Chapter 25
Suzi leaned a shoulder against the doorframe, not daring to step a foot closer, surveying Grayson’s room where her roommate thrashed about on his king-sized bed. Sweat beaded Tamera’s forehead and upper lip as she bared her teeth to pain that only Suzi could imagine. The small, bedside lamp, fitted with a burgundy shade, lent a dim illumination to the room. Suzi was thankful for the low lighting, even if Cara had said it was for Tamera’s benefit. Anything brighter would have been like shards of glass shooting through her roommate’s pupils. Suzi stopped asking questions, thinking she might be better off if she were spared further details of what to expect when going through the change. As it was, Suzi was a fraction away from bolting.
Deep red satin sheets spilled to the floor, reminding her of spilled blood. How ironic that she’d be reminded by the color of Grayson’s sheets of the very thing that now caused Tamera excruciating agony. She could barely stand to watch as Cara mopped her roommate’s brow, sitting on the edge of the bed and keeping vigil, when it should be Suzi offering Tamera comfort. After all, she had been the one to fail her.
Hadn’t her warnings to steer clear of the vampire been clear?
Yet Tamera still fell for Grayson’s deadly charm. Sure, he was probably the most appealing of the Sons when you threw in his carefree personality and insouciant attitude toward life. But in truth, Grayson was the last vampire you wanted to get caught up with. His love of life and women meant that he didn’t know the meaning of the word faithful, even if always having a woman on each arm wasn’t enough of an indicator. And why should he when he had so many women competing for his attention?
Alexander, on the other hand, with his newly shorn locks could easily be thought of as the more handsome one of the MC. Even Suzi had been surprised by what he successfully hid under all that hair. Being one of the more quiet ones of the bunch, he had a tendency to stay out of the limelight. He’d probably be the most mate-able one of the motley bunch. And yet Suzi had to fall for the one with a stubborn streak a mile wide with a healthy ego to match.
She wanted to fault Grayson for what she now witnessed, but in all honesty, she couldn’t. He hadn’t supplied Tamera with the X. Draven had. The Sons knew it was far too risky for a human to be high on X when they fed from them. Donors also knew the dangers, and for that reason never touched the stuff if they planned to provide communion. So why the hell had Tamera?
Suzi had been too preoccupied with her own selfish desires to see what was going on with her roommate right under her nose. As the elder donor, she should’ve made sure Tamera knew and followed the rules. Suzi drew her lower lip between her teeth, knowing she had failed Tamera. If she hadn’t been so occupied by Kaleb and her desire to make him suffer, she might’ve seen the signs that her roommate had been on a course to self-destruction. She’d bet that Grayson hadn’t expected the outcome of his night either, now strapped with a mate he didn’t want.
Where the hell was he anyway?
A scream rent the air, bringing her attention back to her roommate. Moisture gathered in her eyes and a shiver passed down her spine. Tamera’s back arched from the bed, her hands fisting the red sheets and whitening her knuckles. Suzi clenched her own teeth in imagined pain. The coward in her wanted to make an excuse, to flee the clubhouse and skip out on the rest of the show. But her loyalty kept her rooted in place. Tamera had pleaded with her to stay, saying it would help knowing Suzi was near.
Not able to watch a moment longer, Suzi’s gaze drifted about the room, focusing on Grayson’s chosen furnishings. Somehow it didn’t surprise her that Grayson’s bed had been fitted in the soft, silky fabric, topped with a a rich black comforter. Matching black material hung from the corners of the four posters, tied midway by deep red scarves. Suzi didn’t want to guess what those scarves might’ve been used for. Black lacquered furniture finished off the look. Other than the splash of red, the room was devoid of any other color. It fit Grayson. Funny how she could easily imagine him lounging in the center of that big bed with a woman on either side. She supposed if the situation were different, it would be him there with Tamera and not Kane’s mate.
Mate.
Cara sat by Tamera’s side … Grayson’s mate, and continued to mop her brow with the cool cloth. She held Tamera’s hand with her free one, even though it looked as though Tamera’s grip might just crush Cara’s smaller hand. But Cara hadn’t so much as flinched. A half hour had passed since retrieving Tamera’s change of clothes and Suzi had yet to enter the room. Truth be told, watching the change and the pain that it inflicted scared the bejesus out of her.
Becoming Kaleb’s mate was quickly losing its appeal. Not because she didn’t desire to be with him for all eternity, or love him with all her heart, but because there was no way in hell she could endure the kind of agony she had been a witness to.
Tears leaked from the corners of Tamera’s eyes, eyes that now seemed closer to the obsidian black of the vampire than the bright green of her natural gaze. Tears wet Suzi’s cheeks as she hugged her middle. She couldn’t help her thoughts retuning to Kaleb and how she had wanted this … to be his mate. Now, the coward in her had her wanting to tuck her tail and run. To leave this crazy life behind and opt for a more normal one.
Suzi feared she wasn’t cut of a strong enough cloth to cross over. Good thing for her, Kaleb had already expressed his desire to remain unmated. He had always been upfront with the women he slept with. Word traveled amongst the donors that he had no desire to date exclusively. No doubt as Suzi grew older, he’d want to replace her with a younger, more energetic donor—if she lasted outside of a year. The thought of Kaleb lying with any another woman gripped her gut and panged her heart. Maybe she’d be better off ending things now before she invested any more of herself. For surely, more time spent in his company would make it that much more painful to walk away.
“Is she going to be okay?” Suzi asked, drawing Cara’s attention.
The blonde smiled, her own eyes hovering between the normal vibrant blue and the glass-like obsidian. Great, she’d be the only human left in the room. Not that she wasn’t used to seeing the Sons as their vampire selves, but it was an entire different thing to see her best friends become one of them.
“She’ll be fine, Suzi. Tamera will get through it.” Cara smiled. “I did.”
“You had Viper to help you,” Suzi pointed out. “Shouldn’t Gypsy be here?”
“Normally, yes. The mate helps the woman through their change. He has the ability to make it more bearable.”
Tamera screamed again, ending on a sob, drawing both their attention. Suzi finally dared to enter the darkened room and cross to the opposite side of the bed. She reached out for Tamera’s hand, but Cara stopped her.
“She’d crush the small bones of your hand and not even realize she had.”
Suzi’s gaze went to Cara’s hand still held within Tamera’s grip. “What about yours?”
“My bones get stronger every day, and the more blood I ingest the more powerful I’ll become. It’s part of the change. Some things take longer.”
“How long has it been since you had communion?”
Cara smiled, the light from the lone lamp twinkling in the glassy surface of her gaze. “Why? Are you offering?”
Suzi’s face heated. “If it would help you.”
“Tamera may need it before this is over. She’ll need to learn to feed. But I’m fine.”
“How long does this last?” Suzi scratched her nape, wanting to be anywhere but in Grayson’s bedroom.
“A few days.”
Suzi looked at Tamera. “I’m so sorry.” More tears slipped down her cheeks.
“Not. You’re. Fault.” She gritted between her teeth through what looked to be another wave of pain. “But I may just kill the bastard…”
Tamera tilted her head back and let out an inhuman-like growl. The changes were becoming more in-human. It probably wouldn’t be long before she sprouted fangs.
“How soon before she needs to feed?”
“A day or two,” Cara said. “The process is different for each person from what I’m told. I lost track of time, but from what Kane told me, it was three days before I finally fed and completed the change. Do you need to be somewhere?”
“I feel like a coward.”
“Suzi, go. I’ve got this. Tamera will be fine in my care.”
Suzi placed a hand against her trembling lips. “I’m so sorry, Cara. You shouldn’t be the one.”
“No.” She chuckled. “It should be Gypsy, the rat bastard. But I’m much more equipped to help. Go, take some time. Call me later and let me know you’re okay.”
Suzi couldn’t utter another word without falling to pieces. So she nodded briefly, then exited the room. Walking to the table by the sofa, she grabbed her set of keys. Just before she opened the door, she gripped the necklace around her neck as an afterthought. Taking it off, she walked over to the bar and laid it on the surface, then turned and left the building.
* * *
Kaleb rolled up to the front of clubhouse on his new ride. He had chosen a Harley Davidson new edition Night Rod Special with a black denim paint job and orange striping. It wasn’t his chopper, but it was a sweet ride nonetheless. As he unsnapped his skull cap, he noticed Suzi’s red Neon wasn’t in the parking lot. Hanging the half helmet on the handle grip, he stepped over the seat of the bike, thinking that she possibly hadn’t returned with Tamera’s clothing.
Gravel crunched beneath his boots as he headed for the front door, knowing Cara would be inside. Her black Charger sat to the right of the stoop, telling him as much, but her scent gave her away along with that of Grayson’s mate. He couldn’t help wonder how the poor woman fared. The process of the change was grueling and could take a few days. Going through it without a mate at your side had to suck. At least then, she’d have known Grayson would be there for her in the end. Unfortunately with the fucked up circumstances, she’d have no one, making her future foreign and likely a bit scary. By process alone, she’d be considered Grayson’s mate. After all it was his blood that ran through her veins. But Kaleb knew there was no way in hell his VP would honor that. And given the same situation, he probably would have reacted much in the same way as Grayson … maybe even more so.
Thankfully Cara had been there to aid her through the process.
Suzi came to mind. He couldn’t help thinking of her, lying on the bed between his spread thighs as he helped her through the process and agony. Kaleb shook his head and sighed as he opened the door and stepped into the clubhouse. Damn, he had it bad. Suzi must have seized the heart he feared he didn’t possess to even entertain the idea of taking on a lifelong partner. But now that she was back in his life, he couldn’t imagine a life without her. No more fucking around. He wouldn’t chance losing her a second time. Even though the idea damn near stole the breath from his body and went against everything he thought to once believe, he knew what he wanted … needed.
“Back here, Hawk,” Cara called out.
Not that she’d needed to inform him. He could smell the pain and fear of the young donor. His sympathy went out to the redhead and he suddenly felt like kicking Grayson’s ass. Even though he couldn’t have been faulted, he should have been more aware. This should have never happened in the first place. Kaleb walked the short distance to the back of the clubhouse and peered in the dim room.
“How’s she doing?”
“Pretty well, considering. You talk to Gypsy?”
Kaleb rubbed the stubble on his chin as he took in a deep breath. “Sorry to say, but I don’t think you’re going to get any help from him.”
“Can’t you do something? You’re the club president. You could order him to be here.”
“I could, but…” He stopped himself, not wanting to speak his mind in front of the young redhead.
“But what, Hawk? You don’t think he should be? It’s his job as her mate to help her through this.”
“Look, Cara…” Kaleb scratched the spot behind his left ear. Cara would undoubtedly be livid with him. But this sure in the hell wasn’t Grayson’s fault. “Call it what you want, but Gypsy didn’t ask for this. I can’t hardly fault him. Give him time.”
“Where’s he at?”
“Blondy’s. Said he was going to live there for the time being,” he said. “Hell, I’m betting he’ll even send Blondy after his clothes.”
“Are you kidding? And you’re okay with this? Who’s responsible for Tamera then?”
Kaleb grimaced. “Blame your mate, Cara. Viper volunteered the two of you.”
“Oh, that’s rich!” Cara rose from the bed, her cheeks mottled with color from her rising anger. “You guys all band together, and in the meantime, Gypsy skirts his responsibility.”
“It’s okay,” Tamera said, sucking in air as she did so. “Gypsy isn’t at fault. This is my doing.” She bit back another rush of pain, if her face was any indication. “I don’t want to be anyone’s burden.”
Cara sat back on the bed and smoothed Tamera’s bangs from her forehead. “Sweetie, you are not a burden. I’m angry with Gypsy is all.”
“Where’s Suzi?” Kaleb asked, in a sudden hurry to be anywhere but in this room. Not that he didn’t have compassion for the woman, but every second spent there made him seriously want to beat his VP to a pulp for being such an insensitive ass.
“I told her to take a break, Hawk. She doesn’t seem to be handling this well. You may want to see if she’s okay.”
“Her car is gone.”
“I don’t know where she went. Maybe home to freshen up. She’s been gone about an hour.” Cara glanced back at him, telling Kaleb she worried about her friend. “Call her, Hawk.”
He pulled his phone from his pocket, thumbed through his contacts then hit her name and placed the phone next to his ear. After ringing several times, her answering system picked up. Kaleb hit the END and re-pocketed the phone.
“She’s not answering.”
“Maybe she’s in the shower.”
Kaleb bit back the rising panic. Something wasn’t sitting right with him. He supposed a shower could be a likely explanation. Quitting the room, he headed for the bar, needing a shot or two of Jack. After the day he had, he certainly could use one. Kaleb skirted the bar, pulled down a short highball glass, and placed it on the counter when his gaze landed on a donor necklace.
“Cara?” he called out. “Does Tamera still have her donor necklace on?”
“Yes, why?”
“Son of a bitch.” He growled loud enough to raise the rafters. “Where the fuck does Suzi live?”
Cara came trotting from Grayson’s room, wide eyed. “What is it?”
He lifted the donor necklace from the counter, allowing it to dangle from his fingers. Just hours ago he had thought asking Suzi to be his mate was completely out of the question. Now, faced with losing her. He’d rather die than not have her by his side for all eternity.
“Suzi’s?”
“Who else would it belong to? What the hell happened here?”
Cara wet her lips, her gaze thoughtful. “I knew she was having a hard time watching Tamera go through the pain. For awhile she was so pale I thought she might get sick. I told her to take a break.”
“Where the fuck does she live, Cara?”
“Not far from the Rave in Florence.” She rattled off the directions and the street address. “What are you going to do?”
“Go get her … what the fuck does it look like?”
“Anything I can do?”
“Try calling her. If she’s at the house, get her to stay put. But for heaven’s sake, do not tell her I’m on my way.” He shoved the donor necklace in his jeans pocket. “She has any inkling of what I’m about to do, she may just run and then I’ll never see her again.”
Cara’s brow furrowed. “What are you going to do, Hawk?”
“I’m going to ask her to be my mate.”
Cara’s mouth rounded as Kaleb pulled his bike keys from his other pants’ pocket. “If she calls you, find out where the hell she is, then call me. I can’t lose her a second time.”
Heading for the door, he yanked it open and headed for his bike. He sure as fuck hoped she had gone home. Otherwise, he didn’t have a clue where to begin looking. Last time she ran it had cost him six months. And Kaleb wasn’t about to lose another day.