“They didn’t talk about it. Only those closest to Jeff knew about it. She didn’t worry about it because he was never in any one place long enough to fall for anyone else.”
Lacey shook her head attempting to absorb it all. “I’m sure that worked well for Jeff, but what about Laurie? Was she supposed to sit around and accept that and patiently wait for him to come home?”
“Laurie was taken care of. Do you think she wanted to give up the mansion, the cars, the limos, and everything else that went along with her rock princess life? Jeff employed someone for her. Either a pool boy or gardener whose primary job was to service her. He had them sign a nondisclosure agreement. Laurie got to pick out the guy. Their only rule was that they both had to use protection at all times to avoid pregnancies and STDs. Apparently, it worked for them since they ended up getting married and they’re still married.”
Lacey grabbed her chest and said, “I’m shocked, I had no idea. Do you think they still?”
“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t talked to Jeff in years. Maybe you should ask Laurie if you want to know.”
Absorbing the knowledge of her friend’s secret sex life, her wheels started turning. “So if you hadn’t disappeared, would you have wanted an open relationship for us?”
He twisted his mouth and said, “All things considered, it may not have been a bad idea. Would you have gone for it?”
“I don’t know about at the time, but thinking back, it probably wouldn’t have been a bad idea. Instead of both of us cheating behind our backs, we could have just done it out in the open.”
Quinn laughed and said, “Well, now she tells me.”
Lacey thought for a second. “I don’t mean to pry, but I’m curious. How do you feel about it now with your current wife?” She waved her hands and said, “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have asked you about anything that personal.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s a little different with vampires because we get pleasure from feeding off of humans, so we tend to be more open about those things. My wife is okay with it as long as it’s just sex or blood with no emotional ties. The high I get feeding on humans transcends sex. She knows that, and she’s cool. She’s not the jealous type. She has her rules for me. As long as I abide by her rules, we’re good.”
“Hmm. I guess it is a little different for vampires. Well. Whatever works for you.”
He shrugged one shoulder and said, “So far, it’s working.”
Randi heard voices coming from the living room. She peeked in, and her heart sank when she discovered her husband alone on the sofa with his ex-wife. She decided to stay out of sight and eavesdrop on their conversation.
Lacey picked up her glass and took her last sip of wine. “Well, I’m glad we had a chance to talk, Quinn. It’s been interesting, to say the least. Our marriage ended so abruptly, but it was years ago, and our time has long passed. We’ve both moved on, and so much has changed. I honestly didn’t take your marriage to Randi that seriously at first because she seemed so young for you. But now that I’ve spent more time with you, I can see how much you love each other. I want you to know; I’m happy for the two of you.”
Randi’s frown turned into a smile now that her fears about Lacey and Quinn possibly still having feelings for one another appeared to be laid to rest. She entered the living room making her presence known. She smiled, gave Quinn a smooch on the lips, and sat down next to him. She looked at Lacey and asked, “Have you had any luck finding a place yet?”
Lacey lifted her hands and asked, “Are you trying to get rid of me?
Randi laughed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. Stay as long as you need to. But what I was going to say is, I might be able to help you find a place.”
“Really,” said Lacey, giving Randi her full attention.
“I know you’re looking, and my mother’s side of the double is for rent. I’m kind of afraid to list it and rent to strangers because I don’t know how well they will take care of it. I’d feel so much better with someone I know and feel comfortable with in there. What I’m saying is, if you want it, it’s yours. I was going to ask $900.00 a month, but I’ll let you have it for $500.00 with no security deposit.”
Lacey’s jaw dropped in amazement at her generous offer. “Oh, honey. That’s sweet of you, but I can afford to pay. I’m working.”
“I know, but Quinn and I don’t need the money. I’m sure you can use it to buy furniture or other things you may need or want.”
Lacey smiled. “You were the sweetest child, but you’ve grown into the loveliest adult.” Her eyes shifted to Quinn. “My ex-husband should be counting his blessings to have someone like you.”
“Oh, I am,” said Quinn, draping his arm around his wife pulling her closer to him.
“Your mother should be proud,” said Lacey smiling.
Randi frowned and said, “Unfortunately, she was always too busy judging me to be proud.”
“Well, as your second mother, I’m proud of you.” Her eyes landed on Quinn. “Even though you did marry my ex-husband.”
Randi laughed and said, “That’s Nadia’s fault because she introduced us. Just look at him. Who could resist that? Besides, I thought you were dead.”
Lacey chuckled and said, “I get it. I fell under that same spell once a long time ago, so I understand. You both seem happy. I’m happy for you.”
Randi smiled. “Thank you, Lacey. It’s good to hear you say that.”
“What do you know,” said Quinn. “Now you have a wall for your painting. I’ll call the gallery and have it sent to your new place, so you won’t have to move it again.”
Lacey smiled and said, “That’s very thoughtful of you Quinn. Thanks again for buying it for me.”
“It was nothing.” He took Randi’s hand. “Just think of it as our housewarming gift.”
10
TRUE VAMPIRE
Jeff, Laurie, and Riley returned to their hotel suite after a scrumptious dinner at one of New Orleans’ finest restaurants.
“That was a fabulous dinner,” said Laurie, sliding her hotel key.
“I know,” said Jeff. “I’m going to miss the restaurants here when we go back home.” His eyes focused on his daughter. “Your mom and I are going to listen to some music on Bourbon Street tonight. What’s on your agenda?”
“I’m meeting up with Tristan later, but I might just hang with you guys until then.”
“Great,” said Laurie. “I’m going to go to my room and freshen my makeup before we go.”
“I’m going to do the same,” said Riley following her.
Laurie pulled her makeup kit from her overnight bag and set it on the dresser. As she was applying her lipstick, a strange feeling crept over her. She felt as if she wasn’t alone. Then she noticed the reflection of a man dressed in black in the mirror standing behind her, and it wasn’t her husband.
She turned around dropping her lipstick letting out a blood-curdling scream.
Jeff heard her and rushed to their bedroom. His wife stood with her back against the dresser terrified of the man in black standing across from her.
Riley followed her father and recognized the man as the vampire from Midnight Oasis that was so rudely staring at her. She put two and two together and came to the conclusion that this was the vampire who followed her back to the hotel almost scaring her to death. She realized he was after her and not her mother. She stepped back out of sight and immediately called Quinn.
She nervously paced as his phone rang thinking, please answer. Please don’t go to voicemail. A feeling of relief came over her when he picked up. “Quinn,” she loudly whispered. “There’s a vampire in our hotel suite. The weird one from Midnight Oasis. He’s terrorizing my mother right now.”
“I’ll be right there,” said Quinn. “Stay calm and show him the fang marks. Remember I’m your vampire.”
She disconnected and scurried to her parent’s room. The vampire immediately charged toward her. Her parents held on to e
ach other and screamed. Riley looked him in the eye and threw her hair behind her shoulder. She pulled down her turtleneck revealing the fang marks.
The vampire realized his mistake and stopped in his tracks raising his hands. Fearfully he asked, “What vampire do you belong to?”
She looked at her parents who were too terrified to speak. Even though they were present, she had to answer. She knew she had to follow Quinn’s instructions and name the one vampire that carries the most weight. Remember confidence. She stood up straight throwing her head and shoulders back and said, “Quinn.”
The vampire quickly backed away.
Laurie and Jeff gasped. If Jeff had any doubt about the reality of vampires and that his daughter and Quinn were involved with them, it was gone now.
Riley looked toward the balcony and spotted Quinn. Her hand rested on her chest as she breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”
Jeff and Laurie were stunned at the sight of Quinn. He entered through the French doors and rushed to Riley. He hugged her and asked, “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine, but my parents are in shock.”
“Quinn, how did you get up here?” asked Laurie clinging to Jeff trembling. “There’s no stairs. There’s no way to get to the balcony from outside. There’s no way to get up here.”
“For a mortal, no there isn’t,” said Quinn.
His eyes rested on the vampire. He wasn’t surprised to learn his identity. “Andre. I should have known you would pull something like this. Do you mind telling me what you want here?”
“Quinn. I, I didn’t mean any harm,” cried Andre, backing away with his hands still raised. “I saw her the other night at Midnight Oasis. I just wanted to meet her. I swear, Quinn. I didn’t mean her any harm.”
“Then why didn’t you just buy her a drink if you wanted to meet her? Scaring her half to death isn’t the way to get the girl. It was you who followed her the other night, wasn’t it?”
“I’m sorry, Quinn. I didn’t know she was yours.”
“Apology not accepted, Andre,” said Quinn stepping closer grabbing him by his lapel. “I don’t know what motives you had for breaking in here tonight, but I better not ever catch you anywhere near this girl or her family again. If she comes into Midnight Oasis when you’re there; you leave. Got it?”
“No problem, Quinn. It won’t happen again. I swear,” cried Andre, shaking.
“Then get out,” shouted Quinn, turning him loose.
Andre sped to the open balcony doors and disappeared blending into the night.
Jeff and Laurie couldn’t believe their eyes. Jeff wondered what was going on between his daughter and Quinn.
Nadia appeared on the balcony and entered through the French doors. She looked at Quinn and said, “You left so abruptly. All you said was, it’s Riley. I was worried. Is Riley okay?”
“I’m all right,” said Riley. “Thanks for checking.”
“You missed all the action, but everything’s okay now,” said Quinn. “Andre that hangs out at Midnight Oasis gave Riley and her parents a scare, but there’s been no harm done. I got here in time.”
She folded her arms and said, “Isn’t that the creepy vampire that never talks?”
“That’s the one,” said Quinn.
“Yuck,” she said shaking. “He gives me chills. I’m never certain about what he’s up to. Can’t you have him locked up or something?”
“Unfortunately, not unless he does something to violate the code, and so far he hasn’t.”
“Well, maybe you should think about adding breaking-and-entering to the code,” suggested Nadia.
“Good point. I’ll bring it up at the next council meeting.”
Jeff and Laurie stood like statues taking in their conversation unable to speak. Even though Jeff had his suspicions about vampires, he didn’t expect a confirmation like the one he was witnessing.
Quinn wanted to share his story with his friends, but they were Riley’s parents, so he felt the final decision should be hers. He waved his hand in front of Jeff and Laurie placing them in a trance. He turned to Riley and said, “They’re in a temporary trance. We have to decide what to do about telling your parents. Riley, it’s your decision. Do you want them to know the truth? If you don’t, I can wipe this experience from their memory.”
She looked at him and shrugged. “How do you feel about it?”
He looked at Jeff and turned back to her. “Your father was my closest friend. He was like my brother. I have no doubt about his ability to handle the information. If you want them to know, I’m for it.”
Riley ran her hands over her face. She sighed and said, “Tristan and I are getting closer. My father will never give up on finding out what happened to you, and he was within an inch of discovering it before tonight’s incident. I’ve been feeling so guilty about knowing the truth and not being able to share it with him. We can trust my parents, and I think we should tell them.”
Quinn smiled and said, “I was hoping you would say that. I’ll bring them out of the trance.” He snapped his fingers, and they blinked. They looked at each other and then at Quinn, Riley, and Nadia.
Quinn looked at Jeff and Laurie and said, “I’m sorry you had to meet Andre. It’s vampires like him that give us a bad name.”
“Are we dreaming?” asked Laurie, looking at Jeff pinching herself.
“If we are, we’re in the same dream,” said Jeff.
“You’re not dreaming,” said Riley. “It’s real. You wanted to know the truth about what happened to Quinn, and now you’re about to find out.”
“Why don’t we go in the living room,” said Jeff pointing the way.
Jeff and Laurie sat on the sofa with Riley. Nadia and Quinn sat in the chairs.
Jeff and Laurie nervously reached for a cigarette from the pack on the coffee table and lit it.
“Thankfully this is a smoking room,” said Quinn, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
Laurie looked at him with a furrowed brow.
“Is something wrong?” asked Quinn
“No. I, I just didn’t realize vampires could smoke.”
Quinn chuckled. He pointed his cigarette at her and said, “Tonight, I’m going to give you an entirely new perspective of vampires, so forget everything you’ve ever heard about us especially the rhetoric the vampire tours are throwing at the tourists. Let me begin by clarifying who I am. There’s only one Quinn Forrester and that’s me.”
He turned to face his friend. “Jeff, I’m sorry I couldn’t share this with you at the time. The first mortal to ever find out about me was Nadia eighteen years after it happened. I wanted a relationship with my daughter, and I had to give her the opportunity to decide for herself if she could accept me as her father and as a vampire. Obviously, she did.” He and Nadia looked at each other and smiled.
Jeff felt thankful that the mystery surrounding his friend’s disappearance was finally solved, and that he was still among the living, but he wondered how the hell he became a vampire. “I had my suspicions that something happened to you that night, Quinn, but I’m puzzled about one thing. I did a background check on Quinn Junior, and he has birth records and public records in the system.”
“Yeah, well, we vampires have our hackers. It’s not difficult for a vampire to create an identity. I reinvented myself as Quinn’s son in 2007 because I didn’t know any other way to explain why I haven’t aged.”
“I see,” said Jeff. “It makes sense.”
“Not aging isn’t such a bad thing,” mumbled Laurie.
Quinn frowned and said, “Once you’ve lost everyone you have ever loved and everything that was ever important to you, eternal youth doesn’t mean that much anymore. In fact, sometimes it can feel more like a curse.”
“I’m sorry, Quinn,” said Laurie regretting her comment. “Losing Lacey, Nadia, and your career must have been terrible for you.”
Jeff had so many questions. He wanted to hear from Quinn about how his world cha
nged in one night. “Quinn, what’s the story? How did it happen to you?”
“I thought you would ask that, Jeff. First, let me say, vampires are something of a secret society. We have to be that way because of humanity’s perception of us. We can’t shout it out to the world, and we have to be careful about who knows about us.
“Do an internet search on vampires. You’ll find all kinds of misleading propaganda and stories about humanity’s perception of vampires and mortals who identify as vampires, but you won’t find one official document about real vampires. Why? Because we’re selective about who knows about us in the mortal world, we don’t tell anyone unless it’s necessary, and we feel confident that those who know about us wish to protect us. Proving the existence of vampires is like proving divinity. There’s no substantial evidence. If you left here and told somebody you just had a conversation with a vampire, what would they say?”
“I’m sure they would think I’m a whack job,” said Jeff. “I’d be on my way to the loony bin.”
“That’s true. Nobody would believe you. Let me begin with the night I disappeared. When I told you and the guys goodnight, I never thought for one moment it would be the last time I would see any of you.
“The tabloids said I left my wife for another woman. My wife thought I left her for another woman. But the truth is there was no other woman. I didn’t leave Lacey for someone else. You know I was madly in love with her, and I loved my daughter.
“I meant it when I said I was going home. That was my intention. But shortly after you left, a woman got my attention. It turned out this woman was a vampire, and, for her own reasons, she had been following me for years. I talked to her with the intention of finishing my beer and leaving. But she had a supernatural power over me that somehow convinced me to leave with her.
“She took me to a room, and we had sex, but I didn’t remember it afterward. All I remembered was my life draining out of me and then drinking her blood.
“I slept for hours, and, when I woke up, I discovered she had changed me into a vampire. I found myself lying in a bed of bloody sheets looking around the small, dingy, putrid room. There was no sign of my maker, and I had an intense thirst for blood.
Sex, Blood, Rock 'N' Roll, and Vampyr (The Bloodline Series Book 1) Page 13
