Red Knight Box Set (Books 1,2,3): Contemporary Vampire Romance

by L. C White

I close the folder and slam my head back against the rock. I toss the empty bottle and close my eyes. I’m now carefree. I don’t give a shit about anything. I’m on the edge of oblivion.

  “Daniel!”

  My heavy head rolls as I open my eyes. I can’t fuckin focus. I’m all liquored up and don’t give a damn about angry Adrien standing there.

  “Pops,” I beam. “You finally found me.”

  “Yeah.” I feel him kicking my boot. “Get your ass up.”

  “Just… just leave me here.”

  I feel my waist being lifted and I seem to be flying. I open one eye as blood rushes from my chest to my head. I see my pop’s back and my arms dangling freely.

  “You’re becoming a problem, Daniel.”

  I watch the ground beneath me, whizzing around like an old spinning record.

  I close my eyes and pat his ribs. “Yeah, I know… I know.”

  Chapter 4: The Hosts

  Maeve

  Wow, the photos dad showed me, do not do this place justice. I think it’s the most spectacular building I’ve ever seen. It’s got this fairy-tale gothic look and feel. It’s dark, yet has this real happy energy about it. I would absolutely love to sketch this place. It’s surreal.

  Dom opens the car door before I have the chance. I step out onto the fresh gravel, feeling kind of naked without my things. I don’t look like a pro, just some girl who has been dragged through a hedge backward. I feel like one of those stupid girls in a horror flick, who’s been picked up willingly from the side of the road. I think I’m still in shock from the crash.

  As Dom heads toward the arched doorway, a light emerges and a girl steps outside. She’s very pretty, pale, and her skin kind of glows, even in the dark. I awkwardly follow Dom, noticing she has a worried expression on her face. She yanks on his arm, and whispers in his ear; to which Dom replies with a shoulder shrug.

  Her attention falls onto me, as Dom side steps by her. She’s my age, but jeez, I look older. Her hair is perfect, long warm auburn, and makes me want to try and hide my hair fiasco somehow. She smiles and holds out her hand to me. I unclench my fingers from each other and reach out to her, smiling back. Wow, she’s ice cold. I try not to think too much about her arctic touch, but I know my face is giving me away. She quickly pulls her hand out of mine, and folds her arms over her chest.

  “I’m Liz Knight.”

  “And I’m Maeve O’Riley, hopefully I’ll be selling this place for you.” I glance up at the limestone tower. “I don’t usually ask this, but why sell? This place is amazing.”

  Fuck. As dad would say, honesty is not the best policy in this line of work.

  “Yeah, it is,” she replies.

  She breathes out like she’s remembering things from years ago, even though she’s only my age. She looks down at my muddy shoes and up to my hair. Shit, she’s not moving her view from my purple head.

  She grins, “Nice hair.”

  “Don’t ask.” I smile back, blushing with heat. “Not having the greatest day.”

  She chuckles lightly. “Well, we’ve all been there. Come inside and I’ll get you settled in. We have guests coming,” she glances down at her watch, “at nine, you’re more than welcome to join us. They’re a little rowdy. No, in fact, they can be a pain in the ass. But feel free, we don’t bite.” She turns her back and heads into a large warm modern hallway. “Adrien will be back soon, and we can clear up the mess my brother Daniel has made.”

  “I think I’ll just wait for my things. I need to change and… and.”

  God, this is a nightmare. I feel so dumb right now. I’m making it obvious I don’t want this job. I’m a guest here, but feel like I’m intruding.

  “I’ll show you to your room then.”

  Liz walks up a glass and chrome staircase and I quickly follow. I need to be alone for a while. Since I left my apartment, my world is turned to shit. I need to think, get my head straight, and do what I came here for, work.

  I’m shown into a lush bedroom, and I have to stop myself acting all awestruck. I’m supposed to see places like this all the time. Well, that is how I’m meant to appear. But god, it so nice. I know selling this place could make my dad’s company a small fortune. If I do well, I’ll get a very nice bonus too.

  “Do you want to borrow some clothes, just to be getting on with?” Liz asks, making her way to the door. “You’re around my size.”

  My jaw opens but no words come out. I’ve never been asked that question by a client before. But I’m getting my head around the fact these aren’t the run of the mill vendors. From the strange, obnoxious, yet hot boy who made me crash my car into a tree. The sheer size and luxuriousness of this home, which belongs in Beverly Hills or somewhere of the sort. And the over-friendliness of my host, treating me like family. I’m gathering quickly, that I’m going to have to adapt and play along until the job is done.

  Liz waits for my answer, and I have to hold in a bemused squeak.

  “Yes… that would be great. Thanks.”

  “The en-suite is through that door. Help yourself to whatever you need, and I’ll go fetch you some things to choose from.” She closes the door as she leaves.

  God, this isn’t just your average en-suite, it’s frigging bigger than my apartment. I’m used to the en-suites you can barely move in. This room has his and hers sinks. A huge bathtub and a walk-in wet-room. And it’s even stocked with a basket full of unopen, very expensive toiletries. The place is sparkling clean, almost sterile, and I daren’t touch anything in case I mess it up.

  I quickly strip off my damp clothing, yank the super soft towel from the towel-rail, and jump behind the frosted glass, awkwardly. When I agreed to stay here, I didn’t think once about my cleansing routine. I guess I imagined this place, more of a hotel, which it is most definitely not. I could have scrapped the whole shower, but I do whiff. That encounter with the hell-raising brother, Daniel, didn’t help. He made me sweat. He made me nervous. He made me want to lose my inhibitions, big time. If we spent any longer on that road alone together, I might have just tossed my cherry right at him. And still, as I rinse the soap from my hair, it’s not my smashed up car I’m thinking of, it’s him.

  I stand with the soft thick white towel wrapped across my chest, while scrubbing my hair dry. I wipe the steam from the mirror with squeaky fingers. Wow, the purple ends of my hair have been washed away completely. Jeez, what was in that shampoo, paint stripper? I spent hours this morning trying to wash the weekend away. I guess I should be happy now it’s all gone.

  Grinning a little, I run my fingers through my locks, feeling like my old self again. I can sell this house. I can do this shit.

  My damp bare feet sink down into the thick grey carpet. I breathe in a soothing breath, and notice a selection of clothes laid out on the queen size bed. I arch over a little, while scouring the room for any intruders. I’m frigging paranoid. Liz seems nice enough. But even so, I don’t want her seeing my bare ass.

  I slowly make my way across the room and look down at the bed. On it, lies three pairs of skinny jeans, and three different coloured loose blouses. It’s all casual, and something I’d wear myself. But I’m supposed to be meeting Mr Knight, and should be in my formal work wear. I lift up the black jeans and a white cotton blouse.

  There’s a knock at the door. I halt still, whereas my heart goes like the clappers. I really hope that isn’t Mr Knight.

  “It’s only me, Maeve,” Liz calls as I gasp out. “I have your things here.”

  Thank god. I make sure the towel is secure, and dash to the door. I open with one hand, and the other still has a tight grip of the towel. Liz holds out my folder, my very private folder, smiling. I whip it out of her hand, heating with shame. No one has seen these, surely. I’m just being silly. These are my outlet. My way of pacifying the frustration. I don’t want to be a virgin. I don’t want to be a slut. I’m not religious. And I’m not waiting for Mr Right to come calling. It’s just never happened. And the times I have come
close, my damn self-doubt always dowses the lust. I just don’t want to make a fool out of myself. And now I’ve left it so long, I’m kind of used to it. The drawings are my way to release.

  “And your case.” She lifts up the handle and I take it off her. “Unfortunately, the whisky couldn’t be saved.” I frown with a side pucker. “Sorry… was an accident.” Even I know that’s a lie. “When you’re ready, come down.”

  “Okay, thank you.” I sigh out, too loud, a ‘this is crazy’ sigh.

  “Maeve, please don’t feel awkward,” Liz takes a step back. “I once felt the same in places like this, around people like us. But really, you have nothing to worry about. We want this over as quickly as you do.” She smiles politely. “And if you must know, you already have the contract. So do your thing, and enjoy the stay. Okay?”

  “I haven’t even talked to Mr Knight yet.”

  “Oh, but I have,” she winks. “So come down when you’re ready. I’ll fix you some food. Then tomorrow, you can go to work.” She walks down the hall.

  “Thanks Liz,” I call after her.

  I’ve decided to wear something less starch, and gone for smart casual. Black trousers, white t-shirt, and white flats. Liz has been real kind, but I’m glad to have my own attire back. I grab the plans I have for the house, and make my way to the door.

  My phone rings. I stop for a second, wondering whether to ignore it. It will only be my dad.

  I blow out, hurry back to the bed, and swoop up my phone. I was right, he’s probably sitting at his desk at home, uttering curse words about my lack of professionalism.

  “Dad,” I almost sing.

  “Maeve, why haven’t you called?”

  “Been busy.”

  I hate when his tone is like this with me. It’s been so hard to differentiate our relationship since I started working for him. He’s my father, no he’s not; he’s my boss instead. It’s messing up my head. I just don’t know how to talk to him anymore.

  “So, do we have a deal, or not?”

  “Yes Father.” I pull the phone away for a second to scowl at it.

  “Really, and the terms of our service have been agreed on: percentage for completion, timeline, possible buyers?”

  “I’m working on it. But yes, the house is our sale, so stop panicking.”

  I hear him hum through the receiver. “And how are you; did you managed to find the house okay?”

  Oh god. I have to tell him. He’s going to find out sooner or later.

  “I crashed my car.” My body hunches over as I cringe.

  “You what!”

  “It was an accident and it’s all been sorted out,” I insist.

  “I told you to pay attention on the road. Look what happened to your mother.”

  The line falls into a dead silence as we both remember our loss. My mum died when I was seven years old. She swerved her car and hit a side barrier. Still to this day the details surrounding the accident are shady, and I don’t need to think about this right now. I plonk my butt on the edge of the mattress.

  “I’m sorry Maeve. I just worry about you.”

  “Dad, you worry and control a little too much,” I sigh out. “I’m fine, and the deal is ours. I’m going to survey tomorrow, and value the day after that. So just trust me.”

  “Okay,” he says. “Did Adrien like the whisky?”

  Fuck, the whisky. The whisky my dad went out of his way to buy for Mr Knight. The lost whisky.

  “Yeah, he loved it. Told me to tell you thank you very much.” God, I hate lying.

  “Oh good, that must have sealed the deal for us.”

  “Whatever Dad… look I’ve got work to do. So please don’t call me for the next few days. If I need help on anything, I’ll call you.”

  “Goodnight Maeve.”

  “Yeah, goodnight Dad.” I hang up.

  ***

  I jog down the stairs, but stop when I hear voices. Not just a few voices, but many. I peek around the corner to see a gathering around the long kitchen island. I stupidly listen in on the conversation. All of them are American, apart from Liz. These aren’t the kind of folk I have anything in common with. They’re business types, wearing classy togs, and all have this strange air of grace about them.

  For god sake, I need to stop being so bloody nervous of these people.

  “Daniel, you pull a stunt like that again,” Dom warns as the others snigger.

  Shit, Daniel is here. Fuckin great. I can’t go through with this. I’ll just sneak back upstairs and pretend to be asleep or something. I wrap my fingers around the cool bannister rail, and lift my foot.

  “Maeve, I believe.” A deep American male voice frightens the life out of me.

  I gasp and slowly turn my head to see a well-to-do handsome fella. He’s wearing black trousers and a blue shirt, but his shoes and the bottom of his trousers are all muddy.

  “Pleased to finally meet you,” he adds.

  He offers me his hand, and like a complete loser, I can’t bring myself to take it. I’m just standing here gawping, because I’m stumped. He’s the handsome type. Clearly into his fitness. And I’m guessing he’s Daniel’s relation, because the similarities are uncanny.

  He lowers his hand, releasing an awkward cough. “I’m Adrien. You’re selling the house for me.”

  Fuckity-fuck. I shut my eyes, realising I might have just lost this job. I’m so uptight. I need to relax. I smile politely and hold out my hand. He takes my fingers in his for a quick shake and let’s go. Like Liz, he’s cold. Stone cold. I put it down to the shitty weather we have up here, as I try not to fidget.

  “Please to meet you, Mr Knight.”

  “Adrien, please.”

  “Come and join us. Elizabeth has made you a sandwich.”

  “Err… I’d like to go over some paperwork if this isn’t a bad time,” I say. “I have some minor details to go through with you.” I look up to the balcony. “I’ll just go get my briefcase.”

  He giggles at me, making me feel foolish. I only want him to take a peek, what’s the big deal. I need to do this as quickly as possible so I can go home. Because as nice as this house is, I feel like I’m walking around on pins. I should have refused the offer to stay here, and booked myself into a bloody B&B.

  “I knew you’d be the right person for the job,” he says, as I unintentionally screw my face up at him. “But you can leave the paperwork with me. I can complete it. Now, please join us.”

  Okay, he’s basically ordering me around. If he’s going to do my job for me, why the hell am I here?

  Regardless of my absolute aversion to go in there and join the party, I find myself following him. This guy will not take no for an answer. This is a man who gets what he wants.

  I’m holding my hands at my waist, my fingers held tightly together. The chatter quietens as I approach, but I haven’t the nerve to look up yet.

  “Hey Maeve,” Dom’s voice coaxes me to lift my head.

  I look around the kitchen island, feeling intimidated, to see several other faces I’ve not met yet.

  Liz holds a plate out to me. I look down at what appears to be a ham and cheese toastie, with a side salad. I take the plate, keeping my mouth shut.

  “Take a seat.” Adrien pulls out a stool.

  I slide the plate onto the marble work surface, then see Liz slamming a plate down in front of the guy who has messed up my night, and got me all frustrated. The guy who has filled me with lusting curiosity. The guy who has made this house the most awkward place on earth to be right now. Daniel. He has his forehead down on the worktop, with his arms enveloped around his head. I watch as Liz runs her hands over his shoulders, noticing her concern. A weird mothering worry over him.

  “Daniel… eat,” she says to him, as he lets out a groan.

  Oh god, I’m going to be the first thing he sees when he lifts his head. I flick my view off him. But the faces looking at me around the island, don’t make me feel any less uneasy either.

  “So Maeve, yo
u’ve met Dom already. And Daniel,” Adrien says.

  I bite my cheek, determined that my view will not fall onto him. I know he’s looking at me, it’s hard not to feel the sear of his stare. Shit, I can hear him messing with his plate. I won’t give in. I won’t.

  “That’s Ben.” Adrien points to a guy rooting through the cupboards.

  I don’t say hello, Ben seems too busy to acknowledge me. He’s more interested in the whisky he’s now pouring.

  “And this is Nathan and Sara, close friends of ours from London,” he adds.

  I look at a couple sitting on the left side of the island. Sara is sitting on Nathan’s knee, sipping from a glass of red wine. She’s pretty, but harsh looking. I smile at her scowl. Wow, she may as well just say, ‘what are you doing here, bitch.” She’s looking at me as though I’ve just pissed in her glass.

  “Hi Maeve,” Nathan says.

  I gladly look to Nathan, who seems more approachable.

  “Hello,” I utter.

  “Ignore Sara here, takes her a little time to warm to new people.” He slaps her backside playfully. “She’s giving you the catty eyes, when really she’s as soft as a kitten.” He laughs as Sara slides off his lap, patting his chest in a warning way.

  “I guess we owe you an apology,” Adrien says, using a remote so music sounds through the house. “Daniel is not really handling the transition very well.”

  The determination not to look down the kitchen island has failed. My eyes are on him as soon as his name is mentioned. He’s leaning right over the worktop with his head against his hand, chewing the toastie like it’s made of rubber. He looks ill. Still hot, but very sick. I slip my hands down onto my lap. I’m digging my fingernails into my hands to take my mind off his merciless eyes. I need to appear friendly. I need to be professional. But this is so damn hard. This contract might be worth a small fortune, but it’s the shittest job I’ve ever had to do.

  “It’s fine. I’m sure we’ll sort it out,” I say, lifting up the toastie to take a bite.

  “I’ll have Ben sort your car out tomorrow,” Adrien says, as Ben’s eyes roll to the roof.