by Lexi C. Foss
Rome sprawls around me in all its beauty, breath-taking and timeless, but I haven’t allowed myself to enjoy it. There’s no point when I won’t be here for more than a couple of days. Like every assignment, I’m in and out quickly. The less contact I have with others the better. It’s how I’ve survived this long. I’m nothing but a fleeting shadow. That’s the way it's always been and how it will continue.
Duty is my purpose.
Violence and discipline are the parents that raised me.
Every word Lucifer told me the day I was presented to him, I’ve taken to heart. He’s given purpose to my existence. A code to live by.
Usually I’m doing my master’s bidding. Blood suckers who displease Lucifer are eliminated. A long succession of kills I’ve made over the years. Although the undead grace the Devil’s Army of the Damned, there are still those who aren’t loyal to him.
“You look like you're ready to kill someone.”
Halting at the familiar voice, I turn to find its owner. “Vinnie.”
I haven’t seen him in months, although a vague sense of familiarity washes over me as if we’ve shared this exact moment before. Maybe it reminds me of the times we’ve bumped into each other. He’s always shadowing me when we find ourselves in the same city.
Leaning against a marble column, his bright blue eyes hold mine, peeking from behind a lock of unruly black hair. There’s a smirk twisting his sexy lips. Handsome, pale, he looks the picture of sophistication in his tuxedo.
Straightening he strolls toward me, his hooded gaze still entrapping mine. “You're stunning this evening, Yukie.”
“Thank you.” I tilt my head in acknowledgement.
His fingers trail against mine at my side as he brushes past me. “Ready to rock and roll?”
“Always.”
“I’ll meet you by the bar.” He strides off without a backward glance, and I can’t stop myself from smiling.
Flashing my invitation at one of the guards, it works like a charm, and I quickly find myself among the throng of the vampire elite.
Scanning the faces around me, I know it's only a matter of time before I find my target. Mentally scoping out the place, my attention skips the mystic feel of the atmosphere, instead noting entrances and exits. The guards who are placed in certain areas and the ones dressed like guests among the other vamps are here to have a good time. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to lure my prey out. I’m still irritated I had to leave my gun at the hotel with the security so tight. My 45 caliber pistol is a little lighter than usual for that type of weapon. Made of plastic, it prevents any vamp taking control of it if they have a gift involving metal. I’ve run into a few in the past, and it's been messy. This at least prevents that problem. The bullets are UV rounds, tipped with silver. They wreak enough damage to bring a vampire down permanently. I’ll have to use my imagination for this job tonight since I’m without it.
I’m thankful for the Italian cell of EVIE, an organization of slayers dedicated to the eradication of vampires. I’ve dealt with them before. They’ve provided me with everything I need. An out of the way hotel. Sparse, clean, enough for my needs. A courier delivery with the little black number I’m wearing tonight. Matching six-inch heels and killer lingerie.
Sauntering toward the bar, I take a seat and continue my surveillance from there. Ignoring the whimpers and groans from the naked and bound humans behind it, the scent of blood laces the air. They aren’t here against their will. They’ve all been paid obscene amounts of money to be donors. Consenting victims who’ll be a few pints lighter by the end of the night. Watching the bartender tapping their veins like barrels of beer doesn’t disgust me. I’ve seen far worse things done to humans in my line of work. Vampires lack humanity. They see humankind as sheep. Letting them breed, they cull the herd with their need to feed. Top of the food chain with the view that they're far more superior than anyone else.
The sensation of being watched has me alert more than usual. People are here to be seen, so it shouldn’t make me feel uneasy, yet there’s something about it that has my instincts bristling in warning.
Brown eyes collide with mine. The young man is a stranger, but the way he watches me is as if he knows me. I’m sure he’ll have a similar pick up line when he approaches me. With strawberry-blond curls and his tall, lithe body, he’d be physically appealing to most women. The beast inside me stirs in response in her slumber. Even though she’s part of me, I rarely call on her. That side of me has always been faint.
Two chimes from my phone distract me. Retrieving it from my purse, I swipe my finger across the screen and check my messages.
Are you ok?
I smile at the message. There aren’t many I call friends, but Mishka is among the few. The Indian Leopard shifter is a merciless huntress. Her prowess is well known among those in our line of work. After competing for the same target, we bonded over cocktails. I’d found a kinship with her. Something I’d never shared with anyone before.
I learned the hard way you can’t trust everyone. My naivety has cost me. In the end, even my mentor Julien had betrayed my innocent trust as a child. He’d hidden his obsession with me well when I was younger, but as I’d gotten older, he hadn’t been able to keep it from those around me. The handsome man he’d pretended to be had only been a facade. Like many of the Devil’s minions, he hides his beast. One that I had a glimpse of when I turned eighteen. The memory of him coming to my room and stealing my virginity feeds the hate I’ve learned to fuel me through everything I do. That day, I’d learned the creature I had thought of as my friend was truly a monster. It was only a small satisfaction to learn after what he’d done to me he’d been stripped of his responsibilities and thrown out of Hell.
Tapping back a quick message to Mishka, I press send.
In Rome. We should meet up soon for drinks. Maybe go hunting? I need a vacation. Somewhere with a beach.
Checking the second message, it’s a number I don’t recognize, but that’s nothing new. He’ll be using a burner phone something easy to get rid of. Excitement jolts through me at the two words.
Game on.
Yes. Vinnie, it is. Tonight is definitely going to be interesting.
When I glance back up, it's to find the young man gone. There’s no sign of him at all. Odd.
Resting bitch face is enough to put off any of the men or women who try to approach me. My patience is rewarded after an hour. Two good-looking men emerge through the crowd, heading in my direction. Vincenzo and I recognize his older brother from the photo in my file. With them comes a scent that makes me restless. Warm and tempting as chocolate, it brings an instant need to taste it. Attention settling on the vampire I’m after, I take in his striking appearance. Pale, smooth skin, cold cobalt blue eyes. A strong jawline and black hair a little longer than his companions that curls around the collar of his tuxedo. Over six-feet tall, broad and muscled, his expensive clothes only emphasize his chiseled perfection. A god among men. The Vampire King of Rome. Dante Medici.
Watching them reach the other end of the bar, I twist my stool around to observe them more closely.
4
Dante
“You need to stop looking like you’re being dragged to your execution,” my younger brother Vincenzo chiders in my ear as we stroll through the tuxedo and ball gown clad crowd toward the bar. The glitz and glamor of the event has drawn the créme de la créme of vampire society. Eligible females from every noble vampiric house vying for my attention.
“Easy for you to say,” I mutter, still disturbed by the dream of a faceless woman dancing among flames, which I’d awoken from just after sunset. “You’re not the one who’s going to have women thrust at him all night in the hopes I make one of them my queen.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad. You could have a little fun.” Vincenzo slides onto a stool at the gleaming chrome bar and lifts a brow at me. “A hot one-night stand or three.”
Ever the playboy, his responsibilities to the thro
ne have left him with an idle existence of excitement and pleasure. I’ve been disappointed more than once by his behavior, but he doesn't seem to give a damn what anyone thinks.
“If I take one to bed, she’ll assume it means something more than just a quick fuck,” I retort, slipping onto the stool beside him. “And I’m not interested in having that kind of mess on my hands when I’m about to announce my engagement to Vanna.”
Vanna Piovene daughter of Santino Piovene. I'm unrivaled, but their family has grown prominent through the centuries. Wealthy, hungry, and ruthless, they’re almost like royalty among the vampire houses. I know its Santino's desire to see his little girl on the throne. Beautiful and well-bred, she’ll be the queen I need at my side, forging an alliance between us.
“Wow it sucks to be you, Dante Medici, Vampire King of Rome.”
Turning to the voice dripping with amusement, I find Mateo, my second in command, has joined us. He knows everyone here is looking for something. They want to use me. My power. Please me with sweet dreams and promises to find my favor. I take what I want. That’s always been my way. They may try to manipulate me, but I’m the one who wins in the end.
“Vincenzo, you look pale. Have you fed this evening?” I question, noting that he looks paler than usual. His eyes bloodshot.
My brother lifts a careless shoulder. “I was going to get around to it.”
With a crook of my finger, I summon the bartender. Flashing me a smile, the pretty blonde leans her palms on the metal surface of the bar. “What do you desire, your royal highness?”
“Three A positives,” I tell her with a grin. “Heavy on the olives.”
“As you wish.” Giving me an admiring look, she moves to the naked humans behind the bar, chained up in a line against the wall. Taking a knife, she cuts the wrist of one of the males letting his blood fill three crystal glasses. His cries of pain are muffled behind his gag. Pale, shaking, it looks like he’s almost been bled dry by my guests.
“Dante, you need some fun in your life before you marry Vanna,” My brother tells Mateo, who takes the seat on the other side of me, “Desperately.”
“I do have fun,” I point out.
“I’m not talking about torturing your enemies and racing your fast cars. You need one long hot fuck before your bachelor days are over.”
I snort at his words. We both know even with Vanna in my bed that won’t stop me bedding other women. Discreetly of course. No strings attached affairs without any hint of scandal.
My attention scans the throng around us. My personal assistant has outdone herself this time. Gala held in one of my many successful hotels holds an exotic ambience with recreated ancient temples lit by a magical light, which just adds to the mystical atmosphere. They’ve perfectly captured the spirit of a forgotten time.
“How about something unusual before you announce to the world your marrying Vanna?” Mateo murmurs beside me. “Check out the woman at the end of the bar sitting alone.”
Turning slowly, I follow his sharp gaze. He’s right; the female is stunning. Leggy, sophisticated, with an air of mystery about her. The black dress she’s wearing is a short body-hugging number that leaves little to the imagination, ending in a pair of killer matching six-inch designer heels. Hair is bright electric blue, and the ends ripple down her slender shoulder’s in ebony black. It’s her face that holds me enthralled. Exotic, delicate oriental features. A brush of bright red lipstick on her lush tempting mouth that’s just begging to be kissed and wrapped around my cock.
Her cat-like eyes slide my way. Dark eyelashes frame vibrant green eyes that remind me of the purest jade. The cool look she gives me is nothing like the attention I’m used to from the opposite sex. It’s as if she doesn’t give a fuck who I am. You’d have to be blind or a hermit to not know I’m master of this city. Something in the way she holds herself, the tilt of her head, it speaks of challenge. It stirs a spark of recognition, but I know for sure I’ve never met her before. I would have remembered meeting her. I’d never forget a beautiful face like that. She’d have already become another notch in my bedpost.
“Something else, isn’t she?” Vincenzo mutters, accepting the drinks the bartender leaves out for us.
My gaze narrows as she slides off the stool and saunters toward the opposite end of the ballroom. Is she running away or playing a game? A dangerous woman if it’s the latter, but when have I ever said no to danger?
“Well, I know who I’ll be doing tonight.” Vincenzo slips off his stool intent on pursuing her.
“This one’s mine,” I tell him, leaving my seat with a new sense of purpose. “Don’t wait up for me.”
Mateo laughs behind me as I leave them. Vincenzo looks annoyed I’ve cut in on his fun. Women don’t walk away from me. If this one wants to play a game of cat and mouse, I’m more than happy to oblige her. I find myself drifting after her as she twists her way through the crowd. Now that she’s caught my eye, there'll be no escape. I won’t ask; I take, and she’s about to learn that.
She leads me out onto a terrace that descends into a shadowy moonlit garden. Hurrying down the steps, she saunters across the grass through the darkness.
“Wait.”
It’s a command she ignores, which only intrigues me more. The people around me have the good sense to obey when I speak.
Grinning in anticipation of what I’ll do to her when I catch up, I stroll after her. “I told you to wait, Pussycat.”
I find her hidden inside the darkness of a gazebo. Clinging against the wall, she observes with a fathomless gaze. There’s an aura of untouchability about her. Mystery and secrets that only arouse my curiosity more. Moving to join her, I place my palm against the smooth wood beside her head, staring down at the vision of loveliness before me.
Her expression turns wary. “It wasn’t supposed to be you.”
Was she after my brother? I push down my annoyance. The only cock she’ll have will be mine. My gaze moves over her in a leisurely inspection lingering on every curve. The eyelashes framing her almond-shaped, exotic eyes are a mile long, full lips promise untold pleasure. It's easy to envision her in my bed. She has the kind of body that would look even better out of that hot little dress. Reaching out boldly, I cup her cheek and draw her lips to mine. The world comes to a grinding halt at the first touch, the moment so intense. An exquisite taste of sweetness. She’s resistant at first, stiff and unyielding. Slanting my mouth more firmly over hers, I deepen the kiss. A sigh escapes her hands creeping up to clench the front of my shirt. She surrenders, arching her neck, welcoming the sweep of my tongue as it slides against her own. Groaning in my throat, I drag her closer against the hard length of my body, letting her know exactly how much I want her.
The kiss consumes me with a need I’ve never experienced before. Fisting her braid with my free hand, I tilt her head back further, my response becoming more aggressive. No one will disturb us out here. I’ll have her dress hiked up around her hips and have my cock buried inside her before her head stops spinning.
Dragging her mouth from mine, she gulps in a breath. “Stop.”
The woman watches me with those big green eyes of hers, her tense expression filled with confusion. A pink stain fills her cheeks, her breasts rising and falling in short soft breaths. She looks shocked. Cupping her cheek, I press my thumb against her mouth.
My low, husky laughter is the only sound. “You taste better than I imagined. Tell me your name.”
Her throat convulses. “Yukie.”
It’s a breathy whisper. Her lower lip trembles as my thumb drops away, and I swoop in for another kiss. The knee rammed into my groin has me doubling over in agony. Fighting for breath, I grab myself as my legs buckle, and my knees hit the wooden flooring. The bitch is going to pay for that.
Shadows move in a blur. Yukie isn’t alone. The blade of a knife gleams in a thin beam of moonlight filtering in through the doorway. Regaining my senses, I’m up off my feet and grab the nearest assassin as he makes a lung
e toward me. A hiss escapes his lips, red eyes bright in the dark.
Vampires.
Someone’s been stupid enough to move against me.
Twisting the neck of my attacker, I don't stop until I hear it crack. Tossing the body, it twitches and spasms on the floor. He’s not dead, but he soon will be once I stake him. Snatching the knife up, the first one dropped, I ram it through the chest of a second assailant. Shock registered over his face. A moment later, he's disintegrating into ash to form a pile with his clothes.
Snarling in fury, I turn to face down the others but find myself slammed back against the wall. The blade of a knife presses into the skin of my throat, drawing blood. Another sharp knife tip nudges my cock.
Yukie.
She stands with her slender body inches from my own, ready to slice me open either end. Green eyes glare angrily up into mine, lacking the cool detachment I usually see in the gaze of someone out for my blood.
“You don’t want to do that, Pussycat,” I tell her in a murmur. This won’t end well for this deadly beauty. I admit she’s the closest a paid killer has come to ending me, but I won’t go down easily. She may think she has me, but she’s wrong.
5
Yukie
I’m still shaken by the heat that had sizzled between me and the Vampire King. The scorching kiss had thrown my world off its axis. I’d forgotten how to breath. Instead of feeling disgust at the press of his erection on my stomach, I’d felt a traitorous desire. I’ve been kissed before but not like that. Heat and passion searing me right down to my toes. When our eyes had met, I’d found myself drowning in vibrant blue. They’d held me captive so long I’d barely been aware of the other vampires sneaking up on us. Not to mention that Italian accent. Damn. The man is sex on legs and feels so….familiar. We haven’t met before. I know that for a certainty.
