by Unknown
“I agree,” said Jolie, wiggling her toes when Flynn ran his finger across the bottom of her feet. “Plus, we didn’t have the money we have now. Believe me, mon amour, living forever and having money is much more fun.”
Brogan grinned wickedly as he tried to distract her. He didn't mean to make them relive sad moments. Tickling her, she squealed and pulled her foot away.
Then, they all froze.
“Shhhh… someone is approaching the door. Act civilized.”
All three tried to not laugh as Mina called to them, “Mistress, I need to speak with you.”
Jacques waved his hand and the door swung open. Cautiously, the young woman stepped inside.
As hard as Jolie tried to keep a straight face, it was damn near impossible as Brogan was snaking his hand to the back of her knee.
“Oui, Mina?”
“Mistress, we received a call from the inherited family. They want you to come to their homestead tomorrow night. They wish to invite you into the home to show you what you have inherited with Delina’s death.” Mina watched the three of them with curiosity.
“That’s fine with me. We can go there,” she replied, scampering away from Flynn, only to slide off the leather couch and to the floor.
Both men snickered.
Mina looked shocked and stepped forward to help her. “Oh my! Are you all drunk?” she asked in amazement. This had to be a first.
“Shhhh… they are drunk. I’m just tipsy,” she giggled uproariously.
Brogan and Jacques laughed even harder when Mina struggled to assist Jolie up, only having her fall into Jacques’s lap.
“Oh, Mistress, be careful,” warned Mina, stepping forward. She was unsure of how to handle the entire situation.
“She’s fine, Mina,” said Jacques, enjoying how she wiggled in his lap. It was heating his blood, and he knew what was next on their evening’s agenda.
Someone was going to be trapped soon.
Mina waited for someone to answer her previous question.
“Sorry, I was distracted,” Jacques offered. “Tell them we’ll attend.”
Mina nodded and headed to the door. As her hand reached for the knob, she turned. “If I needed to tell you something, would this be a bad time?”
Jolie went still in her mate’s lap. “What is it, mon amie?” She sat up straight at Mina’s serious tone. “Come here and talk to us.” Jolie patted the couch beside her as Flynn slid over.
She didn't move. “I don’t want to ruin your celebration.”
That drew everyone’s attention.
Jacques waved his hand and the door locked.
The donor jumped and appeared ready to bolt.
“Mina, come here,” said Jolie, sobering up fast. The woman not only looked scared, but like she was about to burst into tears at any second.
“Oh, Mistress, I am so sorry.” She ran to Jolie and threw herself at her feet, clinging like a scared child.
“What is it, Mina? Honey, why are you so upset? You can tell us anything that’s bothering you.”
The men weren’t sure what was going on.
“I don’t want to anger you.”
She held her hand reassuringly. “I promise that I won’t be angry with you. I can see something is definitely bothering you. What you need is to get it off your chest.”
Mina nodded.
“We’ve been together for a while, so I know that this must be a big deal.”
The young donor took a deep breath and pushed her brown hair from her face, trying to build courage. “Mistress, Chloe told Jacques that we would try and find out who the betrayer was, and we think we have.”
Oh, she had all of their attention now.
All three leaned forward. “Speak, Mina,” said Jacques, taking her hand lovingly in his. There were no more trusted people in their home than Chloe and Mina. When your life depended on a donor, you picked ones that you believed would always have your back.
“You know how I feed certain members of the family?”
“Oui.”
“I don’t have proof, but I’ve noticed that someone has been acting unusual.”
Jolie took her other hand. “Is it Balzac? He would like nothing more to have control over the society.”
“No, it’s Devin.”
The shock hit Jolie like a slap to the face. Never did she see that one coming. “What has he been doing that makes you suspect him of something nefarious?”
She began telling them all about it. “Normally, he’s inseparable from Zola, but the last week he has fed and left the house.”
“Okay,” said Brogan. “That doesn’t make him guilty of betraying us. Maybe he’s getting some babe action on the side.”
Jacques didn't buy it. Once mated, vampyres didn't ‘cheat’ on one another. It just didn't happen if you were made for your mate. It was the perfect match, so why go elsewhere?
“Zola and he had a very bad disagreement a few days ago. She was furious that he smelled like another vampyre. I heard her mention that it was a scent that she was unfamiliar with and not of our family.”
Jacques and Jolie said nothing.
“Okay, so he’s cheating,” Brogan said.
“He also is the only one of the family who was alone the night Genevieve left the box.” Mina hated to say it, but it was true. It hurt her the minute it was out of her mouth. The betrayal was clear on Jolie’s face.
The tears began.
“I’m so sorry that I had to ruin your night. I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I’m sick over this and worried someone else will come into our home and try to kill you.”
Jolie slid to the floor and pulled Mina into her arms. “Bébé, this isn't your fault. I appreciate you coming to us with this, and we’ll take care of it. I don’t want you to be upset or blame yourself over this. In fact, I’m proud that you came forward and had the courage to tell us, even tonight. Thank Chloe for us.”
“I feel bad for Zola, because I know she loves him so much.”
Jolie sighed as the men placed their hands on her shoulders in a sign of support. “Mina, I want you to go to your room. Take a long bath and relax for the night. We’re not going to do anything until I can get more proof.”
Jacques continued, “We aren’t going to mention that you came to us either.”
“Are you going to kill him like you said you would?” she blurted.
“If we find out that he is indeed the one who betrayed us, yes.” Jolie refused to pull any punches on this one. Mina started crying again and Jolie patted her head. “Honey, what should I do? You know that we’re all a family and can’t have someone tearing us apart from the inside. If he did betray us, he needs to be punished. At any time, he was free to leave if he wasn’t happy, but allowing someone into our home risks us all. We could easily be slaughtered in our sleep, even the humans we love.”
“I know, Mistress,” she sniffled. “We feel bad that we had to be the ones to tell you. You do so much for us, and I don’t like to hurt you.”
Jolie kissed her on the cheek and hugged her. “I want you to not worry.” She pulled the girl up and led her to the door. “This isn't your fault either way, Mina. If it’s indeed Devin, then he has made his bed, and I’ll force him to lie in it for eternity. I don’t like to hurt the people I love, but unfortunately I can’t take betrayers.”
“I know.”
“Now go. We need to discuss what we will do. Keep this to yourself, and we’ll do the same.”
Both men watched, remaining remarkably calm as she closed the door. It was unnerving.
“Are you okay?” asked Brogan, breaking the silence.
“No, but we need proof. We can’t leave him here alone. Someone must be here to guard the rest of the family.”
“Would he hurt them?”
“Before now, I would have said no, but I also never would have believed him a betrayer. Zola and Devin have been with me since before Paris. I didn't see this one coming.”
Jacques
agreed.
“If he lets her into our home, it’ll be a blood bath. Even at night. Devin and Balzac are the next oldest of our society. All it would take is for Genevieve to take Balzac out and no one could stop her. They’d be lambs to the slaughter.”
Brogan couldn’t let that happen.
“I’ll stay here tomorrow while you are with the other half of the family. I can wander the house and watch Mambo, Chloe, and Mina. Plus, if there is a problem I can reach you easier than anyone else.”
Jolie didn’t look pleased. “This doesn’t make me happy. Unfortunately, I don’t think we have a choice in this matter.”
“No, we don’t,” Jacques replied.
“Then, it’s settled.” Brogan stood and stretched. “I need to get some sleep.” What he didn't say was he that he planned on heading to their room to work on a plan. If anything happened on his watch, Jolie would be devastated.
He couldn’t mess this up. Genevieve would want to pick off the core of their family, and that was the donors. If Jolie and Jacques couldn’t feed or get blood, they would be weak. He could only feed them so much, and so often.
Jolie went to her feet and into his arms. “Thank you for offering to keep our family safe,” she whispered, giving him a kiss. “I love you, Flynn.”
He enjoyed the way she cuddled against his body. “Anything for you, Jolie. Now, you two behave,” he said grinning, as he wandered out the door.
“Good night, my friend and merci,” Jacques called, waiting for the man to leave.
“I feel edgy now,” she admitted. It was like a storm was brewing deep inside, and she was helpless to stop it.
He had an idea. “Come with me.”
Jolie took his outstretched hand easily. “Where are we going?”
“I have one more gift for you, mon amour.”
Jolie followed him to the solarium and took a seat beside him on the piano bench.
“I want to play something for you.”
“Jacques, you never let anyone hear you play unless they sneak up on you.”
“Then, I guess it’s time that I changed that. I feel like I need to share something with you.”
His fingers went to the keys and slowly began to play the dreamiest of melodies. The notes came together in a haunting fashion, as they showed her what lived inside him. She was lost, as his elegant fingers played poignantly over the ivory keys, tickling the beautiful music from them.
As she closed her eyes, Jolie let the music pull her into its embrace. It glided around her body until she was part of it, lost, trapped, and mesmerized.
When the melody changed to something so achingly sweet, she opened her eyes to watch one of the loves of her life share such a beautiful gift. Finally, it built up, much like two lovers coming together, only to have it crash down in a forceful crescendo.
It stole her breath.
Jolie watched his face, so filled with emotion. It was something so rare, that she took a mental picture and locked it away in her heart.
As quickly as it began, it ended.
Before them, he’d laid his heart out on a platter for the woman he loved. What words couldn’t say, his music could.
“Oh, Jacques, mon amour! That was so beautiful. I didn't think today could be topped, but here it has been.”
He let out the breath that he was holding before glancing over at her. Jolie’s eyes were filled with tears, and he was compelled to hold her in his arms.
Jolie couldn’t stop herself. She threw herself against his body, taking his mouth forcefully. Where she couldn’t give him music, she could share what lived in her.
When they slowly broke apart, he gave her more truth. “That song always reminded me of you. It’s sweet, yet violent, and commanding. We first heard it…” he paused, waiting to see if she remembered.
“In Europe around the turn of the century,” she answered, recalling everything about that time. “It was right after we left Paris, and we traveled around Europe to see Gabriel Pierne play.”
He looked at her surprised. “Oui, you remembered!”
“That was the final composition.”
He just nodded at a loss for words.
“You wore gray. I believe you even had gray gloves and a gray cravat. I remember thinking how dapper you looked beside me.”
“Oui,” he replied, amazed and touched that she remembered that simple moment. It was one he cherished so much in his mind.
Jolie touched his cheek. “You kept looking at your pocket watch like you were worried about the time.”
“I was nervous. I was afraid the night would end, and I would have to stop pretending I was your date.”
Jolie looked at her mate and took in the masculine grace that emanated from him. How did she not see it in him their first six centuries together?
Now, she wanted to give him a gift. “I think we may have a few unused rooms left. Maybe you’ll join me, my love?”
He wouldn’t pass it up.
As they headed upstairs, Jolie found a room with no one occupying it. Once inside, she made her plan to share her heart with him.
“I want you, Jacques. I’m dying to have you.” She prowled toward him, feeling the predator searching for its prey.
“I’m yours, mon amour,” he replied, his heart quickening in his chest. She was as beautiful as that night so long ago. When he told Flynn their past was bleak, he should have told him of these memories.
They had been his salvation.
She was once his choice, and he’d picked wisely.
“Jacques,” she whispered, coming to a stop in front of him.
He watched her with unblinking eyes, waiting for her to make her move.
She didn't hesitate.
Jolie grabbed the front of his shirt and jumped up onto his body, wrapping her legs around his waist. She had caught him off guard, but he managed to keep balanced. It was when she bit him, just below the ear, that she could feel his hands shake.
“Jolie,” he moaned, arching his neck so she could feast freely from him.
“You taste better than the wine we had this evening, mon amour.” She licked his jaw and worked her way to the other side of his throat. “Mmmmm…”
It was all he heard as the glorious pain ripped through his body. Once more, her mouth was doing truly wicked things, as her mind sent him erotic pictures to drive him wild.
“Jolie,” he whispered, as she bit down again and it took them right to the floor.
All the while, she continued to taste him.
“You undo me, and I have no control.” He felt his body tighten painfully as she unmercifully continued her assault on his throat. It didn't last long as she released his waist, pushing him to his back.
“The scent of you, mate, is maddening,” Jolie purred, perched precariously over his groin. “You are too overdressed for what I have in mind.”
She pulled his shirt apart, popping the buttons and sending them flying. At his startled gasp, Jolie continued on. While he expected her to be wild and brutal, she changed it up, hoping to throw him off balance.
Instead of nails, she went with her mouth.
Using her tongue and lips, she lapped and kissed her way across his pale, delicious flesh.
When he moaned beneath her, it drove her wild.
“Now, this is a pagan offering,” she whispered, flicking her tongue across his nipple.
He went to reach for her and found his arms trapped above his head. Apparently, she was using her power to keep him prisoner beneath her.
Yeah, he was very okay with that.
“I’m going to make love to my mate,” she reassured, sliding her fingers lower.
“That’s cheating, mon amour.” He smiled a boyish grin, inviting her to continue her game.
Jolie wiped the grin off his face as she slowly ground her body against his aroused flesh.
“Please,” he whispered battling again for control. He was pinned to the floor and at her mercy. “Let me up, so I can taste my mate.�
�
She ignored him. With eager fingers, she flicked the top button of his dress pants open, and dragged the zipper down.
It hissed, drawing both of their attention.
Jacques’s eyes flashed with anticipation as she teasingly slid down his body. He was a smart man who had been her lover for a very long time. What was coming was about to drive him to madness.
“Jolie,” he murmured, as she found him hard, ready, and needing her to offer him relief.
She didn't waste a single second. As her mouth found him, she tried to devour him whole. When her fangs slid into her mouth, his breath caught in his chest.
It was erotic to be that close to so much pain. “Mon Dieu,” Jacques hissed as Jolie continued her torture.
“Do you like my new game, mon amour?” she asked whispering the words across his body. She watched him throb in response. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Please release me,” he whispered, feeling his body teetering precariously on the edge. When she lapped at the artery in his groin, Jacques shook in need.
Licking once, twice, and biting down on the third pass of her tongue, he vibrated closer to the edge.
Jolie loved drinking from this part of his body. It was so intimate and personal. Anyone could feed from a wrist or throat, but this was something only shared between their kind if they were mates.
He struggled to get free, but she wasn’t having it.
After releasing his flesh, she sat up to pull the white dress from her body. “I want you, Jacques,” she whispered, getting completely naked.
What could he do? Here, he was trapped and at her mercy. It was a damn good day to be Jacques Degaul, that was for sure.
As she straddled his hips, taking his erection in her hand, he couldn’t look away. Achingly slow, she slid down the entire length of him.
He threw his head back and moaned.
Jolie was going to be the death of him yet.
If he thought that it was going to be brutal, he had no idea. The ride she started, threatened to pull him from sanity into chaos. It was slow, steady, and music filled.
In his mind, she made love to him in time to the song he had just played her. When the pace would change, so would she. It was driving him completely crazy.
“I love you,” she said breathlessly, as she continued to ride him wildly.
