Chapter Twenty-Two
A Vampire in the Family Celebration
A fresh evergreen wreath with pinecones and red berries hung on the outside door. Stefan enjoyed the pine scent, then yanked open the heavy wooden door. Laughter and music spilled out from the pub and nearly sent them reeling back out the door. Brandy ducked under his arm, and he followed her into the pub. Bright multicolored twinkle lights hung around the room, tied in the corners with large green and red bows. A few patrons were gathered around the tree at the end of the bar, hanging ornaments, stringing popcorn, and singing carols.
The polished dark wood floor gleamed. Worn brown leather booths were arranged around the walls. Tables and chairs were scattered around the pub. It was standing room only. The aroma of mulligan stew wafted through the air, mixed with holiday evergreens and a yeasty scent. Pleasant, he imagined, by human standards.
Across the room, behind the massive oak bar, Tim stood busily pulling pints and talking with customers. Working the other end of the bar was a younger man with dark-red hair and a quick smile. Tim turned to drop coins into the till. He glanced up at the mirrored wall behind the bar. A wide array of vials of mysterious steaming liquids and more familiar bottles of liquor stood neatly arranged on glass shelving. A wide smile spread across Tim’s face. At the same time, the young man at the other end of the bar threw up the pass-through and shoved his way through the crowd to them. Grabbing Brandy up in a bear hug, the man said excitedly, “Welcome home, darling.” Then he held her back from him a bit. “You look radiant.”
“Aw, Gavin, it’s great to see you too. Now quit creating a scene and put me down.” She hugged him tight, then wriggled a bit, placing a loud smacking kiss on his cheek.
Setting her back on her feet, he turned to Stefan. “You must be the reason for my sister’s radiance.” He grasped Stefan’s hand firmly. “Gavin Shaughnessy is me name. Sorry I didn’t get by the house earlier. I was away scouting out entertainment for the celebration. Had to make sure they were good as people claimed.” He polished his fingers on his shirt and grinned. “They’re great! Wait till you hear ’em.”
Brandy narrowed her eyes. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
Stefan reached out and shook his hand. “Stefan Talltree, and I’d like to think I am the reason.” He winked at Brandy. She sent him a saucy smile and nodded.
Gavin’s eyes sharpened. “Have a care with her, or you’ll be answering to me.” He put his other arm around Stefan and, much to his surprise, gave him a quick hug. “Welcome, Stefan. Me sister is a bit of work, she is, so you’ll have your hands full.”
“Don’t I know it.” Stefan grinned back at him, pulling Brandy against him. “But she’s worth it.”
Gavin jumped up on a chair and let loose an ear-splitting whistle. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”
It grew quiet. Even the band paused between songs. Stefan shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, glancing around the room. The last thing he needed was to be the center of attention. Brandy laughed and tossed her long, curly hair back and grabbed hold of his hand.
Gavin motioned to them with a sweep of his hand. “’Tis a sad day for all you single lads. Me sister Brandy here is no longer available. She has taken up with this here Yank, Stefan. Help me give him a fine Irish welcome.” Gavin hopped to the floor and turned to his sister.
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd, and the band struck up a lively tune. Gavin swung Brandy into a quick step dance, their legs flying. The faster the music, the faster their feet flew. As the crowd yelled for more, Stefan leaned back, relaxing against the bar, watching the most important person in his life. What a concept—one he never thought possible after being turned. Yet here he was, watching other young men in the crowd gaze at her eagerly, then glance sideways at him with envy.
“Brandy and her sister used to be the national step dancing champions,” Tim said proudly, then asked, glancing over the crowd, “Where’s Hannah and Tristian?”
“They had a few things to work out but should be along shortly,” Stefan assured him and fervently hoped that would be the case.
Bouncing over, Brandy twirled around once, then fell into Stefan’s arms. Looking up at him, she giggled breathlessly. “I’d forgotten just how much fun being here with family and friends could be.”
He gathered her in, wrapping one arm around her waist and raising the other to cup her chin in his hand. Tilting her chin up as he kept his eyes on hers, he brought his mouth down over hers, hot, hard, and proprietary. She’s mine.
Brandy melted against him as he tightened his arm around her, and the rest of the world ceased to exist. Gradually they became aware of their surroundings again as cheers rose from the crowd, and from across the room a voice called, “That’s the way, laddie.”
Brandy, not missing a beat, grinned at Stefan. “You’ve got to learn to step dance.” Her green eyes bright with mischief and her cheeks flushed with excitement, she sprang back to her feet, dragging him out onto the dance floor. The crowd parted and fanned out, clearing plenty of room.
Once on the floor, Brandy instructed, “The first thing to remember is that at all times during the dance your arms must be straight and held down by your sides, like this.” She demonstrated, tugging his arms down to his sides.
“Nice,” she cooed encouragingly.
Talking as she demonstrated the steps slowly. After a couple of poorly executed tries, he finally got his feet untangled and slowly followed her lead.
“Great job. Now let’s speed it up a bit.” She looked over at the band and winked. The band played the tune faster; still he followed her steps quite well.
“Okay, now the hops.” Demonstrating the action as she spoke. “Your turn.” Grinning, she bowed slightly, extending her arm toward him, enjoying his discomfort just a bit. He glanced to the bar at Tim and Mary, getting only a wink and a nod of encouragement.
“Now let’s add the side step. It’s a hop or a jump, moving your leading foot to the side, like this.”
Beginning to see the rhythm of the dance, he caught on quickly. The band took advantage and played the tune to tempo. Brandy executed the steps first; he followed—a kind of dueling dance. Brandy was much better at it, but in the end, he managed to complete a tune without falling on his face and without further embarrassment. He considered that a great accomplishment.
When it was over, the crowd clapped and shouted words of encouragement for him and praise to Brandy. Her face flushing bright red with excitement, she threw her arms around his neck, rewarding him with a warm kiss, and, between breathing in big gulps of air, said, “You’re a natural, you are. What fun.”
Grasping her arms, he spun her around once. “Yes, it was. I can’t believe that you wrangled me into that, and in front of strangers.”
On the upside, he’d never seen Brandy so happy and carefree. As they wound their way through the crowd back to the bar, he spotted Tristian, arm around Hannah, standing against the wall beside the door. By Tristian’s smug smile and amused expression, it was apparent he’d seen the spectacle and probably figured it served Stefan right.
Suddenly, a large burly man with bright-red hair reached a hand out of the crowd, catching Brandy by the arm. “Dance with me, darling. We’ll show him”—he flicked his thumb toward Stefan—“how it’s done.”
“Kevin, I really don’t…” Brandy began too late as he had already whisked her back onto the dance floor.
Stefan started after them, but Gavin put a hand on his shoulder and guided him back toward the bar. “Brandy can handle him.”
Jealousy swelled up inside Stefan, and he didn’t care for it one bit. Ruthlessly shoving the feeling aside, he leaned against the bar, hand grasping the edge, knuckles turning white. Gavin returned to his duties pulling pints.
Tim reached over and laid a hand on Stefan’s shoulder, leaning on the bar. “Let Kevin have his dance, then go on over and rescue her. They were involved before she left Ireland. Brandy went her own way partly to get away from him, is me thinking. Kevin never got over her.” Tim grimaced. “I don’t think he was here when Gavin made the announcement that she was taken. Don’t be too hard on the lad.”
“Sure,” Stefan said, grudgingly forcing an understanding smile. Feelings churning inside him were anything but understanding. He wanted to rip the bastard’s head off.
Tristian and Hannah finally made their way to the bar. Tim leaned over the bar and kissed Hannah on the cheek. “Well now, it’s about time the two of you showed up. You just missed Brandy and Stefan’s dance.”
“Nope, that we didn’t.” Hannah’s eyes sparkled. “Saw it all, we did.” She grinned from ear to ear.
Tristian, shaking his head and trying to keep a smirk off his face, finally asked, “How’d you let her force you into that?”
“She didn’t force me into anything,” Stefan said indignantly. “She wanted to teach me to step dance, and I agreed to try. I didn’t do too bad, and better than you, I’ll wager.” Stefan glanced back at Tim for support, who nodded in agreement as he added the last layer to a Guinness and slid the glass down the bar.
“You mean you did that…willingly?” Tristian laughed in amazement.
“Compromise…remember?” Stefan turned back to talk to Tim and followed his dark glare back to the dance floor. Kevin was trying to kiss Brandy. She was having none of it. Stefan was at her side in a blink of an eye. Calmly, Stefan removed Kevin’s hands from Brandy, giving him a little shove, slid his arm around her possessively, and started walking back to the bar.
Kevin grabbed Stefan’s shoulder and spun him around. Stefan let go of Brandy and caught Kevin’s fist midair, twisting his arm around behind his back. Kevin howled in pain, then began cursing. Stefan circled Kevin’s chest with his other arm, yanked his free arm, and wound it around his back also. Holding him there, Stefan hissed, “I think the lady is done dancing with you. I believe you’ve had a bit too much to drink. Do us both a favor; go home and sleep it off.”
“You bloody bastard. I’ll kill you.” Kevin cursed, trying to break free. “She’s me girl, and I’ll do with her what I want. What’s it to you?”
Drawing in a deep breath, Stefan faced away from the crowd, his fangs descending and claws poking through his fingertips as he tried to regain control. His head pounded with rage and jealously. All the emotions he’d held in check for so long spun out of control.
“Stefan…let me have him,” Tristian said tersely, shoving himself between the two men. “Stefan, you need some air…get out of here now!”
Stefan shoved Kevin toward Tristian, then turned, glancing at Brandy, her face white and contorted in fear as Stefan stalked toward the door.
Kevin broke free and grabbed Stefan’s arm, whirling him around. Kevin swung his arm up, his hand fisted. Stefan’s hand clamped around Kevin’s neck. Kevin’s fist glanced off Stefan’s jaw. Picking him up off his feet, Stefan shoved Kevin against the wall, his face beet red, eyes bulging out, and mouth open, gasping for air. Stefan heard Brandy scream, “Stefan, no…don’t. Please.”
Kevin’s eyes rounded as the pub lights bounced off Stefan’s fangs. Stefan reined in his anger and lowered Kevin to his feet. Stefan still held him by his throat as he loosened his grip. “Kevin,” Stefan said in a frighteningly calm voice. “Brandy is NOT your girl. She committed to me. I’m here to meet her family and celebrate.”
Stefan looked deep into Kevin’s eyes, controlling his will and memory, “Now, unless you do not value your life, I strongly suggest that you leave here immediately. Don’t come back till you’re sober. Then apologize to Tim and Mary for causing a scene and to Brandy for your behavior.” Releasing his hold on Kevin’s throat, Stefan pushed him down the wall. Kevin groaned as he hit the floor with a thud.
Tristian grabbed for his arm, but Stefan stepped neatly out of Tristian’s reach, calling over his shoulder, “I need some fresh air. Take care of things.”