Bite Me (18 page)

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE

     I slipped on my clothes to answer the door.

    "Grace, what are you doing here?" I grumbled.

    "Something awful happened last night." She lamented.

    Draco was now dressed and in the living room with us. "What did you do?"

    "Can I have a beer?" she asked.

    I rolled my eyes and went in the kitchen to fetch her beer. She was seated on the sofa when I walked in with her drink. She unscrewed the cap and drank a few mouthfuls before she spoke; much to the impatience of Draco.

    "Did you kill someone and dump the body behind my club again?" he demanded.

    She shook her head and then lowered the bottle from her painted red lips. "No. Amelia and I went down to the wharf and while she was feeding, some cop interfered and she attacked him."

    A cold chill went down my spine. "Cop? What did he look like?"

    Grace shrugged. "I don't know. Tall, bald, dark skin…"

    "Aiden." I said aloud. "Did she kill him?"

    "I don't think so. The medics came and took him away to hospital."

    "Which one?"

     "I don't know. Mercy, I think."

     I grabbed my jacket and shoulder bag. Draco crossly turned to me.

     "You're going to see him?"

     "Yes." I retorted and marched out the door, slamming the door. I heard Draco swearing as I rushed down the hall to the elevator.

     I quietly stole into Aiden's room. Monitors beeped and tubes extended from his body. A large, white bandage was wrapped around his neck. As if sensing me, he opened his eyes. He rolled them with a groan. "Oh no, not you."

     "How are you feeling?"

     "How do you think I feel? I was attacked by some whacko vampire. You know, you people are really getting on my last nerve."

     "I'm sorry. Not all of us are like that." I defended.

     "You killed a girl, turned her and you're saying you're all not like that?" he scoffed. "You know what, leave. I've had enough of your vampires."

      I deeply sighed, hurt by his words but I didn't blame him. I turned to leave but he stopped me. "Lucy."

     I faced him with questioning brows.

     "Am I going to change into one of you?"

     I shook my head. "I don't know. You may feel a little different."

     "Different? How?"

     "You may start to have more energy, see better, hear better…stuff like that."

     "But I'm not going to have an urge to bite someone?"

     "You rest now. And, again, I'm sorry."

     "Right." He mumbled as if it was my fault he was laying there. He turned his head and closed his eyes.

      I turned and departed.

     Draco was already in my flat when I returned. He stood in the kitchen with a glass of wine for me. "Were you with your lover all night?" he snarled.

     I huffed, taking the glass from him. I sipped a few mouthfuls. "No. I saw him but for a few moments before he asked me to leave. He's repulsed by what I am."

     "Good."

     I tossed him a dark glare over the rim of my glass. I lowered it and sneered, "Your compassion is touching."

     "I'm glad that he turned you away. I don't want you near him."

     "I don't plan to be." I grumbled and shoved the empty glass at him. I went in the living room to collect my pajamas. "And I need you to go home. I have work to do."

      He watched me undress. "Where were you all night then? Why didn't you come back to the club?"

     "I didn't feel like going back there. I didn't feel like seeing you or Grace. By the way, did you take care of Amelia?"

     "She wasn't there. I don't think we'll be seeing her again. She knows I don't approve of attacking cops. It's bad for us."

     I picked up my laptop and sat cross leg on the bed.

     "You were at church, weren't you?" he accused.

     "What if I was?"

     "Praying for your lover?"

     I lifted impatient green eyes on him. "He isn't my lover any longer."

     He leaned over, slipping his forearm around my neck and tilting back my head. "No, I am. And, don't you forget it."

     I pulled away his arm. "How could I? You won't let me. Now, go home. I need to work on my book." My fingers started flying across the keyboard.

     "My home is where you are." He said and climbed in beside me.

     I groaned, frustrated. He was like a boil on the butt that was hard to get rid of no matter how many times one broke it.

     He leaned over and quickly kissed me on the lips. "Good night, my luv."

     "Fine. Good night." I mumbled, concentrating on my work.

     He turned his back to me and it wasn't long he was asleep. All the better for me. It gave me the opportunity to work without interruption. And, so I typed well into the early hours of the morning.

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

     "Bobby hasn't been to work in two days." Jack lamented at my door.

     I stepped aside to let him in. I closed the door behind him and gestured to the kitchen. "Did you have a fight?" I queried, starting the water for tea.
     "No." He sat down. "Well, we had a slight argument."

     "Let me guess; he wants to be a vampire."

     Jack woefully nodded. "And, I haven't seen him since." He covered his face with hands and shook his head. "Oh, it's Donnie all over again."

      "Did he go to the dungeon, do you know?"

     "He didn't mention it. He just got interested in one of the vampire customers. They spent time together during Bobby's breaks. I haven't seen him since Friday night. What's wrong with me? Why do I keep losing men to vampires?"

     "It's a strong appeal."

      The water boiled and I poured it into the prepared mugs.

      "You weren't taken by it; even though you were fascinated with it."

      "Yeah, don't go by me. Even though I found the world fascinating and did all that research and writing, I didn't believe the world of vampires truly existed; only wannabes. I became a vampire against my will. I had no choice. But there are a lot of humans who do believe it's real and want to be a vampire. They don't realize what they're getting into."

     "You turned Grace against her will." Jack sorely reminded.

     "That wasn't intentional. The pregnancy caused me to take more blood than I wanted. And I didn't expect she'd be turned. Not all vampires can turn humans."

      "Like Weston did to Donnie."

      I nodded. I sat across from Jack at the small, round table. I sipped my tea and asked, "If Bobby is turned and he wants to remain your boyfriend, will you?"

     "As long as he knows I don't want to become one. It's bad enough I inadvertently drank Draco's blood. I still feel sick when I think about it. And," he pulled the small vial from under his brown knit shirt and dangled it. "It's hard not to with this around my neck."

      I deeply sighed. "Well, I hope, for your sake, he does come back to you."

     "You're thinking of Aiden."

     "He's totally washed his hands of me. He despises vampires. He finds us repulsive. I don't blame him."

     "But you wish he did accept you."

     "Sometimes. But it was for the best. Draco has become a strong force in my life and the competition would have been difficult, to say the least. Draco is still jealous of my relationship with Aiden."

     "Then Aiden still doesn't know about the baby."

     I shook my head. "And now, I have to really keep out of his sight because," I glanced down at my popped belly. "I'm starting to show."

     "How do you think he would feel if he knows that's his son you're carrying?"

     "Confused and repulsed. I don't want to force that on him. No, he's better off not knowing."

     "Draco seems to be accepting Aiden's baby."

     "He doesn't see it as Aiden's but something rare to be treasured. He has no real affection for the child. Besides, it doesn't matter, I'm not keeping him."

     "Where do you put a vampire child up for adoption?"

     "I don't know yet. But I can't keep him. And, don't give me those sad eyes."

     "I'm sorry." He deeply sighed and sipped the rest of his tea. He slowly stood, not really wanting to leave. "I have to go and get ready for work. Maybe Bobby will be home when I get there."

     "Or, maybe he'll meet you at the club. I do hope things work out for you." I sincerely bid.

     "Thanks. I'll let you know what happens."

     I nodded and he turned and left.

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

     With the warmer weather more people were out on the streets late at night. I had my choice and pick of prey. The baby seemed to enjoy the sweeter taste of female blood. After feeding, I stepped into a pub. I ordered my drink at the bar. As I was standing there, I heard their laughter. I turned and saw Amelia: tall, shapely Amelia with light brown hair and wickedly dark eyes. And with her was Grace. I downed the Scotch and strode over to their table. Grace looked up at me, surprised and uncomfortable.

     "What are you two doing here?"

     Amelia shrugged. "Having drinks."

     "You were told to stay away from the wharf." I looked directly at Grace.

     "What are you, her mother?" Amelia sneered.

     I sharply hissed at her and she backed up in her chair. "I know you were the one that attacked the cop a few months ago. And, he's been on the lookout for you. Should I call and tell him you're here? Or maybe I should call Draco." I threatened them both.

     Grace cleared her throat. "I think we should leave."

     "Who are you, anyway?" Amelia demanded.

      I leaned my palms on the table, getting in her face and said, "I could be your worst nightmare."

     Grace stood. "Really, we should leave."

     "Why should I have to listen to this piss ant vampire?"

     "Because, I'm Draco's queen." I seethed.

     She swallowed hard and stood. "Come on, Grace, this dump is boring me."

     I stepped back and watched them leave.

    I remained for a better part of the night, fending off all those sending me drinks or approaching my table to chat it up. Having my fill of both Scotch and idiots, I exited the pub.

    It was after two in the morning. The wharf was eerily quiet. I could hear the water lapping against the docks. It was the time of night I enjoyed most. A cool breeze came off of the Thames, clearing my head. My time was growing near and I still hadn't found a place to put the baby.

    My musing was halted by a loud splash. I turned and stared down the docks. A husky figure stood by the edge. He turned and looked at me. Even at this distance, in the dark, I knew who it was.

     "Donnie?" I started toward him.

     He met me half way. His eyes were red and glowing. He'd just fed and threw his victim into the river.

    "How did you get free?"

    He snarled and hissed at me. "It's your fault I was in there. You staked me. You're going to pay." He grabbed me by the throat. His fangs were still dripping with fresh blood as he bared them to plunge into my neck.

     I tried prying his hand loose but suddenly he was ripped away from me. I heard the bones in his neck crack before Draco picked him up and hurled him into the Thames. The water splashed back on me. I furiously turned to Draco.

     "Did you have to kill him?"

     "He was about to have you for dinner and then feed you to the fish." He panted. "Now he can't resurrect again or kill anyone else."

    "Who let him out?"

     "I have my suspicions." He looked down at me. "Are you ready to go home?"

     "My home." I strongly stated.

     He put his arm around me. "I told you, I don't care. My home is with you."

     "I saw Amelia and Grace tonight."

     He paused. "Grace with Amelia? I thought she didn't know where she was."

     "She obviously lied. Amelia is a bad influence. I don't like her."

     "Because she hurt your human boyfriend."

     I groaned and rolled my eyes. "I don't like her attitude. I don't like her around Grace. But Grace has a mind of her own."

     "I thought you didn't care what happens to her?"

     "I just don't like to see her with Amelia. Grace is too impressionable."

      "Then take her under your wing. You made her. You should be guiding her."

      I quietly thought about it and then asked, "Who do you suspect let Donnie free?"

      "Your friend's lover."

     "Bobby?"

     "I think he was jealous of Donnie and wanted to confront him. If he did; there's a good chance Bobby is dead."

      I shook my head, thinking of Jack and how devastated he was going to be.

     We came through the door of my flat, tearing at one another's clothes. We tumbled and rolled on the living room floor, panting and growling in ecstasy. Because of a vampire stamina, we went on for hours before we finally collapsed in one another's arms.

      "Marry me."

      "We've been through this." I groused. "I'm not getting married."

       "But we're together most of the time anyway."

      "Unfortunately."

     He rolled over atop of me again. "I love you. I want you for my wife for eternity. Unless, you have someone else." He sneered.

     "There is no one."

     "Not even your human boyfriend?"

     "I haven't talked to him in months. I've done my best to avoid him."

     "Because you don't want him to know about the baby." He laid his hand on my swollen belly. "Which you're carrying nicely, by the way." He jerked his hand away and laughed. "He just kicked me."

     "Good. Now move before I kick you."

     Draco chortled and sat up. He took my arm before I stood. "Consider it, Lucy, my luv. We're going to be spending eternity together anyway."

     I sighed and looked over my shoulder at him. "I'll think about it." And I did wonder; would it be so bad having one person in my life who cared about me?

    He smiled and kissed my hand. I got up and changed into my pajamas. Draco got up and pulled open the bed. We climbed in together. He snuggled up against me and this time, it didn't bother me. Maybe I was starting to care for him after all.