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I must’ve fallen asleep after my hellacious night, because I woke up laying across the bed, still dressed in the Chanel gown, to the sound of knocking on the door. Hauling my ass outta bed, I stumbled to the door, threw it open, and growled, “Somebody better be dead.”
Whisking past me, Vanessa began chattering like a magpie at such a decibel that the shrill tone of her nasally voice threatened to melt my brain. Going back to the bed, I climbed in, covered my head with the comforter, added a pillow for good measure, and prayed for the torment to end.
It didn’t.
Instead, she went on and on...and on, until I sat up and bellowed, “Shut the hell up. Can’t I even have a pity party in peace around here?”
Spinning around from where she was arranging what looked like breakfast on the table by the window, Vanessa looked truly puzzled as she asked, “Whatever would you be having a pity party for? Your friends are on the way. Vlad has called the decorators. I even made an appointment with the seamstress for later today.”
Pinching myself to be sure I wasn’t dreaming, I cursed out loud when it hurt like the Devil himself then sighed while rubbing my temples. “Run that all by me again.”
Walking to the end of my bed, Vanessa’s eyes got really big and she sounded like she was talking a kitten out of a tree as she very slowly asked, “Which part didn’t you understand?”
Flopping back and staring at the ceiling I ground out, “All of it.” Then quickly added, “What friends are coming?”
Raising my head, I watched the little vamp, as I was now thinking of her, pull a pad of paper from the pocket of her fluorescent yellow tunic with big orange flowers, flip through the pages, and recite, “Heidi, Hunter, and their children – Heather, Howie, Hannah, Hank, Hillary, and Todd, Carol and Fabio, Zelda, Mac, and their children – Audrey Hildegard and Henry Charles and Luci and Bert have all RSVP’d.”
“RSVP’d? How long have I been asleep? Are y’all having a party?” I knew I’d had a few drinks the night before and was out of sorts when I went to bed, but DAYUM! What was going on?
Sitting on the end of my bed, Vanessa smiled. “Of course, we’re planning a party. Yours and Vlad’s engagement party.”
“MY WHAT?!” I squealed, trying to get out of bed amid the sheets and comforters and the skirt of my dress wrapped around my legs. Instead, I landed with a thud on my pleasingly plump butt on the floor. Kicking off the sheet that had followed me down, I jumped to my feet, grabbed Vanessa by the collar, and with the tip of my nose pushed against hers, spat, “Say that again and remember, I am a woman on the edge.”
True fear flitted across the little vamp’s face as she stuttered, “Y-your eng-gagement p-party.”
Taking a deep breath, I let go of Vanessa’s clothing, took a step back, let out that breath, and slowly turned toward the door. Walking with even steps of determination, I placed my hand on the knob and without looking back, asked through gritted teeth, “Where is your brother?”
Thankfully, Vanessa had the sense not to ask which one and simply answered, “Vlad is in his study, bottom floor, second corridor, third door on the right.”
As I followed her directions, I was glad to know I wasn’t going to the dungeon to knock on the lid of his coffin. That just would’ve been too much. As it was, I didn’t knock on the huge oak door that bore his name, I simply threw it open and charged in, stopping short when ten sets of eyes, all dark and swirling, turned toward me in unison. As they smiled, I got a look at a hint of fang twinkling from each and every one of them.
Standing and making his way around the desk, Vlad came to my side with a huge smile on his face and genuine pleasure at seeing me shining in his eyes. Putting his arm around my shoulders, he motioned to the vampires standing before me and said, “Gentleman, I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Lola.” Then looking down at me, his smile grew even wider as he said, “Honey, this is the Vampire Council. We were just finishing up the paperwork for our marriage and my will naming you as sole heir.”
Now, I know it will come as a shock to you that I actually thought before opening my mouth, because in most situations I have been a leap first, look later kinda girl. But when faced with ten vampires who look and give off the vibe that they are just shy of ten days older than dirt, meaner than junkyard dogs, and hungrier than bears just up from a long winter’s hibernation, even I can hold my tongue, smile, and say, “Pleased to meet you, gentlemen.” Then look at the vamp presently responsible for all the angst in my world and through gritted teeth hidden behind a smile, I can demand, “I need a word, Honey.” Making the last word a threat.
I do have to give Vlad credit. His smile didn’t falter, the twinkle in his eye remained, and his tone was even when he said, “Excuse me for one moment, gentleman. Wedding plans to attend to. Please have some wine. I’ll be right back.”
Turning along with the bane of my existence, I walked out the door and followed him down the hall and into a room with a keypad on the door, speaking only when Vlad said, “Now, what can I help you with?”
Looking around, I took in the state of the art computers that lined two walls of the huge room from ceiling to floor, the wall of monitors adjacent to those, and then three desks that lined the fourth. “What is this place?”
Shrugging, he replied, “Our offices, where we come when we need peace and quiet. It’s completely sound, shock, fire, and explosive proof. I guess you could say it’s our panic room.”
“So, no one but you can hear what I am about to say?”
“Yes, my dear, that is correct.”
Doubling up my fist, I hauled off and punched Vlad right in his smug face and began yelling, “Drop the dear and honey bullshit! And what’s with planning an engagement party? I’m not even sure I like you let alone would ever agree to marry your fangy ass.”
The look of surprise on his face was priceless and any other time I would’ve laughed, but at that moment, I was so pissed I was seeing red. Throwing another punch that Vlad saw coming and ducked, I went on, “You think you can kiss me, run off like some scared pup, show up in the garden looking all lost and gorgeous, and then declare to the whole world and half of Hell that we’re engaged.” I poked him in the chest. “Where the effing hell do you get off, Bub?”
Still not finished, I threw a left jab that connected with his stomach and yelled, “I may look like Katie but I’m. Not. Her. Which I hear is a good thing cause she sounded like a bitch.”
I tried to throw another punch but Vlad grabbed my fist, used it to pull me into his chest, wrapped his arm around my waist, and smashed his lips to mine. Just like the first time, I was helpless to fight him. It just felt too damned good. The electricity that popped and crackled through my body tingled in all the right spots and made me hungry for more.
The longer Vlad kissed me, the more I craved him. I whined when his lips left mine as he kissed across my jaw. My back arched, pushing my hardened nipples against the taunt muscles of his chest as he gently dragged the tips of his fangs along the tender skin of my neck. My head fell to the side giving him greater access when he reached the place where my pulse beat with vigor just beneath the skin.
“I must taste you, my love. I must sip from your vein.” His words were a plea as he continued to torment my flesh with his caress.
“Yes,” I breathed, drunk on the passion only this one vampire could wring out of me.
My fingers wound into his hair, holding him to me as he licked and sucked until I was frantic with desire. Fire engulfed my body as his fangs slid into my vein. My pussy grew slick as I longed to feel him deep inside, my body moving in time with the sips he was taking from my neck. My hips rolled against his erection as my clit throbbed and my body begged for release.
Pulling him closer, damn near climbing his body, I screamed aloud when an alarm so loud it shook the walls of the room we were in, rang out. Breaking apart, I barely had time to breathe as Vlad picked me up, strode across the room, sat me in a huge leather desk chair, and while grabbing my hand, turned to look at the wall of monitors.
On the screen at the top left, I could see a group of black clad intruders climbing over the wall, while the one on the lower right showed what was left of the front gate, apparently, the victim of an explosion. Reaching over my head, Vlad pushed a flashing red button on the wall and bellowed into the speaker, “Vaughn! Vincenzo! Vanessa! What is happening?”
Vaughn’s voice came back loud and clear. “We are under attack. It appears Astrid is not pleased with your choice of mates.”
“What? But...” Vlad seemed truly flummoxed and I sure as shit had no clue what the hell was happening, so I was glad when Vaughn added, “Seems she was under the impression she was next in line for your affections.”
“Son of a...” Vlad hit the wall beside the speaker with such force his fist disappeared then reappeared covered in dust and debris. “Where is the Council?”
“Vincenzo has them in your office but they want to fight.” I swear Vaughn sounded like he was having a good time defending his home against rabid vamps.
“Tell them to stay put. I’m on my way,” Vlad ordered then looked down at me, ran his finger along the spot he’d just bitten, licked the bit of blood from its tip, and once again touched me, explaining, “Just sealing the bite.”
Trying to keep my eyes open as arousal once again shot through my body, I sighed, sounding way breathier than I had intended. “You keep touching me and we’re gonna be right back where we were a minute ago.”
Kissing my forehead, he whispered, “Oh, we will be back there soon enough.” Leaning back, he said, “Now, stay here and watch the screens. I will give you a signal and call over the intercom,” he motioned to the speaker on the wall he’d used to speak to Vaughn, “when it’s safe for you to come out.”
Nodding, figuring I was in no way equipped to take on a horde of angry vamps, I agreed, “Okay, just don’t get dead. We have things to discuss, Buster.”
Kissing me hard and fast, Vlad was up and at the door before he chuckled, “Anything for you,” a second before he disappeared.
Turning the chair, I watched the screens, cringing at the destruction just as Vaughn’s words replayed in my head; seems Astrid was under the impression she was next in line for your affections.
“What the hell? Wait one minute! I don’t know if I want him but I damn sure know I don’t want her to have him,” I growled, jumping to my feet and heading to the exit. “And who the hell does Vlad think he is? I never back down from a fight. This bitch came for me and it’s me she’s gonna answer to.”
Throwing open the door, I added, “I may not have my magic but Assface Astrid doesn’t know that. Time to whoop up on this she-vamp, Lola-style.”
