“So, because you’re afraid, I’m supposed to just sit here and twiddle my thumbs?” Her hurt was so entrenched there was no convincing her that all I wanted to do was keep her safe.
“Don’t put words in my mouth, sweetheart.”
That only seemed to anger her more. “Don’t treat me like I’m somehow lesser. There’s a reason why Julian wanted to possess me. He recognized the strength from being a dual predator. Why can’t you?”
Her using our enemy against me was the last straw. “You’re not coming. If you won’t listen to me as your mate, then you’ll obey me as your Alpha.”
“Is that an order?” she retorted.
“Do I really need it to be?” Our argument had escalated so quickly, both our tempers boiling over. Moving away from the bed, I crossed the room to where she stood, her arms folded across her chest. “You keep accusing me of not understanding. Is your own pride so important that you can’t see why your coming is a bad idea?”
“Yes, because I think you’re wrong.”
Her declaration hung in the air, momentarily leaving me speechless. She was dead certain, too. This wasn’t about being rebellious or insolent. Darcy fully believed I was acting unjustly, and I couldn’t blame her.
I was. I was being selfish and overprotective. Even though I knew she could take care of herself, it didn’t matter. There was nothing she could say to convince me otherwise.
“Sweetheart.”
“Don’t sweetheart me. This isn’t right, Mason, and you know it.”
Suddenly, I didn’t want to talk or argue. I wanted it to be how it used to be, when words were easier to say and fear didn’t dictate every decision. Pulling her into my arms, I held on tight, not letting go as she struggled against me. “I can’t lose you, too,” I whispered. “Hate me if you have to. Call me a bastard if that helps. But I can’t lose you, Darcy. I can’t.”
Everything I felt rushed through our connection without filter or censor. The fight drained from her body and she returned my embrace. “Okay,” she murmured, her face buried into my chest.
“Let me be irrational in this. I’m sorry if you don’t understand, but there’s a very real chance Julian will be waiting for us at Thorne’s. The idea of you being anywhere near him . . .”
Gently placing her finger over my lips, all fire and indignation was gone from her eyes. “I’ll stay. I’m sorry I pushed so hard. I should’ve known why.”
“I wish I could say come.”
“Me, too, but I understand.” Replacing her finger with her mouth, there was a sweetness to her kiss that caused something in my gut to uncoil.
“Besides, I need you to watch over Daniel, to make sure the Pack is okay while I’m gone.” She might not need me to justify my request, but I gave the reasons to her, anyway.
“I just want this to be over, Mason. It’s driving me crazy with the constant danger we’re placed in. Just when I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel, it turns out to be another corner and we’re thrown into darkness, again.”
“Hopefully going to Thorne’s will put an end to all this,” I replied, wanting it to be true.
“And if it doesn’t?” She’d asked the one question I didn’t know the answer to. Releasing a tired sigh, she stared up at me. “It’s okay. I’m not sure, either.”
“I love you, Darcy O’Connor.” It was all I had to offer.
“I know; and I love you, too. We’ll figure this out.” When she failed to stifle her yawn, I realized just how taxing our argument had been. “I guess we better pack some clothes to take with you. I can’t believe we spent all this time fighting when we could’ve been doing other things.” By other things, I knew she meant locked in our room having a proper, more intimate, goodbye.
It was on the tip of my tongue to suggest I still had twenty minutes before I needed to meet the others downstairs. Instead, she beat me to it.
Giving Daniel one more look as Darcy lead us to the door and back to our bedroom, I silently renewed my vow.
Julian’s reign of terror would come to an end.
He wouldn’t be returning from Louisiana alive.
Chapter Eighteen
Darcy
“So this is what it feels like.”
We’d been sitting in silence so long that Vlad’s random comment made me jump, the papers I’d been holding fluttering back onto the table. “Huh?” I asked, distractedly.
It only made him grin wider. “This feeling. I always wondered what it would be like to be the babysitter for a change. Usually I’m the one Devlin’s asking someone to keep an eye on.”
Rolling my eyes, I replied, “Oh, bite me.”
“Do you kiss your husband with that mouth?” He gasped, merriment twinkling in his eyes. “I’m starting to think that with language like that, my poor virgin ears will start bleeding. They’ll start calling you the Corrupter of Innocence, soon.”
“You are far from being innocent, Vlad,” I scoffed, picking the papers up again, only to let them fall. “Please tell me you’re as bored as I am. These reports are turning my brain into mush!”
“Oh, thank goodness. I thought it was just me,” he admitted, letting out an exuberant sigh of relief as he sagged into his chair.
“Why didn’t you say something?” I laughed.
“Because I’m trying to be a good example. Ever since Mason left for Louisiana, you’ve acted like a woman possessed.” When I glared at him, he flushed with embarrassment. “What? Too soon?”
It was way too early for jokes on that subject, no matter how casual. I’d only recently recovered from Amber invading my body, and Daniel still lay upstairs in a magical stasis. “What do you think?”
“Sorry, poor choice of words. What I meant was, the way you’ve devoured all the new reports regarding Julian and Helena, it’s like you want to singlehandedly lead the crusade against them.”
“You don’t think you’re over exaggerating just a little?”
“When’s the last time you ate or slept?” he asked pointedly.
“You’re right, you’re not my babysitter.” What I didn’t add was I knew he was right. The moment Mason left with everyone and I watched their vehicle drive away, something had switched inside my head. It was almost as if I needed to prove to myself that I could still be helpful.
“I’m family, Darcy. I get why this is all so important to you, but you’re important to me. Don’t make me pull the senior vamp card.”
“Senior what?” I laughed. I swear I never knew what might come out of his mouth at any given time.
“See, this is why you need me,” he answered with a patronizing tone. “Senior Vamp Card. It’s where newbies have to listen to the wisdom of their elders.”
“I hate to break it to you, but we’re practically the same age. In fact, I think I’m a little older than you by a few years.”
Judging from the look Vlad gave me, I must have said the most stupid, insane thing, ever. “I can’t believe you just said that. Honey, I was born in 1953. I was turned when I was twenty-four so that was . . .” He quickly counted in his head. “1977 was when I became a vampire. I may look younger than you, but I’m still older.”
It was funny how often I forgot all that. “But does that make you wiser?” I teased back, grinning when he pouted. “Anyway, this Vamp card. Is it actually something you carry around in your wallet waiting for the perfect time to pull it out and flash it? Can I see it? Ooh, is it laminated?”
“You know what? Forget it. Here I was, simply looking out for you, and you throw a Devlin.”
For a split second I felt bad for taking the joke too far. That was until he brought Devlin up. “Did you seriously just say ‘throw a Devlin’?”
Vlad’s face lit up as he smiled sheepishly. “Yeah. It seemed fitting.”
Leaning back in my chair, I let out a loud groan. “I don’t mean to be a bitch. It’s not your fault I’m annoyed. I keep reading over the same facts, hoping something will jump off the page; but all its doing
is giving me a headache.”
“And turning you into a whiney brat.”
“And into a whiney brat,” I agreed. “Ugh, I sound absolutely bonkers! I never used to be like this. It’s like the stronger I need to be, the more I feel as though I’m falling apart.” Vlad sat on his side of the table, nodding sympathetically. “Maybe I should go for a run or something. That always helps me feel more like myself.”
“Or maybe you need to be actively helping with the investigations. You know, more than sitting in this room with boring paperwork.” Zane’s voice announced his arrival. “While I believe I hold the ultimate Senior Vamp card, I trust you don’t need to see it, Darcy?”
Vlad’s face turned a mottled shade of red.
“I know Mason said I could help while he was gone, somehow I don’t think that meant I should leave the mansion.” When Zane cocked his eyebrow at my response, it was my turn to blush. “I know. I fought with him to go and now I’m saying no to being useful.”
“It’s not my place to judge. Only to tease a little.”
“Do you have something in mind?” Vlad asked, having recovered from his mortification. “While I’m enjoying quality time with Darcy, I kind of miss being out there.” He had the decency to lower his gaze when I looked at him.
“Our resources are stretched a little thin at the moment. With a group of Enforcers traveling with Mason and Devlin, we’ve experienced an increase of incidences here. Some are minor, but quite a few have demanded we send small patrols to investigate. While I’m reluctant to send either of you out tonight, I’ll leave the decision to you both. Although . . .” Zane turned to Vlad. “This particular assignment is well suited to you.”
Vlad was clearly intrigued. “I’m in. What do you need?”
Smiling, I could tell Vlad’s enthusiasm pleased his king. “I’ll explain the details and you can choose whether to join Vlad, Darcy. Okay?” When I nodded, he continued. “We just received a call from Violet at Club Suck. She claims there’s a woman there who has information about where Julian’s been hiding.”
Violet was an Enforcer who worked undercover at the local club that celebrated all things vampire and supernatural. The name was incredibly cheesy, but humans flocked there each night to indulge in their fantasies, some even going as far as masquerading as the blood sucking undead.
While I’d never gone to Club Suck, I was right in assuming Vlad had. “Did Vi say anything else?”
Zane shook his head. “Only that she was hesitant to break her cover. She was surprised when the female approached her and spoke so openly. If the lead doesn’t pan out, it won’t jeopardize her position. You simply compel the human to forget and return home.”
“Will it just be me and Vlad?” I asked, noticing how they both looked at me.
“If you choose to join him, I will ask Karl Manning to meet you there. Because there are so many humans there, it would strengthen our new alliance to include him—show the detective we are willing to cooperate.”
That made me breathe a little easier. “I think as long as we use the appropriate safety measures, Mason will be fine with this, as well.” The last thing I wanted to do was go off, determined to show I could handle myself, and prove the exact opposite.
“If, at any time, you feel unsafe, leave. The same goes for you, Vlad. Violet knows to step in and reveal her true identity if the situation escalates out of control,” Zane added, frankly.
“Do you think that’s going to happen?” Butterflies fluttered in my stomach.
“Honestly? It’s hard to tell. I’m curious about how this human knows of Julian and to ask for an Enforcer via the club. But my counsel remains to exercise caution. I’m almost tempted to come myself.”
The idea horrified Vlad. “No offense, but hell no. I have a hard enough time dealing with the crap from just being myself. I’d never live it down if you were attacked on my watch!”
Vlad definitely amused Zane. “Well, I can’t have that on my conscience, then. I guess I’ll just stick to reading over boring paperwork.” Standing up, his message passed on, I knew he had other matters to take care of.
“We’ll let you know as soon as we find anything out,” I promised, excited to finally being doing something.
“Thank you. I appreciate that. Please don’t take any unnecessary risks. I don’t want the wrath of your mate. Once was enough.” Bowing respectfully, Zane left the room.
I let out a loud whoop of delight. “I know it’s probably nothing, but still . . . I’ve never been to the vampire club before. Let’s get going.” Eager to put as much distance between me and the reports I’d been reading, I was at the door in the blink of an eye. It wasn’t until Vlad cleared his throat that I realized he wasn’t following.
“We’re going nowhere until we’ve changed our clothes.”
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” While it wasn’t some shimmering dress or flashy designer outfit, I still looked decent in my jeans and shirt—decent enough to fit in at a club.
“Oh, Darcy, you have so much to learn.” He had the nerve to shake his head like he couldn’t believe he had to explain himself. “Just because we’re going to Club Suck on business, doesn’t mean we can’t arrive in style.”
There was something in the way he said ‘style’ that scared me. For some reason, the image of body glitter and ruffled collars came to mind.
“Seriously?”
You’d have thought I’d sprouted two heads. “Don’t you know? When it comes to fashion, I’m always serious.”
Heaven help me.
****
Staring at the reflection in the mirror behind the variety of different shaped alcohol bottles, I had to admit—Vlad certainly knew how to put an outfit together.
The black leather corset top he’d tossed to me when he’d dragged me into his room had all but made my mouth gape open. I’d never worn anything as revealing. With blood red laces crisscrossing over my chest, the tightness of the top gave me more cleavage than even I thought possible. Pairing it with soft leather pants he also miraculously had in his closet, I almost wanted to ask him how long he’d been waiting to play dress-up with me.
While I’d felt it was a little over-the-top for the assignment, Vlad assured me it was all about blending in.
“Everyone will be dressed this way, Darcy. Trust me.” Adjusting the cravat around his neck, he gave himself one last glance before flashing a little fang. “Besides, you look sexy-as-hell. Let that mate of yours realize what a mistake he made in leaving you home alone with me.”
He was right. After nervously letting Mason know our plans, he hadn’t had time to complain before piercing-hot desire shot through our connection. He very much liked the image I sent him—emphasizing the way my body curved in all the right places.
I might’ve gone too far, however, when a series of curses and threats followed—Mason’s very descriptive imagination explaining exactly what would happen if anyone dared to look longer than necessary.
It made me feel desirable.
But here I was, all dressed up, and simply bored.
“Is that bloodlust I’m sensing?” A deep baritone voice whispered in my ear. “Or is that just lust.”
We’d only been there thirty minutes, waiting to see if the informant would come forward, and I’d already been hit on five times. I tried declining politely, not wanting to offend what might be a genuine attempt to connect with the opposite sex. But based solely on the sickly, over-powering cologne that clogged my nose, number six was about to strike out, hard. It was everything I could do not to gag.
“Now, come on, beautiful. I promise not to impale you . . . with a stake.” His hot breath fanned across my skin. He thought he was being smooth—flattering even. For a split second, I wondered whether he’d pee his pants if he knew exactly who I was—what I was.
“I wouldn’t waste your time,” I quietly answered, finally turning to look at him. It was just as I thought. Mr. Rico Suave all but dripped sleaze from hi
s pores. “In fact, let me make a suggestion—kinda do you a favor. Go home. Learn how to talk to a lady.”
The ‘come hither’ look he’d failed to master disappeared when he realized that not only had he been refused, but that I’d also insulted him. “Listen, bitch, I don’t bust my ass all day at a boring job just to have some skank think she’s better than me.” When his posture changed to a more threatening one, it triggered my wolf.
“Hello, my friend,” Vlad said, squeezing the jerk’s shoulder hard enough to make him wince, despite his false bravado. “You need to excuse my cousin, here. She gets a little cranky when she hasn’t had enough blood.” Biting at the air, his hands formed into claws and he held the pose before bursting into laughter, the guy instantly joining in.
“Cool, man. I hear you. There are plenty other chicks who are worthy of the V-Man.” Casting me a derisive glare, he smirked.
“V-Man?” Vlad asked, his expression curious.
“Oh, yeah.” The guy extended his hand in introduction. “The name’s Vlad. As in Vlad the Impaler.”
If I had been drinking, I would’ve choked. “Vlad?”
The fool snorted. “Too late, love. You refused. It’s not every woman who can say she rode the Vlad train.” The more he spoke, the more my cousin’s body shook with barely contained mirth.
“Yet, somehow, I think I’ll live with my regret. Enjoy your evening.” Saluting him with my ice water, once again, I dismissed him.
“You need to teach your cousin some manners, bro.” Vlad, or whoever the hell he was, frowned. “Wait, you didn’t tell me your name.”
“I know.” Gripping his shoulder again, the only Vlad that mattered nodded. “I’d move on if I were you.” There must’ve been a brush of compulsion in his comment because the guy’s eyes glazed over and then he was gone.
“Holy cow!” I exclaimed, letting out a loud breath.
“Exactly. I was worried if I didn’t interrupt the conversation, you would’ve broken every bone in the hand he touched you with.”
Last Wolf Standing (#7, The Mystic Wolves) Page 18
