by C. M. Steele
He nodded and, with a bit of hesitation, stepped out into the hall to make the call. The movie held no interest for me anymore, even with Draco stepping out to call the mall security. He had his way of persuasion that made him an amazing right hand vampire. We’d be able to get the information we needed by the time the movie ended.
I sat back and watched the end of the previews when Draco came back in. I sat at the edge of the first row closest to the door. I wanted to leave without having to wait for people to move out of my way should the theatre get crowded. He saw me and sat down on my right. The feeling I had wasn’t easing and I wondered if it was going to be like that until I found her.
A flash ran across the screen and then another, and I knew a chase was on. We’d wanted to see this movie since its previews a year ago, and since it had Cameron Manning, the latest heartthrob in Hollywood, so many women wanted to see it, too. Thankfully, it was a Monday afternoon and most of these kids still had school.
“What happened?” I whispered.
“We’ll have it after the movie.”
“That’s what I…” I didn’t finish my sentence because I could smell her entering the theatre.
Chapter Nine—Leonora
I almost forgot that I hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning until my belly started rumbling. He was at least going to buy me some popcorn. Hell, I would just buy my own popcorn. I didn't want him to feel like he had paid for more than a date.
I was washing my hair in the shower when a strange sensation cascaded over me, and it was more than the warm water running down my body. It was an odd feeling to have in the shower, but I felt like something was going to change. Maybe I was just thinking about the job I was applying to tomorrow. That made me smile at least, thinking about playing with elaborate sets.
I hoped things worked out for me. I could have easily have found a job in Chicago, or rather in the suburbs, where there are many laboratories and possibilities for advancement; however, something about working for them here in Seattle made me so excited that nothing else would do. What was interesting is that I never saw a picture of the two owners. It was as if they've never taken a photo before or no one knew their identities. Many of the technicians and laboratory people as well as the doctors had their photos on the website, but strangely, those two were missing. I figured that perhaps it was too dangerous for them to have their photos up because they could be a hostage concern. Either that or they were super eccentric.
I was curious to see what they actually looked like; something about them intrigued me. Lombardi and Romano were probably both thin, balding with glasses, and old. They had once been in Chicago right before I went to school there. It would have been nice if they stayed there so I wouldn't have had to come home. But, oh well, everything works out for a reason.
I barely dried off before the doorbell was ringing. I hoped to hell it wasn’t him. I opened my door a crack and heard my father. “Come in, Dave. She’s getting ready. You know women.”
Shaking my head, I went back to getting ready. Checking the movie listings, I had an hour to make it on time. I hurried down the stairs, not because I was anxious for the date but because I wanted to see the movie. My mom was right. I did want to see it. I was a huge fan of vampires. To me it was an interesting concept. I wondered if genetically there was a way to make humans into vampires. I knew it was a sci-fi dream, but a girl could imagine.
When I got to the bottom step, all eyes were on me, including my date. I took in his appearance. For a man in his forties, he wasn’t bad looking, but he was a bit short. He had to be under six feet tall. He wasn’t aging badly, but when I knew about his reputation after all these years, nothing could make him look appealing to me. We met when I was about fourteen, and he was interested in me then. I saw the way he looked at me until he found out my age. He’d gotten married two times in the past ten years.
“Hi, Leonora,” David said, smiling at me kindly, but I could see through that supposedly innocent greeting. His eyes roamed over my figure like I was a shiny new Corvette.
“Hello, David. Shall we go? I don’t want to be late to the movie. I’ve been waiting for a chance to see it.” I was already pissed when he called my parents to tell them that he was running late. What was the point of going to a movie when you missed what happened in the beginning? Granted, I read the series of books, but that didn’t change the fact that I didn’t want to lose out on the start of the film.
He lazily said his goodbyes to my parents and grabbed my hand. I tried to yank it away, but he refused to take my hint. “You don’t have to be shy in front of your parents. They know my interest in you.” Lombardi and Romano, I chanted in my head repeatedly. I was obsessed with landing this job.
He walked me to the car, but instead of opening the door, he walked to his side and got in. I stood there a little bit confused. He wasn't young and disrespectful, so he should know better. I rolled my eyes at him before getting in the car. Way to win me over, not that he could. Nothing Miller did could get me to willing fall into his arms.
“What’s with the look?” he asked, waiting to start the car.
“Nothing. Did you get the tickets?” I replied. I didn’t need his apology, so I wouldn’t tell him what an ass he was. He was staring at me, looking me up and down with his dirty eyes. I could feel my skin crawl. My parents knew what he was after, but I was just a pawn in their game. They wanted to trade me in for political gain.
“No, there’ll be plenty. Don’t worry your pretty little head,” he said, caressing the end of my long curls. I hated his touch. It felt slimy and wrong just like him.
“We won’t get to the movies if you don’t drive,” I told him, tucking my hair away from his grasp. This mother-effer didn’t take hints well. I all but told him to leave me be, but the only effect it had on him was to continue being overtly flirtatious. I was ready to throat punch his ass. Making it through this date was going to be hellish.
“We can skip the movies,” he suggested, putting his hand on my thigh. I made quick work of slapping his hand and shoving it off my lap.
“Wow, you operate fast. Does it usually work for you?” I barked out angrily.
“Calm down, baby. We can take our time, but I will get you in my bed one day.” This bastard was smug as hell. I wondered how much my parents promised him when it came to me.
“I’m not some whore, don’t get me twisted with my parents. Either take me to the movies or I’m gone,” I exclaimed, reaching for the door handle. He touched my shoulder, halting my movements.
“Fine, baby. Relax,” he said, taking off from our driveway like a bat out of hell. “So tell me. Why do you want to work for Lombardi and Romano?”
“Because I have a degree in bio-chemistry. I’ve studied to work at a laboratory like theirs all my life,” I said with a smile. Talking about what I love made me happy, so a genuine smile crossed my face.
“But you’re beautiful and should be arm candy for a wealthy, hardworking man.”
I rolled my eyes and focused on the passing traffic. The movie theatre was about fifteen minutes away. Part of me wanted to cut and run. No job was that important, but to me this one was. I wished I could have gotten an interview on my own, but I didn’t know where to start. They weren’t really hiring. This was a favor for a favor on a favor.
“One day you’ll understand that you were meant for more than just sitting in front of a microscope.” Why did these people think being intelligent and a scientist was a bad thing? It was like the nerdish, bookish behavior was a negative trait I needed to rid myself of.
“What’s so wrong with using a microscope? People live longer because of scientific innovation.” If it wasn’t for people like me the world would be nothing. “Diseases only seen in third world countries would plague all the nations if it wasn’t for scientists. So please enlighten me about what you have against being a scientist.”
“I’ve got nothing against others becoming scientist. My wife shouldn’t be working o
ut of the house, unless it was to benefit my career.” I couldn’t believe the tripe that was coming out of his mouth. “I don’t think it’s the right time, though, to talk about our plans. Let’s enjoy our date and we can talk over dinner.”
I didn’t tell him but I wasn’t going to dinner. There was no way I was going to stomach talking to him longer than I had to. At least in the movie he would be forced to be quiet. We pulled into the parking garage with time to spare before the movie started. I hopped right out of the car because I wasn’t going to even give him the opportunity to hold my hand. The man was more than just a bit forward. He was insistent.
“Hey, wait up.” He slipped on his suit jacket, like he was going to impress someone there. It was a daytime showing. There was no reason to look like it was a hot date night. Then again, he might just try to pick up another female in there. Maybe he’d find one more willing and leave me be.
He took his time adjusting his clothes. Then I saw what I wasn’t meant to see, the ridge of his cock against his trousers. What was worse was that he caught me glancing. I growled to myself because it was purely accidental, but he saw it as a way to interest me. With his hands in his pockets, he tilted his hips forward and jutted out his erection. I was more than grossed out by his behavior than actually catching a glimpse of the impression on his pants.
“See, I knew you wanted me as much as I want you.” He was overly smug and downright disgusting.
“Please, let’s just go see the movie.”
“That’s okay. We’ll talk about us later.” He caught up to me and grabbed my hand again. I gave up the fight because I just wanted to get this date over with and not miss the movie. He was already dragging and we didn’t have the tickets or snacks yet. We walked into the lobby, and there was a small crowd gathered around the ticket counter. I knew we were going to miss the movie if we didn’t get into the theatre in the next fifteen minutes. He took so long at my parents and in the car that we were super behind.
The group of girls ahead of us were going to the same movie, but they hadn’t figured out their payments. “Are we splitting this, or are we getting our tickets separately?” one asked.
“I totally think separately so we don’t have to pay each other back.” I get they were young and either finished their school year or were ditching for the day, but the movie was going to start soon and they were dragging ass.
The next showing was in another hour. I didn’t want to wait with him for another hour. Heaven knows what he’d try to pull with me. It was best to get this over with. By the time the ticket agent went through selling each of the eight girls their individual tickets, the movie started. If we hurried we would only miss all the previews. “Sorry about that. You know how it was to be a teenager,” the agent said.
“Yes,” I replied with a forced smile on my face.
“What movie are you here for?” she asked, looking between us two before focusing on me.
But it seemed David had to add his two cents. “Since it already started, why don’t we go see the latest Avengers movie?”
I about had enough of him and I wasn’t going to suffer through his choice when I’d been waiting for this movie. I didn’t give a shit how handsome all the characters were, I wanted my vampire movie. “How about we move our asses and get into Belonging to the Night before the previews end? I didn’t agree to this to see a superhero movie, no matter how hot the cast is.”
“Fine. Give me two to The Night, please.”
The attendant winked at me and shook her head at David. Men knew how to be difficult. As much as I love Robert Downey, Jr. I didn’t want to see that one today. I had my heart set on seeing this movie since the first trailers came out. Vampires and the theories of their existence intrigued me. I knew they weren’t real, but it would be interesting if they were.
“Are you happy now?” he asked, taking my hand again. I snarled inwardly. I wanted to cut the damn thing off. I managed to get out of his hold when the girls in front of us accidentally bumped us.
“Totally sorry.” They all giggled, and one of them admired David’s appearance. He was handsome, but he was a total douche canoe and I wanted nothing to do with him. “Girl, you’re one lucky woman.”
He winked at them. “What?” he asked when I arched my brow at him.
“Do you want to go sit with them? I’m sure they won’t mind.”
“Jealous. I like that,” he replied with a grin. He was out of his mind. I was hoping he’d take me up on that offer. Chanting that I needed the job over and over in my head was the only way I could tolerate him any longer.
“Hardly. I just want you to know you have options.” He handed the attendant our tickets.
“Thanks,” I said, smiling at the guy.
“Tit for tat, I see.” I arched my brow at him again because I knew what he was talking about, but I found him ridiculous. We walked into the darkened theatre that was only lit by the movie screen and the few exit signs. One of the vampires was standing over a dead body, and I knew I missed the brother’s death. It was the opening scene in the book. Pissed, I turned to him with a scowl.
That was when I felt the change in the room. My eyes searched out the direction of the stare that I felt on me. There were two men that popped out of their seats in a flash. The one with the bluest eyes possible had his trained to mine. I felt the world shrink around us as though we were the only two souls in the room. My mouth parted with a soft gasp of surprise. The man’s effect on me was instantaneous. Those eyes were a crystalline blue that shined in the dark room. I could have sworn I heard him say, “Mine.” The other man next to him seemed to be holding him back as though he didn’t want him to approach me. I’d completely forgotten about the pervert next to me until he pulled me to his side. The rumble coming from the big man sent a message to David and to all those in the room. There was going to be a confrontation in this place—over me.
Chapter Ten—Falcon
I was up on my feet so fast I was worried someone would notice it was unnatural. My fangs were already lowering themselves as her scent hit me in full force. There she was; centuries of waiting and she wasn’t alone. The need to stake my claim commanded I tear her date to shreds. The call to mate was loud and clear and the need was intense. I felt the fire burning through my body, centering in my loins. The darkened theatre didn’t hide anything from me. I took in every feature on her face. Her eyes were a different shade of blue than mine, but that was only natural. Her lips were pouty and parted as she stared at me with curiosity and desire.
Yes, beautiful, I can smell you from here and I know what you want because it was what I want, too.
Her body was small yet curvy; her breasts pressed against the softness of her light pink sweater. I growled to myself, trying to cope with the insane need to bind her to me immediately. I looked to the man that she’d come with, and I was even more angry than before.
Standing next to her was the one person I hadn't expected nor wanted anywhere near her, Dave Miller. How dare he even look at my mate? Draco grasped my arm, trying to hold me back. Draco was going to need an army to keep me from taking her away. I took in her appearance. She was about five four, with long brown hair that curled at the bottom. The hair lay on top of her sweater covered breasts. It clung to her figure, outlining every curve down to her tiny waist. My tongue ran along my fangs, anxious to mark her as mine. She had on a pair of jeans that accentuated her ass and thighs. I wanted to bite the vain in between her thighs and drink from her until she surrendered her eternity to me.
"Mine," I warned all around, never taking my eyes from her. Her long dark hair and light blue eyes went perfectly with her pale face. Draco knew I was a man possessed, and I felt it in his hold tightening on my arm. Four hundred years of longing, waiting for the one, and there she was on the arm of another guy. Jealousy, possessiveness, and utter desire raged through me as I looked at him. I hated Miller before today; now, I wanted his blood drained from his body without being consumed. I wanted it
spilled all over the ground and seeping into the dirty carpet below.
He’d taken my woman, my human, my mate to the movies. He had every intention of bedding her. It wasn’t going to happen, but I was violently enraged that he even considered it.
I looked back at her wondering why she’d bothered to go out with this piece of shit. What had she seen in this man? A man I had no respect for and deemed subhuman. He wasn't even close to being an insect in my eyes. My anger was at a boiling point. I knew my eyes were glowing bright in the darkened theatre.
“Mine,” I spoke again, my voice harsh and strained. The monster in me wanted to make an appearance and rip Miller to shreds and stand over his mangled body with her over my shoulders.
"Mr. Lombardi, Mr. Romano, I can explain,” Miller exclaimed nervously. He’d better be nervous. I was ready to tear his arm off and he didn’t even understand why. Fuck the business deal, he was touching my woman. She gasped at our names. I wondered why that was, but I could find that out later. She was mine and this fool wasn’t going to stop me from taking what belonged to me.
"There's nothing to explain. You put a woman before business,” Draco said, trying to stand in front of me and take control of the situation. He’d spent centuries as my protector, but today he was going to be on overtime. I knew this wasn’t the place to make a scene, there were too many witnesses, but the vampire in me was ready to claim her.
"She's not just any woman; she's my fiancée," he lied through his overly white teeth, and that was enough for me. He dared claim my mate as his? The man must have no sense of self-preservation; even some of the creatures with the smallest brain knew to run from danger. Miller was an arrogant fool.
“Let me go, Draco,” I said just loud enough for my friend to hear. He shook his head slightly.
“You know I can’t,” he muttered back in a hushed whisper, gripping my arm tighter.
She pushed out of his touch with a disgusted look on her face. "No, I'm not," she hissed, completely repulsed by the idea, and it was the kind of response that I wanted to see. It was great for him that she did that because the fact that he put his filthy hands on her already guaranteed him a spot at the end of my blade. And it was as sharp as it had always been. It was masterly crafted to destroy men a hundred times his worth.
