Bloody Ties

by Claire Marta

  The bastard has the balls to turn his nose up at me. “Lucas Chevalier. I must say Mr. Rochester, I am not a man who likes to be thrust over a thousand miles from my home.

  I prefer my peace and quiet. My animity.”

  “Understood.” I drop my hand. I can feel the tension in the room. I’m not a man to be fucked with. It seems Lucas fucking Chevalier missed the memo.

  “Tell me, why am I here? I would have thought sending Dominic in to represent my coven would be enough. Or Argo and Malcolm even. They know enough about my family to handle the job.”

  “Yes, well we were under the impression we were doing business with the Purdy family, not the Chevalier.”

  “What I would like to know is how you even heard that name in the first place.”

  “We have a mutual friend.”

  “Do we now?”

  “Indeed.” I motion for the guard to open the door.

  Anthony leads Ava into the room. “Seem familiar? You don’t have to act all high and mighty here, Lucas. We’re all friends. Or did you not believe your grandsons when they told you we had her?”

  “One can never be too careful. There are too many horrible people in this world. You would know something about that, wouldn’t you? I’ve heard you’ve made yourself quite the enemy.”

  “Which one? Our father, or hers?” I hold my hand out and Ava takes it.

  If I didn’t have one hundred percent control everyone in this room would see my surprise.

  Though I am pleased she is following along, it will make this game easier.

  “Your granddaughter has proven to be a very valuable asset. She’s under our protection.”

  “That is unnecessary. My family is more than capable of taking care of her.”

  “Really? So where were you the past twenty-five years? Where were you when Jonathan Carr was literally torturing her? Did you forget your only daughter so easily that you never thought to look if she had a child?”

  Energy crackles in the air. Lucas is an old fucker. Not as old as Lucius is, so it’s not as impactful as it could be. But strong enough that the hair on the back of my neck stands up.

  An arrogant smile crosses my lips. He’s showing his hand too soon and playing right into mine.

  I do love it when a plan goes exactly as expected.

  “We want to be allies, friends. We’re not here for a war. Ava is under our protection, and if she wishes, my brothers will gain a new sister soon.” Her name on my tongue feels wrong. So used to calling her princess, even if it’s derogatory.

  “Friends you say. As if I could believe that. You would be more likely to stab me in my back.”

  Releasing Ava I step around the desk so I’m toe to toe with the older man. “Oh, Lucas, didn’t you do your homework? I’m more of a stab you in the front type of person. Much more personal that way.

  If I’m going to kill you, I want you to know exactly who’s twisting the knife.”

  “My grandsons has taken to your cause. Why I have no clue. This child,” he flicks his hand at Ava, “seems to feel safe hiding behind your brothers.” If I trusted the fucker I would turn to see what he’s talking about.

  Despite the room being full of allies I know better than to turn my back on a vamp who hasn’t made any commitment to me.

  “I can’t say I’m happy having been forced out of hiding. However, I know I’d be a fool to turn you down.

  The infamous Rochester bastard. Arrogant, intelligent, family oriented, though I doubt you have a compassionate bone in your body.

  I won’t hinder your request for an alliance. After all, I sent Dominic, didn’t I?

  You will give me time with my granddaughter. And you will allow me to take her to Florida if that is her wish.”

  “I would never deny someone their free will. Ava is here because she knows it’s the safest for her. It’s her choice.”

  “It would be better if she stays close, even if she no longer wants to be in this house.” Oscar says.

  Lucas’s amber eyes snap to my brother. They narrow slightly and I itch to take a peek into his mind. However, I’m not stupid.

  “She’s under our protection, which means her body and her mind. I’ve been treating her. Not only her injuries, but her mental well being as well. As I’m sure you could understand, living in the conditions she was, with the things Jonathan Carr and his associates did, it affected her in many ways.

  I would like to continue to help her.”

  “I see.”

  No one says anything. It feels like we’re all holding our breath.

  “I need to meet with my grandsons and Dominic. I also need unlimited, unmonitored alone time with my granddaughter.”

  “Of course. You can use the room next to this one.”

  I signal Anthony to reopen the door. Lucas gives me one last cold look, then guides Ava into the room she was waiting in.

  Lucky for us, no one knows about the earpiece or just how open her mind is to us.

  Ava

  Lucas Chevalier is nothing like I was expecting. Unlike Grey and Magar, who genuinely seem warm, this male is cold. This is not the grandfather figure I had imagined him to be in my head.

  Amber eyes, darker than my own, survey me shrewdly. “You look like your mother.”

  Glancing towards the closed door we’ve entered through I clasp my hands together in front of me uneasily. I wish Damien hadn’t left us alone. This doesn’t feel right. If anything happens though I know they are only a space away, listening in on what’s being said.

  “My hair is a different colour.” I respond quietly.

  “Hmm, but your features...you could almost be sisters.” Leaning in close he brushes a lock of hair out of my face.

  “Why didn’t you search for her? When she went missing?” It’s a question that’s been bothering me for years. With all the power I now know they have, finding one of their own should have not been impossible.

  Lucas’s smile is tight as he continues to observe me. “Rachel and I had...a disagreement and she ran away. I thought she needed time to cool down. When we did search for her, after a few days, we discovered there had been an attack, by a rival coven, at the safe house where she had been staying. Everyone was massacred, the bodies burned. No survivors.”

  “So you just thought she was dead?” I can’t stop my growing unease.

  Ne pas avoir peur Ava

  My eyes widen as the voice I have heard several times before whispers into my head, telling me not to be frightened.

  It’s not Lucas. No, I can sense the presence I had felt before now invading the room. Stronger than before, as if he’s closer.

  “I tortured every single one responsible myself. I insured the story was true. We had no clue she had been snatched by Carr. If we had then we would have raided his mansion, slaughtered them all and taken her back.” Lucas tells me, his voice now low and savage. “We don’t let others keep us apart. No matter who they think they are.”

  He looks like the thoughts of murdering everyone is something he would enjoy.

  As he takes my hand to hold it I quell the urge to snatch it away.

  “You are strong mon petit, stronger than your cousins. Maybe as strong as Raimond...yes maybe more...I always knew you would be.” He continues as he begins to ramble. “It was such a shame to lose him. I thought after Mathew I would be done with bloodshed, but once you begin you find more blood on your hands, more people trying to oppose you.”

  His grip on my hand has turned bruising. As he squeezes I feel the bones inside my fingers begin to snap.

  “Who’s Raimond?” I asked through gritted teeth as I breath through the pain.

  Sheila wants this monster dead and the more I stay in his presence the more I can see why.

  Lucas’s eyes are brighter now, almost feverish. “My oldest son. Rachel’s favorite of her brothers. There was never a moment when they weren’t apart until the day he tried to take my place. Insolent boy said I was going mad. So I had to put
him down. She never forgave me...but you forgive me now don’t you, Rachel?”

  “I’m not Rachel.” Struggling I manage to get free.

  “No, no of course you’re not.” He soothes as whatever madness had gripped him passes. “But we are family and you must come back to Florida with us. That is your place. We can teach you how to use your power to the full potential.”

  Being with Magar and Grey is appealing but somehow I know it wouldn’t be peaceful under our grandfather’s rule.

  “I want to get to know my family, but I think it’s best if I stay here.”

  I feel safe with Damien. At least I know he’s not a raving lunatic. Is this why they have stayed hidden? Because of a delusional, bitter old man?

  “Rach...Ava, I don’t think it’s in your best interest to remain here.” Walking to the window Lucas glances out into the night. “You can’t trust these Rochester bastards. We’re your blood. Not them.”

  “I’ve already decided to marry Damien.” Saying the words out loud for the first time doesn’t seem completely real. But I need to starting think about the future. My choices don’t just affect me anymore.

  “I have not given permission for you to mate with him and I forbid it.”

  The change in his mood is so quick it takes me by surprise.

  “You will come home with us and I will decided what it best for you.”

  Ne lui fais pas confiance, il ment

  Even without the voice telling me not to trust Lucas I already smell the lie.

  “I choose what’s best for me, not you or anyone else.” Slowly I back towards the door. “This is my decision not someone else’s.”

  Vos cousins sont avec vous

  Whoever it is talking to me is on my side, along with Magar and Grey. Did they know this was coming? It’s a relief to know not all of my mother’s family are going to be my enemies.

  “I will not be parted from you again! What reason can you even have for wanting to stay with these filthy vermin?” Lucas spits.

  The madness is back in his eyes. Fixed on me with such malice it makes my skin crawl. Pressing a hand to my abdomen I cradle it protectively. It’s instinct. In that instant I don’t have any regrets about what I am about to do.

  He clocks the movement. Gaze latching onto me and then a sneer spreads across his face.

  “Whore.” He hisses. “Just like your mother.”

  Twisting the handle I fling open the door as he lunges at me with fangs bared.

  Damien

  We’re ready, when the door crashes into the wall and Ava rushes into the library everyone springs into action.

  Catching the princess I do a quick check and then pass her off to Argo. Bracing myself I don’t flinch when Lucas crashes into me. Pushing him into the waiting arms of Oscar and Malcolm I grab his throat.

  “You can’t kill me. You need me.” He snarls.

  “Did you really think we’d let you live? We might not have been able to get into your mind, but we know exactly who you are.”

  He bares his fangs, tries to fight us off, but the the door to the library slams open and my sister walks in.

  As if in a trance he goes completely still.

  “Hello, Lucas.” She says softly.

  “Sheila? Sheila Benson.” He breathes.

  “It’s Rochester now. And you almost hurt my new sister. As if what you’ve already done to me hasn’t been enough. You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this day, Lucas.”

  “Oh Sheila. Me too. Me too. I’m so sorry you had to witness that. Mathew was never good enough for you, you-” my sister hits him so hard I can hear the bones crack in his face.

  “Don’t you ever disrespect him again in my presence. You despicable waste of space. I should have killed you years ago.

  Lucky me that my brother has a thing for you granddaughter, isn’t it?”

  Sheila takes a few steps back. “Get everything Damien wouldn’t want broken out of my way, now!” She orders.

  Men scramble to push furniture against the walls.

  Once the middle of the room is cleared she says, “release him.” I check to find Ava protected by Magar, Grey, and Argo.

  With a nod I slowly ease up my grip on his throat. Oscar and Malcolm release him. We back up, I make sure I’m blocking Ava. She doesn’t need to see this shit.

  Everyone in this room is about to find out exactly why people—myself included—are scared shitless of Sheila.

  Samson and Shaun enter the room. “Oh look. It’s like a reunion of the fucking past. Too bad my dear ol’ brother is dead, huh?” Lucas laughs. The man has gone completely mad.

  Sheila removes a knife from her holster. “You stupid fuck.” She says, as calm as can be. She lets the knife fly, the blade embeds itself deep into Lucas’s shoulder. He cackles like a lunatic.

  “Oh sweetheart, you know I like to play dirty.”

  She doesn’t take the bait. “Tell me, Lucas. How did it feel to kill your brother? I’m curious if it felt like it fulfilled something inside you. Because I have to say, I used to consider you a brother, and now I’m about to kill you in front of your family. And I can tell you this, it’s going to feel so fucking satisfying.”

  She launches herself at Lucas. He falls to the hardwood floor. He tries to fight her off but he’s too gone in his own insanity.

  “You don’t fuck with a Benson. You used to know that you dumb fuck.” With a fistfull of tawny hair she slams his head into the floor.

  He somehow manages to roll her under him.

  Big mistake. If there’s one thing she knows it’s how to fight up from the bottom.

  Sheila goes completely still.

  She closes her eyes. Drops the knife she had in her hand. A sadistic smile crosses Lucas’s face.

  You’d think if he knew her once upon a time he would remember.

  Swooping the knife from her limp hand Lucas presses it against her neck. And it’s his fatal mistake.

  He goes completely still as she paralyzes him. With an effortless roll of her body she throws him off.

  “Pick him up.”

  Samson and Shaun do as they’re ordered.

  Sheila pulls out her thin blade. She cuts the crotch out of Lucas’s pants. “I don’t think you need this anymore.” She muses, holding his limp, pale, cock in her hand.

  With one swoop she cuts his dick off from the base. Blood rushes out of the wound and gathers on the floor. It’s probably going to stain the original hardwood.

  She stands there for a few moments, with what used to be Lucas’s cock in her hand. She seems to be debating something, but then thinks better of it as she throws the dick across the room.

  Lucas gasps and I know she unfroze him. “You fucking bitch!” He screams. “You’re going to pay for that!”

  “No, I’m not. But you’re going to pay for being a fucking murderer.”

  “Politics.” He spits. One hand covering his groin as Samson and Shaun let him go at Sheila’s nod.

  “Murder. A political man would know the difference. Now, either you can stand there like the pussy you are and let me kill you, or you can fight the inevitable.”

  Lucas screams and the tries to charge her, only to slip in the pool of his own blood.

  “Stupid man. A real politician would die with dignity.” She kicks him and he falls.

  Shaun hands her a thick hunting knife. One I’ve only seen her used once before. “Oh shit.” Phillip mutters. He also knows what’s coming.

  With her hand tangled in his hair, Sheila pulls Lucas’s head back. “Any last words?”

  “I love you, Sheila.”

  The words barely pass his lips before she’s slitting his throat. She doesn’t stop there though.

  She pulls his head down so the back of his neck is exposed. The blood pouring out of his neck makes a sick splattering sound as it hits the floor.

  With ease Sheila brings the knife down on the top of Lucas’s spine.

  It takes a few jerks. A few cuts
. A few sickening sounds.

  But soon enough his body is falling to the floor and Sheila stands holding his decapitated head.

  “Rest in peace, Mathew.” My sister says.

  And then something happens that I thought was physically impossible for her.

  She sobs.

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  Ava

  THE SOFT SOUND OF CRYING IS the only thing that can be heard in the room.

  Shielded behind Damien I can’t see a thing.

  Blood. It’s smell is unmistakable and I know from its strength that it’s a lot.

  Burrowing my hands into the back of Damien’s suit jacket I cling to the material for support. His heat washes over my skin, the touch giving me a small spark of reassurance. An anchor.

  Lucas is dead. I am more than certain of that from what I’ve heard.

  Everyone seems to be stunned or maybe it’s something more that I just can’t see.

  “Sheila,” Phillip’s voice is gentle. Footsteps break the quiet.

  “What the fuck is happening?” I whisper too frightened to raise my voice.

  “Grandfather is dead.” Magar tells me quietly. “Be glad you were spared watching justice being dealt.”

  “Someone will need to clean this mess up.” Damien announces as he moves away from my touch and clears my line of view.

  Crimson paints the floor red. Lucas’s corpse is lying in the centre of the slow growing puddle. His head is beside it, eyes wide and vacant.

  Pressing the back of my hand to my mouth I feel bile rise in my throat. It’s a savage death. Seeing what Sheila is capable of is terrifying. Especially as I know she would kill me just as quickly and brutally if she ever felt the need.

  “Are you all right, Ava? You’ve gone completely white.” Grey tells me, taking my arm.

  “No. I think I need some air.”

  Steering me back towards the room I’ve just come from Grey leads me to a chair just inside.

  “Sit here. Rest.”

  Without protest I sink grateful down into the seat. I’m still reeling from everything happening so quickly. My hand throbs where the bones inside were broken, but I can feel them already healing thanks to my recent feeds.