Chapter 4

Outside the restaurant, the limo pulled up to the curb. People were lined up under the awning to wait for the valets to bring their vehicles. Their reservations were no longer valid, not when Andrei made sure of that.

Guilt squeezed her lungs. “I-I’ve changed my mind. I can’t do this to all these people…force them away from their meal. Let’s go somewhere else.”

“No, it’s fine. Trust me.” He opened the door. “Otherwise, I’ll have to turn people away from the next restaurant we visit.”

Feeling terrible, but knowing Andrei probably wasn’t kidding, Lynda climbed out. The men and women waiting under the awning and along the sidewalk craned their necks to get a look at them.

“They'll be disappointed that I'm not a celebrity,” Lynda said waving to a girl who appeared to be around five years old, resting with a sad face in her dad's arms.

Andrei drew Lynda to his side. “They’ve seen a beautiful, intelligent woman...what more could they want?”

A blush heated her cheeks, and she followed him inside the building.

“Welcome, madame and monsieur,” a garçon greeted them. “This way to your table.”

The restaurant was empty of customers, and Lynda bit her lip.

“I feel bad that all the people outside got booted out because of us.”

“Don't be.” Andrei patted her hand as it rested on his arm. “They were compensated with their meal paid for and the next two meals as well.”

They weaved through the empty tables. Black tablecloths flowed over round tables. Fresh flower wreaths circled glass candle holders.

At an L-shaped booth, Andrei gestured for her to sit. “I will be back in a moment; I need to make a few phone calls. Order whatever you like.”

She glanced over the menu, suddenly missing his company. Was everything all right? Was his boss, the vampire king, upset that he had bought out the restaurant?

“Is madame ready or would you like more time?” The waiter asked pleasantly, but she noticed him scrutinizing her behind his kind expression.

How did he feel about them booking out the place? Did he judge her even though Andrei compensated them enough for it not to matter to the owner?

“What do you recommend?” She took a sip of her water.

“To start, the escargot here are comparable to none.” He grinned. “Or the Coquilles Saint-Jacques, if you like scallops, are divine. Then I would follow with a bowl of Blanquette de Veau. Magret de Canard for the main dish, it's better a little bloody.”

Unease filled her. She had no idea what half of what he said meant. She’d already mucked things up for the staff when they removed all the customers, thanks to Andrei. It was better just to agree and not let anyone know she was way out of her depth here.

“Sounds fabulous.” She handed him the menu.

“So you’ve had duck before?” he asked, smiling.

“Sorry, no. I've never had duck before.”

“It's magnifique.” He brushed his brown hair out of his eyes. The gesture made her think he was younger than she originally thought.

“And for dessert?” She inquired, hoping he’d name something she’d recognize.

He bowed slightly, his reddish-brown eyes amused but now hidden as he bowed, and his hair fell into his eyes. “Ah...that is a treat that monsieur wants to be kept as a surprise. Care for wine?”

Her head still swam from the plum wine in the limo. “Thanks, but I'll stick with sparkling water for now.”

Should she order for Andrei? Maybe something raw…some vamps could tolerate a bit of bloody meat. If he was a werewolf, even more so. Did they cater to non humans here and have a blood wine? She looked around for Andrei but didn’t see him anywhere.

The other wait staff bustled, bringing her water and the first course. She took a bite of the Coquilles and groaned at the perfection filling her mouth. God, I could eat like this every day...and of course, gain two hundred pounds.

If she took this project, she could afford to eat at places like this often. Hell, she might even hire a chef.

“Is everything to your liking?” The waiter asked. His boyish grin made her smile back.

“Yes. You have amazing taste.”

“Merci. Wish I could say the same about my love life.”

Did Andrei tell him what she did for a living? She glanced at the back of the restaurant but didn't find him anywhere. “Sorry about that. Love is a tricky thing.”

Which was why she liked everything lined up beforehand.

“Indeed.” He leaned his hands on the empty chair before her. “Once, I had the luxury of dating a princess. She didn't like that I loved to cook and prepared fine food despite my condition and refused to marry me unless I quit.”

“That's awful.” What condition? The guy looked slim and buff. In fact, she knew a dozen clients who would want to date him no matter if he was their match or not. Then she noticed his flawless complexion. Though tan, his skin was too perfect. He had to be non-human. She took another bite of her food, and he watched her for a reaction.

“You didn't cook this, did you?”

He winked. “Not tonight, but our chefs use my recipes.”

He was a master chef and not just a waiter?

“Wha—?” She choked on her food and reached for her water.

Once her cough calmed, he held out his hand.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Pierre.”

She shook his hand, but he brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

“And welcome, Ma Chérie, to my restaurant.”

“Thank you, Merci.” She eased her hand from his grasp. “But really, you shouldn't wait on me. I mean you have more important things to do I'm sure.”

“Let me bring you the escargot; then we'll talk some more.” He disappeared behind the kitchen doors.

“Hi, beautiful,” Andrei said coming from behind her and sitting down at her side.

She ignored the flattery. Most women loved it; she'd rather have a relationship with someone before they started throwing out compliments. “Too bad you can't eat; this food is amazing.”

She took a bite and briefly closed her eyes as pleasure once again flowed up from her mouth to her brain.

“Now you are going make me jealous of Pierre.” Andrei gave her a wink so playful she almost sputtered.

“Maybe that would be good for you to have a bit of competition?” She teased back.

But his dark eyes flashed, and her heartbeat sped up. After a few moments, he shook his head and schooled his features.

“Forgive me.” He nodded when a waitress came forward with a dark wine in a crystal goblet. In one swallow, he downed the liquid. “Merci,” he said and gave the empty cup back.

“Another glass?” The waitress asked.

He waved her away. “Later.”

The escargot came out on a steaming platter. Tentatively, Lynda tried one. It melted in her mouth, smoother than butter.

Pierre strutted out of the kitchen, slicking his hair out of his eyes. “Do you like, no?”

For a moment, with his sexy smile and sparkling eyes, she thought he was talking about himself instead of the food.

“Oh yes. It's marvelous.” She nodded. “That princess was a fool.”

“I like this one, Andrei.” Pierre winked. “I'll be back with the main course.”

Lynda was already stuffed. “How long have you two known each other?”

“Too long. Pierre is a flirt and doesn't think outside of food and women.”

She leaned her arm on the table. Andrei was tanned, despite being a vampire. His hair was light brown and curly but cropped short. “Tell me, how is it you aren't pale...I mean like most vampires?”

God, was the wine from earlier affecting her this much? Usually, she wasn't this blunt until she got to know someone better.

He chuckled. “Guess I'm vain. I was Greek in my past life and darker than this because I loved the sun. So, I use a spray tan to keep up the illusion that I'm still human.”

“Um...do you tan yourself all over?” Damn her mouth. It was not her business as to whether or not he had tan lines.

“I didn't know you cared?”

“No, I don't.” She took a sip of water. “Just curious that's all.”

“Later I can show you, if you wish.” His velvet voice glided over her.

“Here is your Magret de Canard.” Pierre set the plate of duck before her.

Lynda blinked. How had he gotten here so fast? “Merci.”

“It won’t be good cold.” He left for the kitchen.

“Is he okay?” Lynda asked and cut into the duck that was so tender she didn't really need to use her knife.

“Yes, just his hearing is exceptional.”

She tasted the duck and nearly swooned in her chair. The sultry flavor caressed her tongue. “This is incredible,” she said between mouthfuls.

“I bet.” He stared at her in a way that made her nervous and excitement danced in her stomach.

“Why don't you tell me something about yourself since you're not going to eat? It creeps me out that you’re just watching me.”

“What would you like to know?” He waved to the waitress, and she dashed forward seconds later with another wine in a glass from the kitchen.

“That’s blood wine, isn’t it?” She was too curious to not ask.

“Yes. They only serve fresh here.” He smiled over the rim of his glass. “Does that bother you?”

She squirmed in her chair. “Yes, if the donor is forced.”

“My brother owns this place…he would never make someone do anything they didn’t want to.”

So, Pierre was his brother. Interesting. One of Dracula’s sons was a chef. Not quite what she’d expected.

“Except having people leave his restaurant for you?”

He lifted his glass in salute. “Touché. And they were compensated. I told you that.”

“Yes, well maybe money can’t buy everything.”

“Says the woman who has little but the potential to have so much more.” He set his glass down. “Let’s have this conversation again after you agree to the payment and a year has passed. Then you will see that money buys a lot more than you know.”

Her sex clenched at his words like he’d stroked her there. She shook her head as heat crept up her body. “Still, it’s not right. I feel horrible about those people being shooed away.”

“Did you see anyone unhappy? Or angry?” His finger traced a drop of condensation falling down her cup.

“No, but that doesn’t make it right.”

He shrugged and met her stare. “Next time, I’ll let you give them the choice then? They can stay and finish their meal and pay for it or accept the bribe and leave. Fair?”

“Yes.” Though he was probably right. How many people would stay when offered so much to leave?

“Now. Let’s change the subject. Ask me anything you wish, and I will answer you honestly.”

Anything? The question popped into her mind to ask him if he liked having sex with human women, but she shoved that thought away.

“You said you were Greek? When were you changed into a vampire?” Damn, was that too personal?

His brows pinched together.

“I mean if it's not too upsetting to talk about your past.”

“No, it's fine.” He relaxed and leaned an arm across the back of his chair and took a sip of his bright ruby-colored drink. “Not many...humans care to even ask.”

That was one of the saddest things she'd ever heard. “Well, I'm asking.”

He gave a nod and took another gulp from his glass. “My mother was one of Vlad's mistresses. As a bastard, no one paid me much attention because he had three sons with his two wives. But when his second son died from a fever, he claimed me as his replacement. Once I came of age, he turned me.” He let out a harsh laugh. “I thought it was the greatest achievement of my life. I was a vampire like my father and claimed as one of his sons.”

“And it wasn't all you hoped?” She laid her hand over his.

“His oldest and youngest sons were furious. They refused to acknowledge me as one of them. Locked me in the dungeons until my mother discovered me there after weeks of hunting. I nearly ripped her throat out; I was so hungry.”

She squeezed his hand. “But you didn't, right?”

She held her breath waiting for his response. She glanced back at the kitchen, wondering how Pierre could have been so cruel, but it was a long time ago. He had surely changed.

“No. She died years later from the plague. I begged her to let me turn her, but she refused. Everyone else treated me and other vampires as demons.” He finished off his drink and set the glass on the table. “After his third legitimate son was born, the Catholic Church excommunicated Vlad. And he had a handful of bastards, many of whom died before they came of age. We three would be the only sons he would have. Didn't matter how many mistresses he slept with or enemies he raped; we were it. And we haven't been able to continue his lineage either.

“Now, he wants to have one of his sons rule in his place. Me, the unmentioned bastard or one of the two princes: Mihnea, the first-born, and Pierre. Whoever finds a match that can break the curse and bring forth a half-vampire who can walk in the sun wins the whole kingdom.”

“But how are you a bastard and the other princes aren’t if Vlad had two wives?”

Andrei shook his head. “He didn’t have the wives at the same time. His first wife, while Vlad was imprisoned and his enemy came to claim her and the castle, committed suicide by jumping out of the tower window and into the river below. She thought Vlad had been executed and couldn’t bear to continue life without him.”

“How horrible.”

“His first wife loved him very much…almost unheard of in medieval times…even though she was the illegitimate daughter of Hungarian John Hunyadi.” He smiled, and his stare drifted off elsewhere. “Even though my mother was one of Vlad’s mistresses, his first wife was always kind to me.”

“What was her name?”

Andrei glowered. “It is forbidden to speak her name. Only our father may do so in his quiet prayers to her. During his prayers, he remembers their love and how they used to walk along the countryside and have picnics beneath the sun and clouds. I’ve heard his quiet whispered prayers, though I’d never tell him that.”

She sat back, sympathy crashing into her. What must it be like to never see sunlight? And to never be a parent no matter how desperately you want children of your own blood.

“I’m sorry. What if my system along with your data doesn’t give you what you’re looking for? What then?”

His brow furrowed. “It has to work. But if it doesn’t, we’ll try something else.”

What else could they do?

He scratched his cheek in thought. “Maybe pay a visit to the Russian clan and wipe them out.”

A lead weight sank in her gut. The last thing anyone needed was an all-out vampire war. If there was a chance that she could help Andrei and the other two princes, she had to. To stop a war. She squared her shoulders. “Okay, let me run diagnostics on your info, and if it checks out, I’ll incorporate it into my program.”

His smile was genuine, and his dark eyes brightened. Her heart softened even more. But what human woman, who did match the DNA, would be willing to be a broodmare to a vampire?