Chapter 4
Suzi stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like she had been run through hell and back. After returning from the Blood ‘n’ Rave following her confrontation with Kaleb, she hadn’t been able to get much, if any, sleep. She had found herself tossing and turning until the first rays of dawn peeked through the white wooden slats of her blinds. She really hadn’t thought about the light color before, but in hindsight, maybe she should’ve purchased room-darkening shades. So instead of sleeping until noon as she had desired, she crawled out of bed and started the coffee … fully leaded.
That was six hours ago.
Nearly a full pot later and she had finally decided to step under the shower. Standing in a black lace, matching bra and panty ensemble, Suzi stared her reflection and the twin holes marring her otherwise unblemished skin of her neck. The bastard could’ve aided in the healing by simply licking the wounds following the retraction of his teeth, leaving nothing more than faint red marks today. But no, he had felt the need to mark her, and in turn, cause her to suffer the irritation. And far worse, she knew he wanted her to think of him every time she looked in the mirror or rubbed the aching twin holes. His ego governed his actions. She’d have to wear a scarf wrapped about her neck when she made a much needed trip to the store. Thankfully, she had the day off from work. Try explaining away the telltale sign of vampires to her coworkers.
Really, anaconda bite. You should have seen the size of that sucker.
Disgusted with Kaleb and herself for being foolish enough to track him down, she stepped into a pair of dark blue, straight-legged jeans and pulled them over her slim hips, fastening the button. Suzi grabbed a maroon pullover from the hanger and slipped it over her drying hair. The blouse hung loose past her waist to cover her backside. Normally she preferred clothes with a bit more flash. Today, however, she preferred to grocery shop unnoticed. Had it not been for the lack of food in the house, she wouldn’t even leave the townhouse and sulk otherwise in private.
Hell, she had asked for this.
Whatever made her think she could go up against Kaleb Tepes and not get hurt in the process? Technically, other than the sting of the bite marks and her wounded pride, he hadn’t exactly caused her real pain. Though eventually, the son of a bitch would hurt her and no doubt break her heart if she were ever foolish enough to drop her guard. Kaleb was a selfish bastard who loved no one other than his family and MC. He went through women like water through a sieve. And for that reason alone, she had worked damn hard over the years to ignore his existence. Well, other than her one night of weakness when she thought to proposition his twin, Kane. What better way to make Kaleb seethe than to sleep with his brother? But Suzi’s plan hadn’t worked and Kane had turned her down flat. The vampire had not been available to her, or anyone for that matter, because he had actually been in love with her best friend from high school, Cara Brahnam, though at the time he hadn’t been aware of it.
When it came to Kaleb Tepes, Suzi was way out of her league. So keeping her distance had become a priority to protect her vulnerable heart. In the end, the one thing that had worked in her favor and earned her his scorn was his nephew Ion Tepes. Kaleb made it obvious he resented her affair with Ion and wanted nothing to do with her. And of course, she had never bothered to share what her true relationship with his brother’s son had been. Certainly, she had loved Ion the way a sister loved a brother. They spent a great deal of time together, giving her many wonderful memories following his death. She had been a donor for Ion on several occasions when a lover hadn’t been available to him, but the feeding had always been plutonic in nature. Suzi was of the wrong sex to entice Ion on any other level and Ion appreciated having Suzi as a buffer. As long as his father, mother, and uncle, not to mention the rest of the Sons thought that Suzi was his old lady, then no one would guess the real truth.
Suzi had taken his secret to the grave.
It had never been hers to tell in the first place.
The door to townhouse opened, then shut, indicating Tamera had probably finished her day at the Florence Times. Tamera started there as a journalist several months back, finally landing her dream job. Though now she spent her days covering social events about the city, and waiting for the day they actually gave her a juicy assignment worthy of the front page.
Grabbing her silk scarf from the bathroom doorknob, where she had hung it as she finished dressing, Suzi headed down the narrow staircase for the living area where she found Tamera putting on a new pot of coffee.
“Hey,” Suzi said as she dropped her scarf by her pocketbook on an end table next to the worn, brown leather sofa.
Tamera turned and smiled, her green eyes turning up at the corners. “How did last night go?”
Suzi pulled out a stool next to the center island and sat, leaning her chin onto her palm. “I’ll take one of those when you get the pot made.”
“Bad night?”
“First clue?”
Tamera laughed. “Your mood. I take it things didn’t go well with Hawk.”
“You would be correct.”
Her roommate’s gaze landed on the red wounds on Suzi’s neck. “Wow, I thought you’d given up on feeding those bloody vampires. Your words, not mine,” she quickly added.
“Yeah, well apparently Hawk decided to change my mind.”
“You okay with that?”
Suzi shook her head. “Not that he cares.”
“You want to talk about it?” Tamera took a seat beside Suzi, the coffeepot beginning to gurgle.
Coffee always seemed to perk her up. But after the pot she had already consumed, if she didn’t put something in her stomach, she’d wind up with caffeine shakes to rival all others. Suzi grabbed a banana from the basket on the island, peeled it and took a bite.
Finally she said, “Hawk decided I should be his personal donor.”
“Are you serious? You told him to go fly a kite, right?”
“I tried. But according to him, his desires trump mine.” Suzi took another bite of the banana.
“You think I should take this to Draven?”
Draven, the infamous owner of the Blood ‘n’ Rave, headed the donor society, put into place by the Sons themselves as someone who had their complete trust. It was his job to make sure all donors kept the rules without question, and his to hand out justice or discipline should he or the Sons see need. No one became a donor without Draven’s approval.
“Absolutely not,” Suzi said, tossing the banana peel into the trashcan behind her. “I’m not exactly on good terms with Draven. After I thought to retire myself six months ago, following the debacle with Viper, he’s hardly spoken to me. I know darn well he’d side with Hawk. After all, he answers to him. What do you think?”
“I’d say you’re right. Hawk wants you as a personal drinking fountain. You don’t have much of a choice in the matter.”
Tamera stood and walked back over to the coffeepot, pouring them each a cup. She carried them back to the island and placed Suzi’s in front of her before adding a heavy dose of cream and bit of sugar into her own. She then retook her seat and patted Suzi’s hand, noting the solitaire still present on Suzi’s ring finger.
“I take it the ring didn’t dissuade him?”
Suzi held out her left hand and looked at the sparkling carat, then groaned. “I completely forgot that I wore it and I don’t think Hawk noticed either. At least he didn’t mention it.” Her lips turned down. “I’m sure it wouldn’t have mattered much in his decision. But I’ll keep it on for the time being. He’s bound to notice it sooner or later. Maybe with luck on my side, it will have him recanting his demand.”
“I’m here for you, Suzi. Anytime you need someone to talk to. You know that.”
Suzi nodded, knowing the hopelessness of the situation. If the president of the Sons of Sangue wanted to feed from you, then you complied without question. She blew across the surface of the coffee, causing ripples to form before taking a sip.
“Excellent coffee.”
“Of course.” Tamera smiled again. “You make yours far too weak. So what’s on the agenda for today? You look like you were on your way out.”
“I was going to run to the store, stock up on some groceries. We’re running pretty low. Otherwise, I’m staying in. Not like I want to run around town with this.” Suzi indicated the twin marks on her neck.
Tamera grimaced. “So why did Hawk choose to leave them?”
“Undoubtedly his ego.”
“They look sore.”
“They hurt like hell … the bastard.”
“You want some salve?”
“No, unfortunately I’ll live. But I will make him regret his decision to claim me as his personal donor. I’ll make him so miserable he’ll beg me back to retirement.”
“That’s my girl. Don’t let him get away with being an ass.” Tamera winked. “Now, about those groceries. How about I go change into something a little more casual and go with you? We’ll buy some wine, rent a movie, and have a movie night. Spend the evening in with a huge bowl of popcorn. What do you say?”
“Sounds like an awesome idea.”
“I’ll only be a moment.” Tamera placed her coffee cup into the sink, then headed for the second story of the townhouse.
Spending the night watching movies and getting her mind off Kaleb seemed like a perfect way to lift her spirits and get her mind off one pig-headed vampire.
“Let’s rent What’s Your Number?” she called out so Tamera could hear her on the second floor. “I could stand to watch Chris Evans run around half nude for about an hour and a half. That man tickles my libido.”
And if she were perfectly honest with herself, so did Kaleb, but she’d be damned before she’d admit as much to him.
“Perfect.” Tamera laughed as she descended the stairs, handbag in her hand. “Love that movie. Chris Evans is the perfect distraction to an otherwise crummy day.”
Suzi wrapped her scarf about her neck and grabbed her own pocketbook. “Let’s go get us that movie and a very big bottle of wine,” she said with a smile as they headed out of the townhouse and down the front steps. Kaleb Tepes be damned.
* * *
Kaleb sat alone in the meeting room of the clubhouse at one end of the long table, his finger absently tracing a scar on the wood as he awaited the rest of the MCs arrival, and contemplated the previous evening and his foolhardy demand. Suzi had stood twenty feet in front of him like a fallen angel, a healing balm to the gaping wound left by the death of his two MC brothers. The concern lacing her vivid-blue eyes had the power to undo him, to unravel the carefully thatched barrier he had constructed to guard his heart. He had made a promise to himself years ago that no woman would ever hold the reins to his happiness. Kaleb had watched what Rosalee had done to his twin, nearly destroying Kane when her actions had caused the death of his only son and vowed that he’d never allow any woman to have that kind of power over him … ever.
His first instinct had been to leap across the bar, feed from her, taste the ambrosia of her blood, then fuck her until he no longer cared that she had once belonged to his late nephew. Kaleb had fought with every fiber of his being not to act on pure animal instinct. So instead of taking her against the bar as he desired, he set out to piss her off, to earn her scorn so that she would never again look upon him with pity, concern for his well-being. He needed her hatred to hold her at bay. Her anger he could handle in the worst of days, but her compassion and empathy were best left to someone else.
Oh, he detested Suzi all right, hated the space she took up in his universe. His nephew had died a horrible death and Kaleb had felt as if a part of him had died with Ion. He couldn’t imagine the anguish his brother felt, nor did he want to. He wasn’t even sure what he expected out of Suzi, but the blank, ice-filled stare wasn’t it. Not a single tear had been shed, as if Ion’s life had meant nothing to her. Kaleb had known then and there that Suzi Stevens’ was a cold-hearted bitch.
And although he had slept with her once, long before Ion, his dick never failed to remind him how damn much he wanted another taste. She was like nectar to a honeybee. Suzi had been a mere eighteen years old at the time. Young, impressionable and provocative as sin. He’d never forgotten how they had laid in each other’s arms, her dark hair bedridden and sexy as hell as she nipped his shoulder with her teeth and begged him to drink from her. Jesus, no woman had ever had that kind of affect on him. Suzi had a firm hold on his nuts and it scared the hell out of him. Women made you all stupid in the head. Kane and Cara lay proof to that. Kane broke all the rules because of the woman he loved. Hell no. He’d never give Suzi that kind of power over him. So instead, he’d set out to piss her off any chance he got.
His mind traveled back to the kiss they shared six months ago, the one that had him crawling on the back of his chopper and heading out in the middle of the night. Kane had promised to protect her and Cara from the primordial that had landed in Pleasant … but Kaleb hadn’t offered his services. And he’d be damned if he trusted himself enough to stay under the same roof with Suzi. So like the coward he was, Kaleb rode off into the night and prayed she’d be absent upon his return. Some higher power had been listening and granted him his wish. Suzi had been gone when he arrived back at the clubhouse long hours later. He hadn’t laid eyes on her again until last night … when he had been at his weakest. Now, he was strapped to her, forced to see her every few days because he was stupid enough to think that demanding she be his personal donor would be punishment for her. Kaleb ran a hand down his face. Punishment to her it might be … but for him it’d be pure torture.
Grayson walked into the meeting room, saving him from further thought, and pulled out one of the fourteen chairs surrounding the table. His VP looked as if he hadn’t had much sleep. He brushed his overlong bangs from his eyes and leaned back in his chair, his booted feet kicked out in front of him. He stretched his long arms overhead before crossing them behind his head. His white teeth flashed against his red lips as he yawned. “So what’s with calling a church meeting so damn early?”
“It’s after noon, Gypsy.”
“Well, some of us prefer to sleep until dusk.”
“We have two brothers who need a proper send-off.”
“Which could’ve waited until nightfall. Not like they’re going anywhere.”
“You’re such an ass, Gypsy.”
The VP grinned at Kaleb, telling him that he only jested.
“Viper’s on his way home.”
“No, shit. That detective bitch take off her reins?”
Kaleb chuckled. “I’m betting those tethers are tighter than ever.”
“How so?”
“I’ll save that for when the rest of the guys get here to keep myself from having to repeat it. So who was the little blonde from this morning?”
Grayson shrugged. “Shel. Met her at the Rave last night. After what happened … I needed a release. She followed me home.”
One of Kaleb’s brows tipped up. Grayson regularly had the company of two women. Kept them from getting all territorial, he had said. “Just one?”
His bright blue eyes twinkled in humor. “You ever have a cat fight in your bed?”
Kaleb chuckled. “No, can’t say that I have.”
“Last two bitches I brought home cut loose on each other. Fists were swinging, claws were out.” Grayson shook his head. “I couldn’t get them out of my bed quick enough. Seriously, who cares who gets the first ride? There’s plenty of me to go around. Much less drama when only one bitch is involved anyway, and easier to send them on their way.”
“So what’re you saying? You turning a new leaf, Gypsy?”
“Hell no. I’m too much vampire for just one woman,” he said with a wink and a large smile as the front door opened to the clubhouse and booted footfalls announced the arrival of more of their brothers.
Silence descended about the large open room as the remaining brothers filed in, taking their place at the table. Three chairs remained empty. That of one of their fallen brothers, along with Kane and Ion’s. Kaleb knew it was time to bring some prospects onboard. They couldn’t have their number dwindling. Problem was, their last prospect just lost his head. Time to make growing their numbers a priority.
The men sat about, sullen faces telling the nature of the called meeting. Not a one was happy about last night’s events. Besides finding prospects, they had a primordial to hunt down. The sentence for taking two of his men’s heads had yet to be determined. Kaleb raised the gravel and struck the wooden strike plate as all eyes trained on him.
“I called this meeting for a few reasons. First and foremost, to send-off our fallen brothers. We need to ash their remains and scatter them among the winds at midnight.”
Kaleb laid both their cuts, the leather vests with arms cut off that sported their MC colors, on the table. He took out his hunting knife, flipped it open and proceeded to cut off the back rockers and remaining patches. The vests with the center death skull would remain on them as the bodies went into the pyre.
“I think it goes without saying that we are losing numbers. First Ion, now Wheezer. And of course Red Dot as a prospect. Viper’s been MIA. I think it’s time we bring up some of the hangarounds as prospects. We need strength in the Sons. Agreed?”
The vote traveled about the table, one aye at a time without a single nay. Kaleb slammed his gavel down again. “Then it’s decreed. In a couple of weeks, we will return for another vote. For those of you who know and approve of a hangaround, bring their name to the table. If you agree to sponsor them, we’ll put it to a vote. We’ve lost two members and a prospect, not to mention Viper losing his voting rights. I think we could add three or four new prospects at this time. Agreed?”
Again, the vote traveled the table without a single nay. Kaleb struck the plate with the gavel again. “Third order of business, we have another primordial running loose in the States. We have no idea of what their business is here, but I have an idea that they aren’t done by a long shot. They missed when they took out Wheezer and Red Dot. I believe that their real target is me, and they won’t stop until they accomplish what they’ve set out to do.”
Anton “Blondy” Balan was the first to speak up. “You think it’s because of Alec Funar, that you killed an ancient?”
Kaleb nodded. “We all know that killing a primordial is against vampire rules, Blondy. I’m not above that law.”
“But the son of a bitch would have killed our Pres.”
“I’m not entirely sure that’s true,” Kaleb said with a heavy sigh. “Yes, he was out to kill the detective, but killing Viper wasn’t something we were positive of. I alone made the decision to take his head. I don’t regret that choice. But no one should have to pay for my actions.”
“I still think the son of a bitch deserved what he got. You don’t come after one of the Sons or our families and not suffer the consequences,” Alexander said. “We protect our own, the same way they do. No difference. I say we take this son of a bitch’s head like you did Alec’s.”
“I happen to agree, Xander. But it deserves a vote. If you all don’t concede, then I alone will answer for my actions.” Kaleb glanced around the table, making eye contact with each of his brothers. “We take it to a vote.”
Each man, keeping their focus on Kaleb, delivered an aye, leaving no doubt that their allegiance was with him. Kaleb was humbled by their decision. He slammed the gavel down again. “Then we have a unanimous decision to track down and eliminate this piece of shit.”
Hollers, praise, and fist pounding rose about the room to a deafening level before Kaleb slammed the gavel to regain order. “I still have a couple of minor items to bring to the table and then we’ll call the meeting adjourned and take care of our fallen.”
Kaleb once again gained the attention of every man present. “Viper is coming home.”
Murmurs arose again at the news, not every word positive. He knew some of his brothers held grudges with their former president for not only breaking sacred club rules and turning Cara when claiming her as a mate was out of the question, but for disappearing with nary a word following his light sentencing the club handed down as a result.
When all talking ceased, Kaleb said, “He’s been in Italy the past six months.”
“What the fuck is he doing in Italy?” Grigore “Wolf” Lupie asked.
“He went to speak to Mircea III, Vlad’s brother, Wolf. Mircea’s the only one who could put an end to his mating with Rosalee, if the vow could indeed be broken. My brother loves Cara, that much is obvious.”
“And?” Grayson asked.
“He was granted the annulment. Viper is now mated to Cara.”
Silence descended about the room. Kaleb ran a hand through his hair, further disheveling it. He couldn’t make the men at the table forgive Kane. His brother needed to earn back their respect on his own. Alexander broke the silence first with a slow clap of his hands, followed by several others in unison, though not all followed suit.
Alexander said, “Rosalee didn’t deserve our former pres. If Viper is mated to the detective, then I say Cara is now one of our own.”
Kaleb nodded. “And as such, we will protect her and treat her with all due respect. Agreed?”
Kaleb grit his teeth, fearing the vote not going in Kane’s favor. But instead the vote traveled the room without a single nay. He let out his breath, feeling the relief that came with Kane and Cara’s acceptance. Kaleb had one last thing that needed voiced before he and his crew set about ashing his MC brothers’ remains.
“Then the meeting is adjourned until we reconvene for a vote on potential prospects.”
But before he allowed his brothers to stand and quit the room, Kaleb raised his hand and stayed their positions. “One final thing that I would ask of you, my brothers, before we set out to lay Wheezer and Red Dot to rest—Suzi Stevens.”
“What of her?” Grigore asked.
“I’m sure most of you know her.”
Several at the table nodded, some with sly grins that rankled Kaleb’s ire. He shook off the little green-eyed monster that tried to take root. “She’s my personal donor.”
“You staking your claim, Hawk?” Anton asked.
“No, Blondy.”
“Then what exactly are you saying?”
“She retired herself from being a donor six months ago. Let’s just say I took her out of retirement.”
“Then you’re fucking her,” Grayson said.
Kaleb glared at his VP, a muscle ticking in his cheek. “No.”
“So what you’re saying is she’s still open game. We just have to keep our fangs to ourselves,” Grayson continued.
Kaleb’s nostrils flared in his rising ire. To hell with what his brothers thought of his actions or his demands. He was the president, and as such he was allowed to make such an outlandish request. Usually donors were only forbidden from other club members if a Sons claimed them as an old lady.
“Suzi Stevens is off limits. No one touches her, no one feeds from her. To do so means you’re willing to suffer my wrath.”
Without another word or waiting for further reaction, Kaleb turned and exited the meeting room, slamming the door behind him. He had made the decision not to share her. He didn’t want any of his brothers feeding from his donor so that when he needed nourishment, she’d always be available to him. It had nothing to do with his messed up desire to fuck her. Hell no. If he ever gave into that desire, he’d need his own damn head examined.