder. The scent of mate was so comforting and warm, that she zoned out. It was the whistle of the teakettle which pulled her back to reality.
“I’ll get your tea, and then I’ll feed you,” he offered. Jacques could tell she was pretty drained. Had either fed entirely off Flynn, they’d be okay, but neither wanted to drain their mate dry.
“I think I’m getting some of Flynn’s characteristics,” Jolie said, resting her head on her folded arms.
He glanced over. “What?”
“I feel like I want to eat a sandwich, like the one he favors. You know, the one with all that bloody meat.”
He laughed, placing the cup in front of her on the table. “Well, then I better make him a sandwich, because he’s probably hungry,” he stated. “Hey, this may be handy after all. Now, if only when I’m talking to Flynn, he can tell me what jewelry you’re in the mood to wear, I can make my life easier.”
She snorted, sipping the hot brew.
“No?” he asked, pulling meat from the refrigerator.
Jolie shook her head. “Don’t count on it, my love. Don’t count on it.”
∞ ∞ ∞
Brogan and Mambo found them sitting like that at the table when they came in from the garage.
“Holy shit,” he said, spotting the beer and sandwich. “How’d you know?”
They laughed. “It’s a long story,” she said, standing from the table to bring it to her mate. “Welcome to our home, Mambo. I’ll take you to your room, and then you may feel free to explore or come make yourself some food.”
“Thank you, girl,” she said touching her forehead. “You’ll be fine,” she whispered, so only Jolie heard her.
Jolie blinked in acknowledgment before turning to lead Mambo to her room. The last thing she needed was the men in her life to be all freaked out when they discovered she was scared.
Something was coming, and she didn't know if she could keep them safe. For now, Jolie could only hope.
They all headed up the stairs and to the wing that Jolie, Jacques, and Brogan called their own. Jacques carried Mambo’s bag and the crate that Leroy called home.
“Girl, this house is spectacular.”
“Thank you. We’ve fallen in love with it.” Jolie stopped to push a door open. “Here are your quarters,” she offered.
Mambo walked into the vast space and looked around. “This isn’t a room, this is a suite. In fact, this is nicer than any hotel I’ve stayed in before.”
Jolie was glad she found it comforting.
“This room is beautiful. Thank you.”
“I have to go feed, so if you need anything let me know. Feel free to come and go as you wish, just don’t wander into rooms with closed doors during the day. The other members of my family meet death at sunrise, and you don’t want to surprise anyone who may still be awake.”
Mambo didn't mind those rules, especially since she was wary of the vampyres. “May I let Leroy out of his cage in here?”
“Absolutely, as long as he doesn’t turn up in the kitchen, family room, or anywhere that I am for that matter.”
“Good night, Jolie. Again, thank you.”
Closing the door, she headed to her quarters. Behind her, she had two tails watching her with twin looks of worry on their faces.
“I love this part of the day,” Brogan said, trying to lighten the mood. “Now, we get naked.”
She snorted. “Oui, I need to feed, but I’m just not in the mood to go dig up a family member.”
Jacques was willing to take one for the team. “I’m going to death soon, so I’ll get blood in the morning. You can use me, Jolie.”
“I can feed you again if Jacques can’t,” Brogan offered easily. “I don’t
mind. Mina will be home soon, and she can wake me up.”
Jolie smiled sweetly at them. She loved how willing they were to make her comfortable. She was truly blessed with both of the men in her life.
“Thank you, Flynn. I do believe that Jolie needs a hot bath, and then to rest. Do you want to join us?”
“No, I’ll wait here,” he stated.
“Very well.” With that, Jacques carried his mate into the bathroom and began stripping her out of the bloody clothing. Once she was naked, he joined her in the tub
“This feels nice,” Jolie admitted.
“Oui,” he replied, nuzzling her hair. “You need to feed.”
Jolie wouldn’t argue with that. Turning, she straddled his body in the water. When she found the spot that called to her, she sunk her fangs into his flesh.
He could tell she was exhausted.
Jolie was so tired and hungry that she didn’t even tease him, she just gulped. When Jolie finally pulled away, she felt much better, but she wanted to relax against his solid strength.
Jacques began washing Jolie with her scented soap. He rubbed it across her body as he enjoyed listening to her moan.
“Mmmmm...this feels so good,” she whispered, enjoying being taken care of by her love.
If he didn't know she was a vampyre, he would have sworn she nodded off in the tub. Her chest slowed, and her body went lax.
Yeah, someone was tired.
As he carried her into the bedroom, Flynn was waiting there with a towel. Gently, the men passed her off, so they could all get ready for bed.
“She looks beat.”
“Oui, and content,” he said, taking a towel and slowly drying her body.
“Jolie baby, are you okay?” Flynn asked.
She murmured something.
Jacques smiled as he pointed to his neck. “She’s much like a human after Thanksgiving dinner. She fed well.”
Brogan was amused by the visual as he tucked her into the bed. Immediately, she curled to her side, getting in her customary position.
They each took their usual spots, tucking their bodies protectively around hers. Jolie reached for their hands, twining all of their fingers together to keep them connected.
Jolie opened her eyes to gaze first at Flynn. “Thank you for your help tonight, my love.” She knew he killed a vampyre without thinking. Not too long ago, that would have bothered him. Her cop was honorable to the core and believed in protecting and serving, but now the family was coming first.
He lowered his mouth to hers, placing a kiss on her lips. “Night, baby.”
Jolie turned toward Jacques and mimicked the action. “As always, mon amour, thank you.”
He leaned down and kissed her softly.
“Rest, Jolie, and know that we’ll watch over you,” he promised, studying her face as she closed her eyes. She was his everything, and it had been a scary couple of days.
Jolie called to death, relinquishing control of her body. She could feel the cold claws dragging her into the depths, as she was ripped from consciousness.
Tonight, she was too weak to fight it.
Brogan tucked his gun beneath his side of the bed, just in case.
Jacques nestled closer to Jolie’s body and closed his eyes. “Flynn, I got the confirmation email. Louisa’s body will be here in the morning.”
“I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry.”
“We will be having a little memorial service for her tomorrow night. Can you take care of anything that I may have forgotten?”
“Sure thing, Jacques. I think that she needs to relax, because I’m concerned for her.” He pushed a hair from her cheek.
Jacques nodded in agreement. “I think we need to take a vacation from the states for a while. I think I’ll ask Jolie if she would like to go home.”
“Back to Paris?”
“Oui. As soon as this ordeal with Genevieve is taken care of, and we can escape.” He rubbed his cheek against hers. “Will you join us?” he asked, glancing up at the man in their bed.
Green serene met icy blue eyes in a questioning look.
“If Jolie wants me there, I’ll do anything to make that happen for her.”
Jacques didn't doubt that in the least.
“Thank you, my friend. It’ll mean a great deal to her. I must rest, so please be careful today, Flynn.” Jacques closed his eyes and called for the blackness. Death whipped through him, howling in pleasure as it claimed his depleted body.
Brogan waited for them to both to slip into the darkness, becoming hollow shells before he proceeded to do what he did best.
Stand guard over his family.
∞ Chapter Seventeen ∞
Sunday Mid-Morning
Brogan heard the door to their room open. With very little motion, he lowered his arm to his gun beneath the bed. Other than that slight motion, he remained perfectly still, biding his time. When he finally heard Chloe’s calm voice call to him, he relaxed.
“It’s only me, Detective,” she whispered, placing coffee for him on the table. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but you wanted to be up at this time for the delivery.”
Brogan pulled himself up in bed. “That’s fine. I was actually awake.”
She continued, “Jacques asked me to bring you something substantial to eat this morning. He said that you donated blood and needed to have something other than just coffee.”
“Yeah, well, what’s on the menu?”
“I made you waffles and soft boiled eggs.” She started for the door, giving the man the privacy he needed to pull on some clothes. “Mambo was wandering around this morning. Do you wish to have breakfast with her?”
“She can take hers here if she wants. I’m watching Jolie and Jacques until Louisa’s body arrives.”
“I’ll be more than happy to sit in here when you are occupied just call for me when you need me. I’ll go find Mambo and bring her in.”
“Thanks, Chloe. It won’t take me long to get dressed.” Brogan leaned over Jolie to gently leave kisses across her lips. That simple act had become his morning routine, and he didn't like to leave their bed without doing it.
Once free of her limbs and hair, he headed toward the closet to pull out some clothes that would be suitable for the day. It was going to be hot outside in the sun, and he wanted to be comfortable. Being awake at night had its advantages.
You at least were cool.
As he just pulled on his jeans, there was a knock to the bedroom door. “Come in,” he called, pulling on his t-shirt before taking his seat in their small breakfast nook.
Chloe walked in with a tray and Mambo following curiously right behind her. “Here you are, ma’am,” said Chloe, bowing her head and turning to leave.
“How do you not get jaded living like this?” she asked Brogan, sitting across from him at the small table as she took in the grandeur of the room.
“I wondered the same thing at one time.” He laid his napkin across his lap before cracking open his egg. “Now, I really don’t think much about it. This is just the norm.”
Mambo sat watching him. “Can I ask you something personal?”
“Yeah, go ahead, but I think I know what you want to know,” he answered, scooping out some egg with the delicate spoon.
“Do you sleep with them?”
“Yes, we share a bed.”
“No, I meant…”
“Do I have sex with them at the same time? Yes, we share Jolie.”
“Isn’t it hard knowing that they’re dead?” she asked honestly, glancing toward where they lay motionless.
Brogan put down his spoon and picked up his coffee mug. It was yet another vampyre one which Jolie had found to make him laugh. It said ‘coffee takes the bite out of mornings’. “Sometimes, I think about it but not often anymore.”
“Do they get cold?”
“Yes, but not like a dead body. Maybe it’s because I’m a homicide detective, and I’ve felt cold, dead flesh. They get cooler because they’re hea
rts aren’t beating, but they aren’t dead long enough to drop more than a few degrees. Would you like to feel them?” he asked, watching the woman cautiously. It was risky letting her near them, especially after seeing her whip around that powdery substance they didn't like.
She took a bite of fruit and chewed thoughtfully. “Would you mind if I did?”
“Not unless you tried to harm them. If you think you can get away with it, you won’t. I’ll have to kill you, and that’ll be sad since I happen to like you,” he added. Brogan didn't take his eyes off her as she approached the bed. He watched as she cautiously placed her hand on Jacques’s chest.
“They feel like corpses to me,” she offered.
He shrugged. “I guess it’s a personal thing. In my head, I know they’ll be waking soon, so I don’t relate it to them being dead anymore.”
“But they are, Detective. Even when they’re awake, they’re still dead. They have no soul.” She looked like she was trying to understand as she returned to the table.
“They share my soul, so they actually do have one.”
“Okay.” She sounded skeptical.
“Trust me. I understand your rationale, but once you get to know them, to truly love them, you understand it more clearly.”
“Maybe you’re being controlled by them?” she added.
Brogan took another bite of egg. “That’s a possibility, but I have to say, that if that’s the case, I’m fine with it. They’re my family and the only ones that I have. If I have my choice, I’ll stay and make a life here for as long as I’m alive.”
“They made you like them?”
“No, one day I tried to save them and was almost killed. They bonded me to them to save me. I wanted them to do it before, and they wouldn’t. My existence isn't their fault, but that of the animal who tried to kill Jolie and Jacques. Let’s place blame where it’s due.”
“So, they have a conscience?”
“A great deal more than a lot of humans I’ve met.” He cut into his fluffy waffles as her eyes never left him. It was apparent that she feared him too. “They’re good and kind,” Brogan added, as he chewed his food.