Alex lifted Luce off him and helped her straighten her clothing then did the same for himself. “Air freshener?” He asked her. He knew there had to be some, he’d smelt it before in the room. “Bottom right of the desk.” She told him. Alex walked over and pulled it out. Spraying as he went over to the window and opened it. “It won’t mask it from all the vamps Luce but your people won’t know.” He told her putting the can back in the drawer and going over to push the cabinets back against the wall. “O I think they may guess.” She told him with chagrin. He looked over at her as she sat at her desk. “Enter.” He called out and Alice, Carol and the guys rolled in to serve dinner and start to work. Alex looked at her for the longest moment, turned and left the room.
A sense of acute pain assaulted her. If you could hear a heart breaking, Luce was sure that was hers. She’d done it again, pushed away what she craved most, cos it scared her. When was she ever going to learn.
Grabbing a plate of food, she ignored the curious looks given to her by her team. Liv and Bits came over and shared food. They kept the conversation light and Luce was grateful to them for that. She was in no mood to talk. She had done what she does every time. Pushed the one good thing in her life way. It was easy with Alex. He pushed her buttons. Gave her what she wanted most and then she used it against him. She was an idiot. He got her. Didn’t question it or make her feel inadequate but allowed her to explore it. Yes, he was dam bossy and took too much for granted but that could be tamed she reasoned. Jesus, she was married. Married. Luce spontaneously grinned. Married. To the hottest guy she had ever met. And he loved her. There was no doubt about that. He had not said the words but she knew it.
He loved her and would give her everything he was. And for that, she’d have to give up what? A bunch of family? Nope. She didn’t have any. A bunch of friends? Nope they were all here. Privacy? Yes. Luce frowned. She hated to give that up. And space? Yes. He said he would try to give her space but in reality, after what had happened just now, the chances of that happening were zero, she’d be jumping his bones every chance she got. He’d make her change who she was? Nope. Crazy guy liked her nuts. She missed his cock already and he had only just left her. She’d have to accept that. Was that really so bad? To have everything she had ever wanted and never dreamed possible? Right now, privacy and space, didn’t seem so important.
“Penny for them?” Bits asked. Luce looked over at her. “I think I’ve been a bit of an ass.” Both girls burst out laughing. “Always knew she was smart, if a bit slowwww.” Bits said grinning. “Yeah ok. I have to reason it out my own way you know that.” “Yep.” Said Liv. “Been like it since kindergarten. Would always take the hard route never the easy one.” “Do you love him?” Asked Liv quietly so the boys wouldn’t hear. “O yeah. He is so bloody annoying and I like it.” She told them grinning. “I hear he calls you Prickles.” Luce laughed. “Yeah. He kept setting me off and you know me, I bite.” “Well you’re in good company then,” Liv told her, “cos I got news for you hun, they all bite!”
All three of them laughed and Liv asked her. “What’s it like? Not the sex, I get that’s amazing, I think we all do.” She told her rolling her eyes. “The bite?” Luce grinned at her friends. “Spontaneous climatic eruption.” She told them. “Seriously?” Asked Bits with her mouth open. “Seriously and that’s without the penetration.” Luce told her. Liv chocked on her sandwich. “Way tooooo much information girl.” She told her. They all grinned. “Lucky you.” Said Bits turning to look at Bill and Ben. “How does a girl get some action around here?” She asked aloud. “I am so not going there.” Luce told her. “You’re on your own but do the Vamp 101 ok. I mean it. I made it and still fucked up so you read it ok. It’s important and too easy to make mistakes.” She told them both. They nodded. “Ok,” Luce turned to check her screens, “their hitting the locations, time to work guys, let’s roll.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Alex walked into Arturo’s office. Marcus and Pierre were already present. Taking a seat he picked up on the end of the conversation. “….It will be a nice surprise for Clarise when you drag her arse across the floor and stake her. Arturo mused. “I want her head and Ataya’s they played us.” Marcus told him, his voice ringing with vengeance. Arturo nodded. “And that you will have once we expose what has gone on here. We don’t know how high it goes but Clarise always had her own agenda back at Court when I was there, so did Ataya. Both had a habit of siding with those that would elevated them more regardless of the target. It worked. Too often.” He told them both.
“I am not convinced,” Arturo continued, “that Clavius is aware of what has gone on here. He’s envoy to us, Rubin, appeared unaware to a degree but he was already here before the so-called challenge was made and joined us in culling what we were led to believe as Marcus’s forces against us. Neither of which appear to be true. He might well have been here because Clavius was aware of the goings on at Court and took his own steps to intercede.” “Either way,” Alex told them, “we need to be prepared.” “Agreed.” They both answered. A knock at the door announced Jenson. “You have visitors at the gate My Lord. I was told to inform you that ‘Uncle’ has arrived.” Arturo rose from his seat.
“Have Liv take up her station next door please Jenson, we have a show to put on. Have Chris at her back please. These visitors go nowhere unescorted. Have Liv put on a full show as my PA, they are to be taken into next door, offered drinks and Liv will come into this office to announce them. We will need more chairs.” Jenson left. “Clavius is here. I always called him Uncle out of respect for his age in the old way. Our show starts now. He will want to see you Marcus and maybe your family be prepared. Alex you too. He misses nothing so don’t try to. Try to stay open and as clear as possible.” Alex watched Arturo pick up the phone. “He’s here, I will need you to join me.”
Marcus had taken out his phone and was messaging someone, his wife Alex expected. Putting the phone down Arturo turned back to them. “I’m going to need to vacate my chair to Clavius, it will be expected and I will need to hold a positon of power as is also expected. This will be Court politics gentleman so brush yours up quickly. I will need two chairs here and here, two more here and here for you and two more for any of his companions. I’d expect him to bring two in with him at the very least.” A burst of vamp speed brought the room to order. “You might need to update Luce.” Arturo told him. “Clavius will want a tour.” Alex nodded and took out his phone and messaged Luce. It pinged back. ‘We’ve got them. Love you husband.’ It read. Alex didn’t realise how much he needed, wanted, to hear or see those words until he did. She was an enigma to him.
Liv came rushing in with Chris at her back. “I’m ready, full boardroom show yes?” She asked. Arturo nodded. “Yes. Refreshments, coats taken the works.” He told her. Liv backed out and rushed back into the room. Chris closed the door behind them.
It was a nervous few minutes’ wait. Regin joined him and sat two seats to his left with Marcus and Alex taking up support positions to his left also. He would take the nearest seat on the left when Calvius arrived who would take his. The other seats on the right were placed strategically further away denoting their lower ranking. This would rile those coming with him. And they would know that was deliberate. Calvius knew Arturo had no love for Court politics. “I have asked Jenson to have all senior staff and Marcus’s family brought to the reception room for introductions should this go as expected.” She told them. “I may not be able to read Calvius. I will hopefully be able to read the others.”
Arturo held up his hand, as the sounds of people entering the house reached their ears. Alex listened to the light conversation between several of the parties. They came into the next room and he heard Liv speak. She must have moved round the room as her voice moved. “My Lords, Welcome to House Arturo. I will announce you shortly. May we take your coats and offer refreshments so you may recover from your journey?” “Your name child?” Clavius thought Alex. “My name is Liv My Lord.” Sh
e answered unwaveringly. Good job thought Alex. “Your position?” He asked her. “I am PA to My Lord Arturo and his House.” She answered. “Your human.” “Indeed I am My Lord.” Clavius must have spotted Chris. “There is no need to be concerned for the child. I am merely curious warrior.” There were sounds of clothing being removed and glasses moving.
“This is not blood.” Someone in the party spat out. Alex looked at Arturo. “It is not,” they heard Liv say. “as I am sure you are aware My Lords, this is a blood drinker free house. The port is a special blend created by Lord Arturo himself. He wishes you all to enjoy it.” Liv told them lightly. Alex gave Arturo an appreciative nod at hearing it. To not drink it would be an offence to Arturo. Etiquette required they take it. There was a couple of minutes of drinking and murmuring. “If you are ready My Lord. Lord Arturo is in his office for your private meeting.” They heard Liv tell them. Arturo grinned hearing that. That cut out everyone but those who Clavius chose to bring in. “This way My Lord.” They heard Liv coming towards the door and Knocked, waited a moment then entered. “My Lord I have your guests for you. My Lord Calvius and party.” She told them and stepped back.
They all rose as respect required. Arturo rose as Calvius came into the room and moved around the desk to greet him. Alex was not surprised to see him as he remembered although he had not been at Court in a couple of centuries. He oozed elder statesman and had an unnatural grace that could not be human. Alex noticed that Calvius clung to the old ways as did many of them. He wore a sharp tailored suit probably Italian, the Jacket clinging to his shoulders, with a red silk waistcoat and his hair being raven in colour was scraped back from his face and hung down his back. He was after all, an Italian Count. And looked it. Calvius smiled. “Well child, what have you been up to?” He asked grinning. Arturo smiled at his mentor and moved forward and embraced him kissing both cheeks.
“It is good to see you Uncle. Let me introduce my wife, Regin.” Regin stood and held out her hand. Calvius took it and held it in both of his. You could see him sensing the air. “That is indeed something special. Your blood in the Port?” He asked Arturo. He nodded. Calvius turned back to Regin. “There was a time, my dear, when a higher Lord could demand the female of a lower Lords house. You make it very tempting to re-invoke that nonsense. I am honoured to meet a daughter of Frejya.” He told her with a slight bow. “And I am honoured to meet the great Calvius.” She told him. Calvius nodded. “Aww well politics demands that does it not?” He told her dryly. “And may I re-introduce our friends to you, Alex and Marcus.” Arturo asked him. Calvius’s grin widened. “Well, this is a surprise indeed.” He said taking both men’s hands and shaking them. “Alex, it has been many years has it not?” “Yes, My Lord.” “Please have a seat.” “Marcus, we have not had the pleasure of your company at Court. It is good to see you here.” Arturo indicated his own and moved to the left next to Regin. Alex watched as Calvius took the seat offered and sat. He’d brought one male in with him who stood by the closed door.
Calvius appeared to look round the room taking in all the artefacts that Arturo had collected in his lifetime. Alex had a similar room at his own house. “You remember your years well Arturo.” Calvius told him. “I do.” He replied. “Do you wish for a return to the old ways dear child?” He asked him. “No Calvius I do not.” Calvius nodded. “I can see why.” He told him turning his gaze to Regin. He then looked at Alex and Marcus before focusing on Arturo again. “There is a sickness at Court.” He told them straight. “It hungers for power and has been most active in trying on several fronts, to make a nuisance of themselves. Several have died trying. It is annoying and tiresome.” He told them. “And although, I was happy for them to fight amongst themselves for crumbs, it is after all, who we are, they have pushed too far on this occasion and it will be stopped once and for all.”
Arturo looked on at his mentor. Alex wasn’t sure where this was going. “Thank you for your private message of support.” Clavius told him. “I did not require it however, it did have a strange effect on those who would seek to succeed my power. I had several pledges of support very publicly that had not been there before. I found that interesting. Your reputation it seems is well known at Court Arturo, but then, you were a ruthless bastard were you not child? You could hold a great position there if you so wished.” Clavius asked him curiously. “I have no wish to do so.” Arturo told him clearly. Clavius nodded. “As I suspected.” He turned to Regin. “Tell me child, what do I tell you?” He asked her. Alex was curious about that himself. Regin remained still for a moment and smiled. “I can tell, exactly what you wish me to and no more.” She answered. Clavius laughed and clapped. “Rubin my spy was right. I like her Arturo a worthy wife for a beloved child.” He told him.
“Now, tell me what the hell has been going on here and why is Clarise and Ataya making a play for this territory.” It was clear to Alex and everyone else in the room that Clavius knew everything.
Alex listened to Arturo and Marcus recite the events of the past few weeks. The air in the room dropped several degrees by the time they were finished. It was a good few moments before Clavius spoke. “That bitch and her dog, dares incite war on my doorstep, with my family.” He shouted rising from his seat. Clavius stormed around the desk and his security opened the door into the reception room. His people were standing and waiting. “I want that bitch and Ataya found and brought to me now. I will take everything they value and crush them. Do not, allow either of them to slip through your fingers, I want answers from both of them, they are not alone in this, I am sure of that. And when you find them, tell them I wish to merely discuss a venture to both our liking. They will rue the day they started this. Now go, and drag them back to me.”
Clavius turned to Arturo. “The Council owes your house’s an apology and you will have it. Alex, forgive us this intrusion in you being here, Marcus, we are indebted to you and will protect you and your family from this point forward.” He told him as his staff grabbed coats and made exits. Only three of his people stayed with him. Alex realised that this was a show of the level of trust Clavius placed in Arturo. “Now.” Clavius said. “I would like to see your people Arturo and make amends to you all.” Regin stepped forward. “This way My Lord.” She held out her arm for Clavius to take. He did. “You are truly a treasure child.” He whispered none to quietly. “I hope the brat treats you well.” He told her patting her hand. “He does or I fry his arse.” She told him. Clavius chuckled. “Come show me your people.” He told her amused.
Alex moved into the hallway and headed into Luce’s room ahead of the party and stood behind her. It was instinctive he couldn’t help himself. A base need to show his protection in the face of a greater Lord. Luce looked up at him smiled and went back to work. Regin entered the room. “Ladies and Gentlemen may I present Lord Clavius Leader of the European Court and our honoured guest.” The boys and Bit stood and gave a nod in Clavius’ direction. Alex watched Clavius take in the room and come to rest on Luce. She came around the desk and held out her hand. “These are our technical support in this modern world,” Regin told him. “They run all the software and hardware, to ensure our security, phones, personal communications both at home and in the field while on hunts, patrols and in the property, we are private and secure and ensure we are safe at all times. And this is the leader of our group here. Luce, she has overlord.”
Alex watched as Clavius came forward and took Luce’s hand and shook it. “Explain how you do this child?” He asked her. Luce reeled off the structure and systems they were running, the processes and software. She showed him how ID’s were logged in and communications made, then moved on to the security systems and pointed out and demonstrated picking up unknown vamps and her tracking systems and lock down protocols. Luce moved on to the personal cameras everyone wore and how the vid screens gave them visuals. Alex couldn’t help but encourage the pride he felt. “You have achieved much here.” Clavius told her. “I see you are mated. Your husband?” He asked he
r. Alex froze. He waited for Luce to explode. “That would be that handsome devil over there.” Luce told him and thumbed behind her. Clavius looked up at Alex. “A good match. My congratulations My Lord.” Clavius inclined his head and Alex automatically did the same.
“Now Regin, show me the rest. I have children to meet and I need to be an Uncle again.” He told them rubbing his hands together as if in anticipation. In any other vamp of his age, Alex thought that would look creepy but Clavius carried it off. “In that case My Lord this way.” Regin led Clavius out. “Luce, Clavius’ people will be coming and going over the next few days please ensure we have no security issues.” Arturo asked her before leaving to join Clavius. Alex couldn’t help himself, he came over to Luce and hugged her from behind planting a kiss on her head. Leaning down to her ear he told her. “Thank you for not exploding.” Luce shook her shoulders and patted his hands. “I can play nice.” She told him. Alex grinned. Yeah right. Giving her one last squeeze he left her to join Arturo.
Bonded Page 16
