Madison’s mouth dropped as he strolled towards her, looking sexy as hell. He had on a pair of black leather pants with a tight fitting black tee and a long black trench coat. She swallowed as she looked up to his face. He was wearing red contacts and had remnants of what looked like blood coming out of the corners of his mouth. He had combed his hair back on the sides, holding it in place with gel and spiked up the top of his hair.
“So did I channel Kiefer Sutherland or what?” he asked, giving her a steely gaze.
“Oh, Helios, baby. You are so much hotter than Kiefer but yes, you totally look like you belong on the set of The Lost Boys.” Madison let her eyes roam his body again, letting out a contented sigh.
“I know we’re all wearing 'em but I don’t know how long I can do it. These contacts suck.”
“You look amazing,” Madison whispered.
“So do you,” he said, his hand running over her backside.
Madison had selected the outfit she wore for the picture he had drawn for her. She also had red contacts but had done her makeup up with dark smoky eyes, overemphasizing the black eye liner. Her hair was down and teased out as if she belonged in an 80’s music video. He went to kiss her and was halted by the teeth.
“How the hell are we supposed to kiss with these teeth,” he asked, a cross between being amused and frustrated.
“Maybe we aren’t supposed to kiss but bite,” she said with a wag of her brows.
“Is that so,” he kissed along her lips and began nipping at her neck.
Madison’s skin pebbled and her hands immediately ran into the back of his hair. He brought his mouth to hers and pecked her lips several times before stepping back with a sigh.
“Come on, baby. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Andrew took her hand as they walked outside and jumped on his Harley. Madison, not wanting to mess up her hair too much, rested her head between his shoulder blades as they drove the short distance to the garage. Andrew pulled around back to park in his normal spot and then helped Madison off his bike. Before they could make it to the doors, Callie came barreling out.
“Hold on, guys. I want you to come in from the front so you can get the whole feel of it, okay?” Callie stated out of breath.
“Okay,” Andrew replied, looking at Madison who was grinning.
Callie had been talking about this for weeks and had planned everything to perfection. Madison actually couldn’t wait to see it. She tugged on Andrew’s hand as they began to walk around the front with Callie talking a mile a minute. Madison did her best not to laugh as she remembered having both Connor and Callie in the same room for a meal. The two of them kept getting more and more animated as the conversation continued. At one point no one knew how they had gotten on the topic of the best juicers on the market but they had. It was the funniest thing that Madison had ever seen.
“You two look great, by the way,” Callie stated as they got to the front of the shop. “I like the whole Lost Boys theme. It was a good idea, Andrew.”
Andrew smiled at her and looked down at Madison who was beaming. Callie looked fierce in her high heeled boots, leather pants and jacket. Her short hair, which was now jet black, was spiked in all directions. She waved her arms as they entered. They were immediately greeted by The Door’s ‘People Are Strange’ coming out of the speakers.
“Welcome,” she said with a smile.
“Wow! Callie, this is really something!” Madison said, stepping away from Andrew to take it all in.
Callie had outlined all the door frames and corners with huge intricate spider webs. She had used a tarp on the floor of the bay and spread it with what looked like artificial grass. There was a small DJ stand in the corner that her brother would be manning that evening and three large coffins in the corner where the bikes were that the boys had been working on. Between the coffins, she had set three large plants, the same ones that the Bennett’s had used at their wedding. She had then put up small tombstones in the remaining corners of the bay.
“The food will be in the waiting room,” Callie stated.
“Callie, this is absolutely amazing!” Madison said in awe.
“I have a fog machine behind the coffins that I’ll turn on in about thirty minutes.”
“This is gonna be such a blast.”
“Madison, come help me with the food.”
“Sure thing,” Madison said.
Andrew watched the two women walk towards the waiting room and then went in search of Jayden. He found him in his office.
“Is this a safe place to hide?” Andrew asked from the doorway.
“I hope so,” Jayden grinned.
The men laughed and joked about this big to do that Callie had planned. Something neither was completely comfortable with as they were both content just hanging out with a few people. Of course they knew Connor was excited enough for all three of them, as was evidenced by his ecstatic entrance in the office.
“Oh man, this place looks so good. I mean I had seen it but, I don’t know, looking at it like right now with the fog over the ground is fucking awesome. Why are you guys in here?”
Andrew and Jayden looked at each other with a smile.
“We’re gearing up for the big event,” Andrew stated, matter of fact.
Connor shrugged his shoulders. Hearing a noise, he darted back out to see what was happening.
“Maybe we can hide in here all night and let Connor take over,” Andrew suggested, only half kidding.
“Oh, God, who knows what he would volunteer us for,” Jayden laughed.
Andrew nodded, “That’s true. I guess we better go out there and face the music.”
“Rock, Paper, Scissors?” Jayden said raising his brow.
“Hey, don’t offer that,” Andrew said rubbing his hands together.
“It’s time,” Madison said at the door.
“Too late,” Andrew chuckled.
“Eh, you probably would have won anyway.”
“Oh quit it you two,” Callie said coming up to the three of them.
The four started walking back to the front of the shop and Andrew leaned back as did Jayden.
“We’ll hide in the coffins,” Jayden said wagging his brows.
“I heard that,” Callie stated with a slight giggle.
She knew that this was difficult for them as neither were comfortable in the spotlight. But sometimes one had to do things they were uncomfortable with. She just hoped that at least half of the people they invited came, even for a short time.
“Jewel, these are my bosses, Andrew and Jayden,” Connor immediately said as they walked up.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jewel,” Jayden said reaching out his hand to her.
“Nice to meet you, Jewel,” Andrew then stated.
Jewel was a pretty blond girl in a scantily clad outfit. She talked in a soft voice and seemed a bit shy. She was not what either had expected. The three couples visited for another twenty minutes before the first guests started to arrive. Jayden and Andrew were thankful that it was some of their racing friends because they immediately put them at ease. Within an hour they already had a room full of people.
“Holy shit!” Connor practically screamed.
“What?” Andrew asked, alarmed.
A string of curse words escaped his mouth as he shook his head. “Is that who I think it is? Oh man, shit, it can’t be. I must be seeing things.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” Andrew asked, clearly confused as he didn’t see anything.
“Skylar Chase, do you have any idea how many times I jacked off to pictures of her.”
“Too much information, Connor,” Andrew replied, shaking his head and looking on.
If Skylar was here then ... he smiled, not finishing his thought. He hurriedly approached with Madison following close behind him. Logan and Skylar were both dressed as nerds. Logan in checkered high water pants held up with suspenders, a white button down shirt and bright red bowtie. Skylar was in
a pair of red checkered shorts also held up with suspenders. She had a white formfitting button down shirt and a checkered bowtie. Both were wearing typical nerd glasses. Logan let out a booming laugh as Andrew approached and immediately slapped him on the shoulder.
“Hey, Harrison.”
“How the hell did you know about this?” Andrew asked laughing.
He pulled out a 4x6 cardboard paper. “I got an invite.”
“Callie,” Andrew said with a smile.
“How you been?” Logan asked, stepping further inside.
“Great, amazing actually.”
“Skylar, would you like something to drink?” Madison asked, motioning towards the waiting room.
She smiled and nodded as they walked out of earshot, giving the boys a chance to catch up.
“Show me around, Andrew,” Logan stated.
Andrew smiled. It always seemed weird to have people he knew from his time in prison call him by his first name. It was equally difficult to get used to seeing Logan as just a guy and not a prison guard. Of course, the fact he was in his nerd costume was making it much easier to do. Andrew walked him to the bay where Logan let out another booming laugh, nodding as he inspected the decorations.
“This shit is amazing,” he stated through his laughter.
“You remember Jayden don’t you?” Andrew asked.
“Yeah, of course, from Lake Arrowhead, right?”
Jayden nodded and reached out his hand as Logan shook it.
“This is Connor, he works for us,” Andrew said, turning towards Connor.
Connor looked like he was about to shrink into himself. If he could have run out of the shop, he would have. Jayden and Andrew were watching him, not sure what was happening.
“Do I know you?” Logan asked.
Connor swallowed and nodded slightly. He had nearly had a heart attack when he saw the big man approaching. Reeves was decent enough, as far as guards went, but he had seen him pound on his cousin before. His cousin deserved it, of course, but that wasn’t the point. He had seen firsthand Guard Reeves in action. What was he doing here and why was Andrew all buddy buddy with him? Suddenly Andrew realized what the problem was.
“Connor, it’s cool. He’s a guest.”
“You’re married to Skylar Chase?” Connor finally asked meekly.
“Yes, I am,” Logan grinned. He was well aware of the fact that many of the inmates had her pictures up and what they did in their cells while looking at her.
“Geez, what happened to the energizer bunny?” Madison asked with a laugh, motioning her head to the unusually quiet and still Connor.
Andrew almost choked on his drink. “He’s in shock that Logan is married to Skylar.”
Skylar smiled and reached her hand out to Connor who looked like he was about to faint. He finally shook it.
“I have your poster.”
“Isn’t that sweet. So you’re a fan?”
“I’ve seen everything you’ve been in. Even that crazy movie where you were all in that house and everyone was being murdered except for you of course 'cause you are bad ass like that but everyone else was dropping left and right. I know a lot of people didn’t see it but you were fucking awesome in it.”
“And, he’s back,” Madison smiled.
Everyone laughed and continued to visit. Connor was talking Skylar’s ear off with trivia about her movies. Soon more people started arriving and everyone started mingling and talking to people. Much to both Andrew and Jayden’s surprise, they were having a great time. Everyone was drinking and dancing and, most of all, laughing. Skylar was such a good sport and did take pictures with several fans, even danced with a few, including Connor.
“Andrew, come with me,” Madison said urgently, tugging on his hand.
“What’s the matter?” he asked as they stepped outside.
Madison didn’t say anything, instead her arms went around his neck and her mouth latched onto his. He pulled away and immediately removed his vampire teeth, as did she. She pushed him against the wall as their mouths attacked one another. Their hands worked up and down each other’s bodies. Touching, grabbing, stroking. Riling one another up until Andrew turned and lifted her against the wall. He needed her and was mentally calculating if he could get away with it. Before he could contemplate further, Connor came barreling outside, frantic.
“Andrew, get the hell in here. I think Jayden is gonna get in a fight.”
“What!” Andrew snatched Madison’s hand in his as they pushed through the door.
Jayden was irate. He had been having a great time when he looked up to see Jimmy’s father step into the shop. He had two people with him that Jayden had never seen before. The senator looked around as if he were searching for someone. When he turned and made eye contact with Jayden, he smirked and walked over. As soon as people noticed him, they stopped what they were doing to watch. First, popular actress Skylar Chase showed up and now a prominent politician. The party was quickly entering legendary status.
“Nice party,” Senator Bowers said.
“It’s a private party that you weren’t invited to,” Jayden replied coolly.
Senator Bowers grinned maliciously and leaned in closer so that he was whispering in Jayden’s ear. “And here I thought that you, being raised by homosexuals, would have more manners. I guess not all stereotypes are true.”
He snickered when Jayden pushed him away. When he saw Andrew and Madison moving in his direction at a quick pace, he stood straight. Andrew pushed Madison behind him and she immediately grasped her hand on his jacket, wondering why Senator Bowers was there.
“Andrew Harrison. If it isn’t the epitome of rehabilitation,” he said raising his hands to everyone who was now quiet.
“What do you want?” Andrew asked; his anger was clearly evident.
Senator Bowers stared at Andrew, his eyes narrowed and then he smiled widely. “I heard about this little shindig you were holding and wanted to offer you both great success.”
“Bullshit!” Jayden stated, crossing his arms.
Bowers shot Jayden a disparaging look and then turned to Andrew again. Before he could respond, he saw Madison peek out from behind him. The senator smiled, making eye contact with her. She looked scared, which was a response that pleased him.
“Well hello, Madison. How do you like your new job? I’m sure it must be quite the change working for such a small and insignificant firm considering the type of accounts that were under your care in New York.”
Before Madison could respond to defend Liam, Andrew stepped directly in front of him. “You don’t ever talk to her. Do I make myself clear? We want nothing to do with you or anyone associated with you.”
Senator Bowers did not flinch, instead he smirked evilly. Logan stared at the two men, debating whether he should interfere or not. He knew very well who the senator was. It was also very clear that the senator was baiting Andrew. Remembering the many fights Andrew had been in inside prison, he decided he needed to do something. He quickly came up to Andrew and tapped his shoulder.
“Enough, Harrison,” he stated firmly, in the tone he generally used with prisoners.
Andrew immediately stepped back, his nostrils flaring in anger. His entire body was tense as his fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to attack. He wanted to rip the smile off of the senator’s face. He wanted to pound him into the ground for showing up in his place of business and putting down his friends. Meanwhile, Senator Bowers continued to smile. He had accomplished exactly what he wanted. He glanced at all the stunned faces before him, nodding slightly.
“Enjoy your evening, folks,” and with that he turned and walked out, leaving chaos in his wake.
Andrew eyed Senator Bowers as he exited the shop. It was taking everything in him not to chase him down and beat the ever-loving crap out of him. He heard shuffling beside him and out of the corner of his eye he could see Callie walking up to where her brother stood.
“Well, that was exciting,” Callie laughed une
asily. “Okay everyone; let’s not let that slight interruption ruin our evening. It’s still early, let’s dance and have some fun,” she said in her typical energetic voice. She then waved at her brother to play some music which he did quickly.
Soon people were dancing again while Andrew felt Logan shoving him towards the back door. Even though he was no longer in prison he didn’t fight it, his mind remembering that you don’t fight the guards. His entire body was tense and on edge. His fists were still balled so tightly that they were actually red. He needed to hit someone, or something. His rage needed to be released. Suddenly he was against the wall, with Logan’s large arm across his chest holding him in place.
“Harrison, calm the fuck down,” Logan said in a fierce tone.
Andrew started struggling, trying to get out of Logan’s grasp. Logan moved closer, getting right in his face.
“Is that what you want, Harrison? To be that man again?” He hissed out angrily. “You are giving that asshole exactly what he wants,” Logan said a bit softer.
Andrew released the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He finally saw Logan before him. His face was almost desperate. Andrew’s eyes shifted to the side and he could see Madison with her hands covering her mouth. She looked afraid, as did Jayden, who was standing next to her. Connor was unusually quiet. He was leaning against the door, blocking it so if anyone tried to come out they wouldn’t be able to. He was avoiding looking in Andrew’s direction.
“I’m fine. Let me go.”
Logan stepped back and Madison immediately ran up to him but instead of holding him, she gingerly picked up his hand. It was then that Andrew looked down and saw that there was blood there. At that moment, pain began to course through him. Andrew didn’t know exactly what had transpired but he had a strong suspicion. With a heavy sigh he placed his other hand underneath Madison’s chin, gently lifting her face up. She now had tears in her eyes.
“I’m sorry if I scared you.”
Madison nodded and looked back down at his hand again. He didn’t remember her coming out which frightened him. He often blacked out when he would fight. He would go insane with rage. It was what had caused the conflict with Jimmy two years ago. Soon Jayden and Connor were both standing by him. Connor’s eyes were wide but Andrew wasn’t sure if that was out of fear or maybe admiration while Jayden still bore the burden of worry on his face.
Helios Renewed (The Helios Chronicles #3) Page 5
