****
Stephan sensed the arrival of Demetri and Kat. Apparently Marcus did as well for he joined Stephan in the foyer to greet them. Opening the door wide, Stephan was shocked to find Demetri carrying Kat in his bulky arms. Against his large body, she looked like a child sleeping. Demetri bowed his head in greeting.
“What the hell happened?” Stephan pinned Demetri with a harsh glare.
“Your female will be fine,” Demetri replied calmly. “Worry not.”
Stephan assessed Kat’s injuries. His gaze lit on her multiple bruises and swollen ankle.
“What happened?” he asked again as he captured her ankle to examine the bruising.
“She was attacked. I believe the ankle is only sprained. It will be fine.”
“Why is she wet?” asked Marcus looking from Kat to Demetri.
“It’s raining,” Demetri casually informed them as Marcus took off his shirt and laid it over Katrina’s still form.
“Why is she unconscious? Is she hurt badly?” A look of concern furrowed Marcus’ brows.
“She is not unconscious. I put her to sleep.”
“Why?” Stephan inquired, suspicion raising his voice.
Demetri shrugged his shoulders causing Kat to lift briefly. “Because she was crying, and I don’t like listening to a female cry.”
Stephan gingerly took the unconscious Kat from Demetri’s arms. The Alpha efficiently relayed the story of what happened in the alley.
“By the time I arrived at the club to escort Kat, another male was already there. I brought the Hummer to a stop and realized the male was attacking. It sickened me that he would attack a defenseless female. But your woman did well. She’d already broken his nose when I arrived.”
A proud smile crossed Marcus’ lips. “That’s my Kitty Kat.”
“My first priority was Katrina’s safety. By the time I loaded her into the car, the male got away. But I got a good look at the van. It was black, no windows on the sides or back.”
“Sounds like the same van I saw at the Lucio compound,” Marcus remarked.
“That sonuvabitch! Gage tried to kidnap my Katrina,” Stephan yelled, causing Kat to stir. Demetri obviously released his command to sleep for her eyelids fluttered open. She looked around at her surroundings, her eyes coming to rest briefly on him. A look of confusion crossed the delicate features of her face when she looked from Marcus to Demetri and finally to Nicholai who had come to join the group in the foyer.
“Where am I?” she asked after she blinked a few times seemingly to clear the sleepy haze from her mind. Her face twisted in pain when she flexed her ankle. It brought tears to her eyes she could not contain. Kat moaned, and Stephan brought her close, holding her tightly to his chest.
“It’s all right, mein schatz. You are safe now. Demetri brought you back to the penthouse. I’m going to take the pain away. You will be okay.” He kept his voice smooth as silk, and Katrina instantly settled in his arms. His lover snuggled against him, and placed her hand around the back of his neck. Stephan looked back at Demetri. “Thank you for returning her to me, my old friend. I am in your debt for all you did tonight.”
Demetri waved a dismissive hand. “It was nothing. I can see she is tired. I’ll take my leave if there is nothing more you need of me this night.”
“Actually I’d like you to stay. I’d like to speak with you some more after I see to Kat. I have more questions.
“Marcus, please get Demetri and Nicholai a drink. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Stephan took Kat up the stairs, her weight no consequence as he cradled her against his chest. He laid her softly onto the bed. After removing her sodden clothing, he looked upon her battered body noting every scratch, each bruise. “I want to you to take a little of my blood, Kitten. It will speed your healing.”
Allowing for no protest, Stephan bit a wound into his wrist and held it to Katrina’s lips. Too tired to argue, she reached up, held his wrist to her lips and drew the coppery liquid into her mouth. He pushed into her mind ready to take control should she find the task inordinate. But it was not necessary. As it coated the back of her throat, she tasted him in the thick liquid, and she liked it.
Stephan closed his eyes, savoring the feel of each draw against his skin. A rush of heat coursed through his body. But he swallowed down the lust, for he knew his lover needed to rest and heal.
“That’s enough,” he said, gently taking his wrist from her mouth. He remained in her mind, needing to know how she felt. As his blood nourished her cells, Kat’s wounds tingled. He looked down and found her watching him as he sat beside her on the bed.
His thigh brushed her ribs when he carefully ran his hands over her body to check for injuries. He started with the scrapes on her palms then ran his hands up her arms, down over her ribs and hips. His fingers lingered while he watched the cut on her thigh begin to close when the healing properties in his blood worked their magic. Finally, his hands trailed gently over her knees and down to her toes.
Satisfied her only serious injury was the ankle, he knelt down beside the bed and closed his eyes in concentration. He felt her watching him as he rubbed his hands together, gathering his healing energy. A soft yellow glow emitted from his hands. Their eyes met when he gathered her injured ankle in his hands, bathing it in the healing light. Kat closed her eyes, and her facial features relaxed as the pain slowly ebbed from her injury.
Feeling confident the ankle had received proper attention, Stephan released her leg. He took her hands in his and sent his healing energy throughout her body.
The warrior left his body, sent his essence into her. Flowing throughout her body, he concentrated on her palms, knees, leg, and ankle. He watched the wounds repair from the inside out, making sure they healed completely before he pulled back into his own body.
Kat looked at him with a tear in her eye. “Thank you. I feel alive, whole again. The pain is gone.”
“I’m so sorry this happened.” Stephan ran his fingers through her hair brushing it back from her face.
“Me too. But it’s okay. I’m fine thanks to you.” Kat smiled up at him. Love sparkled in her gray-blue eyes. It humbled him.
“But for me, you wouldn’t have been attacked.”
“Don’t say that. To be with you, I’d suffer any attack.”
“You shouldn’t have to suffer just to be with me. My world is dark and dangerous. It is no place for a human.”
She laced her fingers with his. “But when I’m with you I feel whole, happy. Without you I’d be lost. I’ll take a little darkness now and then.”
“But…” Kat put a finger on Stephan’s lips to silence him.
“Enough talking for tonight,” she said as she leaned up and captured his lips with her own.
Her lips, soft and warm, pressed against his. Her tongue darted out, licking against the seam of his lips, begging entrance. He wanted to taste her, wanted to feel her surround him with her warmth, but this was not the time to indulge. She needed to get cleaned up and rest after her ordeal, and he could do no other than see to her needs.
Pulling away from Katrina, Stephan wrapped her in a robe and led her into the bathtub. He filled it with warm water. After helping her into the steamy bathwater, he stepped around the tub and sat behind her.
He lathered a fluffy white wash cloth and washed her body with small circles. Katrina relaxed against the tub as the water washed away the evidence and trauma of the evening.
As Stephan finished washing her legs and reverently rinsed her body, her eyes drooped closed. She fell asleep with the water gently lapped against her tired body. He awakened her when he used a soft towel on her face to wipe the water away. After handing her from the tub, Kat swayed while he toweled the drops of water from her body. Her leaden eyes drooped and neither of them spoke while he worked.
After placing her in their bed, he remained with her until she drifted off to sleep again. Stephan placed a kiss on her forehead and left feeling bereft as he closed t
he door and headed toward the stairs to join his friends in the living room.
Nicholai motioned for Marcus to stop pacing and sit down in the living room of the penthouse as Demetri carried three glasses of blood and vodka, true Bloody Marys, into the living room.
Nicholai pinned Demetri with his gaze. “Cousin, tell me exactly what happened tonight. I get the feeling you left something out when talking earlier.”
The Russian took a long sip of his drink and told his fellow warriors all the details of the fight between Kat and her attacker including how she kicked him not once but twice.
“It amazes me how one so lovely and graceful could be such a fighter. I guess it is true what the proverb says; you cannot judge a book by its cover.” Nicholai took a long drink from his glass.
Marcus pressed his friend for more details about the van. After hearing the thorough description, Marcus sighed, his fists clinched in his lap. “I think we have enough proof Gage was behind this. Somehow he found Kat and now he is after her to punish Stephan.”
Nicholai nodded in agreement. “I think you are correct. Gage thinks Stephan took his heartmate from him, so he is taking Stephan’s woman.”
“I agree,” Demetri concurred as Stephan joined the group.
“Gage is definitely a threat,” said Stephan taking up residence in front of the plasma TV. He crossed his arms over his chest. “I think we need to take him out.”
“Those are strong words,” cautioned Nicholai, knowing where this conversation was heading.
“I agree with Stephan.” Marcus rose from his chair to pace the room. “Gage tried to get Kat tonight. Since that failed, who knows what he’ll try next.”
“I too think it would make sense for Gage to try something again,” agreed Demetri.
Stephan nodded. “I can only guess what he’ll try next. He is a male that blames me for the loss of his mate. He tried to take my woman tonight. We can be sure he did not have any honorable intentions toward Katrina.”
Marcus stopped his pacing, turning toward his fellow Alphas. “We also believe he was gathering humans for a hunt club. Fates be damned, what if he was going to hunt Kat?”
“Perhaps we do need to take out the threat,” Nicholai conceded. He wiped his hand through his hair.
Marcus sat down hard in the leather recliner. “In his grief, Gage is a danger to himself and others, especially other humans. We believe him to be the one behind the hunt club and now he has a personal vendetta against Stephan. He must be stopped.” Marcus punched one fist into the opposite palm.
“His house is well guarded,” observed Nicholai.
“We should assemble the Council,” his cousin suggested. “Together we can easily take care of Gage and his guards.”
“I agree,” Stephan said, determination furrowing his brows. “Are we in agreement?”
The Alpha leader looked from one vampire to the next, noting each Alpha’s agreement by the nods of their heads.
“It is decided then. We shall dispose of Gage Lucio.”
Stephan turned to the vampire he sired. “Marcus, call the other Alphas and tell them I request their presence here. For the ones who can’t dematerialize here, I’ll send my plane after them.”
Stephan took a card out of his wallet and handed it to Marcus. “Here is my pilot’s number. After you talk to the other Alphas you can call him and let him know which airports he’ll need to go to. He can take things from there.”
“I’m on it.” Marcus stood up to leave, but Stephan halted him by placing a hand on his arm.
“Marcus, I also want you to arrange for Kat to have an extended leave of absence from Reapers. I don’t want her going back to work until we get this straightened out.” Stephan looked grim, his face drawn.
“Will do. I’ll coordinate everything right now.”
Marcus left to make the arrangements as Demetri and Nicholai stood to take their leave. Stephan escorted the two to the door.
“Do not worry Stephan,” offered Nicholai, knowing his words would not be heeded by the Alpha leader. “We will deal with Gage, then you and Kat will be safe.”
“I’m not worried about myself, only Kat. I fear that as long as she is a part of our world she will never truly be safe.”
Nicholai bowed his head in silent agreement, knowing no words could reassure Stephan. Then he and his cousin turned in unison and walked out the door.
“Safe travels, my friends,” Stephan called out to the pair of them, closing the door behind them.
****
Gage punched his fist through the wall and rounded on his guard. “You’re telling me you didn’t get the woman?” he bellowed.
Trace looked down at his feet, properly ashamed. “No, I couldn’t get her. I was attacked.”
“Yeah, by the female,” Alvero offered, a grin threatening to crack his lips.
Gage’s eyes widened. This was unbelievable!
“You mean to tell me that the mortal female did that to you?” He pointed to Trace’s swollen and bloodied face. Trace nodded and his face contorted with pain.
Gage grunted in disgust. “You’re pathetic. How could a little human girl get away from you?”
“She surprised me by attacking me. The woman has been taught to fight.”
“Even so, you’re telling me you couldn’t handle her?”
“I had her, until the reinforcements showed up.”
“What do you mean? Explain.” Gage leapt across the room and pinned Trace to the wall. His hand clamped down hard around the male’s throat, and he leaned in close. “And don’t lie to me.”
“I almost had her,” the guard explained, “when the largest vampire I have ever seen suddenly appeared. It was obvious he was her bodyguard. I knew if there was one guard there would be others so I took off.”
“Leaving the woman,” finished Gage.
Alvero snickered. “I never thought I’d see the day when Trace was bested by a female, especially a human female.”
“Stephan was obviously expecting us to try to kidnap the woman,” observed Trace. “That’s why she was being guarded.”
“Perhaps these are why,” Alvero said, raising his hand.
Gage looked over at the two metal devices resting in the male’s palm. “What are those?”
Alvero dropped the bits of metal on Gage’s desk. “I believe they are listening devices.”
Gage dropped his hand from his guard and made his way over to his desk to inspect the debris.
“The house is bugged?” asked Trace, rubbing his neck.
“Was bugged,” Alvero corrected. “I’ve had the guards do a sweep of the house. These were the only two devices found, and I destroyed them.”
Gage paced the room in agitation. “Our plan for revenge is ruined. No wonder the woman was being guarded. Von Hass knew we were coming. Now that the kidnapping attempt failed, I’m sure he will be even more vigilant in protecting his woman. “
“We need a new plan,” suggested Alvero.
Yes they did, thanks to Trace. Idiotic guard. A waste of flesh really.
Gage rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps in addition to a new plan I also need to get a new leader for my guard, since Trace can’t even seem to kidnap one puny woman.”
Trace opened his mouth to speak, but Gage shot him a look that closed his mouth up tight.
“Alvero, you are now the head of the guards. You’re first responsibility as leader is to see that Trace is punished for his failure, then report back to me so we can try to conceive of a new plan.”
Alvero straightened to his full height, holding his face expressionless. Emotions were not tolerated well by their master, and he had obviously learned that lesson well. Trace had always been Gage’s second in command but now Alvero would run the guard. He had better be up to the task.
Gage watched Alvero lead Trace away. A short time later he sat alone in his study and heard the crack of the whip as it bit into Trace’s flesh. A wide smile of satisfaction crept onto his face. A
lvero might just work out, he thought.
Chapter 29
Stephan awoke in the same state he had the previous three evenings—fear knotted his stomach and perspiration created a fine sheen on his brow. His heart pounded within the wall of his torso. His muscular chest heaved heavily up and down as he gasped for air. Like in previous nights, a nightmare inspired his reaction, but this night the dream had been different. Instead of Andrea, he dreamt of Kat, a horrific dream in which he found her mutilated body on the side of a road.
He quickly reached one arm over to gain comfort from the feeling of Katrina beside him. His arm landed on a cool flat sheet. He patted his hand up and discovered an empty pillow. Stephan bolted upright, his eyes wide with fright.
He immediately sent his senses flaring out to locate his love, taking some comfort in the knowledge that since she had drank his blood twice, he would always be able to find her. Immeasurable calm settled over him when he sensed her presence downstairs.
He focused his preternatural hearing toward the kitchen, and heard Kat and Marcus laughing together. With a sigh of relief, he scrubbed both hands down his face and shook off the feeling of dread, sending his dark hair skirting across his bare shoulders.
It was only a dream, he reminded himself as he dressed quickly to join the pair in the kitchen.
“And what may I ask is so funny?” Stephan strolled into the kitchen, the forced smile on his face did not reach his eyes.
“Oh, nothing,” replied Kat, smiling at him. “You really had to be there.”
“Care to join us?” Marcus lifted his glass containing blood.
“I think I will.” Stephan poured a glass of the precious crimson liquid for himself then joined the twosome at the table, taking a chair between them.
“So, again I’ll ask. What was so funny?” Stephan raised his glass to his lips to take a sip of the life-sustaining fluid.
“Oh, we were just talking about past Halloweens,” Kat informed him wistfully. “We have always had such fun on Halloween.”
Alpha Mine (The Alpha Council Chronicles) Page 19
