by Sydney Addae
Although her voice sounded raspy he was ecstatic to hear it. The soft question filled his chest with pride. “Yes. How are you little one?”
“I hurt my arm.” She lifted it so he could see. Lukian had taken the child to have her arm taken care of before returning to the room, which worked best for everyone.
“I’m very sorry, love. Are you in pain?” He stroked her exposed fingers.
“No, not really. It’s just heavy.” She paused. “Aunty’s in the shower.”
“Thank you, can I wait for her here or do you want me to leave?” He wasn’t sure about her mental condition after spending the past few days alone.
She scooted up and over in the bed. “You can wait here, she won’t be long.”
Baron bit back a grin and sat on the side of the bed, facing her. He didn’t know what to say or do. Had the child mentioned her father? Did she remember Rugger or Orton? Had they been kind to her? Although he didn’t know Orton, Baron was sure the man did the best he could to care for Marissa. Rugger? He wasn’t sure about.
“I fell.”
It took Baron a moment to realize the child had spoken. “Is that how you broke your arm?”
Marissa nodded and looked down on the bed. “Daddy told me to go outside, I didn’t want to.” She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. “It was dark outside,” she whispered.
“Simone, come. Marissa is talking about her father,” Baron thought hard, as he patted the child’s shoulder. The shower stopped. Seconds later Simone stepped into the room tying the hotel robe around her waist and then slid on the bed next to her niece. “Hi pumpkin, I didn’t know you were awake.” She pulled the child into her arms and held her close.
Baron watched and something inside clicked. Blinders dropped and an inner light brightened the room. Simone. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she cuddled her niece.
“Blood-mate, yes, she’s the one,” Marias the Just said.
Baron swallowed hard and stuck his hand into his pocket to keep from reaching out. His fingertips brushed against the ring Marissa gave him.
“Her aura is magnificent,” Rhiannon said.
“She will raise courageous issue,” Brevar said. “This human is not a coward.”
“True, but she doesn’t know what I am,” Baron said, shoulders slumping.
“If she’s your Blood-mate, she will forgive you,” Cull said. “Don’t be afraid.”
Baron shook his head to stop the voices and listened to Simone talk to Marissa.
“He told me to go outside as the lady came in. I didn’t see her too good but her eyes were funny,” Marissa said, looking up at Simone.
“Funny? Funny how?” Simone asked, frowning.
“Different, not like ours. They had a lot of white.” Marissa shrugged and Baron marveled at her disinterest.
“It was dark, but not too cold, I had on my jacket. When the lady left I wanted to go back inside but I couldn’t.” Marissa frowned. “The door opened but I couldn’t walk inside.”
“The Fem left a barrier,” Rhiannon said.
“Shh,” Baron hushed.
“Then some men came, they saw me and I ran. I think I tripped and fell.”
“How’d you get so far from the trailer?” Simone asked. Baron wondered about that too.
Marissa frowned. “I wasn’t far from the trailer, Aunty. They moved the trailer after they saw me.” She shrugged again and then looked at him. For a few moments their eyes held.
“Where’s Daddy, Aunty?” Even though she asked Simone, she watched him. “Is he with Mommy?”
Simone’s eyes widened and filled. “Probably. He saved your life, pumpkin. Your daddy and mommy loved you very much.” She placed a kiss on Marissa’s forehead.
“I know. Daddy always told me he loved me, no matter what anybody says.” She nodded as if placing an exclamation mark with her claim.
Simone squeezed her. “Yes, he did.” Her gaze met Baron’s and he read the sorrow embedded in their depths. This conversation cut deep, but they needed to let the child talk.
“So he’s dead? Did the lady kill him?” Marissa pressed.
Simone’s helpless gaze sliced through him.
“Yes, Marissa your daddy is dead. The police don’t know who killed him. They are searching for clues.” Baron said, intending to meet with Brieloff soon to inform him of what he knew of the case.
Marissa bit her lip, nodded, and then turned her face into Simone’s chest. A few seconds later her small shoulder shook beneath the force of her tears. Simone stroked her back while holding her close. “It’s okay, pumpkin. It’s okay.”
Unsure what to do, Baron watched the two for a few minutes and then pulled the ring from his pocket. “Rissa?” Sniffling, she looked at him and then at his outstretched arm. Baron opened his hand, displaying the ring. “Early today I was lost and couldn’t find my way out of the mountains.”
Marissa’s eyes widened as she stared at him.
Baron risked a glance at Simone. She frowned at the ring. “But I had this in my pocket and every time I got confused.” He leaned forward and whispered. “Or afraid or felt alone.” He straightened and cleared his throat, drawing a smile from both Simone and Marissa. “I touched this ring.” He lifted it higher so she could see it. “The reason you gave me this ring wasn’t to help me when I was sad or having problems, I know that. But it was such a comfort I’ve kept it with me since the night you gave it to me.” He paused. “It might do the same for you.”
Marissa took the ring from his palm and looked it over. “It’s pretty. But you’re supposed to give it to Aunty.” She handed the ring to Simone, whose brow rose sharply as she looked at him.
“When did you give him Sharita’s ring?” Simone asked, and then shook her head. “Had to be that night since it’s the only time you’ve seen him.”
Marissa nodded and leaned against Simone again. “I told him to marry you.”
Simone’s cheeks pinked. She cleared her throat. “Are you hungry?” She looked down at Marissa, who stretched and yawned.
“A little. Baron, are you hungry?” Marissa asked.
“Yes, I am. Lukian ordered something for me to eat when I came in. Would you like to join me for dinner?” He stood and held out his arm.
Giggling, Marissa slid across the bed, looked up at his arm and raised her hands. Bending, Baron picked her up and looked over his shoulder at Simone, who blinked back tears. “I’ll take her out front while you get dressed.” His gaze lingered on the tops of her breasts until she pulled the robe closed. He winked at her and strode into the living room.
Camilla jumped off Lukian and ran toward them with her arms outstretched. “My baby.”
“Milla,” Marissa yelled, almost falling from Baron’s arms in her haste to reach her godmother. Camilla received the child in her arms while Baron headed toward the table.
“You’re okay?” Lukian asked in a low voice.
Baron uncovered the steak and potato plates, pulled them in front of him as he sat and nodded. “For the most part. I will tell you and Brieloff everything that happened at Rugger’s at the same time.” Baron’s gaze slid to Camilla and Marissa sitting on the other side of the room. “What’s going on with the two of you?” Normally he wouldn’t care, but Camilla was Simone’s closest friend, and since he’d introduced Lukian to the ladies, he felt obligated to make sure no one was hurt.
Lukian’s gaze lowered as he sat next to Baron. “She’s the most fascinating woman I’ve ever met. She guessed my heritage and her guide approved of me. We plan to spend time together when we can. She’s a very sexy woman with a sharp mind, a powerful combination.”
Baron stopped moving at the heritage comment. “Vemdoris or Vampire?”
Lukian pulled his gaze from Camilla and looked at Baron. “What?”
“She guessed your heritage?”
“Sorry, Vampire. She’s cool with it, but isn’t sure how your Simone will react. Seems Camilla had a hard time getting Simone to bel
ieve in the supernatural at first.”
Baron didn’t want to discuss that right now. He knew that conversation with Simone was overdue, but he planned to eat first. Maybe after they made love. Or after breakfast tomorrow. Rather than respond, he cut his steak and ate in silence.
Simone entered the room wearing a short dress that teased and tormented his imagination. What did she wear beneath it? His fingers itched to find out.
“Has Marissa eaten?” Simone’s gaze swung from him to Camilla, who kissed the child before removing her from her lap.
“Not yet, I just wanted to kiss her for a few hundred years,” Camilla said with a huge grin.
“Show Milla the ring, Aunty.” Marissa ran toward Simone and stopped.
“Yes, show me the ring,” Camilla said, her eyes crinkled with laughter.
“Ring?” Lukian asked, his gaze locked on Baron, who shrugged and kept eating. He didn’t feel like explaining anything, plus it wasn’t the Sentinel’s business.
Simone held out the ring to Camilla, whose face changed from laughter to a frown. “Where’d you get this?” She tore her gaze from the ring to glance at Simone before staring at the ring again.
“Marissa had it. I assumed it was lying around the house, why?” Simone closed her fingers around the ring while her other hand stroked the top of Marissa’s head. “Go sit at the table and eat. That’s your sandwich next to Baron.” He pushed the plate in front of the chair and then helped the child settle. Once Marissa took a bite of her meal, Baron watched Simone and Camilla.
“This is the ring I gave Sharita when she left for California. I found it in a Wiccan shop in Louisiana a few years ago when I was at a conference. You remember it was really hot, I complained the whole time.” She looked at Simone.
“Yeah, I remember your trip to New Orleans, but not the ring,” Simone said.
“I found it in a small shop. It’s supposed to offer protection. Sharita said she lost it in L.A.” Camilla looked at Marissa. “Where’d you find the ring, pumpkin?”
Marissa took a bite of her sandwich and shrugged. “On the table in the living room.”
Simone looked at Baron, but he remembered receiving the ring, not where it came from. “Well, we have it back now. Rissa gave it to Baron and he’s returned safely from his appointment.” She cleared her throat. “Later I’d like more details, but for now I’m glad everyone’s safe. I’m ready to go home.” Her gaze locked with his and he nodded.
“I need to check in with Brieloff, but after that, we can leave.” Baron drank the rest of his water, but it didn’t fully quench his thirst. The energy expended fighting could only be replaced with blood. Hopefully, Brieloff’s cooler was stocked.
Simone nodded and met Camilla’s gaze. “Have you and Baron talked yet?” Camilla asked without looking at him.
“A little.” She looked toward Marissa.
Camilla nodded and sent a narrowed gaze toward Baron. He stifled a groan and stood. “I’ll meet with Brieloff now, get it out the way, and then come back to pack. Can you call the airlines and book seats for us tomorrow?” he asked Simone.
She nodded.
Baron loaded his tray with empty plates and took it out into the hall. Lukian kissed Camilla and followed behind him. Turning, Baron met Simone’s gaze and stared at her lips for a few seconds. “If I touch you now, I won’t be able to stop.”
Her mouth dropped.
Camilla laughed.
Baron winked, closed the door behind him and warded it. The next second, he stood in front of Brieloff’s office but he wasn’t alone. Anika and Suri stood with Sentinels behind them.
Chapter 27
Baron glanced at the Fems wearing enchanted handcuffs in Brieloff’s inner office and turned left for the hospitality room to search for blood. Lukian followed. Inside the cooler, several bags of the red sustenance were labeled and stacked neatly. Baron took a bag from an athlete and one from a firefighter, over the years he’d learned certain groups of donors took better care of their bodies, which improved the taste of their blood. Neither spoke as their incisors pierced each bag, and drained them dry. As the new blood coursed through his veins, Baron took a seat to wait. “Twenty minutes, that’s all I’m giving him before returning to Simone,” he said to Lukian as he leaned forward in the chair.
Lukian nodded.
Baron wondered what happened with Lukian and Camilla and how Rauff would react. Even though the two men weren’t in a committed relationship, they’d been intimate with each other for decades. Lukian was the person Rauff always called whenever he was in trouble and Lukian always showed up. Everything he knew about Camilla said she could handle herself, but he’d watch from a distance just in case.
“If you’re finished, come into my office,” Brieloff said through their mental link.
More annoyed than surprised, Baron stood and headed into the office. After the day he’d had, he wasn’t in the mood to deal with these Fems. He hoped Brieloff would make this quick, he wanted to return to his Blood-mate. Anika’s dark gaze followed his movements until he sat in the chair in front near the desk. “Yes?” He met Brieloff’s stern gaze with one of his own.
“There’s been a serious charge levied against you. Suri and Anika told the hunters you killed the male human, Chavez, in the mountains. They claim to have witnessed the murder.”
“Well, damn, I didn’t see that coming,” Ian murmured. “In the game of chess, it’s a gutsy move.”
Ignoring Ian, Baron considered the accusation. He had been with Simone when Chavez was murdered, the human police had already verified that with Simone. Did the Fems know that? What was the purpose of this witch-hunt, other than to piss him off? “Which one witnessed the murder?” Baron asked Brieloff, refusing to look at either Fem. Anika hissed at the slight.
“Both.” Brieloff watched Baron.
“Two Fem watched me murder a human without me knowing they were there? Without mentioning their presence? Interesting. How did I kill him?” Baron sat back in the chair with his fingertips steepled beneath his chin.
“You know how you killed him. He was your human lover’s enemy and you killed him for her,” Anika snapped, trying to break free of the bands holding her hands behind her back.
“Brieloff?” Baron’s brow rose as he looked at his watch.
“The human was drained. The hunters reached out to the council with their suspicions and asked me to investigate the charges,” Brieloff said.
Which meant suspicions were the only thing they had. He refused to alert the hunters to the fact that Marissa saw the Fem. Maybe he could help. Baron reached into his pocket, pulled out a chain, and tossed it on Brieloff’s desk.
Recognition dawned in Brieloff’s gaze as he picked it up and pressed the stone. A picture of the deceased servant floated above their heads. Everyone listened as he told of Suri’s crimes, their role in cleaning up, and Marissa.
“Did you kill my servants?” Suri demanded, taking a step toward him, only to be jerked back in place by the Sentinel standing behind her.
“Brieloff, I have ten minutes to debrief you on what happened today. If this is a bad time, contact me later in the week.” The effects of the day weighed down on him. Rugger hadn’t been an easy opponent and the energy required to fight Suri’s servants took a toll. Maybe coming to debrief Brieloff hadn’t been the best idea.
“He murdered my servants and you sit there and let him go?” Suri yelled. “If anyone’s a murderer, it’s him.”
“The moment you sent your men to attack him, you signed their death certificates,” Brieloff said in a hard voice.
“They were supposed to bring him to Anika, not attack him,” Suri snapped. “For some reason, she wants to create issue with him. But he refused. Instead, he plans to sully his line with a human,” she sneered.
Baron looked at his watch and headed to the door.
“Don’t you dare walk out on me,” Anika screamed, fidgeting. Her anger surged, she broke free of the cuffs, moved forward an
d swung at him. Her claws barely missed his neck. Shaking off the Sentinel who tried to re-cuff her, Anika moved swiftly around the room, never remaining in the same spot long. Red-faced, spit collected in the corner of her mouth as she hurled insults. “She is not your Blood-mate! She will never birth your issue. If she does, I will hunt them down and kill your human and your bastards. You will not choose a human over me. You will never have peace. You will never have her.”
Without thought, in a blurred move Baron spun around, grabbed Anika and ripped her head from her body. Her mouth was still in motion as he tossed the head out the window. He’d moved so fast no one could stop him. Taking a deep breath, he eyed Suri and grabbed her around her neck.
“Do I need to kill you as well?” His voice took on a deep, guttural quality he didn’t recognize. His eyes itched and his claws pierced her neck.
“No. No.” She tried to lick her lips and failed as her eyes rounded in fear. “I promise not to say anything and will leave you and yours alone,” she said quickly.
Baron shook her. “Tell Brieloff what happened with the human.”
Suri admitted to the killing and Anika’s idea to pin the murder on Baron after discovering Chavez’s relationship to Baron’s human.
“Calm down, don’t kill her,” Cull murmured. “Let Brieloff and the council administer justice.”
“If I think for one moment, you or anyone means to harm my Blood-mate, I will destroy you,” Baron growled, his face close to hers. “There is no place on this planet you’ll hide from us. From my line. Do I make myself clear?”
Suri tried to nod and then spoke. “Yes, clear.”
Baron opened his hands. Her feet hit the ground and she backed up to the Sentinel, her fear a sour scent in the air.
“One second, Baron, this won’t take long,” Brieloff said, before turning to Suri. “For the crimes you committed against the human and Vemdorian servants, for the next ten years you will birth a healthy Vemdorian to replace those lost due to your vanity.” He paused. “Without a fee.”
“What?” Suri screamed.
