Freak Show (27 page)

“Do I even want to know?” I swept through the room, stepping over fragments of table and other miscellaneous debris. Was that a burn mark on the ceiling?

“No,” they said in unison before dissolving into nervous laughter. They had definitely not been expecting me.

“You’re home sooner than I expected,” Kale remarked with a secretive smile. “Glad to see you’re relatively unscathed. How was Vegas?”

I stared at the trashed stage, biting back the stream of curses that threatened to spill forth. “It was a fucking gong show. Apparently, I missed something while I was gone. Want to fill me in?”

Willow turned away, hiding what I think was another laugh. He disappeared behind the bar, leaving Kale to answer my questions.

“Not particularly,” Kale said with a shrug. “Had a little trouble is all. I took care of it. Nothing for you to concern yourself with.”

“Is that so?” I eyed him skeptically. “Looks to me like I was right about leaving you in charge here. Another day or two, and there probably wouldn’t even be a building left to trash.”

Kale didn’t say anything for a moment. He continued to throw pieces of wood and glass into a large pile in the center of the room. The muscles in his arms and back rippled as he did so. He seldom dressed so casually in jeans and a t-shirt, so I allowed myself a moment to enjoy the view.

“Gee, thanks; glad to see you too,” he said. His tone dripped sarcasm. “Actually, I’m the reason this place is still standing, among other things. Though I don’t expect you to believe that.”

Willow emerged from the bar with a tequila in one hand and the Dragon Claw in the other. He passed me the dagger, which I happily accepted. It was so good to have it back in my hands.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help when you ran into trouble,” he said. “Kale knew you were in trouble, but without a location I couldn’t jump to you.”

My gaze lingered on Kale who had turned his back on me as he continued to clean up. “No worries. Shya sent Falon, who was a total asshole like usual, but he helped. I’m here now, so it’s all good.”

“Is it?” Willow questioned, his gold-flecked green eyes intense upon me. “Then why are you back early?”

He walked along beside me as I perused the perimeter, surveying the extent of the damage. I gave him the quick version, aware that Kale’s keen ears heard my every word. I wasn’t ready to share with anyone what had happened with Jenner.

“You’re taking over Las Vegas?” Concern glimmered in Willow’s eyes. “Might I suggest you wait until Shya’s been dealt with?”

“That’s the plan. Vegas is a fucking mess of vampire chaos. I’m not prepared to handle that right now. Someone else will be taking care of it until Arys and I can get back there.”

As Willow and I talked, Kale kept working in silence. I wondered what he was thinking. My curiosity was dying to know why Willow was here with him, but I didn’t dare ask just yet. Kale was trying to keep something from me, and after the trip I’d just had, I was ok with that.

As I walked through the mess that had been a fully functioning nightclub just days before, I put together a mental list. Jenner’s club had intimidated me. It had also made mine look like a sleazy joint compared to his high-class style. I wanted to renovate.

I pulled out my phone and began to take notes. The old booths lining the exterior walls had to go. They were hard and uncomfortable. More furniture was needed and new light fixtures. The current ones were ugly and ancient.

Willow returned to help Kale as I made my way to the back. He was committed to keeping the vampire’s secret. Whatever had gone on here, they felt the need to keep it from me. Had it been anyone else, I would have been pissed, but I trusted Willow implicitly. 

The back hall was lined with rooms where vampires and willing victims came to play. It was adequate but shady, not much better than a low budget hotel. That was going to change.

I went to the last door at the end of the hall, the one room that was forbidden to all but me. It had been the suite Harley stayed in when he’d come to town. The same room I killed him in. Now it was mine. And as much as I wanted to deny it, I might actually need to make use of it one day. So it might as well be nice. I stood in the doorway, scrutinizing everything from the cheap bedding to the less than impressive en suite bathroom. It was about as good as the one at Linden’s warehouse. Unacceptable.

I felt Kale’s honey sweet energy draw closer, so it came as no surprise when from right behind me he said, “I’m sorry about the mess. Everything goes to shit when the queen is away.”

A chill stole over me. I turned to face him, knowing better than to allow him at my back. “Seriously? What’s with everyone and the fucking royalty references lately?”

Kale shrugged and leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “I guess you’re the only one still in denial about it.”

“Apparently so.” With a raised brow I gave him a critical once over. He was unpredictable, and sadly, I couldn’t trust him anymore, not since his promise to force my hand, to make me stake him.

My phone rang, startling me as it blasted a Weird Al Yankovic song.
Damn you, Arys.
That vampire thought he was so funny. One of these days, I was going to bust him messing with my ringtone, and then he’d be sorry.

“Alexa, you’re home!” My best friend Kylarai gushed excitedly in my ear. “I’ve been dying to share my news with you. Is this a bad time?”

I glanced at Kale who likely could hear every word she said. He wore a bored expression.

“Not at all. What’s up? You sound like you’re going to explode. Must be good news.” I tensed, waiting for her to tell me something amazing, because I sure could use some good news.

“You’re not going to believe this. I could just pee my pants with glee.” Her giggle brought a smile to my face. She took a deep, audible breath and said in a rush, “I’m engaged!” It was better than good news. It was fantastic.

“Aw, congratulations. Nobody deserves it more than you. He’s such a great guy.” My words were sincere. I couldn’t be happier for her.

After many failed relationships, including a previous marriage, Kylarai had connected immediately with Coby. Having survived my attack on him several months ago, he’d come into our pack as a wary but gentle soul. They hadn’t been together long, but they were a perfect match.

“You don’t think we’re rushing it, do you?” Ky asked uncertainly. “I know it’s only been a couple of months, but it feels right, you know? And I really want to have an autumn wedding.”

“Autumn? It’s practically the end of summer. That doesn’t give you much time to plan.”

“I know. That’s why I need your help. The engagement party is next weekend. I figured you’d be back by then.”

My heart jumped for her. It gave me hope, seeing how my attack on Coby had led to their engagement. Maybe good could come from bad after all.

“I don’t think it’s too fast if you believe in your heart that he’s the one,” I said, my voice catching. The weight of Kale’s stare was suddenly too much to take. “Anything you need, just let me know. I’m here to help.”

“You’ll be my maid of honor, right?”

Her hopeful request made it hard to swallow. Emotion choked me. “Yeah, of course I will.”

Tears pricked the back of my eyes, and I blinked them away. This was so good for her. I squashed the tiny thread of envy that wove its way through me. I was genuinely happy for her.

After I hung up, I dragged my gaze back to Kale’s.

He nodded and forced a tight smile. “Kylarai’s getting married. How wonderful for her. She’s the kindest soul I’ve ever met. I hope they find much happiness together.” There was no lie in him. Despite their very brief fling, Kale had always hoped Ky would find the man she belonged with.

“Yeah, me too.”

“I guess some people get their happy ending after all.”

His comment struck too close to home. This was not a conversation I wanted to be having. “I want to renovate,” I said, hoping to change the subject. “This place needed work before you trashed it. So we might as well take advantage of the mess and turn it into something better.”

Kale smirked openly. “You saw the Vegas club and felt inferior, huh? That’s ok. I get it. I’ve seen it. So, what did you have in mind?”

“I don’t feel inferior to the Vegas vampires,” I said hotly, my cheeks flushed. “I just think the place needs a makeover. Will you help?”

The weight of his brown and blue gaze was heavy as he considered my request. He stared at me until I grew twitchy. “Sure. Why not?”

I shielded hard against the onslaught of energy seeping from him. It was too tempting. He gave off a hungry vibe, one that made me wonder if he’d been feeding. Someone as mentally fragile as him was dangerous enough when well fed. If he denied himself too long, he could be absolutely deadly.

“Good. We can start with the club and work our way back here. That should keep you busy.” I walked around the room to put some distance between us. I didn’t like the way he was watching me.

“Right. Because keeping me busy will change things.” Something in his tone set my skin to crawling. I looked at him sharply. He was still leaning in the doorframe, casual and calm, but there was something malevolent lurking beneath the surface.

“I’ve had the worst week ever. The last thing I need is to come home to your crazy ass spewing ugly promises. Can’t you let it go?” I was tired of vampires and their personal vendettas. Was it really so impossible for them to let go of a grudge?

“Let it go?” He repeated. His shoulders stiffened despite his relaxed pose. “You’ve made a slave of me, and you want me to just get over it? That’s not how this works, Alexa.”

“Evidently.” I sighed. “Kale, please, you have to understand that I would never have intentionally done anything to hurt you. Things are happening, big things that I can’t control. I need you with me, not against me.”

“Well, if the queen needs something, then who am I to deny her?” Bitterness laced his words. Emotion stormed him, a conflict of feelings that battered my shields.

I shook my head, his name a whisper on my lips. “What can I do to change this vengeful need you have? We were friends once. Partners.”

“We were lovers too. Once. For a brief moment.” His gaze dropped, and he stared at the floor. “I’m sorry it is the way it is. You claimed me. You drew me in, and you made me yours. It was purely intentional, and we both know it. There is no changing something like that. It is what it is.”

I couldn’t dispute his claim. I had done exactly what he said. The worst part? I didn’t regret it. Not really. This selfish little part of me wanted Kale to be mine in whatever way I could have him. Of the two of us, I was the worst monster. “You’re right.” I relented, leaning against the wall opposite him. “I’m a selfish bitch as far as you’re concerned, Kale. And I don’t know why.”

His head came up suddenly, and he fixed me with a stare so intense it made me uneasy. “You know why. You will probably never admit it to either of us, but you know why.” A bark of hostile laughter racked him. “Arys must just fucking love that you want me as bad as I want you.”

Ignoring that last jab, I tried to push the conversation to a conclusion. “So that’s it then? You carry on this game of crazy vampire until I get sick of it and stake you?”

“Something like that.”

“I don’t understand why.”

“Don’t you? Think about it. Think about belonging to someone with every part of your being. Think about needing someone so bad, and never being able to have them.” There was pain in his eyes, quickly replaced by rage. He was so very unstable. “There is no moving on for our kind. Humans are gifted with short-term memories and fickle hearts. But us, when we love, it is always forever.”

His declaration stole my breath as an ill sensation developed in my gut. His reference to our kind, as if I were already vampire, chilled me to the bone. I imagined having to watch Arys bond with someone else while I remained his always, and I knew that whatever Kale was going through, I would never understand.

An apology wasn’t going to cut it, not for something like this. Sorry would be a greater insult than silence. So I said nothing. After the silence grew unbearable, I gathered myself and left the room. Kale moved aside to let me pass.

It hurt me to know how much I was hurting him. What hurt most of all was knowing I could do nothing to change it, nothing to save him. Only death would bring him relief. And that, I could not give him.

“Hey, Alexa,” he called after me. “Welcome home.”