by Unknown
“Will you be joining your mistress on the floor?” he asked.
“I don’t intend to. I’m more the ‘protect the mistress’ kind of guy. Jacques is the dancer.”
“I see.”
Glancing over at his partner, Flynn tried to change the subject. “You look lovely, Lily.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles all the while keeping his eyes on her mate.
Lesson one was to never assume a vampyre wouldn’t attack. They were killers and if you let your guard down, you were a goner.
It befuddled Flynn that Malachi didn't even flinch when he touched her. That spoke volumes. If any man even came near Jolie, there’d be hell to pay.
“You’ll have to introduce us to them later, Detective. I look forward to meeting Jolie and getting to know her better,” he insisted before leading Lily to their table.
Yeah, Flynn had news for the vampyric letch. It wasn’t happening. He would rip off his own limbs first.
It was hard to not notice the predatorial look in Malachi’s eyes, and if he had anything to say about it, Jolie was staying far away from him.
Brogan wasn’t exactly fond of the man. Something about him set off alarms and made him… angry.
Returning to his job, he scanned the room. For now, he was preparing to mingle with the undead.
They had a killer to find.
Then again, he was standing in a room full of them.
Yeah, life was very ironic.
∞ ∞ ∞
Forty minutes, and what felt like ten waltz later, Brogan finally struck pay dirt. As he stood there, watching Jolie’s necklace sparkle in the ballroom light, he saw motion over her shoulder. When his eyes flickered toward it, he saw the man.
He was watching Jolie and Jacques too.
Moving around the outer edge of the dance floor, to keep the man in sight, he called for Jacques, getting his attention.
“Hey, Fred and Ginger! He just went outside into the garden.”
“We’re coming.”
When the music came to a stop, Jolie and Jacques clapped demurely. She kissed him on the cheek before weaving their cover story. “My love, I must go powder my nose. I promise that I’ll be right back.”
Jolie had an idea. Turning toward the mistress at their side, she got her attention. “It’s Isis, isn't it?”
“Yes, it is,” she replied, staring hungrily at Jacques.
Jolie apologized to her mate in his head. This was going to be a not so fun mission for him. “Could you tell me where the ladies’ room is?”
“Certainly, Mistress Jolie, it’s through the doors over there.”
“Thank you.” She winked at her mate, knowing he was about to be the bait for the woman. “I’ll be right back, mon amour.”
Jacques wasn’t pleased that he had to play boy toy for the other woman, but it was part of their cover. He only hoped his mates would be safe.
“Oh, don’t worry, Mistress Jolie. I’ll keep him entertained,” commented Mistress Isis, taking in the man standing there.
“Thank you. I won’t be long.” She headed toward the ladies’ room, calling for Flynn.
“I’ll meet you outside.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Be safe, Jolie,” reminded Jacques.
“Don’t let her paw you too much, mon amour, or I’ll hurt you both.”
Jacques’s laughter echoed in her mind even as disgust filled him. Dancing with any woman but Jolie wasn’t as pleasurable, yet he sucked it up.
They each had a job to do.
Jolie slipped past the powder room door, cognizant of Jacques twirling Mistress Isis around the dance floor. Everyone’s attention was back on him, and Jolie had to admit she was jealous as hell. The last thing she wanted to see was one of her men touching some other vampyre.
Outside, Jolie met Brogan, and they slipped through the night.
“We have to hurry,” she urged. “Jacques can only entertain them for so long, and that woman touching him pisses me off.”
Brogan grinned at her. “No worries, baby. The drycleaner will get the trashy vampyre smell out of his crushed velvet coat.”
Jolie slapped him, trying not to laugh.
“He went this way,” Brogan said, pointing.
Together, they moved through the shadows to find their prey. They were just clearing some of the thicker brush when they found him waiting by the duck pond.
Apparently, he knew they were after him.
Well, so much for sneaking up on the undead to end his existence.
“For an ancient vampyre, you’re predictable,” he said, staring at them.
Brogan wasn’t thrilled that his fangs and claws were out. That meant he was either ready to attack or have a snack.
Neither was a good option for them. Opening his tux jacket, he freed his holster, just in case.
Jolie spoke, “Then, you know why I’m here.”
“I saw you leave the Voodoo shop in the French Quarter. You’re easy to track, Mistress Jolie. One would think that someone so powerful would be harder to kill,” he mocked before turning toward the man. “You’re her besotted sidekick, the police detective assigned the child slayings. She should have brought the other vampyre to this fight. I’ll enjoy draining you dry.”
Brogan scanned the area. While he wanted to be worried, he knew what Jolie was capable of pulling off.
Or so he hoped.
“What is your name?” asked Jolie.
“Damien.”
“Why are you stealing human souls, Damien?” Jolie asked, knowing he was stalling. His help would be arriving shortly and that made her nervous. They needed to move fast.
He just laughed at her.
Jolie knew it was now or never, focusing all her energy on him, she lifted her hand and called him to her. At first, he didn't move, but then his face said it all as he crossed the distance.
“No! You can’t be this strong.”
Her laughter floated in the moonlight. It was melodious, calming, and yet deadly at the same time.
“Oh, I am, Damien. Now, let me read your mind,” she said, reaching out to touch his face. When she slipped effortlessly into his thoughts, everything she needed was right there. Jolie scanned through pictures of the other vampyres committing the murders. “Thank you for giving me the next two killers, Damien.”
“No!”
He tried to struggle but Jolie just increased the energy to hold him in place. She didn't have much time, since Jacques would usually mingle his power with hers to help them out.
Now, she needed to get it done.
Jolie held out her hand, and Brogan reached into his coat to retrieve a silver dagger.
“I’m sorry, Damien, but you’re going to die for what you’ve done.” Before he could say a word, Jolie drove the dagger into his chest. With a twist of her wrist, she destroyed his heart.
They watched as he fell backward into the pond with a splash. In the moonlight, blood tinted the water, making a sick stain across the white flowers.
“We can go, Flynn,” she said, handing him the dagger. “He’ll turn to ash and be gone shortly.”
Brogan took the dagger and wrapped it in a handkerchief before slipping it back into his tux jacket. Quickly and quietly, they made their way back to the ballroom where everyone was clapping for Jacques as he swung Isis around the dance floor.
Jolie grinned as he looked infinitely bored. It wasn’t missed that Isis beamed in excitement. Yeah, her poor Jacques had earned a few kisses tonight.
When the music came to a stop, Jacques bowed. He hoped to escape the mistress following him. Unfortunately, he wasn’t that lucky, and Isis didn’t get the hint. At the table, she touched his shoulder before pressing herself to his body to whisper in his ear.
“Care to take a walk with me out under the stars?” Isis asked, licking his earlobe lasciviously, as her hand roamed his ass.
He tensed, sensing his mate near. Obviously, Isis wanted to get herself killed.
For
that little stunt, he’d enjoy watching it.
Jolie didn't give Jacques the opportunity to answer. Oh, she trusted her mate, but not the vile female vampyre. The drycleaner might be getting blood out of his jacket too. “Yes, I imagine a walk under the stars would be lovely, Jacques,” answered Jolie. She enjoyed the way Isis’s head nearly spun off her shoulders when she looked over at her in surprise.
“Oh, Mistress Jolie, you’re back. I was just having a delightful time with Jacques.”
His face said otherwise.
“He’s such a treasure.” Isis ran her red nails down his chest, as if taunting Jolie to make the next move.
Well, she did.
Grabbing Isis’s wrist, she squeezed and there was the audible crunching of bones. Just as the vampyre appeared to be ready to begin the fight, Brogan stepped forward.
“I wouldn’t even try it, Isis. I am pretty sure Jolie can kick your ass, and if she couldn’t the silver bullets in my guns certainly will. So, I suggest that you decide fast,” added Brogan, pulling his tux open on one side to reveal his holster. “You aren’t the big dog in the yard anymore.”
She hissed at his words.
Yeah, so much for not making enemies.
Brogan stayed calm, even as they began drawing a crowd. If the woman thought he wouldn’t put a few bullets in her for upsetting Jolie, she was very wrong.
The woman bowed her head before backing away. “I apologize for crossing the line.”
“Accepted, but if I find your hands on either of my mates again, it won’t be pretty,” added Jolie.
“Yes, Mistress.” Isis moved back into the crowd, disappearing among the other vampyres.
Jolie spun towards Flynn, and he really believed she was going to be upset. He was well aware that the mistress had the last word in their world. Instead, he’d spoken up, breaking the rules.
“Flynn,” she began.
He cut her off. “I’m sorry, but she crossed a line.”
Jolie didn't hesitate. Going into his body, she practically wrapped herself around the front of him. When her mouth found his, the kiss was epic.
He held on through the storm. When she finally pulled away, he struggled to breathe.
“My hero,” she murmured. “I love when you get all violent on us vampyres.”
He snorted, wrapping his arm around her waist as she pulled Jacques toward them.
“It looks like we made just enough of a scene to be remembered in case anyone notices that Damien is gone,” Jolie whispered.
Jacques was amused. With his free hand, he motioned toward a man passing with champagne.
This night deserved some celebration. Flynn’s coming out would be the talk of the society.
“To our human,” he said softly, making sure only they heard.
They clinked their glasses together.
“So, it went well?” asked Jacques, sipping from his glass.
“Yes, it did. I now have the next killer, but we’ll have to strike another time. I don’t want to risk another vampyre going missing here. We’ll be the obvious suspects, since the council fears me.”
The men agreed with that.
Brogan sensed eyes on them, and when he turned, he noticed that they had company.
“Heads up. Here comes my partner and her letch-y master,” said Brogan into his glass of champagne. As they approached, Jacques and Brogan both moved closer to Jolie’s body.
Lily arrived first, making the introductions, “Jacques and Mistress Jolie, I would like you to meet my mate, Master Malachi.”
Jolie nodded her head while Jacques feigned boredom. It was something an ancient would do when approached by a minor council member. In all honesty, Lily and her mate bored them. They had other things to worry about.
Malachi reached for her gloved hand and bowed. “I was wondering, Mistress, do you only dance as splendidly with Jacques, or can any man bring it out in you?”
Yeah, somehow, the men swore he wasn’t talking about dancing anymore. Flynn’s first impression was right.
He was a lecherous asshole.
Jacques glared at Malachi as his temper began rising. The last thing he wanted was another man near his mate, especially one with lascivious intentions. It was clearly plastered across Malachi’s face.
“I’m not sure,” she replied. “I don’t dance with many other men,” answered Jolie, sipping her champagne. Her eyes flickered to the vampyre’s mate, and Lily didn't look pleased. It surprised Jolie, because true mates didn't want to be near other women. Jacques and Flynn were proof of that.
Something was very off there.
“That’s a pity. I would like to test that theory. May I ask for this dance with you?”
When Lily flinched, Jolie made a mental note to dig deeper into this later. It was quite possible that the council asked him to approach her. She wouldn’t doubt that they would be sneaky like that.
Jolie was well aware that neither mate looked pleased that she was even entertaining the idea. Then again, she could use this to her advantage. There was something she desperately wanted.
“That would be lovely, Master Malachi, but I already promised my detective that I would dance with him,” Jolie put out her hand as she stared directly into her mate’s eyes. “Didn’t I, Flynn?”
Brogan knew he was trapped. If he turned her down, she would be open to the other vampyre’s advances. Despite his terror, he didn't think there was a choice. Then, he glanced over at Jacques and the anger was clearly visible on his features.
Yeah, it looked like he was going to dance.
Shit.
Jacques pleaded silently with his mate. If Flynn saved him from this outburst, he’d be indebted.
Brogan knew that he couldn’t say no to her. Yeah, she was definitely ancient and good at this game. Jolie had played this one well.
Oh, she was tricky.
“I am going to dance with you, Jolie, but I will remind you that I don’t dance nearly as well as Jacques. I hope you don’t mind a novice.”
Jolie handed Jacques her champagne flute before glancing at Malachi. “I’ll have to take a rain check if you don’t mind. I have been looking forward to this all night.”
Brogan reached for Jacques, “You owe me, and I can’t waltz. I can do one ballroom dance, the tango. I had to learn it for an undercover sting on the job.”
“Breath and relax. You look like you’re about to run and hide.”
“I just might.”
“Keep your mind open, and I’ll handle the rest,” he promised. Jacques was touched at the gift Flynn was giving him. He knew the detective was scared shitless. If this wasn’t a sure sign of loyalty and friendship, nothing was.
Flynn escorted Jolie out to the floor. He sincerely wanted to escape out the doors and into the waiting limo. Now, he wished that he had paid more attention to dancing when he was growing up.
“How mad at me are you?” whispered Jolie, feeling his fear. “If Malachi touched me, Jacques would have lost it, and I didn’t want to hurt him. Please forgive me, Flynn,” she offered, kissing his cheek.
How could he be mad at her?
They both knew that there would be a bloody rampage if Jacques lost it.
“I’m not upset with you. I just hope you’re not expecting a great dance. I’m lousy at it.”
She heard the band leader get them ready.
“Be ready, Flynn,” said Jacques, as the music changed to a tango.
There was relief.
“Thank you, Jacques,” he said, feeling a flood of gratitude that he wasn’t on his own. In his head, he could feel Jacques giving him gentle instructions.
Then, he felt the gentle compulsion to dance and allowed himself to go with it. While he could worry, he’d rather have some fun. After all, he was holding the most beautiful woman in the room in his arms.
Soon, he forgot to be nervous. As everyone in the room watched, Flynn dazzled the crowd.
Jacques grinned as both Lily and Malachi stared openmouth
ed.
“I had no idea that Flynn could dance,” said Lily in amazement. “And dance well too!”
Jacques shrugged. “I never had a doubt.”
Malachi said nothing, but the look on his face spoke volumes. The seductive tango was drawing everyone’s attention, and he wanted to claw the man to pieces.
Brogan was enjoying the music and loved how Jolie fit perfectly against his body as they danced. With precision, he made the intricate dance moves, turning and spinning her across the ballroom floor. When he would spin her out, he would roughly pull her back in, until she crashed against his body.
It was sensual.
It was heated.
It was like sex between two lovers but with an audience.
Suddenly, Brogan realized why men took dance lessons. The look on Jolie’s face was reason enough. With each move, his body reacted to her being pressed against him. When her hand went to his hair as she stared into his eyes, he was lost.
Knowing it was coming to an end, he dipped her low, and she allowed her hand to trail seductively down his arm. There was so much trust between them that he wouldn’t drop her.
He was more than ready for the finale.
As the music crashed around them, Jolie felt herself pulled tightly against her detective, and she couldn’t help but be in love. He faced his fear for them, and it touched her heart. Here was her brave mate, and she was impressed.
Their bodies were seamlessly pressed together, and Jolie breathed heavily as she stared into his eyes. She waited to see what he would do as the music stopped.
As applause broke out around them, he didn't want it to end. For those four minutes, Jolie was his. The way she was watching him heated his body. Tossing caution to the wind, Flynn kissed her. He’d just survived one of his biggest fears, and now he wanted the reward. As lips came together, the only care in his world was deepening their mating of mouths.
The room fell away for that brief moment, and it was just them. Jolie had placed her arms around his neck and was kissing him like he was the last man in the world.
There was passion.
Heat.
Fire.
Reality came crashing back, and he slowly broke away from her mouth. There was a furious blush creeping up his neck as he felt hundreds of eyes watching him.
