The Executive's Red, #1

by Leeanna White

  “Adrien, friend, should I plead with you,” Laurie asks, smiling.

  The guard latches Laurie’s chained legs to the rig, and begins to winch him up, until Laurie is feet off the floor, upside-down and swinging.

  “Laurie, on the count of murder, how do you plead?” Selene exclaims, like this is an entertaining game for her.

  I stride forward, snatching the blade a guard holds. I will not allow what is supposed to be serious, to be her amusement. I will not allow Ben be in a situation where he’ll owe Selene. Instead of this being a sentencing, it’s more like a show, and this is not how we do things.

  “Sorry Benjamin. Looks like you didn’t need to be here after all,” Selene says behind me in a prideful voice.

  I crouch down to look in Laurie’s eyes. His body swings and he doesn’t look bothered that I’m the one with his existence in my hands. I can’t say the same for myself. I never thought I’d be in a position in which I’d have to kill family.

  “I'm ready,” he says clearly to me. “I forgive you.”

  I shake my head at him, smirking. “We should have never gone to those damn mountains. And I don’t need your forgiveness, because I did this. You were a good friend.” The reluctance creeps into my mind.

  “Then do it. Think of me on the night we died. Say goodbye to that man.”

  “Goodbye Laurie.” Without another thought, I run the blade through his neck.

  I remain in a crouching position, head down, wondering where it all went wrong between Laurie and I. His blood spills as he spits out and wheezes. I watch a look emerge on his face, like a peace washing over his body, even though peace for us can never be found.

  He goes completely silent after one last jolt, and it’s when Selene’s fingers creep over my shoulder, I understand that she is the one responsible for everything. She turned us all into what we are. My men and I died in the war, and we never truly resurrected.

  I stand up, pushing her hand away as I turn to her, furious.

  “I understand that was painful. But do not look at me with hate in your eyes, Adrien. You are to always love me.”

  I run my hand over my face. “Are we done here?” I ask.

  “Not yet.” She strolls across to Laurie’s body, her bare feet and the train of her dress soaking up his blood. “It has been decided that you are to take more of a back seat in affairs in London. Use the time to make it up to that girl of yours. You have earned the break, and times are changing, and we must move with the times.”

  “And just who will run things?”

  “Leave that to me.”

  I can’t believe what I’m hearing. All this time being bound to a duty and her, and she just cuts my leash like that. Of course I'm suspicious.

  “And your father?”

  “Leave him to me. He understands that the old ways do not work anymore. You will advise until your replacement is ready.”

  “Why now Selene? After all this time.”

  “I’m handing you the girl your heart desires. You are the best executive I have, but you became a liability because of love.” She flits and comes to a stop before me. Her head tilts and eyes burn with rage. “The order is not here, because you should have been purified this night. They will not see things as I do.” I hear Ben stand up behind me, ready to back me up, even though he doesn’t stand a chance. She glances briefly at him, then a strange grin spreads over her lips. “Which also makes me a liability, as I will always love you. That is why I am doing this. You will no longer be a liability, and the girl you love will be safe. Take what I’m giving you, Adrien.” She sighs as she turns and goes back to Laurie’s body. “Now, you’re free to go.” She prods Laurie’s body, causing him to swing back and forth. “Laurie will join the ashes of the other executives who strayed. Speak soon, sweet Adrien.”

  Ben joins my side as I walk away from Selene in a daze.

  “You think that this is over now?” Ben asks quietly as we arrive at the end of the hallway.

  “With Selene, things are never over.” A guard opens the entrance doors for us. “For now, we lay another brother to rest.” I open the back door to our chauffeur driven Bentley, and sit down.

  Chapter 40

  Adrien

  Dying and being reborn is one thing, but dying twice is a cruel twist of fate. Even more so for a vampire. It takes so long to pass as the thirst swallows you whole. It is lonely, dark, and excruciating. And there’s that harsh unrealistic hope that maybe, just maybe, you can heal without blood. You wait desperately for it, the feeling that your body will recover, knowing that there is no place on the other side for monsters. But it doesn’t come, and the soul gets lost to an eternal pain forever.

  I peer down at Connor’s body in the casket. The vampire dead are normally disposed of by fire. Our anatomies are unique, and the dead have to remain hidden to keep the secrets of our world. However, with Connor I’m breaking all the rules, using my influence and money, and I don’t give a damn. I am now the owner of this small historical churchyard, because Connor deserves a burial on holy ground. So screw the rules.

  I stare down at his black suit, with the memories of our time together engulfing me. He looks the same as when I first met him, and I remember it well. He was the private who thought it was funny to stitch my button holes together, right before I had to meet with my commanding officers at a formal dinner party. Connor, as quiet as he was, was a joker. As you can imagine at the time I was incensed. But I got my own back when he was caught red handed with the same thread I had stitched into my jacket. It was fun watching him polish every section of brass in our quarters for a month.

  “Adrien, it’s sundown.” Ben comes to stand beside me, patting my shoulder.

  I lie my hand on Connor’s stone-cold head. “I’m sorry Connor. I hope you find some peace my friend.” I pull down the casket lid.

  “Elizabeth is on her way. Dom’s meeting her now.”

  “Thanks, Ben.” I clench my jaw. “Can you give me a few more minutes?”

  “Sure.” He squeezes my shoulder, then leaves me with my thoughts.

  I stroll across the stone flags of the mausoleum, to a small stone bench below a stain glass window. I perch on the edge beside the flaming candles, feeling the box inside my jacket pocket. Taking a breath I lean over, closing my eyes, thinking of the right words to say to her.

  Elizabeth

  “Whose funeral is it again?” Cate asks, pulling up to the gates of the ruined building. “This is a weird place and time for a funeral. It’s abandoned.”

  “I’VE ALREADY TOLD YOU.” I prepare myself to lie again. “Nathan’s friend. He wants me to pay respects on his behalf. This is a family plot.”

  Over the last month, I have had to tell lie after lie. And not small lies, but huge friendship breaking lies. But I don’t have a choice. I can’t tell Cate that Nathan is now a mind-reading vampire. She thinks he’s moved to Paris for a new engineering job, not that he’s in some vampire training program for future executives.

  “What was the guy called again?” She’s squinting at me, thinking way too hard.

  “Connor.” That is the truth at least.

  I haven’t seen Adrien for over a week. He’s been busy organising this funeral, and grieving. I’ve missed him so much, but I did agree that we would take things slowly. Without fail he’s contacted me each day, just to talk. But a relationship over the phone, isn’t good enough. I need to see and touch him, even if it is in these awful circumstances.

  I never anticipated I’d be attending the funeral of a vampire. I told Adrien that maybe I shouldn’t come, but he was insistent. Today he says goodbye to Connor, and even for Adrien who is always poised, it’s going to be difficult.

  “I won’t be back tonight,” I say to Cate, opening the car door.

  “Hold on. Are you going to be okay? I find it odd that Nathan is asking you to do this,” she worries, not wanting to leave me alone.

  I look through the iron gates and down the path, to see Dom
heading toward us.

  “I’ll be fine, see,” I say, watching Cate frowning at Dom. “And Adrien is here. I’ll call you later,” I say, quickly stepping out into a chilly breeze, tugging my black jacket together.

  I walk toward Dom, listening to Beryl’s engine fade away.

  “Good to see you Liz.” He bends and pecks my cheek in a friendly way.

  “How’s Adrien?”

  “He’s with Connor. Come on, I’ll take you to him.”

  I follow Dom through a path of long grass as the sun sets, and walk up three wonky stone steps to see Sara and Ben standing over an empty grave. Connor’s grave. I feel emotional for Adrien, but also uncomfortable being here. I pull my jacket together tightly with my head down, trailing behind Dom toward a small stone building.

  “He’s in there.” Dom gestures his head.

  My heart flutters as I make my way through the door, but I stop immediately, seeing a closed silver coffin surrounded by candles. I’m frozen, unsure whether to go back outside or stay.

  “Elizabeth,” Adrien’s quiet sad voice bounces off the walls.

  I look below a stain glass window. Adrien is sitting on a bench stooped over, holding his hands together. My lungs fill and my throat feels so tight, seeing how wounded he is. He’s gazing hard at me as I approach, and I’m not sure if he wants me here. His powerful eyes are so volatile and unpredictable.

  “Stupid question,” I say in a slight voice as I sit down beside him. “But are you okay?”

  I want to tell him I’ve missed him. Fling my arms around his neck and kiss his sadness away. But Connor lies only feet away, so I don’t out of respect.

  “Now you’re here, yeah, I think I am.” The storm in his eyes weakens as he smiles a little. “I missed you.”

  My fingertips grip the stone seat, anxiously. “I’ve missed you too.”

  He sniggers to himself, nodding his head down. “I’ve been going over and over this moment, trying to think of the right time, the right place, the right words.” I frown at him as he takes my hand in his, shifting to face me. “Screw slow, Elizabeth. If the last month has taught me anything, it’s that you have to grab what you love with both hands and keep it, no matter the cost.”

  His fingers knead mine, weaving in and out of my knuckles, and I can feel it, a nervous clamminess that vampires aren’t supposed to get.

  “Adrien?”

  “I can’t go on like this.” His pupils turn glassy and frustrated lines surround his eyes. “There is only one thing that will stop the doubt now.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “What I’m saying is, what you’ve given me, what we are, I can’t imagine being without. Being with you is more essential than blood to me now. I won’t lose you. Marry me, Elizabeth.”

  Shit, I never expected this. My blood is fizzling and my head and heart are screaming, yes... yes, I’ll marry you. But he’s upset. He’s not thinking straight. We’re in a churchyard and he’s about to bury his friend.

  I stare at him in disbelief, struggling to hold in my answer.

  “Adrien.” His name snags in my throat. “What about the order? What about the coven, Sara, Dom, and Ben?”

  “I won’t be the head executive for long. I’ve been put into retirement. And I’m taking it willingly, for you.”

  I cup his hands and lean closer to him. “I’m not like you.” An awful uncertainty fills my chest. “You know my answer Adrien. Without a shadow of a doubt, I love you. But you really think that we could marry the way we are?”

  “Why not?” he asks, his rejected eyes compelling my heart.

  A teardrop falls over my cheek as Connor’s coffin becomes my main focus. I don’t want to ever see Adrien in a coffin, or anyone else.

  “Your life and mine, are completely different. You know this. It’s impractical. I’m going to get old.”

  “Since when as love been practical.” I can hear the frustration in his voice. “And as for you growing older, I don’t care.”

  “I do. And you will.”

  “You’re declining my proposal?”

  “Yes. No. Shit, I don’t know. All I know is how I feel. I don’t want to be turned, but how else would this work?” I look down at my black shoes, because it’s better than looking into his eyes.

  “I will never turn you. I want you, the woman sitting right next to me.” His tone forces me to look at him, face to face. “Take my name. The rest will be easy. I promise you.”

  “You really are the old fashioned type. Marriage isn’t what it’s all cracked up to be anymore.” I smile bleakly, hating the sudden doubts I’m filled with.

  “Look, I choose you over everything. We belong together.” He reaches out, resting the palm of his hand against my cheek. “But if you say no, I will understand.”

  Oh god. The look in his eyes is killing me. I always thought that I was a realist. But being with a vampire has opened my eyes to something beyond logic. I’m crazy for him. Insane. And probably very stupid. It’s impossible to explain to someone who has never loved more than life itself. It’s like you meet someone, and they change you outside and in forever. I will never be the same person I was before because of him. It’s unconditional. The truest thing I’ve ever felt. I used to roll my eyes at the mention of soulmates, but now I believe. I believe it, so much so that I think I’m ready to give up the notion of normality, for good.

  His fingers creep over my skin and his hand cradles my neck.

  “Sorry. Not the best location for a marriage proposal.” He smiles sweetly.

  I sniff up and laugh lightly. “No, it’s not.”

  He leans back, reaches into his inside jacket pocket, and takes out a small box. Filling his lungs, he opens it to show me a beautiful antique platinum engagement ring, which takes my breath away.

  “I can’t give you long walks on a hot beach. I can’t give you a family. But Elizabeth, if you say yes, I will do all in my power to make you happy. I’ll keep you safe. Make you smile. Touch you and please you just like, or even better, than any warm-blooded man would do.”

  “Yes. God yes, I’ll marry you!”

  He slides the ring onto my finger and it’s the perfect fit. I chuckle, completely stunned by what has just happened. He takes my face in his hands and kisses me affectionately.

  “I love you with everything I have, Elizabeth.”

  “I love you too.”

  An interruptive cough echoes through the doorway. Both Adrien and I turn to see Dom, Ben, and Sara standing there. Jeez, this is awkward, and not acceptable at all.

  “Well, I guess a congratulations is in order boss.” Dom claps his hands together, beaming. “At least Connor had a good view.”

  Adrien takes my hand and we both stand up.

  “Let’s give Connor the send-off he deserves,” Adrien says.

  Each of them take a corner of the coffin and lift it like it’s weightless. I take a breath and follow them outside, stroking the diamond solitaire on my finger.

  This is the wrong occasion to feel so happy, but I do. Time means nothing compared to real love. Ten years, fifty, or a thousand. Every past, present, and future moment in my human life with him, is now all that counts.

  The End

  (Continue reading for Chapter 1: The Executive’s Bloodline)

  Teaser Chapter 1, Book 2

  Adrien

  I KNEW IT WAS TOO GOOD to be true, Selene staying out of the picture. She sent me a very elaborate message written in her blood, sealed with her wax crest. The parchment was the same paper the order use to conduct business; hundreds of years old. I mean the envelope was wrapped in red ribbon, and I’m surprised it wasn’t opened by some curious human courier.

  In the letter she ordered my presence at The Mill, stating she had found a suitable executive to take over, and she would also like to be formally introduced to Elizabeth. Of course that’s not going to happen. Elizabeth is fast asleep at The Shard, being watched over by Ben and Dom, unaware Selene is once again st
icking her nose into my personal life. I need to find out exactly what Selene wants, and I will not risk Elizabeth coming to harm again.

  As soon as I walk through the entrance of The Mill, I can hear her humming a strange tune. I slowly stroll onto the dance floor, knowing exactly where she is. Unlike making an entrance, Selene likes to make a dramatic scene.

  “Why hello my sweet Adrien.” I gaze up to the fourth floor to see her sitting on the balcony rail in the moonlight, swinging her legs.

  “Selene,” I greet with the confidence that she likes to see in her executives.

  She drops down from the fourth floor, landing like an acrobat before me. “How is love treating you. Your scent tells me good. So, where is she?”

  “She is unwell,” I lie easily. “And please don’t take offence, but I will not have you scaring the hell out of her. She had enough of that with Laurie.”

  “You are disobeying me?” An excited smile spreads across her red blood stained lips.

  “Yes.”

  I look down to her bare feet. Selene is a bohemian kind of vampire. She aims to look young and sweet, but in reality she is as dark as a vampire can be. She sticks to the worldwide perceptions of what we are. She’s conniving, and her bright greedy eyes are always ravenous. She circles me, swirling her forefinger across my chest and back. However, I stand strong, looking ahead to the bar.

  “I will meet her, Adrien.”

  “Why now?”

  “She is going to be a part of our family. I ask to meet with her just once. What say we throw a masquerade for our human allies. Not a vampire in sight, apart from us.”

  “You’re crazy.” I smirk.

  She stands before me, beaming confidently because she knows she will have her way in the end.

  I pick up the scent of blood suddenly. Human blood so faint it is barely noticeable. I have come across the odour many times before. Just like the smell of cooked steak lingers in the air hours after being consumed, this is the scent of a finished vampire feed. I glare toward the elevator.