Coming Together

by Brandy L Rivers

  “Mine too,” Jackie admitted. She grabbed her purse. “Come on. Let’s get down there.”

  Eddie sighed. “You okay with all of us coming to work with you? We’ll sit in the corner and I’ll help Brent format the next edition of In Other News.”

  “Yeah. I’m not a moron. I feel safer knowing you two have my back if anything happens.”

  “Stefano wanted you to leave, which would have been safer,” Brent pointed out.

  Eddie flashed him a glare.

  Jackie did too. Her voice was cold. “Don’t defend that bloodbrain. He wasn’t asking me to leave with someone, he wanted me to leave by myself. That would have given Sidra and Clive the perfect opportunity to take me. So who’s the dumbass now?”

  Brent winced. “Shit. Excellent point.”

  Jackie sighed. “You two coming with me to provide backup is fine. He wanted me out of the picture, which would have put me in more danger.”

  Eddie walked toward her and took her hands. “Wait ‘till you hear Brent’s harebrained idea.”

  “Please say it doesn’t involve me getting him off, because it’s not happening. I’m not fucking him so he’ll leave me alone.”

  Brent raised his hands, palms forward. “No sex involved, though he’d have to get off. He’d have to kiss you the same way he did before.”

  She shook her head with a sour expression. “Oh, hell no. I’m not touching him again. He doesn’t get a kiss. I’ll chop his dick off first.”

  A laugh exploded from Eddie. “I’ll take care of Stefano if you get squeamish.”

  “I won’t. He needs to understand I’m not going anywhere near him, even if that means I have to castrate him to get the point across.”

  Brent groaned. “Hear me out. As much as I would love to tell you this wasn’t necessary, it might be the only way to ensure he leaves you alone. I don’t know if his obsession is strictly to do with Eloise, or if it has something to do with being faerie struck. Could even be a result of drinking your blood. Either way, if he relives that moment, you can wash away any interest he has in you.”

  “No. There is no fucking way he’s touching me, especially not in any way that involves getting him off. I’m not doing it. I don’t care if that’s the best solution. I won’t.”

  Eddie let out a relieved sigh. “Thank fuck. I don’t think I could stand by and watch.”

  “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

  Brent sighed. “It’s the easiest way to ensure he will leave you alone, Jackie. Think about that for a moment. He would have to leave you alone.”

  “My mother used her gifts to kill men, but I can’t flip a switch and make out with a guy who makes my skin crawl.” She shook her head. “I’ll tell him to go the fuck away. I’m not interested in what he has to say, or what he wants to do. Friendship is not going to work. He’s like every other man I’ve attempted to date, and I won’t give Eddie up for anything. If he thinks it’s even a possibility, he’s up shit creek without a paddle.”

  “Remember that. No matter what he says or does, don’t trust him with anything,” Brent warned. “He may not be able to persuade you using his eyes alone, but exchanging enough blood will give him a tie to you. He could persuade you that way.”

  “I won’t forget,” she promised.

  Eddie couldn’t squelch the fear running rampant in his heart.

  * * * *

  Time droned on and Stefano paced like a caged beast. He had to master patience if he hoped to have any chance. She didn’t see Jared as the enemy, so he had hope she could overlook past mistakes. Maybe then he could convince her that he was right, that she would be better off with a man who could keep her safe from all the evils of the world.

  “Don’t do anything foolish,” Tiana warned.

  “Nothing foolish,” he promised. He needed to talk to Jacqueline, convince her that her looks may have fueled his initial attraction, but her charisma and personality are what kept his interest.

  A tiny voice in the back of his head asked if that was the truth. He wanted to believe it was.

  When he peeked into the Jitterhouse, Jacqueline sat at the counter, sketching in her book. Eddie and Brent were at the closest table. Both glared, daring him to make a move.

  When he reached for the door, Brent stood and strode across the floor to block his path. “What are you doing here?”

  He drew a breath. “I’m here to offer my support.”

  “News of your tirade about her choice has spread. You’re not welcome.”

  He dipped his head in a slow nod, attempting to figure out who would know when he hadn’t spoken to anyone about his outrage. “Not why I’m here.”

  Jacqueline walked over and crossed her arms over her chest. “Look, I’m fine. Eddie and Brent are here. I’m quite capable of holding down the coffee shop. We don’t need you.”

  “I’d appreciate a few moments of your time. I owe you an apology.”

  “I don’t have time to give. You and I don’t see eye-to-eye on anything, and I’m working. Goodbye.” She turned and walked away.

  He took a step forward, right into an invisible barrier. His teeth ground together as he glared at Brent. The fool stared back, right into his eyes.

  “Don’t bother. I have my own protection against your kind.”

  Forcing a smile, he dipped his head in a nod. “Tell her I am truly sorry.” He walked away, slipping into darkness.

  The presence of Sidra and Clive prickled his senses as he floated through the alley. He stopped, watching for any sign of them.

  * * * *

  “What an asshole,” Jackie muttered while quickly restocking the bar for Enrique’s shift.

  Eddie leaned against the counter. “Don’t let him get under your skin. He’s not worth it.”

  “He tried to enthrall Brent. The dumbfuck clearly doesn’t understand what he’s fucking with. And all because he’s jealous I didn’t choose him. Why the hell would I ever choose him?”

  “Wishful thinking?” He shrugged, an innocent look on his face.

  “Doesn’t matter. He may be hot, but he’s a douchebag. Why couldn’t I figure that out sooner. Like—oh, say—when he was stalking me?”

  “He’s your type. Long hair. Chiseled body. And an accent.”

  “You have a better body and hair. An accent is worthless compared to someone who understands me. You do. That assmunch doesn’t.”

  He gave her a cocky grin.

  Rolling her eyes, she pushed him back toward the table so she could finish getting ready for the end of her shift. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she needed food. “Hey, how about stopping by Charlene’s before going home?”

  “Sure. Don’t feel like cooking anyway.”

  She grinned. “I have better plans for you later. Maybe you should let Brent stay in your room tonight, so he doesn’t have to sleep on the couch.”

  Eddie moved closer, looking into her eyes. “You asking me to move into your room?”

  “Do I have to ask?” She batted her lashes.

  “Making sure the invitation is permanent.”

  “Very.”

  “Then yes.”

  * * * *

  Sidra stood in the alley across from the coffee shop. Stefano was close, but out of sight. Jackie restocked the bar and wiped down the counter as the beautiful Native American from the night before watched her in adoration. Beside him sat one of the men Jackie often hung out with.

  “Splitting them up is the only option,” Sidra hissed.

  Clive gave her a devilish grin. “How shall we go about it?”

  “Let’s see where they go first.”

  “What if they go straight to her home? We’ll never breach the wards.”

  “Then you’ll create a distraction while I sweep her away.”

  “Very well.”

  “Once we have her, are you going to be able to keep your hands to yourself until we have the proper audience?”

  “Of course,” he drawled. “I live by your rules.” />
  “Give Stefano a show and I’ll give you a reward.” She turned toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck, digging her sharpened nails into his skull. “You’ve been perfect, and deserve the best reward.”

  He groaned low in his throat. “They’re moving.”

  Pulling the shadows tighter, she followed the trio down the road. Stefano was close, but she couldn’t pinpoint his location. Once again, her toy aggravated her.

  Jackie and her tagalongs slipped into Charlene’s, not far from her house. They were quickly taken to a booth, and Sidra had to grin at how cozy her and the Native American sat.

  The night before, she’d been pissed at Stefano, but clearly she seemed to be over him, unless she was playing them both. Maybe that’s why he was outside looking in.

  “How much will it tear Stefano apart to realize she’s a whore? First you can have your way with her, then Jared. Maybe I’ll see how much further I can push her.”

  “Did you ensure Jared is secure in his bonds?”

  “Of course. You never got free of them.”

  He gave her a dark smile. “Never wanted to be free.”

  “No, but he won’t escape.”

  “True. He’s terrified for the moment. Nearing the breaking point though. You sure you want to put her in front of him?”

  She nodded. “Tell me something, Clive. Why does every man seem to want her?”

  “You intimidate men, Sidra. Not all of us can handle a woman as strong as you. She’s beautiful, but that means little. Yes, I want to use her, but it’s you I crave all hours of the night.”

  His words settled her. He’d proven the sentiment time and time again. She wanted more from those men who had denied her. At the top of that list, Stefano. Too many times over the years she was told no, or you’re not good enough. Now she wanted to teach a lesson to every man who had never valued everything she had to offer.

  Jackie gave her current interest a smile before moving to the back of the building.

  Sidra instructed, “Follow me, but don’t make a move unless I give the signal, or someone tries to interrupt us.”

  There was no doubt Clive would follow the order, so she didn’t wait for his response as she followed someone into the restaurant before the door shut. They flew past everyone on the way to the bathroom Jackie had entered.

  Clive stood in the far corner, while Sidra hid in shadow against the wall.

  Jackie stepped out of the stall and glared in Sidra’s direction. Her voice took on a low warning. “I know you’re there, and what you’re trying to do.” She didn’t scream, didn’t panic.

  “Is that so?” Sidra asked with dark malice. The siren’s eyes lasered in, though she couldn’t actually see her. “What makes you so tough? You can’t even see me.”

  She smirked. “I’m immune to everything you’ve got.”

  “Think again,” she hissed, then nodded to Clive.

  He moved so fast, Sidra barely caught Jackie as her head snapped forward. Sidra hid them with shadows and took her back to their temporary lair.

  Chapter 28

  Something dark stirred the air when Jackie made her way to the restroom. Eddie looked through the restaurant, sniffing. He didn’t see anything out of place, but smelled the Shadowstalkers, and Stefano. His blood ran cold as he scooted to the edge of the booth.

  “What is it?” Brent whispered.

  “They’re here.”

  He stood in time for a blur to streak from the bathrooms, out the door. Brent reached across the table and grabbed Jackie’s purse. Then he nodded at Eddie.

  Eddie took off, running fast. He prayed to all the spirits he wouldn’t lose Brent, who caught up with a burst of magic. Following his senses, he weaved through alleys and streets.

  “Can you follow if you fall behind?” Eddie asked urgently.

  “I’ll keep up,” Brent promised.

  He didn’t ask, didn’t want to know what spirit Brent would turn to for help.

  Stefano appeared beside Eddie, matching his long strides with enhanced speed. “I can help you find them.”

  Eddie snarled. “Don’t need you. I can sense her. Can track her myself.” He shot the vampire a glare. “We’ve always had a connection.” It seemed stronger now. Later, when they got rid of the douchebag vamp, he’d ask Brent why.

  “How can you sense her?”

  Eddie shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I can. Can you?” He pushed himself harder, and magic burst around Brent who managed to keep up. Unfortunately, so did Stefano. They blurred through Seattle.

  “No, but I can track them.”

  “So can I.”

  “You realize we’re going underground?” Stefano bit out.

  “I can see in the dark. So far, all you’ve done is brought trouble to Jackie. We don’t fucking need you!”

  “I’m not leaving. I must ensure her safety.”

  Biting back a remark, he focused on finding Jackie. His mind kept spitting out images of Jackie bound and marked the same way Jared had been when they found him the night before. The Shadowstalkers would do worse if given the opportunity.

  Eddie stopped at a manhole cover and bent to move it, but Brent’s hands hovered over the metal. As he lifted his arms, the cover moved with him. He turned and gently lowered it to the ground.

  “We need to be quiet,” Brent reminded.

  Eddie nodded and dropped down into the dark corridor. “You going to be able to see?” he asked Brent, not giving a fuck what Stefano could do.

  “Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

  The second Brent landed, Eddie ran, silently, weaving through tunnels, and half-collapsed buildings.

  He came to a stop at a wall, his chest heaving. “They went through here. I don’t know how, but they fucking went through the wall.”

  Brent whispered a spell, and the hidden entrance creaked open.

  * * * *

  Jackie’s head pounded to the throbbing bass line of her heart. Her hands were numb. Something clenched around her wrists to suspend her above the ground. Her shoulders were pulled at an uncomfortable angle.

  When she got her eyes open, she found a filthy wooden floor, and at the edge of her vision, a man hunched over. The intricate Celtic knot work across Jared’s shoulders made her stomach bottom out.

  Fear flooded her system. A draft flowed up her dress, but her clothing seemed to be in place.

  A whine peeled from Jared as he hit his head with open palms. “Can’t do it. Won’t do it. Already scared her.”

  Staying as still as possible, she managed to take a better look at him.

  A thick chain wrapped around his throat, attached to one of the cage bars. Leather pants covered his legs, but someone had whipped him hard enough to leave bloody welts across his skin.

  Where in the hell am I? Where’s Eddie and Brent?

  A cold voice rolled over her, sending a chill down her spine. “You’ll do everything you’ve ever dreamt of doing to Jackie. You were interrupted before you fucked her. This time, you’ll have her every way you can imagine.”

  “No. She doesn’t want me. Won’t touch her.” His head snapped up and turned side-to-side, searching for something. “Won’t take her against her will. Doesn’t matter what you do to me. I won’t hurt another person.”

  “If you don’t pleasure her, I’ll let Clive have her, and she won’t survive the night. Your choice, Jared. What will it be?” the woman hissed.

  Sidra was there, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Jared.

  The thought of him touching her scared Jackie. But between him or Clive, she considered begging Jared to fuck her for half-a-second. Either way, she didn’t want to be touched by anyone.

  She had to find a way out of the damned cage.

  Someone huge pressed against her back, tangling his hand in her hair to yank her head up. Clive purred in her ear, “Look what we’ve done to him. Your blood would fix all the damage.”

  Jared shot to his feet, pulling at the chain around his thro
at and ankles, reaching for her. “Don’t touch her. She doesn’t like what we like,” he growled, glaring behind her.

  “She will,” Clive answered, before his hands went around her chest to rip her dress open.

  The cold air shocked her into action. Jackie twisted, kicking and squirming to get away from Clive.

  “Let her go!” Jared screamed, his fangs extending.

  Her breath caught as she met Jared’s gaze. He was beaten, bloody, half-crazed, but not willing to touch her. Seeing him like this flooded her with guilt. Accepting his apology might have prevented Jared’s predicament. “What did they do to you?” she whispered, forgetting the very real danger behind her. Obviously, Jared was a vampire, but they’d hurt him, abused him, and it broke her heart.

  Jared covered his face with his hands as he cringed away. “Showed me what I did to you. Now they want me to do worse to you. I—I can’t.”

  Her heart wrenched. “We’ll fix this. Okay?”

  Sidra hissed, “Since Jared doesn’t want to play, take your turn, Clive.”

  Rough hands slid over her body, sharp nails lightly scoring her skin.

  “No!” She twisted, straining to pull away but without the use of her hands, she didn’t get very far.

  Clive pushed her hair aside before licking up her throat. She dropped her head forward then slammed it back.

  He grunted in pain, then growled as he stalked around her. Clive towered over her, his bald head grazing the cage’s top bars. Blood dripped down his face as he reached for his fly straining over a monstrous bulge.

  His eyes travelled down her body with a leer. He licked his lips. “Be a good girl, and I’ll let you come before I’m through with you.”

  She kneed him in the balls but he had no reaction, other than to tear her bra in half. He caught a nipple between his teeth and bit hard enough to pull a cry of pain from her lips.

  She sensed Eddie’s approach. Her heart slammed into her chest. Fear and hope warred through her. The thought of Eddie seeing this sent a shard of pain through her.