12- Open Your Eyes: Pittsburgh Vampires Vol. 12

by B. A. Stretke

  Victor came awake with a rush as he was being shaken and yelled at. What a way to wake up. “I’m awake; I’m awake.” He grumbled and tried to sit up but fell back down and tried again. With Simon’s help, he was able to pull himself up and lay back against the headboard. “What are you doing here?” He asked, confused as to why Simon was sitting there staring at him with such derision.

  “It’s two in the afternoon, and you weren’t answering your phone or your door. I was afraid something had happened to you.” Simon stated. His concern touched Victor, and he leaned forward and gave his brother a brief and clumsy hug.

  “I’m sorry.” He told him and leaned back against the headboard. “I broke my phone.” He glanced up as Killian entered the room and placed a steaming cup of black coffee next to him on the bedside table. “Thank you.”

  Killian nodded and then stepped back, surveyed the room for a moment, and then stepped out. He obviously sensed that it would be easier for Victor to talk with just his brother in the room. Once they were alone, Victor slowly and painfully explained what Grant had said but left out the whore part. He just couldn’t repeat that word. It had been used against him so often in the past and had not bothered him until how.

  Simon stared at him for a moment before responding. “He denied you because you’ve had past relationships?” His tone was incredulous.

  “He was told that I slept around, and apparently, he doesn’t want to bind himself to someone who has been loose with their morals,” Victor stated with dripping sarcasm. He really didn’t want to go into detail. He just wanted to forget it.

  Simon didn’t press for more he just pulled Victor into his arms and held him. His brother always knew what he needed, and right now, he needed to be held. “If he can walk away from you so easily, then he isn’t worth your time or your sadness. Better that you discovered how thin his regard before you bonded with him.” Victor pulled back and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

  “It’ll take time, but I’ll come to terms with this, somehow. I can’t be the first vampire in existence to have been denied by their beloved. I’ll get over it.” He knew it wasn’t true, but he needed to say it and keep saying it. He pasted on a soft smile and reached for the coffee. It didn’t taste very good on the heels of all the alcohol he’d consumed, but he knew it would eventually help him to feel better. Vampires healed rapidly, so the hangover wouldn’t plague him for too long.

  The alcohol had helped him sleep and get the wolf out of his thoughts, but it was a temporary fix. It all came rushing back as soon as the effects started to wear off. He wouldn’t do that again; if he were to get over this, then he had to face it and put it aside. Hiding from it or denying it would do nothing except prolong the agony.

  “Don’t tell anyone what happened, yet.” He asked.

  “I won’t but promise me you won’t do anything crazy or stupid,” Simon responded, looking worried. Victor watched Simon glance around at the empty bottles. He worried that Victor was going to sink into depression.

  “I won’t do anything crazy or stupid. The booze was a momentary lapse in judgment. I won’t take that route again.”

  “Okay, I’ll let you relax and pull yourself together, and then I’ll be back with dinner. Just you and me because Killian has to work. Don’t say no, you need food and family.” Simon was so sweet and sincere that Victor could not refuse.

  “Sounds good, how about seven?”

  “I’ll be back at seven. Be showered and dressed, and we’ll talk about my new curtains. Look over the textile book I sent over and give me some ideas.” He was definitely a keeper. Victor loved his brother.

  “I will.” With that, Simon stood, gave his brother another hug and left, giving Victor the time and space to pull himself together.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Grant had planned on heading over to the Imperial early since it was his day off and staying away from his mate was becoming impossible. But instead, he was pulled into the station at seven in the morning not to work, but to give a statement.

  He was met at his door that morning by two uniformed officers asking that he accompany them back to the station to answer questions as to his whereabouts two weeks ago. It was the day, according to the medical examiner, that Julian Weatherby had been murdered.

  His body had been found on the banks of Allegheny River, and the cause of death was strangulation. It was a shock, and Grant felt the loss of a young life, but he did not grieve for Julian. Julian played a dangerous game, and apparently, he played the wrong person. Grant’s prior relationship with Julian was well known, so obviously he was considered a suspect.

  Thankfully he had an airtight alibi. On the day of Julian’s death, he’d been at work all day in the presence of his co-workers. When he got off, he went straight to Iker and Stanley’s place for dinner and game night, where he stayed until two-thirty in the morning. They were trying to pull him out of his funk at the time and insisted he stay and continue playing well into the morning. Thank God for well-intentioned friends.

  Grant wasn’t released until after nine that evening. From what he understood, they were picking up the hotel manager, Jordan Turnbull, and another co-worker that Julian had been fucking for questioning.

  Iker was there at the station waiting for him and drove him home. The day had been a total bust as far as fixing things with his mate. He checked his phone, but there were no calls or texts. Victor was shutting him out. The distance that was forming between them was painful, causing a sense of sadness and loss that he could not dispel.

  “You okay?” Iker asked once they were in the car.

  “Yes, I’m okay. I’m sorry this happened to Julian, but from what I was told, he had been involved with some dangerous men. I wasn’t aware of that, and I should have been. I took him at face value, a bartender easy on the eyes and easy into bed. I looked no further than that.” Grant shook his head and looked out his side window.

  “I even believed him when he told me that we were exclusive.” He barked a harsh laugh. “Even though I knew the relationship was temporary, and I had no intention of hanging around for long, his declaration touched me. I was sucked into the romance of the moment. That was until reality kicked me in the head.” If he’d kept the relationship casual, he would have never gotten played. But that’s water under the bridge now.

  “My behavior with Victor was inexcusable.” His mind went immediately back to his mate. “I don’t know how I’m going to win him back.” He’d abused his mate in the worst possible way. He compared him to someone who had no place in his life to begin with.

  He punished Victor for the sins of another and did so without warrant. His behavior disgraced him and dishonored his mate. It had been so long since he’d looked into those blue eyes and touched that soft alabaster skin. The thought of it sent a shudder through his body.

  “Do you want me to take you to the Imperial?” Iker asked.

  “Yes, if you don’t mind. I need to talk to him. Being apart is driving me crazy. I have to talk to him, apologize. I have to do something.” Grant ran his fingers roughly through his hair agitated and on edge. He wasn’t sure what he would say to his mate, but he had to try and reach him because the alternative was unthinkable.

  …

  Dinner had been light and enjoyable. Victor’s hangover had completely dissipated by the time Simon had arrived. Talk of interior decorating had consumed their time, and Victor was extremely grateful for the reprieve. He knew the pain of his beloved’s rejection would resurface soon enough, but for this moment, he could smile and just be with Simon.

  Simon saw Victor’s phone, where it lay in pieces on the floor and tried to fix it, but it was a total loss. He removed the sim card and tossed the rest into the trash. “Get a new phone; I don’t like not being able to text you,” Simon told him.

  “I have an old one that I’ll use. I’ll set it up later. I’ll give it a day or two.” His reasoning was clear. Victor was afraid to hear from Grant. He feared it woul
d be more of the same or maybe worse, and he couldn’t handle it right now.

  “Don’t wait.” Simon stated firmly, “He may be trying to apologize.”

  “He could have stopped by, but he didn’t.” Victor felt that if Grant had really cared and wanted to mend the rift made by his words, he could have come to see him. He had plenty of time, and he knew exactly where he lived, but he didn’t, and that spoke volumes as to what he thought of Victor and their bond.

  “I’m going to do a few hours at work tonight.” He said as the conversation slowed. “I’m going in at ten. It’s Sunday, so it will be slow, but I need to keep my mind busy.” Simon nodded his understanding.

  “What if Grant stops by the Club?” He asked.

  “He won’t.” Victor was quite sure that if he were going to stop by, he would have done it already, and besides, he’d make sure he wasn’t allowed in. Victor didn’t want to have to deal with whatever else Grant might say.

  He wanted to hate the man, but every time he thought of that bastard wolf, he became hot, and desire started pumping through him. His vampire nature was agonizing over the loss and desperate to reconcile. Would it ever get easier he wondered?

  “I’ll leave and let you get ready for work.” Simon stood and headed for the door but stopped and turned around. “Fix your phone; don’t wait, Victor. I’ll call you tomorrow, and you better answer.”

  “Okay, I’ll take care of it.” Victor relented. “Call me tomorrow.” Simon smiled satisfied that he’d gotten his way and left. Victor dug through one of the drawers in the table beside the sofa and came up with his old phone. He’d upgraded last year, but his old one was still good and would suffice until he could get another.

  He looked at the sim card on the coffee table and then at the phone in his hand and just thought for a moment. Was he ready, no, he wasn’t ready? He set the phone down next to the card and decided to shower and get dressed for work.

  …

  Iker pulled up into the parking area adjacent to the club, and Grant got out. Grant ran his fingers through his hair and adjusted his clothing in an attempt to look better than he felt. “I’ll wait for fifteen, in case you need a ride home,” Iker told him, and Grant nodded.

  “Thanks.” With a deep cleansing breath, he headed to the garage area of the Club. He wasn’t dressed for the front door. There were three guards there; each was giving him a careful scrutiny as he approached. One stepped forward to meet him at the entrance. Grant pulled out his badge and showed it to the guard. He was ready to use whatever clout he had. His mate was inside somewhere, and he had to see him, had to be allowed in.

  The guard checked his badge and then looked him in the eye. “What is your business?”

  “I want to see Victor Rossi.” He stated with all the authority he could muster.

  “Is this official business?” Damn, he wanted to lie, but he couldn’t.

  “No, personal.” He stuck his wallet back into his pocket and waited while the guard appeared to be checking his phone screen. After a few seconds, the guard looked up at him and with a shake of his head, gave him the bad news.

  “I can’t let you in Detective Dorsey.” He said.

  “Why not?”

  “You are banned from the property.” That statement caused Grant to step back and look around. How can that be?

  “That can’t be right; I was just here Friday.”

  “Your name is on the list.” The guard was so matter of fact that Grant wanted to punch him in his cold, detached face.

  “Who put it there?” Grant demanded, although he had no right to demand anything.

  “Victor Rossi.” With that, the guard dropped his phone back into his breast pocket and turned away leaving Grant on the outside.

  CHAPTER SIX

  He walked back to Iker’s car and got in. Iker, obviously sensing the storm that was circling the man, did not ask questions and just started the car and pulled away from the Club. Grant turned his head and stared out the side window and considered the brutal fact that this entire situation was of his own making.

  He had taken that stranger’s word over his mate, which should never have happened. If he hadn’t still been suffering the sting of humiliation from his time with Julian, he never would have listened because he knew his mate. In his heart, he knew his mate the moment they met, and his devotion was there in his eyes and his care in his touch.

  Past lives were immaterial when it came to one’s Fated mate. His wolf was clear and focused with no doubts, and he should have listened. He let his unfounded suspicions and anger grow until his emotions were so out of control that he blew up at his mate.

  Right now, he didn’t give a shit if his mate had fucked every man in Pittsburgh; he just wanted him back. Grant just wanted the chance to look into those gorgeous blue eyes, hold him in his arms and tell him how much he loved him.

  When they pulled into Iker’s driveway, both their phones rang at the same time, which seemed odd. Iker stepped out of the vehicle to take his call, and Grant remained seated while he answered. Grant got out of the car once he closed his call, and by the look on Iker’s face, they’d both received the same information.

  “Do you know this man, Jordan Turnbull?” Iker asked.

  “I only met him that once when he was pile driving my ex-boyfriend in the taproom of the Hotel,” Grant responded a little confused by the information he’d been given. The officer at the station stated that Jordan was the prime suspect in Julian’s murder, but they have yet to apprehend him. The man apparently had ties to the criminal element in Pittsburgh and had gone into hiding.

  The officer also intimated that Grant might be in danger. Based on old records, Jordan has a history of exacting revenge for misdeeds, and since Grant was present at Jordan’s humiliation, he may be next on the guy’s hit list.

  “Who owns the Florentine Hotel?” Iker asked.

  “Harold Ramsey, current leader of the underworld here in Pittsburgh, according to the officer that I was talking to.” He said and leaned against the hood of Iker’s car, still not processing everything. “Why would I be a target?” He asked. “Julian clearly cheated on the guy with more than just me.”

  “You’re the one he had to eyeball. Consider how you felt but add criminal and crazy to the mix.” Iker explained. “You need to take precautions until they pick this guy up.”

  “I’m a wolf shifter, and Jordan Turnbull is human, so I can handle myself just fine.” Grant shot back.

  “But you don’t know who he might have working for him.” Iker countered.

  “Alright, I’ll be careful, but Jordan Turnbull is the furthest thing from my mind right now.” He straightened and took a few steps towards his place located next door. He stopped and turned back, seeing that Iker was still leaning with both hands on the hood of his car and watching him intently.

  “I can’t think about anything apart from redeeming myself in the eyes of my mate. I couldn’t get inside the Club tonight because I’ve been banned. Victor had me banned from the premises, he considers me a threat to him, and it’s really fucking me up.” The last few words came out with an emotional gasp that he tried to cover. Grant bent over steadying himself with his palms on his knees.

  For the second time this night, he saw his claws extend and felt his teeth growing long and sharp. His wolf was right on the edge. He stared at the ground for a moment and then up at Iker. “I may not be able to control my wolf if I lose Victor.” He shot Iker a sad smile. “Like I said, Jordan Turnbull is the least of my worries.”

  “I’ve never seen your wolf, is he large?” Iker asked, surprisingly calm considering the circumstances.

  “I was Beta wolf in my old pack, superior to all except my Alpha. Yes, Iker, I am a very large wolf and capable of inflicting extensive death and destruction.” He spoke without conceit.

  “Well then, don’t lose him. You and your wolf need to get on the same page and figure this out.” Iker was commanding him. It was harsh, but he needed it. “
You screwed this up, so now fix it.”

  “Yes, sir.” Grant feigned submission, although Iker’s words sunk in and brought everything back into focus. He wasn’t going to lose control; he wasn’t giving up, and he would never let go. This was his mate, and he was going to claim him or die trying.

  …

  Victor attempted to put on a pleasant face and deal, but as the night progressed, his yearning for his beloved grew more and more desperate. He wondered if banning him from the property was such a good idea. He did it in haste in an attempt to normalize his night and ease his thoughts. But now it just seemed to be adding to his anxiety.

  Victor didn’t want to come face to face with Grant here at work. The outcome depending upon what he said and did could have been disastrous. Victor struggled to keep his mind on the job and the customers, but the handsome wolf with the dark eyes would not be thwarted. He dominated Victor’s heart and mind every damn minute. Their kisses haunted him and left him feeling restless and off-balance.

  To top off his miserable evening, the vampire who’d given him grief the other night was also back. Caspian Forge came in around eleven and sat in Victor’s section. He ordered one drink and drank it very slowly while he kept his eyes on Victor. The sensation of being sized up for a takedown of some sort was making him jumpy as hell.

  Victor kept looking over his shoulder, expecting the worse, but so far, the man just sat and stared with eyes hard and calculating. Victor was looking forward to his break at midnight and pondered the idea of taking the remainder of the night off. It was only two more hours, and he was having a tough time concentrating due to the constant pull of his beloved and the death stare he was getting from Caspian Forge.

  Victor made his way back to the bar and stood there for a few minutes, waiting for his drink order to be filled. Arron came up to stand beside him, and he wasn’t wearing his usual smile, which seemed odd for some reason.