[ Chapter 24-Interview with Anya Bast1 ]

Chapter 24-Interview with Anya Bast1

Michelle picked up a flower from the black bucket and sniffed it. Leaning over to read the tag, she couldn’t make out what it was. Seeing the florist, she said, “Excuse me, what’s this one called?” 2


The man paused, tilted his head back to see through his glasses and said, “Poppy.”
The man continued on. Michelle sighed, putting it back. To herself, she muttered, “It’s…different.” 3


Flower shopping was the last thing Michelle wanted to be doing. According to Mandy and her endless stack of wedding etiquette books, the maid of honor and best man were suppose to help with all of the wedding details. Now, Michelle was no expert, but the whole thing sounded highly suspicious to her. Mandy and Armando decide to get married and suddenly she had another full time job? Where was the fairness in that? And, to make matters worse, Dmitri was the best man. Life was definitely stacked against her right now. 4


She glanced over her shoulder where Dmitri stood, looking at a book with a female florist. He said something and the woman giggled. Michelle rolled her eyes and silently started mimicking her laugh so she couldn’t see. Edging closer, she tried to hear what they were talking about.
“Mmm, Sage,” Dmitri laughed, sounding all too charming. “I don’t know. Domestic virtue doesn’t seem to be the bride’s strong suit. How about violets or stephanotis? 5


The woman giggled louder. Michelle grabbed the nearest flower, barely looking at it and stepped forward. “How about this?” 6


Dmitri turned at her interruption and Michelle thrust a piece of lavender at him. “It smells good and it’s…lavender.” 7


Dmitri’s brow arched. “Don’t you know anything about flowers? Lavender is the flower of distrust. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to curse this wedding.”
The woman giggled. Michelle grimaced. 8


“Well, excuse me, flower boy! I’m so sorry I’m not a hundred years old like some people. Too bad the centuries of living didn’t teach you to control your damned temper.” Michelle tossed the lavender in its bin and stalked to the far side of the store. A few minutes later, Dmitri was standing by her side. 9


“What the hell is your problem?” he growled under his breath.
“My problem?” Michelle shot. “I’m not the one with a problem. You’re the one who can’t control your temper.” 10


Dmitri looked at Michelle’s angry face. “I already said I was sorry, but you’re brother insulted me.”
“Sometimes the truth hurts.” Michelle shrugged.
“How come you never told me you had a brother?” he demanded. 11


“What? Why would I tell you anything like that? Michelle frowned. “I once had a goldfish who died and I flushed him. You think you need to know that to?” 12


Dmitri’s features hardened. “Because we’re…were together. You never mentioned anything about a brother.” 13


“You never asked.” 14


“I shouldn’t have to ask.” Dmitri frowned. “Friends just tell each other things. Hell, when we were dating you never even let me know where you live. You never really trusted me. Admit it.” 15


“Why are you bringing this up? It was obvious we weren’t meant to be. We’re not really even friends. We’re only here because our best friends are getting married. Otherwise, we’d probably not even be talking to one another.” Michelle felt a pain roll through her but she swallowed it down. “Face it, Dmitri. We’re too different. There is nothing about us that works.”
“You never gave us a chance. You kept yourself from me.” Dmitri’s eyes softened as he looked at her. Her heart fluttered in her chest. Her mouth went dry until she forgot who she was. 16


Michelle remembered how hard she tried to keep her feelings light when they were together, knowing that was what he would want from her. She hadn’t wanted to burden him with her emotions. She hadn’t wanted to ruin what they had by talking serious. Dmitri had been, and still was, a bad boy. Bad boys didn’t like to be tied down with romantic sentiments and serious types like her. They liked to be wild and carefree. Didn’t they? As she looked at him, his eyes full of some unnamable emotion, she wasn’t so sure. Had she misjudged him?
“Dmitri,” she began, “I—” 17


Her phone began to ring, cutting off her words.
“I have to take this. It could be work. Anya Bast is supposed to call me for an interview time,” Michelle said. Dmitri nodded. 18


“Hello?” Michelle answered the phone. Glancing at Dmitri, she stiffened and turned her back. “Yeah, Hi Brian. What’s up?” 19


~*****~
Mandy sat there staring at Darren unsure what to say or do. He picked up his sandwich and took a bite, his eyes focused on her the entire time. Her stomach tightened. She wasn’t sure if was from being overwhelmed by the fact that he’d appeared at her office less than twenty minutes ago. 20


He winked at her. “What’s wrong, honey?”
“What’s wrong?” Mandy’s mouth dropped open as she thrust her plate forward. She’d lost her appetite the minute she’d seen him. “I don’t hear from you for two years and suddenly you show up here, of all places, and insist that I come to lunch with you. What the hell’s going on, Darren?” 21


He ruffled his hand through his brown, shaggy hair and gave her a wolfish grin. “What? You’re not happy to see me?” 22


She stared the lycan across from her that had managed to do the unthinkable—break her heart. Her eyes narrowed and she knew he could sense her anger, rage, pain from his actions.
Darren’s face softened. “Honey, I wasn’t ready for a relationship then. I wasn’t ready for you.” He let out a low whistle. “You’re a handful you know. I’ve got primal urges and you still managed to wear me out.” 23


Mandy stood slowly, grabbing her purse, and phone in the process. Darren caught her wrist and held it tight. “No, Mandy. It took me this long to find you. You will sit down and talk to me.” 24


“What the hell are you talking about? It’s not like I was hard to locate. I write for a National Magazine you idiot.” 25


He winched, but didn’t release her. “You moved three states away… no…you RAN three states away and left me no way to reach you. I stopped by your mother’s house but she threatened to put a silver bullet ‘where the sun doesn’t shine’ if I attempted to contact you again.”
Mandy beamed brightly, proud of her mother’s phrasing. “Maybe I should call her and let her know that you didn’t listen.” 26


Darren’s green eyes widened. “NO!”
She laughed. “Oh, is the big bad wolf scared of my mommy?”
“Hell yeah!” 27


He leaned forward and touched her hand, sending heat racing up her arm. She jerked back like he’d scolded her, when in truth he’d done far worse. He’d made her second guess her feelings for Armando. 28


“I should have never agreed to meet you. I’m supposed to be meeting Michelle and Dmitri at the flower shop.”
“You didn’t agree. I left you no other choice.” He said with a sly grin. 29


She hadn’t realized that she’d spoken aloud and wasn’t sure how to respond to him now. Mandy had spent their entire relationship denying they had one and when he walked out on her she’d been devastated. It’s what set her off on a six-month “use anything that moves for sex” spree and she wasn’t the least bit proud of that. She’d thought that her feelings for him had vanished, having him here in front of her told her otherwise. 30


“So, tell me about yourself.” She said, hesitantly. 31


“I own several real estate agencies spanning from here to Florida. I still spend my weekends out on the boat or at the islands. You know how it is.” He added, he voice low and sexy. He reached out and touched her hand again. “You look a bit pale. Are they working you like a dog at the Nocturnal Journal?” 32


Mandy laughed at the thought of anyone thinking her pale. Every time she stood next to Michelle, Michelle looked iridescent—borderline translucent. She looked down at her hands and noticed for the first time that they really did look paler than normal. It was no doubt from taking on a nocturnal lifestyle to better suite Armando’s rising hours. 33


“Mandy?”
“What? I’m sorry, Darren. You were saying?”
“I was saying that I’m in town for a few weeks to oversee a few large sales and was hoping that we could spend some time together… catch up… that kind of stuff. You’re free, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not free.” 34


His green eyes narrowed on her. “You’re not serious with anyone are you?” The threat was veiled but there. “How about I pick you up at your place tonight around eight?”
Mandy stood quickly, knowing that if she sat any longer across from him that she’d never leave. “I can’t. I’m sorry.” She made a run for the door, but her heels didn’t want to cooperate with her. 35


Darren was there in an instant to help steady her. He pressed his mouth down to her ear and spoke low to her. “I can smell your excitement, your fear and I like it.” He licked her cheek before freeing her. 36


~*****~37


“Come on, you can tell me.” Michelle reached over the counter and set a twenty dollar bill on the countertop. Looking the young florist in the eye, she said, “I recognize you as the delivery boy. Now, I want you to tell me who sent me all those lilies.”
The delivery boy looked at the twenty and glanced around the flower shop. Michelle and Dmitri had hit every florist in town looking for the best deal and best arrangements. For some reason, half the shops in town refused to do supernatural events—something about magic getting out of hand with the use of some of the herbs and their insurance not covering it. This shop, the last on their list, was one of the only ones willing to work with them on the grand event. She’d been just about to settle on a bouquet when she’d seen him—the dreaded lily delivery boy. 38


“Come on,” she wheedled, “you can tell me.”
Michelle threw down another twenty. 39


“I…I can’t, ma’am.” The kid shrugged and let the money lie. His eyes darted behind her back and she glanced over her shoulder. Dmitri stood there holding a hundred dollar bill.
“What are you doing?” she demanded. 40


“What? I thought we had to pay some of the deposit.” Dmitri came forward. “Our order’s all done.”
“Hum,” Michelle sighed. “In that case, I have to get going.” 41


Michelle turned to leave.
Dmitri threw down the hundred when Michelle wasn’t looking and shook his finger in warning to the delivery boy for silence. The kid grinned and nodded. Calling over his shoulder, he said, “Don’t take the bus. I’ll give you a ride.” 42

43


~*****~
Mandy double-checked that all her windows and doors were locked before climbing into the tub. The meeting with Darren had left her a bit shaken. He was a notorious hot head who was very sexy, but very deadly. While he’d never raised his hand to her, she’d seen him lose control of the beast within him more than once. No part of her wanted a repeat performance.
She sunk down into the warm water and took in the scent of vanilla bath crystals. If there had ever been a day that she required instant relaxation and no stress, today was it. 44


The phone rang and she reached out to swat it with her hand on the floor. She knocked it over and saw Armando’s name on the caller ID. She couldn’t talk to him right now. Her mind was reeling with a billion thoughts and none of them were on her husband to be. She knew how powerful Armando was and he’d sense her distress the minute he heard her speak and she couldn’t risk it. 45


Armando tried to call two more times before Mandy gave up and got out of the tub. It was clear to see that she wasn’t going to get the relaxing soak she craved. She wrapped her yellow silk robe around her and wandered out to the kitchen to start tea water.
A knock on the door left her missing the stove and dropping the teapot onto the floor. She narrowed her gaze on the door as she stalked over to it. “Just because you didn’t get me on your first three calls does not mean you need to run right over here!” She said, throwing the door open. 46


“Surprise,” Darren said, with a devious grin.
Mandy’s heart went to her throat. Unconsciously, she rubbed her hand over her neck as she tried to force a smile to her face. “Darren, what are you doing here?”
He brought his wrist up and extended it out to her. “It’s eight, remember.”
“I thought I told you no.” 47


Darren’s green eyes swirled to amber as he took a step into her apartment. “You did, but I think we both knew that I wouldn’t listen to you.”
Mandy glanced at her window nervously. Darren was acting edgy and the fact that he lost control of his eyes told her that it was either close to a full moon or a full moon. Since Darren wasn’t born a lycan he didn’t have the same control that Dmitri and Mike did. No, Darren had survived an attack when he was in his early teens and had been left a werewolf ever since.
“Darren, should you be out and about this time of month?” 48


He slid an arm behind her and pulled her close to him. Mandy put her hands on his massive chest in an attempt to keep from getting too close to him, but his mouth was on her before she could react. 49


Darren pulled the short silk robe up and grabbed hold of her backside, bringing a yelp from her. Mandy pushed on him harder, but made no headway with him. Part of her wanted to shove him out the door, another part wanted to explore her feelings for him. He’d been such a huge part of her life that it was hard to think clearly around him. 50


Thankfully, Darren ended the kiss, but didn’t let her go. “Hi honey, I’m home.” He said with a laugh. “You can’t tell me that you didn’t miss me. Admit it, you did, didn’t you?”
“Darren, I…”
His mouth clamped down on hers before she had a chance to answer. He pulled away with a low growl. “You can’t stay mad at me, can you? Tell me that you want me, that you missed me. I need to hear you say it.” 51


“Yes, Mandy, please enlighten us. Do you miss him?”
Mandy froze when she heard Armando’s voice. Darren pulled her tighter to his chest and growled at Armando. “Stop it, Darren!” She cried out as she tried to free herself from his embrace.
Darren eased up, but didn’t let her completely out of his arms. “Why in the hell is there a vampire standing in your doorway?” 52


Armando cocked an eyebrow at him and Mandy noticed that his eyes were jet black. That was bad, very, very, bad. “Funny, I was about to ask you why a wolf was standing in your living room with his mouth pressed to yours and his hand on your backside.” 53


Armando took a step in and Mandy could feel the power pouring off him. He was beyond pissed. She stepped in front of Darren, trying to defuse the situation. “Armando, please…”
“His name’s Armando. Why not skip to the chase and go for a Rico Suave? I’m digging the accent there buddy. Spend a lot of time working on that. Do you find it off sets the fact that you’re dead?” 54


Mandy spun around and put her and on Darren’s chest. “Stop it, now! I’m serious. Don’t provoke him.”
“Mandy, it is obvious that he is not afraid of me. Why would you be concerned over him provoking me? He thinks himself the better of the two of us, should I test his theory?” Armando sounded every bit as evil as a vampire was capable of sounding and it sent chills down Mandy’s spine. 55


“Who is this man, Mandy?” Darren asked. His voice was deeper than normal and that meant he was close to the change.
Armando smiled wickedly, letting his fangs show. “I think the better question is, who are you?”
“I’m her husband.” 56


Armando stopped dead in his tracks as his penetrating gaze went to Mandy. She couldn’t help but back up and felt Darren’s hands on her arms. He slid them around her protectively, pulling her into his body.
“Have you nothing to say, Kitten?”
Mandy swallowed the lump in her throat. “Ex…”
“Excuse me? I had hard time hearing you with you whispering and all,” Armando said, his black eyes locked firmly on her.
“He’s my ex-husband. We were only married a few weeks before…” The words got stuck in her throat.
Armando put his hands in the air and tipped his head. “Before you what, Mandy? Before you realized what a horrible mistake you made, or…?”
“Before he walked out on me and I filed for a divorce.”
“I see.” Armando’s voice never waived. “Were you ever going to tell me of this?” 57


Mandy looked away, unable to lie to him, but unsure whether or not she ever really planned on telling him about Darren. Hell, she’d never told a soul about it. It hurt too much. It was the one time in her life that she’d let a man in her barriers and had ended up betrayed and hurt beyond belief. It was the reason she was gun shy to go through with another wedding.
“Answer me, Mandy. Were you ever going to tell me?” 58


“If Elizabeth hadn’t have shown up, would you have told me about her?” It was petty and wrong to stoop so low, but Mandy didn’t feel she had a choice. She didn’t play fair when her back was against the wall.
Armando tipped his head back and laughed wickedly. His eyes seemed to reflect her image perfectly. She swallowed down the lump in her throat and felt the hair on the back of her neck rise.
“Stop it, Armando.” She knew he was using his vampire tricks on her and she didn’t appreciate it. “Knock it off!”
He put his hands up and attempted to look like he wasn’t doing anything. She knew it was a lie. “Kitten, would I ever use tricks on you?”
“Why don’t you just revoke his invitation?” Darren asked, pressing his mouth to her ear. “I’m a little sick of him calling you Kitten and I’d kind of like to see him be ripped out of the room.”
Armando narrowed his eyes on her as Darren’s lips swept past her neck. “Yes, Mandy. Why don’t you revoke my invitation? It would save the wolf from having to step out from behind you.” 59


The minute the words came out of Armando’s mouth Mandy knew that Darren would retaliate. He always teetered on the edge with his temper and Armando had picked up on that instantly. He had hundreds of years to learn to control his demon. Darren only had fifteen years.
Darren pushed past Mandy and moved towards Armando. They circled each other warily. Each crouched to the point that they were hunched over and snarling. Mandy moved to the center of their endless circle and glared at them both. The air was thick with their power and she knew that the scene would turn violent if she didn’t intercede.
“Armando, you need to leave.” 60


Darren grinned as he waved goodbye to Armando. “Looks like she picked, vamp.”
“It would appear so.” Armando’s voice was cold.
There was no way she could let Darren leave. He was too close to turning and she would feel responsible if he hurt anyone. “You keep poking the bear, Armando, and you won’t stop. Darren can’t be let loose on the town. It’s full moon and his control isn’t like Dmitri’s or Mike’s.” 61


“I am not a bear, Mandy. And, you never complained about my ‘control’ before.” Darren said, reaching for her. She sidestepped his touch to avoid upsetting Armando anymore.
“Don’t start. You can sleep in the closet for all I care.”
Darren winked at her and licked his lower lip. “We’ll see about that.”
“Darren,” she said, pleading with her eyes for him to stop. He growled at Armando as he walked back towards her bedroom. The look on Armando’s face said he wasn’t happy about that either. 62


Mandy waited until Darren closed the door before speaking to Armando. “What happens now?”
“I would have thought that an apology would be in order, but you apparently do not think as most do.” His tone was harsh and his face unreadable. He walked closer to her and a cold wind swirled quickly around them. 63


She’d never seen him display this kind of power and wasn’t sure what to do. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him, but it seemed like that was all she was capable of. Armando put his hand out and lightening flashed outside the window, followed by a roll of thunder that made the house shake. Her gaze went back to Armando. Had he caused that?
He smiled, showing his fangs. “There is much you have never bothered to learn about me, Mandy.” 64


She bit back the ‘apparently’ that was on the tip of her tongue and stood motionless. Armando wasn’t acting like himself and no part of her wanted to play the let’s get to know the vamp in me game. 65


“I think it is past time that you ‘got to know the vampire’, cara mia.” 66


~*****~67


Michelle was still shaken from being so close to Dmitri when she met Anya at the club. It seemed like she’d been coming to the Raven forever. Seeing Mike behind the counter, she smiled at him. He motioned to a far booth where a blonde, blue eyed woman waited and handed her a coffee with cream. Michelle took it and went to the booth. 68


“Hi, you must be Anya Bast.” 69


Anya stood. “Yep, that’s me. This is Gabriel, the man I was telling you about on the phone. He’s the inspiration for BLOOD OF THE RAVEN.” 70


Michelle turned to the gorgeous vampire at her side. He had long black hair and blue eyes. She was a little surprised to see him in the club while it was light outside.
“I came through the ‘other’ entrance,” he said, as if sensing Michelle’s momentary confusion.
“Anya tells me you’re from France?” Michelle smiled at him. He wasn’t bad on the eyes in the least. 71


Gabriel chuckled, “France about 400 years ago.”
“I know who to call for historical reference tips.”
“I would be happy to assist you. I aide Anya in ‘anyway’ I can.” 72


“So, Anya, tell me about your new release.” Michelle took a seat and grabbed her notepad from her purse. If she kept talking to Gabriel she’d make a fool of herself and drool or worse yet, think of Dmitri and go into heat. Why did supernatural men have to be so damn gorgeous? 73


“Autumn Pleasures. It’s a historical fantasy romantica, the fourth in a series, but can definitely stand-alone. Over the course of the series there has been a war between Nordan and Sudhra. The war is over, but now there's a rift between the two countries. Lord Gregor of Nordan accepts Lady Anaisse of Sudhra as his wife in an effort to stitch up the tear between the nations, and because he's been attracted to her for years. But there's another man lurking about who has also been attracted to her for years. In his disturbed mind, he has only one goal and that’s to kill Anaisse.” 74


“Wow, sounds great,” Michelle said, taking notes. She debated on asking for an autograph, it seemed a little rude. “And don’t you have a book that’s in print?”
“BLOOD OF THE ROSE,” Anya answered. 75


Michelle caught a glimpse of Dmitri over the distance. Great, the in heat session was about to start. Someone had to market a lycan repellant and she needed to find out who that was.
Anya continued to talk and she tried her best to listen, but her eyes kept straying to Dmitri. Brian was still livid about being punched and she couldn’t blame him, but on another level Dmitri’s possessiveness had been kinda sweet. Did it mean anything? Or had he simply been trying to defend his own honor? She honestly was confused and didn’t know where to go from here. 76


“I love writing, how about you?” Anya asked.
“I love him, yes.”
“Him?”
Michelle looked at Anya with wide eyes as the shock of what she’d just slipped hit her. “I…umm…yes, I love writing.”
Anya looked towards the other side of the room and back to Michelle. “It looks like ‘writing’ is coming this way.”
Michelle dropped her head down onto the table. Could the night get any worse?
Something touched her shoulder gently. “Michelle?” Dmitri asked, softly. 77

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Chapter 25-Who's Your Daddy?92

She loves me! She loves me! 93


Dmitri grinned, not caring that he looked like an imbecile as he reached down to touch her shoulder. He heard Michelle’s word from across the bar. She loved him! He couldn’t believe it. He’d hoped she cared for him, or in the least was still attracted to him. But, love? He’d never dreamt of that. 94


She loves me! She loves me! 95


Expecting a soft tenderness in her eyes when she turned to look at him, he was sorely disappointed. She frowned up in confusion. Surely, she knew he could hear everything she said. His kind had excellent hearing. But, as she continued to stare up at him, her eyes narrowed in irritation, he knew she had no idea.96


“Yes?” she prompted, sounding scornful. “Can I help you?” 97


The author across the table chuckled. Turning to the vampire with them, Anya said, “Come on, let’s get out of here. Michelle, it was great talking to you. I look forward to your article.”
“Thanks,” Michelle answered. Dmitri frowned as she pushed past him to stand up from the table, shaking off his hand. He didn’t pay attention to them as they spoke a second longer. When Anya left, Michelle turned to him.
Dmitri couldn’t stop himself. He began to reach for her. His lips parted ready to stake his claim. His body itched to be next to her. He’d put his desires off so long and finally, FINALLY, here she was and she loved him. Nothing else mattered. She actually cared for him. His grin widened with an affected charm. 98


Michelle recoiled back as if he was insane. “What’s gotten into you, wolf boy? Is there supposed to be a full moon tonight or what?”
Dmitri’s hand reached to touch her and the sweet perfume of her body filled his head. His body lurched, becoming painfully aroused. The grey depths of his eyes threatened with a shift, swirling with the dangerous passions of his lycan nature.
Michelle took a step back. Her words weak, she whispered, “Dmitri…?”
His grin widened. He didn’t know what to say, as he was content to just stare at her. The passion rose in his blood and he struggled to keep it down. He knew the truth of her feelings now and nothing she said or did was going to get in their way.99


~*****~100


Armando stalked away from Mandy’s building blinded by rage. She had a way of turning him into a madman with little to no effort and he never knew quite how to handle her. Her energy and individuality had been part of what attracted him to her, but it was also what drove him over the edge. The fact that she’d never told him about being married had hurt worse than when he walked in and found her kissing that pathetic excuse for a lycan. 101


Mandy should have confided in him. She should have known that he’d love her regardless what secrets her past held. He’d roamed the earth for hundreds of years and had never loved unconditionally prior to her. Why did she have to make it so difficult? 102


He took another step and realized what he was doing. He was giving into her yet again—setting himself up for a lifetime of allowing her to behave any way she saw fit, and knowing that she was permitting an aggressive werewolf to bunk with her during a full moon proved that her judgment was not what it should be. 103


“No.” He said, suddenly stopping and turning around.
Armando used his supernatural speed to cover the distance back to her front door and didn’t bother knocking. She was his and he would do whatever it took to keep her. She would have to learn to live with it or learn to live with it. There would be no exceptions. He thrust the door open and Mandy whirled around, her green eyes wide. 104


“Armando?” He could sense the fear in her voice and knew that he looked like he felt—capable of killing.
“I am staying here with you tonight.”
“Like hell you are!” She shouted, glancing back towards her bedroom. 105


Armando grimaced as he heard the shower running. Thinking of Darren naked in Mandy’s master bathroom was more than he could handle. “You heard me, Mandy. I am staying here with you tonight and any other night I see fit. AND while we are on the subject, from here on out we will not separate. I have grown tired of only seeing you once or twice a week. You will stay with me as well. Decide what you need to have at my home to be comfortable and I will see to it that it is there. Are we clear?” 106


Mandy’s mouth dropped open and her eyes narrowed on him.
Great, his intentions had been to beat the living hell out of Darren and sweep Mandy off her feet, not infuriate her. It mattered not, what was done, was done. The only thing left was damage control. He scanned Mandy’s thoughts quickly, uncertain if she had grown accustom to the feel of his mind merging with hers. 107


She didn’t seem to notice. She was too busy forming the idea of permanently revoking his invitation to her home and sticking her ring up his ass. He shook the vivid image from his head and grabbed hold of her free will. It was a gift that all master vampires possessed, but one he’d sworn that he’d never use on her. Now, she’d left him no choice. They were meant to be together, and he would not allow a werewolf to stop them. 108


“Mandy,” he said, slowly, using his voice as an additional push. “You want me to always be welcome in her your home. Do you not?” 109


She blinked and began to shake her head no. He had to give her credit. She was strong willed, but he was stronger. He tightened his mental hold on her, careful not to cause her too much discomfort. “You wish me to have an open invitation, yes?” 110


“Y-es.” She seemed to choke on the word.
“Very good. Now, you must state that you recognize me as your master.”
Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head. He felt her body trying to react. She fought against his hold and he knew that that caused her a great deal of pain, but he couldn’t let go now. If he did, he would lose her forever. Mandy wasn’t a woman to stand for this behavior, no matter how necessary it was. 111


Mandy projected her thoughts out at him. She wanted to kick him square in the head and do some rather vile things to his private parts. He winched and couldn’t help but to cup his groin. Her imagination was very colorful and slightly alarming. No wonder she did so well writing paranormal thrillers, she was scarier than anything he’d come up against, and he’d come up against some of the nastiest demons the world had ever seen. A lesser man would have run. He just filed away the need to sleep with one eye open for a while and continued to press her. “Say it, Mandy, recognize me as your master.” 112


“I re-cognize you…as…my…mas-ter.” She said, between gritted teeth.
Instantly, Armando felt his power encompass her. She would forever be his now regardless if she tried to revoke his invitation or not. She belonged to him, as it was meant to be. She was now under his full protection and if he chose to issue an order, she would feel compelled to listen to him. Knowing Mandy, she’d find a way to fight him on it so he saw little reason to force her compliance any further. He let his hold on her mind slip. 113


He waited for her to scream at him. Instead, her body slumped down to the floor. He ran to her, grabbing her in his arms, looking for signs of a problem. He found that her mind was confused and that her struggle to maintain her freewill had given her a migraine. She was tired, hurt, and felt betrayed. The thought that he’d caused her pain sickened him. He touched her forehead and drew the pain from her, absorbing it into himself.
“Mandy?” 114


She stayed limp in his arms, scaring the hell out of him. He wanted her mad and violent. At least that way he knew she was fine. Her current state terrified him. Had he broken her? Had he used too much of his power on her? He’d heard of vampires doing that, leaving the human a vegetable. 115


The bedroom door opened and Armando looked up to find Darren dripping wet and completely nude. He couldn’t help but to glance down to survey his competition. A smile crept over his face when he saw that although Darren was more than capable of pleasing a woman, he didn’t compare to him. It was petty, but gave him great comfort. 116


Armando smelled the wolf within Darren try to surface. “What the hell did you do to Mandy?” Darren demanded.
As much as he wanted to beat the man to a bloody pulp, Mandy was his first priority. He raised his hand and let his power flow forth. “Sleep.” 117


Darren fell backwards with a thud. Armando could have cushioned his fall with his own power, but didn’t want to. In fact, he thought of waking Darren just to watch him drop once more. He pulled his hand back and watched as his power dragged Darren’s large body across the floor. He deposited him in the corner and set his attentions back on Mandy. 118


“Kitten?”
She blinked up at him. Her hand came up suddenly and struck him across the face. A direct hit had never felt sweeter. “How could you?”
The hurt in her voice almost broke his composure. He would not cry in front of her. He had never been prone to expressing his feelings and felt no need to start now. “I did what needed to be done and I regret nothing.”
“I trusted you.” 119


She scored another direct hit, this time with her words, and he felt a piece of him shatter. His voice shook when he spoke. “So, much so that you never told me that you had been married.”
“I never told anyone.”
“I am not just anyone, Mandy.” He wiped away the tears on her cheek and realized that he’d been projecting his sorrow onto her. She cried for him, as a true mate would. It mattered not that she wasn’t a vampire they were connected now. “Do not weep, Kitten. It breaks my heart to see you sad. We will get through this.”
“No, we won’t. I’m your puppet now, not your wife.” 120


Armando didn’t correct her when she referred to herself as his wife. No, they were not yet married, but hearing her say it melted him. “Do you really think that I would prefer to have a puppet instead of you?” 121


She arched a black eyebrow at him. “Everyone would prefer a puppet to me.”
“I am not everyone, Kitten. I am the man who is in love with you. You are my heart, and literally my soul. Without you, I am a shell, forever destined to wander this earth alone. Forgive my need to secure our happiness, for you are all that I have.” 122


She groaned and tipped her head back. He pulled her closer to him. “Mandy?”
“Why did you have to go all poetic on me? Gawd, it’s hard to stay mad at that and I’m hella good at holding a grudge! My head still hurts.”
“Here,” he said, touching her forehead again, drawing the remaining pain into himself.
“Thanks.” 123


“Does this mean that I am forgiven?”
“This means that if you ever hold the fact that you’re my…mas..mast…oh, hell, you know the word, over my head I will stake you in your sleep. Are we clear?”
“Crystal. Besides, I caught a glimpse of your rather vivid and somewhat disturbing imagination. Tell me, would you really do the things you envisioned?”
“What do you think?” 124


He shuddered. 125


“What did you do to Darren?” She asked, peeking over his shoulder.
“I put him to sleep.”
She stiffened, her eyes wide with fear. “You didn’t.”
Armando laughed despite himself. “Oh, how I wish I would have ‘put him to sleep’, no he is merely resting. He will not wake until I permit it.”
“Is it painful?”
“No.”
“Good, leave him and take me to bed. I need to be held, and if you tell anyone that I said that you’re fair game for direct sunlight.” 126


He picked her up and carried her towards the bedroom, knowing that she would need to be near him often now that she was his. He was also smart enough to know that she wouldn’t want to hear that little piece of information at the moment so he left it alone. He also left off the part about her start towards immortality. Each time he drew blood from her, or touched her mind he would strengthen their bond, allowing her to live as long as he did. Most would take the news that they’d live forever well, Mandy was not like most people. She was certainly a breed all unto herself and he loved her for that. 127


~*****~128


“You’re scaring me, Dmitri,” Michelle said, backing away. His eyes were filled with a dangerous light. She’d seen the wolf in him before, but there was something different in his look—something terrifying and oddly erotic. “I’m going to go and get you some help. Don’t move…I…I’m just going…Mike.” 129


Michelle stumbled away from him, swallowing nervously as she made her way across the bar. Seeing Mike doing his horrible impersonation of Tom Cruise from the movie Cocktail, she grimaced. A bottle of wine flew through the air and he caught it behind his back.
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about, baby!” Mike swore. A group of giggling twits watched him from the bar. 130


“Mike,” Michelle began. “There’s something wrong with your cousin.”
“Yeah, doll, I know,” Mike laughed. “He needs a good shagging! Why don’t you hop on him and help a lycan out? You know, let him give you some LLL.” He said, putting his hands up to indicate about ten inches. 131


The girls giggled.
“LLL?” Michelle asked, unsure that she wanted to hear the answer.
“Long lycan lovin’, sugar.” He grinned foolishly and Michelle threw her hands in the air. Why do I bother?”
“Hey, do me a favor, sugar,” Mike said as a large group of customers came into the bar. “Dmitri got a shipment of A pos today for the vamps and we’re out up here. Could you ask him to bring a couple cases up?” 132


“No, Mike…”
“Thanks sweeting!” Mike blew her a kiss before turning back to the giggling brigade once more. “Watch this, loves!”
“Mike seems busy,” Dmitri said from behind her. “Come, help me with the cases. The door sticks and if someone doesn’t hold it open I’ll get locked inside. The locksmith will be here tomorrow to fix it.”
“Does it look like I work here?” Michelle demanded. 133


“You’re here enough,” he shot back, with the same strange grin. “Just help out, would you?”
Michelle could no longer resist the soft tone of his voice, than she could stop breathing. Pretending to be more exasperated than she really was, she sighed and nodded. “Fine. Just hurry up. I want to go home.”
Dmitri led the way into the office. Then, pushing a button on the wall, waited as the hidden basement door slid open. Michelle grabbed the door and stood.
“No,” Dmitri motioned. “Down here.” 134


Michelle frowned, looking down the dark stairwell. “I…You’re not trying to kill me or anything are you? It’s so dark.”
“It’s not made for humans. We don’t exactly need a lot of light to get around.” Dmitri turned on the stairs to look up at her. Light from the office fell over his handsome face. “Come on, I promise nothing down here will hurt you.”
“I’m going to regret this,” she mumbled, stepping down. The office door closed behind her and she felt along the wall as she walked down. Reaching the bottom, she felt a hand on her waist.
“This way,” Dmitri murmured. A tingle went over her spine. He led her to a nearby room. “This is the door that sticks. Just hold it open while I set these cases out.”
Michelle held the door, unable to help herself as she watched Dmitri’s tight body move under the weight of the cases. He brushed past her, his strong arm grazing close to her chest. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he’d done it on purpose.
“Excuse me,” Dmitri breathed as he passed again, coming close to where she stood. His dark eyes pierced into her and she couldn’t move. 135


Michelle watched him, almost dazed as he bent over to grab another case. Her lips parted and her mouth went dry. Damn, but he had a really nice ass. It almost wasn’t fair. Then, hearing a scurrying noise behind her, she jumped in fright. “Ahhh! Rat!”
“Don’t! The door…” Dmitri dropped the case with a thud and began to turn.
Michelle hurried from the door, crashing into him as she tried to get away from the rodent. Warm, strong arms wrapped around her from behind as she stumbled into a solid chest. Shivering, a weak noise left her lips and she gasped. 136


“If you wanted to get me alone, all you had to do was ask.”
His soft voice flowed over her in a hot wave of desire. She blinked, momentarily confused. His hands stroked up her arm with a masterful skill that left her breathless.
“I…I…” Michelle couldn’t move. 137


~*****~138


Mandy clutched onto Armando’s shoulders as he released himself within her. Her body shook as he kissed the tiny bite mark closed on her neck. Sharing blood with him was beyond erotic, and she was surprised that she’d allowed him to do it, especially during sex. He pulled out slowly, wrapped her in his arms, and slid down on the bed next to her.
She snuggled into the wall of his chest and for the first time in her life, felt comfortable in the arms of another. Michelle would have paid good money for a Polaroid of the moment. She laughed softly. 139


“Kitten?”
Mandy stroked his smooth chest, tracing her way down his chiseled abs. She looked up into his dark eyes and frowned. “What’s wrong? You look so serious.”
Armando’s expression softened as he moved his mouth to hers. His kiss was sweet and slow. He sucked on her tongue before pulling back with a groan. “I fear that we will not get out of this bed today if we do not stop now.” 140


Mandy let out a sultry laugh as she sank down, drowning his stomach with kisses. He jerked and grabbed her shoulders. “Kitten, you are insatiable.”
“Thanks.”
“I have to go into the club tonight to meet with the realtor about purchasing the adjacent property. Don’t you have to meet with your bridesmaids soon as well?” 141


She nodded her head as she licked his navel, running a trail of kisses down the line of dark hair that started there. Armando sucked in his breath and she moved down over him. His body obviously wanted to play more and so did hers. She cupped his sac and looked up at him. His eyelids were heavy and his body tight. “Funny, looking at you now you’d never guess that you were the master in this situation.” She licked the tip of him and he jerked before moaning slightly. “Are you the boss, Armando?” 142


Armando let out a shaky breath as his hand moved to her hair. “Somehow I knew you would be able to twist the arrangement around to suit you.”
She let her tongue run along the length of him. “Are you complaining?”
“Why would I do that?” A mischievous grin covered his face.
“Do you think you should wake Darren up now? I’m sure he’ll be sore.”
“Why would I do that?” 143


“Is that your new answer for everything?” Mandy asked, running her tongue back over him. He tipped his head back and closed his dark eyes. There was no doubt in her mind that she held complete control over him, master vampire or not. 144


~*****~145


“I wasn’t!” Michelle managed at last, pulling up and away from Dmitri. He chuckled, taking a seat on a crate, as she went to try to open the door. Pounding on the metal, she screamed, “Help! Come on! Mike!”
“He can’t hear you,” Dmitri drawled lazily. “He’ll not come down until he realizes the bar hasn’t been stocked.” 146


Michelle shivered. It was really dark in the room and she could barely see. “Where’s the light?”
“Ah, there’s a light in the fridge,” Dmitri offered.
Michelle squinted and made her way over to where she remembered seeing it. She found it and felt around for the handle. Opening it up, she turned to see Dmitri lounging against a makeshift seat in the boxes. Turning, she looked into the fridge. 147


“Oh, gross!” She instantly shut it. The thing was filled with blood packets. “You guys knock off a Red Cross or what?”
“Talk to Armando. It’s his flavor. I prefer whiskey.”
She heard another shuffling and screamed, hurrying from the fridge. Her foot hit a crate and she fell back. Dmitri caught her before she hit the floor. He leaned over from his place, holding her inches above the floor. 148


“Relax,” he soothed. “You’re so jumpy.”
She heard the smile in his voice and stiffened. Defensively, she whispered,
“There was a rat.”
“We don’t have rats at the Raven,” Dmitri growled, almost sounding offended.
Michelle heard another noise and gasped. She jolted in Dmitri’s arms, shivering as she reached up to hold onto him. If there was one thing she was absolutely terrified of, it was snakes and rats. 149


“Oh, Oooooh,” Dmitri whispered as her arms snaked up. His arms tightened around her. “Maybe we do have rats.”
“You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?” she whispered. Her body trembled in fear and she refused to let him go. Before he could answer, she insisted, “I can’t see anything. It’s too dark. Do you see anything? And be honest, don’t lie to me.”
His arms shifted, drawing her closer. Her heart beat erratically, a curious warmth replacing the unreasonable fear. Dmitri’s breath whispered over her neck, as he said, “There is one very large rat in the corner.” 150


Michelle made a weak sound, instantly lifting her feet off the floor. She sunk onto his lap and Dmitri groaned.
“Hey,” he soothed. “Don’t worry. He won’t come near me.”
“You’re sure?” Her face turned naturally to his. She felt the unmistakable length of his arousal next to her hip. It excited and scared her. He was so big, so powerful. She nervously bit her lip. There was something about him that took her breath away each and every time. His hand found her hip and began to massage lightly, working up her side. A small sound left her. Her eyes fluttered closed. “Dmitri, what are you doing?” 151


“Protecting you from rats,” he whispered back. She felt his lips close, brushing ever so lightly against her mouth.
“Dmitri?”
“Hum?” His mouth drew closer still, rubbing gracefully back and forth in a kiss so tender it made her toes curl.
“Is there really something there?” Michelle angled her head, waiting in breathless anticipation for him to kiss her. Unbidden, her hands crept over his chest to his neck, holding him for support. 152


“Mmmm,” was his groaned reply as he lowered his mouth to hers. Instantly, the soft caress became demanding, sawing against her lips. Heat rolled through her stomach, making her gasped into his opened mouth.
She didn’t know how he managed, but his fingers snaked beneath her shirt and found hold on an aching breast. Rubbing his thumb back and forth, he budded her nipple against his roaming fingers. 153


Michelle squirmed. Her hips angled and he took full advantage, gliding his fingers over her stomach to her waistband. She grabbed at his shirt, pulling it up so she could feel his muscled chest. His hips rocked along hers, pushing the hard length of his passion up into her hip. He was so huge!
“Dmitri,” she gasped, pulling her lips away. He merely changed course, kissing eagerly down her throat, nibbling her with his teeth. Primal sounds of passion reverberated in his chest. “Dmitri, I…”
Dmitri, I’m scared.
The words never left her mouth. His hands boldly parted her jeans, reaching to find the aching torment of her sensitive opening.
“Damn it, Dmitri!” 154


Michelle froze. Mike continued to curse and she could hear him kicking at the case left by the door. Dmitri stopped at her sound of complete horror. She pushed up, trying to straighten her clothes. The door opened and she turned to see Mike peering in at them, a wide grin on his face.
“Well, well, didn’t mean to interrupt,” Mike winked at them. “Just let me grab another case and I’ll leave you be.”
Michelle glanced back to see Dmitri hadn’t smoothed his clothes. His rugged disheveled appeal was almost too much for her senses. Only Mike’s laughing kept her from going back into her arms. Dmitri’s eyes burned into her. It was as if he didn’t hear or see Mike.
“I…” Michelle turned, needing to get away so she could think straight. She might care for Dmitri, but he’d made it clear he didn’t care for her. Or did he? His eyes said otherwise, but his actions as of late were another story. “The air’s too stale. I can’t breathe down here.”
Michelle ran past Mike. They listened to her leave.
“Having fun?” Mike teased. 155


“If you weren’t my cousin, I would rip out your throat. You have the worst timing,” Dmitri growled.
Mike only laughed harder. “Ah, now, come on.”
Dmitri surged to his feet. His fist to Mike’s mouth stopped anything further he might try to say. Then, storming out the door, he pushed it shut, locking Mike inside. With a grim look of satisfaction, he walked back upstairs, leaving Mike trapped.156