by Mary Abshire
"Get out!" I pointed to the door.
Dimitry lifted the hood of his black cloak over his head. He pointed to the card on the floor. "You have my number."
"Out." I ground my teeth.
He left, taking his ice-cold energy with him.
Alone, I yelled. "Fuck!"
Perspiration poured from me. Rage consumed me. I stomped my feet on the way to the sofa, then sat. Breathing fast, I bent over my knees and clutched my head in my hands. If I hadn't been so furious I probably would've cried. What the fuck was I going to do? If I said something to the VETOV, they wouldn't believe me. Plus, Dimitry could make me look like an incompetent fool. He could convince them of anything. I couldn't go to the VETOV.
Drake would believe me. But what could he do? He was an employee, not a member. Not to mention Dimitry was stronger than Drake. Then again, so was Alexander and Drake had destroyed him.
The image of the piece of paper with the names of all the people I cared about surfaced in my mind. I couldn't put everyone's lives at risk. Sean's death had already ripped my heart apart. I couldn't bear to lose another dear friend.
Stomach twisting, a wave of nausea rushed through me. The urge to spew everything I'd eaten plagued me. I was in deep shit and nobody could help me. Nobody. I either made the deal with Dimitry or risked the lives of everyone close to me. If I gave in to Dimitry's request, I at least bought time to figure out a plan.
I lifted my head and saw the cream-colored card on the floor. Taking in a breath, I snatched the paper. It showed his name, a telephone number, and an e-mail address in thick black letters. On the back was a hand written note. It read—Two to four times per year, one week each.
More rage burned within me. I crumpled the card in my hand and clenched it tight. I hated him with a passion. He knew my weakness was those close to my heart and I'd do anything to save them. I wanted him off the face of the earth, but I couldn't make that happen quick enough—not when my own life was on trial by a group of vampires. I needed time to formulate a plan. Until then, I had to make sure everyone dear to me was safe.
My anxiety level had shot off the charts. I needed to calm down so I could think of a plan. I strode into the bedroom, wiping the moisture from my forehead. After I hid the crumpled card in a compartment in my wallet, I changed clothes. Fresh air would help. A walk around to blow off steam would help settle my nerves too. Brushing my hair, I thought about how I would send a message to Dimitry. Calling would've been easy, but I didn't want my voice heard. The best option was to send a written response.
The brush clanked on the dresser when I slammed it down. I dug inside my purse, found a pen and a receipt with an Indianapolis business address at the bottom. I scribbled four letters under the address: OK, JG. I folded the receipt, then wrote Dimitry's name on the outside.
Hearing a loud click from the living room, I dropped the pen and slid the small paper inside the front pocket of my jeans. The sound of footsteps thudded over the floor. I headed out of the bedroom and found Jeremy standing near the cart, staring down at it. He took a glimpse my way, then walked to the bathroom.
I stopped near the exit. Part of me wanted to talk to him, but his silence and quick departure from the room indicated he didn't want to be near me. The brief glance at Jeremy revealed paler than normal skin and dark splotches under his eyes. The note on the cart from Sophia and his abnormal appearance confirmed my suspicion about the two of them. I hoped he enjoyed the four million dollars.
Keeping my mouth shut, I opened the door and walked out. The bright sun blinded me, but I wasn't about to complain after several days of rain. Fresh air filled my lungs and, in the distance, waves crashed against the shore. I considered taking a walk on the beach.
I stopped at the usual building, then tapped my knuckles on the door. A minute later, the door opened.
"Hi," said the young man who had delivered the food earlier. "Is everything okay? Would you like to come in?" He stepped aside, giving me room to enter.
"No thanks." I stayed outside and dug the receipt from my pocket. "Can you deliver this? It's very important."
He took the paper from my fingers, glanced at the name, and then met my gaze. "Sure. Right away."
"Thanks." I stepped back. "I appreciate it."
I left before I changed my mind. The concession to Dimitry showed I was weak and proved what my vulnerabilities were. Yet, I couldn't risk lives, especially when the top two on the list were within his reach. For the time being, I'd play his game until I found a safe way out for everyone.
Enjoying the warmth of the sun, I walked along a quiet part of the fort where the water rolled over the beach. Seagulls scurried away. The ones in the air screeched. After pacing the length of the beach twice, I found a spot and sat. I stretched out my legs and dug my hands in the sand while I stared out at the open sea. As my nerves returned to a somewhat steady level, I pondered how I could save everyone I loved and cared about.
My life was a mess. If I disappeared, maybe the mess would go away with it. The thought intrigued me, but where could I go where no one would find me? I couldn't walk away from Drake or Jeremy. They would search until they found me. Besides, I loved Drake with all my heart. Could I really walk away from him?
As the waves rippled up on the shore, I considered my options. If I kept my deal with Dimitry a secret, everyone would go on with their happy, normal lives. All I had to do was meet Dimitry two to four times a year for a week at a time. Could I do it? I despised the man with every ounce of blood in me. The mere thought of him touching me made me gag. What I needed to do was find a way to get rid of him without anyone knowing. And to do that, I definitely needed to keep my deal with him a secret.
Time passed while I soaked in the rays of the sun and relaxed as the waves rolled up and then receded. The peace and tranquility helped ease my worries. I doubted I would ever feel such serenity again.
Sometime later, I caught movement from the corner of my eyes. Jeremy was walking along the beach, dressed in jeans and a half buttoned shirt that flapped open when the wind hit him. A pair of dark sunglasses covered his eyes. The man was sexy, no doubt about it.
He stopped beside me, then sat. "How was the steak?"
"Fine." I stared out at the sea.
"I believe it was for me."
I lifted my hands and brushed them together, dusting the sand off. "You weren't around."
"I had business to take care of." His voice deepened.
"I gathered that after I read the card from Sophia."
Jeremy leaned forward, entering my peripheral vision. "I wasn't with Sophia."
Puzzled, I met his gaze. "If you weren't with Sophia, who were you with?" Jeremy wasn't gay or bisexual. I knew that without asking. The man enjoyed the company of women way too much.
"I was with Elissa."
My mouth hung open. "Elissa?" Holy cow. "Did she pay you too?"
He held up his hand and displayed all five of his fingers.
"Five million?"
He chuckled at my elevated voice.
Wait a second. He had been with Sophia before, though. "But you were with Sophia the other night."
"Yeah…a few nights ago."
"Jesus," I said with eyes wide. Four million from Sophia plus five from Elissa had to make Jeremy a very rich man. "I guess you can hang up your hockey skates now."
"Nah, I love the sport too much to do that."
Stunned by his sudden wealth, I shook my head and returned my gaze to the waves drawing closer. Clearly, Jeremy didn't mind having sex and donating his blood for money. Maybe I should take his attitude and apply it to my deal with Dimitry.
"Did I miss anything while I was out?"
Bending my legs, I braced my feet on the sand, then stood. "After you left, I went to bed. I'm not sure how long Drake stayed. I was alone when I woke up." I dusted off the backside of my legs along with my rear.
Jeremy rose. "I figured the bloodsucker would stay with you."
"Fuck y
ou!" I snapped. Temper on the rise, I dug my shoes in the sand and walked past him. I hated when he referred to Drake in a negative light.
"Where are you going?"
"Back to clean up and change." Anger thickened my tone as I stomped away.
"Are you mad?"
He loved to put Drake down, yet he'd spent the night with a vampire. Talk about a double standard. It wasn't fair and I was tired of it. I stopped and spun around. "I'm so sick of you complaining about Drake and calling him names when you just fucked two vampires and let them sip off your blood."
Jeremy laughed. "Oh, darling, I love it. You're jealous."
Blood rushed to my head as if a fever took control of me. "Fuck you, Jeremy. Go fuck whomever you want. I don't fucking care what you do with your life. Just stay away from me." I turned and stormed away.
"Jessie!"
I kept walking. He'd pissed me off enough. Jealous? No fucking way.
He yelled my name again and I skipped a few steps to gain distance from him. It was time for me to get away from him, break up our relationship, our friendship. I was better off without him. One less person to worry about.
I reached the top of the cliff and headed for our lodging. Heavy thuds hit the ground behind me. Warm fingers grabbed my arm and yanked me back.
"What's wrong with you?" Jeremy asked.
"What's wrong? You. I'm sick of your shit. Get the fuck away from me and stay away. Just leave me alone." I jerked my arm free, then continued on my path.
Jeremy rushed past me, then stopped. Facing me, he held his palms up. "What's going on?"
I threw my hands in the air. "I'm tired of fighting. You never listen. Nobody does." My wasted breath and energy had left me tired and broken. Sure, fighting saved my life when I ran into Renaud, but other times, the fight seemed more trouble than it was worth.
He shook his head. "You're not making any sense."
I rolled my eyes. Couldn't he get a clue? "How's this for making sense?" I moved closer, placing my face near his. "When we get off this island, I want you to stay far away from me. I want you out of my life. Don't call me. Don't show up. Don't even think about me. Just stay the fuck away."
He removed his shades and gazed deep into my eyes. "Is that what you really want?"
Staring back at him, I saw heartfelt pain. My verbal attack had hit him harder than any slap, kick, or punch. Good. He needed to stay away from me. I hadn’t intended to hurt him, but I needed to remove his name from Dimitry's list. Here was the perfect opportunity. "Yes. And do me a favor—get out of my life."
A pain jabbed at my heart as I stepped past him and walked away.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Laughter from the bedroom television spilled into the living room. Interrupted again, I placed a finger on the page in my book, lifted my head, and stared at the empty sofa across from me. The obnoxious noise annoyed me, but I didn't want to say anything to Jeremy. I avoided him as much as I could in the small lodging. Since our argument hours ago, we'd avoided each other. The separation, frustrating and painful, was best for both of us.
While Jeremy watched TV to kill time, I read the book I'd brought with me. Night had settled in about half an hour ago. The lamp near the phone sent a shower of soft beams into the room. I'd thought someone from the VETOV or a servant would've come to escort us by now, but no one had. I was ready to meet with the members, dressed in a nice long skirt with a slit up the back, a thin blouse to help keep me cool, and heels. Crossing my legs, I leaned back into the recliner and returned to the book in my lap. Reading often relieved my stress and eased my worrying mind, but not this time. The inky black words offered little distraction from the tangled web of problems in my head.
I'd started a new page in the novel when gentle taps on the door captured my attention. Anxiety surged through me. It was finally time for the meeting. As I set the book on the table, the voices from the television suddenly disappeared. I headed for the door when Jeremy strolled out of the bedroom. He looked nice, dressed in a red polo shirt and khakis. Without waiting for him, I turned the handle and tugged on it. The man standing outside took me by surprise.
"Anton?" I asked.
He had a business casual appearance, wearing dark pants and a blazer over a maroon, buttoned shirt. "The members are preparing for the meeting. I came to notify you." His calm voice and politeness brought a smile to my face.
"Thank you. I'm ready to go." Jeremy stood a few feet away. A tad bit of color had returned to his face and the area under his eyes had lightened. "Are you coming?"
"I wouldn't miss it."
Anton began walking away. I followed at a snail's pace, not wanting to step off the path and sink my heels into the soft ground. Jeremy stayed behind me. His heat warmed me from the damp breeze. When enough distance had grown between Anton and us, he slowed his gait. I caught up to him in little time.
"Is Drake at the meeting?" I asked.
"Yes, he is there."
We reached the all too familiar building. Anton tapped on the door. A servant opened it, a new one I didn't recognize. Curious, I wondered how many servants were at the fort. It seemed like too many.
The clack of my shoes echoed in the hall as I followed Anton to the stairs. Holding the rail with one hand and lifting my skirt with the other, I descended the metal steps. By the time I reached the bottom, my heart was racing. My life was on trial by a bunch of ancient vampires who claimed to be ethical, but really weren't. Over the last several hours, I wondered if a bullet in my head would bring me peace from the shit in this world. Hell couldn't be worse.
The tables in the meeting room hadn't changed. Three chairs were still in the center. I headed for my seat and couldn't stop staring at the one on the far left—the one Sean had sat in. A sudden wave of grief hit me. I came to a stop and swallowed the lump creeping up in my throat.
"Anton, remove the chair, please," Nassar said.
Jeremy stood at my side while Anton obeyed. He touched my back and I flinched.
"Don't." The word came out strong as I stepped aside, creating distance from him.
With the chair Sean had occupied gone, I inhaled a deep breath and moved forward. Everyone watched with curious eyes as Jeremy and I reached the two remaining seats in the center. Unlike before, they were all sitting in different places. On the left side, Drake sat next to Nassar and Elissa. Dimitry, Quon, Constantine, and Ramon faced us from behind a table. Anton and Sophia were to my right. Kuri was nowhere in sight.
"Thank you for coming, Jessie, Jeremy." Nassar nodded to each of us. "We had a discussion last evening about your handling of Renaud. Some would like to ask you a few questions."
"Before we begin with questions, I would like to add a few comments," Dimitry said.
My heart acquired a few more beats.
Dimitry rose. "As most of you know, Renaud and I were good comrades for many centuries. His sudden removal came as a shock to me. After our meeting, I immediately investigated his room and discovered something." He withdrew a small plastic bag from the front pocket of his pinstripe suit. The bag unraveled as he held it up. Inside, there were streaks of a dark red substance and a small round object.
Several mumbled, "What is it?"
"This is a gold cufflink with the letter R. I found it on one of Renaud's suits. It is my belief the blood belongs to the warlock."
Whispers and mumbles spread while grief and nausea flooded me. I slapped a hand over my mouth. Bile rose and I swallowed it back down. Tears filled my eyes. I hated to think that Sean was dead because of me. He’d come to help me, and now he was gone forever. The pain of his death still weighed heavy in my heart and probably would for a very long time.
Jeremy reached over my lap and squeezed my hand. "Are you all right?"
I shot up from my seat. "Don't touch me!" I breathed heavy, trying to fight another spasm of vomit.
The room became silent. All eyes were on me, including Jeremy's. His worried and confused look was priceless and sad. But I coul
dn't have informed him of my intentions. I needed an honest response from him in order for the vampires to believe Jeremy and I were not close friends.
"Is there a problem?" Ramon asked, rising from his seat.
"Yes." I stepped away from Jeremy. "Can you ask him to sit somewhere else? I don't want to be near him."
A loud scrape behind me snatched my attention. Jeremy was dragging his chair away. He shoved it to the wall near the door and it hit with a clank. Glaring at me, he sat and crossed his arms.
"Let us continue," Sophia said.
Dimitry, Ramon, and I returned to our seats.
"In light of this new evidence," Dimitry said before he tossed the bag across the table. "I think it is only fair to consider Jessie was correct in her assessment of Renaud." His gaze shifted to me. "As much as it pains me to consider Renaud would do such a thing, I cannot overlook the evidence."
Staring at the cold-hearted bastard, I gritted my teeth. His evidence, real or fake, captured everyone's attention, and every member believed him. I couldn't imagine having Dimitry as an enemy. If I made it off the island, I would have to destroy him somehow.
Quon shifted his gaze to Nassar. "The evidence may prove Renaud killed Sean. But we still have an issue of passing judgment without evidence."
Damn it, I wasn't out of the dark woods yet.
"Does anyone have a question for Jessie?" Nassar asked.
"How did you know Renaud killed Sean?" Ramon asked.
"I sense evil. I can feel the person's energy. It causes the hairs on my body to twitch and pain in my stomach."
"What kind of pain?" Constantine asked.
"It's like a bad cramp. The way Renaud spoke and looked at me was another indication. I knew in my gut he killed Sean."
"Have you ever been inaccurate in your assessment of evil?" Anton asked.
"No. Never."
"That she knows of," Quon said. "How would anyone know if she made a miscalculation? The soul sent to Hell would not be able to tell us."
I inhaled a deep breath to settle my nerves. I was starting to get a bad feeling that no matter what I said, Quon would argue against me. What was the deal with Asian and Russian vampires? All the ones I'd met so far were arrogant fucks.
