by Paige Patton
“And certainly no one would be allowed to keep them if they did.” Kourosh said with a hint of outrage in his voice. They all enjoyed a good laugh- Even Kourosh.
Kladouris was lethal, yet a gorgeous demon with green eyes and stood approximately six feet seven. He was a killer in more ways than one.
“Still,” Kourosh said, silencing the room as he spoke. “Let us pretend that there is some truth to this outrageous rumor and let us as always remain vigilant.”
“Are we not always vigilant?” Kladouris snarled as if his remark was directed to him. “If this rumor had the slightest bit of truth behind it we would have gotten wind of it by now. We have eyes and ears planted everywhere. There is nothing going on that we are not on top of.”
Kourosh studied the face of his right-hand man before looking around the table at each of them. Finn, Silas, Asher, and Declan, every one of them were like brothers to him. He had no reason to distrust any of them. They were true warriors, men whom he had trained personally, and men he would proudly fight next with. He could feel their sense of loyalty and honor, and he knew that they believed in themselves. But it wasn’t the men Kourosh questioned; it was the fact that behind every rumor lurked some truth.
“Leave me!” Kourosh commanded- Each word hard and cold. “Kladouris, stay!”
One by one the men disappeared except for Kladouris, who sat at the opposite end of the large table. “Have I ever failed you, my Lord?” Kladouris asked. His voice so deep it practically vibrated off the walls.
“Never,” Kourosh answered in a tone that put any concerns to rest.
“Then why the mood; is it this woman that you seek? Have your dreams gotten the best of you?”
“Yes. She haunts me even in my dreams; taunting me with her body, her hair, and the smell of pussy.”
“Well, I can see why you’re in such a mood. That’s a smell that could start a war.”
Running his hand through his dreadlocks that he kept tied back into a ponytail, he stood. It was clear to see that he was in a state of frustration. “I must have her.” He said, pacing back and forth in a rage. “She belongs to me, given to me as a promise. I kept my end of the deal, so, I want what is mine.” Kourosh yelled, picking up a platter of fruit that was sitting on the table and tossing it against the wall, so hard it split the wall in half.
“You have demons spread out looking for her. Have they not come close to finding her?”
“She is a fucking goddess!” Kourosh snarled. “I am sure the gods have disguised her well. She could be right here under this very roof, and I would never know it.”
“Who is her mother?”
“A class-act bitch, who do anything to keep me away from her...”
Sitting down again, Kourosh ran his hand over his tired face as if it could wipe away the many years of anxiety and pain that he felt. “I have dreamed of her. I have made love to this woman. I have fucked her repeatedly. I won’t, I can’t rest until she is mine.”
Damn! That really sucks, Kladouris thought. As cold-hearted as he was he couldn’t help but feel sorry for Kourosh. “What is her name?” Kladouris asked. “I will make it my mission to find her for you.”
Kladouris listened as Kourosh explained his story from the moment he set eyes on Delilah up until the second she promised him her first-born daughter. Kladouris had never seen Kourosh in such a vulnerable state. This is what the love and loss of a woman did to men. It was the reason he wanted no parts of it. He was single, and he would remain that way as long as he lived. But Kladouris found a new appreciation for his ruler. He had never shown a sensitive nor compassionate side of himself this way, yet, here he sat with his cold heart wrapped up in a woman he only met in his dreams.
“If this woman is alive, I will find her and bring her to you unharmed. Nirvana is not a place that can be entered into without invitation, but where there is a will, a way can be found.”
Chapter Twelve
Built in 1909 the Fontaine Hotel was a historical landmark located in downtown San Diego. It offered its guests nothing but the finest of everything from the moment they entered the grand lobby that was adorned with sparkling crystal chandeliers, hand-loomed silk carpets, and classic Empire-style furnishings.
Unlike any other hotel in the area, the Fontaine was a lux hotel that featured award winning restaurants, three highly acclaimed nightclubs, seven workout rooms with state of the art equipment and world-renowned art galleries. This hotel had it all, and it belonged to Roman DePaul.
Looking like the goddess she truly was, Desiree walked slightly in front of Roman as they followed the hostess through the restaurant. Heads turned to get a better look at the couple. Desiree was sure that they were all looking at Roman. The man was sizzling hot and shamelessly seductive without even trying. Most of the women didn’t even bother to conceal their apparent delight as they turned to catch a look at him.
Even Desiree had been momentarily transfixed by his striking beauty the moment he returned to their office to pick her up. The second his car pulled up in front of their building, she could sense his presence. When he stepped out of the limo wearing a three-piece suit, all black, her heart danced with joy. The man was heavenly perfect. Desiree could understand the gawking. He was a head-turner for sure, hell; she would be doing the same thing if she were not walking next to him.
Roman felt like he and Desiree were the only two people in the world as they walked in. With his hand planted firmly at the small of her back he tried to keep his mind off the fact that she looked fucking hot in her short, black lace dress. Her well-toned bare shoulders and back put all kinds of thoughts in his head. She had her hair up in a cute bun that left her neck completely exposed, to taunt him no doubt. What a naughty tease, he thought picturing his fangs dragging down the length of her long neck before impaling her flesh.
He did everything he could to avoid looking at her neck as he guided her through the restaurant. Here was a man who could cause a major earthquake, travel back in time and even give a dead man new life. Yet, he could not manage to keep his cock in check whenever he was near this woman.
Everyone turned to stare at them, but he knew the spotlight was all on her. How could it not be? She was stunning, and she would soon be his.
The dreadful voice seemed to have come from hell as it called out Roman’s name. Both Desiree and Roman stopped and turned around to find a woman approaching them. Desiree gave her a hard look as she took hold of Roman’s arm and placed herself between them.
“Well, as I live and breathe, if it isn’t Roman DePaul.” She said looking up at him with her eyes filled with lust. Desiree knew the look all too well. She often looked at him the same way. “I was praying that I would run into you here.”
She reached up and tried to kiss Roman on the lips, but he turned his head causing her to kiss him on the cheek instead. The look on her beautiful face was one of disappointment and embarrassment as she glared at Desiree.
“There was a time when you couldn’t get enough of me, lover. Have you forgotten me so quickly?”
Okay, now this bitch had crossed the line. Desiree found herself taking an instant disliking towards this tiny little creature, correction; she felt a strong hatred for her. She wanted to rip her lips off. Why was she feeling this way? She didn’t know this woman, and she barely knew Roman. This was their first and more than likely their only date, yet here she stood feeling possessive and extremely jealous.
Roman could feel Desiree’s emotions as if they were his own. He wasn’t gifted with the ability to read her mind, Delilah was against it, but reading her emotions was on point. Of course, anyone could understand her being annoyed by this woman’s intrusion, but she was far more than just annoyed. She was fuming with jealousy.
How delightful, Roman thought. This meant she had feelings for him; fond feelings that would surely benefit him when the time was right.
“Constance!” Was all he said, but it was enough. Both Constance and Desiree could feel the dread a
nd discontent laced in his tone.
Desiree was amazed at how Roman managed to keep his eyes focused on the woman’s face rather than the two large breasts that barely fit into her size zero dress.
“What do you want?” He asked pointedly.
The tiny woman stepped in closer, rubbing her large breast against his arm as she pulled him down to whispered into his ear.
Desiree watched as her ruby red lips just grazed along his earlobe; the bitch’s eyes fluttered as she gripped his arm tightly while she continued her secret message. How fucking rude, Desiree thought, and what a fucking bitch! She was going to show this tiny bitch just whom she was messing with. She moved forward, but Roman cut her a look that froze her where she stood. The tiny bitch was petite and beautiful, but she was lethal. Desiree would have been dead before she even touched her. All she could do was to watch as Constance leaned back holding onto Roman’s arm laughing like a hyena as if they shared something special that only they were privy to.
Roman expelled an aggravated breath and barely cracked a smile at whatever the joke was; in fact, he pushed her away and moved to stand in front of Desiree.
“I apologize for this intrusion. Would you be so kind as to follow the hostess to our private room? I promise this will not take long.”
Desiree was all kinds of pissed and prepared to leave him there with the Victoria Secret angel from hell. She opened her mouth to tell him so but something in his eyes and the way he touched her compelled her to follow his request without saying a word.
Roman inclined his head to the hostess and off they went up the staircase to his private room.
Grabbing Constance firmly by the arm, Roman practically dragged her through the restaurant, then into the kitchen and out the back door that opened into an alleyway where he finally released her.
“What do you want?” He asked shoving his hands deep into his pants pockets. Before Ivy, Constance was his life, his world, his everything. He would have done anything she asked just to please her. Now he had to make a conscious effort to keep his hands in his pockets to keep from choking her.
“You look perfect as always, master.”
Roman cringed over the way she used the title, master. To her, it meant something totally different. “I’ll ask you again. What do you want?”
“I told you. I have news about Kourosh.”
“What is it?”
“Truly Roman, is it going to be strictly business between us now? I have missed you. I am certain that you have missed me too. I am in desperate need of a good Dom. You were the best master a girl could have, and I want you back.”
Roman had not thought of this woman once since the day they parted ways. It was his plan to go on for the rest of his life without ever setting eyes on her again. Now she had ruined his plans. “Get to your point fast. I have someone waiting.”
“I can’t believe that you would choose that human over me! Seriously, Habibie, she is not your type. She will never be a good submissive, not like me.”
Roman turned to leave, but Constance blocked his way as she stood in front of the door. “Kourosh has heard the rumors of a revolution. He has his demons searching to find out if it’s true.”
“And?” He asked dryly.
“Oh, come on, Roman! You are the only creature bold enough to go up against Kourosh. Do you seriously think that he won’t eventually find out that it is you? Do you honestly think that you will get away with treachery? We are talking about Kourosh.”
“He knows nothing,” Roman said with confidence because he was certain of that fact. He would be dead by now if Kourosh knew for sure that he was indeed behind it all.
“Perhaps not yet, but he will. Right now, he is a little preoccupied.”
“With what?”
“Habibie, please, you know the answer to that. The little cunt you have waiting for you upstairs belongs to him.” She went up on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “She looks just like Delilah.”
Constance had not changed one bit. She was still the most annoying vampire Roman had ever been involved with. She had a way of getting under his skin and annoying the hell out of him.
The anger was building, but Roman fought hard to keep his cool. He was not going to let Constance get the best of him- Not this time.
“I don’t care about your little whore in there, or about Kourosh.” Constance continued rubbing her body against his.
“Then what are we doing here?”
“I told you. I miss you. I want things back the way they were. We were good for each other.”
“You fucked everything that moved. You lied to me constantly and disobeyed me every chance you could. You call that a good sub?”
Constance was a young vampire back then, wild, and free. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Roman. It was just too much going on at the time to remain committed to only one. It wasn’t as Roman was a saint. He had his share of women not to mention his very own cousin, Regina. Those two had a sorted loved affair that went on for centuries ending only when Kourosh put an end to promiscuous behavior. He sealed that particular law fast with the punishment being a slow and painful death if ever caught in a compromising position.
“I was foolish then.” She said pouting.
“And now what; are you no longer foolish? It seems that you are the same selfish bitch you always were.”
“That’s not fair. You were impossible to please. You changed. You and your list of rules, and let’s not forget the stick you keep shoved up your ass.”
Roman shoved her aside and reached for the door, but Constance quickly placed her hand over his stopping him again. “I want you in my bed tonight.”
“Or what?”
“Or I will go to Kourosh with what I know.”
If looks could kill, this little woman would have dropped dead right there at his feet. Roman was the wrong man to threaten. It did something to him, brought the animal out and caused him to react with malice and forethought. He was going to kill her; he just had not decided how.
Reaching up she stroked the side of Roman’s face in a loving manner.
“Please, Roman, I don’t want things to continue this way. We were good together. I was your willing submissive, and you were my master? I have learned many new tricks that I’m sure will please you. You will not regret coming back to me, my love.”
Old times- Could she be any more delusional he thought as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in close. If Desiree weren’t waiting for him, he would fuck her for the hell of it and still kill her. This type of woman made him sick, flaunting her fake breast and ass thinking that it was something men admired in women. Right now, all he wanted was Desiree. Someone he could actually love and call his queen.
He leaned down and kissed her on the lips simply because at one time she did bring him some joy. He pulled back to look into her eyes. “I have no more use for you. There is nothing you could do that could possibly please me other than for you to die.”
His words were like ice that ran down her back. This was not the same Roman she had fallen in love with; this man was different. She could feel the hatred festering in him, the evil that went through his mind as he thought of ways to end her life. She tried to pull away, but Roman held her tight.
“Tell me, how would you like to die?” He asked staring into her eyes.
Constance didn’t know if he was serious or simply playing with her, but knowing Roman as well as she did, she prayed for the latter.
Fisting a hand full of her hair, he yanked her head back and held it in place. “Tell me!” He asked again between clenched teeth.
This was how they played centuries ago, rough and hard, but in the end, he always fucked her until she could no longer take it. This is what he was doing, she thought. He was going to make her suffer before he took her.
“I know you would never hurt me, my pet. I could always count on that with you. But if today were to be my last, I would love nothing more than to die being fucked by you
, to feel the weight of your naked body on top of mine.”
He wished there was another way to deal with this problem, but Roman knew her too well. She was a treacherous, vindictive, evil woman that served him well at one time. He had his fun with her, and that is all it was… fun. Now it was time for bigger and better things. Constance would always be a threat to him, to Desiree and the revolution. He worked too hard to allow anyone to jeopardize his mission. The revolution and the people who were counting on him were far more important than one woman was. He couldn’t allow her to stand in his way.
Using his powers, he turned her into what he detested the most, a cockroach. Without hesitation, he stepped on her. He whipped the scum from off the bottom of his shoe before he opened the door and entered the kitchen.
Desiree was taken to a room that was cut off from everyone else. She had taken so many turns she would need help finding her way back. The wood paneled walls, hardwood flooring, and blazing fireplace gave it a closed-in, warm feel. The Persian rugs, plush, light- colored settees, dark ottomans and crystal chandeliers took it up a few more notches.
Desiree felt like Roman was going overboard trying to impress her, but in all honesty, he was not. He lived this way since becoming a vampire. He had a few hundred centuries under his belt to acquired wealth, good taste and he demanded nothing less.
Desiree entered the room, took a seat on a settee, and waited. A young man stood in the corner at attention, never moving until Roman entered the room and took a seat next to her. The young man sprung to life like a robot and approached them.
“Girlfriend problems?” Desiree asked, trying to appear as if Constance’s interference did not bother her, but it did. If they were in a real relationship, she would be grilling him right now demanding to know where, when and how they met, and if it were over. She cared far more than she wanted to. Now Roman knew just how much she cared.
“Not anymore. I squished it.”
Desiree could only imagine the amount of women he had chasing after him, probably hundreds if not thousands. A fine-ass brother like him… a woman would be crazy not to try to hook him, but even crazier to think that someone with his qualities could ever remain faithful.
