by Julia Mills
Sniveling and sobbing, trying to catch his breath, the lump that was Monroe sniveled, “Y-you h-h-have…*sob*… to t-t-take me with y-y-ou.” His sniffed while tears mixed with snot ran down his face. “Y-Y-You’ll n-n-ever….*sob*… get p-p-ast the guards… T-They’re everywhere.” His last words came out as a wail but ended in a gasp and more gagging as Roarke punched him in the stomach.
Grabbing Monroe by the hair, Roarke pulled his head back as far as it would go, glared down at him, and demanded, “Speak now or I swear I will behead you without a second thought.”
More coughing and gagging interspersed with begging and sniffling accompanied yet another plea for mercy. Closing both hands around the attorney’s neck, Roarke roared with barely contained violence as he lifted the man from the chair and threw him across the room. I watched in amazed horror as Monroe crashed into the middle of the floor-to-ceiling solid wooden bookcases with the loud crunch of breaking bones and slithered to the floor in a weeping pile of defeated vampire.
Grabbing the attorney by his arms and pulling him to his feet, Roarke was a man possessed. His rage was all encompassing, his need for justice overwhelming. I shuddered as Monroe’s already dislocated shoulders pulled farther from their sockets and the sickening sound of grinding bones made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
“S-stop…p-p-please s-s-stop,” Monroe coughed. “I-I-I’ll…t-tell you…e-e-everything.”
Throwing the weeping man over his shoulder, Roarke spun in his heels, threw Monroe back into the chair he’d just yanked him from, and growled, “Speak.”
It took several minutes but, between the gagging and sniveling, Monroe confessed everything as Roarke glowered, taking it all in. I pulled my cell phone from the pocket of my sweater and took notes. I had no doubt Roarke would remember everything that was said, but there was no way I would and there was no way he was leaving me out of any of it.
Monroe was winding down when another monster of a man, even larger than Sampson, with a bald head, arms covered in tattoos and another of a tombstone on the side of his neck, entered the room from that same door at the back. He walked straight to the center of the room and stood to the right of Sampson with one hand behind his back.
The already strangling tension in the room spiked. Roarke leaned down and patted Monroe on the shoulder, ignoring the man’s cries of pain, and in a low, ominous rumbled said, “That’s good, Monroe. Thank you for your help.”
Trying to smile despite the pain, the attorney sniveled, “I-I’m so s-s-sorry …*sob* … Roarke. It-t-t’ll n-n-never happen a-again.”
Nodding, Roarke replied, “I know it won’t,” as he reached over Monroe’s head, took a long, shining sword from the bald man’s hand, and with a swing that I had no doubt he’d used a million times prior, separated the attorney’s head from his neck.
Unable to move, I gawked as Monroe’s head flew through the air and blood spewed like a fountain from the stump of his neck. Roarke turned toward me, dropped the sword, and said, “I am sorry you had to see that but I wanted you to understand how strongly I feel about honesty and loyalty.”
Covered in blood from his neck to his feet, he walked forward, stopping a few paces in front of me before he added, “And I heard your thoughts. You wanted to stay. I believe the exact words that flowed through your mind were ‘I dare him to try to make me leave.’ Am I correct?”
Chuckling, even though it somehow felt inappropriate with Roarke’s men carrying what was left of Monroe from the room, I nodded. “That’s exactly what I said.” I took a step forward and went on, “And that goes for trying to leave me out of rescuing Vanessa.”
His expression darkened and his brows furrowed. “But there will be rules. We will be out of the house and therefore, there will be many things out of my control. Your safety comes first and foremost. On this I will be obeyed.”
Warmth filled my heart. The feelings I had been pushing aside since the first time I saw him were multiplying, growing, and filling my being. I should be running away in fear after what I’d just witnessed, but I felt just the opposite. This man was willing to kill for me; willing to do whatever it took to keep me and those I loved safe.
He cared about more than my blood or the contract or the money or any of the other stuff that had brought us together…he cared about me. It only mattered that we were together. I knew he could feel what I felt, hear what I was thinking, and a burst of anxiety shot through me. Maybe he didn’t feel the same way, maybe I’d misread the situation, but then he smiled and with his rumbling reply made all my worries go away.
“You have nothing to fear, my sweet Katharine, nothing at all.”
Leaning forward, careful not to touch me with anything but his lips, he whispered, “Let me take a shower and then we’ll talk,” just before his lips touched mine.
Chapter Ten
I knew Roarke was powerful and had lived a long, long time, but I could’ve never guessed how extensive the network of people who were loyal to him actually was. As we prepared to rescue Vanessa, I was astounded by the sheer number of vampires and humans who arrived.
I had to smile as Kristiyan, a tall, blond vampire with an air of royalty, an accent to die for, and a very formal way of speaking, who Roarke described as ‘even older than me’ asked, “And you found it necessary to kill Monroe before finding out the number of combatants we were facing and their identities?”
“Yes, Kristiyan. It was necessary to take his head before I pulled off his arms and beat him with them.”
I snickered as Roarke’s old friend raised his eyebrows and sighed. “Very well.”
With that discussion out of the way, Roarke began explaining to everyone where we were going and what we were doing. He made sure to let them know Vanessa was a close, personal, human friend and to thank them for coming when he called. From the bits and pieces of conversation I picked up and the way people responded to him, it was obvious Roarke had been very influential throughout his many lifetimes and had amassed a literal ton of friends.
I was the hot topic of conversation. It was very clear by the way the vampires all stared at me and every conversation stopped when I came anywhere near that I was a novelty. Tired of feeling like I had lipstick on my teeth or a hole in my pants, I asked Jase what was up. I figured the guy who’d saved my ass when people were shooting at me was as good a guy to get the truth from as any, and I was right.
Roarke’s driver and confidant looked me right in the eye and said, “No one’s ever seen the boss with anyone like you before.” He shrugged. “I mean, in the old days there were women but they were only for…” He paused and gave me the side eye, “Well, you know what they were for. Then when our existence became known, he had a few courtesans but they stayed out of sight and were gone when their contract was up.” The driver looked and after spotting Roarke across the room, he added, “For the last few years, since he came back, he’s been on bottled blood. You’re the first woman I’ve seen and definitely the only one I’ve ever seen him introduce to the likes of Kristiyan.”
“What do you mean since he came back?”
“Sorry, I thought Madame de Beaufort covered that in your training,” he smiled.
I shrugged. “They probably do, but mine was cut short.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right,” he nodded and went on. “Well, since we live so long, every thirty or forty years we have to die or move away to retire so people don’t start asking questions about why we’re not aging.” He took a sip of what appeared to be a very dark wine but that I had on good authority was a wine/blood mixture that most vampires enjoyed. “While they’re gone, another vampire runs their businesses and keeps things up to date and functioning. Then after a while, say twenty or thirty years, the vamp reappears as a distant relative and picks up where they left off. It’s a crazy cycle but one that’s worked for a long time for us. Now that we’re out most have stopped, but some of the old ones still do it. Not sure what the boss will do.” He finished his wine and
placed the glass on the bar before adding, “Just got the sign from the boss. Gotta go get the SUV ready. Talk to ya later.”
“Sure thing,” I mumbled, deep in thought. It had never dawned on me that I would get old and wrinkly while Roarke stayed young and handsome. Whatever was going on between us had happened so fast. I wasn’t even sure he knew the depth of my feelings or if he felt the same way. Hell, I was freaking out. How did I, Katharine Worthy, dedicated vampire hater, end up falling for one of the very beings I hated in such a short amount of time. None of it made sense, but that didn’t matter to my heart.
We were supposed to talk after his shower, but the reinforcements started to arrive and I felt really selfish being all girlie and talking about my feelings when my best friend was being held captive by a bunch of scumbag vampires. Stuffing all of it to the back of my mind as I watched Roarke coming toward me, I plastered on a smile and asked, “Everyone ready?”
“They are,” he pulled me close. “Are you?”
As peppy as I could make it, I gave an Academy award winning performance as I said, “I am.”
Pausing and looking deeper into my eyes, Roarke grinned. “Nice try, but under the circumstances, you’re doing great.” He kissed my forehead and murmured, “You can always stay here and wait for me to bring Vanessa to you.”
Pulling back, I looked up in outrage. “No, I will not stay home and wait. I got us all into this and I’m going to see it through to the end.”
“Very well,” he sighed. “But remember your promise.” He raised an eyebrow. “You will do everything I tell you when I tell you and without question, yes? And if I tell you to stay back after we get there, you will do that also, right?”
“Yes, Roarke,” I groaned, rolling my eyes because it had to be the twentieth time he’d asked me the same questions. I wasn’t going out there to get killed, only to get my best friend back, and I repeatedly said that in not so many words.
The sound of a car horn stopped the chatter in the room. “That’s the signal. Jase has heard from Jose and we are a go,” Roarke instructed. “Everyone take the route you were assigned so we don’t spook any lookouts they may have. These men are street dealers and former junkies. Yes, I believe they have a leader, but for the most part they operate on street smarts. Remember that and act accordingly.”
All heads nodded as the vampires and humans alike filed out of the room, out the front door, and into their vehicles. I climbed into the back of the SUV Jase was driving while Roarke got in the front seat. Kristiyan also joined us, sitting in the back with me.
We traveled the forty-minutes to the abandoned warehouse where they were holding Vanessa in total silence. Working hard to keep positive, I ended up praying. There were times during those silent moments when I was sure Roarke was praying with me. I could feel the warmth of his presence and the power of his strength.
We hadn’t talked much about beliefs. To be fair, we hadn’t talked much about anything, but I had to believe a man who was one of the Knights Templar had believed in a higher power at some point in his life.
Shoving that away as Jase exited the highway and we began our convoluted route of back streets, Roarke’s phone rang. “Yes,” he answered.
The buzz of conversation filled the silence of the SUV before he took a deep breath and acknowledged, “I see.”
More conversation from the voice on the phone and then Roarke’s response of, “I believe we have that covered. If not, I’ll make the appropriate adjustments. We are five minutes out. Thank you for the call.”
I wanted to ask what was happening, but Madame de Beaufort’s words, ‘Be seen and not heard, Katharine’ rang in my head again. Had it only been Jase in the car with us, I would’ve spoken up, but with a vampire as old and staunch as Kristiyan, I bit my tongue and tapped my foot, promising myself to ask as soon as we got out of the SUV.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait as Roarke turned in his seat and looked at Kristiyan. “Do you remember the vampire we rescued from that Italian monastery during the Witch-Trials in the fifteen hundreds?”
The ancient vampire sat perfectly still and for a second, I wondered if he’d heard the question, then he began to nod his head. When he spoke, his accent was more pronounced and he seemed to be picturing the man in his mind. “Short, brawny, with a poor complexion and bad manners.”
“Yes,” Roarke grinned. “Guillermo. It seems he’s the man in charge of the illegal drug operation we are about to raid.”
“Well, one as old as he definitely knows the laws of our kind.” Kristiyan’s answer was blunt and emotionless. “I told you all those years ago that I believed the monks had broken his mind, but you said he was fit to live.”
“I agree, he needs to be dealt with appropriately,” Roarke replied. “As far as his state of mind five hundred years ago, I still stand by my decision to let him live.” There was a moment of silence and what looked like male posturing before he went on, “Your feelings on those following him? Doing his bidding?”
“We have always lived by a certain set of rules. If they have broken them, then they must face the consequences. Although I doubt Guillermo gave them a proper introduction into our world, ignorance is not an excuse for immoral actions. In my experience, morality is part of the person, not the species.” He looked at me and his blue eyes glowed in the darkness. I had no doubt he was reading my mind. I couldn’t feel it, but the power filling the space between us made the hair on my arms stand on end.
Looking back at Roarke he added, “This woman…Vanessa, she is important to your courtesan and therefore, important to you. She is human and thus should not have been involved in this matter. The choice is clear. We clean the nest.”
Roarke’s response confirmed my suspicions about Kristiyan’s meaning. “I agree. Save the girl. Execute the rest.”
For a split second, I almost asked if that was completely necessary, but I once again bit my tongue and sat back. This was their rodeo. I was just along to make sure my friend got home in one piece.
Slowing to a crawl, Jase turned off the headlights as Roarke pointed out the windshield. “It’s the one in the back according to Jose’s informant.”
“Very well.” Kristiyan cleared his throat. “Then I shall take my leave and see you at the battle’s end.” Without another word and so fast all I felt was the breeze from his actions, the ancient vampire was out of the car and out of sight.
Turning off the engine, Jase sat silently as Roarke got out, came around, opened my door, and helped me to the ground. I could feel a speech coming on so I headed him off at the pass. Placing my palms on his chest, I smiled. “Thank you for doing this. Thank you for everything, especially not leaving me behind to sit and wait and worry.” I stood up on my toes and gave him a quick kiss. “I promise to do whatever you ask without question.”
Shaking his head, he sighed. “I do believe you will be the death of me, Katharine.”
“You better not die on me,” I ordered, swatting his arm to make my point.
“Not a chance,” he kissed me hard and fast then turned, grabbed my hand, and led me to the edge of the ten-foot chain link fence that was supposed to keep the riffraff out.
The streetlights had been broken and the parking lot lights literally ripped from the concrete and left to lay where they fell. It all reminded me of a scene from a slasher film. I thanked God for Roarke’s night vision. Without it, I had no doubt I would’ve broken my neck.
Looking at his watch, he whispered, “Thirty seconds,” and squeezed my hand.
Counting to thirty in my head, the way I had so many times when taking a patient’s pulse, I was right in step with Roarke as he jogged around the back of the fence and with one hand, ripped open a hole in the metal fencing big enough for us to walk through. Following the perimeter, we headed to the farthest of the huge garage doors at the back of the building.
A flash here, a whistle there, all signaled that everyone was in place at the precise moment we reached the door Jose’s
informant was to have unlocked for us. With his fingers wrapped around the handle, Roarke looked at me and mouthed, “Ready?”
Nodding, I held my breath as he pushed the door up, grabbed me around the waist, and sped into the abandoned structure. If possible, it was even darker inside as the stale scent of mold and mildew made my eyes water. I could only imagine how Roarke felt with his super senses but didn’t dare bother him as he ran as fast as he could with me in his arms and while staying to the black shadows along the back wall.
Reaching what looked like a cage with a thick metal chain and huge lock holding the door closed, Roarke set my feet on the ground. Looking at his watch again, he held up his hand and silently counted down, five…four…three…two…one. No sooner had his pinky finger fallen than he ripped open the lock and kicked open the door.
The clatter of the chain hitting the floor could barely be heard over the shouts of “What the fuck!”, “Hold it right there”, “Drop it fucker” and many other taunts I couldn’t make out.
Being scooped off the ground and flying down a pitch-black corridor wasn’t nearly as scary as the fact that we were heading straight for the gunfire that had just started. I could see the bursts of light and hear the ricochets as all-out war broke out less than a hundred yards way. My heart broke as visions of a helpless Vanessa tied to a chair stuck in the middle of a vampire turf war flooded my mind.
Stopping at one of the many doors inset in small recesses lining the hallway, Roarke set me on my feet, grabbed my chin, looked me straight in the eye, and said, “Stay right here, Katharine. I’ll be right back.”
Before I could answer, hell, even before I could breathe, he was gone. The sounds of fighting increased. My imagination, fed by the sounds of gunfire, shouts, and agonizing wails, ran full speed to the absolute worst conclusions possible.
Shaking with a combination of rage and fear and feeling totally useless, I’d had enough. Yes, I’d promised to stay put, but there was no way I could stand idly by for one more second while those I loved were in danger. Poking my head out the alcove Roarke had left me in, I made sure I was alone and crept out of hiding.
