Deceptive Changes: Kat LaMond Book 1

by R A Baker

  “This is a dream, right?” I whispered.

  “If it is, we’re all in the same dream together,” Todd whispered back.

  “Hey, guys.” Sal shouted and waved at us. My mouth fell open.

  I pulled out my cell phone and called the police. I waited a few minutes on hold and when the dispatcher came on the phone Todd grabbed it from me. He identified himself and said that an intruder was standing outside our window. A patrol car was on the way, the dispatcher assured us. Todd snapped the phone shut.

  I started to shake as Sal leered at us through the window. Sven started out of the room but I called him back. I didn’t want him to get into trouble when the cops arrived. Trace and Sven curled their arms around me.

  I leaned into Sven and whispered, “Why didn’t you say anything? Didn’t you hear his heart beat?”

  He leaned into my ear and said, “Your heart was beating so hard that it drowned out a lot of noises and his heart beat was one of them. Besides, I was concerned about you not some outside creeper.”

  Sal stayed where he was for a moment longer and then moved away from the window. “Sven, where is he?”

  “I can hear his heart beat. He’s going to the front of the house.”

  We slowly walked to the front door. A couple moments later a sharp knock sounded at the door. I called out, “Who is it?”

  “It’s me, Sal,” he said with a high voice.

  I gulped at the announcement, even though I knew exactly who was at the door. I whispered to Sven to get something to tie him up. Sven moved quickly and grabbed some plastic ties.

  I grabbed the ties from him and opened the door. Sal staggered in and put his hand out like he was going to touch me. I swatted his hand and put him on the floor with a leg swipe. He went down with an ‘oomph’ and I tied his hands together, with Todd’s help we lifted him and sat him on the porch to wait for the cops.

  A patrol car came up the drive a few minutes later. The plain-clothed officer, some young kid Todd knew, came up to us. “Todd?”

  “Chaz. They have you doing patrol?”

  “Yeah. What happened?” Todd filled Chaz in on what had happened.

  How did Todd explain the proposition without complications? He didn’t. He told Chaz exactly what Sal assumed about us. Chaz didn’t even try to ask, he just raised an eyebrow. He grabbed Sal by the arm and led him into the patrol car and then walked back to us.

  “Do you know why he might have done this?” Chaz asked.

  “We don’t even know how he found us. We drove around after the bar thing and no one followed us.”

  “I can answer that. Apparently, Katja here is something of a star in our little town.” I didn’t like the way he said ‘star’, he made it sound like I was a leper or something. “The newspaper informed the whole town of her address.” I groaned. So that was how he found out. Great.

  “When did this happen?” Todd asked.

  Chaz sighed. “Don’t you guys read the newspaper? When Katja, uh, Ms. LaMond, bought this house, the newspaper ran a front page article.” We groaned in stereo. Chaz looked at us and lifted an eyebrow. “Maybe you shouldn’t buy a house under your name, Ms. LaMond.”

  After that remark, Todd and Chaz bullshitted for a little bit and then Chaz left.

  We walked into the house and went to the kitchen. Sven muttered, “You should have let me kill that flabby man.”

  I frowned at him. “No. We don’t kill ‘innocent’ humans.” He sighed at my answer and rolled his eyes.

  I grabbed waters from the fridge and gave them to my guys and sat down at the table. I drank from the bottle and then sighed. Now, I was tired. “I think I’ll go to bed now. I’m really tired.” They nodded like that was acceptable. I wasn’t too sure if it was acceptable or not, I just knew that I was tired and wanted to curl up in bed. I breathed a sigh and walked out of the kitchen and into the bedroom. I pulled the curtains like a smart person and grabbed pajamas.

  After changing, I fell into bed and was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

  >< ><

  I woke up to a hand running along my face. I hit the hand and opened my eyes. It was Sven. “What?” I croaked out. My voice sounded horrible.

  “You were having a nightmare.”

  “Oh. Well, I’m awake now.”

  He kissed my cheek and said, “You sure are.”

  I smiled at him and slipped out of bed because my bladder was killing me. I went into the bathroom and did the bathroom thing.

  I walked out and saw that all four men were watching the door and me. “Yes?”

  I looked at them as they watched me. “Come to bed, Kat,” Todd said, beckoning me with his hand. My heart thudded in my chest and I shook my head. “We just want to cuddle. You kept us up half the night with your cries.” I frowned at Todd, at all four of them.

  Todd patted the bed and smiled—his bottom lip half hidden behind his teeth. Gosh, he was just so darn yum. Yum? Yeah, okay, he was yum. Okay, so I was going to give in. It’s not like it was a hardship or anything.

  I crawled back into bed and stayed where I was for a moment, then climbed over Sven’s body to cuddle next to Todd.

  Todd wrapped his arm around me and kissed my shoulder. Sven turned around and pressed against my back, cuddling me. I fell asleep smooshed between them.

  >< ><

  I woke up a short time later to whispers. I sat up and found my men whispering in the doorway. I watched as they talked with each other. They were dressed similarly in pj bottoms and t-shirts. Todd was waving his hands around, his muscles tightening and loosening as his arms moved. Trace was standing with his back to me. Erick was standing next to Trace but turned toward Todd. He was speaking quietly and with emphasis. Sven was standing near the door and watching me.

  I blushed as I looked into his eyes. His held a desire for more than just sex. He was hungry. I cleared my throat and they turned to look at me. Damn. I gulped as I caught the looks in their eyes. Predatory. I reprimanded myself for clearing my throat, I totally shouldn’t have done that. They stalked-as in I was there prey-up to the foot of the bed. I curled into a tight ball but still stayed sitting up.

  I jerked back and gasped when Sven appeared at my side. “Don’t do that,” I said angrily.

  He chuckled. “I need to feed.” His voice was low and seductive.

  My heart beat had settled down a bit but now it was beating fast and hard. “Okay?”

  “I would like to feed from you, Katja.”

  “Just feed, right?”

  “Of course,” he said in the same low seductive voice.

  “Okay.” I held out my hand and closed my eyes tight. His hand slid onto my wrist, his thumb rubbing my pulse. I peeked through my lashes at him. He was just looking at me. I opened my eyes all the way and asked, “What?”

  “I don’t want to feed from your wrist, Katja.”

  Oh. I nodded and pulled my hand from his. I moved my hair from my neck. I looked at my men and found them staring at us. I swallowed loudly. I guess they wanted a show. Sven moved next to me and wrapped his arm around my back and side. I cringed as he bent his head to me.

  “I can smell your fear, Katja,” he breathed against me.

  “I can’t help it,” I squeaked out.

  “I like it. Your heart is beating like a rabbit’s.” He pressed his nose to my neck, breathing deeply as he nuzzled my pulse.

  I pulled back from him and looked into his eyes. His dark blue eyes turned a deeper blue. I shuddered as I gazed into his eyes. “Don’t be afraid, Katja. I won’t hurt you, I promise.”

  “Uh huh.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say since I was still looking into his eyes. The thoughts that passed through his eyes were plain and easily read. He wanted me to be afraid. He wanted my heart to hammer its way through my chest. He wanted me to be the rabbit he had compared me to. He liked that fear for some reason.

  I might have been a little afraid but I was still Kat and I wasn’t going to be that afraid. H
e bent his head when I turned forward, exposing more of my neck to him. I hissed as his fangs slid into my skin. His arm tightened around me at the first splash of blood while his other hand wrapped around the other side of my neck and held me in place.

  I rolled my eyes to look at my men. They just watched. Todd’s hands clenched into fists and raw need filled his eyes. Sven pulled back and licked the wound and kissed my cheek then slid off the bed. He walked directly up to Todd and pulled him into his arms, bending his head quickly. Todd sighed as Sven’s fangs slid into his skin. My mouth fell open. Holy crap. Todd wrapped his arms around Sven and held him tight. I snapped my mouth closed and watched as Sven fed off of Todd.

  Todd cried out softly and arched his back, Sven bent with him, holding Todd in his arms. They both stood up straighter even as Sven continued to feed. A few moments later, Sven pulled back. I blinked at Todd’s expression. His eyes were blurry and his mouth was parted. Sven held Todd in his arms and half carried him to the window seat. Todd shuddered while Sven held him. It was a delayed reaction to either the feeding or the orgasm, I couldn’t tell which.

  Someone rang the doorbell. Who could that be? I walked out of the room, remembering to grab a weapon on the way out. I hid the knife at my side and looked out the side window. It was Sal. What the hell did he want?

  I kept the security chain in place and opened the door. “Yes?”

  “Hi. It’s Sal. From last night? I wanted to apologize for my behavior. I was pretty drunk last night. I hope you can forgive me.”

  “Uh huh. Thanks. ‘Bye.” I started to shut the door but he put his hand out, effectively stopping me. He was really starting to annoy me.

  “You don’t understand. I’m apologizing only for scarin’ ya.”

  I was tired of him and I wanted to be back with my men so I threatened him, “Leave now. Or I’ll bury your body and no one will find you.” The threat was mostly empty but he got the point quickly. He turned and walked down the stairs. He turned once to look back, then started walking again and didn’t look back.

  I needed to find another house and quickly. This wasn’t going to happen again. I sighed and shut the door, then walked into the bedroom.

  Todd and Sven were still holding each other. “Who was that, Kat?” Trace asked.

  I looked at Trace. “That was Sal,” I said and filled him in on what had happened. He chuckled when I came to the threat. “I have to find another place to live. I can’t have weird people finding me whenever they want.”

  “We’ll help you, Kat.” Trace came up to me and hugged me. I hugged back. Erick gave us both a hug, then we stepped back from each other.

  “Todd, are you okay?” He nodded and gave me a thumbs up. I smiled at him and walked out of the room. I found the newspaper and looked over housing lists. I found a decent sized house with three bedrooms that included a large master bedroom and bath. The house had a big kitchen, a living room, and a dining room. It was a one floor house surrounded by thirteen acres. I called the agent and set up an appointment.

  I went over to Sandra’s room and knocked softly. “Come in,” she called, her voice pleasant and soft.

  I walked in. “I have a favor to ask.”

  She smiled and continued to fold her laundry. She refused to have the housekeeper fold her and Mark’s laundry. Mark was sitting by the window, looking out. “What can I help with?”

  “I need you to pose as me. I need a new house and I don’t want people to know it’s me that’s buying the house.”

  “Sure. When?”

  “In about an hour. I’d like for you to pose as a married couple, so if it’s okay with you, Mark, I’d like for you to go with Sandra.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He beamed when his eyes fell on her lithe frame.

  I smiled. “Thanks.”

  “Katja?”

  “Hmm?”

  “How will you pay for this? That is, if the owner’s accept the bid.”

  “I have a holding company. I should have done it with this house but we needed it quickly.”

  “Will we all be moving into the house?”

  “No. It’ll just be Todd, Trace, and Erick. Oh, and Sven, if he wants to. You guys can have this house. The new house is on the same street as this one.” They nodded and went back to what they were doing.

  I walked out of their room and turned into Thorn. “You’re moving?” he asked, sounding heartbroken or sad.

  “Yes. I’ve been found out apparently.” His eyes widened in alarm. “Not by Cyril. By weird men. Anyway, I’m moving. Hopefully, today.”

  “Will you be taking me with you?”

  I hadn’t thought about that. I didn’t know if it was a good idea to leave Thorn alone. I sighed. “I don’t know, Thorn.” I walked away from him. If I took him with me I’d have to take Beatrice too and that wasn’t a pleasant thought.

  I walked into the bedroom and found that Sven had moved from Todd’s side to the bed. Todd was still sitting on the window seat. Trace and Erick were sitting on the bed and chair, respectively. “I think I might have found a new house for us.” They nodded. “What’s wrong?”

  “Kat, do we have to move?” Todd asked.

  I walked up to him and put my hand on his shoulder. “We have to, I have to. I can’t have everyone in the world knowing where I live. I’ll figure a way for us to live in the new house and no one will find out who lives there.” He sighed and then nodded. “Are you sure you’re doing okay?”

  “Yeah. The feeding and the orgasm took a bit from me, that’s all.” I frowned at him. He leaned his head against my stomach and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me to him.

  Sandra came into the room and said that she was ready to leave. I patted Todd’s shoulder and walked away from him. “Sandra, I had an idea. You have the bank account I set up in your name, right?”

  “Of course. I haven’t even touched the money.”

  “Good. If you like the house I’d like you to put a deposit on it. I’ll pay you back whatever the cost.” She made noises about not doing that and such. I waved her off. “I know. I just think if your names, Mark and yours, are on the deed it’ll take the media away from this.” She nodded and left.

  Someone wrapped their arms around my waist. I looked over my shoulder and found Sven. He smiled at me and lifted me off the ground. I let out a soft yelp. He carried me to the bed and sat down, settling me on his lap, his arms still wrapped around me.

  His mouth closed on my neck. I gasped as his fangs slid into my skin. His arm ran up my chest and cupped the other side of my neck. He sucked and I shivered as passion filled me. I clutched his arm and pulled but he didn’t budge. I tried to move my neck from him but he held tight.

  His fangs slid out and he murmured, “Don’t fight, Katja. I want this for you…and for me.” My heart stuttered and then pounded in my throat. He slid his fangs into my neck once more and passion filled me quickly.

  I leaned against his arms and let the orgasm build. He tightened his grip on my waist as he felt me tense. I cried out softly and clawed at his arm. He pulled his teeth from my neck, licking the wound, and smiled at me. My blood staining his ruby lips. He licked his lips and whispered, “Thank you.” I could only nod.

  I looked at Todd. His lips were parted and his pink tongue slid out. He stood up and walked over to us. He held out his hand and looked at me. I grabbed it. He closed the gap and fell to his knees, still holding my hand. He put his head in my lap and nuzzled my legs. I gasped as a small orgasm hit me.

  I felt the bed shift as Trace and Erick slid up to us. Trace wrapped his arm around my shoulders. Erick leaned against Sven and kissed my neck just above the bite. I shivered. We stayed like that for a little bit and then Todd stood up. Trace and Erick slipped off the bed and stood beside Todd. I tried to stand but Sven wouldn’t let me.

  I turned and looked at Sven. “What is it?”

  He tightened his hold on me. “I don’t want to let you go.”

  I sigh
ed. “Are you still feeling like you were yesterday?” He nodded. “I’m alive, Sven. Really.”

  “I know.” He put his head against my neck and breathed deeply. “I can smell you, touch you, and I know you’re alive but I’m scared that we may lose you.”

  “I hope not. I’d hate to lose me.” It was a lame joke but it got Sven to loosen his grip on me. I wiggled in his lap, trying to get off him.

  He laughed a breathy laugh and said, “Don’t do that.” His voice was breathy and low. I shuddered in pleasure as his voice ran through me.

  “I need to change clothes.” He shook his head and tightened his embrace. Todd, Trace, and Erick kissed me and then walked out of the room leaving only Sven and me in the room. Sven moved in his faster-than-the-eye-can-see way and had me pinned to the bed. He pressed his mouth to mine. I kept my lips closed and shook my head.

  He pulled back and looked at me. “Why won’t you kiss me, Katja?”

  “I don’t think you’re acting like yourself. You seem a bit desperate.”

  He groaned. “I’m trying to behave but I really just want you.” He collapsed on me, pressing his groin against mine and gyrated his hips. I bit my lip to keep the sounds I wanted to make quiet. He kissed my neck. He sighed heavily and then rolled off me.

  I sat up and looked at him. His blue eyes held passion and heat and something more. He ran his hand behind my back and pulled me onto him. I lifted off him even as his arm pinned my stomach and lower to him. “Sven?”

  “Hmm?” He licked his lips.

  “Uh…” I stopped talking. I couldn’t think of anything to say. I pushed against his arms but he wouldn’t let go. “What do you want, Sven?”

  “He wants you, Katja.”

  I yelped in surprise at Thorn’s voice. “What the hell are you doing in here, Thorn?”

  “I wanted to ask you some questions but it can wait. I’d give him what he wants. He can be quite persistent.” Thorn smiled as he looked at Sven and walked out of the room.

  I turned back to Sven. “Are you persistent?”