Catch

by Annie Nicholas

  With a slight skip to my step, I passed Gwen and descended to the door.

  She touched my elbow and stopped my progress. “That’s only the front drive.” With a lift of her chin, she gestured to the left corridor. “I want to take you to the gardens. It’s shaded and has chairs.”

  I nodded. Sounded like a great idea.

  Lifting a radio from her belt, she turned it on. “Dinner for two in the gardens.” Then returned it to the belt and glanced at me. “Coffee is not food.” The garden grew next to the house. I twisted around and examined the ancient stone building we just exited. Not a house, a freaking mansion. “Wow.” It stood at least three stories high in this section, but I could see it rose higher as it got closer to the small mountain behind it.

  “Master Tane houses a large family.”

  “Master?” The title irked my American nature.

  Gwen ignored me and led us down a flagstone path to a large natural swimming hole. The elegant landscaped garden kept its original jungle vegetation yet it appeared tame. More than one sitting area surrounded the stone-lined pool.

  I stood at the edge and stared into the water. The bottom held what looked like sand and I didn’t see any fish or plants. A low waterfall filled the pool and it emptied via a stream at the other end. Large leaves of tropical bushes drooped to touch the water in some places so I could see the slow current as it eddied around them. I stuck my fingers in the cool, clear water. “I think I died and went to heaven.” My whisper went unheard since Gwen already sat at the far end of the pool area at a table.

  She poured coffee from a carafe she’d taken from a tray waiting for us.

  The strong smell of Brazilian coffee drifted in my direction. I stood and wiped my wet fingers on Rurik’s slacks. They’d dry before he’d need them back.

  “Cream?” Gwen asked as I approached the table.

  I saw pastries, cheese, salad and a plate of thin slices of roast beef. My stomach somersaulted in delight. “Yes.” I took the offered cup then filled my plate.

  Gwen joined me.

  “Tane sure knows how to live.” I cut into the meat.

  “Master Tane is very generous.” She eyed me from across the table. “You need to get use to addressing him by that title.”

  I snorted then bit into my supper.

  She set her half-eaten pastry on the plate. “I don’t understand. You are aware of the bond you share with him?”

  “Vividly.” I sipped the coffee and closed my eyes to savor the flavor. “I don’t see a collar and tag around my neck, so I’m nobody’s bitch.”

  “You don’t like him.”

  “No shit.” I hated him. He wrecked everything. I opened my eyes and finished off my defenseless meal.

  “Why did you agree to the bond?”

  I choked on a mouthful of salad. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as little bits flew from my mouth and landed between us on the table. “I-I…” Grabbing the cup of coffee, I washed down the rest of my bite. “I never agreed to anything. He forced it on me.” The cup rattled as I slammed it down.

  She sipped her drink and watched me. “I find that hard to believe. Some of Dragos’

  cronies maybe, but not my Master. He allowed Rurik to keep you since he is so fond of him. It’s a mark of favor.”

  My meal sunk like a lead anchor. Tane had that effect on me. He twisted the truth and made himself look a martyr. “I don’t see much of a difference between Dragos and Tane. One crazy Nosferatu took the place of another.” She shook her head. “Then you never knew Dragos.”

  “I got closer to him than I ever wanted to.” The skin on my neck tingled where he’d bitten me eighteen months ago. I rubbed it with my fingers. Dragos almost drained every last drop of my blood. I would have died if not for the bond.

  “Dragos’ rein became lax over the last century. He ignored those who broke the laws and also broke a few himself.” She set her coffee cup on the table. “I should know. It was my job to clean up evidence.” The amber of her eyes darkened as she stared at nothing, lost in the past.

  I cleared my throat to get her attention. “Do you mind if I take a walk around the garden?”

  “No, I’ll accompany you.”

  Not that I minded her presence, but I needed sometime alone to think. “It’s all right, Gwen. I’m sure you have more important things to do.”

  “Actually, no. I’ve been assigned as your bodyguard. You’re the most important thing I have to do.” The corner of her mouth lifted in a half-hearted smile.

  The urge to reach across the table and smack it off her face burned in my shoulders.

  “If I said ‘no’ would it make a difference?”

  “I have my orders and you don’t sign my paycheck.”

  “Why the hell does Tane want to protect me?” The question bypassed my brain-mouth filter.

  She rose from her chair. “I know. What a cad, trying to keep you safe.” The sarcasm wasn’t lost on me. I stood and saw a stone-pebbled path that led deeper into the jungle-like garden. “That’s not my point. We don’t exactly like each other. I think he’d be relieved if I disappeared.”

  Gwen’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? That’s quite a dynamic you two have going on.” She rubbed her chin and followed me as I walked to the path. “Since Tane has taken over he’s tightened the reins and leads with an iron fist. He has returned to older ways of secrecy, and introduced some newer concepts to his people. Living with and caring for humans who have decided to commit their lives to them has been… encouraged.” She walked beside me now.

  I laughed. “So he needs to set an example and take very good care of me.” That must gnaw at his balls. As we walked through the jungle paradise, I kept giggling to myself every once in a while. The irony tickled me and being bone weary, also made me a little silly.

  “Stop that.” Gwen rounded on me.

  I stumbled back a step into a large leaf fern.

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe he cares. Did you ever consider the possibility?”

  Ick. “I’ve seen how he takes care of those close to him. He may have a fancy home and people may flock to him, but it doesn’t mean he cares.” I always hated the way Tane had addressed Eric, as if he’d been a servant. Loved ones didn’t give commands.

  With a shake of my curls, I brushed past Gwen and continued walking higher up the mountain. My little stroll became a hike. “Crap, I’m tired, and my feet are killing me.” I’d been barefoot, not being able to wear Rurik’s shoes and losing my high heels the other night. “Let’s go back.”

  “Wait.” Gwen grabbed my arm and stopped my turn. “I smell something wrong.” A chill shot from the base of my spine to my shoulders. Stiff backed, I twisted from side to side and tried to find a scent. Nothing unusual troubled my nose. Flowers, plants and dirt all registered. “I don’t smell it.”

  “You wouldn’t.” She let my arm go then brought her face close to the ground as if sniffing a trail.

  I blinked, opened my mouth to ask what the hell she was doing, but snapped it shut.

  As a blood slave of a Nosferatu vampire ruler, standing on the side of a small mountain in Brazil, Gwen smelling the dirt really shouldn’t surprise me.

  A handgun appeared in her hand and she motioned for me to get down.

  I didn’t need to be asked twice, I dropped to my stomach and waited. Lightheaded from the sudden move, I stared at one of the pebbles on the path. An ant crawled on top of it as if on a hill. I could relate.

  Gwen crept soundlessly through the underbrush. I didn’t know if I should follow.

  Allowing Rurik to hunt me for fun this past year taught me to be quiet. I could move like her if I concentrated and didn’t let fear rule me.

  One step at a time, I inched forward. Move a leaf, check for things that might creak, step, then repeat. So focused on the jungle floor, I almost got up-close-and-personal with Gwen’s ass.

  Still as stone, she studied something on the ground in front of her.


  I twisted to look at the path. We’d gone about thirty feet from it.

  “You can stand.” Gwen rose with fluid ease and returned the firearm to its holster.

  “She’s been dead a while. The killer is long gone.” What? I shoved past her and regretted it. A young woman lay in a shallow grave.

  Bits and pieces of her missing, some of the wildlife must have been snacking. Her long brown hair braided in hundreds of thin strands and twisted into a complicated knot on her head. It appeared as if she’d been dressed to go out somewhere fancy. Her dress and heels seemed intact, but her eyes were gone.

  My stomach heaved without warning.

  Gwen yanked me away from the body so I wouldn’t desecrate it. “Come on, I need to get you someplace safe then take care of this mess.” I wiped my chin with the back of my hand. Breakfast didn’t taste as good the second time around. “Will Tane let the police in here?”

  “For this? No.” Gwen shook her head and still held my arm as she guided me back to the path. “Whoever did it will get punished though, if not killed. He has no tolerance for murder, there’s no need for it.”

  The radio on her belt squealed.

  I jumped as if Satan had pinched my ass and I might have wet Rurik’s pants just a bit.

  She lifted it to her mouth and spoke in Portuguese. I understood enough to make out the words blood and truck. Her frown deepened and she raised her voice while gesturing with her free hand.

  I glanced back at the jungle where the body lay. The rays of the setting sun were fading behind the mountain. Zombie movie flashbacks wreaked havoc on my nerves.

  “This would be a perfect setting for horror movie. All we need is a full moon.”

  “That’s the last thing I need, Connie. Let’s go.” She took my hand and led me downhill at a quick pace.

  “Is a blood delivery here?” My words came out between pants.

  “I thought you didn’t speak Portuguese?”

  “My vocabulary is good, but I can’t string them into sentences. I’m blonde, not stupid.” The mansion peeked between the leaves of the trees.

  “There are too many vampires here for our humans to feed them safely. Most won’t be happy to drink cold blood, yet it will have to do.”

  “Why are there so many?” It didn’t make sense to gather in numbers. Like Gwen said, supply and demand wouldn’t work.

  “When Master Tane disappeared, many came to help with the search. They’ll be leaving tonight after the party.”

  “A party?”

  She stopped and stared at me. “Rurik didn’t tell you. I explained it to him last night after he’d fed.”

  “He got distracted.” What an understatement.

  “You need to attend.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Word is spreading about your bond to Master Tane. He’ll require your presence, a show of solidarity.” She stepped very close and glared down her nose at me. “This isn’t up for negotiations.”

  I swallowed around a dry lump in my throat. “Okay.” She nodded and stepped back. “Let’s get you settled so you can get ready for tonight.”

  “What about the body?’

  “What body?”

  Chapter Ten

  “You sound like a broken record.” Gwen stopped by the door to my room.

  “I hate leaving that body alone in the jungle for anything to nibble on her.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I met Gwen’s dark glare. The empty pit that used to be my stomach still rolled.

  “She’s dead. It doesn’t matter to her anymore. Look, Connie. I’m short-handed as is and this nest is about to wake. Do me a favor and stay in your room until I get this sorted out, or Rurik awakens.”

  I nodded before opening the door.

  Touching my shoulder, she made me hesitate. “I’d hate to find you in that jungle next.” She spun around and left me staring at her back.

  Me too.

  The door swung open about two inches then stopped. I tried it again and it met resistance. “Rurik?” No one answered but the sun was close to setting. What else blocked my way? With my shoulder pressed to the solid wood, I pushed until it gave enough space for me to squeeze through.

  “What now?” I set my hands on my hips and regarded the luggage strewn across the floor. Someone had gone to our freaking hotel, packed our stuff and then brought them here. Strangers touched my delicates, who would like that?

  I appreciated the gesture, I guessed. Eventually Rurik would want his clothes back and that would leave me with nothing but blankets. Something fresh to wear would be great…and shoes, except they didn’t need to bring everything.

  Like a gong, the notion hit me. They expected us to stay. I glanced at my sleeping lover. Did he want to remain here among his own kind?

  The door opened and a man stood with another suitcase in his hand.

  I rounded on him. “Who told you to bring my things here?” He set it by the door and raised his hands. “Não falam Inglês.” Great, no English. I let out an angry sigh. “Empregador.” It should mean boss.

  Nodding his head, he retreated from the room as I followed. We didn’t go far, left down the hall, then made a right to a guarded double door entrance. My guide spoke with one while the other eyed my oversized clothing and dirty bare feet.

  Yep, that’s me, blood slave to your vampire king. All I was missing was a frayed straw hat and some chewing tobacco.

  He spoke into his radio, however I didn’t hear a response.

  Above their heads, I noted a small camera embedded in the wall. I twisted to look at the intersecting hallways and noted a similar set up. That’s how Gwen knew I’d left my room the first time; she was going to be pissed about this too. Right now, I didn’t care.

  The three conferred in quiet voices until the first one gestured to me. “Follow me, Ms. Bence.”

  They opened a door and let me in. We passed a small entry into a sitting area with a library from where I could see what appeared to be an office and heard the running shower.

  Paintings of the sea covered every wall. Stormy, calm, some with boats, one with whales, and another with a familiar yacht I’d had the misfortune of sitting on.

  We stood in Tane’s quarters.

  “Please, sit down while I inform the Master of your arrival.” The guard spoke fluent English with a slight British accent.

  “No, thanks.” I ground my teeth as I brushed past him across the library toward the sound of the shower. “I’ll tell the Master myself.” The audacity to assume we’d leave our lives behind and stay here without even him asking, tipped my sanity scale into suicidal-nut-job level. With hurricane force wind, I stormed into a huge, black marbled bathroom decorated with a minimalist in mind. The shower stall stood in the far corner with a frosted glass door.

  I hurried over and yanked it open.

  Tane flinched from the movement and gazed at me. “Rabbit?” The guard grabbed my upper arm. “I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t think she’d act this way.”

  “You’re not used to her. It all right, Marco, I’ll take care of things.” He leaned against the shower wall and returned his attention to me.

  The guard released my arm and I heard him close the door.

  Last night, I’d been so exhausted and in pain I never noted Tane’s tattoo. I’d seen it poking out of his shirt collar on occasion. It crept around his shoulders from his back and descended to mid bicep, a black tribal design that popped on his translucent skin. Water poured over him in streams, meandered down his well-muscled body to pool at his feet.

  A shiny golden ring pierced his belly button.

  He rolled it in his fingers. “I got this before it became fashionable. A small token of my pirating days.” His hand trailed lower and drew my eyes until I realized where it headed.

  I jerked my gaze away and licked my lips. Pirate? Why didn’t that surprise me?

  His chuckle made me blush. “Is there anything else you need? If you’re going to stand there, you may as well get in and
join me.”

  “When hell freezes over.” I stepped away.

  “Careful what you wish for.” He shut the shower door. “I’m almost done. Wait for me in the living room. I’m sure whatever crisis you have can wait another minute.” I stared through the frosted glass at Tane’s silhouette. He scrubbed at his scalp. “I’m not staying.”

  “Fine, have a seat and order something to eat.”

  “That’s not what I mean. I want to go back to my hotel.”

  “No.”

  I waited, but he continued to wash. Asshole. Rurik should be waking as well. I spun and stomped back to the library. He would know how to get a taxi and get us back where we belonged.

  Something brushed past me and I stiffened from the touch.

  Tane appeared before me by one of the sofas. A towel wrapped around his waist. He lifted the phone to his ear. “What would you like to eat?”

  “Gwen fed me.”

  He set the phone down and leaned against the sofa with his arms crossed over his chest. “I heard about your little hike.”

  “Then you know about the body?” Gwen didn’t waste time.

  “Of course.” He raised an eyebrow and frowned. “I have a traitor in my house and a murderer. Do you think it’s a coincidence?”

  For the last hour my brain had stopped working, reacting instead of planning. Maybe a bit of overreacting tossed in the mix when I saw the luggage. “No.”

  “Do you think I should call the Rio law enforcement and have them investigate?”

  “Would they care?” My words came out strained. He wanted to lead me somewhere.

  “Not unless she belonged to someone important.” He rubbed his thumb under his chin and stared at the floor. “If I paid, some of them would care more, but if I’m going to hire a person, I want the best.” With the last word, he fixed his gaze to mine.

  “My sources tell me Colby’s in town. I doubt he vacations.” I should have stayed in my room. This was why I hated Tane. He twisted my guts and made me feel inadequate. One day I might learn to understand his subtle thought processes. Not this evening. “He’s here on business.”

  “I bet he couldn’t resist meeting with you.”