Shadowed Allure (Daughters of the Vieux Carré Book 2)

by Rhys Rowlyn

He stops to open a door on the second floor and stumbles in, then kicks it shut. I find myself landing on a large soft bed. I pull at his shirt, wanting to touch his skin. He pulls it over his head, and I run my hands up his tan chest. He only has a small amount of chest hair in the center of his chest, and I love the way he feels against my fingers.

  After ripping my shirt down the center, he pushes it off my shoulders and away from me and gasps when my breasts are revealed. I look down, knowing I’m not as well-endowed as some I know. He takes them reverently into his palms and gives them a gentle squeeze.

  “André…” I gasp when he strums his thumbs over my sensitive nipples. I pull his lips back to mine and suck his bottom lip into my mouth.

  His hands travel down my sides, leaving a trail of fire, and I lift my hips as he undoes my jeans and pulls them down. I must have lost my sandals somewhere on our way to his bed, but I can’t remember where.

  Everything is so intense. Everywhere he touches, I feel as if I could go up in flames. I reach for his jeans and fumble with the buttons until he takes over, ripping them apart. His hardness is revealed, and I wrap my hand around him.

  “Oui, ma chérie, merde.” His hips jerk, and I tighten my grip on him. His lips crash against mine in a hard kiss.

  He runs his finger up my center, opening me for his touch. Turning my head to the side, I gasp as he finds my most sensitive spot, and as he rubs his thumb against me, I arch my hips to bring myself closer to him.

  I feel the tip of him against me when I stop and look up at him with wide eyes. “Please, I need to feel you inside me. I can’t take much more.”

  “What’s wrong? Please, ma amour.” He groans, rubbing himself against me, and I shiver as desire travels through my body.

  “A condom, we need protection.”

  “Merde, I don’t have one. It’s not something I need. I can’t have children.” He buries his face into my shoulder, kisses his way up my neck, and sucks my earlobe into his mouth.

  I push back away from him, frowning. “Oh, André, I’m so sorry. I’m clean. I mean, I haven’t had sex in quite some time and have been tested.”

  “Me also. Let’s say I have had a bit of a dry spell. I too am… how did you say it? Clean.” He leans forward to take my lobe back into his mouth and moans as I move against him.

  I bend my knees and tilt myself until I feel him against me, then thrust my hips against him, making the decision to trust him and knowing I couldn’t stop now even if I wanted to. He groans as he pushes inside me.

  “So tight.” As he moves deeper, I lift my hips to bring him farther inside, and he thrusts forward until he’s fully seated. The pleasure is almost too much, and I bite his neck to keep from screaming.

  “Fleur, it’s so amazing.” He moves in a rhythm that has me needing more of him.

  I push against his shoulders, and he rolls until I’m straddling him and he is deep within me. Leaning forward, I kiss him deeply and slowly move up and down. He grabs my hips and holds me as he thrusts harder and faster into me. I feel a wave of pleasure moving through me and quicken my pace as it washes over me.

  Screaming his name, I shatter in his arms. He flips us again so I’m beneath him. His palms clasp my knee and bring my thigh up as he moves deeply in me. I arch my back when another wave of pleasure rips through me, and I scream as he stills above me. I feel his release as I tremble against him. He falls to the side, and I miss his hardness. I lie there, staring at the ceiling and trying to catch my breath as my heart races in my chest. I have never felt anything so powerful in my life.

  André props himself up on an elbow and gently kisses my lips. I lift my hand to his face and meet his gaze.

  “Thank you.” He rubs his nose against mine.

  I let out a short laugh. “For what? You just made me scream, not once but twice.”

  “For trusting me and giving yourself to me.” He sits up against the headboard and pulls me into his arms.

  “I know we haven’t known each other exceedingly long, but I also know in my soul I can trust you. I don’t know why, but I know I can.” I kiss his chest and hug him to me.

  He stills against me and takes a deep breath. “Fleur, I need to talk to you about something.” André runs his hand up my arm, and goose bumps follow his path, but I tense, not knowing where this is going.

  My phone rings, and I roll my eyes as I lean over the side of the bed to pick it up. Seeing Maman on the screen, I decline the call and look up at André expectantly. “Go on.”

  His brows draw together, and he frowns at the phone. “Don’t you need to answer that?”

  “It’s my mother with probably some more of her craziness, so I’ll pass.” I wave it off and lift my brows, waiting on him to continue.

  My phone rings again and I sigh deeply, knowing she won’t quit calling if I don’t answer. I get out of bed and answer, walking into the bathroom. “Yes, Mother, what’s up?”

  “Fleur, I need you to come home immediately.” Her voice is high-pitched and breathless, but she swings toward the dramatic, so I’m not impressed.

  Pinching the bridge of my nose, I feel a headache coming on. “What’s wrong now? The cable went out and you’re having to talk to Dad?”

  “No, I think someone has robbed the shop. Things are broken and shattered all over the floor.” She’s getting louder with every word, so I hold the phone away from my ear.

  “Oh no, have you called the police? I’ll be right there.” I hang up, run back into the bedroom, and find André already dressing.

  “Come on, chérie, I’ll take you home. I’ve already called a cab, and they should be here shortly.”

  “Sorry, this isn’t how I planned to end our night.” I pick up my torn shirt and grin at him.

  “Oh, we can’t have you going out in that.” He goes into his closet and comes out with a Shadows T-shirt. “How’s this? Giselle gave me several of them for when she wants to recruit me to work security.”

  “It’s fine.” I slip it on, and it hits me midthigh. “A bit big, but it’ll do the job.”

  A car horn blows from the street, so we race down the stairs to catch the cab. I jump into the back seat, and André follows closely behind me. He’s not quite as tense as he was last night.

  “I see you’re getting use to riding in cabs.”

  “Yes, I’m finding myself adapting to them. Hopefully soon I’ll get myself a car, but for now I must depend on others.” He smiles as he grips the armrest when the driver slams on his brakes. “Well, maybe not completely at ease.”

  André

  Fleur runs into the building before I can stop her, and I’m left standing in the alley, unable to follow. Thankfully, she’s still in my sight when she stops in the hallway.

  Meeting her by the door, her mother grabs her into a hug, narrowing her eyes at the T-shirt Fleur is wearing. Shaking her head, she points at the shop. “Fleur, it’s awful. Who would do such a thing?”

  Alice glances up and sees me just outside the doorway. “You! What is that creature doing here? It was probably him that turned the shop upside down to get back at me for keeping you away from him.” Spittle forms in the corner of her mouth, and she shakes her fist at me.

  “Mother!” Fleur gasps, and her face pales. “How dare you accuse André? He was with me, and even if he wasn’t, how dare you?”

  Alice pushes Fleur farther into the building, and I reach for her, praying the danger has passed. “Fleur, watch out!” I race to the door as a painting falls from the wall, but I slam into the wall again. The painting crashes onto Fleur and knocks her to the tile. A piece of metal sticking up from the floor stabs deeply into her shoulder.

  “Fleur! Oh God, baby, wake up!” Alice kneels beside an unconscious Fleur and pulls her upper body into her arms. The movement causes the metal to pull loose and blood to pour from Fleur’s shoulder.

  I throw my body against the barrier only to be flung back, and I land on my arse. “Bring her to me!” Kneeling on the outside of t
he barrier, I beg the stubborn woman to give me my dying mate. I press my hands against it as I helplessly watch Fleur’s life drain from her body.

  “No, I will not hand my daughter over to you!” Covering Fleur with her body, Alice shakes her fist at me.

  I ram my fist against the invisible wall, trying to break in to remove my mate from danger. The wall holds, keeping me out. Slamming my fist against it again, I feel the bone crack, but I can’t stop trying.

  “Alice, she will die. I can hear her heartbeat slowing. You would rather her die?” I try reasoning with the woman. Surely she doesn’t want her child to die.

  “Better than you turning her into an abomination.” She glares at me, her face red and her veins sticking out at her temples.

  “She won’t be any different, only alive. Please, give her to me.” Tears stream down my cheeks as I beg for my mate’s life.

  Fleur’s father rushes down the stairs. He glances from the women to me. “Alice, what the hell is going on?”

  “Troy, stay back,” Alice hisses at him.

  He falls to his knees beside them, his face paling. “What have you done? What is wrong with Fleur?”

  “Troy, please bring me Fleur. She’s dying. Please, give her to me,” I say, pleading with the man, praying he will listen and get Fleur out of there.

  Alice lies across Fleur, shielding her from Troy’s sight. “Don’t even think about it. I will not allow my daughter to become one of them.”

  Troy pushes her to the side. Seeing Fleur’s wound, he rips his shirt and shoves the cloth against her shoulder. “Oh God, Fleur, baby. Alice, she’s barely breathing. What did you do?”

  “Nothing. The shop stabbed her.” Alice leans away from him, her eyes widening.

  “It’s that damn spell. I told you it was a bad idea. You have brought this down on us,” Troy says accusingly as he continues to hold pressure on Fleur’s shoulder.

  I bang on the barrier to get his attention, needing him to focus. “Troy, you have to hurry. She won’t last much longer. Please, I beg you, bring her to me.”

  He lifts Fleur into his arms and makes his way toward the doorway. I stand, waiting to take my mate and give her my blood. Alice jumps in front of him, but he shoulders past her.

  “Step aside, Alice.”

  Alice grabs his arm, trying to prevent him from leaving the building. “I won’t allow this.”

  “And I won’t allow my only child to die over your stubbornness. Now move.” Troy shoves her aside, stepping into the alley.

  I rip into my wrist and drip blood into her mouth. After a couple of seconds, she grabs my wrist and brings it to her mouth.

  Alice stays behind the barrier, pacing and hitting her fists against her thighs. “I hate you, Troy. You’ve doomed our daughter to become an abomination. She won’t have a soul now. How could you have done this?”

  Troy ignores the crazed woman, holding Fleur in his arms. He lifts his brows as he watches Fleur drink from my wrist. “Is that normal?”

  “Oui, it is an encouraging sign.” I allow her to suck on my wrist until I feel my strength weakening. I pry her away from my skin. “Chérie, that’s enough.” I call Phillipe as I lean against the side of the building.

  “André, why are you calling me? Need a few tips?” He laughs.

  I interrupt him and hope he’s not far away. “Phillipe, there’s been an accident, and I need you to come to Fleur’s parents’ shop now.”

  “I’m at the club. I’ll be there shortly.” He hangs up, and I know he’ll be here in minutes.

  Taking Fleur into my arms, I slide down the wall to sit, not having the strength to stand. “Phillipe will be here soon.”

  “Where are you taking her, and can I go? I don’t think I’m welcome here at the moment.” Troy glances over his shoulder, and Alice is standing in the doorway, glaring at us.

  She steps out of the building, only to jump back behind the barrier. “Don’t even think of coming back into this house. You have cursed our daughter to hell.”

  I glance up at him as I brush Fleur’s hair away from her face. “I’m sorry, Troy.”

  “No, you’re saving my daughter’s life. Alice is a bitter woman, and I can’t believe she would sacrifice Fleur over her prejudice. I don’t know exactly what is going on, but I have a feeling everything I thought I knew about the world is about to change. I think I’m too worried about Fleur for anything to really sink in.” He sits beside me as we wait for Phillipe.

  We don’t have to wait long. Phillipe rounds the corner and skids to a stop in front of us. “What happened?”

  Motioning toward the shop, I sit up straighter and reposition Fleur on my lap. “Fleur was mortally wounded, and I had to change her. I allowed her to take more than I should have and now am too weak to carry her.”

  Phillipe gently takes my mate into his arms careful to pull her shirt down over her thighs, and even knowing I’m physically unable to carry her, I want to take her back into my arms. “We’ll go to the club and use the van to take her somewhere safe for the change.”

  “Follow me,” Troy says. “We can go the back way so no one sees us.” Troy leads us through a rusty gate at the back of the alley.

  We enter a courtyard, and Troy continues through another gate.

  I look around but don’t see anyone. “Troy, won’t someone say something about us going through their courtyards?”

  He lifts a finger to his lips. “Shh, we’re almost to the alley.”

  We come out of the second courtyard into a deserted alley, and Troy turns, leading us toward the river.

  “It’s not much farther, and we’ll be at the back lot of the club,” he whispers back to us.

  “I had no idea the shop was this close to the club. How did you know about this route?” Phillipe looks around the back lot in amazement. I take Fleur from him and lean against the building.

  “I grew up here, and Shadows isn’t the first club to be in this building. I would sneak out at night, after my parents went to bed, and go the back way so no one would see me and tell my folks what I was up to.” Troy waves off our comments and takes Fleur’s hand in his, then brings it to his cheek.

  “She will be fine. I promise to take good care of her, but she has to go through the change, and it won’t be pleasant.” I remember the times I helped take care of new vampires and hate my mate is going to have to suffer through the next few days.

  It isn’t going to be easy to watch.

  “I’m not going to lie to you, Troy,” Phillipe says. “It’s going to be rough, but you’ll never have to worry about her again. She will always be able to protect herself.” He squeezes Troy’s shoulder but is looking at me.

  I nod, receiving his message.

  “I’m going to get someone to drive us to the plantation. It’s where Rebecca went through the change, so we have everything we need to bring Fleur through it.”

  Phillipe disappears into the club as Troy and I fall into an awkward silence. We smile at each other, and I shift Fleur in my arms.

  “Do you need me to hold her for a while?” Troy reaches for her, and I shake my head.

  “No, I’m good.”

  Phillipe returns with Chi following closely behind him, and I relax, glad to end the awkwardness.

  “Oh Lord, what happened?” Chi rushes to Fleur, his hands fluttering around her.

  “She was almost killed, and now she’s going to be changing.” Phillipe hands me a bag of blood and takes Fleur from me. “We need to get her to Sugar Oaks and fast. André gave her a lot of blood, so the change is going to be coming quickly.”

  I smile my thanks as I push the bag onto my fangs and straighten when the blood hits my system, restoring some of my strength. Troy stares at me with wide eyes, his jaw dropping.

  “Come on, sir, we better get moving if we’re going to make it to the plantation before she starts acting up.” Chi turns the man toward the garage, and I follow.

  We’ve been driving for a few minutes and are
on the interstate when Troy turns toward me. “So you really are vampires?”

  I chuckle and nod. “Yes, we are.”

  Troy frowns at me, his body tensing. “Do I have to worry about you drinking my blood?”

  “Not unless you offer and we’re in a desperate situation. Otherwise, no. We’re not like what you think.” I hope I’m reassuring him. I would hate for Fleur’s father to fear her.

  “I always thought Alice was crazy when she talked about spells and vampires and stuff. Turns out it was true.” Troy rubs the back of his neck, looking at Fleur’s sleeping form.

  Phillipe turns in his seat to face us. “It’s true we exist, but her version of the truth is a bit distorted.”

  “Apparently—if she was willing to allow Fleur to die rather than you save her.” Shaking his head, he hits his thigh with his fist.

  Phillipe reaches back and pats Troy’s shoulder. “I imagine the story her ancestor passed down was different from what really happened and she made herself out to be the victim. It probably only got worse as time went on.”

  “Will she be different?” Lifting his brows, he looks from me to Phillipe.

  “Yes, in respect to her looks, strength, and body, but her soul will be the same and her personality won’t change. She’ll still be Fleur.” I lean down and kiss my mate’s forehead. She turns her head from side to side, and I hope we are getting close to our destination.

  With a decisive nod, Troy sits back against the van wall. “I can handle the rest as long as she’s still my little girl.”

  “She will be.” I smile at him, glad he’s taking all this craziness so well. I just hope he doesn’t come unglued when Fleur starts changing. These things can be rough, so I hope her father is up to the challenge.

  André

  Chi is driving down the highway, weaving in and out of traffic. “How’s she doing?”

  “Keep your eyes on the road.” Phillipe is gripping his seat, and I hear the fabric ripping.

  “Don’t get your panties in a wad. I know what I’m doing.” Scowling, Chi causes the van to shoot forward.

  If I weren’t so concerned about Fleur, I would be the one gripping my seat. She moans, and I tenderly brush her hair from her forehead.