by Grosso, Kym
When he’d turned eighteen, Luca’s father had secured a guard position for him. A few years into the position, he was stationed to guard the factory where Eliza’s mother had worked. One day, he’d caught Eliza sneaking in food for her mother, but hadn’t had the heart to turn her into the authorities. Instead, he’d courted her every chance he got at her farm stand in the market, where she sold fresh honey and wool.
Using his influence within the marines, he’d worked hard to secure a ‘ticket of leave’ for her mother, ensuring her freedom as long as she stayed out of trouble. Within months, Luca and Eliza fell very much in love, and she agreed to marry him. Then one night on their way home from dinner, a drunken group of soldiers had cornered them in an alley. They’d taunted Luca and Eliza, as they expressed interest in sexually assaulting her. While Luca was a trained guard, he was outnumbered five to one. In a brutal fight, he’d lost consciousness as a bottle smashed upon the back of his head.
Luca had woken in his parents’ home to find that Eliza had been raped and killed. His legs had been broken and his skull fractured, but somehow he’d survived the attack. During the months he’d spent under his mother’s care, convalescing, Luca was despondent, determined to leave Australia. He’d grown up in the brutal colony watching soldiers punish convicts. Sometimes they were beaten, humiliated or hanged for the smallest infraction. He’d planned to leave someday with Eliza and take them back to London where they’d escape the constant stress associated with forging the path to civilization in the settlement. After her murder, he’d had nothing: no love, no desire to live, and no faith in humanity.
As soon as he could walk again, he’d spent his savings on a passage back to Mother England. Upon arrival Luca immediately ‘took the King’s shilling’, and enlisted as a soldier for the War of 1812. Because of his experience as a guard and his father’s service in the marines, he entered as an officer.
Hopeless and wrathful, Luca had wanted to kill and looked forward to each battle, seeing the face of Eliza’s murderers in every opponent. There would never be enough blood shed to satisfy his need for vengeance against a faceless nameless enemy who’d never seen the shore of Australia. But it hadn’t mattered to Luca. He’d heard that Eliza’s true murderers had been hanged. However it would never be enough to quench his rage and the burning loss he’d experienced. Battle after battle, he’d fought with the utmost intensity, earning the respect of his fellow officers. One fateful night, however, it was his blood that had been shed.
On January 8, 1815, Luca had pushed out with his unit into the darkness of night as the fog clouded his vision. As chaos erupted in the field along the Mississippi, Luca had fallen to the ground in a barrage of musket fire, as had many other officers of the British army.
The next day, as he was saying his last prayers, a stranger had happened upon him. Sensing his impending death, Kade had offered him immortality in exchange for his loyalty. Luca, no stranger to adventure, had accepted his proposal and thus began his life as vampire.
Luca shook his thoughts free of his troubled past. Eliza was merely a distant memory, albeit an everlasting reminder of how fragile mortality was. Since turning vampire, he’d pledged his loyalty and friendship to Kade. Over the years, they’d done almost everything together including fighting, feeding and fucking. Yes, they’d shared quite a few women over the years, but those days were over now that Kade was getting married. And while Luca was glad of Kade’s new-found happiness, he had no plans to follow in his friend’s footsteps.
No, he’d been perfectly content over the past two hundred years with his non-committed sexual escapades. The closest he’d ever come to commitment was with women he’d considered to be ‘friends with benefits’, long before the saying was popular. He was devastatingly handsome, so finding women who’d throw a night of passion his way was never an issue. If they acted as though they were in love, he could just enthrall them to think otherwise.
As vampire, he was as physically strong as anyone could be, yet emotionally he’d never be strong. The death of Eliza had brought him to his knees, and he’d never forgive or forget what humans could do. Nor would he forget how it felt to have his heart ripped from his chest, to lose someone he loved with all his heart. He’d rather stake himself than go through the pain of loving and losing a mate again.
Whatever he was feeling for Samantha needed to be squelched. The seed that had been planted inside his heart had to be crushed and the best way he knew to do that was to find another woman who could sate his needs for blood and sex. Perhaps then, he’d lose interest in the red-headed witch seated next to him.
CHAPTER SIX
Samantha startled as she woke; driving rain and booming thunder seemed to shake the large SUV as it sped down Broad Street. She looked over to Luca, who was distracted by the city traffic. How long had she been sleeping? If they were in center city, it must’ve been for hours, she thought. Sitting up and combing her hand through her dried frizzy curls, she tried to get a bearing on where she was. “Hey, Luca, where are we? South Philadelphia?” She’d answered her own question.
“Uh huh, we’re goin’ to Tristan’s club, Eden. It’s only three in the afternoon, so we should be able to get showered and have something to eat before leaving. The plane is cleared to take off at nine tonight, so we have a few hours to wait. I was hoping to leave earlier but they had to make some minor repairs to the jet,” he replied, glancing towards her. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. You?”
She licked her lips, and Luca tried not to notice. He grew hard with arousal, dreaming that her soft pink lips were wrapped around a particular part of him. He shifted in his seat. Damn, even after nearly dying in a fire, the woman looked sexy.
“I’m vampire. As soon as I get a little blood, I’ll be more than fine,” Luca grumbled.
Samantha wondered what was making him so irritable, and assumed he was hungry. She had honestly never given a thought that he might need food or that she was considered a part of his food chain. Samantha pushed the thought to the back of her mind, knowing that regardless of her qualification as a meal, he’d never hurt her. And she needed his help to find whoever was after her so she could get her life back in order.
“I’m hungry too. And I smell like a fine combination of smoke and lake water.” She crinkled her nose in disgust.
As they pulled into a driveway, she noticed they had driven into a subterranean garage. After going down two levels, Luca pulled the car into a large parking spot next to a set of elevators.
“This is it. Let’s go,” he ordered as he turned off the car and got out. “Listen, this is a club for paranormals and humans. It’s pretty much a meat market in there.” He didn’t want to sugarcoat the situation. He also didn’t want her getting hit on or going off with strangers. “So when you go with me into the open part of the club, stay close to me. Or stay with Tristan. You never know who might be around. Not to mention someone just tried to turn us into French fries.”
“Yum. Fries,” she joked. She couldn’t stop thinking of food. She’d only eaten an apple all day. “I really am hungry.” She smiled up at him, hoping she could sway his foul mood.
Seeing her smile at him melted his anger, and he lifted the corners of his mouth in a wry smile. “Okay, hungry girl. Let’s see if we can go get cleaned up and find you something to eat.”
He flipped up a security pad located near the doors and punched in a code. The elevator opened, and he placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her into a small, mahogany-lined lift. Samantha felt a flip in her stomach and couldn’t decide if it was from going up so quickly or from Luca’s touch on her back. Following the commotion over the scorched cabin, she’d forgotten the desire she’d felt while kissing Luca in the lake. She blushed, thinking of how he’d tasted her mouth and caressed her breasts. She grew aroused at the thought of taking it further, touching his naked body once again, feeling him inside of her. She tried shaking the thought, knowing this wasn’t a good time to r
esume what they’d been doing. They hadn’t even spoken about what had happened between them, and she wasn’t sure if it was such a good idea to talk about it here, at Tristan’s.
Luca’s eyes flashed red and then back to green, sensing her thoughts. Scenting her arousal was hard to ignore in the tiny, private elevator. He balled his fists and then stretched his hands, as he caught a glimpse of her hard nipples poking through her exercise top. He considered kissing her against the wall but was prevented by the ding of the doors opening.
“Finally,” he muttered and strode across the room, hoping that putting some distance between them would help temper his rock hard erection that was begging to be set free.
“Where are we?” Samantha asked as she walked into a royal-blue room furnished with a large cherry desk and a black leather sofa. Very rich and masculine, she thought to herself as she admired a spectacular bronze wolf sculpture on the fireplace mantle. It was delicately balanced on a black marble base. Samantha recalled Tristan in his wolf form, black fur with amber eyes.
Luca walked over to a large wooden door and opened it. Pointing across the room, he addressed Samantha. “We’re in Tristan’s private office. Listen, there’s a shower over there across the room. Go ahead and shower, and I’ll send someone up with a fresh change of clothes once I talk to Tristan. After you’re done getting dressed, come downstairs. Just follow the long hallway out towards the staircase, and you’ll be downstairs.”
“What about you? Where are you going to shower?” Samantha was hoping for a repeat performance of today. She’d love to see the strength of him that she’d only felt in the slippery cool water.
“There’s a men’s locker room downstairs. I’ll shower there. See you at the bar.” He waved and shut the door. Luca took a deep breath and blew it out. For a long minute, he’d been ready to take her in the elevator and now she was asking about the shower. She was fucking killing him. Shit. Looks like I’ll be having a cold shower.
Samantha watched Luca leave with a puzzled look on her face. She knew what she’d felt in the lake had been real chemistry. But now Luca seemed like he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. She knew she shouldn’t trust a vampire, but she felt safe with Luca. Lying back in his arms in the lake felt like the first time she’d relaxed for weeks. He was so strong yet gentle. They’d talked like old friends but felt like new lovers. She’d never experienced such a passionate kiss in her life. Sure she’d had a few lovers, but no one that had evoked such a fiery, passionate reaction in her. And certainly no man had kissed her with such fury, naked beneath azure waters.
Samantha poked her head into the bathroom and found it surprisingly clean for a bachelor’s. She looked on the shelf and saw herbal shampoo but hoped for a razor and if she got lucky, a toothbrush. She pulled open the vanity drawer: condoms, a single toothbrush, straight edged razor and deodorant. This bathroom definitely belonged to a man, she mused. Opening the second drawer, she found a stash of disposable pink razors and new toothbrushes. A ladies’ man’s bathroom, she corrected herself silently and laughed.
After taking the most delightful shower in a strange bathroom, Samantha dried herself with a clean towel. She heard a door open, and butterflies danced in her stomach. Luca had returned. She checked her face and rushed out with the towel wrapped around her.
“Hello there.” A stunning, tall female held up clothing with a smile. “It’s okay, Samantha. I’m Kat, Tristan’s sister. Tris said you could use some clothes, so here I am,” she chirped.
Samantha walked over to her, extending her hand. “Hi Kat, I’m Samantha. I really appreciate you bringing me something to wear.” She was disappointed Luca hadn’t returned for her but hid her feelings from the stranger.
Kat shook her hand and placed the clothes on the desk. “I brought you a choice: yoga pants or sundress. Tris said you were a petite little thing, and he’s right. I co-own a shop a few blocks over, Hair and Heels. We’re a beauty salon and spa but also sell clothes and accessories. I’m pretty sure both will fit. So what do ya think?” She put her hands on her hips, waiting for a response. Kat played with the red sundress, holding it up to herself by the spaghetti straps.
Kat was naturally beautiful; an exotic woman with long auburn hair and deep brown eyes. Even though Tristan had platinum blonde hair, he and Kat had the same intense eyes and straight nose. Samantha wouldn’t have known they were siblings if she hadn’t been told, but now saw a slight resemblance.
“Since I’ve been in yoga pants all day, I guess the sundress will work. But I don’t have any shoes except sneakers,” Samantha answered.
“No problem. I’ve got some flip-flops in my bag,” she added, smiling.
“Thanks so much. I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to help us.” Samantha used the word ‘us’ as if she and Luca were a couple, even though a more accurate description would have been traveling companions, or friends due to circumstances.
“Like I said, not a problem at all. A friend of Tristan’s is a friend of mine. We take care of each other. Especially us girls,” she winked.
Oddly, Samantha felt at ease with the lovely woman and wondered if she was a wolf like Tristan. She smiled at Kat. “Well, thanks again.” She waited on her to leave.
“Come on now, Samantha. Don’t be shy. Lord knows, us wolves aren’t. I’m staying; at least until I make sure the dress fits you. I’ve gotta get back to the shop soon, but I’ve got time for a bit of a chat,” she said, plopping herself in the overstuffed leather sofa.
Samantha never thought of herself as shy, but she didn’t know the woman in front of her from Adam. But she really didn’t have much choice, given that Kat wasn’t moving. Deciding to go with the flow, she stripped off her towel and pulled the cotton sundress over her head. Looking down and feeling around to make sure it wasn’t too tight she smiled over at Kat. “It’s lovely,” Samantha declared, running her hands down her sides. “Thanks again.”
“No problem.” Kat came over and stood in front of Samantha, admiring the smooth fabric and the fit of the dress. “Looks great on you. That plastic bag over there has the flip-flops in it and a pair of undies. Good thing the dress has a shelf built into it ‘cause I don’t sell bras. Well, I better get going.”
Samantha waved as Kat opened the door. “Thanks again, Kat. I actually live in Philly too. Maybe when I get back, I’ll look you up,” she offered.
Kat just smiled and waved back as she shut the door.
Samantha walked back into the bathroom and began to comb out her wet hair. Thinking about her conversation with Kat, Samantha felt quite relieved to have a normal conversation with a human-looking woman…even if she really was a wolf. She smiled to herself wondering if all wolves were as friendly as Tristan and Kat. Taking once last glance at herself in the mirror, Samantha felt satisfied with her attractive new dress. Clean and clothed, she was refreshed and ready to go downstairs; she wanted to find Luca and get something to eat.
Shaved and showered, Luca walked into the main club room and sat at the bar. From behind it, Tristan faced the wall and reaching up, grabbed a bottle of Martell Cognac off the top shelf and two glasses, and set them on the brass bar.
“So, long day, huh?” Tristan asked. He poured two fingers into each snifter. Even though it was four in the afternoon, happy hour started early in Eden on a Friday night. Patrons were already starting to pour through the front entrance, but no one had come to the far end of the bar yet.
“Yeah, you could say that. Someone torched the cabin and left our witch a little message. Something about a periapt.” Luca took a long draw of his drink. “It was written in bat’s blood. Real bat’s blood. But I didn’t scent any supernaturals so it must have been a puppet. Haven’t told Samantha yet.”
“A periapt, huh? Could be for anything, but what does this one do and why would someone want it so badly and why would Samantha have it?” Tristan mused.
“And those, my friend, are all very good questions I’ve asked myself. Perhaps
Ilsbeth can help us. I don’t know. To be honest, I really just need to feed right now and maybe fuck. This whole situation’s wearing on me, and I need to blow off some steam, before I get onto that plane and head down to New Orleans.” He tapped nervously on the edge of his glass.
“Yeah, about that…” Tristan hesitated and looked up at his sister. She bounded down the stairs toward them, silently signaling to Tristan to be quiet, obviously wanting to surprise Luca.
Luca spied a female refection in Tristan’s eyes. Immediately recognizing her scent, he spun on his bar seat and held out his arms. “Kat!”
Kat jumped into his arms as he spun her about as if she weighed nothing. “Luca, baby!” she cooed. “I’m so glad to see you. I can’t believe you’re here. I’ve only got maybe twenty minutes ‘til my next appointment, but I’ve been looking to go down to visit ya. ”
Things were about to get interesting. Luca and Kat had met years ago when Kade’s ex-lover had kidnapped and tortured her in the mid-eighteen hundreds. Luca had been there that day to rescue her and bring her back to Tristan. As the years passed, Luca and Kat had had their fair share of romantic moments, but it was always free and easy; neither of them was looking for commitment.
As they hugged tightly, Kat kissed him on the cheek, and pulled away, leaving her arm around his waist.
“You knew she was here?” Luca questioned Tristan.
“Yes I did. And you know, if you’re going to New Orleans tonight, I’ve been thinking maybe you could take Kat with you,” Tristan suggested.
Luca looked at Kat and then back to Tristan. “What’s up?”
Kat looked at her shoes, not wanting to recount what was happening.
Tristan’s eyes narrowed. “Kat, here, has an unwanted suitor. And it’s none other than Jax Chandler, the Alpha from New York. Now, he’s been told that he can’t have her, but he’s not one to take no for an answer. I don’t want anything happening to her.”
