vampires of san francisco 07 - suckers lost and found

by mcbrayer, jessica

  “And I need to pay you back for last night,” Sebastian grins.

  “You’ll drown!” I laugh.

  We take a long shower. I get dressed in a tightly fitted 1940’s styled sailor dress. It is cute yet sexy. Sebastian is about to say too sexy, I can see it on his lips but I just put my finger on his mouth instead.

  “I love this dress,” I say.

  “But, cherie…”

  “It is not too sexy, it’s a sailor dress for goodness sake, Bast. I don’t think I have anything you would approve of.”

  “You’re probably right about that. You look good in everything.”

  “Thank you!” I say smiling at him.

  We hear Aidan and Liam in the hall.

  “Whoa, Lily. Very vintage. I love that dress,” Liam says, after knocking and waiting for us to invite them in.

  “You are letting her go out in that dress?!” Aidan asks Sebastian.

  “I tried to say something, but she can be very persuasive.”

  “She can’t wear that,” Aidan says. “I know you want to help get information about Manda, love, but dressing like this is just like waving a red flag at a bull.”

  Helena enters.

  “I think it is a beautiful dress. She looks fine,” Helena says.

  “I agree with Aidan and Sebastian,” Julian says.

  “Oh Lily, you look divine!” Andrew says.

  “I’m wearing the dress, end of story. All my dresses are like this to some degree. I doubt you approve of any of them.”

  “She’s right,” Helena says.

  “The King is expecting us. He wants to take us on a gondola ride. Liam and Lily, you will have to wear sunglasses to hide your extraordinary eyes,” Julian says.

  “Let me summon some for you,” Aidan says.

  He produces two pair of designer sunglasses and hands them to Liam and me. I must have six pair by now, but I just smile and thank him immediately. A girl can’t have too many designer glasses. Hannah is up and ready now and she and Diel join us with the babies. Everyone is reduced to baby talk directed at Finn, Fiona and Hades. Hades laps it up while the babies drool and coo.

  “Hades didn’t like the maid who brought me breakfast,” Diel says.

  “Oh?” I ask.

  “I guess she tried to talk to the babies and Hades’ eyes glowed and he gave a short bark of fire in warning. Diel said he quickly doused the flame with his juice but the maid was hysterical and ran when he tried to apologize,” Hannah says, trying not to laugh too hard.

  “Hades is a good protector. Aren’t you godson?” Aidan says in a baby voice while giving Hades’ head a good rubdown.

  “Let’s go and get this over with,” Sebastian says to the room at large.

  Basilio is waiting at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes follow me the whole way and Sebastian’s hand tightens around mine. I give him a little squeeze and he loosens his grip.

  “Good afternoon, young ones, did you sleep well?” Basilio asks as he surveys Liam, Andrew, Hannah and me. Hades barks sending a flame dangerously close to the King. He swears in Italian. His smile looks strained. “What an exuberant Hell Hound.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Hannah says. “He’s a wonderful nannie.” The look he gives Hannah is less than warm. Diel’s eyebrow raises and the King bows slightly – overdue respect for the Duke and Duchess. Dukes trump kings when the duke is a demon. Hannah pretends to be innocent but I see the smile on her face when she turns her head.

  “Lily, your eyes really are enchanting,” Basilio says as he kisses me on the cheek.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “Please, I thought we agreed you would call me Basilio,” he chides.

  “Thank you, Basilio,” I correct myself, smiling warmly at him.

  “That’s better. Come, little one. You look beautiful today. Let me show you some of my beautiful city. I think you will enjoy the gondola ride.”

  He deftly maneuvers my arm away from Sebastian. I can feel the tension notch up a few degrees. Sebastian stays on my heels as we walk to the front doors. Liam and I put on our sunglasses as we go outside. The boats are already waiting for us. There are so many people in our party that we will have to split into several boats. I’m determined to keep Bast out of my boat and so is the King.

  “Here you go, bella, beautiful,” the King says as he hands me into the first boat and then follows me into it.

  Sebastian enters right after him, but Basilio frowns.

  “I am sorry, Sebastian, but this boat is full, I must have my guard.” His eyes are shadowed. “Perhaps you can ride in the next one?”

  “Surely you wouldn’t want to keep two lovers apart on the eve of their wedding, Your Majesty?” Sebastian asks. His voice is even but a thread of steel still permeates it. The two posture like roosters in the hen house. The guards start to fidget.

  “She will be well taken care of, I assure you. You will be able to see her the whole time.” I put my hand on Bast’s arm. He looks at me and then narrows his eyes at Basilio.

  Sebastian has no choice but to get out of the boat and wait with the others for the next boat. He looks absolutely furious. I am truly sorry about putting him through this but I warned him. I give Bast a conciliatory look. He gives me a reassuring smile. His mouth is tight and he looks like it is painful to smile. I know he is trying to keep it together and not lose his patience. He and Aidan step aside and even my super hearing can’t pick up the conversation. Whatever it is I know they will be talking about how to keep me safe and that gives me courage to do what I have to do.

  Our boat moves out into the canal so that the next boat can load. Sebastian is in that boat so he is as close to me as possible. Aidan is nowhere to be found. I happen to look down and notice a little beetle on my dress and am positive it is Aidan. I have half a mind to brush him off. He knows I hate creepy crawlies. But he also knows that I will let him hitch a ride because he can help me if I get in a sticky situation with the King.

  When the boats are loaded we head down the canal. The King tells me the history of the various buildings we pass. Not only do I get the official history but the unofficial as well. I can tell he loves to be the expert. He postures like a teacher and gestures in broad strokes like a tour guide. Despite that I soon find myself working to resist his charm. Having a pleasant time with him is not as difficult as I thought it would be. The ancient buildings create a canyon and a stiff breeze comes at us across the water. I shiver and Basilio shakes out a cashmere blanket. The water is cooler than I thought it would be. He puts the blanket over both our laps. My beetle buzzes.

  Basilio continues with his running commentary, but now his hand moves over to my leg. I gasp when I feel his hand on my thigh and look at him. He smiles at me. I see my little beetle begin to twitch.

  “That loggia held a dinner party, oh, about five hundred years ago. I was invited and after the host insulted me I drained him dry.” I shiver involuntarily. He puts an arm around me while keeping the other hand roving up and down my leg. I swear I can feel at least five hands.

  “Your Majesty, Basilio, I am very committed to Sebastian.” He shrugs and smiles at me, turning up his charm.

  “But there are so many other flavors of love to be tasted. Wouldn’t you like to experience some of them? Besides, jealousy adds spice to a relationship.”

  “You are too charming, Basilio. But I love Sebastian.”

  We continue on our ride. Going under a bridge, Basilio whispers in my ear.

  “I can respect that you love him. That doesn’t mean you can’t sleep with me as well. I am much older than Sebastian. I have much I could teach you as a lover. Let me show you, bella.”

  “But you barely know me!”

  “For one as old as I am, it doesn’t take long to know when we have met someone original.”

  “I am honored. And flattered, Basilio. Truly I am, but I can’t sleep with you.”

  He continues as if he hadn’t heard me speak. Ugh!

  “Y
ou are like a drug, Lily. Just one kiss?” He leans in.

  But he leans over a little too far and then Aidan helps him the rest of the way.

  With a very undignified yelp he splashes into the filthy water. I stifle a grin and offer a hand to help him back into the boat. His guard quickly step forward.

  “Basilio, oh my goodness. Are you all right? Please, take the blanket.”

  I wrap him up in it. He is scowling. It wasn’t very romantic or debonair to fall in the water. I fuss over him a little more and that calms him down. We have to turn the gondola around and go back to the mansion. I get a glimpse of Sebastian and he is grinning from ear to ear. I give him a surreptitious wink.

  “I’m sorry our trip was ruined, bella. I will make it up to you. I planned a ball for tonight. I want to show you off.” Every vampire of any standing in Western Europe will be here.

  “That’s very generous of you, Basilio.” I hesitate and run through my wardrobe for something suitable. “I’ll have to go shopping.”

  He laughs.

  “I hoped you would say that. I arranged for someone to take you and the rest of your party out later this afternoon. The best stores in the city are open to you on my credit.”

  “Again, that is very generous of you, thank you. You really do have this seduction thing down, don’t you.”

  “Again, piccolo, I have years of practice.” He whispers in my ear, “Just think what that would translate to in bed.” I wink at him as our gondola glides into the dock in front of his mansion.

  “About the shopping, it is nothing. I want you to enjoy yourself. And I will be expecting you to act as hostess at tonight’s gala.”

  Gulp. How am going to get this past Sebastian? As soon as my feet are on the dock, Sebastian scoops me up.

  “See Sebastian, no harm done. She had to take care of me!” Basilio says.

  “Yes, all seems well enough,” Sebastian says. His voice and gaze impassive.

  The King has the audacity to pretend like his behavior was above reproach. His people hurry him inside to change. Armand approaches me.

  “The King would like to extend his generosity to you and your party at several stores in the city so that you will be properly attired for tonight’s ball,” he says.

  “Yes, he mentioned that. Are we to leave now?” I ask.

  “Yes, if that is to your liking.”

  “Let me just explain to the others.” Armand claps his hands and a motor boat pulls up. He jumps into it effortlessly.

  I explain to the others what is happening. There are a lot of grumbles. Then Aidan points out that we will be spending Basilio’s money. Sebastian is still livid. He does not like the idea of me spending time with Basilio tonight. I squeeze his arm, lingering on his amazing biceps.

  “Just remember this is a game, sweetheart,” I whisper in his ear. He grunts and brings his arm around my waist, pulling me into him possessively.

  “I’ve always wanted an Armani tux,” Andrew says.

  “I could have just summoned clothes for everyone.” Aidan laughs. He finds the idea of the King spending his money satisfying. He manifests a list from nowhere and starts running down the things he wants.

  “Yes, but then we couldn’t spend the good King’s money,” Julian says.

  Aidan gives us a wicked smile.

  We are escorted to the motor boat this time and are whisked away to a different part of the city. Armand slips on some shades and blends into the crowds, following us at a distance.

  It takes four hours to find something for everyone. The men are the easiest. Aidan has to alter Julian’s tux for him. He is so broad in the shoulders. The women have a more difficult time deciding and spend a great deal more money. Italian designers! We have a lot of fun trying on everything in three different stores before we settle. I find a strapless gown. It is white and has a subtle floral print in greys and mauves. It looks gorgeous. The bodice is corseted accenting my waist and breasts with a full skirt. When I walk out of the dressing room Sebastian comes unglued.

  “No way, ma petite. No! Absolutely not,” he says while shaking his head and his hands up in front of him like he is expecting to defend himself.

  “Sebastian, I love this dress. It is an Italian designer and it looks good on me.”

  “That is the problem. It looks too damn good on you.”

  “Sebastian, when has that ever been a problem?”

  “Woman! Please listen to me.”

  Armand is trying to cover his smile. I walk up to the register.

  “I’ll take this dress please. I’ll change after you ring it up.”

  “Excellent, signora,” the clerk says. I can hear Julian and Aidan trying to calm Sebastian down.

  “…you’ll just make her more determined… you know you are throwing up a red flag when you called her ‘woman’… she is stubborn,” the men whisper to Bast.

  Armand has the clerks and the help he brought bring our purchases to the boat, and we return to the King’s. The mansion is a hive of activity. Florists and caterers are everywhere. The orchestra is warming up. We have just enough time to go upstairs and get ready.

  “Cherie, let’s take a shower and get rid of the smell of the city,” Sebastian says.

  I know what his true intentions are and I don’t mind a bit. We climb in the shower and make love until we are pruny. Then we really have to hurry and wash up afterwards. Laughing, we get out and dry off.

  “I love you, Bast, even if you are full of ulterior motives and are stubborn as an ass.”

  “I only wish to remind you to whom you are intended, ma petite.”

  “Oh darling, I could never forget that. I told you, I am playing a delicate game and I love you so much. I had to fight a laugh when Aidan pushed Basilio in the water today.”

  “Yes, I need to thank him again for that. Did Basilio really think we couldn’t hear him? The bastard. I heard every word he said. What did he do under that blanket?”

  “He just put his hand on my leg.” I shudder from the memory of his cold, clammy hand. “He didn’t get a chance to do anything more than that, thank the Goddess.”

  “Son of a bitch. I swear I will let Aidan take him out. He wants to, you know. He’s spoiling for a fight and he is certain the King has information about Manda that he isn’t telling us.”

  “He mustn’t. It would cause an international incident. We would be responsible. And we would never find out what he knows about Manda.”

  “I know. We had to talk him down today when we were shopping. It wasn’t easy. I can only imagine the thoughts he has had about me. I’m glad it would have caused you pain if he killed me or I would have been gone a long time ago.” Sebastian laughs.

  “Oh, please don’t laugh about something like that.”

  “Well it’s true. I guess I shouldn’t laugh about it though. I think that Helena has put enough protective spells on me that Aidan can’t take me out too easily, but I’m not sure. I don’t want to test it out.”

  “I believe his frustration with Basilio is because he has knowledge about Manda that he’s not sharing with Aidan. Add the insult of your and my relationship and he has a short fuse.” Sebastian sobers up.

  “Let’s just get ready and try to get through this evening, Bast. Basilio said he wants to show me off tonight.” He growls and shows fang.

  “I hope he knows that he is going to have to do that while I am attached to your arm because I plan on being glued to you,” Bast murmurs in my ear.

  “Good. Help me zip up my gown and tie the corset.”

  Sebastian moves in behind me and kisses the back of my neck. He slowly zips me up. Then he laces my corset expertly like a man who spent many years unlacing them. He turns me around and starts kissing me and before long every one of my nerves is on fire. We are interrupted by a knock at the door. Sebastian opens it and scowls when he sees Aidan with a black velvet box.

  “Before you say anything, Sebastian, I am giving each of the women a gift tonight. It occurred
to me that none of them might have brought jewelry with them for a ball. I come bearing Lilith’s gift.”

  He opens the box and inside is a pair of tear drop diamond earrings and a stunning diamond necklace. Of course it will go perfectly with my dress. Sebastian can’t say anything because each of us got a gift from Aidan, not just me.

  Aidan hands me the box. He puts the necklace on me. I insert the earrings and Bast and Aidan look at me while I look in the mirror. The jewelry is exquisite.

  “Thank you so much, Aidan. It sets off my dress perfectly.”

  “And your eyes, love. The diamonds make them sparkle all the more.”

  “Aidan, I want to thank you again for your help today with Basilio. I haven’t enjoyed myself so much in a long time. It was very hard not to clap when he fell in the water,” Sebastian says.

  “I wanted to kill him. I still want to kill him. When he touched you and the things he said to you… he thinks of women as if they are toys and only he is entitled to wind them up. He might have an important clue about Manda but doesn’t care to share anything with us. If I could torture it out of him I would but I think he would like it.”

  “But you mustn’t. We only have one more day to get through, Aidan. I plan on asking him about Manda tonight. Let me work my wiles.” Sebastian starts to speak but I hold my hands up. Aidan looks concerned and guilty.

  “I need to do my part too and I have an advantage here that I should use. Then we will be on our way. We’d be staked if the King were to be killed. We would be hunted down by every usurper to the throne since we could then claim it,” I remind them.

  “That is the only thing stopping me. You are like family to me and I don’t want any harm to come to any of you,” Aidan says, taking my hands and squeezing.

  “Thank you my dear, dear friend.”

  I give him a kiss on the cheek and he closes his eyes. “Oh sun and sky, Lilith, I must find her,” he whispers.

  “I know, dear heart. I know.” I clear my throat of emotion. “You look smashing in your tux, Aidan. Will you and Sebastian escort me down the stairs? I think I am ready now.”

  “It would be my honor,” Aidan says. Sebastian watches us. His vampire hearing means he’s heard Aidan’s painful admission. His eyes crinkle at the edges then his brow furrows.