PRESENT
Trey
WE PULL up to Club Toxic an hour before dawn. Frangelico approaches, wearing a tux and opera gloves. I would roll my eyes, but Sheridan is dressed to match, in a red dress that's all poofy and spreads out in a two-foot radius, rustling as she walks. I'm gonna pull off all the frilly shit later, see if the bodice can survive without it. Her tits look amazing.
I clear my throat as the king approaches, flanked by two burly guys. I swallow, wondering if Grizz is working here now that it's out he's on their payroll. I'll never admit how much it hurt to find out he was a traitor. My chest is tight just thinking about it. At least he's not here now.
Frangelico snaps his fingers and his guards stop in their tracks, letting Frangelico close the distance between us alone.
"No lieutenants this time?" I ask casually.
Frangelico shows his fangs, either smiling or threatening me. Probably both. "You will find, wolf, that I am capable of defending myself."
"Not tonight," Sheridan declares. "We don't want a fight."
"Very well," Lucius bows to her. She curtsies in return, and I roll my eyes. Stupid leeches, always going for this old-fashioned bullshit. I can tell the vampire king is eating it up, though, and step closer to Sheridan.
Lucius makes a show about glancing at the horizon. "Perhaps we can be about our business then. Dawn is close."
"Yeah," I mutter under my breath. "Wouldn't want you to end up fried."
Sheridan elbows me in the side as she moves to her Mercedes.
"We have something of yours." Sheridan motions towards the trunk and waits for the vampire king to nod permission. Slowly, she pops it and steps away. Lucius takes two steps forward, angling his head. His face goes ultra blank when he sees what's inside.
"Ah. Yes, that does belong to me. Tell me, wolf, how does my child end up in your trunk with a wooden stake in his chest?"
"He was stalking me," Sheridan tells him. "He came to my house and tried to get in. Confessed to leaving the body on Fight Club's doorstep. Something about 'keeping the old ways' and showing the world what real vampires are like. He and his vampire 'brethren.'" She raises her index fingers and wiggles them at the word 'brethren.' Lucius' face turns scary as Sheridan continues. "Anyhoo, I shot him and staked him, but only halfway. I figured you'd want to deal with him yourself."
I hold my breath as Frangelico studies my girl, her car, and his fallen lieutenant. Now we see if he'll enforce his own rules.
The smile that breaks out on Lucius' face makes me shiver. "Why, thank you, my dear. It is so nice to meet a wolf who respects a treaty." He motions to his bodyguards and they lumber forward, dragging the unconscious vampire out of the trunk and behind the building. They don't bother to be gentle.
"Poor Nero. So passionate and promising. I will have to punish him. And get to the bottom of this little coup." Lucius touches his tongue to his fangs. He doesn't look upset at all.
"I'll let my alpha know the treaty still stands," I say, and tug Sheridan's arm. Time to go, before the vampire decides he is angry after all, and wants to punish more than just Nero.
Before she can turn and follow me, Lucius says, "I've always loved she-wolves."
I whirl with an insult ready, but Sheridan stops me with a hand on my chest. "I got this," she tells me sweetly.
She smiles at the vampire, showing her fangs. "Careful. While we do appreciate your willingness to liaise with us, we don't always like vampires, and we're not interested in playing victim. I wouldn't want you to end up with your head cut off because you looked at a she-wolf the wrong way."
I stiffen, ready to fight. Sheridan just insulted a vampire king with a not-so-subtle threat.
Lucius Frangelico tosses back his head and laughs. We watch the pale column of his throat work, frozen in horror. Vampire laughter is the scariest fucking thing I've ever heard.
"Lovely," the leech says, shaking his head with glee. "Just lovely. Go now before I decide to keep you."
Trey
INSTEAD OF DRIVING HOME, I head for Gates Pass and cruise up to a scenic overlook. Day breaks, and for a while we don't speak, just watch the light and color unfurl over the valley. Sheridan slips her hand into mine. Fuck, this could've all gone down so much worse. But for now, I have my lady within reach and another beautiful day on the horizon.
Her hand strokes my hair. I capture it and nip her fingers until she laughs.
"We did it," she sighs, her outrageous dress rustling around her.
"You did." I kiss her fingers. "Liaise? Let me guess-word of the day calendar?" Her smile is not only enough of an answer, it has my cock twitching.
Yeah, I want to tip her over the hood of the car and fuck her, dress and all, but we've both been through a lot. First I want to watch the sunrise with my baby, get her soft and sweet. Then I can tie her to the bed and give her orgasms until she agrees to never leave me.
"Club will open soon," I comment. "Cops have no reason to keep it closed, now."
"Good. I have big plans for it."
My head is so caught up with whips and chains and what type of rope would be best on her soft wrists that I have to rewind her words until I hear them properly. Then I rewind them again. "Excuse me?"
She wrinkles her nose. "You heard me. The concept is good, but you have a long way to go in execution. Fight Club could be awesome and legit, if we just implement a few safeguards."
I lean back against my seat, stunned. "So you're staying?"
She blinks at me a few times. "Well, Garrett says I can only stay if you sponsor me." She bats her eyes at me. "So what do you say?"
I grin so wide my face hurts. "You sure?"