“Bitch?” She took a step toward me.
I felt my gums tingle. My teeth lowered to dangerous points.
She snickered and tipped over my favorite bottle of perfume with her index finger. The cap was on so it didn’t spill, but she watched me with an amused little smile.
I didn’t move a muscle to stop her. If that was her game, then let her play it because as the saying goes, “Bitches be trippin’”—but I wasn’t planning to trip with her.
She lifted the lid of my jewelry case. Her hand reached inside, most likely to criticize its contents. The majority of my jewelry was silver. I hadn’t had a chance to weed it out from the rest of my items. I was really happy that I had gotten preoccupied.
When her fingers made contact with my jewelry, I heard a loud crackling like a lightning strike, the distinct sound and smell of sizzling filling the air.
She screamed, yanked her hand back, and spun away from the dressing table. She looked as if she were on rotors!
She then hissed, and there was nothing human about the sound.
Chills ran up and down my arms and back.
She clutched her hand to her chest, hissing and screeching.
Damn. It hurt to get stung by silver, but why all the theatrics?
She ran in my direction but not at me. Before she disappeared out of the door I caught sight of her eyes.
They were terrified.
I could smell searing flesh, and it was sickening. But what had happened? Her hand hadn’t been in contact with silver any longer than mine had.
It was time to go. Whether Tony had set me up, I no longer wanted any part of the Council or him
I picked up my overnight bag and shoved my belongings back into it. I was becoming more and more pissed about her attitude. How dare that bitch come up into my face trying to intimidate me? Yeah, I was scared and everything, but I wasn’t going to get punked out.
I had my bag in hand and was about to head out the door when I felt more than saw a flash of movement.
Tony blocked the door. He looked at my bag. “What’s going on?”
I tried to move past him, but he gripped my arm.
“Kim, wait.”
I don’t like being grabbed, and I felt my teeth extend even further than ever.
Tony’s brow furrowed and he released his hold. “Kim, tell me what happened.”
I hurried around him.
“Wait a minute, Kim!” He grabbed my arm again.
I pushed him off balance and thought of the long corridor that led to this lower level, and was standing there an instant later. I knew Tony was hot on my heels, so I darted into the main room—where something bowled me over and left me sprawling on the floor.
Tony pinned me facedown on the cool marble floor. My bag went flying. My first instinct was to struggle, kick, and claw, but facedown I had no power. Instead, I froze.
”Look,” Tony growled in my ear. “I’m going to let you up, but stop running. I can catch you without breaking a sweat. Do you understand?”
I didn’t move.
He gave me a small shake. “Do. You. Understand?!”
”Yes,” I grumbled.
He rose off me and offered me his hand.
I didn’t accept it so my rise wasn’t quite as nice as his had been.
He stroked his goatee and watched me brush the invisible dust off my blouse only to discover one of my buttons had popped off and the shirt was gaping open. I glared at him and then gripped my shirt together. Yes, I was wearing one of my cute Victoria’s Secret bras, but I was really pissed at him and didn’t want him gaping at my cleavage.
Tony wasn’t doing that, though. He was all-eyes-on-my-eyes. ”I didn’t know that Kaniji was here,” he said.
I crossed my arms over my chest, partially to keep my business concealed, but partially because I didn’t appreciate being tackled. “If you’re trying to kill me, then you don’t have to play games. I’m not going to be the mouse and the rest of you the cats, and I’m not—”
”When I brought you here last night,” he interrupted, “there was no one in this house other than you, me, and Mei Wah. I’m not playing any games with you, and everything I told you was the truth. I mean to help you. I didn’t know Kaniji was going to show up.
”But she knew I was going to be here.”
”Yeah. I told her I was bringing you in.”
”And people just walk in and out of your house?”
“She does.”
Hmmm, just as I suspected. That bitch was his woman. I glanced around for my bag. No wonder she gave me the cold shoulder last night.
He shook his head. “Hold on, don’t jump to conclusions. Kaniji and I are not an item.”
”Anymore?” I added, trying to sound disinterested, because I was … mostly.
”Anymore,” he admitted. “And no one, I repeat, no one will be allowed in here while you’re here. Mei Wah understands this now. No one is coming in here, Kim. So please stay. Someone needs to teach you what you need to know.”
I sighed and relaxed my shoulders.
“What in the hell happened? I heard screaming. I thought it was you. I couldn’t even imagine what could have happened. Then I caught Kaniji on the stairs. Her hand was smoking.” He looked haunted by the memory.
”Smoking? I didn’t do anything to her, if that’s what you’re implying. She came downstairs--without knocking, mind you, and with an attitude. It was her idea to stick her hand into my jewelry box. I guess she was surprised to find that I hadn’t yet weeded out my silver jewelry.”
Tony shook his head. “No. It wasn’t the silver, or not just the silver. Kaniji’s hand held a brand, Kim. It was the brand from a crucifix.”
Oh. I was so happy that I hadn’t experimented with touching it. ”Well, she couldn’t have touched it for more than a split second.
”You don’t understand. Silver hurts, but the effects end almost as soon as you’re no longer touching it. And even though it’s painful, it will heal in a short time.” His brow knit into a frown.
I wasn’t sure if he was mad at me or if it was just his intensity.
“To be branded by a crucifix is an instant death sentence for us,” Tony said.
Oh, shit. I killed Kaniji? I killed another Council member ... and Tony’s ex? “She’s dead?”
He shook his head. “No, Kim. She’s not dead. But I did have to chop off her hand. She wanted me to chop off only her finger because she’s so damn vain, but I wasn’t taking any chances.”
I gave him a horrified look. He was either a damn good ex or a really bad one.
He gave me a wry smile. “Don’t worry. It will regenerate ... I believe.”
”You believe? Wait. You guys, I mean, we regenerate limbs?”
Tony paced. “Yes, it’s possible. A hand should take about a year. But if we lose a limb to a holy relic it may never regenerate---that’s why I chopped it off before it corrupted her entire body.”
I shivered while wondering what would have happened to me had I experimented with touching the crucifix. Tony wouldn’t have been there to chop off my hand.
I tried to sound brave. ”Your girl wasn’t too happy with me before all this.” And now the bitch was missing a hand. “She’s really going to be unhappy with me now. I don’t think this is the safest place for me.”
”First of all, she’s not my girl. Second, like you said, no one told her to stick her hand where it didn’t belong. And I disagree with you. You wouldn’t be safer anywhere in this city ... than with me.”
I felt my limbs grow weak and something in my stomach flutter.
Tony walked over and picked up my bag then he strolled over to me and handed me the button to my blouse. I had forgotten about my opened shirt until his eyes glanced down then back up. I crossed my arms again.
”I promise that I won’t force you to stay here if you really want to go,” he said, “but I think that there’s a lot I can do to help you thrive and not just survive.”
I allowed Tony to take my bag downstairs. When he came back upstairs three seconds later, he appeared to be curious. ”Are you planning to keep the crucifix in your jewelry box?”
It wasn’t just a crucifix. It was the only thing of my grandmother’s that I had left. ”Yes, I am.” I placed my hands on my hips defiantly.
”I’ve never allowed anyone to carry a holy implement into my home.”
I opened my mouth to protest.
He held up his hand. “But under the circumstances, I understand. Just be careful. I don’t want to have to chop off your hand.”
I widened my eyes.
He smiled. “First things first.” He offered me his hand. “We’re going shopping.”
I wanted to protest but couldn’t. I really wanted to go shopping because I wasn’t rolling in spare clothes.
He led me outside to a waiting black Mercedes-Benz in the driveway. “You drive?”
“Of course. I’m not so far gone that I can’t appreciate nice things.” His eyes appraised me. He was flirting again. Hmmph. I wasn’t going to bite. He led me to the car and I saw Mei Wah behind the wheel waiting.
When I got in, Mei Wah gave me a look that seemed full of shame. “I’m sorry, Miss Kim. Tony told me about Kaniji sneaking into the house.”
I noticed he referred to me as Miss, but there was nothing in front of Kaniji’s name.
”Believe me, if I had known she was in the vicinity,” Mei Wah said, “I would have made certain that she would have never entered the lower level.”
”Thanks, Mei Wah. I appreciate that.”
Once we were settled in, Mei Wah turned on the CD player and some gentle jazz wafted through the speakers. The music, Mei Wah’s apology, and Tony’s presence all worked to relax me.
”I guess I’m a handful already, huh?”
”You say that as if it’s a bad thing.” Tony glanced down at my shirt, but I was gripping it closed. He sighed and looked out the window.
I was intrigued when we pulled up to a deserted looking building instead of a shopping mall. We had to still be in Ohio, but I had no idea where.
Mei Wah let us out. We were standing on a dark, deserted street that felt suspiciously eerie.
”You might want to retract your teeth.” Tony said.
I covered my mouth. “I don’t know how.”
Tony chuckled, reached up, and touched my cheek with his warm hand. He took a step closer to me then placed his other hand on my waist.
I looked up at him. “What?
He made a slight shushing gesture. Gently he drew me to him. My hands clutched his forearms. I’m not sure if it was to push him away ... or draw him closer.
Tony lowered his face to mine until I felt his lips.
Oh my, my, my. I have never felt lips like his before. The kiss was chaste, but it made my knees weaken and almost buckle beneath me. I didn’t know I was doing it, but my lips parted and Tony’s tongue gently slipped inside.
His hand on my cheek gently cradled my face and slid to the back of my neck to draw me even closer.
I could feel his tongue brush the sharpened teeth. He groaned deep in his throat and drew first my lower then my upper lip into his mouth. A warm tingle spread from the pit of my stomach to tease my core like caressing fingertips.
Tony drew back slowly. “I think your teeth are retracted.”
I was dazed for a few moments before registering what he’d said. I ran my tongue along them. ”How’d you do that?”
He smiled. “I’ll teach you later ... and also how to mask your eyes after feeding.”
I blinked.
“Don’t worry. These are friends. They’re human, and fangs give them unnecessary anxiety.”
He took my hand and led me into the building. I was feeling a little anxious myself. What should I make of that kiss? It was powerful enough to make me want more. But, damnit! Tony was a Vampire, Council member, and rich to boot! This was all too new, and I wasn’t sure that it was smart to get too emotionally involved when I didn’t know the rules.
I watched his back, still clutching his hand as he led me inside the building. He appeared sculpted from marble, hard but smooth. His muscles flowed like an athlete’s. Even the way he walked made me think of someone ready to sprint or leap. I swallowed dryly. I was really attracted to him, but I couldn’t get the inhuman sound of Kaniji’s howling out of my head. Tony is not human. I’m not human, but even he admitted I was more human than he was. I had to really get it in my head exactly what we were and to accept what I was.
”Mr. Yates. Come in.” A small, stylish man of about forty greeted us. He took my hand in greeting while Tony introduced me.
”Brett, this is my houseguest, Kim Russell. Kim, this is Brett Scott. He owns a number of fashion houses all over Europe and the United States. He comes through town as a special courtesy to me.”
”Yes, Mr. Yates and I go back,” Brett said. “He was my best customer when I was struggling with my first shop in Hoboken. What was it? Thirty years ago?”
”More, I think.”
I looked at Tony, who had been “turned” during the Depression and was forever frozen at the age of a man in his mid-thirties, a man who had been born before my grandparents. What sights had he seen?
”Won’t you follow me?” Brett led us into a surprisingly rich room. It was tastefully decorated in creams and earth tones. Two oversized sofas were the focal points. The lights were dim, and though it was just an old abandoned warehouse, the rich accessories made it feel like the most upscale Parisian store.
Tony and I sat on one of the sofas. I was a little confused. Where were the clothes? And what about the shoes and purses? Tony said that we were supposed to be shopping.
Music began to waft through hidden speakers strategically positioned around the room. A thumping, hip-hop beat made me feel as if I was back at Club Midnight and not a little hidey-hole in the middle of who-knew-where.
I was impressed. Who would have thought Brett Scott had it in him.
A stylish model entered the room. She looked as if she was on a catwalk.
This was a fashion show! I had never been to a fashion show. I glanced around. We were the only people in the audience. Tony had it like that?
For the next hour the most gorgeous people modeled for us. They allowed us to test the fabric between our fingers. One of the models even took off her coat and let me try it on.
”Tell me what you like,” Tony whispered in my ear.
I shivered and turned to him, my mouth slightly open.
A lady sat behind us taking notes on my reactions.
The lights dimmed even further, and the music changed. It was now a sultry, jazzy tune. The next model came out wearing lingerie. I glanced at Tony suspiciously. I hoped he wasn’t thinking that he was going to get a private fashion show later with me as the model.
The lingerie was tasteful, though. The skinny models wearing the thongs made me remember that my new and improved body gave them a run for their money. Unlike their asses, mine was filled out in all the right places.
The lights came up, and I almost applauded. It had been a wonderful show. Tony watched me with a slight smile that made him look so sexy.
”Did you enjoy that?”
I nodded. “I thought we were going to the mall or something.”
”The mall? Never.” He stood and took my hand.
”What’s next?”
”Home.”
I looked at the empty catwalk. “When do we pay?”
”We? You’re my guest, in all ways. And I have already taken care of the bill. Our purchases will arrive tomorrow night.” He waved Brett over. ”I’ll just be a minute.” He stepped away to talk to Brett.
I looked at some of the paintings and sculptures, and before long they joined me.
”Miss Russell, will you follow me?” Brett asked.
I gave Tony a puzzled look, but he just smiled. “Okay ...”
Brett led me backstage. “Where are we going, Brett
?”
”Mr. Yates has made a small purchase for you to take home tonight.”
”Okay.” And I had to go to it? It couldn’t come to me?
”Through here is a dressing room, Miss Russell.” He gestured for me to go inside. “One of my assistants will bring something to replace your torn blouse.”
I thanked him and entered a little dressing room. A young woman breezed in carrying a wardrobe bag draped over her arms.
My eyes were locked on that wardrobe bag before I realized that she was studying me just as hard. I saw a blush creep over her face at being caught staring and she quickly hung the bag. Wordlessly she began to remove my blouse and because I’m not accustomed to being undressed by a woman it creeped me out a bit. But then she reached to undo my pants and I took a step back and told her that I could take care of it. She gave me a lingering look before leaving and after she was gone I blinked in surprise. Did I just get hit on by a chick? Oh my God…
As soon as I was sure she was gone and not ready to breeze back in the room once I was down to nothing but undies, I unzipped the bag and gasped.
Inside was a pure white pantsuit. It was the cleanest, purest white I’d ever seen.
The pants were loose and flowing and draped my legs like a waterfall. I pulled on a sheer blouse of the most translucent silk. My black lacy bra stood out like a sore thumb so feeling bold I removed it.
I shivered at the feel of the cool silk against my naked skin causing my nipples to tighten and draped the matching wrap across my shoulders allowing it to conceal my perky boobies. I modeled in the full-length mirror loving the look. Tony had chosen well.
When I stepped out of the little room I saw Brett waiting for me with ten pairs of shoes!
I slipped off my black boots and tried on several of them before selecting my favorite. The heel was higher than what I would normally choose, but the outfit called for it.
Brett led me back into the main room, and Tony let out a low whistle then came forward to take my arm. We were quite a sight—him in his black and me in my white. He just stared at me for an entire minute before leading me to the door.
”Brett,” he said, “As usual, a wonderful job. Thank you, my friend.” They shook hands and hugged.
”No problem. Anything for you, Mr. Yates.” Brett turned to me. “And Miss Russell, it’s rare to see beauty such as yours. I hope to see you again.”