by Anna Abner
“Which one are you again?” Maks asked, squinting.
“I’m her best friend,” the vampire said in an unfriendly tone. “We were friends before you infected us, and we stayed friends through all the other crap. Can I get back to helping her, or do you have more questions for me?”
Maks urged Markus out, and Julia closed the door behind them.
“I need to check on the others,” Julia said, her expression unreadable. “You almost seemed like a normal person back there,” she remarked to Maks. “You didn’t put a single knife to anyone’s throat. You almost had me fooled that you aren’t a giant asshole.”
Refusing to rise to the bait, Maks followed her into the second bedroom.
The remaining three pit vampires were milling around looking bored and restless.
“Maksim Volk,” said a big, dark-haired vampire in a threatening tone. “Whose lap dog are you today? Hers?”
Frosted tips snickered at the doc from her position by the fridge. Anastasia, he thought her name was.
Maks’ temper was very near the surface, and he didn’t want to start a fight under Ali’s roof, but he’d had a lifetime of practice concealing his emotions, so he pasted on an antagonizing smirk and stared the man down.
“Caleb,” the red-headed male said. “Cool it. He’s not worth it.”
“Caleb?” Maks queried. “Do I know you? Or are you one of Olek’s by-blows he forgot he even made? Let me ask you, did he fuck you before or after he infected you?”
The larger vampire lunged. His redheaded buddy tried to hold him back, but he easily shoved him off. Maks stepped forward to keep the hulking idiot from hurting the doctor, ducked at the last second, and used Caleb’s momentum to flip him over his back and onto a desk, which collapsed beneath him.
Caleb roared.
“That’s enough, both of you,” Julia asserted, stepping between them. Brave woman. “Volk, you can go. Caleb, there’s no point in fighting amongst ourselves. Clean up your mess.”
“Feed them,” Maks said on his way out. “They won’t be at each other’s throats if they’re full.” He marched past the door and into the hall. He paced the length of it a couple times, a little twitchy. He worried about Mercy, but she seemed in capable hands. So, his thoughts turned to Violet and how sleepy and snuggly she’d looked that morning. He’d give anything to steal into her bed and curl up beside her, but he couldn’t even consider it. She deserved better. He, on the other hand, deserved all the torture the Four Sons could dole out.
Chapter Eight
Maks was on his eighth circuit of the outer hallway when the doc came out of the pit vampires’ quarters. Markus followed her out, nodded good-bye to Maks, and presumably returned to his chess game against Lukas.
“Why did you do that?” Julia demanded of Maks. “Why provoke him?”
“He provoked me,” Maks said, a little insulted. “If I let every uppity infected talk to me like that, then I’m nothing. I’m as worthless as they say I am.”
“Whatever happened to taking the high road?” Julia countered.
“No such thing in the vampire world,” he said.
The door behind her opened again, and Mercy’s dark-haired friend Kayla teetered out on sky-high heels, her cute romper splattered with water and flecks of soap. “Hey,” she said to the doc. “Thanks again. I didn’t know how to help her. She’s sleeping right now, but she’s not hurting herself anymore.”
Maks frowned as the doc was transformed into a stuttering, blushing pre-teen. He glanced at the vampire across from her as her pale cheeks pinkened.
“It wasn’t me,” Julia admitted. “Maks and Markus were able to reach her. I didn’t.”
“Well, thanks,” she said, ignoring Maks. “My name’s Kayla, by the way. I don’t think we’ve been introduced. You’ve given me blood and taken my pulse, but I haven’t caught your name.”
“Julia,” the doctor said, smiling. “My name’s Julia Burke.”
“I’m Kayla Martin,” she said, fighting a goofy smile. “Come back soon to, you know, check on Mercy.”
“Yeah, of course,” Julia assured. “I’ll be by later today. Can I bring you anything?”
Maks glanced from one woman to the other, totally invisible.
“No, thanks. You’re young to be a doctor.” She snickered awkwardly. “Where are you from? Your accent is so cute.”
“I’m not that young,” Julia said, twittering her weird little laugh. “And I was raised in Germany.”
“Germany, cool.” Kayla grinned, and so did Julia.
Into the smiling contest, Maks cleared his throat. “K, I’m gonna find Violet. Will one of you please feed those monsters?” He left the two ladies to hold their giggling contest in the hallway without him.
#
Violet sat cross-legged on her bed while Jackson fed himself a bottle of milk—something else he hadn’t been able to do two months ago—and went through her new cell phone. As soon as she connected her email and cloud storage, she texted her mom.
It’s Violet. Just wanted you to know J & I are fine. We’re staying with friends. Are you still flying home tomorrow?
Almost instantly, she received a reply.
Can we see you before we leave? I’m so worried about you and Jackson.
She wanted to say yes, but Violet was very aware the suite was not her home. “Ali?” she called, gathering Jackson and marching into the living room. Violet found Maks and Connor politely ignoring each other, but no Ali.
“She’s across the hall,” Connor explained, pausing the Xbox game he was playing on the flat screen. “Do you need something?”
Maks didn’t get up from the chair where he was also exploring his new phone, but his dark eyes carefully evaluated her. She had a feeling, he didn’t miss anything.
“My parents are leaving town in the morning,” she said, her gaze flickering between the two men, “and I wanted to say good-bye. I was going to ask Ali where a good place to meet them would be.”
“Bring them here,” Connor said.
Maks turned on him. “Are you trying to get people killed now?” When Connor refused to respond, Maks added, “There was a time when the horde stayed hidden from humans. Are you aware of that?” When Connor still ignored him, Maks gave a dramatic huff and returned his attention to his phone.
“Are you sure?” Violet asked Connor. “I don’t want to intrude or anything.”
“Of course I’m sure,” he said. “Maks is just being an annoying teenager again. Your parents are welcome here anytime. We’ll all behave ourselves. No vampire riots. No shapeshifting. No magic. Best behavior.”
Maks grumbled, “I’m not a teenager.”
Grinning, Violet said, “Thanks. I’ll text them now.”
Setting Jackson on the carpet where he happily crawled toward Connor and pulled himself up on the big man’s shins, Violet strolled over to Maks’ chair, and before he realized what she was up to, sat in his lap.
“Do you want to meet my parents?” she asked, half teasing.
For a moment, he floundered, not sure where to put his hands or how to react, but she settled into him, and he began to relax beneath her.
“Very funny,” he said. “Are you going to treat me like a moody teenager too? I thought we were beyond that.”
Still grinning, Violet said, “You shouldn’t let him get to you. We all know you’re secretly an old fuddy-duddy.”
“I’m right here,” Connor reminded them as he handed Jackson the bottle he’d just chucked. “And fuddy-duddy is not the term I’d use to describe Maksim Volk.”
“I have a term or two for you, brother,” Maks replied.
Violet cupped the side of his face and brought his eyes back to hers. “You don’t have to meet my parents. I was only kidding.”
“I want to,” he said.
She did not remove her hand, but began a tiny massage with her thumb along his cheekbone. “They probably think I’m still being held captive, and I want to show them both
me and Baby J are fine. I don’t want them sending more police.”
“Totally understandable,” he agreed.
His hand, which had previously hung stiff from his wrist, now traveled the length of her thigh and settled upon her hip. He squeezed her flesh. “You’re too skinny,” he said softly.
“Do you like a plump woman?” she coaxed.
His hand circled her buttocks, tickling her through her clothing. “I believe I do.”
“Break the curse,” she returned just as softly, “and I’ll get as plump as you want me to.”
“Still here,” Connor barked, tossing the Xbox remote onto the coffee table and stalking toward the exit.
Bursting into giggles, Violet twisted into a more comfortable position on Maks’ lap and texted her mom to come over as soon as she’d like.
Within twenty minutes, the front desk rang Connor that they had visitors.
“Crap,” Violet exclaimed, rushing to brush her hair and change Jackson.
“What’s worrying you?” Maks asked, leaning gracefully against the kitchen bar and watching her. “That they won’t approve?”
“I don’t know,” she exclaimed, wrestling Baby J into a button down shirt and trousers.
“You want them to think you’re an adult,” he guessed. “You want them to stop worrying about you.”
She answered with a frustrated sound.
“The elevator’s just arrived.”
Damn him and his supernatural senses. With a final tug on her shirt and a wipe of Jackson’s mouth, she ceased fussing. “You don’t have to stay for this. You can go.”
“Moppet, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
The suite’s door opened, and Ali and Connor welcomed Violet’s parents inside.
“Hi,” Violet greeted, “come on in. How was the drive over?”
“Fast,” Daddy answered, his eyes scanning everything. “So, this is where you’re living now?”
Hard question, right off the bat. Violet hesitated. “I’m staying here,” she said. “I don’t know if I’m living—”
Connor cut her off. “Connor Beckett, nice to meet you.”
Exhaling, she sent him a grateful smile.
“Bob Russell,” Daddy answered back in his southern drawl, extending his hand for a hard shake. “This is my wife, Barbara.” They continued introductions around the room, but remained standing awkwardly in the foyer.
Violet glanced at Maks as Jackson crawled to him, pulled up on his pants leg, and then whined to be picked up. Without taking his eyes off her, Maks bent and lifted her son into his arms. Jackson settled immediately, watching the adults while gumming his left hand.
Ali finally spoke up. “We’ve only known Violet and Jackson a little while, but we care about them a lot.”
“And all this,” Daddy swept his hand to indicate the lavish suite, “is yours?” He looked pointedly at Ali.
She nodded.
“You must be pretty rich,” he accused, eyeing her and then Connor. “What do you do?”
“We inherited it,” Connor answered. “Would you like something to drink? We have it all.”
Thankfully, the conversation shifted as the men inspected the kitchen.
“Oh, Vi,” Mom sighed, pulling her in for a hug. “Are you okay? Really? You’d tell me, wouldn’t you, if something was wrong?”
Violet got that familiar itchy feeling when Mom poured on the concern. “I’m fine.”
“But you’re so skinny,” Mom complained. “You look exhausted.”
“I’ve been a captive for two months,” Violet reminded her, stepping out of her mother’s embrace. “Of course I’m skinny and tired. Who wouldn’t be?”
“Mrs. Russell,” Maks said smoothly, gliding in with his charming smile and fathomless black eyes, “would you like to see the view from the balcony? It’s simply dazzling, especially at night.”
“Oh.” Mom noticed Maks for the first time. She frowned at the sight of her grandson chilling on the stranger’s hip. “You’re young. Are the little brother,” she glanced uncertainly at Connor’s back, “or something?”
“I’m older than I look,” Maks assured.
“I hope so,” Mom added with a chuckle, “because you don’t look old enough to drive.”
Keeping his amiable mask firmly in place, Maks gestured for the French doors leading onto the balcony, but his hand moved more protectively across Baby J’s back.
“You’re right,” she said, as she stepped out into the warm, evening air. “It is beautiful this high up.”
Violet passed Maks to join her mother, and he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Mom,” Violet began, too distracted to notice the twinkling Las Vegas Strip below, “I just wanted you to meet Maks and Connor and everyone so you know I’m not in trouble. I’m not going down some bad path.”
Keeping her gaze on the view, Mom said, “I certainly hope not, Violet Jade. You deserve a happy life. So does my grandson.” She turned with tears in her eyes. “I think the best place for you right now is at home with me and your daddy and your family. I think you might be suffering from a,” she swallowed, “mental breakdown.”
Violet crossed to the iron railing and stared out at the starless sky, trying to breathe, trying to find the right words. “I was kept like an animal for months,” she said, unable to look at her mother. “Of course I’m suffering. I know you won’t understand—”
“Understand what?” Daddy’s voice boomed as he stepped onto the balcony and handed Mom a dewy bottle of water.
“I won’t feel safe at home anymore.”
Her mother tried to interject, but Violet spoke over her. “I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but I feel small and helpless in your house. Like I was on parole for my one bad decision, which turned out not to be a bad decision at all.”
“I don’t think Jackson—” her mom began in outrage at the same time Daddy exclaimed, “We never—”
“Fruit and cheese plate, anyone?” Ali poked her head through the balcony doors holding a tray. Without waiting for an answer, she set the snacks on the patio table and then uncorked a bottle of crisp white wine.
Violet stuffed a couple cheese cubes in her mouth, but it didn’t help much. Her stomach was full to bursting after the buffet, yet she felt a gnawing need to eat.
“Try some wine. It’s delicious.” Ali passed Mom an appetizer plate and then handed Daddy a glass of wine.
With the mood calmed, Violet tried again to explain. “I’m twenty-six years old,” she said, “All I’m asking is that you support my decision to stay here with Jackson until I figure out what the rest of my life looks like.”
It was not lost on her the irony of her statements, not when the blood curse in her belly was killing her with every second that passed. But she also had faith in Maks, and she believed he’d fix it.
“You’re an adult,” Daddy agreed. “So long as you can provide for my grandson, you can do as you please.”
Mom glanced nervously at him. “We’d rather have you at home with us, though.”
“I know,” Violet answered in relief. “But I need to be on my own for a while.”
Daddy finished his glass of wine. “What will you do for work? Back to waitressing? I can guarantee you can’t pay your share of this place with tips.”
Maks stepped forward. “I’ve hired her on as my research assistant,” he said, “and I pay her more than she’d make waiting tables. It’s only temporary, though,” he assured, catching her eye. “A week. Two, tops.”
“How old are you?” Mom questioned again, scrunching her brows together.
Ignoring his wife, Daddy spoke up. “Exactly what kind of research?” he asked in a tone that implied he thought research assistant was code for prostitute. “And what happens to my daughter after this research is finished?”
“Into the supernatural,” Maks answered smoothly. “The number of altered humans being born and turned every day is growing exponentially. I
t won’t be long before we’ll require legislation on the issue.”
“Supernatural, huh?” Daddy lost interest immediately.
“Once the project is finished,” Maks added, “I’ll encourage her to go back to North Carolina.”
“Violet?” Daddy asked, facing her. “What do you have to say about all this?”
Quite a lot, actually. But she tried to hold back with her answer. “Sounds like a nice little working vacation,” she said, forcing a smile.
Temporary? A week? Two, tops?
Is that what Maks expected? No more than two weeks’ worth of trouble because after that, she’d either be rid of the blood curse or dead?
Her head began to ache, and she wasn’t sure whether it was due to Maks’ statements or the fact that she was slowly starving to death.
“I’ll miss you so much,” Mom burst out, her eyes tearing up. “You and Jackson both.”
“I’ll miss you too, Mom.” Violet curled her arms around her waist, clutching at the fabric of her top. “But we’ll be great. And I’ll text you all the time.”
#
Maks walked Violet’s parents to the elevator with her and as soon as the doors closed on the couple, Violet clutched his arm and visibly wilted.
Her face had gone pale and tense, triggering Maks’ protective instincts. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m hungry,” she gasped, “but my stomach is so full, it hurts.”
“Okay.” He stroked her hair gently. “We’re going to fix this. I told you I have a plan.”
She nodded, but her jaws clenched.
Ushering her back to bed, he left her curled up in a ball to hand Jackson off to Ali and grab the doc away from Kayla. “Violet’s hurting. Can you see if she wants a sedative or something so she can sleep?”
Julia glared at him, and she probably wished to remind him that he couldn’t order her around, but she was too good a doctor to ignore a person in pain. The moment the doc disappeared into Violet’s room, Maks left the suite to gather the troops. Connor, Ali, Roz, Markus, and Lukas.
Jackson was put to bed, and the team congregated uncertainly in Ali’s living room.
“It’s time to find the First Witch,” Maks said. They grumbled, but Maks was past impatient. “Get your heads in the game,” he snapped. “Violet needs us.”
