Bait

by Kasi Blake

Nick crossed the land between Van’s private estate and the school, a condemned man on his way to the electric chair with eyes downcast and a heavy heart. After five hours of lifting weights and sparring with Mike he’d gone inside to change his clothes. One of the servants had handed him a note the second his foot breached the doorway. It was from Bay-Lee, an invitation to a private dinner. The two of them needed to talk, the note said, but this felt too much like a date to him. He’d tried to arrange a public meeting with her. She’d sent him a second note, refusing. It was dinner or nothing.

  He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and walked faster over the rough terrain, determined to reach his destination before he changed his mind. The nagging inner voice that warned him of danger screamed louder with each step. If he was smart, he’d turn around now. He lifted his gaze and was surprised to find himself at the door.

  Nick hurried inside, going straight to the cafeteria. Somehow Bay-Lee had managed to get the cook to close it for a private dinner, just the two of them. Not a difficult feat when you considered her last name. He paused just outside the room. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  He froze.

  Bay-Lee stood beside the only table with a lacey cloth covering it. There was a lit red candle in the center surrounded by flowers, china and crystal from Van Helsing’s private collection, and red linen napkins. The food smelled delicious. His gaze settled on Bay-Lee after visually taking in everything else. She looked beautiful in a shimmering gold mini-dress drenched in rhinestones and black knee-high boots. Her hair flowed around her shoulders in silky tangled waves.

  “Candlelight? Seriously?” He shook his head, stomach muscles tightening. “There is no way you and I are going to get together. Not now. Not ever. Stop wasting your time chasing after me.”

  “Get over yourself.” She laughed, a lovely sound that rivaled the most beautiful music he’d ever heard. Lifting a champagne glass filled with what appeared to be root beer, brown liquid with a foamy head, she said, “The candle was not my idea. The cook did it, said something about ambiance. I only want you for your mentoring skills.”

  He scoffed. “Her lips say no, but her eyes say hell yes.”

  “This is strictly business.”

  “Then why are you wearing that dress?”

  She slid a finger around the rim of her glass. Glancing at him from beneath lowered lashes in demure fashion, a look that didn’t fit her strong personality, she said, “I know all about Tyler Beck. There’s tons of information online about him, but what about Nick Gallos? He’s a mystery. Tell me about him.”

  “He’s someone no one wants to know, especially not you.”

  Sadness filled her gaze and her finger froze on the glass. “Why especially not me? Just tell me and get it over with because I will find out. I’m like Van in that way. You can’t hide stuff from me.”

  Nick sank into the chair, ready to surrender. There wasn’t any point in lying anymore, but he couldn’t bring himself to say the words. “Ask your father, or ask one of the other students. I’m not going to be the one to tell you, so stop asking me about it.”

  “Fine.”

  “And stop coming onto me. You and me... not gonna happen.”

  She smiled a harmless little smile. “We’re only attracted to each other because we’re so much alike, you know. I can tell you’ve lost the most important person in this world to you and I’m not talking about your alter-ego. I know what it’s like to lose someone you love.”

  And she did. It was obvious, a deep-set pain in her eyes. Why hadn’t he noticed it before? Reluctantly he asked, “Who did you lose?”

  “My mom.”

  Nick cleared his throat while contemplating how he was going to approach this sensitive area. For years he’d been curious about Bay-Lee’s mother. Van refused to talk about past loves. As far as Nick knew there wasn’t a single photograph of the woman in the castle. Sometimes he wondered if their union had been arranged, a marriage of convenience. “What was she like, your mother?”

  A smile lit up Bay-Lee’s face. “Happy. She was always singing and laughing and dancing. There was a big studio next to our house, and she taught ballet to small children there. They played with me before their moms picked them up each afternoon.”

  “You have a dancer’s body.”

  She blushed.

  “What happened to her?” Nick asked.

  Bay-Lee lost her smile. “She died when I was five, and I really don’t want to talk about it. What about your mom?” she asked, turning the invisible gun on him. “You told me she tried to kill you. Did you mean in the literal sense? Did she actually try to murder you or was she just neglectful or mean or something?”

  Painful memories surfaced. Nick bit the inside of his cheek until it hurt more than the memories. Part of him believed Bay-Lee deserved the truth, but he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t put it into words. He snapped at her instead. “None of your business.”

  She made a face. “That’s not fair. I told you about my mom. Answer the question, jerk.”

  There it was again, the fiery passion flashing in her eyes. It sent a shiver through him. He gave in, unable to deny her anything at this point. Without relaying too much information he said, “Both of my parents voted to have me killed.”

  “Voted?” Bay-Lee blinked. “I don’t get it.”

  “Good. Drop it. Let’s talk about something else.”

  “What? And don’t say hunting. It has to be something personal.”

  He drank some of his root beer before asking, “Why are you pushing this, and why are we having dinner alone?”

  “Because I want to get to know you like normal people do in the outside world. They communicate, find mutual interests and build friendships. Van always told me you can’t fight beside someone you don’t trust and trust doesn’t come easy for me. I get the feeling you’re the same way. So tell me something personal about yourself.”

  After a moment’s hesitation he said, “I’ve been with a lot of women, a lot of older women.”

  Rolling her dark eyes, she said, “That isn’t a fact about you. It’s about Tyler.”

  Amusement turned up the corners of his mouth and he teased, “We are the same person, he and I, in case you didn’t know.” He gestured to her necklace. “That’s beautiful. Where did you get it?”

  “Stop changing the subject.” One hand went to the heart-shaped locket as if she was guarding it from thieves. “Tell me something personal about Nick Gallos and I’ll leave you alone.”

  “You are like a dog on the scent of a rabbit.” He tapped his fork against his plate before finally picking a verbal treat for her. “I do yoga and meditate each morning, first thing. That’s why I’m not at the workouts with everyone else.”

  “Hmm.” She wiped her mouth on a napkin. “I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years. You don’t seem the meditation type.”

  “Van got me involved in it when I was a kid. I was in trouble a lot while growing up, couldn’t control my temper. Big surprise, huh? I probably got into a fight at least once a week, so Van taught me meditation and yoga. He told me a strong warrior is in control of his mind, spirit, and body at all times.”

  She spoke behind a hand since her mouth had food in it. “Sounds like him.”

  “What has he taught you?”

  “Before a fight I imagine myself on a boat, drifting at sea.”

  Nick frowned. “Why?”

  “It’s relaxing. Van taught me to envision a happy place where nothing could get me. He taught me when I was about seven and I was having nightmares about my mother’s death. It worked. I found peace and was able to sleep the night through without bad dreams. So when I grew up I started using it to relax me in other situations.”

  “Like before a fight.”

  “Exactly.” She smiled, and his heart melted.

  They were interrupted
then, just when it was getting interesting. Gavin Murdoch poked his head in and waved at her. She jumped to her feet. “I’ve got to go.” She blew the candle out while holding her hair back on one side. “I promised Gavin we could spend some time together, get to know each other better. So you see I am not falling for you. The dress is for my real date, not for you.”

  The bottom dropped out of his stomach, but he tried to look relieved. “Glad to hear it. Just… watch out for Gavin. He’s not worthy of you.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “I will see you bright and early tomorrow morning for a private workout. We’re going to spar.”

  “Whatever you say… Tyler.”

  He smirked. “Goodnight, Micki.”

  Tension kept his shoulders and back painfully rigid. He watched Bay-Lee walk out with Gavin, arm in arm. The thought of them together made him physically ill. Two sides of his brain fought, the logical against the emotional. It was better for him if she fell for Gavin, but he wanted her for himself. He closed his eyes for a moment and cursed the prophecy. Other people were allowed to love who they wanted to love. Why did he have to be different? Why was he cursed?