Page 29 of Addicted in Blood
“Will it take decades for him to get clean this time?”I’d be old and gray by then.
“It didn’t take decades to get clean.It took a few weeks to break the addiction.It took decades for him to decide whether he wanted to come back.Decker helped him through that.”When I perked up, he shook his head and swallowed a third of his drink.“That’s a story for Devon to share.”
He said it like it might be a possibility someday.Then he squelched my hopes just as quickly.“I need you to understand something.The beast never took control of him back then.”His eyes glowed red, and I didn’t think he was aware of it.“Do you understand what that means?”
I did, but I didn’t.This was my worst nightmare, and I didn’t want to think about it.But now that he put it out there, I couldn’t deny it.The beast had control.Even if they weaned Devon off the Poppy, it was highly probable that what made Devon who he was would be lost.Most likely forever.Would that mean he’d have to be put down anyway, whether he was guilty of Boretsky’s death or not?
“It’s just been too long with too high a dose.”
It was my turn to tear my gaze away, and I focused on the band, who’d returned from their break.Their first number was timely—a saxophone solo.Its soulful sounds attempted to rip my heart out.I took a deep breath and waded in.
“No.”
“What?”
I felt a bit sorry for him.Except for Devon, he wasn’t used to anyone telling him no.He should know me by now.I was probably way too deep in the soft cradle of a Hurricane overdose, but the truth was, I wasn’t willing to give up until I could look at the beast and not see Devon.Because I had seen the beast in the alley, but the eyes were still Devon.Eyes that begged for help.I wasn’t going to walk away from that.
“I don’t know how yet, but we’re not giving up on Devon.”I stood and might have swayed.“And if you think otherwise, then you’re not worthy to be in his cadre.Now, I have to pee.”I stumbled my way to the restroom.Not the most suave of exits, but the twitch on Sergi’s lips before I turned away told me all I needed to know.The asshole had been testing me.
I might have taken a short nap while sitting on the toilet.One minute, maybe five.I should have stopped at two Hurricanes, but I didn’t stagger as much after splashing cold water on my face.I’d only taken a couple steps into the hallway when a hand snaked out and grabbed my upper arm.
I would have screamed for help if I wasn’t grimacing in pain.The skeleton-thin man had the grip of a bruiser.It was a vamp that could snap my bones like kindling.
“Let me go.”I threw my other hand out in attempt to slow our momentum, but I was nothing more than a Chihuahua being dragged away by a Doberman.
The sticky night air hit me as the whoosh of cool air from the club ushered me out the back door.The alley was narrow, and I spotted the limo two buildings down.I cursed my luck.My dagger was in my right pocket, but the vamp held me by my right arm.Note to self, carry a weapon in both pockets.Scratch that.Learn how to use a weapon with my left hand, then carry a second weapon.I was considering other options when the vamp came to an abrupt stop, and I bumped into him, which was similar to walking into a brick wall.
Sergi stood in our path.I should stop being surprised by his abilities.“I was anticipating buying you a drink.I have to admit, I feel slighted.”
The vamp merely stared.Sergi stared back.I was sorry I’d worn the heels because this showdown could go on for a while.Vamps were nothing if not stubborn.
The front passenger door of the limo opened.Sergi must have heard it, but he didn’t show any signs of it.He was either nuts or really brave, and it really wasn’t much of a guess which.
Another overly thin vamp stepped out, and he opened the back door.His smooth, honeyed voice was meant to soothe.“We’re sorry for our poor manners, but secrecy is of the utmost importance.If both you and Miss Langtry would come with us.”He raised his arm toward the open door of the limo.“Miss Dupré has requested an audience.”
ChapterSixteen
Sergi glancedinto the opened back door of the limo, then stepped aside to let me enter.I barely noticed him slide in next to me.My attention was on the woman who sat in one of the plush jump seats across from the soft leather bench where we sat.
I wasn’t sure what I expected.Maybe a grandmotherly type with a plate of cookies or some scary voodoo hair ornament.I scratched my chin, ensuring myself my jaw wasn’t hanging open.
When we’d walked into the jazz club earlier that evening, there was an enormous painting of Josephine Baker hanging in the entrance foyer.I had to take a double take because this woman was the perfect doppelganger for her.
She studied me, ignoring Sergi.That might have something to do with the vamp who sat across from him in the other jump seat.He stared at a point somewhere between Sergi and me.
“I’m not her.”Her voice was deep, with a slight French accent.Or perhaps it was Creole.I wasn’t knowledgeable enough to know the difference.
“You mean Colantha or Josephine?”
Her laugh was evocative, and I smiled.It was impossible not to.“Josephine was an amazing woman, and we enjoyed using our likeness to fool friends and fans alike.Although most of the time it was simply to give her peace whenever she was in the States.”
A trickster.That was good to know.
When I just nodded, she turned her perusal to Sergi, giving him a quick once-over before her gaze landed back on me.Her eyes narrowed.“You don’t talk much.”
Sergi snorted, which made her chuckle.
“It’s your meeting.”A headache hit me, and I doubled over.Sergi reached out a hand, but the other vamp blocked it.I managed to hold out an arm to Sergi.“I’m all right.”Then I squinted again.Maybe not.Then I wasn’t in the limo anymore.
