The Medici Queen

by Emily Bex

  Alec laughed. "Not me, brother. I'll stick to cars. Never had an interest in horses. No, Rissa can come here, get some exercise, something besides being stuck in the gym every day. And she'll be safe here, which brings me to our next topic. She wants Jacks gone, the sooner the better. I don't want a live-in, not even a permanent protector like Luca, but I think she needs some protection when she's out. You got someone you can assign? A male this time?"

  Shade stared at him. "Do you blame her for wanting Jacks gone, brother? Cazzo, you could have at least taken it outside the home. Show Rissa some respect. Sorry, brother, not my place to judge, and Jacks will move on without a problem. So, you want a male, but not someone full-time. ”Marcello, who the hell is guarding Canton's house right now?”

  Shade and Alec walked back outside the stables as Marcello answered. “Hyde has covered that grid. He’s right here, you want him?”

  Shade guided Alec in the direction of the new warrior camp. "Let’s walk over to the camp, brother, I want to show you around." “Yes, I have a job for him, want him to meet Canton, send him out to the training field. We will both be out there.”

  "Listen, brother, I think I have a solution for the protector. He covers the Georgetown grid that includes your house. He would always be close. He’s a bit more mature. Good warrior, been with me a long time. He does not look like a typical warrior, more well-rounded, well educated, clean-cut and he likes nice clothes. He will blend in if Rissa has events in the evening or she needs him as an escort."

  Alec followed Shade's lead as they walked toward the new warrior camp. The wall was high enough to obscure the view, but not so high as to draw questions. It could be scaled by a curious intruder, but based on the welcome party Alec received he doubted anyone would ever get that far.

  Shade continued with his description of Hyde. “He likes finer things. He does not hang around the club scene. He’s firm but not too heavy-handed. It may help with Rissa. She can be a royal bitch, brother!"

  Alec chuckled. "You only see the tip of the iceberg. So, let's meet this warrior. What's his name?"

  Shade took Alec inside the camp while he waited for Hyde to emerge. He showed Alec the basic training areas and talked about his plans until he felt Hyde approach. Turning, he saw Hyde standing against the wall, waiting for his master. Hyde walked toward Shade and Alec.

  "Ah Hyde, I want you to meet someone. This is Master Alec Canton, you work his grid."

  Hyde nodded respectfully, shaking Alec’s hand. "Pleasure, Master Canton. Beautiful home you have. What can I do for you?"

  Alec returned the hand shake, looking him over. He was very refined for a warrior. He’d pass well as a mortal. "Nice to meet you. So, you’re currently protecting our grid? Have you seen Rissa? Do you understand our circumstances? I’m looking for a protector for Rissa. We both pose as mortals, live as mortals. She has her own business and her clientele is all mortal. I’ll need someone who can escort her to whatever events she has, but not cramp her style. She doesn't like the idea of having a protector, feels it infringes on her freedom. You’ll need to find that balance of being close enough to intervene if needed, without standing right in her shadow. She's a diva... Let's just put that on the table, and she won't make it easy for you. Are you interested in this assignment?"

  Hyde stood as tall as Alec and met his gaze. "Master Canton, I’ve seen Miss Benneteau when she’s been out in the evening. All the warriors are well informed of the activities and events taking place in the district, at master's insistence. It helps us in providing your protection. We always see you, but you may not see us. I can be wherever she wishes for me to be. I would be honored to serve as her protector in the name of Medici, if it so pleases you."

  Alec took him in. Hyde didn’t wear his hair long like many of the warriors, but had his hair cut stylishly close. He was clean-shaven. Put him in a suit and tie and he could be a businessman. He’d do well as a protector for Rissa, and hopefully, Alec could get his own house settled back into some normal routine without the pouting and the door-slamming.

  "I think you’ll work out fine. I do need to wrap up the details with her current protector, and as soon as that’s done, you can begin your assignment. We’re both day-walkers and keep a schedule similar to most mortals. We sleep at night, and once we’re both home in the evening, you’d be free to go off duty."

  Hyde nodded to him. "I see no problem with that, Master Canton. I’m also a day-walker. I presume that Miss Benneteau would like to meet with me before I assume my duties, and I’ll let master take care of those details with you. Good evening to you and a pleasure to be working with you."

  Shade observed Alec’s reaction to Hyde and knew Alec was impressed. Hyde would be excellent for Rissa. "So, brother, I think you liked Hyde. I will get phone numbers exchanged, and schedules lined up. I have some additional Medici warriors coming in from Florence this week to replace your mercenaries. But I do suggest you get Jacks gone before you let him meet Rissa."

  Alec shoved his hands into his jeans pocket. "Oh, don't worry there. I won't set up anything with Hyde until Jacks is gone. Now I have a proposition for you. When that rogue attacked Rissa, she got a couple of vials that fell to the ground. She wasn't sure what it was, but she grabbed them up. I sent them out for analysis and it looks like we may have Angel's potion that blocks the vampire's scent. Could be a very powerful weapon, don't you think?"

  Shade raised his eyebrows. "What? You have the scent blocking potion? Genius! What is working in your mind, brother?"

  Alec chuckled. "Believe it or not, I’m running out of property to pay your ass, since you seem to prefer real estate to cash. I was thinking of an exchange. I turn over the ingredients in the potion ̶ my contacts with the lab can produce it for you ̶ in exchange for your continued services. We’re getting close to the one year agreement we started with, and I'll want to renew, especially with the wedding coming up, and the campaign. And now adding a protector dedicated to Rissa."

  Shade thought this through, the potion in exchange for his security services. This could be a boost for his warriors, both here and in Europe.

  "So, are you talking one more year of service for the potion?"

  Alec laughed. "Brother... I was thinking a potion that allowed you to move about without detection for all time should be good for more than a year. I don't know what my future holds. I have the campaign, and I'll need some coverage, and if I win the election, then we really need to figure out next steps with the Secret Service everywhere. But one year? Come on, brother, get real."

  Shade ran a hand through his hair. "Look, Alec, I need some time to think this through, discuss it with Kate. We are a team, we reign together. Give me a few days, si? But I like this deal. It works for both of us. We need to stay together as much as possible. And having Medici in your pocket is a weapon all its own. Give me a few days to give you an answer, si?"

  Alec shrugged. "No hurry. We have some time before we renew the contract. Let me get out of here, get back home. I'll let Rissa know I have a new protector for her and take care of the situation with Jacks, and then I'll let you know when we can set up a time for Rissa to meet Hyde."

  "Not a problem. I will send Rissa the pictures of the horses to choose from tonight, tell her to check her email. I will be waiting to hear from you then. Don’t worry, Alec, Medici is on your streets, we own that town, you just be sure to rule it."

  As they fist bumped, Alec teleported out. "Hope the bastard doesn’t get lost. He would be one pissed off vamp if he ended up in Chinatown instead of G-town!"

  18

  Alec teleported back home from Bel Rosso, impressed, once again, with how much Shade had done with the property. The stables and the warrior camp were complete. He couldn’t imagine what he’d do with the rest of the property, but he’s sure it wouldn’t sit stagnant for long. He didn’t miss the point Shade made about discussing his business proposition with Kate, but on the other hand, he also noticed he still kept a tight rein on her as s
he rarely left that property without him.

  Alec landed in the foyer of their G-town home and Santos greeted him, handing him a Midnight. Alec headed for his office but noticed the French doors that lead to the courtyard and pool were open, letting in the warm breeze. He headed for the outdoors and found Rissa seated in the courtyard, stretched out on a chaise lounge, a glass of Midnight in one hand and her eyes closed. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

  "Glad to see you’re relaxing, my darling. Does this mean you’re getting caught up at work?" He pulled a deck chair over closer to where she sat and sat down, propping his feet across the foot of her lounge chair.

  As she felt the kiss on her forehead, she opened her eyes and smiled. He seemed in a very good mood. "I’m never caught up, but I came out to take in the beautiful night and decided to stay out here a while. I didn’t realize it was so late. How was your day?"

  Alec lit up a cigarette. "It was productive. I went out to see Shade. I saw the stables. He already had a few horses and was bringing in more. He's going to send you an email with photos of some of the horses he thinks you’d like. I told him they’d need to be already broken in. So, be on the lookout for that, and pick the one you want. I think it’ll be good for you to get out of the city, enjoy the fresh air. Riding is good exercise and it’ll be a nice break for you from all the hours in the gym. And you'll be safer there than anywhere else you could go. He has that warrior camp up and running. Right now, it’s just his regular crew there, the ones he has on patrol here in D.C., but he's going to expand. Nothing will bother you there."

  She nodded. "I’ll check my email in the morning, but may I ask why you have a problem with me spending so much time at the gym? I know the attack was in the gym parking garage, but I thought this rogue thing was over." Swinging her legs over the side of the chaise, she waited for his response.

  "Rissa, I’m aware of your stress level. You’re tense all the time, looking over your shoulder. You were hesitant to go to Florence. You said it was because you were too busy, but I know it was your fear. You said you liked to ride, and now Shade has this place that is surrounded by vamps. It’s the one place you can go where you can completely let your guard down. I do think the rogue attacks are over, but you’ll continue to feel the fear of that attack for some time to come. This should help you get past all that, and do something you love in the process. You can still go to the gym. I just thought this might be something you’d enjoy. If I'm wrong, then you are under no pressure to go."

  Rissa moved to his deck chair and snuggled into his lap. He hated that, but she wanted him to understand her happiness and appreciation of the gift he was bestowing on her.

  "Alec, I don’t mean to seem ungracious. I love riding. I’m always so jealous of my clients when they talk about spending their weekends riding. I’m a little hesitant yet, but that damn warrior bitch doesn’t help. I’ve tried to relax and let her do her job, but it’s like having a rod up my ass every moment. How much longer is she going to be here?" She kissed his neck softly.

  Alec shifted her in his lap, uncomfortable with the affection. "Well that’s the other news I have for you. I talked with Shade tonight about assigning someone else. I asked for a male warrior, so maybe your feathers won't get so ruffled, and he’ll not be a live-in. He already protects this grid, so he’s familiar with your routine. I met him, my darling. He looks very clean-cut. Not your typical warrior. He’ll blend in well with your clientele. His name is Hyde. I'd like to set up a meeting, go over the ground rules. How does that sound to you?"

  "Alec! Thank you! This means the world to me. Oh, I think I like him already. You approved of him already then?"

  Alec nodded. "Yes, I met him. He's very refined. Highly educated, well spoken. In a suit, he’ll blend right in. I told him I wanted him close enough to respond, but not to interfere with your work. He'll only be with you when you’re out. He can teleport with you if you decide you want to go to Virginia and ride, but once there, he can leave you on your own. You can pretty much ride wherever you want on the property and be safe. It’ll give you some time to be alone with your own thoughts, and yet, protected at the same time. So, when would you like to meet him?"

  Smiling at him, she leaned into his chest. "The sooner, the better, any time will be fine. I can work around your schedule. He sounds perfect, Alec. Thank you for understanding how important this is for me. I have a lot to accomplish and with the wedding coming up, things are getting hectic. I’ve given Jenny the list of dates that are open for both the National Cathedral for the ceremony, and the Old Post Office building for the reception. There’re very few openings, so I need you to choose the date that suits you, and quickly. Let me know, and I’ll book the event and proceed with printing the invitations."

  Alec nodded. "Good, I'll set something up for you to meet him. And whatever works on the calendar, you pick the date, my darling. That should be the bride's prerogative, I think. Just have Jenny mark it out in red. Now, if you'll excuse me, I do have some work to do...and a protector to fire, so I need to get to it."

  Standing up to let him leave, Rissa knew he was going to her, that fucking bitch, and this would be her last moment with her master and in her house.

  Leaving her by the pool, he directed Santos to bring her another Midnight as he left the courtyard. He headed to the office and opened the safe, taking out the final payment for Jacks. The deal was half up front, and the balance at the end of the assignment. He had originally booked her for a six-month stent, but she’d be leaving now, after one month, a million dollars richer.

  19

  As Alec teleported out of the camp, Shade teleported inside the house and felt bel in his study. He stood in the doorway, watching her on the computer as her fingers flew across the keyboard. "You seem pretty intense with your work there, mi amore. You didn’t even feel me here. Care to share?"

  "I was trying to see if I could find this property in Paris. To see what it looks like. If I have the right address, it’s located right on the Champs Elysees. It looks huge! It has great architectural detail on the outside. I can't wait to see it. See what we can do with it."

  She jumped up from the laptop and went to him, sliding her arms around his waist. "Thank you for negotiating that."

  "It was my ultimate pleasure. I want you to be happy wherever we are, mi amore, and I think we will be spending a lot of time in Paris. It is a lover’s paradise, si? Now come, sit down with me, I have some important things to discuss with you.” Picking her up, she wrapped her legs around his waist and he snuggled into her neck.

  Carrying her to the living room, he sat them both down on the couch, Kate facing him, as he slid a stray crimson lock behind her ear. "First of all, Alec has purchased a horse for Rissa, and he will be boarding it here. It will take a week or so for the horse to get here, along with some others I am having shipped over. Rissa can come and go as she pleases. Alec is paying for the privilege and wants her to have some fresh air, get some exercise beyond the gym and feel protected. Any problems with that?"

  Kate shook her head. "No problems. She’s a day-walker, and I may not even see her. But even if she comes in the evening, I'm fine with it. I’ll have to deal with Aegis on her first visit. After that, she should be fine. I insist she be cordial to our staff, though. I’ve noticed she’s quite dismissive with their staff, and I’ll not have our people disrespected."

  "Well, as it relates to the staff, Rissa should know better, but I will make sure she understands, and Antonio has already been given a heads up by Alec. Also, I have assigned Hyde as her personal protector. Alec is releasing Jacks from her duties. I should think that change will please both of you. Hyde was already assigned security on the Georgetown grid that includes their home, so he will be accompanying Rissa as needed, but he will resume his grid duties when not working with her."

  Kate ran her hand over his chest, smoothing out his shirt. "I’m glad to hear it. You know Rissa and I aren't close, but I feel bad that this woman we sent to
her home had sex with Alec right under her nose. I know it’s none of our business, and they live very differently from us. I understand that. But for me personally, it raises issues of trust. You know how I feel about it, and we’ll have to agree to disagree on the topic of Jacks. You still see her as a skilled warrior, I see her as a home-wrecker, so let's just leave it at that. I’ve seen Hyde. I don't know him, but Marcello and Luca speak highly of him. I think he’ll be well suited as her protector."

  "Si, as do I. He will suit her needs and he can handle himself among the mortals. Now, onto a more serious topic, Alec has made me a proposal, but this could affect our future, mi amore. Cuerpo had invented a potion of sorts, one that can eliminate a vampire's scent. Other vampires cannot detect your scent when you drink it. That is why we had so much trouble on the streets when the rogues were out. We could not smell them. When Rissa was attacked, that rogue dropped a few vials of this potion and she was able to grab them. Alec had them tested at the lab and he now knows the ingredients and how to reproduce it. Alec has made me an offer for this potion, which I could use very effectively with my warriors. I want your opinion. In exchange for the potion, he is asking I be obligated to him, to provide warriors for his protection for an extended period of time. We did not settle on a timeline. Give me your thoughts, Kate. This is important to our future."

  Kate was caught off guard. This was the first real issue of major importance regarding his business that he’d consulted her on. She wanted to give him a thoughtful response. She mulled over in her head all she knew of the rogue attacks that he’d shared over the past year before answering him.

  "Lover, I think having access to this potion would be a very powerful weapon, and absolutely necessary for your warriors. But I wouldn’t assume you’re the only one to own it. If Rissa found vials on the rogue that attacked her, that means other rogues from Cuerpo's coven may have had access to the potion as well. You can’t know for sure if all of his rogues are dead, or if they’ve just moved on. I think the potion is invaluable, but I also think it would be a mistake to assume you’d be the only one to have it. Make the deal with Alec, but establish a term limit. If Alec is successful in his bid for President, protecting him will escalate to a whole new level, and will demand a lot of your resources. We don't know what the future holds, so to giving him a blank check is a bad decision. Give him a timeline. Five years, or maybe eight years if he is re-elected... whatever makes sense to you from the standpoint of committing your resources. But I could see him in a position where he would drain you, and all for a potion that could potentially be in the hands of every master over time."