by C. M. Steele
“I see your point. It’s probably best to wait. We already have enough worrying about Stavros attacking every day. I came in here to see if you wanted to talk to Mary.” I gave her a large smile that showed all of my teeth. It was devious, but I wanted her to come with me. Charlotte and Mary didn’t seem to get along well. Mary often looked at Charlotte like an interloper.
“We still have to wait until the sun sets, remember?”
“Oh, shit. I can’t believe I forgot. That’s so stupid of me.”
“No. Your mind is elsewhere right now. But since we have some time to kill, how about a walk outside. I could really use some fresh air.”
“I second that. Let’s go for a walk.” We interlocked arms and marched out of her room and down to the private garden. The flowers were in bloom and so beautiful. The smell didn’t mess with my nausea. I had to pick some for our bedroom.
“It smells so amazing down here.”
“It does, Charlotte. I love the roses. Before they didn’t smell that strong. I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy or the vampire abilities, but it’s so much more potent.”
“Maybe it’s both. I have to walk some more; the scents are starting to seem too strong.” We walked down the path to where a large bench to sit.
“This is a beautiful place.”
“It really is. You know, Charlotte, I feel like we don’t talk like we used to. I don’t want our friendship to disappear because of all this. I’m sorry that Falcon has been going off the handle on you, but I’d love for us to remain close.”
“We will. I think of it like when a normal girl gets a boyfriend. All of the sudden she stops hanging out with her besties because she wants to be with him. Soon, we’ll have babies that will play together and grow up by each other’s sides. No matter what happens, you’ll always be my best friend.”
“Same here,” I said, pulling her in for a tight hug. I sat back and enjoyed the silence for a moment.
“You know we haven’t picked any names yet.”
“Oh goodness, we should go get on that before we forget and the next two months fly by.” We got up in a rush and hurried back into the castle and grabbed our laptops. “Meet me in the library.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
Chapter 22
Falcon
I stepped into the sheriff’s office with Leonora by my side. We had papers drawn up in Italy marrying us, so she also owned the property that had been destroyed. It had been a week since the explosion at our house and Vigo’s capture. The Lamia had gone silent, which only told us they were planning for a larger scale attack.
Did they know we’d be here? Would they attack when they knew I couldn’t teleport out of here? Did they have eyes and ears in the sheriff’s department? I opened up my head to all their thoughts. Sometimes it was amusing, but I had to listen clearly.
I knew who was responsible for the house, and I’m pretty sure they were the ones to blow up the lab. The Lamia were striking boldly with little regard of being discovered.
Don’t be nervous, Nora. Just listen to the thoughts you can hear and follow my lead.
I will try. I need to remember not to answer the questions in their head.
That’s why I said let me do the talking.
Okay, I will.
“Hello Dr. Lombardi, Ms. Dulles. I’m Detective Norton and this is my partner Detective Jones.” The detective was about six-foot-tall with short, dark brown hair and a clean-shaven face. He reminded me of the cops from the fifties and sixties. His partner was the exact opposite in appearance, but could still pass for a cop of that era. He was a rotund man with grey hair and a little taller than Nora. His cheeks were red from the high blood pressure and the smell of a heavy night of drink lingered on his skin. It was humans like him that made many of my people turn to animals. I caught the fat man eyeing my mate and I wanted to take his gun and shoot him myself, but I held myself together.
“Hello, and it’s Mrs. Lombardi, now,” I informed them with a moderate yet authoritative reply.
“Oh, well, congratulations. Please follow me into this room over here.” So, she probably is knocked up. Or is it his way of keeping her from talking to us? Jones’ thoughts were pissing me off even more. Nora caught my tension and tightened her hold on me. I raised her hand to my lips and nipped lightly, kissing it afterward.
I brushed them off, just as I had asked Nora to do, then nodded. “Thank you. We were trying to enjoy our honeymoon at my family home, but it was cut short due to someone ruining my home.”
We entered the room that didn’t seem big enough for all of us. I felt like Nora should sit on my lap because I didn’t want them that close to her. There were four chairs, but the tall one decided not to take it. He stood by the wall while Jones sat his large ass in the chair, breathing heavily. Then he made his accusation. “Yes, that’s two properties within a week. Someone out there really hates you, or perhaps you did this to yourself.”
I’d been waiting for this, but because I didn’t care for the fucker, I led off with an insult. “Look, officer, I don’t need the money like you seem to.” His face reddened in anger. Rich, snobby fuck. I’m going to nail him for it. Fake evidence if I have to. Nora gasped at his words, but he thought she was shocked at my dig. I continued because I wanted him to understand that I could buy the whole town and not bat an eyelash. “I had important valuables in that home. Things I can’t get back. I had a dresser in there from the 1700’s. Family heirlooms were lost. As the last of my family, those things meant a great deal to me.”
Norton stepped in, sensing the tension. “I’m sorry, but as a crime of arson, we always look at the home owners and, well, in your case, business owners.”
“I understand that, but as I told you both, I have nothing to gain by this. I planned to raise our family in that home that is now a massive pile of burnt rubble. Things that can’t be replaced by insurance.” I felt the weight of those words. They were heavy against my chest. My mother’s letter.
“Do you have enemies that would be out to get you?”
“I’m in the research and development for many diseases, there could be hundreds if not thousands of people. We told you of the employees I fired, but other than that, I have no clue.” I shrugged off the dirty looks Jones was giving me.
“So far we have spoken to all of your employees, and they said that everything was perfect and you and Mr. Romano didn’t have any issues until Ms. Dulles entered your life.”
“Sounds like a bunch of sour grapes to me. As it happens, the day I met my wife,” I emphasized because he called her Dulles again, “we were to meet the man who caused trouble and later attacked my wife.”
“Why didn’t you tell us this?” fat man asked.
“Because you should have known since it only happened a few weeks ago. I don’t know if the fucker is in jail still,” I growled. They were starting to work my damn nerves to the point that I felt pure fury. Nora rubbed my shoulder and I looked at her, my eyes were piercing into her.
I love you. Calm down, my love. That man is trying to aggravate you.
I will not do as I wish. I love you, Nora.
We both turned back to the detectives who looked at us strangely. “Newlyweds,” Nora piped out with a giggle.
"You seem happy for someone who lost everything in a fire."
"Sir, your insinuation makes you an ass. I didn't lose everything. The most important thing is we're alive. I'm happy because I love him. If I was you, I'd back off. You’re barking up the wrong tree."
“Little miss, you better watch your tone.” A growl ripped through my chest.
“Don’t ever speak to her like that. I will not tolerate anyone disrespecting my wife.”
“Calm down, Dr. Lombardi. Jones, why don’t you get some coffee? Do you all want any coffee?”
“No, thank you,” Nora said. I shook my head, still unable to speak calmly. I gained my composure as soon as the buffoon stepped out of the room.
; “I’m sorry for my partner. He can get out of hand. Now, we’ve spoken to the employee you fired, Dr. Perez. She claims that she had nothing to do with the matter and has an alibi. According to the arson experts, the cause was a gas leak meeting with an explosive chemical. It looks to be an accident.”
I gave him a small nod of understanding. I didn’t say anything because it was clear to me The Lamia did this. They would have been able to make it happen under the guise of an accident and get out of there before it exploded.
“As for your home, that was, without a doubt, intentional. There had been a detonation device under the floorboards. Someone or something triggered it. There was an initial break in at the back where you had a small lab, which is probably how they got in the house. Then, perhaps an animal came in and stepped on the floor causing it to go off. Either way, someone was waiting for you to return home.”
“We don’t have enemies that would do this.” Well, not human ones at least.
“Mrs. Lombardi, do you have any enemies? Besides the two that attacked you. We knew of the incident with Miller. Jones just wanted to see if you’d talk yourself into a circle. They’re both still in jail.”
“No, I mean, the only people that don’t really like me at the moment are my parents.”
“Did you have some falling out?” he asked, looking at Nora. I was getting jealous as fuck. This pretty boy was flirting with my woman with his eyes. He was about to lose them. God, this guy is a character. I can feel his jealousy pouring off him. Man, that Miller guy is lucky he’s still alive. He looks like he could tear Miller to pieces.
“Yes, I wasn’t the perfect, submissive daughter who’d marry a man and be a stay at home wife.”
“Umm… No offense, but from the look of things, I’d say you did.”
“Yes, but they wanted me to marry someone they could control. There’s no way they could ever control Falcon.”
“Oh. Have they contacted you?”
“Not in days. Or more so, I didn’t answer their emails. Our relationship has always been strained, and I want nothing to do with them.”
“Well, I can’t see why they wouldn’t think you were the perfect kid. I looked into your background and you’re everything I want my little girl to be.”
“Thank you, detective. Not everyone is as easy to please. I suppose the more they pushed, the more I rebelled.”
“Is there anything you can tell us about Miller and Veronica?” I asked.
“It won’t be long before they get out. The hearing with the judge for bail is today, but Miller’s still recovering from his encounter with Mrs. Lombardi,” he said with a chuckle. Yes, Nora defended herself too well. She could have killed the fucker.
“Thank you. Do you have any more questions for us or can we go?”
“No, that’ll be it. Thank you for your time, and we’ll keep looking into your case.” He stood up and we followed suit. I shook his hand, then Nora did.
“Thank you for looking into the matter.”
“Just so you know, your insurance investigators will receive a report of the house as well. With it being arson, it may take a while to clear you to pay out.”
“I’m not concerned about the money. The settlement for the laboratory will help aid my employees find new employment, but I will be returning to Europe. I’m finding America no longer inviting.”
“And you left Chicago for this?” he joked. Chicago was a million times more dangerous than over here. People were more likely to be attacked by animals in this region.
“Tell me about it. Thank you again. Please call me with any questions.” We left the police station and got into a rented car. We were going to spend the day here before heading back to the castle. We needed time together. Especially because there was so much taking me away from her.
“Are you hungry?” I asked my lovely wife. We didn’t have a fancy human ceremony or even a vampire celebration, but this was a time of war for my people and it would be unacceptable. Nora understood, and with her family being horrendous people, she didn’t want to have a human wedding.
“Yes, I’m starving. I think this little one is going to be huge.”
“Well, if you haven’t noticed, I’m a big man.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed. Trust me, I have,” she replied with a saucy grin.
“Come on, I need to get you fed so we can head back home.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chapter 23
Draco
It had been a week since we had learned of Leonora’s name. The island set up was taking longer because of storms that battered the New Jersey coastline, so I was going today. It would be a short trip, but Falcon would be monitoring to see if I’d been tracked on the sensors as I touched down inside the perimeter. There were supposed to be alarms to catch people, but I needed Vigo for it to be finished. We wanted our scents tracked to the island; it would recognize the four of us, but he was the one with the knowledge. I was tech savvy but scientifically inept. I’d only made it through med school because I wanted to help Falcon, but in truth, none of it interested me. I wished to be working on swords or, as time went on, cars, computers, and the like.
I had my cell phone ready as I walked toward the main fortress. Then I heard the sirens. Falcon called me. “Do you hear that?” I asked him.
“Yes. It’s a success. They have to get past several alarms to get access to the main building.”
“I’m going to test our radar system. I want to see how far we have on that. We need to be able to disable a missile coming toward the island.”
“How do you plan to do it? I mean it should work since we have the same system as many nations.”
“I have a boat about twenty miles out. I will shoot a short-range missile. I know you’ve forgotten over the years, but I was and remain your guard. Whether you like it or not, that is my duty and I need to keep you and Nora safe, as well as my beloved. So deal with it.”
“Draco, you can be a lovable prick sometimes. But you know that could change if Charlotte has a girl. You could rule, but just so you know, you’d have to build your own damn castle. That one belongs to my family.”
“Hahaha. I will then, fucker.”
“Please stay in touch with me. I want to know how it all goes.”
“I will. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to attempt to attack what was just built.”
“Have fun. Does Charlotte know what you’re doing?”
“I haven’t told her, but knowing her, she could know.”
“Well, she’s talking it up with Nora, so I’m sure she’s fine.”
“Okay, I’ll be back in an hour or so.” I hung up with Falcon and teleported inside the fortress. Immediately, the sirens went off. Good, those were working, too. I hit the code just as a few laborers came out to check on the noise.
“Oh, it’s you, Dr. Romano,” Octavio said, holding a twelve gauge.
“Yes, I’m here doing a surprise inspection. Didn’t you all see me on the monitors?”
“We did, but you arrived so quickly, we believed it was someone else.”
“Have there been any other visits to the island besides the delivery men?”
“No, but we are always anxious, especially after the attack on the castle.”
“Thank you, please show me around.” The fortress was nearly as large as the castle. It had forty rooms. It was large enough that Falcon and I would have our privacy with our mates and small and strong enough to defend should someone learn of the island. The walls were made out of stone and steel. It was strong and able to withstand hurricanes and harsh weather.
He took me to the security room that was covered in screens. “We can see the entire perimeter of the island and the fortress.”
“And the radar?”
“We have six minutes to react. And the missiles we’ve added can launch in three.”
“Okay, sounds good. Excuse me for a moment.”
I left the room and teleported to my boat. With a smile, I punched the
large red button on the control station. As the rocket took off, I teleported back to the security room. The men looked shocked, having no idea I had the ability to teleport. The sirens went off and they started to panic, but they got it together within twenty seconds. They locked onto the missile and fired as it came within a mile of our shoreline. It hit the rocket, both exploding on impact. It worked according to plan. Another thing to knock off my list.
I spent the next thirty minutes checking the other settings and testing the strength of the walls. It was well fortified and perfect for our family.
“Men, you can go back to Italy as proud vampires, but you know you must remain quiet about this.”
“We understand, Dr. Romano. We would never risk our lives and those that protect the Council,” Octavio said, the other two nodding.
“Very well, please have a safe journey back. I must handle some matters here before I return.”
I stayed on the island longer than planned because I didn’t trust them. As they left, I noticed something. It was blinking and it wasn’t there before. I could see that it was a homing device. They couldn’t be trusted. It was a shame, but Falcon had to be alerted to the matter. I quickly took the fingerprints from the device with tape, then I smashed the device. The one who placed this here had set us up. Which of the three, I didn’t know, but I would find out fast.
I teleported back to the boat and examined the island from the distance. I needed a way to hide the island. Light refraction could help with that. Since many couldn’t get here, the attack would have to come by boat or plane. If they couldn’t see the island in the sun, then it would be hard to locate it.
Entering the castle nearest the security room, I texted Falcon. Meet me in the room. Now.
He was down there in two minutes. Clearly, he’d been occupied with his wife, but he knew I would not have summoned him without importance.
“What’s going on? Is there an issue with the island?” he asked, his voice strong and determined.
