Good, the Bad, and the Vampire (24 page)
Read Good, the Bad, and the Vampire Online
Authors: Sara Humphreys
“Mmm.” Olivia rolled her eyes. “That was Moriarty's date.”
“Moriarty's still here?” Damien had barely finished the question, when Michael appeared in the vestibule with his posse.
“We were just leaving, big guy.” Michael gave him a smack on the back as he walked to the enormous stretch limo waiting at the curb. Olivia put her hand on Damien to keep him at bay. She couldn't blame him for wanting to go after him, because she wanted to punch the little bastard's lights out too.
“You know, Olivia, one day that guy is gonna get what's coming to him,” Damien said quietly as the limo pulled away. “I just hope I get to see it.”
“You know what they say, babe,” she said quietly. “Be careful what you wish for. Besides, his money is as green as anyone's.”
“I realize you're not into live feeds like most of your
crowd
, but boy, does that guy deserve to be dinner or what? I know you can handle yourself, but I don't like the way he speaks to Suzie or any other woman for that matter.”
“I know.” Olivia smiled and rubbed his arm reassuringly. She knew he had a crush on Suzie but would never admit it. “Suzie is tougher than you think, and you know I've always got her back. Besides,” she said in a weary voice, “Moriarty's not worth the trouble.”
“Hey, you okay?” He looked at her worriedly with his arms folded across his massive chest. “Did you feed today?”
“Yeah, well, not a live feed, obviously,” she quickly added. “Just from my microwaveable stock, which reminds me, we need to place another order with the Presidium's blood bank.”
She rubbed her temples absently as various patrons pushed past as they left. Live feeds were always best, but Olivia tried to avoid them. While the live feed was most rejuvenating, it was also the most dangerous. Live feeds were like a drug. The more she did it, the more she wanted it, and each time it got harder and harder to stop. Besides, blood memories came with it, and she wasn't interested in anyone else's baggage. She had quite enough of her own shit to deal with.
“This incident with Maya earlier really rattled me. She's got to learn not to feed in or near the club,” she said with frustration. “I don't want any trouble. I mean, it's not just my place of business. We live here too.”
“What happened exactly?” Damien asked quietly. He leaned down and looked around to make sure no one would overhear. “I saw her leave with him last night after closing, so how'd she end up back here? I got some of the dirt from Trixie, but then Suzie came around, and well, you know.” He shrugged and smiled sheepishly.
He knew Olivia wanted to keep Suzie in the dark about the vamps because it was bad enough she'd let Damien in on their world. It took years for the Presidium to accept him, and
accept
would be a generous description of their feelings on humans in the know.
Tolerate
was a more appropriate word.
“I saw her leave with that meathead last night after closing. I figured she'd ditch him before sunrise, so I locked up and went downstairs to sleep. Then tonight, right after sundown, I go run an errand, and when I come back, I find her in the middle of the club with her boy toy.” Olivia looked past him and through the door at Maya, who was cleaning up the bar. “She obviously brought him back here just before sunrise and messed with him all day long. I'm not sure why she'd do that,” she murmured.
“My guess is that she wanted to get a rise out of you. Want me to talk to her?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I'll speak to her again before she leaves tonight. She's my⦔
“Responsibility,” Damien finished for her. He sighed and shook his head. “Not everyone is your responsibility, you know.”
“No, but
she
is.” Olivia patted his shoulder wearily. “I hear the last song of the night.” Sadie always played The Strike Nineteens's “Forever in Darkness” as the final tune, and the irony was never lost on Olivia. “Time to go inside and clear out the stragglers.”
As she turned to go back inside, an oddly familiar voice floated over, and the scent of the ocean filled her head.
“Excuse me. Can you tell me where I can find Ms. Olivia Hollingsworth?”
Olivia stopped dead in her tracks, and the tattoo on the nape of her neck burned. Her fangs erupted, and little licks of fire skittered up her spine, as one note of that smooth, velvety voice banished all self-control. She closed her eyes and willed her quaking body to settle.
It
can't be.
Terrified and hopeful, Olivia steeled herself with courage she'd forgotten she had. She turned around, excruciatingly slowly, and found herself face-to-face with the man of her dreams and the love of her life.
The problem was he'd been dead for almost three hundred years.
Order Sara Humphreys's first book
in the Dead in the City series
Tall, Dark, and Vampire
On sale now
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Under attack from Loki's minions, Leif is shocked to encounter a dark-haired beauty who fights like a warrior herself. Wounded and feverish, the Viking kisses her, inadvertently triggering an ancient Norse bond. But when Naya Brisbane breaks away and disappears before the bond is completed, Leif's warrior spirit goes berserk. If Leif doesn't find her fast, he's going to lose himself to permanent battle fury.
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“Bradley is a new force to be reckoned with in the paranormal genre! Move over Highlandersâ¦the Vikings are coming!” âRebecca Zanetti,
New York Times
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For more Asa Maria Bradley, visit:
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New York Times
and
USA Today
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Praise for Paige Tyler's SWAT series:
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Top Pick, 5 Stars
For more Paige Tyler, visit:
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USA Today
bestselling author
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âParanormal Haven
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For more Terry Spear, visit:
Sara Humphreys is the award-winning author of the Amoveo Legend series. The third book in the series,
Untamed
, won two PRISM awards: Dark Paranormal and Best of the Best. The first two novels from her Dead in the City series have been nominated for the National Readers' Choice Award. Sara was also a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, A&E's
Biography
,
Guiding Light
,
Another World
,
As the World Turns
, and
Rescue Me
.
She loves writing hot heroes and heroines with moxie, but above all, Sara adores a satisfying happily ever after. She lives in New York with Mr. H., their four amazing sons, and two adorable pups. When she's not writing or hanging out with the men in her life, she can be found working out with Shaun T in her living room or chatting with readers on Facebook.
For a full list of Sara's books, please visit her website.
