Dangerous Retaliation (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 4)

by Kelley, Morgan

  “Yes,” he said weakly.

  “You’re now responsible for ten vampyres, their mates, their children, and their survival. You’ll have to harbor them, fight for them, kill for them, and make money for them. I go off into the daylight and suffer in pain to run a successful practice. I work with the police when they would kill us if they found out what we were. I put in HUNDREDS of years of working to build our coffers and offer the loyal family a comfortable life. I’ve even DIED for them. Don’t forget to add that to your list of new duties.”

  Her mates each wrapped an arm around her waist, joining them together.

  “You may take what you can fit in one bag. The cars stay. They were bought by me, and they will stay here with me. I’ll sell them and give the money to the loyal family members.”

  He looked sick.

  “It appears you’ll now have to start as I did--with nothing but a guardian and some startup money. Let me assure you that the money you get to begin your society with will be the same amount I had when I became primus.”

  “You can’t do this,” he whispered, his lower lip quivering.

  “Jacques, my love, what’s a fair amount? What did we have when we started this family?”

  “Less than two hundred dollars.”

  Balzac gasped. “That won’t buy us a home.”

  She didn't care, but there were children. “Flynn? What should we do?”

  He nuzzled her cheek before grinning at Balzac. His fangs were peeking out, reminding the vampyre that he could hold his own. “I say give him enough for two months’ rent. They’ll at least have a roof over their head. He can find a job in the meantime.”

  Balzac looked downright sick. He’d never worked a day in his life. “Mistress, please.”

  “No. You’ve crossed a line in your quest to be in charge. It’s not all fun and games, and this is the best lesson I can teach you.”

  “Mistress, I’ve served you for centuries,” he said, trying to get back on her good side.

  “Yes, and Mathew has served me for weeks, and do you know what, Balzac? He wouldn’t dare challenge me because he knows who is primus. That is something you seem to keep forgetting.”

  “Mistress,” he started.

  She pointed at the door. “OUT! You’re no longer welcome here. I’ll have cash sent to your private account, Balzac, and that’s the last you’ll hear from me. Go rule your own kingdom.”

  “Where will we go?” he whined.

  Jolie laughed. “You should have thought about all that before you went behind my back. Let that be a lesson. Now, OUT!”

  When the family cleared out, they were left standing there alone. Flynn grabbed her and kissed her. His mouth devoured hers, as his big hands held her possessively to his body. When he set her free, Jacques did the same, only with more finesse.

  “Wow,” she said, staring back and forth at them when they were done. “That was hot.”

  Both men laughed.

  “Not as big a turn on as you booting that asshole out of our house,” stated Flynn. “This is like an engagement present.”

  Jacques snorted. “I can’t wait to see what she gives us for the wedding.”

  Jolie pulled them into her body, and immediately, they wrapped around her. She knew there’d never be a wedding, but it was a sweet thought.

  “I wish it was all fun and games.”

  “Mathew?” Flynn asked.

  She nodded.

  “You know, in a way, he was right,” Flynn admitted.

  “Yes, I know. Now I have to go try and patch him back up again.”

  “Want us to go too?” Jacques asked.

  Jolie shook her head. “I’ll handle this, and then meet you back in our quarters. I think I can find a solution.”

  Then something else occurred to her. “My loves?”

  “Jolie?” they said together.

  “Thank you for standing by my decision.”

  It was the least they could do. She was, after all, their primus.

  When she was gone, Flynn grinned. “Long live our queen.”

  ∞ Chapter Thirty-One ∞

  Arriving at Mathew’s door, Jolie noticed it was ajar, so she slowly pushed it open. She wasn’t quite sure what she was going to find, but she needed to face the situation.

  After all, it was her job.

  Mathew was sitting beside the bed, his beat up jacket and backpack already on. It was what he brought with him from Delina’s house--his only worldly goods.

  Apparently, he was heading out.

  Her heart broke.

  She’d remembered sitting in that exact position so many times before as she waited for Goethe to open the cage door. It was meant to protect one’s self, from any type of assault.

  This was going to be tough.

  “Mistress,” he said, watching her approach. He was well aware the inevitable was going to happen. The family pressured her into forcing him out, and he couldn’t blame them. Only a lunatic would give a damaged shell of a creature a chance. They were right.

  He’d failed her.

  Suddenly, he felt like prey. She was about to toss him to the wolves, and he was helpless to stop it. He wouldn’t even beg. Why bother?

  She was primus, and the family had spoken.

  He would make it easier for her. He would just make the decision and go.

  Jolie could feel his fear. She could also hear all the painful thoughts racing through his mind. He actually believed she wouldn’t stand up for him.

  That he wasn’t worthy.

  That he was a failure.

  Mathew didn't trust her.

  Jolie’s heart broke even more. Their poor Mathew was now damaged by the acts of another.

  It was time to fix this.

  Dropping down beside him, she spoke, “I see that you’ve packed,” she said softly.

  “Yes, Mistress.”

  “Where will you go?” she inquired, hearing the pain in his voice. It overwhelmed her to the point she wanted to weep for him. He’d never had a family. He never knew that when you were in one, they stuck by you until the bitter end.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll survive. I can blend in pretty well,” he said. “Maybe I can find a place with the underground societies.”

  Jolie was horrified. “I see,” she said, placing her hand on his leg. When he flinched, she wanted to kill Balzac. The underground rogue vampyres would use him as food and a means of sex until they tossed him away so he could die--alone. The thought of her Mathew on his own and scared made the tears fill her eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Mistress. I never wanted you to get hurt. I’m a poor excuse for a guardian. You deserve someone who can protect you. It should be a vampyre who is brave and heroic like Jacques or Flynn. Please tell them thank you from me, and that I’ll cherish their training and friendship.” He pulled out the sunglasses Flynn had once shared with him. He wasn’t sure if he should give them back or treasure them.

  Jolie watched him with great pain in her heart.

  He held the little token in his hand so reverently. She had no doubt that it was the first and only gift anyone had ever given him.

  Jolie wanted to weep.

  “Thank you for everything you gave me.”

  Jolie had to do something. At that point, she doubted being rational would help. It was time to play dirty.

  It was time to save Mathew from himself.

  “You’re welcome, but please know, Mathew, that I won’t be taking on a new guardian,” she admitted.

  “What? You need a one! You’re pregnant with the masters’ children!”

  Jolie shrugged. “I have a guardian, but he’s leaving me, so I don’t want to get hurt again by picking another. Why open your heart, only to have it broken again?” she said, trying to sound casual.

  Mathew just sat there, unsure what to do next. This wasn’t what he expected. He really believed she was coming to drop the ax on his time there.

  “I’m sorry that you wish to leave Mathew. I’ll mis
s you,” she said, ready to push to her feet. “I’ll go tell my mates that you’re quitting on them too. They failed in teaching you, and I’m sure they’ll never want to train another vampyre again.”

  If this didn't work, nothing would.

  “I don’t want to leave! I love it here,” he whispered. “But Balzac said the family wants me to go! You’re here to send me away.” Mathew stared at her with such fear.

  “Ah, yes, Balzac. Well, it seems the mistress and her mates, took offense to the little stunt he pulled today. They made a choice, and they’ve forced him to pack up and take everyone who voted against you with him.”

  “Take them where?”

  “They’ve been excommunicated from the Harcourte family. They’re gone. I don’t really care where, do you?”

  He couldn’t believe this.

  “You sent them all away?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  He stared in shock. “But I don’t understand. You sent away members of a family, who’ve been with you for years, before kicking me out? I’ve only been with you for weeks.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  He sat there slack jawed, unsure what to say.

  “I see it was useless, since you’re planning to leave me anyway. If I would have known you weren’t willing to stay and fight to be at my side, I would have rethought that move. Now it seems silly,” she admitted, as she stared down at him.

  “But…”

  “I must have misjudged you, Mathew. I thought you pledged your allegiance to us,” she stated sadly, shaking her head.

  “Mistress, I don’t want to leave.”

  “Then why are you all packed, Mathew?” she inquired, pointing at his beat up backpack.

  “I didn’t want you to have to choose. I was willing to walk away, so that the family wouldn’t pressure you to make a choice. You carry too much on your shoulders as it is.”

  Jolie knew she was getting through. “Mathew, I’ll fight to the death for those I love, and I would never turn my back on you--ever. Not even if challenged by the vampyres in our home.”

  Mathew wasn’t sure this was real. It didn't feel possible to him. Someone was choosing him first.

  “What?” she asked.

  “So, I don’t have to leave?”

  “It’s your decision, Mathew. It’ll always be your choice. I can’t force you to stay, but I know Jacques and Flynn feel the same way,” she offered.

  “I don’t want to leave you,” he admitted softly. “You’re the only mother I have.”

  His words touched her.

  “Then stay with us.”

  “Could it be that simple, Mistress?”

  “Jolie,” she corrected, “and yes, it can be.”

  Hope returned. “I vow to serve you and the masters for as long as I live. I won’t ever leave your side, Jolie. When you have your children, I’ll serve them if you hand over the family.”

  She was touched. “Promise, Mathew? If I make you mine, I don’t want to earn a broken heart.”

  He stared into her violet eyes. “I promise. You’ve given me everything. I can live now.”

  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and together, they just sat.

  Mathew was thrilled.

  He’d been saved.

  Found.

  And given a family.

  Today was a day he’d never forget.

  He was home.

  * * * H a r c o u r t e * * *

  Demetre paced outside the council, furious that they wouldn’t help him fight for his child.

  They wouldn’t even consider it.

  It was exactly as she had told him--the child belonged to the family--not him. There would be no interference.

  He knew it was all bullshit. He could tell that they feared her and Death. They thought her unstoppable.

  He was sunk.

  Heading back to his car, he had a choice to make. Stay and suffer, or leave and suffer without his child.

  It seemed so insurmountable.

  Then, he realized there could be only one choice. He would steal his child away, and disappear. She’d never find him. He’d never sworn a blood oath to any of them, so he was untraceable.

  It was perfect.

  The air shifted with power. Someone was there. While his powers began to lessen each day from losing his mate, he still knew he wasn’t alone.

  “Wait,” said the voice.

  Demetre spun around to find a male vampyre in front of him. “Who are you?”

  “Someone who can help you get your child back. I can also guarantee an escape from her tyranny, if that’s what you want.”

  It was a miracle.

  “Why do you want to help me?”

  Patrick shrugged. “My mistress wishes to offer you help. She heard your story and is willing to help, but on one condition.”

  “And that is?”

  “Anonymity. If Jolie Harcourte finds out, she’ll be hunted down. You know how your mistress is.”

  He was well aware.

  “And that’s all this will cost me?”

  He smiled. “Absolutely.”

  Demetre was thrilled.

  Patrick rolled his eyes as he contacted her. Humans were not the sharpest blade in the drawer, now were they?

  This had been way too easy…

  * * * H a r c o u r t e * * *

  Wednesday

  Mid-Day

  He hated being pulled from a really hot dream.

  Just seconds before, a sexy vampyre was about to make his eyes roll back into his head, and his toes curl. Flynn had been about to score with Jolie while he slept, and now it was over.

  Instead, he was waking hard and needy.

  “Vanth, what the hell?” he asked, opening his eyes. “This better be important.”

  “Zola is outside the house.”

  Okay, that was pretty high up on the ‘wake me’ list.

  Flynn was up and out of bed. “I’ll go out. You wake them, and make sure she’s safe. Don’t let her follow. Do you hear me?”

  She already had her orders to keep Jolie safe. “Yes, Master.”

  Yanking on his jeans and boots, he grabbed his gun from beneath his pillow.

  As soon as he hit the door, he heard it slam and lock behind him.

  Vanth didn't hesitate. She woke Jolie’s other mate.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, sensing Flynn gone, as the demoness was waking them.

  The shit had to be hitting the fan.

  “Zola is outside the house. Master Flynn just went out to bring her in--dead.”

  He felt sick.

  “This is probably a trap.”

  Jacques shoved energy into Jolie’s body. When she opened her eyes smiling, it soon faded away. “Oh, God…where’s Flynn?”

  They told her everything.

  “We can’t let him do this alone,” she stated. “If anything happens to him,” she began, but couldn’t finish.

  Jacques was already dressed. His face said it all--he was going off to battle.

  “I’m going.”

  “No, you’re not,” he ordered.

  Jolie just stared openmouthed as he stormed from the room, ready to protect them.

  “What the hell was that?” asked Jolie, staring at Vanth.

  “I believe, Jolie, that was your mate putting his foot down.”

  Yeah, she was aware.

  “What’s happening?” she asked, praying Flynn was okay.

  Vanth scanned. “She’s leaving the area. Flynn is relatively close to where she was. Zola must have panicked and decided to leave.”

  This made her sick.

  They were prey to some twisted vampyre.

  When Flynn returned, she rushed to him. “I swear you’re going to be the death of me,” she stated.

  He hugged her to his body. “Thank you for listening. I could hunt her without having to worry.”

  Jacques was right behind his mate. “Yes, thank you.”

  Jolie pulled him toward her too. Th
ey circled her body, acting like sexy man armor. While she was irritated at being bossed around, she knew both men could be effective guardians. They knew best when it came to this.

  “Did you see her?” she asked.

  Flynn shook his head. “No, but I could feel her. She was close to the house, either scoping it out or getting ready to make her move.”

  Jacques agreed. “Thank you for coming to us the minute you felt her,” he directed toward their demoness.

  Vanth nodded. “I figured you’d want to handle it.” She began walking away, and when she turned, Chloe’s eyes were back. “Mistress, do you want to feed?”

  “No thank you,” she offered. “I’m having caveman tonight.”

  Brogan snorted. “That sounds all kinky.”

  She punched him and didn't pull it.

  “Shit! Jolie! That half of me was human.”

  It broke the ice.

  Jolie wasn’t pissed any more. Flynn had that irritating skill. He could lighten any mood.

  Before she could speak, there was another knock at the door. This time, Tommy peeked around the corner. “Is every gorgeous woman dressed, or am I too late?” he teased.

  Flynn growled.

  “Man! You used to have a sense of humor about the babes.”

  “That was until you starting picking up the women I’ve slept with.”

  Jolie hit him again.

  “Okay! Shit! I get it! Pregnant angry woman.”

  “I really hate to bother you three,” Tommy said, changing the subject, “but I was just up on the third floor, and I saw something that wasn’t right. I was going to come wake up Flynn.”

  Jolie was concerned. “What is it, Tommy?”

  “I was upstairs to check on Camille and Cari, and I saw Demetre. I thought he left.”

  “What?” asked Flynn. “When?”

  “Just a few minutes ago. He didn't look all that well. He was all sweaty and in a haze. I thought you should know.”

  That’s all it took.

  They raced for the stairs.

  Jolie’s mates kept her behind them, just in case. If Demetre was upstairs, he’d be gunning for the woman who stood between him and his child.