We all left Alexander Holdings Incorporated right after we finished cleaning. Shawn had stepped up barking orders, making me thank god for his clear headedness. He had us cleaning the room and then sent Grayson into the shower. The only spare clothes he had at the office were his gym clothes, but anything was better than the blood soaked suit he was wearing. The ride back to our apartment was one of the longest ever. Traffic wasn’t particularly heavy. Just the fact that we had to wait to discuss anything since we couldn’t talk about it in front of John, Grayson’s driver, was complete agony. Eventually we did arrive.

We burst through the apartment door and I headed straight to the kitchen while Grayson went to the bedroom to change.

“Gaby?” Shawn called out, when I quickly vanished. He heard my clattering around and followed the sounds. He walked in on me throwing back a shot of Grayson’s bourbon. It burned as it flowed down my throat. It wasn’t the type of liquor you shoot, but I needed the alcohol in my system, quick. If I could have set it up on an IV, I would have.

“Gaby,” he sighed.

“Don’t Shawn, okay? I already know what you’re going to say. I know you’re right, but I don’t want to hear it. Right now I just want to live in my fantasy world where I don’t have to track down the man who abandoned me to help the man I love.” I poured myself another shot and tossed it back. It burned a little less this time. I was so grateful for the effect alcohol had on me. It was strange. I had always attributed my lack of alcohol tolerance to my human side, since vampires couldn’t become intoxicated, but since my mother’s great reveal to my origins, I wondered why I was able to get drunk when no other vampire could. I wondered if Grayson could.

Like I summoned him with that thought, Grayson walked into the kitchen. He looked down at my hands holding the shot glass and the bottle of bourbon before taking it from me and pouring himself one.

I watched him adamantly for some sign of the alcohol taking its toll. He startled slightly when he saw me openly peering at him.

“What?”

“How do you feel?” I asked while still trying to read his body.

“Gaby, I’m fine; really. Your blood is in my system right now.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s great, but that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“The alcohol!” Shawn gasped when he realized what I was aiming at.

“What?” Grayson was unclear.

Shawn shook his head. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. Grayson, vampires don’t drink. I mean they can, but the alcohol has no effect on them.”

“So I can’t get drunk anymore?” I could hear the disappointment in his voice. Yes, it was a small thing, but to never be able to do it again, I’d feel disappointed too.

“Well you shouldn’t be able to go out in the sun either, yet…” Shawn gestured to the open curtains that were allowing the sunlight to drape the room.

“Take another,” I nudged.

“Gaby, if I can still get drunk, I’m not trying to do it before lunch.”

“It’s just a test Grayson. The average human can begin to feel the effects of alcohol after two shots. It’s not enough to get you drunk just enough to test the theory,” Shawn explained.

With a heavy sigh, Grayson poured himself a second shot.

“Well?” Shawn and I asked in unison after a few moments had passed.

Grayson’s mouth pulled up in a sexy smirk. “I think it’s working,” he sounded bewildered.

Shawn started laughing while I stood there staring at Grayson. He must have seen something in my expression because he walked up and wrapped his arms around me.

“It must be her blood,” Shawn explained not realizing Grayson and I were having a moment. “I’d bet all my designer clothes on it. I wonder if you stopped drinking from her if the effects of her blood would all wear off.”

“You think that’s it. He can walk in the sun and get drunk because he’s been drinking from me?”

Shawn nodded. “I know you don’t want me to mention it, but I have to Gabs. I really think you need to find your dad. He’s the only one that can explain it.”

“We don’t need to do that,” Grayson interjected. I looked at him speechless. I was sure after this morning’s episode that Grayson would be more inclined to find my father to get answers about why he was the way he was. “We know I need Gaby’s blood to be able to live a normal, human-like life, so I’ll drink Gaby’s blood.”

“And turn her into your personal Gaby flavored juice box? Please tell me you’re joking.”

“I don’t have to do it all the time, but Gaby shouldn’t have to find her father. We know what the problem is and we have a solution that doesn’t involve forcing her to do something she doesn’t want.”

I listened to the two most important men in my life as they continued to argue back and forth while I sat silently racking my nails through my hair. They both had valid points. I didn’t mind Grayson feeding from me. I thought, at first, that it would be awkward and uncomfortable, but the pleasure of it masked the initial sting of the bite. The problem was that Shawn was right too. We needed to know what was going on. Was Grayson like this because I sired him? Would the effects of my blood always work? Would it work if other vampires fed from me? That thought frightened me. If others knew what my blood could do, it could put me in serious danger.

“Stop,” I commanded loud enough to silence them both from their bickering. They turned in unison towards me. “As much as I don’t want to, Shawn is right. I need to find my father.”

“Gaby…” Grayson tried to cut in.

“It’s not just for you Grayson. The bulk of my reasoning is I want you safe. I want you to have as normal of a life as possible and if that was just it, I wouldn’t mind you feeding off of me until the end of time. The truth is we need to know ‘the why.’ Not just for you, but for me as well. What if my blood is the secret to day walking? Can you imagine the danger I’d be in and, by association, subjecting you to? ‘Cause I don’t want to think about it. We need answers and he’s the only one who could possibly have them.”

They both just sat there silent for a moment before Shawn cleared his throat. “Do you even know where to start looking for him?”

I closed my eyes, exhaling a deep breath. “I think it’s time we went and talked to me mother again.”

 

 

It was after dusk when Grayson and I arrived at the nest of the New York vampires. It was odd going back there, especially with Grayson by my side. It felt wrong bringing him there. This was my world before him. I once had considered it my home, but that seemed so long ago. Grayson was my home. The last time I had been at the nest was the night I went looking for Anton. I had torn through the place wrecking anything in my path.

As we walked up the steps to the stoop, I noticed the door was different. Then I remembered, I had shattered the old one.

“It’ll be okay,” Grayson reassured me thinking my hesitation was from my desire to not be here. He rubbed his hand up my arm trying to calm my nerves. I did hate the idea of coming back here, but my mother was the only source I had for trying to find my father. It wasn’t like I expected him to have a Facebook. It just so happened that she too had requested to see us. Tonight they were holding a vigil for their fallen leader. The leader I myself had killed. I thought it was in poor taste having his killer show up, but my mother wanted the pretense that both Grayson and I were a part of the nest, as I had claimed, even though we lived away from them. All members were required to pay their respects.

Without knocking, we entered the building and were met with an eerie silence. The first three floors always felt abandoned. They were the only floors in the building that allowed sunlight, so they tended to be a vampire free zone. Plus the sun had only set within the hour, which meant not everyone was awake yet. I clung to Grayson’s hand as we moved across the floor, like he was my lifeline.

Crossing the empty space to the stairwell, I led Grayson in a blur to the fourth floor where the main dining hall was. I knew my mother’s first stop would be there as soon as she woke. She wasn’t old enough to avoid feeding after waking. She would require blood to function.

The silence that had met us when we entered paled in comparison to the sudden ominous stillness we encountered when we stepped into the dining room. All the vampires fell hushed. Not even a whisper among them. It was like someone hit pause on the room and everything froze.

All the vampires sat like statues. Grayson and I stood there for a moment glancing around the room. I knew this was a bad idea. Refusing to let the deathly calm intimidate me, I set my shoulders back, gripping Grayson’s hand tighter in mine we advanced into the room. As we passed, whispers began trickling behind us. Once at the table across the floor, the room erupted and became alive once more.

“What the hell was that about?” Grayson leaned in close to me.

“Don’t know.” Grayson shot me a look that said he didn’t believe me. “Okay,” I rolled my eyes. “It might be because the last time I was here, I kinda made a bit of a scene looking for Anton or the fact that now everyone knows my lineage so…” I trailed off letting him draw his own conclusion, but he continued to stare at me, so I went on. “Or it could be that I just walked The Grayson Alexander, New York’s most eligible bachelor into the lair and they were all just star stricken.” Grayson glared at me with a humorous smirk that forced me to grin in return.

“Gabriella.” I turned and saw my mother. I was grateful she was here already. She came strolling towards us with an eager nervousness. Her dark hair laid straight down her back while her green eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Grayson. I am glad to see you both here, but the vigil is not for another few hours.”

“We know, but we hoped to talk to you before.”

“Gabriella,” her voice turned stern. “I already told you that your attendance is nonnegotiable.”

I wanted to roll my eyes like the rebellious child she made me feel like sometimes, but I refrained, reminding myself that I was an adult. No matter how my mother treated me, it didn’t mean I needed to behave like the adolescent she pretended I was. “I know. It’s not about that. Perhaps we can talk in private?” My tone practically begging.

“Whatever it is, speak now. I have to go make sure everything is ready so once all the vampires are awake and feed, we can begin.”

I looked around the room. Even though the vampires were conversing, several of their gazes still rested on me. Speaking in front of all them wasn’t what I wanted. “It’s about my father.”

For a brief moment, puzzlement graced my mother’s features, before they smoothed showing impassiveness.

“After,” was all she said. She turned on her heals leaving us there.

“Well, what do we do while we wait?” Grayson seemed just as confused as I was by my mother’s reaction.

“Are you hungry?” I teased as a new vampire passed us holding a tray with what appeared to be red wine, even though everyone there knew it wasn’t.

“Gaby,” he sighed. “You know I can’t drink…” His words fell silent when I gave him a knowing stare. “Oh…?”

“I never had a boy in my room before,” I couldn’t help but grin, which Grayson returned.

“I firmly believe that is one experience everyone should have,” he smirked with a wicked gleam in his eye.

I bit my lip, before tugging him out of the dining hall.

 

 

The vigil was what you might expect. Everyone was dressed in white in a room brightened only by candle light. I huddled into Grayson who had his arm firmly around me. If it was hard for me to be there being the one that killed Anton, I couldn’t image the difficulty it was for Grayson, since Anton had been the one to kill him. Nevertheless, we stood by each other as the memorial in his honor was held for his many, many years as nest leader. There were times when I’d tense and Grayson would rub circles in my back silently letting me know it was alright. Some people stepped forward to share a fond memory. I was sure some of them had taken privilege with their recollection, changing them to make Anton appear worthier than he was.

“Anton was an amazing vampire.” My entire body tensed and became alert recognizing the voice. Grayson looked down at me confused before recognition crossed his face. I was surprised it had, since he had only heard her voice once and it was while he was still human. “Not only was he my maker, my sire, but he was also the love of my life. He turned me as a kindness having found me quite alone in this world. He took me under his wing, teaching me the necessary traits on how to be a vampire. His death,” she emphasized, her eyes catching me in the crowd, “was causeless. His life taken for a worthless reason.” This time, I felt Grayson become rigid. “And I will grieve him for an eternity or until his death is justified.”

Everyone was looking around at each other. Ava had rescinded her right to be there. She no longer claimed to be part of the nest. For her to come in and spouting off the way she did, after being told vengeance wasn’t being taken against me, was a slap in the face to the entire nest, not to mention, my mother as the new leader.

She stepped off the platform at the front of the room before a young boy took her place. “That will be all,” he spoke to everyone. “Please continue your grieving on your own.” He fidgeted, his voice was shaky. I think he was just as stunned by Ava’s words as the rest of us. I looked up and saw Ava making a beeline to me. The room had begun clearing out, but the people who stood near me paused when they saw her approach. I’m sure it was to eavesdrop and to have their curiosity sated.

“You dare show your face here!” she spat as she approached me.

“I have every right to be here. I’m still a part of this nest,” I spoke trying to keep my temper from flaring.

Her eyes widened, anger dripping from her body. “You killed him!” she screeched. “For a HUMAN!”

“Ava,” my mother approached her trying to defuse the scene that was forming. “I allowed you to be here to pay your respects to the man you loved not to make a scene in front of the entire nest. You are disgracing his memory.”

Ava turned her icy glare onto my mother. My mother’s eyes shifted to me and with a quick tilt of her head she silently told us to leave. “How dare you tell me I am disgracing his memory when you allow his murderer into his memorial!”

“I have told you before; Anton brought his death on himself. You know the laws. You do not kill someone else’s mate. It did not matter that he was human.”

“They are food, Persephone. Nothing more. The fact that your daughter fell in love with a cow should not have condemned…” I don’t know what else she was going to say because her words were cut off as I slammed her against the wall with such speed she never saw me coming and with such force that the brick wall dented in. Before she recovered, I had her by her throat pinning her to the wall.

“Gabriella!” my mother yelled, but I ignored her. My rage was overwhelming my better judgment.

“Are you really that dense, Ava?” I spoke in a hushed tone, but my words were drenched in the animosity I felt towards her. “You fight for a dead man that wouldn’t even be mourning you if your roles were reversed.”

“That’s not true,” her words constricted by the force of me hand. “Let go of me!”

“It is true. He desired me. He made it abundantly clear to everyone. He didn’t care that it would hurt you. He used you. And when I refused him, he came after the man I loved out of spite. That is the man you are fighting for, not the romanced version you’ve made up inside your head. The craziest part is, that if I were him, I’d rip your head off for just insulting my mate.” I released her. Her knees gave out landing her on the ground with a thump. Her hand went to her throat as she coughed. “But I’m not a monster.” I took a step back watching Ava try to right herself. “You’re not even worth it. I refuse to have your blood on my hands over something so petty as misguided grief.” I turned and walked away. I approached Grayson who pulled me against him and led me from the room.

“I am not misguided,” she coughed. “You are, if you think I will ever stop until I find justice,” her words trailed after us.

I stood on the third floor taking deep breaths with my head buried against Grayson’s chest; his arms were gently wrapped around me. My body shook with the rage I was struggling to contain. Part of me had wanted to kill Ava. It would have eliminated any potential threat she posed, but I couldn’t. Anton had deserved death over what he had done, but Ava had only made threats. If I killed her for just words, it made me no better than Anton.

“There you are, Gabriella,” my mother called making her way to me. “So you needed to know something about your father?”

 

 

Warmth spread deep into my stomach as fingers strummed across my hip. Hot breath whispered against my neck before being replaced by soft, gentle lips. I moaned leaning into the pleasure.

“Are you awake?” Grayson whispered softly against my neck then carefully nipped at it.

“Getting there,” I mumbled sleepily.

“Good.” Grayson pulled the sheet down my bare skin that was suddenly assaulted by cold air. I gasped before he covered my body with his and settled between my thighs. His lips fell against mine with a groan.

It had been three weeks since our visit to the nest and the talk with my mother. Grayson knew I was becoming frustrated with our lack of results. My mother had explained that she left my father in Seattle, but after several phone calls to all the local nests, there wasn’t even a hint of his whereabouts. Although I couldn’t help but feel she wasn’t being completely forthcoming. I didn’t know why, but I believed she was hiding something. It might have had something to do with her rapid heart rate every time we spoke about my father.

Grayson’s hand glided up my thigh, over my hip and up the side of my body before coming to rest on my breast. He rolled my nipple between his thumb and forefinger causing my back to arch into him and my head to tilt back. Lowering his head he claimed the other peak with his mouth sending a rush of erotic sensation between my thighs. I shifted my hips trying to coax him to the place I most desired, but he wasn’t having any of it. His heavy body pinned me down not allowing me to move.

He was now almost my level of strength, but my position had me at a disadvantage. I had never heard about anything like him before. No matter the creator, all new vampires started off at close to the same level of strength. Grayson was different. He was powerful enough that he’d have no problem taking on one as old as my mother or even one as old as what Anton had been. It gave me a little peace of mind knowing that Ava would be no challenge to him. I was anxious with her out there and knew that if something happened to Grayson because I chose to let her live, I’d never forgive myself, but until she actually did something, I couldn’t hurt her. I wouldn’t become Anton, simply killing because it was convenient.

Leaning back, Grayson pulled me into the sitting position. Grabbing my thighs, he had me straddle him then lowered me down to his ever ready, hard length. I gasped as he filled me; my mouth forming an O. My arms hooked around his neck. Locking eyes with him, we began to move together. I leaned in, wanting to feel his lips against mine, but Grayson pulled back.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. He shook his head, continuing to move me. I tried again but was met with the same reaction. “I want to kiss you,” I whined.

“I know, but I want to watch you. Every second. Until you crumble and I feel your body clench around mine.”

Hearing his words almost made me explode that moment. Placing my hands on his shoulder, I took control, bouncing on him, rolling my hips, grinding my pubic bone against his chasing my pleasure. Grayson’s hands remained on my hips moving with me, guiding me, but letting me find my own rhythm.

My orgasm hit me by abruptly. Instantly I was crying out, begging him not to stop, to keep going. Gripping me tightly, Grayson lifted me up and slammed me back down using his newfound vampire strength and speed. My orgasm ripped through me with no end in sight. My fingernails dug into his shoulder needing something to anchor my body to the real world while part of me floated into the heavens.

Even after Grayson’s body spilled into mine, he kept up the motion and his speed until my body began to come down. I fell against him burying my head into his neck, inhaling his sweet scent mixed with sweat and sex. It was a heady mix.

“And that was without a drop of blood.” Grayson declared with a cocky grin that I could hear even though I wasn’t looking.

“Mm…” I lifted my head so I could look into his smoky eyes. “Yes, Mr. Alexander, you do have some mad, sexual skills that do not require any enhancing.”

He raised a single brow. “I just wanted to remind you,” his fingers brushed my hair back into place, “that as much as I love what exchanging blood does, we can have mind blowing sex without it.”

I giggled. “But you still need my blood.”

Disengaging us, he laid me down on the bed. My body ached in a delicious way. Grayson shook his head. “Nope, not gonna do it.”

“But Grayson…” I prepared to argue, but was silenced when Grayson laid his finger against my lips.

“I’m not going to feed from you now. You’ll have to come have lunch with me today in my office or rather, be my lunch.”

“Grayson you know what happens when we share blood.” With the exception of when Grayson first turned into a vampire, when we fed from each other it always led to sex. Amazing, mind altering sex.

“I know.”

“And plus you know I’m busy. The Seattle nests haven’t returned my calls and…” I was worried that a physical trip would be required to look for clues. I didn’t know how that would go. Grayson needed my blood, but he couldn’t just up and leave New York. His empire wouldn’t run itself, especially not to chase a ghost. Damien, my father, was just a myth to vampires. And those who knew of his existence had not seen or heard from him in years.

“I know, but for today we are going to forget about it.” I opened my mouth to argue. “No buts, Gabriella. I refuse to feed from you now so either you can come to my office and have lunch with me or you can risk me disintegrating into a pile of dust. It’s your choice.”

“I truly doubt that you’d disintegrate by the time the sun sets.” We had never really tested to see if my blood was truly the way he day walked, all we knew was he couldn’t feed from blood bags. It had taken some convincing and a lot of fast talk, but I had finally persuaded Grayson to drink from a human, even that didn’t work.

“You willing to risk it?”

I rolled my eyes at his dramatics. “Fine. I’ll be there.”

As much as I wanted to continue my research to locate my father, I knew Grayson was right. One day wouldn’t kill me.

 

 

I was dressed in a white maxi dress carrying a large bag of takeout, from the deli on the corner, when I arrived at Alexander Holding Incorporated for lunch. It wasn’t necessary for us to eat as vampires. Food held no nutritional value, but the pleasure of eating wasn’t something I had ever wanted to give up. Plus with both Grayson and I trying to live in the human world, it would seem odd to those around us if we never ate.

I rode the elevator up to the top floor that held Grayson’s office, where I was greeted by his secretary, Betty.

“Go right on in, Miss Carmichael. He’s expecting you.”

“Of course he is,” I mumbled to myself just before I stepped over the threshold of his office.

“Let them know the agreement was for five and I will take nothing less.” I heard his authoritative voice as I shut the door behind me. The sound of the lock engaging had Grayson’s eyes shot up. “I’ll have to call you back. Something just came up.” Hanging up the phone, he held his hand out to me. His gaze gripped mine drawing me in like we were tethered together.

Stopping beside his desk, I set the bag of food down on the ground before placing my hand in his. Grayson pulled me until I stood in front of him which caused the edge of his desk to press into my lower back. His head fell against my stomach while his arms wrapped around my waist. Instinctively, I trailed my fingers through his dark hair.

“Long day?” I wondered.

“Excruciatingly,” he whispered with his head still down. His hands glided down my outer thigh. Slowly he pulled the fabric of my dress up until he held the hem in his palms. Hiking it to my hips he held it there as he lifted me onto his desk.

“Thirsty?” My voice quivered with excitement as I asked.

“Extremely.”

“Regret not drinking from me this morning, don’t you?”

He raised his head letting his gray gaze pierce straight into my blue one. “I most certainly do not. It means I get to have you now.”

“But your secretary?”

He shrugged. “I guess that means you need to be quiet.” He looked over my outfit, almost as if he was pondering something.

“What?” I was curious.

“White, Gaby?” Not comprehending the issue I looked down, realizing he meant my dress. Grayson grinned wickedly. “I guess that means I’ll just have to take it off of you. We wouldn’t want to risk it getting stained with blood.”

He pulled the dress from my body and let it fall to the floor. His eyes raked over me as I sat there, perched on his desk in nothing but my white lace bra and matching panties. He eased me back until I was lying flat against his desk, my head just barely on the desk. He adjusted my leg and his chair until he found the perfect angle. Without warning, he struck, jarring me. It caused me to gasp then instantly groan as I felt the wetness begin to pool between my thighs that wasn’t from the blood. My toes curled and my body writhed wanting more than just the lustful build that his feeding from me was creating. Without breaking the connection, I felt his fingers trail up my inner thigh to my junction rubbing over my sensitive nub. My back arched off the desk wanting more. Shoving my panties to the side, he slid two fingers effortlessly in.

“Ah…” I moaned.

With a groan, Grayson withdrew himself entirely from me, leaving my empty. He gripped my thighs pulling me to the very edge of the desk. I laid there panting with anticipation when his mouth claimed my sex. I knew I should be quiet, but that moment I couldn’t help but cry out his name.

His tongue invaded my folds, tasting me and caressing me. He slipped his fingers back into me letting them work in tandem with his tongue when his desk phone rang.

“Will you answer that for me, baby, and tell them I’m busy,” he spoke only breaking his mouth from me for a moment while his fingers kept up the penetrating torture.

“What?” In my libido driven state I couldn’t absorb his request, so he repeated it. “Can’t you just let it ring?” I huffed even though I knew he would have to break from the exquisite torment he was causing to answer me. He shook his head causing his tongue to roll over my clit.

“It’s Betty, she knows I’m here. Just answer it otherwise she’ll come in, unless you want me to stop.”

Groaning, I fumbled for the phone. “Mmmister Alexander’s office,” I stuttered while my voice came out higher pitched than normal.

“Gaby?” I recognized the voice as his secretary.

“Hey Betty,” I inhaled sharply. “What’s up?” I panted as Grayson thrust his fingers faster into me.

“Uh…” I could tell she didn’t quite know how to handle me answering. “I need to speak with Mr. Alexander about a phone call on line two.”

“Well,” I swallowed hard passed the lump in my throat. “Mr. Alexander is occupied…eating… right now.” I heard Grayson chuckle, but he didn’t stop his movement. My cheeks flushed, feeling completely embarrassed. I hadn’t realized what I implied until he chuckled. “Lunch,” I added hastily. “He can’t talk,” I let out a deep breath. I could feel myself racing towards the edge. “Tell them he’ll call back…later.”

“But Gaby…”

I hung up just as the orgasm ripped through me. I buried my fingers in his hair clutching him closer until I eased back into my skin.

“That was the best lunch I’ve ever eaten,” he whispered as he pulled me up to sit claiming my mouth with his. I could taste my blood and arousal on his tongue and even though he had just given me an earth shattering orgasm, I wanted him again.

“Wait,” he demanded pressing against my shoulder when he saw where I what I was planning. “I have to tell you something.” Cocking my head to the side, I looked at him curiously. He rolled his tongue over his lips he hesitated.

“Grayson! What?”

“Your mother called my office last night leaving a message on my voicemail. I got it this morning when I arrived.”

My brow knitted. “My mother called you?”

He nodded. “She heard back from the Seattle nests.”