Marcus' Mortal Embrace (Book 3) (The Supernatural Desire Series)

by Darlene Kuncytes

  Marcus’ Mortal Embrace

  By Darlene Kuncytes

  ©2015 by Darlene Kuncytes

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author, except for brief quotations for reviewing purposes.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places and characters are solely a product of the author’s imagination, and any similarity to people or places is purely coincidental.

  Cover Design/Interior Design: Linda Boulanger

  www.TellTaleBookCovers.weebly.com

  Note from the Author

  Although this book is a work of fiction, it touches on the subject of abuse. I want people to know that there is always hope. There is help out there if you need it. Do not ever let someone make you feel less than you are. If you need someone to talk to, please don’t ever hesitate in contacting me.

  There are so many people who I need to thank. My family - both related by blood and related by love, I have gotten so much support and strength from you all, and it means the world to me. Thank you all, for being my sounding boards, lifting me up when I needed it most… but most importantly, for being the amazing people that you are!

  Acknowledgements are at the end of this book, because I am long winded and want you to get started on losing yourself to Marcus!!! LOL

  Chapter One

  Marcus LaGrange ran his fingers through his thick brown hair as he walked up the steps of the Nightshade Bed and Breakfast in frustration. He had been staying there for the past four months, trying desperately to obtain any information that he could about the Vampire that had joined forces with the Coven of Witches that had tried to kill his family, but as of yet, he had come up empty. And, it was seriously beginning to piss him off. He was bone tired and beginning to feel that he was wasting his time…and everyone else’s.

  His friend, Brianna Melbourne, had gone above and beyond to help him, but he was beginning to feel like a burden. He cared for her way too much to impose on her for much longer. She deserved to have a life–one that didn’t consist of roaming around the streets of New Orleans scrounging for information that just didn’t seem to be forthcoming. No matter that whisperings of the changes that were coming was spreading fast; the Supernaturals that he had spoken to were still cautious, and getting them to trust him was about as easy as getting blood from a stone. All that they had found out was that this Vampire was in the area–and nasty. Even with Brianna being a well-respected witch, it wasn’t getting them any closer to finding him.

  He ran his hand across his face and sighed tiredly, opened the door and walked through. He found Brianna in the spacious kitchen, bustling about, humming happily, and he found himself wondering just how in the hell his friend could be so blasted chipper. She turned as he walked through the doorway and gave him a gentle, yet knowing smile.

  “From the look on your face, I won’t even ask,” she murmured, dashing over to the refrigerator and quickly grabbing a bag of blood. She reached for a glass and held them out to him. “Here, you must be starving.”

  Marcus took her offering and nodded. “I am thanks,” he replied as he emptied the bag into the glass and downed it quickly, thinking that he should have at least warmed it a bit in the microwave first. He was just too tired and too damned hungry to care.

  “Don’t worry so, Marcus,” Brianna said, taking a step closer and laying her hand on his arm. She gave it a gentle squeeze before leaning up and placing a kiss against his cheek. “We will find him,” she reassured him softly. “It’s just going to take some time. Word is already getting out about the changes that are coming, and people are becoming more open–we just need to be patient. We are talking about centuries of mistrust here. It’s not going to just disappear overnight. These beings have been programed to believe that we should all be enemies…not to mention that we still have to contend with the darker forces out there working against us. The slimy bunch of asshats won’t go down easily.”

  Marcus sighed as he walked over and dropped the empty bag into the trash, trying his best to give her a smile. “I know. It’s just so damned frustrating. I feel like I’m causing you to put your life on hold for me– and that just isn’t fair to you, Bri.”

  Brianna burst out laughing, her chocolate eyes sparkling. “Hell’s Bell’s, LaGrange,” she snorted, “I most likely wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for you! My, God, Marcus! You saved me from being ripped apart and probably eaten by a pack of Were’s!” She shook her head in amazement as a shiver ran up her spine at the memory. “And, trust me when I say, I have no life,” she chortled. “Well, other than The Nightshade of course and the occasional date here and there, but believe me, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  Her face grew serious as she stepped up to stand directly in front of him, her eyes locking with his as she gazed up into his face, and she was once again taken by how absolutely handsome the man was. His unruly, dark brown hair and expressive brown eyes were every woman’s wet dream–not to mention his large, muscular, absolutely perfect frame. The man was built like a brick shit house and just oozed masculine sensuality; and the bitch of it was, he didn’t even seem to realize it. He was one of the most gentle, caring men that she had ever known, and she would gladly lay down her life for him.

  Yes, Brianna admitted with a slight sigh, she had fallen for this sexy hulk of a man the moment that he had entered her life, and she would move Heaven and Earth for him, but she also realized that in the time that they had known each other, her feelings were one sided. Yes, Marcus loved her. However, his was the love of a brother, and she had learned to accept that. That was just the way it was meant to be. This man was family, and she was utterly content with that fact. She couldn’t imagine not having him in her life. All she wanted was for him to find the happiness that he so deserved. Jesus, even his hermit of a brother had found his mate. And, Desmond LaGrange had been much more closed off than even Marcus was. Sheesh, she thought with a disgusted shake of her head, these LaGrange boys were a royal pain in the ass!

  Marcus pulled her into his arms and hugged her to him tightly, as if she were his lifeline. “You deserve so much more than this,” he whispered in her ear. She could hear the sadness and regret in his voice, and it clenched at her heart like a vise. He was so worried about her being happy that he didn’t even take a moment to consider his own.

  Marcus had lost his fiancé all those many years ago, yet it still hung over him like a looming storm cloud, emotionally crippling him. His guilt at not being able to keep his mother from killing her ate away at him on a daily basis, and he just wouldn’t allow himself to even toy with the idea of finding love–and it seriously pissed her off. The man deserved everything life had to offer, yet, all he could do was worry about the people around him.

  Brianna stepped back out of his embrace and chucked him soundly on the side of his head, her mouth turning down in a scowl.

  “Ow!” he barked, his mouth dropping open in shock. “What in the hell, Bri?”

  “Okay, you listen to me, and you listen to me good, Marcus LaGrange!” she growled, her eyes flashing with irritation, and the lights in the kitchen flickered from her anger. “I have no intention at all of letting you do this on your own. I have contacts that you just don’t! Not to mention that I want nothing more than to annihilate these assholes just as much as you do.” She took a deep, steadying breath and gave him a grin. “I know you worry about me, and I adore you for that, I do, but there is nothing more that I want than to help you ensure that your family is safe. So quit being suc
h a stubborn ass and deal with it!”

  Marcus shook his head, in complete awe of this woman. Abby and Kat’s pregnancies were progressing normally, and he knew that both his brother and best friend, Luke, were doing everything in their power to make sure that their mates were safe. Still, the cold hard reality of it was that there was still a rogue vampire running around, most likely gaining alliance with who knew how many other witches and demons. And that just did not sit well with him. Neither did the fact that he could be putting his friend in danger.

  “Brianna…” he began, but she shook her head vehemently and pressed her fingers to his lips to stop the protest that she was sure he was about to utter. She knew the man all too well.

  “Nope, don’t even bother, Vamp-boy. It is what it is, and I’m in this with you for the long haul.” She gave him a wink and broke out into a full-fledged smile. “So, suck it up and deal with it! Now, on another, completely random note, we are going to have a guest, so as hard as I know this is going to be for you–you, my friend, are going to have to behave yourself.” She glanced at the refrigerator thoughtfully a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. “It might be a good idea to put your…um, food in the mini fridge in your room. You can always bring it down to…warm it,” she said with a chuckle. “I can keep extra in the other fridge in the breezeway.”

  Marcus’s mouth dropped open in shock for the second time that night. “You mean to say that a mortal is coming?” he breathed, at a complete loss. He knew damn well that if another Supernatural being were coming, he wouldn’t have to hide his stash.

  Christ, Marcus inwardly groaned. This was definitely not what he needed at the moment. With a mortal running around the house, he would have to appear as human as possible–and that was just a pain in the ass.

  Brianna nodded, and shrugged apologetically. “Yeah sorry about that, but a girl has got to make a living, and it was a last minute kind of thing, and she was in a bind…and she’s a friend of a friend… I mean, you probably won’t even see her. I highly doubt that she’s a night person–like you.” She gave him a wink as she chuckled softly. “And, I don’t believe she’ll be here more than a week or two at the most.”

  Marcus closed his eyes and sighed, knowing deep down that it wouldn’t be too much of a burden. He had learned long ago how to blend in, and if worse came to worse, he could always compel the human to forget that she had ever seen him. Yes, the blood in the refrigerator could pose a slight problem. The last thing they needed was for her to raid the refrigerator in the middle of the night, only to find bags of blood piled neatly beside the leftover gumbo.

  Brianna had replaced all the windows in the house a few years back with treated glass to block the rays of the sun, so if he needed to make himself appear normal, it would be much easier to deal with than having to only come out at night. Still, he thought with a slight grimace…. a mortal. Damn, this was a little glitch that he hadn’t been counting on. Nevertheless, it was one that he was willing to deal with for Bri.

  “So, when does the human arrive?” he asked with a note of distaste, and Brianna burst out laughing.

  “First off, bloodsucker,” she choked out, “Don’t call her the human. Geez! Show a little restraint will you? And the lady will be arriving tomorrow, early afternoon. I’ll relocate your food supply in the morning for you. No worries. I’m sure that you’ll be sound asleep, and I promise not to disturb you.”

  “I plan on it,” he informed her tiredly. “And…I really don’t think you should be calling me bloodsucker, smart-ass.” With that, he slapped her behind and gave her a grin. “In fact, I do believe that big, comfortable bed is calling my name as we speak. Have fun with your little human,” he finished with a laugh and headed upstairs.

  Brianna watched him leave, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Oh, if my instincts are right, my friend,” she chuckled softly, “We both will.”

  Chapter Two

  Elizabeth Chase flagged down a taxi as she struggled to balance her suitcases and laptop in her hands. She smiled as the driver jumped out of the cab and ran over to help her with her burden.

  “Thank you,” she replied, gracing the man with a grateful smile.

  When she slid into the backseat of the car, she closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the seat, a weary sigh rushing past her lips.

  Her plane had been delayed over two hours and she was tired and wrinkled, and all she wanted at that particular moment in time was to sink into a nice hot tub and soak.

  This trip to meet with Angeline Baxter had been a last minute emergency, and she had had to rush around like mad to make all of the arrangements as quickly as possible. But, she thought with a grimace–when you finally got the courage to run from the abusive asshole that was tormenting you–time was of the essence. It was much too easy to lose your nerve and stay with your abuser, and it was her job to make sure that didn’t happen.

  Liz had been working with the network of people who helped women escape from the men that beat them for almost four years now, and she was becoming quite astute at judging which ones were at risk of going back. It was always a slippery slope. These women had spent years being beaten down both mentally and physically, and they needed someone that was on their side.

  She had been with the network from the moment that she had walked out of the hospital after Paul had almost killed her, and they had helped her to finally escape the sadistic bastard–to finally be free.

  Liz had been Erin Jacobs then–a scared, broken twenty-four year old–who had been too terrified to leave the man who had beaten her almost daily for over two years. It wasn’t until he had almost killed her that she had found the strength to leave. As soon as she could physically walk, she had left the hospital and sought out the help that she so desperately needed, thanks to a compassionate nurse who had been through the same thing and knew what had happened no matter how well it had been covered up.

  Since that time, the network had changed her name, relocated her, and taught her to be the best liaison to other battered women that she could be. And Liz was damned good. She had an instinct for knowing what these women were thinking, and knew just how to talk them out of it.

  Liz had had no one before she met Paul, and he had honed in on her loneliness immediately. She had been in and out of foster homes since she was six–when her drug-addled mother had decided that it was time to move on, and a child would only slow her down. She had dumped her off at a local church and never looked back.

  Liz huffed softly in disgust at the thought. Her mother had neglected her for as long as she could remember, and she had so naively thought that maybe when child services had placed her with a family, that she would finally feel loved–but that had proven to be just another childish dream. She was moved around in the system until she turned eighteen and could legally be on her own.

  “Where too, beautiful?” the driver asked, after sliding behind the wheel and glancing back at her with a smile.

  Liz jumped at the sudden intrusion into her thoughts and tried to return his smile. “The Nightshade,” she replied, digging into her purse and trying to find the slip of paper with the address.

  “Don’t trouble yourself,” the driver chirped pleasantly, “I know the place. You’re going to love it.” He threw the car into gear and took off, whistling happily.

  Liz glanced out the window and watched as the city flew by. She had never been to New Orleans before, and was completely fascinated by its beauty. It was almost as if she had stepped back in time, and she loved it.

  “Are you here on vacation?” the driver asked, watching her intently in the rearview mirror.

  “Um, no. Business,” she answered softly, that now familiar feeling of dread creeping up on her as she noticed his gaze. He seemed pleasant enough, but Liz now had an ingrained mistrust of the male gender in general, and his blatant appraisal of her was making her suddenly uncomfortable. She had closed herself off to ever going down that road again four years ago, and h
ated when men would give her that look.

  “How long are you going to be gracing our city with your lovely presence?” he asked, his mouth now set in nothing less than a lecherous grin, and Liz shuddered. Oh, Hell no!

  “I’m not sure. It just depends on how long I’m needed,” she replied as evenly as she could–but her body was beginning to tense up, and she could feel her heart beginning to race.

  “What do you do?”

  Liz sighed, and closed her eyes briefly. “I’m a re-locator,” she offered, deciding to pull out her standard answer. She kept what information she divulged to people at a minimum. “I help people relocate for their…jobs.”

  The driver nodded, his eyes never leaving her, and Liz had the fleeting thought that he was going to get them killed if he didn’t look at the road. “I’ve heard of that,” he said with a chuckle. “You help them to find housing and stuff, right?”

  “Yes. Shouldn’t you be watching the road?” she finally huffed out, and the man had the audacity to burst out laughing! What a tool!

  “There’s nothing to worry about, beautiful. I know this city like the back of my hand.” He paused long enough to throw her a wink. “You up to having dinner with me while you’re in town?” he asked, and Liz felt her heart drop as her body stiffened. Not likely, she thought with a frown. “I’m Bob, by the way, and I know of a killer oyster bar, not to mention the best Hurricane’s in the city.”

  “Bob,” she repeated, trying desperately to keep the anger from her voice. “I’m flattered. I really am, but I really won’t have any free time while I’m here,” she lied. “And, even if I did…I’m seeing someone,” she finished, hoping to end this quickly with her double whammy. She was just too tired to have to deal with this today.

  “Oh,” he replied, his disappointment evident. “I can’t believe your man would let a gorgeous woman like yourself travel alone. He must be insane.”

  Liz felt a wave of anger wash over her. “I’m quite capable of taking care of myself,” she bit out, much more harshly than she had intended, but the man had unknowingly hit her pressure point. “And, my man, has absolutely no say so in the matter,” she finished, glaring at him now as her eyes snapped with fire. That is–she thought with a little tremor running up her spine–if she had had a man. Her days of being a victim were long over and she was decidedly better off alone.