The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three))

by Simmons, D. N.

  “Don’t worry I’m not insulted. Darian can be a bit indifferent, but I’m sure he will help you. There is one thing that I know, he is honorable. You helped him once, he would want to return the favor... I’m sure,” Natasha said, hoping she was right.

  Tatiana chuckled as she entered the room. “Are you?” she asked Natasha. “It seems that you are not certain of his true nature. However, if you wouldn’t mind asking for his services in this matter, I’m sure I speak for us all when I say we’d appreciate it.”

  Natasha nodded, she thought about what Tatiana said as she watched the Pack Matron walked towards her husband, sitting gently on the arm of his chair. She assumed that the two of them never had any doubts about the other. She also believed that Darian would help them, of this she was certain.

  “Then it’s settled. We’ll continue to gather whatever information we can, but we must hurry. The Lunar is a few nights from tonight. I have no idea what these kidnapers have in mind, but my instinct tells me that whatever they have planned, the Lunar night will have a hand in it,” Xander concluded.

  They all agreed. Sergio helped Elise rise from the chair and they left the mansion. While driving back to Elise’s mansion, Natasha’s cell phone began ringing.

  She yelped in surprise. The shifters turned to look at her.

  “Are you okay?” Devin asked.

  “Yeah, I’m fine, just... you know, with everything going on, my nerves are a little jittery,” she replied then answered her cell phone. “Hello?”

  “Natasha, it’s me,” Darian said with a pause. “We have a problem and I need you.”

  Natasha’s heart plunged into her stomach. For a minute she wanted to scream in frustration. There was just too much going on. “Yeah, I’m on my way,” she said softly before clicking off her cell phone.

  In the car, Sergio gazed at her through the review mirror. “I take it by your troubled expression that it wasn’t good news.”

  “I’m sure you heard,” Natasha replied.

  “Sergio nodded. “Yeah, I did. What do you think is the problem?”

  “I have no idea, whatever the case, it doesn’t sound good.” Natasha frowned. “Sergio, do you mind taking me there first.”

  “No problem. I was actually going to ask if you wanted me to do just that,” Sergio said then changed directions towards Darian’s mansion.

  They arrived at the front door an hour later. Natasha looked at her watch, the time was nine o’ clock. This day went by faster than she had expected. The sun had set and the horizon was multicolored with shades of deep purple and blue. Billy answered the door when she knocked and let them inside.

  “I’ll be right back as soon as I find out what’s going on, why don’t you make yourselves comfortable. The living room is over there,” Natasha said to her companions. They walked towards the living room as she headed towards Darian’s bedroom. She opened the door slightly, peeking inside and saw Darian from behind as he pulled on a tan, ribbed, v-neck shirt. She gazed at his tapered waist, at his strong back, at the muscles moving beneath his skin and pure lust flashed through her mind, demanding satisfaction. With great effort, she tossed the lusty thoughts aside, remaining focused.

  “Come in,” Darian said without turning around.

  Blushing, Natasha opened the door stepping inside.

  He turned around to face her. His eyes trailed her from head to toe.

  “You look tired, are you all right?” he asked after making his observation.

  “You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had,” she started.

  “Try me,” Darian said flatly.

  “Well first, this afternoon I get a call from Elise, she tells me they have a problem and wants to know if I can swing by her mansion. I agree and Devin picks me up. When I get there, I find out that one of their members is missing, and I’m one million percent sure it’s the same perpetrators who kidnapped Nicole. We decided to visit Xander, he and Elise toss ideas around, one being they wanted me to ask you for assistance. They want to know if you may know someone, who might be able to give us more information than we have,” Natasha said, her head was reeling with all that was going on.

  Darian stood silently as he looked at her.

  “Gary is missing and I’m willing to bet Elise, Xander and I have a common foe,” he said finally after a long period of silence.

  Natasha felt something inside of her crumble. She liked Gary; he was a young vampire, a little over a year old. She had never seen Gary become upset or lose his cool, he always seemed to be easy going and fun-loving. He was Tony’s lover and fledgling.

  “I think that we have been targeted by a group of people for some reason,” Darian said.

  “It was mentioned that this could be retribution from the Russian mafia for what happened four months ago. They are kidnapping members of the groups who were involved,” Natasha said.

  Darian nodded thoughtfully.

  “That very well may be. For the most part, Tony has confirmed that Gary is still alive, he can feel their connection, but he can’t make contact with him, which means that Gary is no longer in the state. I have been able to contact Gary myself, but he doesn’t have the mental ability to respond to me. I’ve informed him that we are forming a rescue plan and for him to remain patient. I’ll contact someone who I think may know something,” he said. “Meanwhile, just to be certain, would you feel comfortable making a connection with Gary?”

  “You want to know what he’s going through, right?” Natasha nodded. “Yeah, sure, I’ll form a connection. I probably won’t be able to tell you much. The only thing I’ve been able to gather from my visions is the one thing we all suspected. Nicole and Rachel are both being contained in cells that held other supernaturals before them,” she said.

  Xavier stepped out of the master bathroom, entering the conversation. “I’m just waking up, so bear with me. Is it safe for me to say that a wolf, leopard and now a vampire have all been abducted by the same group of people?”

  “So it would seem,” Darian answered.

  “Is Tony awake?” Xavier asked. His hair was wet and plastered to his face and shoulders. He wrapped a towel around his waist, securing it in place. He walked towards Natasha, hugging her.

  Natasha held onto him, he was warm to the touch which was a nice feeling. She held onto him a little longer than usual, as if afraid to let him go, fearing she would lose him forever.

  “It’s okay. I’m here, baby. Don’t worry,” Xavier whispered into her ear. She nodded and slowly released him.

  “Yes, Tony awoke about fifteen minutes ago. I’ve sent him out to feed. I was just telling Natasha about the situation. Gary is still alive but no longer in Illinois,” Darian said as he tied his black leather shoes. “Xavier, I want you to contact Antonio Costello.”

  Xavier raised one eyebrow at the mention of Antonio’s name.

  “Do you think he may know something?” he asked as he began to get dressed, having decided on a pair of blue jeans, a black t-shirt and shoes.

  “He might,” Darian replied as he approached Natasha, smiling softly as he placed his hands on her arms. “Natasha, I don’t want you to feel obligated. If you think linking to Gary would be too much for you, then don’t. I want you to be protected. Until we find Gary, I want you to stay here.”

  “You think they will try to get me, too?” Natasha asked surprised.

  “I don’t know what their plans are. I just want to make sure that you remain safe,” Darian said.

  “I agree,” Xavier added.

  “Okay, I’ll stay here,” Natasha said. Then a thought came to her mind. “Darian, how do you think they were able to get to Gary?”

  “Last night, Gary didn’t come home from Desires Unleashed. Tony told me that he went into the back room with a couple. My guess is they were “scouts”. It’s well known that the younger vampires often frequent the back room, and Gary is very young and naive, I seriously doubt he knew he was being targeted,” Darian said. “When Gary’s shift end
ed, he told Tony he was going to another club with some people he’d just met. I’m guessing they were the same people he took to the back room.”

  He left the bedroom with Xavier and Natasha following him down the hallway. “How were they actually able to take Gary with them is still a mystery to me,” he mused as he descended the stairs. “I’m going to the club to see if I can find out anything. Tony is going to meet me there. Xavier, watch over Natasha.”

  “Will do,” Xavier responded, still holding Natasha’s hand gently.

  Darian turned facing Natasha, he stepped closer and leaning forward, kissed her deeply. Her eyes closed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. They kissed a little longer before he finally released her.

  Having overheard their conversation and knowing they were coming down the stairs, Elise tapped Sergio on his shoulder, getting his attention. “Why don’t you go with Darian.”

  Sergio nodded and rose from the sofa. “Are you going to be all right here?” he asked.

  Elise nodded. “I’ll be fine. Devin will stay with me.” She looked over at Darian who was approaching her.

  “Hello Darian.” Elise offered him a sad smile.

  “Elise.” Darian kissed her hand gently. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m doing fine. I’m more concerned for Rachel.”

  Darian nodded. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

  “If you’re going to the club, I want Sergio to go with you, I’m sure you won’t mind.”

  Darian shook his head. “I don’t mind at all.”

  “Be careful,” Natasha said.

  Darian smiled and nodded as he walked out the front door, followed by Sergio who closed the door behind them. Natasha released the air that she had trapped in her lungs. She looked at Xavier.

  “I don’t like this at all. Do you think they’ll be okay?” she asked.

  Xavier nodded. “Of course they will. God help the fool who would try to attack Darian.”

  Natasha nodded.

  “Elise, Devin why don’t you stay just in case Darian comes back with new information. Is there anything I can get for you?” Xavier asked.

  “Thank you, Xavier,” Elise said. “I really do hate to impose, but”

  “Are you hungry?” Xavier asked, flashing his charming smile.

  Both Elise and Devin nodded.

  “You two would be hungry,” Natasha teased.

  “Well, yeah. I’m not going to deny that,” Devin commented.

  “It’s no problem at all. I’ll have someone prepare something for you,” Xavier said. “Right now, I have to make a phone call. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  He headed back to the bedroom. On the way, he told one of their human servants to prepare a meal for Elise, Devin and Natasha. Once inside, he sat down on the edge of the bed dialing Antonio’s number. Natasha entered the room closing the door behind her. She watched him making his telephone call. He held the receiver to his ears, waiting for the person to answer.

  “Hello?” a man greeted in a rather annoyed tone.

  “Hello, this is Xavier Richards, I would like speak with Antonio,” Xavier said.

  “Look buddy, Mr. Costello is a busy man and he don’t have time to talk wit you right now, capiche?” the man stated in a thick Italian accent.

  “You misunderstand, I’m not asking for your permission to speak with him”

  “Yo, fuck you asshole, Mr. Costello answers to no one.”

  “If he values his immortality, he will answer to me,” Xavier said slightly annoyed. “I want to speak with him... Now.” There was a silence between the two men, finally the other man spoke.

  “I’ll get him for you, but he won’t be happy,” the man warned as he placed Xavier on hold.

  “Who’s this person that you’re calling?” Natasha asked curiously.

  Xavier rolled his eyes. “Remember the mobster that John turned four months ago?” he asked.

  Natasha nodded, remembering how arrogant and foolish the man was.

  Xavier wiggled the receiver in his hand to indicate that was who he was trying to contact.

  “Mr. Richards, there's easier ways to contact me, you don’t have to be so pushy,” Antonio Costello said smugly.

  “You’re quite right, next time I’ll just meet you face-to-face,” Xavier stated.

  There was a silence on the other end, he paused just a moment to let the threat of his words sink in, then continued. “We want to speak with you and I don’t want to talk over the telephone, I want you to come here so that we may speak in private.”

  “Who the fuck do you think I am, some punk bastard you can just boss around?! If you want to see me, you come here to see me, not the other way around,” Antonio said arrogantly.

  Xavier pulled the receiver from his ear, looking at it, shocked. He took a deep breath, releasing it slowly as he brought the receiver back to his ear. “You don’t understand the price of you immortality, do you? Do you remember when I told you that you owe Darian, our Master, you allegiance?”

  “Look, my only allegiance is to myself. I don’t owe nobody shit. Our deal was done four months ago. Fuck off!” Antonio said abruptly hanging up and ending the conversation.

  Xavier placed the receiver back on the base. He chuckled and shook his head.

  “He hung up on you, didn’t he?” Natasha asked.

  “He did,” Xavier responded. “He’s a fool. I warned him.”

  He picked up the phone again, and dialed. Natasha watched silently as he waited then responded when the call was answered.

  “Yes, Xavier?” Darian answered.

  “We have a slight problem. Antonio’s not quite certain who his Master is, he told me to... how did he put it, his words were so distinct, oh yes! ...‘fuck off’. I think you’re going to have to pay him a visit,” Xavier said, smiling mischievously.

  Darian chuckled. “Is that so? Well, this is an inconvenience. Thank you for telling me. I’ll be home soon,” he said then hung up. He called Antonio, one of his men answered.

  “Yeah?” he asked.

  Darian paused for a second, rude telephone etiquette irritated him. “This is Darian Alexander, I wish to speak with Antonio.”

  “Well, look here, I’m not a fucking genie, okay. I don’t grant wishes. Mr. Costello”

  Darian interrupted him. “Get Antonio, I will not ask again,” he warned.

  A moment later, Antonio’s voice came over the telephone.

  “Mr. Alexander, I’m extremely busy, what is it?” Antonio said exasperated.

  Darian chuckled deeply in his throat. “Let me make one thing perfectly clear, Antonio. You answer to me, first and foremost. I am the Master vampire of this city. I see that you have disregarded my rules... why?”

  “Well I know you’re the Master vampire and all, but I have my own business to attend to. I can’t be jumping at your beck and call,” Antonio said, he spoke with less arrogance now.

  “You are not in control. When I call, you jump... there are no exceptions. Come to my home. If you are not there within the hour, I will destroy you... that is my right,” Darian said cockily. “I trust that you are beginning to understand who I am?”

  There was a short silence on the telephone then Antonio answered. “Yeah sure, I can be there in an hour.” He hoped his voice didn’t tremble with the fear he felt.

  “Excellent,” Darian replied, then ended the call, slipping his cell phone into his pocket. Mentally, he contacted Xavier. Antonio is on his way.

  We’ll keep a look out for him, Xavier replied.

  Good. Darian looked at Tony and Sergio. “Any luck finding anything?” he asked.

  “No… nothing that will help us. Let’s head back,” Sergio responded.

  The three left the packed club and climbed into Sergio’s car on their way back to Darian’s mansion.

  ***

  Natasha looked at Xavier. “I guess that guy’s got a lot to learn, eh?”

  Xavier chuck
led. “He’ll learn his lesson soon enough. Meantime, I think now would be a good time for you to make your connection with Gary,” he suggested. “That is, if you feel comfortable doing so.”

  “Oh yeah, definitely.”

  Xavier left the bedroom with Natasha in tow. They entered Tony and Gary’s room. Quickly, he searched for something of Gary’s that might help her form a connection. He found a watch on the dresser that Tony bought for him three months ago. He handed it to her.

  The instant she touched the watch, she felt an electric charge.

  “Wow! Okay, connection formed. He must really love that watch,” she commented.

  “It’s a nice watch and Tony bought it for him,” Xavier said as he placed the watch back on the dresser. “Let’s go downstairs. Antonio will be here soon.”

  “How do you know?” Natasha asked.

  “Darian told me.”

  “Ahh, this is a mental thing right?”

  Xavier chuckled and nodded.

  “I’m surprise he didn’t call you, knowing how much he loves technology. Never thought he would miss an opportunity to play with his techno gadgets.”

  “It’s quicker to contact me mentally.”

  “Oh. That makes sense, too,” Natasha agreed.

  The two left the room and headed downstairs. Elise and Devin were already eating a heaping helping of taco salad, one of Natasha’s favorite meals. She went into the kitchen and made herself a plate then joined Xavier, Devin and Elise as they waited for the others to return as well as Antonio who Natasha suspected would be there shortly.

  Chapter Six

  Billy answered the door and led Antonio to the living room. The mobster looked around, marveling at the grandeur of the mansion.

  “Have a seat, Darian is on his way, he should be here shortly,” Xavier said.

  Antonio nodded as he adjusted his expensive black designer suit and sat down gingerly in one of the leather chairs.

  Xavier could sense his fear and he could smell it. He lowered his head to hide his smile.

  “Hi,” Natasha greeted innocently.

  She had seen Antonio once before, four months ago when they were in Russia. Antonio had brought the weapons they had needed to defeat their enemies. However, he had wanted something from them in return and that was the gift of immortality. John had turned him and now he was of Darian’s bloodline... forever bonded to him.