sumptuous
meal, she might look down and see Elena swirling across the dance
floor with her escort. She’d always dreamed that one day she’d see
her twin happy and healthy and free of her addictions. The beauty
and charm of Gregori’s made her think it might be possible that
Elena could find happiness in this world.
With a start, she admonished herself for such
a foolish thought. If Elena was happy she wouldn’t have called for
help. Her words were burned into Erica’s memory; I need you to help
me ...
Max ordered Erica’s dinner and the authority
in his voice made her feel momentarily safe. He leaned forward to
speak to her after the tuxedoed waiter left them. “I put out some
feelers this morning. I found out there’s some fresh blood in the
upper echelons. Some of the people who work directly for the new
king have been taking on extra feeders. That could be an important
lead.”
“Tell me more about the old king,” Erica said
under her breath. “Why did he leave?”
“He went back to Europe. It’s a better place
for an old vampire. Things are too liberal here for the ones that
were turned before the 1900s.”
“That’s where you’re from, isn’t it?”
“London. But I haven’t been there in years.”
He didn’t dare tell her how many.
“What’s the new king like?”
“He’s American ... young too. There was a bit
of an upset when he took over. He does things differently. I don’t
understand the upsurge in new feeders. It could be they’re stocking
up before new rules are put in place.”
“What kind of rules?”
The waiter floated into view then and Max’s
voice dropped. “Enough talk for now. When you’re finished eating,
we’ll take a walk around and see if we come across anything
interesting.”
Erica nodded as the waiter brought her
appetizer. Max was right about the food. It looked and smelled
wonderful. If only her stomach would settle enough to let her enjoy
it. She wasn’t over the adrenaline rush Max had caused earlier. Her
body still thrummed with desire for him. Food, even fabulous food,
wasn’t going to fulfill all her needs tonight.
While she ate, Max sipped a glass of dark
wine. The liquid looked like blood but smelled sweet, like candy.
She found herself wanting to ask for a taste, but afraid he’d
admonish her for stepping out of line. It bothered her more that
she liked the feeling. She was actually worried about pleasing him
and doing the right thing. What was wrong with her? Why did she
crave his approval--and worse, his demanding touch? This wasn’t
normal.
Max talked idly about his day while Erica
studied her food. Filet mignon with a medley of baby vegetables,
prepared to perfection. She wished she didn’t enjoy it, wished she
could push the plate away and demand they get on with their mission
to find Elena. What would happen, she wondered, as she savored a
bite and gazed into Max’s eyes, if she did just that? Would he
punish her? Would he take her home and teach her an unforgettable
lesson in obedience?
She reached for her own drink and gulped. She
would have put the icy glass against the heated skin of her neck,
but that would be crass.
“Is there a ladies’ room?” she asked finally.
A few moments out of the spotlight of his heated gaze might give
her a chance to compose herself.
“I’ll escort you.”
“To the ladies’ room?”
“You’re not to go anywhere alone. I’ll wait
outside, of course.” He rose and she waited for him to pull her
chair out before she stood. With his hand on her waist, they walked
through the gilded mid-level of Gregori’s to a fountained portico
where a sign in gold leaf pointed to the restrooms.
“I’ll be right here,” Max said. “Inside,
you’re to talk to no one.”
She nodded and let herself through the heavy
oak door. Inside the quiet, perfumed staging area she regarded her
reflection in the full-length mirror. In the tight black sheath,
she looked perfectly calm, utterly in control. She saw no
meal, she might look down and see Elena swirling across the dance
floor with her escort. She’d always dreamed that one day she’d see
her twin happy and healthy and free of her addictions. The beauty
and charm of Gregori’s made her think it might be possible that
Elena could find happiness in this world.
With a start, she admonished herself for such
a foolish thought. If Elena was happy she wouldn’t have called for
help. Her words were burned into Erica’s memory; I need you to help
me ...
Max ordered Erica’s dinner and the authority
in his voice made her feel momentarily safe. He leaned forward to
speak to her after the tuxedoed waiter left them. “I put out some
feelers this morning. I found out there’s some fresh blood in the
upper echelons. Some of the people who work directly for the new
king have been taking on extra feeders. That could be an important
lead.”
“Tell me more about the old king,” Erica said
under her breath. “Why did he leave?”
“He went back to Europe. It’s a better place
for an old vampire. Things are too liberal here for the ones that
were turned before the 1900s.”
“That’s where you’re from, isn’t it?”
“London. But I haven’t been there in years.”
He didn’t dare tell her how many.
“What’s the new king like?”
“He’s American ... young too. There was a bit
of an upset when he took over. He does things differently. I don’t
understand the upsurge in new feeders. It could be they’re stocking
up before new rules are put in place.”
“What kind of rules?”
The waiter floated into view then and Max’s
voice dropped. “Enough talk for now. When you’re finished eating,
we’ll take a walk around and see if we come across anything
interesting.”
Erica nodded as the waiter brought her
appetizer. Max was right about the food. It looked and smelled
wonderful. If only her stomach would settle enough to let her enjoy
it. She wasn’t over the adrenaline rush Max had caused earlier. Her
body still thrummed with desire for him. Food, even fabulous food,
wasn’t going to fulfill all her needs tonight.
While she ate, Max sipped a glass of dark
wine. The liquid looked like blood but smelled sweet, like candy.
She found herself wanting to ask for a taste, but afraid he’d
admonish her for stepping out of line. It bothered her more that
she liked the feeling. She was actually worried about pleasing him
and doing the right thing. What was wrong with her? Why did she
crave his approval--and worse, his demanding touch? This wasn’t
normal.
Max talked idly about his day while Erica
studied her food. Filet mignon with a medley of baby vegetables,
prepared to perfection. She wished she didn’t enjoy it, wished she
could push the plate away and demand they get on with their mission
to find Elena. What would happen, she wondered, as she savored a
bite and gazed into Max’s eyes, if she did just that? Would he
punish her? Would he take her home and teach her an unforgettable
lesson in obedience?
She reached for her own drink and gulped. She
would have put the icy glass against the heated skin of her neck,
but that would be crass.
“Is there a ladies’ room?” she asked finally.
A few moments out of the spotlight of his heated gaze might give
her a chance to compose herself.
“I’ll escort you.”
“To the ladies’ room?”
“You’re not to go anywhere alone. I’ll wait
outside, of course.” He rose and she waited for him to pull her
chair out before she stood. With his hand on her waist, they walked
through the gilded mid-level of Gregori’s to a fountained portico
where a sign in gold leaf pointed to the restrooms.
“I’ll be right here,” Max said. “Inside,
you’re to talk to no one.”
She nodded and let herself through the heavy
oak door. Inside the quiet, perfumed staging area she regarded her
reflection in the full-length mirror. In the tight black sheath,
she looked perfectly calm, utterly in control. She saw no
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