by Laura Del
He sighed. “It looked like a normal man, but the thing had fangs. I didn’t know what it was then, and I’m ashamed to say, I ran away. After, I emptied an entire clip into it.”
I cocked a brow at him. “So what are you saying?”
“I’m sayin’ that one night I listened in on your mother and Mortimer, and as it turned out, he is the same thing that monster was.”
“Which is?” I prompted. He was beating around the bush, and I hated when he did that.
“Brace yourself, baby girl,” he told me, placing one hand on my shoulder. “This is the real deal; I’m not kidding in the least when I tell you…” he paused, looking me in the eyes. “Mortimer is a vampire.” My mouth dropped open, and he must have thought I was shocked by the news, when actually it was him I was shocked by. “I know it sounds crazy, Patricia. But it’s true. And I don’t want you in the hands of a blood-thirsty monster like that. No matter how nice he seems, his nature is to kill.”
I couldn’t help myself, I just started laughing, and Pops looked at me like I had gone insane. “This is not funny, Patricia,” he scolded, and I laughed harder. “It’s not. This is a real danger.”
“I know it’s not funny, Pops,” I choked out. “Sit down,” I said, patting the bed next to me. It took me a minute to sober up, but when I did, I took a breath and looked into his eyes. “Now it’s my turn to have a talk with you.” And I did. I explained the sorted tale of my secret life, and I swear he wouldn’t have looked more stunned if I had hit him over the head with a sledgehammer.
chapter
TWENTY-ONE
My father sat next to me in silence for about five full minutes. I thought perhaps I had broken his brain or something, but he was still blinking, so my guess was he was okay. At least, I hoped he was. Then he opened his mouth, looked at me, and closed his mouth again. Finally, he seemed to shake himself out of the stupor. “Samuel’s a vampire?” he asked, and I nodded. “And that Mike fella is a werewolf?” I nodded again, and he went quiet again. This time it only lasted for a couple of seconds. “I’m gonna kill ‘em,” he hissed through his teeth.
I shook my head. “You will do no such thing, Pops. I mean it. Samuel is over five-hundred years old, and Mike…” I paused. I was not going to tell him that they were the same age. That would have made things worse. “He’s a lot stronger than he looks,” I finished.
“I didn’t mean Mike,” Pops corrected. “He seems like a stand up, uh, wolf. I meant Samuel Satané. He tried to kill you!” He took a deep breath in an attempt to keep his voice down. “He violated you, and he broke your goddammed hand. What kind of man does that?”
“The kind that isn’t a man,” I explained. “The kind that’s a real life monster.”
“And you have been in this world for how long now?”
I shrugged. “Couple of months.”
He shook his head and then he hugged me. “I’m so proud of you,” Pops whispered in my ear, and I pulled back cocking a confused brow at him. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, baby girl. I’m plenty pissed that you wound up in this world, but I’m proud that you didn’t roll over and give up. I mean, you killed a monster all by your lonesome. You survived multiple vampire attacks, and you still found a way to fall in love with that Mike person. I gotta say, baby girl, I think your mother and I did well when we raised you. We raised a strong, stubborn, independent woman, and I couldn’t be prouder. Your sister on the other hand…” he paused, sighing. “What are we gonna do, Pat?”
It was my turn to sigh. “I don’t know, but she warned me to stay away. Obviously he’s doing terrible things to her.”
“Then what are we waiting for, baby girl? Let’s go get her,” he said, getting up off the bed. But I grabbed his arm with my good hand, pulling him back down.
“No can do, Pops. Not yet,” I explained. “I know from personal experience that if you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, you might wind up dead. And we have no idea what we’re getting ourselves into at this point.”
“That’s true. Would Mortimer know?”
I shook my head. “No, Pops. Mortimer may be one of the good guys, but he doesn’t have that kind of information. Besides, he hasn’t been with Samuel for a very long time. They don’t really talk to each other about personal stuff.”
“Well,” he sighed, “I’m glad that he’s on our side, but I’m still a little skeptical about the whole vampire thing.”
“I can’t argue with that,” I replied.
He nodded, getting up off the bed again. “We need to keep this under our hats. I don’t want Cindy to know anything about this, understand?” he said calmly, but I could see the wheels turning. He was not going to take any of this lying down. That was Pops for you.
He hadn’t noticed that I had seen a change in him, so I just let it go. For now. Then I opened my mouth, but thought better of it. That was Moms secret to tell, not mine, so I just nodded. “Understood.”
“Good,” he breathed, and the cogs turned again. “So I’m gonna get dressed for this nightmare of a rehearsal, and so should you.”
“Got it,” I said, trying to figure out what he had up his sleeves because, whatever it was, it wasn’t good.
Pops leaned over, kissing me on my forehead. “I love you, baby girl.”
“Love you too, Pops.”
He winked at me and left me alone with my thoughts. This was all kinds of screwed up. Pops knew about the whole situation. God only knew what would happen if Samuel, or even Mariah, found out that he was in the loop. The sheer thought made my heart leap into my throat. So as I dressed, I figured out a plan. I would talk to Mortimer and see if he could ask Kathryn keep my father safe. Maybe that whole Wyatt thing could be reinstated. It would be worth a try.
As I thought about the expression on my father’s face before he left me, I twisted my hair so that it all rested in massive curls on my left shoulder. I took a deep breath, trying not to think about all the stuff that had gone on in the past few days, including Pops mysteriousness, and I attempted to focus on the night ahead. We would all get through this wedding unscathed. I couldn’t tell what day it was anymore, but tonight was going to be a good night, whether it killed me or not. Metaphorically speaking.
Rummaging through my bags, I found that Samuel had actually packed my makeup, and, for once, I was almost glad for him. Almost. When I opened the case, it was filled with all new stuff, including an eye shadow palette that I knew cost over fifty dollars. And, of course, there was another note. “‘Thought you could use this,’” I read aloud, but it wasn’t from Samuel. A smile spread across my face when I saw the signature. It was from Angel. The sneak. I would have to call her and thank her later.
I sat down at my vanity and did my makeup, which was a bit difficult considering the cast. But I did my best, and it wasn’t much, just very understated and simple, but I decided to use a red lipstick instead of my usual nude. It matched the dress better. With that thought in my head, I pulled the dress out of the closet, taking it out of the garment bag. It was beautiful, red with long sleeves, and it was floor length. The dress looked plain until I turned it around and saw that the back was low- cut. However, it seemed as though my faithful vampire ex had thought of that as well, and provided a corset type bra to go with it. “You son-of-a-bitch,” I hissed, and I swear I heard him chuckle in the back of my mind.
After much effort, the bra was on, and I had to take a deep breath as I shimmied on the dress. Getting the sleeve over the cast was a chore, but when it happened, I turned around to look at myself in the mirror. It was perfect. There was only one problem; I didn’t have any shoes to go with the damn thing. “You couldn’t have provided shoes, asswipe?” I said to the imaginary Samuel. And as if on cue, someone knocked on my bedroom door. “Yeah?”
“It’s me,” Mortimer said, and I opened the door. His eyes widened when he saw me, and I noticed he was holding a bo
x in his hands. “I found this at me hotel. It had yer name on it.”
I took it from him. “Thanks.”
“Ye look so beautiful, Patricia. Like a fairy princess or somethin’.”
I laughed. “See a lot of those, do you?”
He shook his head. “Never.”
When I stepped away from him, I finally saw his black suit, white shirt, and skinny tie. He looked like a male model. All except for the hair, it was as curly and as fiery as ever.
“Well,” he said, breaking me out of my stupor, “aren’t ye gonna open it?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
There is nothing more satisfying than ripping paper off of packages. And when it was gone, I lifted the lid to reveal a pair of what looked like diamond-encrusted heels. They were break your neck kind of heels, but they had no note attached. “Who do you think they’re from?” I asked Mortimer, and he shrugged. I sat down on the bed, placing them on. They fit like a glove, and they sparkled in the dim light from the window. They reminded me of Cinderella’s glass slippers and when I stood, they weren’t as much of a problem as I thought they’d be.
“Ye look perfect,” Mortimer marveled.
“You don’t think it’s too much?”
He shook his head. “Not at t‘all.” He held out his arm to me. “Shall we?”
I held up my hand to him. We had to discuss something first. I explained about Pops knowing what he was and that my father knew all about what I had gone through. Then I asked him about the whole Wyatt thing and if it could now include Cindy and the baby.
Mortimer nodded. “I don’t see why not. I talk ta Kathryn about it. I’m sure she’ll agree ta it.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you. That takes a load off my mind for sure.”
He smiled. “No problem.”
I stood there for a second, my mind reeling around that look on my father’s face. “Could you do me a favor?” I asked, and he nodded. No questions asked. “Go and see Pops. You know, just to make sure he’s not going to do something stupid and dangerous.”
Mortimer’s brow crinkled. “Why would ‘e do somethin’ like dat?”
I bit my lower lip, shrugging. “He’s my father, and he’s worried about Jessica,” I explained. “Just go and calm him a little.”
He looked at me with a cocked eyebrow for a second and then he understood what I was saying. “I see. Will do.” And with that he rushed out of the room.
I stayed there waiting for him to come back, and it took all of two minutes before he did.
“Ye were right,” he confirmed my fears. “‘E was packin’ up his guns and a bag o’ clothes. But don’t worry,” he comforted me, placing his hand on my shoulder, “I did my little thing”—he tapped his temple—“on ‘em. He remembers the conversation ye had, but I convinced him ta wait ta retaliate.”
I hugged him. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” he whispered, and I could see him smile as I pulled away.
“Anyway,” I sighed, “I’d steer clear of my father tonight if I were you. He might get a little jumpy.”
He nodded. “Ye got it.”
Then I got around to asking the question that had been plaguing me ever since it happened. “Do you know who killed your friend?”
He shook his head. “No. The bloody bastard wiped everythin’, and the rain doesn’t help. The scent is gone. I couldn’t even go after ‘em if I tried.”
“Maybe it’s for the best. I mean, they killed once, they might kill again.” I paused for a moment, thinking about it. “What could sneak up on a vampire besides a werewolf and another vamp?”
“Dat’s a good question,” he replied still staring down at my dress. “If a human ‘ad the proper trainin’, ‘e or she could very easily sneak up on a vamp. Especially, if they were carryin’ a cross wit them. As I said before, crosses hurt and weaken us. Just the very sight of one can send even the oldest vampire ta his knees. So if the person held the cross ta Bernard’s chest, it’d be easy ta stake ‘em from the back.”
Proper training, I thought for a moment and then I could feel all the blood rush out of my face.
“What is it, luv? What’s wrong?”
I closed my eyes. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. But it’s possible. Maybe that’s why he’s so willing to do it again? “My father. He knew what you were. And you said that you and Bernard looked the same from the back. He also had plenty of time before I came downstairs to sneak out and kill him. Or what he thought was you. And he has Marine training. It could explain why he was preparing to do it again. He already knows how.”
“But ‘e wouldn’t ‘ave put dat horrible note on his chest, would ‘e?”
I nodded. “He would if he thought that it would scare some sense into me. He’s done worse than that, trust me.”
Mortimer frowned. “What do we do?”
“Nothing,” I told him, and he cocked a brow at me. “You already stopped him from doing something even more stupid. And besides, if he did do it, we just leave it alone. He was only doing it to protect me. However misguided it was.”
Mortimer looked sad, but he nodded in agreement. “Ye t’ink he’ll try ta kill me again?”
I shook my head. “No. I said that you were one of the good guys, and you are. He won’t dare. Samuel on the other hand—”
“I did me best,” he interrupted my thought.
“I know you did,” I reassured him.
“Still,” he sighed, “it’s upsettin’, Patricia.”
I placed my casted hand on his cheek. “I know it is. But we have to stay strong and focused. For everyone’s sake. Okay?” I asked, and he nodded. “Good.” I dropped my hand, wrapping my arm around his. “Lead the way, Mortimer.”
His eyes lit up. “Wit pleasure, me lady.”
I could feel the air get heavy between us as we walked down. “It’s not your fault. As my father always says, ‘Shit happens’,” I mimicked Pops in a whisper, and it seemed to cheer Mortimer a little.
It was sad that Pops would do something like that to another being, but I couldn’t fault him for trying to protect me or trying to protect Jessica. Besides, him killing Bernard was all circumstantial, and I didn’t want to rock the boat anymore than it was already rocked. But I would confront him about it after this wedding business was over and done with.
When we were on the last step, Bobby was standing there waiting, and as he saw me, his eyes widened. “Whoa,” he breathed, “you look good, Patty Melt.”
I rolled my eyes. “Gee, thanks.”
“No, I mean it.”
“I know you do,” I breathed. “But why do you have to call me Patty Melt? You know I hate that nickname.”
He grimaced. “Sorry. Old habits.”
I got a good look at him and noticed that he wore a white button-down shirt with black slacks and black shoes. It reminded me of prom. Bobby was not one for “monkey suits,” as he called them, and it was good to see that not a lot had changed with him. He was still the same old Bobby.
I couldn’t help but smile, and he glanced down at himself, trying to figure out what I was looking at. “What’s so amusing?”
“You,” I replied. “Still not a fan of suits?”
He grimaced. “Nope. I mean, I’m gonna have to wear one tomorrow, but before then there ain’t no way in hell.”
I cocked a brow at him. “Tomorrow?”
“The wedding,” he said, looking at me like I had lost my mind.
My eyes widened. “That’s tomorrow?” And then I thought about it, and he was right. “I completely spaced.”
“That’s why you got me.” Bobby winked, puffing out his chest a little, and I laughed.
As we walked into the kitchen, I noticed that Tina had made it down before me, and she was wearing a tight pink number with high pink heels. It didn’t look nearl
y warm enough, but she looked fabulous in it as usual. It was low-cut in the front and the skirt part went down to her knees. She wore her hair wavy and down around her shoulders. Only Tina. She was the only person I knew who could wear all pink and pull it off. She was talking to Andrew, who had on the suit that I had met him in, and when she looked over at me, her mouth dropped open. And so did everyone else’s.
“Holy shit,” Tina blurted.
“I agree with Chrissie,” Mad said from the table.
Sandy just looked at me with her mouth wide and then she breathed, “Damn, girl. You are wearin’ that dress.”
“Killer shoes,” Andrew chimed in, and we all looked at him. “What? They are.”
“And they’re surprisingly comfortable,” I said, and they all laughed. I looked around and noticed that Fang was nowhere in sight, and my heart leapt in my chest. “Where’s Fang?”
“Don’t worry about Fangy Wangy,” Tina replied. “He’s in the living room taking another little nap. He’s fine.”
“You sure?” I asked, and she nodded, but that didn’t satisfy me. “Maybe I should check—” I began to turn around but Mortimer stopped me.
“I’ll check on the puppy,” he said. “Be right back.”
I didn’t stand there more than two seconds before Mortimer was back. “He’s in there snorin’ away,” he told me. “He’s just as cute as a button.”
I cocked a brow at him. “I cannot believe you just said ‘cute as a button.’”
“What’s wrong wit dat?” he protested.
I shook my head a little. “Nothing. If you’re a five-year-old.”
He smiled a little, and before he said anything else, Madison chimed in. “God, you’re fast.”
“Use ta run track in high school,” Mortimer boasted the lie, and I rolled my eyes.
Moms walked up to me and I saw that she was wearing a wonderfully plain, long-sleeved, white dress. It was knee length, but she had on a pair of thick red tights with white shoes so she wouldn’t be cold. On anyone else, it would have looked ridiculous, but on Moms in Cindy’s body, it looked fantastic. With the heels, we were almost the same height, so she leaned over and whispered, “You look great, darling,” in Moms voice.
