Jolie continued to stroke his face and hair, trying to soothe him the best that she could. Sometimes, it was all that you could do when someone was hurting this badly. “I understand your pain, Mathew.”
“Mistress, I don’t think anyone knows what I allowed to be done to me so I could survive.” A solitary tear slid down his cheek, breaking her heart.
“Oh, Mathew, I think it’s time I tell you a little story.” Jolie kept soothing him with her energy and her hands. As she started her story about her existence, she was well aware of the motion outside the door, but she continued ignoring the arrival of the women. She knew they would benefit from hearing about her past.
So, she let it all out, purging her experiences to those she promised to protect. Jolie told Mathew about the beatings and the small room where she was chained. At his look of horror, she didn't stop. Next, Jolie shared the details of one hundred and fifty years of violent assault.
Mathew stared up at her. It made him sick.
Jolie could tell that he, too, had been sexually assaulted. When she mentioned that part of the story, she noticed that he flinched and moved closer into her body. His weeping broke her heart.
“She was horrible as a mistress,” he whispered through the tears. “The things she did for entertainment…” He couldn’t even finish talking.
“I understand, Mathew. Goethe wasn’t the only one who hurt me. He had a large family, and when he personally couldn’t break me, I was passed around. I was their captive toy, and I still don’t talk about it, even to my mates. It was the longest hundred and fifty years of my existence.”
He couldn’t imagine it. “One hundred and fifty years--how did you survive?” he whispered in horror at the thought.
“I don’t know, Mathew, I think it was because I wanted him dead in the worst way. It kept me fighting. Maybe it was also because fate had a plan for me. If I didn't survive, I wouldn’t have met Jacques and Flynn, and I wouldn’t be here for you, Clariel, or Trina.”
“How did you escape?”
Jolie sighed. The last thing she wanted was to relive that part of her life, but if it would mean healing the broken vampyres, she’d do it. Unfortunately, her mates had shitty timing.
Now they were outside the door too.
“After a particularly brutal day of rape, I knew I needed to make my move. I slid my hands from the silver manacles, and even though I was silent, and though he was with Death, he wasn’t. The second he smelled the blood dripping from my wounds, Goethe was on me.”
Mathew sat up and listened to her story. It was horrible, scary, and he couldn’t look away.
“Goethe had outsmarted me. I think he realized that I was to the point of no return. I was either going to take my own life, or take his. Needless to say, I just wanted to die, Mathew. I was so tired of it all, and there was such an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness.” Her voice caught in her throat.
Mathew patted her hand. “I’m sorry, Mistress.”
Jolie continued, “During his assault, I was given my way out. There, before me, was a piece of wood from the fireplace. I took my shot and stole his life by staking his heart.”
“How did you get away from the family?” he asked.
Jolie knew her mates were listening outside the door with the two women. “I killed anyone and everyone who watched, participated, or laughed at my degradation. I decapitated the older family while they slept that evening, and I killed the rest before I left that house of horrors. The ones who I didn't find that night, I found on later nights. I hunted, stalked, and destroyed everyone who had touched me. When I met Jacques, he unknowingly helped me do it. Not once did he ever question me about it.”
“You’ve never forgotten?”
“No, but when you find someone who loves you, it takes some of it away. The men in my life lighten the burden every day. When I look at Jacques, he’s so strong. He’s held me up for so many centuries. Without him, I’d be lost.”
Mathew listened.
“Flynn, he’s my miracle. While I know fate chose him for me, I didn't expect to be so blessed. I’d found love not once, but twice.”
“You can tell he loves you. In fact, they both do,” Mathew admitted honestly. He loved her too, but Mathew doubted that she’d realize that.
“Flynn makes me laugh. When I think I can’t go on, I stare into his face and find this deep well of peace. He always knows when I hurt, and he makes sure I find laughter.”
Mathew thought about it. “He’s goofy,” he admitted.
Jolie knew that he didn't realize that the men were outside the door, or he wouldn’t have been so candid.
“He’s not. It’s all an act. Flynn is incredibly wise and intelligent. He plays the joker, so he can make those around him feel at ease. He came into this family as the underdog because he is a cop and human. It didn't take him long to cement himself as one of us.”
Mathew nodded. He wanted to tell Jolie that the man didn't like him, but he knew she wouldn’t care. That was her mate.
“We’ll protect you, Mathew, and I’ll love you enough to scare away some of the shadows. One day, you’ll find someone who will scare away the remaining ones like I have.”
Mathew tensed. Somehow, he doubted that.
Slowly, his door swung open. Mathew tried to scramble away from Jolie, but she wouldn’t let him, even when he saw Jacques and Flynn standing behind the two women.
“They won’t hurt you, Mathew. Trust me. You’re safe.”
Clariel and Trina crossed toward them, tears streaming down their faces. Once they reached their mistress, they slowly climbed across the bed to offer what vampyres loved most--comfort by touch.
Jolie let them cuddle against her in a big pile of vampyre bodies.
It was Clariel who spoke first, “You do understand.”
“You’re like us,” whispered Trina. “Damaged.”
Jolie’s eyes met her mates’. “I guess you can say that. I’m better now. I’ve found a way out of the misery, and if you have faith, you will too.”
Both men entered the room, knowing that their eavesdropping was done. Each man sat beside her, trying to offer the young vampyres some reassurance.
Jacques vowed to keep them safe.
“We promise,” added Flynn, patting both Clariel and Trina’s legs. At his touch, they turned and crawled to him.
At first he was surprised, but instead of fighting it, Flynn allowed them to touch him. They crawled up his body, pushing him back on the bed beside Jolie.
Then, they curled against him, like children.
Jolie’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t love him more if she tried. While he was comforting them, Jacques stood guard, being the warrior.
She was incredibly lucky.
They all were.
* * * H a r c o u r t e * * *
Later
Jolie was nearly run over as Mathew, Trina, and Clariel raced around getting ready for their shopping trip. After an hour of tears and soothing, everyone was feeling much better. The second Flynn had announced that they needed to head out for costumes, the younger vampyres were a million times better.
In fact, they were back to normal.
Jolie couldn’t help but be amused as a wound up Clariel and Trina screeched, tearing past Flynn. When they nearly knocked him off his feet, she laughed.
“Holy shit!” he muttered. “They may be small, but they hit like linebackers,” he admitted, grinning at her.
“They are crazy about you,” Jolie admitted.
Flynn shrugged. “They have good taste. I’m pretty damn lovable, if I do say so myself.”
Jolie wouldn’t disagree there. Watching as he slipped into his jacket, she couldn’t stay away any longer. Jolie had been touched by the way he’d helped her soothe them earlier.
There was something sexy about a strong man.
He lifted a brow when she approached. Flynn could smell her perfume wafting toward him. It was the little licks of death coming from her tha
t drew his full attention.
“Do you need something, baby?” he asked, his heart racing in his chest.
“Thank you for taking them, my love,” she replied, leaning into him. There was nothing more amazing than his bulky size. While Jacques was runner lean, Flynn was built like a football player. When she was beside him, Jolie felt small and safe. “To answer your question, I do seem to need something.”
Flynn loved the way she felt against his body. Her scent called to him, and he could hear her heart and blood pumping in her body.
Jolie slid her hands into his hair and kissed him long and slow. When his fangs slid into his mouth in arousal, hers followed suit.
When he deepened the kiss, yanking her roughly against him, Jolie was turned on. “Oh, Flynn,” she whispered against his mouth. “You taste really good.”
He growled low, signaling that the predator in him was close to being set free.
“I owe you for taking them shopping,” she teased. “I might be convinced to pay up front, if you’re interested.”
His heart skipped.
“Are we talking about naked payback?” he asked as her mouth moved across his throat. Already, her fingers were working on the buttons of his shirt. It was making him crazy.
“Uh huh,” she admitted. “Unless you’d rather rush off to go shopping.”
He wasn’t an idiot.
Sex with his mate or playing dress up with the undead?
No brainer there.
“You smell really great,” he whispered, cluing her in to what he was thinking.
“Do I, Flynn?” she asked. When he was staring into her eyes, Jolie let her hand slide down his chest, past his belt, and to his erection.
He moaned at the contact.
“Please tell me you’re not teasing me. I’ll dump a Mercedes full of vampyres for a quick roll with you any day.”
Jolie giggled. “Then I say we find somewhere secluded and get naked. I seem to be dying to feel you.”
He wanted to thank whatever higher power was listening.
Jolie took that as her cue.
Jumping up, she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Just then, the vampyres entered the room and came to a halt. They could see that their mistress and master were…involved. Interrupting mates was dangerous.
“Wait for me in the car,” Flynn ordered, tossing Mathew the keys. “I have something to take care of,” he muttered, Jolie’s mouth tearing down his control.
Trina and Clariel giggled.
Mathew just watched with jealousy.
“The den,” she whispered, waiting for him to carry her there.
Flynn wasn’t an idiot. He was going to do whatever his mate wanted. “Jolie,” he murmured as her teeth scraped across his throat. “Please,” he whispered.
Jolie gave him what he wanted. She bit him.
“Oh, Christ!” he hissed, barely able to keep on his feet. Flynn had to stop and lean against the wall as Jolie gulped from his body.
It was so damn hot.
“Baby, you’re killing me,” he muttered, as her hands got his shirt open. Her nails scraped down his chest in lust.
Flynn didn't think he’d survive this. When they got to the den, he kicked the door closed before Jolie really started climbing all over him.
The second her feet hit the ground, he knew there was a storm coming.
A hot.
Wicked.
Wild one.
“I want you,” she purred, finally releasing his neck.
He laughed. “Yeah, I feel the same.”
Whenever he was with Jolie, Flynn was lost to the need and heat. She brought out so much in him that he always felt like he was drowning.
Jolie worked her mouth across his chest. She licked, lapped, and teased his nipples as he leaned against the wall. His heart thundered in his chest, and Jolie was trapped in his spell. While Flynn thought she held all the power, that wasn’t true. He was just as alluring.
Flynn stared down at her as Jolie’s hands and mouth brought him so much pleasure. He didn't want to wait because he needed her.
His hands went to his belt and pants, and he freed himself. “Jolie, baby, I need your mouth on me.”
She gave him what he wanted.
Dropping to her knees, Jolie stared up at him with heat filled eyes. “Like this?” she asked, taking him in her mouth.
Flynn wanted to weep with gratitude. “Yes, baby, yes.”
She worked him hard. Every once in a while, she’d let a fang brush against his flesh. When he’d whimper in need, it urged her on.
Jolie was about to free him when his hands found her hair. Instead of releasing her, Flynn controlled her oral love making. It turned her right on.
‘When I get buried in you, I’m going to make you scream,’ he promised.
‘Yes, Flynn. I want you.’
Her heart thundered.
Finally, he set her free. Yanking Jolie to her feet, he wrapped his hand in the long lengths of her hair. “I love you,” he stated. “You’re perfect.”
Jolie could have cried at those words. It had been an emotional night, and she needed to hear this.
He saw the emotion in her eyes. “Whatever he did to you doesn’t matter, Jolie. All that matters is us, here, and now.”
She nodded.
It was time to forget his need and heal her heart.
With gentle fingers, Flynn began stripping her from her clothes. The soft sweater and pants fell to the floor. Then he swept her up in his arms.
“Flynn.”
He carried her to the floor before the fireplace. Placing her gently on her back, he stripped out of his clothes. “You’re not broken,” he stated. Flynn was in her mind and saw the fears. “You’re right where you’re supposed to be. That path led you to me.”
With that, he began his assault on her heart. He was going to reinforce the truth that Jolie was precious.
His mouth left a trail of kisses toward her belly. With his teeth he teased moans from her lips. When he moved even lower, Jolie shook beneath him.
Flynn didn't give her a moment’s peace.
He devoured.
Diving in, he lapped, licked, and teased Jolie until she was writhing in need beneath him.
When her hands found his hair, holding him to her, Flynn gave her all he had. The lust poured from him and into her. When she shook, he nipped her, shoving Jolie into the pleasure.
“Flynn!” she shouted.
He stared down at her. “You’re my treasure. I’m so lucky to have found you.”
Jolie opened her eyes. “Thank you for loving me. Thank you for seeing me,” she whispered. “I needed someone to believe that I’m past all that. He didn't break me.”
“He made us, Jolie,” Flynn promised. “Out of all that ugliness, the three of us were born. Without that, there wouldn’t be this.”
Her heart was touched by his words. There was no judgment--only tenderness. It was exactly what she needed to heal. Flynn wasn’t treating her like she was damaged.
She’d chosen well when it came to her human mate.
Flynn needed her. With the tip of his erection, he nudged her. Just as he began his slide, the world tilted.
Jolie braced herself over him. “I want to give you a gift,” she whispered.
He blinked. “And what will that be?”
“All of me.”
With that, she slid down his erection, burying him in her body.
Flynn moaned in ecstasy. Nothing felt better than the hot, wet slide into Jolie’s welcoming body. She gripped and held him in a velvet vise that drove him wild.
“Jesus,” he muttered, trying to stay in control.
“I want you,” she purred, opening her eyes.
Flynn gasped. Gone were the lavender eyes, and in their place was the black gaze of a predator.
“You make me wild, Flynn,” she whispered.
Death tickled his flesh as it licked at him in an invisible mist. Instead of being wo
rried, he trusted his mate. “Take what you need, Jolie,” he offered.
The ride began.
It started slow, and he was grateful. The long strands of her hair kissed his flesh, turning him on. Flynn was having one hell of a difficult time concentrating. There was a gorgeous vampyre bouncing on his body.
He wanted to shout in glee.
“More,” she hissed, riding him hard. Jolie loved watching his face during sex. He looked so lost in it, that she wanted to experience what he was feeling.
Slipping into his mind, Jolie read his emotions.
They overwhelmed him.
She only felt love.
“Oh, Flynn,” she purred, pulling him up so they were lips to lips. “I want you.”
He understood because his body felt the same way. “I need blood,” he admitted.
Jolie hesitated.
“I know the risk,” he replied, trying to concentrate. Her pulse was jumping, and he was so very hungry for her. Here was his drug, and he was helpless to fight it. Flynn was too far gone for that.
She couldn’t say no.
“When we’re close, you can feed,” she whispered, driving her body down on his. Flynn shook, and she could tell that he was on the edge of a razor sharp blade.
Tipping her head, Jolie offered him her throat.
He knew he needed to wait. The second her blood flooded into his mouth, he was going to explode. “Close, baby,” he admitted, as he struggled to fight the lure of her pulse.
Jolie wanted to fall with him. “Please take me,” she whispered. “Bury your body in mine.”
It was all he needed.
Flynn rolled again. With one last slam of his erection into her, his fangs found her throat. He buried himself in Jolie and drank.
She exploded around him.
Death drank her mate in as he thirstily gulped at her body. The orgasm shimmered, wavered, and slowed.
“Oh, Flynn,” she whispered, her hands holding his mouth to her throat.
He knew it was time to free her. Her artery throbbed beneath his tongue as her body tightened around his erection.
This was heaven.
Slowly, he released her.
Staring down into her eyes, Jolie was watching him. “I will never love anyone like I love you,” he promised. “If we ever get separated, I’ll find you. I’ll search to hell and back to find you, Jolie.”
Dangerous Misery (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 3) Page 19
