Page 16 of Vampire

“Okay, keep me updated. I would love to have some information about the Fire Dragons, but by all accounts, the club has fallen off the radar, their clubhouse in Philly is abandoned, King and Moreno made a trip last week. I’m still got feelers out all over, so we will see. But, still, guard your ol’ ladies and remind them to be careful,” Shadow said. This was my opening.

“Speaking of our women, I need to discuss mine. Some of you know her as Nikki, a waitress at Scarlett, and I’m sure the rest of you heard about her from your women.” I said, knowing the word had spread fast at Nicolette’s appearance here yesterday.

“Go ahead, Vampire. What do you need to discuss?” Shadow said, waving his hand.

I looked around the room, all eyes looking at me curiously but remaining silent. “When I hired Nicolette at the Scarlett months ago, I knew she was running from something, and I just didn’t know what, so by now, you know, I also wanted her for myself, so I watched her and saw nothing to hint at what she could be hiding. Well, yesterday she confided in me what she is running from, and it’s bad,” I said, looking around the room.

“What do you mean by bad?” Viking asked from beside me.

“Her father is Gregory Albescue, and if you are familiar with the mafia underground, you will know his name; it’s tied to the West Coast Italian Mafia.”

“Holy shit,” Kickstand said.

“You’re serious?” Shadow asked.

“I wish I wasn’t. Nicolette ran a little over three years ago. Her father was going to marry her off to an older abusive associate. With the help of her grandmother, she was able to run. But they are still looking for her,” I said, looking again around the room at the shocked expressions.

“What do you need from us? You know we have your back,” Stonewall said.

“That’s the thing; I’m not involving the club in this. I will make a trip to Los Angeles and take care of this myself. All I need from the club is the help of Kickstand to get information and for Nicolette to be taken care of until I get back.”

“We want to help. You were there for Shay when she was taken, Summer and Mary too. We can’t let you go it alone,” Fuse said, his face determined. That’s why I gave him a pass, he was annoying, but he knew what brotherhood meant.

“I know you want to help. But I won’t allow it. I am trained for this kind of thing. I know how to take them out. I won’t have blowback for the club, your ol’ ladies, or heaven forbid, your children. The Italian Mafia is no joke; I’ve seen the shit they can do.”

“It’s going to be dangerous. Are you sure about this, Vampire? Is she important enough to you to possibly lose your life?” Shadow asked, his expression concerned.

“Yes, she is. I can’t put into words what she means to me. I won’t allow those fuckers who would hurt her to live. I won’t rest until they are dead; tell me you wouldn‘t do the same for Mary?” I said, my voice hard.

“I would do the same for Mary, no question. I was just making sure. You’re our brother, and we will be there for you no matter what. So, if you need help, ask for it, and we’ll be there, help you prepare however you need, and look out for your woman while you're away.”

“That’s all I ask. I will get with you Kickstand in the next few days to go over some things. But, in the meantime, find out what you can about her father and who he is in business with. I want any information no matter how insignificant it seems, yeah?” I said.

“I will get right on it. See what I can dig up,” Kickstand said—already opening his laptop.

“Since it’s raining today, there is no run for those going to go. But, Vampire, keep me informed about what you’re doing. Going it alone is one thing; leaving us blind in case something happens is another,” Shadow said, bringing the gavel down, ending Church.

MY BODY FELTlike I had been in a car accident or something. I hurt, but it was in a good way. Being with Stefan was more than I could have imagined and the things he did to me made me feel things I never thought my body could feel or handle; at first, I was a little afraid, but it wasn’t long before I wanted everything he was giving me. And I had no doubt there was much more to be learned and experienced. I couldn’t wait. I craved his touch.

Stefan left to go to a meeting, so I have been sitting here talking with Summer. She is very sweet and didn’t push for personal information about Stefan. Instead, she talked about getting married next month and her job at the hospital as a nurse. Again, she never asked me about myself like she knew I had secrets. The club was quiet, I suppose, since it was Sunday morning.

About an hour later, Stefan returned to get me and said I needed to eat, so he led me into the kitchen; several men and women scattered around several tables with benches. Somebody set up a buffet of breakfast dishes, almost like a restaurant. I made a plate of blueberry pancakes, took an orange juice, and waited for Stefan to take me to a seat. We ended up by Shay, and I am assuming her husband. “Eat up, Nicolette; you need the calories to burn later,” Stefan whispered in my ear and then nipped my earlobe, causing me to blush with people watching.

I noticed Stefan and I were being stared at by several pretty women huddled together at a table in the corner. “Don’t mind those bitches; they’re just upset you took the toy they were hoping to get to play with,” Shay said quietly from beside me, a big stack of blueberry pancakes in front of her. I looked at Stefan to see him talking to a man on his other side. Shay dug into her pancakes, taking a bite and then pointing her fork toward the women. “It’s glorious to see them finally see they haven’t got a shot in hell. Anyone with eyes can see Vampire is crazy into you, not that he ever gave them the time of day,” Shay said, her mouth full of pancake.

“Who are they? And why are they here?” I asked. Not sure why there would be women here who weren’t with one of the guys.

“They are here to-.”

Stefan cut her off. “Enough, Shay. I will talk with Nicolette about that later. She doesn’t need to hear your colorful version.”

Pretending to zip her lips, Shay went back to eating. “I will explain how things work in the club. Unfortunately, Shay has a way of saying things, and they can be misunderstood.” I heard Shay snort beside me. “Finish eating, and I will run you by your apartment to get your work clothes for later.”

“Okay, You know I can drive my car. I hate to keep running you around. I know you must have things to do,” I said.

“What did I tell you? I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. Besides, we are going to the same place. And you will be coming back with me tonight; I want to dirty you, butterfly,” he breathed in my ear, causing my heart to quicken. I turned to Shay, who was coughing like she got something caught in her throat.

Shay took a sip of water, leaned into me, and whispered, “I knew he would be hot in bed. You are one lucky girl. Enjoy.”

---