The Executive's Red, #1

by Leeanna White

  I tussle away from Adrien, but he holds me back. “Elizabeth, please let me deal with this. He’s had way too much to drink,” he appeals.

  “He won’t listen to you,” I argue. “I can talk him round.”

  “No.” He squashes my fingers firmly in his. He really doesn’t want me to go over there. “I’ll get someone else he’ll listen to.”

  He calls over to Sara, who’s been sitting at the bar alone for the last hour. She shakes her head, making her way across to the bar brawl, and I see that Adrien was right. One touch, one look, and Nathan is like putty in her hands. She links up to his arm and guides him through the doors.

  Adrien drops down into the seat, clenching his jaw. I remain still, cautiously watching the annoyance unravel on his face. Nathan is, and will always be my best-friend. Yes, he’s been an asshole about Adrien and me. But still, I can’t avoid him forever. I’m going to have to clear this up, and soon before things get way out of hand.

  “Why wouldn’t you let me go to him?”

  He smirks. “You can’t see it. Shit Elizabeth, he’s a mess. Every time you go near him, you’re throwing fuel onto the fire.”

  “So what you’re saying is, it would be better if I stay away from him altogether.”

  “He’s an immature control freak,” he says in a scornful tone. “Tell me this. It was okay for him to live and love as he chooses when you were single?” he questions, seriously. “He only wants you because he can’t stand seeing you with someone else.” His irritation grows in each word. “Listen, he will fuck Sara tonight and regret it because of you. But he will do it over and over again. He wants the best of both worlds. If he truly loves you, he wouldn’t be so casual with his dick,” he snaps.

  My nostrils flare out a breath. I pick up my drink as my body shrinks back into the seat. He is right, and it’s eating me up. All those years thinking Nathan is a true friend, when he’s been harbouring a controlling desire. I feel like Adrien has just shot down my entire relationship with Nathan in a few words, and I’ve lost a friend.

  “I’m sorry, Elizabeth.” He weaves his fingers through mine. “I can only say what I see. And each time I see you together, it turns sour.”

  “I know that I’m going to have to set him straight. But to cut all ties? Maybe he’ll come round. You know, he’s really a nice guy once you get to know him.” I bite the inside of my cheek, timidly.

  He doesn’t agree, disagree, or make a noise. Fact is, he seems discouraged by my need to defend Nathan.

  I rotate to face him, wanting the heavy air between us to clear. As I ogle his eyes I draw in my lip, then place my mouth on his for a soft kiss. I pull away, still tasting him, and his eyes tame and forget Nathan exists.

  “Thanks for tonight, but I can think of something else I’d rather be doing,” I say as his hand grasps and massagers my thigh under the table.

  He has absolutely no reservations. He shoots up to his feet immediately, and leads me through the busy room.

  Chapter 28

  Elizabeth

  I’ve been back at university for three weeks. The winter blues have affected everyone’s mood, bar mine of course. The snow that most crave to see on Christmas day has been falling for a week none stop, and the city like always has gone into panic mode. But all the upheaval hasn’t bothered me at all. I have managed to get to uni every day, ploughed through the snow on foot to get to work, and I’ve seen Adrien most nights, and I’ve really got to know him. It’s been a dream, and who’d have thought it, me dating a vampire. A freakish coupling most would conclude. But I don’t think of him in that way. To me, he’s simply Adrien Knight.

  Cate on the other hand, is having a horrendous time. Last night she received a phone call from her mum. Her dad has been admitted into Richmond Royal Infirmary after suffering a massive heart-attack. I had to call in work for her because she was too distraught to do it herself, unable to form words through her sobbing. I have kept my glee under control, and I’ve been a shoulder for her to cry on. She’s been given a few week’s compassionate leave, and is packing right now to go home to be with her mum.

  I stir a sugar into her coffee as she emerges from her bedroom, holding her purple leopard print suitcase. She’s exhausted and in a constant weepy state. Her face remains make-up free, and her hair is dry, frizzy, and tied back.

  “Cate, drink this.” I hand her the large green mug. “I can drive if you’re not feeling up to it.” Her pupils lower as she takes a sip of coffee.

  “I’ll be fine Liz. You have work to get to, and life goes on.” She places the cup on the surface and checks her phone. “Nathan has offered to take me,” she admits, like she didn’t want to say.

  Well, that was a slap in the face. I’ve not seen Nathan since he kicked-off at The Mill. I would have drove her, and don’t know why she didn’t ask me. Am I being given the brush-off because of my relationship with Adrien? Walking around in a world of my own, has obviously put distance between us all.

  “Okay.” I sigh in disappointment.

  I can’t bring it up now can I? That would be selfish of me. She has enough on her plate, without me wanting reassurance that we’re all okay.

  “You will call me won’t you, let me know you got there safely.” I grab my bag and pull my cream woolly hat over my ears. “Cate.” I notice her bloodshot eyes brimming with tears. “He will pull through, and you have to be strong.” I choke up, trying not to cry in front of her.

  I walk around the worktop and pull her close for a hug. She sniffs on my coat and pulls away, wiping her eyes. She’s always been as tough as old nails, so seeing her this way is disconcerting.

  “I’ll be fine,” she says weakly.

  I ruefully rub her arm. I don’t want to leave her, but I can’t face seeing Nathan again. I’m such a cow, thinking of myself. I should stay regardless of my fear of a stuffy encounter. But I don’t, I’m out in the hallway before I know it, marching to the stairwell, cursing under my breath.

  IT’S NEARLY 11P.M., and I’ve just secured and set the alarm at Aroma.

  I make it to the lamppost at the end of the street when suddenly a cascade of dirty ice water attacks my boots. I turn to the road growling, to see that a black Volvo four-by-four has stopped beside me. The back door swings open and I see the one vampire I didn’t really care to see again, wiggling her fingers for me to get inside with her.

  “Maria?” I stoop over and frown at the driver then her. “What are you...”

  She cuts in and urgently says, “Miss Lovell, please get in the car. Now.”

  “Why?”

  “Miss Lovell, I really do not have the time to put a silly little girl at ease. You are not in danger... yet. So get in the goddamn car.” Her eyes whirl at me as she shifts across the black leather, tugging down her red skirt.

  I lift my leg to step inside the car with my eyes closed. I could have run, but I would have probably just slipped in the snow and been caught anyway. She said I’m not in danger yet, and as nervous of her as I am, I need to know what she means.

  “Thank you,” she says in a long breath as I close the door, and we move out behind a black cab.

  “I’m in danger?” I ask, clutching my bag on my lap.

  “I fear that Adrien is in danger of losing his authority. Someone is trying to undermine him. Someone close enough to know his darkest secrets. Last night I receive this.” She bends over and lifts a box up from the foot well. “Brace yourself.” She opens the box and tilts it so I can see what is inside.

  “What the fuck!” I shimmy back gasping, closing my eyes on a blue severed finger. “Let me out of this car, now!” I yank on the door handle, but it’s locked.

  “Calm down. This is one of mine.” She shuts the lid on the box as I squint down at her fingers to see that all her digits are intact. “One of my sang,” she grumbles at me. “With it was a note in Adrien’s handwriting.”

  “Saying what?” I yell.

  “Oh the usual. Blood supplies will be cut off and
traitors will be executed, if I don’t vacate my district within twenty-four hours. Someone wants me either out of the way, or a full scale retaliation.” I shut my eyes, shaking my head, feeling a burning sickness well up inside me. “Elizabeth, can I call you that?” I bravely look at her, nodding a yes. “You made your bed with Adrien. You knew what he was. Now you are also a part of this.”

  “A part of what?” I squeal.

  “A part of our world.”

  “I don’t want to be a part of a world where people die. I thought you vampires were not like that anymore. You’re supposed to fit in. You know, be human.”

  “I do not believe that Adrien did this. I’ve known him since he was a new blood, and watched him transform our ways. That is why I have come to you. Adrien will only go on the warpath, and if that was to happen it could result in war. You will see him change, and you don’t want that do you?”

  “No.”

  “Good. I have been around long enough to know when I’m being played. I have seen the tug of war for power many times before, and do not care to see it again. We have law and order with Adrien, and prosperity. I will not go back to the dark age when I had to hunt for my food,” she says in a pissed-off tone. “I like the simple life.”

  “What am I supposed to do? I’m nothing like you.”

  “No, you are Adrien’s cornerstone, which is exactly what he needs right now. Whoever is doing this, is seeing you as his weakness, but clearly they have no clue how strong love is.”

  I swell with embarrassment at her comment. This isn’t a fairy tale; this is a real life horror. Yes my love for Adrien is now my very core. But it’s no weapon to defeat creatures of the night.

  “This isn’t just happening to my coven, there are others, including vigore. Some will not be as understanding as I. The normal thing would be to tell you to run, but you must remain by his side, and keep your ears open. If I have solid proof who is doing this, then I can inform the other covens immediately.”

  “Laurie,” shoots out from my mouth fast. “Adrien told me Laurie made him a business proposition, and he turned it down. Is it him?”

  “Hmm, Adrien’s downfall. I’ve never liked him.” She blows out. “Yes, maybe you are right. Sometimes it takes an outsider to see the bigger picture. But please.” She takes my hand in hers with a desperate look in her eyes. “Do not speak with Adrien about this. You see Adrien and Laurie have a strange relationship. I’m unsure why Adrien puts up with his impertinence time and time again. So it is unwise to point fingers without proof. I’m going to take you straight to the Shard.”

  “I need to go home,” I state angrily. “I need to fucking think.”

  “You don’t have the luxury of thought right now. Or time.”

  “I need a change of clothing then. I can’t just turn up like this. He’ll know something’s up.” I say breathlessly, looking at the coffee stains on my jeans.

  She growls under her breath. “Fine. Steven, let’s stop off at Miss Lovell’s apartment. Take your next right.”

  “You know where I live!” I yell.

  “I made it necessary to know everything about you after we met.”

  “And just what the hell am I supposed to tell Adrien when I get there?”

  “Nothing. Be my eyes and ears, Elizabeth. I’ll be in contact with you. I have my coven out there right now, searching for the one responsible. If you see Laurie, you say nothing. Just be your usual pretty bland self for Adrien.”

  “Yeah, like that’s going to work. He’s not stupid.” I roll my eyes. “And I’m no spy!”

  “I’m afraid you’ve become Adrien’s new calling, and there is no hiding from this. If you tell Adrien you’re fears now without evidence, and if this is Laurie’s doing, Laurie will find a way of talking Adrien round, and then he will take everything Adrien has worked for. You’ll be considered a confused little girl. If you keep your mouth shut until I have the proof, Laurie cannot deny it. You can’t run my love. The safest place for you to be, is by Adrien’s side.” The car stops and I nervously glance outside. “Now go. Be quick. I’ll be right here.”

  Chapter 29

  Elizabeth

  I dash through the foyer, looking over my shoulder to see the Volvo waiting in the dark street. My heart is pounding so hard, feeling like I’m locked in some nightmare.

  I reach for the door when I hear a loud thud and squeal. My head shoots around to see the damn Volvo has driven off at speed. Shit-shit-shit. I fling open the door to the stairwell.

  “Liz.” A familiar voice prevents me taking another step.

  “Nathan?” I slowly turn around to see Nathan panting, like he’s just run a marathon.

  Completely unexpected, he lunges at me, swinging me around violently to force me up against the wall.

  “What the hell!” Winded with alarm, I grapple against his arms as he grunts down in my face. Why is he doing this? He’s never ever tried to hurt me before. “Nathan get the hell off. You’re hurting me!”

  His head lowers as a hellish unearthly groan comes from his lips. His touch is like ice and his body trembles ferociously. I squirm because he’s not loosening his grip on me, it’s only getting tighter. I look to the glass doors, ready to shout for help.

  “You,” he sneers through his teeth. “Have no idea what you have done.” His head twitches an abnormal shunt.

  “Nathan, have you took some dodgy coke, because you’ve lost your fucking mind!”

  He pops his neck, and the sound of his bones cracking sends a quiver through me. I quail in horror and panic as he slants his malicious view. His chest stirs, rasping in and out like his lungs are fluid filled, and his skin is ash grey and lips are blue. Shit, he looks really ill. He looks like death.

  “You need to get to a hospital Nathan,” my voice fractures. “Please let me help you.” I begin to weep, scared and worried at the same time.

  His cold tinted lips part a little to reveal his teeth. Holy crap, they cannot be real. Okay, I am now freaking-out. I shut my eyes and re-open them. Oh god, this is madness. I can see them, two enlarged fangs protruding from his gums, tapered to a sharp point. He’s a goddamn vampire.

  The veins in his neck and around his mouth become more prominent as he pants over me. I can’t breathe or scream out through the fear. I see his pupils rise and roll to the back of his head to make way for black. Pure black. Hell black. I shuffle up the wall as his hands clamp tighter on my biceps. He tilts his head left to right, then flits in a flash to my neck.

  “Please, Nathan, don’t!” I whimper out in terror.

  His nose is pushed against the curve of my neck and he inhales me. He starts to convulse, fighting against the magnetic force of my blood. For a second he manages to tear his lips away from my skin. But now he’s there again, shaking against my shoulder.

  “Liz, what have you done?” The point of his canines press against my flesh.

  “Please Nathan. This is not you,” I sob. “I can get you help. You don’t need to do this.”

  His lips close slowly, wetting my neck, and the sensation of an impending bite leaves me.

  People pass by the windows and I’m torn three ways. If I yell out, it could either end with him finishing what he came here to do. Him being caught and killed. Or the secret Adrien is in charge of keeping coming to the surface.

  “I see you with him.” He angles back as laboured tears fall from his black irises. “You know what he is, and still you fuck him.” He places his cold grey hand on my cheek.

  “Who did this to you Nathan? Let me call Adrien. He’ll help you,” I beg.

  He growls then punches a hole in the wall right next to my head. I cower and cry as plaster falls down my jacket collar. I squeeze my eyes tight, fearing that the next strike will be to my face, but it doesn’t come. I look through scrunched eyelids. He observes me and slackens his hold slightly.

  “Your relationship with him will cause your death. He has no idea what’s going to happen. I was sent here to collect you. I
f I don’t, he’ll send more,” he utters through his teeth. “I thought I could save you, get you away. But your scent, fuck,” he grunts in and out. “I want it all Liz.” He flits back to my neck. I shut myself off in the darkness, drawing my last breath. “But I won’t do it!” He forces himself away as the petrified air darts from my mouth. “Liz, you need to leave,” he warns, with the blue of his eyes fighting against the black. “Get away from here, and don’t come back.” He stumbles backward, keeling over in pain.

  I should do as he said, but I can’t run from him, he needs my help. “What... what about you?”

  “I know what I have to do. I will find those who did this.” A tear leaves his eye. “I love you Liz, always have.” His body flinches as he tries to regain control. “One question. Did you ever feel for me, what you do for him?”

  I blink slowly and sigh. “Yes.”

  He smirks and grimaces. “You’re lying, Liz.”

  He walks to me, sluggishly. I press my back hard and rigid up against the wall. He lies his fingertips on my cheek so my teardrops tumble over his thumb. He places his head on mine and exhales.

  “Goodbye, Liz,” he says, tenderly.

  He wrestles away from me, gazing forlornly, and staggers through the glass doors. I scream for him to come back, but he’s gone. He has just said goodbye like it will be the last time I ever see him. I can’t bear it. He’s in trouble, and I can’t do a thing to help him.

  I tip out the contents of my handbag. Papers, books, and loose change, spill out across the lobby floor. I pick up my phone and race to the stairs while calling Adrien’s number.

  Shit, it’s on his voicemail.

  I tussle to get my key into the door as I dial his number again. Still, he’s on voicemail.

  I race into the flat, lock the door, and check through the peephole, breathlessly.

  I toss my keys onto the phone unit as I continue to redial Adrien, leaving urgent messages each time. With tears impeding my view and my lungs incapable of taking in air, I dash into each room to make sure that all the windows are locked.