Page 46 of Seduction in Blood
Lucas's quick grin and wink confirmed her statement. I shuddered to wonder how much I'd said while at Devon's estate, not understanding how good their hearing truly was.
Trix turned back to us and lowered her voice as the music got louder. We had to lean over the table to hear her. "I know more about shifters, but I can tell you it's not only vamp hearing you have to watch for."
"You mean their blood sucking?" Ginger asked.
Trix laughed. "Oh, those fangs aren't just for show." She shook her head. "But they're not as blood-thirsty as the stories say. Oh, they need it, but it's only the young ones that need it regularly. I've heard they go as long as five or ten years before the urge lessens. The older ones can go months, even years without having to feed on blood, but some just enjoy it." She took a sip of Ginger's drink. "They're smart, crafty, and sometimes shifty—all rolled into one. Down here, in this part of town, you mostly get the young ones, and while their makers keep a fairly tight rein, there are rogues who aren't friends to any human. I keep a silver-tipped stake with me in addition to my Glock. And I always have security walk me to my car before heading home. Every once and a while, someone ends up dead around here."
"That's true for any of these neighborhoods," I countered.
"True enough, but their blood loss is from a gun or knife wound. These unfortunates are nearly drained dry." She shrugged. "Shifters aren't any better, but they usually cart their food away."
I grimaced at the thought of The Wolf dragging someone off to a dark corner for feasting.
Trix watched our faces and laughed. "Looks like I just scared the shit out of you. Hey, vamps and shifters have their own code, vamps more so."
I thought of all the hours I'd spent with Anna on the myriad etiquettes for dinners, parties, and balls.
"But…" Trix stood and bumped shoulders with Ginger. "Word is vamps can fuck all night and know how to make a woman's toes curl. They'll make you so wet, you'll never want a human lover again."
When Ginger's mouth dropped open, and she looked toward Lucas, Trix laughed again. She patted Ginger on the shoulder. "Let me get you another round, on the house."
I hadn't wanted to think of Devon and those frickin' dreams. But Trix's words wouldn't go away, nor would the last dream image of a fully naked Devon just before he knelt between my legs.
Those thoughts took the innocent pleasure out of the evening, especially when Ginger kept glancing at Lucas, even when she danced with other men. Maybe she was planning a three-way with him. Nothing surprised me where Ginger was concerned. And as much as I noticed Lucas keeping an eye on everyone in the club, he always had time for Ginger.
I was grateful when last call forced us out into the night. I had a headache from too many rainbow sliders and knew I'd pay for it in the morning. The evils of party-colored vodka shots. It wasn't so much the vodka as the various liqueurs used to make the sliders.
Lucas walked between us, a hand on each of our arms to steady us as we stumbled to his car. He rolled us both into the back seat, and we giggled as Ginger offered suggestive ideas on how to spend the rest of the evening. Lucas merely smiled, but I caught his raised brow in the rearview mirror. This would have been a very different evening had Sergi been my bodyguard. That vamp was no fun at all.
He parked the limo in front of the apartment, and paid one of Bulldog's men to keep an eye on it. He half-carried Ginger up the stairs. It was a ruse on her part, and his patient grin suggested he knew it. I wondered if Ginger would try to drag him to her room. That's all I needed, and I hoped I would pass out before any gymnastics started.
When Lucas unlocked the door and stepped in first, he immediately blocked us from entering. I pushed Ginger aside to look over his shoulder. And froze—not sure whether to be afraid or downright angry. Someone had tossed the place, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake.
ChapterTwenty-Two
I don't knowwhat scared me most about living at Devon's estate. Whether my mission would fail and leave my debt in place, or the seductive allure of my dreams. Both paled in comparison to Devon's rage as he paced his office. His gaze flashed an icy blue as he ran hands through his hair.
Lucas and Sergi didn't seem phased by the dark emotions ready to burst like Mount Vesuvius, but they gave Devon plenty of space. They stood on the far side of the office with blank expressions and stony gazes. I wasn't sure if that should reassure me or not. I had begged Lucas not to say anything to Devon, especially after he mentioned Devon not wanting to be disturbed except for emergencies. That ship had sailed. Still upset at Christopher having the apartment tossed, I wasn't sure how any of this was Devon's concern.
While I waited for Devon's quiet fuming to mark my fate, I took the opportunity to check out his office. The only time I'd seen it was after the tea party when I'd stolen the journal pages. I was beginning to think of this room as the principal's office. But the space was day and night different than the rest of the dreary mansion. Where most of the mansion was dark and gloomy, this room was filled with light, or would be once the blinds covering the bay window were opened to the morning which was still a couple of hours away. Even at this ungodly hour, the office shone with bright lights strategically placed to be warm rather than glaring.
It was obvious this room had been recently remodeled within the last two years based on the modern light fixtures, remote-controlled blinds, and other features I'd only seen in the most expensive homes. My mouth watered at the massive espresso machine on the long, marbled bar. The only old items in the room were the antique knickknacks, but I was too tired to give them a second glance.
I'd considered asking Lucas for a cup of whatever the espresso machine could pour while waiting for Devon's arrival, but even the jovial Lucas had shut down as he drove us back to the mansion and parked my butt in the office. When Devon returned with Sergi in tow, I noticed his expensive suit, which fit him like a hand-tailored glove. We must have interrupted an important party or date. The last thought made my gut tighten. Why should I care if Devon had been on a date? I pushed away the unwelcome images from my dreams, preferring to deal with Devon's wrath.
"Is the girl safe?" Devon finally spoke.
"Yes, sir." Lucas stepped forward, perhaps signaling Devon's initial anger had passed. "She's at a hotel a few blocks from their neighborhood."
Devon stopped his pacing, but instead of facing us, he stared at the closed blinds as if he could see through them to the landscape beyond. "Sufficient for tonight, but I want her moved. Someplace across town, perhaps the Stonegate Bungalows. Give her whatever she needs and enough money to get around." He turned to Lucas. "Make sure she understands how critical it is she doesn't return home or anywhere in the neighborhood."
Lucas bowed his head. "I'll see to it at first light."
Devon turned to me. His gaze softened, but I couldn't tell if his anger had melted away or was well-hidden under his look of concern, which only confused me. I thought he was angry with me. "I won't keep you long. You need your rest. Sergi, get Cressa a cup of espresso. She's been eying the machine since I walked in the room."
Sergi didn't hesitate, and within seconds I heard the whirring of the machine shortly followed by the heavenly scent of coffee.
"Make that two." Devon moved to sit in a chair close to me, heaving out a sigh before leaning back. He waited until our espressos were served, then I heard the whirring of the machine again. No doubt Sergi making cups for Lucas and himself. I couldn't take my eyes off Devon as I waited to hear my fate.
