He laughed again. “Yes, I’d like to think I am. Of course I’m talking to you over the phone and not in person. I figured you weren’t too mad at me at the moment. My only fault is that I’m male.”
Carly laughed at that and so did I. I relented a little and said, “That’s true for now. So what did you need?”
“We’ll be having a meeting this evening. I would like Carly there as well. I’m glad I caught you while you were still together.”
“When and where?” I asked, suddenly tired.
“We are going to meet at headquarters in the conference room. And Natalya, please at least leave those two semi-functioning after you’re done with them. I still need them around.” Val hung up.
“Why would he want me there?” Carly asked.
“I’ve given up trying to figure that cat out.” I pulled into Carly’s drive. She started to get out. “I’ll pick you up later, okay? Get some sleep.”
“Thanks. You too.” She smiled at me and closed the door. As soon as I saw she was safely inside, I took my frustration out on Radek’s car.
It didn’t take me long to make the return trip. I stomped up the stairs and entered the living room. Radek met me with a venti peppermint mocha. So he was going to try to butter me up. Madon was on the couch with his head in his hands. He didn’t have a shirt on, only a pair of worn jeans. He wouldn’t look at me.
“Well, what do you have to say for yourself?” I glared at Radek as I took the coffee from him.
“I’m sorry, Natalya. I should’ve listened to you. You were right.” Madon was miserable and his eyes were rimmed with red.
“You think I’m going to let you off that easy?” I wouldn’t relent even though he looked like a whipped little puppy at the moment.
I noticed Radek trying to leave. “Oh no you don’t; you get your tail back here. I’m going to get to you next.”
He stopped. His eyes were sparkling with amusement. That did not improve my mood.
“What should I do, Nat? I asked her and she started crying? Why would she do that? Have I totally ruined everything?” Madon asked in a tortured voice.
“Roses, chocolates and a lot of groveling would be a good start. No, you haven’t ruined it,” I said. I turned to Radek and pointed at him. “You better be taking notes, mister. This applies to you too.”
“I can do that,” Madon said, looking up hopefully.
“What were you thinking, asking her like that?” I asked in exasperation.
“I wasn’t thinking. Maybe it was the alcohol or the fight last night. I don’t know.” Madon shrugged. At least he looked a little guilty.
I sighed, “Why do I have this urge to smack you upside the head? Fine, I’ll give you that none of us were thinking clearly last night. Start with the flowers and an apology.” My headache was getting worse. I rubbed my forehead and drank some of the rich coffee. It did make me feel better.
I really didn’t know why I was upset with Radek. I was wishing painkillers worked with my system, but they didn’t. Sometimes it sucked to be a shifter. “Now I’ve got a killer hangover and I feel disgusting. I’m going home for a long soak in the tub. Can you manage to stay out of trouble until the meeting tonight?”
“Yes.” Madon looked sufficiently contrite.
“Good. Come on Radek, you can take me home now,” I said and went out the door without pausing.
Radek was right on my heels. I tossed him the keys and got in the passenger seat. It hit me then that I really didn’t have a home to go to. I’d been staying with Dante the last few days. He wouldn’t be awake, but I didn’t really want to go there right now. That was where my stuff was though. I sighed. Today just sucked, I thought. I rubbed my head again. There was no way I was going to cry. Assassins don’t cry.
“That bad, huh?” Radek asked as he settled into the driver’s seat.
“I just realized I don’t have anywhere for you to take me.” For some reason saying it out loud made it all come crashing down on me. The tears started to run down my cheeks and I looked away. I felt his thumb brush them off my cheek.
“Don’t fret. I’ll take care of everything.” He started to drive.
I just stared out the window and drank my coffee, not really caring where he was taking me. We pulled into Dante’s driveway. I was about to get out when he put an arm out to stop me.
“Just stay here. I’ll be right back,” he said gently. I complied, not really caring about anything. I was numb. He was back in a few minutes, carrying my bag. He put it in the trunk and we were off again.
“How much do you remember of last night?” he glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.
“Not much, really. I don’t remember leaving the club,” I admitted. “What happened?”
“Nothing. You passed out in the car.” His voice was soft and comforting.
Oh, so what did that mean? I thought. I had to ask, “So we didn’t?”
He smiled at me. “No, we didn’t.”
“Then how?” I wasn’t able to come up with the words – my brain wasn’t working right.
“You didn’t want to be in those nasty clothes, as you put it. You were really adamant about it. You passed out as soon as I undressed you.”
I blushed. “I guess I’m sorry for yelling at you.”
“Why were you mad at me? If I may inquire,” he asked cautiously.
“I’m still not sure,” I admitted. He raised one of his perfect eyebrows at me and I felt like a heel. “In my defense, I’ve had a rough couple of weeks.”
“I know. Don’t worry, I have thick skin.” He smiled at me.
I was beginning to hate that smile. It did funny things to me. He pulled into a house I only recognized from this morning.
“Hey, where are we anyway?” I changed the subject.
“This is my place when I’m in the area. Father lives a few streets north.”
“Oh,” was all I said when I couldn’t think of anything else.
“Come on in.”
I hadn’t really had a chance to look around this morning. I’d been too upset and in a big hurry. It was an older farm house. Well kept, but nothing special. He took my bag up the stairs to the main bedroom. I looked around as I followed. The other bedroom had been turned into an office of sorts. I snapped out of it when I heard the water running. He had gone into the bathroom with my bag. I could smell my bubble bath a moment later. I went in there. He didn’t just have a bathtub, but one of those Jacuzzi ones. I looked at it longingly.
“I grabbed some of your books from by your bed. You should have everything you need. Relax and come on out when you‘re done.”
I didn’t know what to say. “Thank you.” I looked up at him as he paused at the door. He had that look that I couldn’t decipher again. He was being so nice. It did something to me. I was warm on the inside, not aware that I had been cold.
“Just let me know if you need anything.” He turned to leave.
I grabbed his arm and he stopped to look down at me with a questioning look in his eyes. I didn’t think about it. I grabbed him by the neck and pulled him down to kiss him. His lips were soft against mine. He opened his mouth and deepened the kiss. I don’t know how long we stood there like that, but it seemed like the whole world had stopped. He slowly pulled back. I was breathing hard and so was he.
“Take your bath. I’ll be around.” He kissed the tip of my nose and left.
My skin was tingling. Maybe I needed a cold shower instead, but I laughed at that idea. The bubble bath looked so inviting. I dug through my bag and came out with a hair tie. I quickly threw off my clothes, put my hair up and sank into the inviting warm water. I couldn’t stop the sigh that escaped me. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew Radek was knocking on the door.
“Are you okay in there?” he was asking.
I yawned, the water was cold. “Yeah, fell asleep sorry.” I stood up and shivered. I was going to need a hot shower now. That gave me an idea. I walked to the door a
nd opened it, dripping water everywhere as I went.
“Oh good, you’ve been in there a while. I just wanted to make sure.” He stopped talking when I opened the door. His face froze.
“I’m cold,” I said as I pulled him in the bathroom and into another of those scorching kisses. As I kissed him, I walked backwards to the shower.
He pulled back for a second. “Nat, are you sure?” he asked, breathing hard.
I kissed him again in answer. That was all he needed. He reached behind me to turn on the shower. I stripped him of his clothes. Soon we were both naked and under the warm water.
* * *
Hours later, just as it started to get dark, I woke up feeling better than I had in days. It was almost time for the meeting so we quickly dressed. We were picking Carly up so we took his SUV. She seemed much better as well when she got in the car. Coffee was the next order of business. It looked like we were the last ones there, I noticed when we pulled in. We came into the conference room with drinks for everyone. Well, everyone that didn’t drink blood.
Val said, “I’m glad you are looking happy. Thank you for leaving them in one piece.”
I glanced around the room at Madon, Gregory, Carly, Dante, Val, and Radek. It was quite a group.
“All right you guys, settle down,” Val said. Everyone took seats. “We may have won the battle the other night, but not the war. We lost some good people and others were injured. Unfortunately, I have recently discovered that by participating in that incident, you all have been added to a hit list. I have people trying to track down both Louis and Andrei. We believe that they are still somewhere in the area. That means that everyone in this room is in danger. I don’t want any of you alone.”
“Who do you think they’ll go after first?” Dante asked.
“My guess would be Natalya. I believe that she and I are at the top of that list. Sorry.” Val looked at me in apology.
“I figured. That isn’t anything new.” I shrugged. “And I say bring it on, fang face.”
Radek rolled his eyes and Dante laughed.
“I think everyone needs to hear why though. We can’t protect you if everyone doesn’t know the story.”
Joy, I thought. Madon, Carly and Gregory all looked at me. Val was giving me the option of telling them myself, or having him do it. What a choice, I thought. “Will the shortened version work?” I cringed thinking of the full version.
“Of course,” Val gave me a reassuring smile.
I felt Radek’s hand on my thigh. Dante shifted a little closer to me as well. They were letting me know that they were there for me. I did feel a little better with that knowledge.
“Fine. I’m not sure how it happened, but when I was a cub, I ended up in Andrei’s care. He did this mind control thing to me.”
Gregory nodded his understanding, but Madon and Carly looked confused. “You can ask the vamps for the details on that. Anyway, it allowed him to control my actions. He couldn’t read my mind, but could control what I did. He raised me as an assassin for his own gain. Long story short, he did something to really piss me off. Made me kill someone I didn’t want to. So I went searching for a way to break his hold. I was able to obtain something that would work temporarily. He sent me to kill Val, and that was the perfect time for me to try it out. It kind of worked. It wiped my memory and broke the connection. That was until he found me here last week. Then Dante broke it for good a few days ago, returning my memory. Now Andrei is really, really pissed at me, to say the least.” I paused and looked at Val. “Is that good enough Val?”
“That will do. As for my part in this, when Andrei was turned, he was married with a child. I didn’t know that at the time and fell in love with his woman, Mircea. She chose me over him and so he hates me.” He glanced at Dante and Radek before continuing. “Dante is his son and Radek is the son that I had with Mircea. It’s not common knowledge that these two are half-brothers. Andrei slaughtered their mother when they were children. He wants me dead almost as much as, if not more than Natalya. He wouldn’t mind taking out at least Radek as well. I’m still not sure if he wants to kill you or not, Dante. I can’t figure out why he didn’t take the opportunity to kill you when he was given the chance.”
“That’s true. It’s something to look into,” Dante said thoughtfully.
“Now the rest of you would be collateral damage to him. I don’t think you’re directly targeted, but we can never be too careful. Since he knows that you were with us, that puts your lives in danger as well. He might use any of you to get to one of us. We do have information that Louis might be working with a group of humans. That hasn’t been verified, but be on the lookout.”
“What do you propose we do?” Madon asked. He was back to being the alpha that I knew.
I smiled.
“Nothing for now. I’m offering you Gregory and Madon, and you too Carly, a chance to be in on the hunt.” Val looked at each of them.
“I’m in,” Carly said. That earned her a stern look from Madon. She just raised an eyebrow at him in challenge. I silently congratulated her. He sighed after glancing at me. Maybe he was learning.
“You don’t even have to ask,” Madon added, still looking at Carly.
“I want to finish this as well. After all, I have a stake in this too,” Gregory said.
Madon looked at him questioningly. Gregory looked to Dante who just shrugged. Then he said, “Dante is the one that made me.”
“Now that’s interesting. We’re all connected in some way. For those in this room that don’t know, Val here is the one that raised my pa from a pup,” Madon revealed.
It all seemed to fall into place. Val had taken all of us in at some point in time. Gregory didn’t have to say it because I’d seen it. Dante had taken him straight to Val after he had been turned. Val had helped Dante keep him alive. Everyone in this room owed Val their life. No wonder he had been elected Council Head and the director of the PIB. Probably half of the non-human population owed him their lives.
That would also explain why Andrei was targeting them. He knew Val would give his life for them. I really hoped he came after me first. I had a feeling that now that I wasn’t under his control, I could take him. I’d been trained extensively on how to kill vampires.
“Yes, that’s right. I’m still not sure who gave me more trouble: you, your father or Radek,” Val said with a laugh.
I snorted at that. Radek and Madon both glared at me. I was betting on Radek. Carly and I shared a smile.
“Great, they’re bonding,” Radek whispered to Madon, motioning to Carly and me.
Val cleared his throat to keep our attention. “Anyway, back to the matter at hand. I don’t want any of you alone from now on. I realize that Gregory and Madon have a seethe and a pack to take care of. I’m offering you our assistance in any way you deem necessary.”
“Thank you. I will accept. Any of you are more than welcome to stay with me.” Gregory was actually beginning to grow on me a little. When he was around Dante and Val, he dropped that pretentious vampire act.
“My place is available as well,” Madon added.
“I was hoping you would say that. Carly, I think its best that you stay with your alpha. Madon, would you have room for both Natalya and Radek?” Val seemed to have already thought this all out.
“Of course. It would be my pleasure,” Madon said.
Carly was looking at me. I just shrugged. I was beginning to wonder if Val was trying his hand at a little matchmaking. I couldn’t be sure though.
“Gregory, if you wouldn’t mind Dante and I staying with you, that would be most appreciated,” Val continued.
I was wondering what he was up to. I didn’t know how I knew, but I knew something else was going on. He wasn’t sharing.
“It would be my honor, Valdimir,” Gregory responded, nodding his head respectfully toward Val.
“Very well, let’s get everyone all settled in. I should be receiving a briefing soon on the possible whereabouts and actio
ns of Louis and Andrei. I’ll let you know if there’s any change. Thank you all for coming. I would like to talk to Carly and Natalya alone for a moment before you all head out.”
Dante laughed as he went out the door with Gregory. I wasn’t sure what he was laughing about, so I couldn’t decide if I should be mad or not. Madon and Radek dragged their feet as they left. This was the only soundproof room in the building, so when the door closed behind them, we knew they couldn’t hear the conversation.
“I want you girls to watch those two. Don’t let them get away with anything.” Val was sure acting strangely.
“Do you actually think we would let them, Val? I think they’re more afraid of what we would do together.” I studied him, trying to figure out what to ask.
“I’m a little worried about that myself. Just don’t drive them too crazy,” he laughed. “Radek may be my son, and Madon might as well be too, but you two are like daughters to me. I don’t want to see either of you hurt, even by them.”
“Val, don’t worry. We can take care of ourselves, right Carly?” I didn’t really like how he was sounding. It was almost like he wasn’t going to be around anymore.
“Yes sir, we have each other. Nat has a real knack for keeping them in line,” Carly added with a smirk.
“That she does. And Carly dear, you can call me Val like the rest of them. I don’t like being called sir by family,” he said gently. He pulled her into a hug. “Welcome to our little family, by the way. I hope you lead Madon on a merry little chase.” He kissed the top of her head. Yes, something was very off here.
“Thanks,” she said.
Then Val grabbed me into a bear hug. “Now you, my girl, have got to stay out of trouble. It seems to just follow you around. I barely held Radek back last night. You did well, by the way. I’m very proud of you. Now you stay safe and don’t let my boys annoy you too much.” He kissed my cheek and released me.
He walked out the door, leaving it open. I glared at his back. Madon and Radek were just on the other side, leaning against the wall. They both waited as we followed Val out.
“Well, what did he want with you?” Radek asked.
Seizing Darkness (Fur, Fangs, and Fairies) Page 24
