IMMORTAL MATCHMAKERS, INC. (15 page)

I stand corrected. This is far worse than hell.

He made his way through the packed dance floor, catching curious looks from the crowd who were dressed as…
yeah, you fucking guessed it: unicorns.
Finally, he spotted Tommaso at the bar. He wore a dark tailored suit and was speaking to a young woman wearing a sort of rainbow jumpsuit.

“You have some fucking explaining to do, Tommaso!” Andrus barked over the music.

Tommaso smiled coolly. “Nice to see you, too. What’s got your leather panties in a tangle? Not digging the unicorn vibe?” He ripped open his blazer to reveal a very lame and girly-looking T-shirt that read:
Unicorns Make Me Horny.

Andrus scowled. “Nice. Real nice. I’ll deal with you later. Where the fuck is Sadie?”

“She’s dancing right…” He pointed to a spot on the dance floor where Sadie obviously wasn’t dancing. “Fuck. She was right there. I swear it.”

Andrus was going to kill Tommaso. But first, he had to find Sadie.

Taller than the humans, minus their horns, Andrus’s eyes went to work, scanning the floor. “I don’t see her.”

“I’ll check the bathrooms,” Tommaso said. “You see if she went out the back.”

Andrus charged through the crowd, pushing his way toward a door that likely led to some back office and storage. As soon as the door opened, the smell hit him. It was Tim or whatever the hell its name was.

“Sadie!” he called, following the scent toward another door. He pushed it open and stumbled out into the back alley. Sadie lay face down on the cement.

Oh shit. No, no, no.
He rushed to her side and carefully flipped her over. Blood and scratches covered her face and arms.

His heart fell into a tailspin of rage. He placed his ear to her chest.
Thank gods, she’s not dead.
But clearly this thing had fed on her again. There was a fresh bite mark on her hand.

“Oh fuck! Is she okay?” Tommaso said from the doorway.

“No. She’s not okay, asshole.” Andrus scooped Sadie into his arms. “But you’re going to be,” he whispered. “You’re going to be.”

Sadie’s eyes cracked open. “Andrus?” Her voice was barely audible. “What happened?”

“Fucking Tim. That’s what happened. But I won’t let him touch you again.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Sadie awoke on a to-die-for-comfortable, king-sized bed. From the soft glow of sunlight through the khaki-gray curtains it was obviously daytime.
Where the hell am I?
she wondered.

The last thing she recalled was being at that club with Tommaso and dancing with some shirtless guy in a rainbow afro wig.

She slowly sat up, gripping the sides of her head. “Owww…”
I definitely remember doing tequila shots.

She stumbled from the bed and found the bathroom, a huge, modern, white-marble spa. Whose home was this? Tommaso’s, she guessed.

She washed her face and used some mouthwash she found under the sink to rinse away the foul taste of salt and whatever else was left over from a night of Lick-Sip-Sucks (salt, shot, lime wedge).

She then looked up in the mirror and saw scratches on her face. “Jesus.” There were more on her arms and a bite mark on her hand.

“Ah, I see our party princess is awake.” Andrus stood in the doorway, wearing a clean white tee and faded jeans that hung low on his hips, accentuating his broad shoulders and lean torso. The smell of freshly washed man filled the bathroom.

“The showered look works well for you,” she grumbled. He’d even trimmed his black beard down to a sexy scruff.

“Yes, you inspired me to turn over a more civilized leaf. Although, I still find underwear far too constricting.” He shrugged. “I hear commando is back in style anyways.”

She made a little laugh that felt like having hot branding irons shoved through her skull. “Owww…” she moaned, stumbling to one side. “I don’t feel so good—it’s because that thing attacked me again, isn’t it?” Or maybe because she’d attacked the bottle? In her defense, yesterday had been one hell of a day.

Andrus grabbed her gently by the shoulders. “Perhaps we should get some nourishment into you first. Right this way, I’ve prepared breakfast.”

He walked her through a well-lit living room with raised ceilings and gleaming blond hardwood floors. “Where are we?” she asked. It wasn’t Tommaso’s place.

“Eat first. Then I’ll explain everything.” He showed her into a large kitchen with a breakfast bar in the center island. The cupboards were made of those little French-style doors with clear glass that she loved, and all of the appliances looked brand new.

On the counter was one setting, a glass of orange juice, a bowl of fresh berries and some cereal.

“Sorry, I don’t actually know how to cook,” he said.

“No. This is wonderful, thank you.” She climbed into the chair and looked at him. “What happened last night?”

“I wanted to ask you the same question,” he replied, leaning against the sink, crossing his insanely thick arms over his massively chiseled pecs.

She popped a blackberry into her mouth and chewed. “I don’t know. Tommaso volunteered to take me to my audition—which went great, by the way; the director totally seemed like he wanted to give me the part—then we went out to celebrate.”

“I told you not to leave his house,” Andrus said.

“It was his idea. Besides, he said he’s a retired Ukleen or Ukwad or—”

“Uchben. They are servants of the gods. He was once a soldier for them. Nevertheless, you must start listening to me. Whatever this thing is, it’s dangerous. Now tell me, what’s the last thing you remember?”

“I don’t know. I was dancing with this guy and then…” She rubbed her eyes. “I kind of remember my head hurting and then I woke up here.”

“Did you see Tim?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“But I smelled him there. Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yeah. I never saw him.”

“He must’ve snuck up behind you and taken you outside.”

I feel so violated.
This was honestly freaking her the hell out.
I think I’m going to be sick.

“How is he doing this to me?” she asked. “How does he make me forget everything?”

“Some species—vampires, for example—have the ability to glamour humans and make them forget seeing things. They can also implant suggestions. It’s possible that Tim has this ability and glamoured someone to lure you outside to the alley where I found you.”

“Oh God.” She dropped her head into her hands. “He’s trying to turn me into something, isn’t he? It’s like the three bites rule.”

Andrus came over and began rubbing her back, instantly making her feel a little better. It was strange how he had that effect, like she somehow absorbed emotions from him.

“Species who are able to infect others can generally do so with one bite,” he said, “which is why I’m beginning to think he merely wishes to feed on you for a while.”

She held back her tears. “Well, I’m not going to let him ruin my life.” She’d come to L.A. to live her dream.

“I won’t allow that either; however, until he’s caught, you will need to stay here.”

“Here?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ve rented this home for you. It has twenty-four-hour armed security, state-of-the-art alarm system, and one extremely vicious, well-trained cocker spaniel outside.”

She shot him a look. Was he out of his mind?

He shrugged. “Okay, he’s not trained, but I thought the dog might be good company. And I do believe I can teach Niccolo to warn you if there are snacks in the vicinity.”

“Niccolo is the dog?”

“Nick, for short.”

Okay. Whatever
. “Andrus, I really, really appreciate this, but I can’t accept.”

“If it’s about the expense, I assure you that—”

“No. It’s not about that, although I’m definitely wondering how an unemployed ex-assassin makes a living, but it’s about me being a prisoner.”

“Protection is not prison. And it’s either this or let Tim continue feeding on you until he grows bored and finishes you off. Or turns you into whatever he is, if he’s one of those contagion-based species. If not, then he just wants to eat you. Until you’re dead.” He shrugged casually.

She sighed. She didn’t want to die, but this?

“Besides, you still haven’t completed your work with me,” he said.

She laughed. “You’re not even an actor. And now that you bring it up, I’ve been wanting to ask why I was even hired for you.”

“Yes, about that. I’ve been meaning to tell you something.”

“Okay?” She didn’t like the serious tone of his voice.

“The reason Cimil, aka Bob, hired you was to prepare me for an event in four days. She thought it best I show up armed with a few extra tools in the charm department.”

Honestly, his unpolished, barbaric ways were beginning to grow on her, which might have something to do with the fact she couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss from yesterday. In fact—and despite the issue of him not being relationship material—maybe it wouldn’t hurt to hole up for a few days with Andrus and repeat the kiss a few times just to make sure she hadn’t imagined how good it was. Especially now that he smelled all fresh and clean and had on those sexy jeans that hung just so low on his trim waist.

“What kind of event?” she asked.

“I am to be introduced to my new mate.”

Sadie felt like the floor had dropped out from under her.
Mate?
“You mean…?”

“In my world, a mate is like a wife, only the Universe has selected her. And once mates find and accept each other, there can be no other.”

“Oh,” was the only thing she could manage to say.

How about saying you’re an idiot. A complete idiot.
Her oddly unexpected interest in him was a one-way street.

“Ummm…congratulations. That sounds wonderful.” She got up from the chair. “I think I’ll go take a shower now.”

“Sadie, I meant to tell you, but there wasn’t really time and—”

“No, no.” She held out her hand. “You don’t owe me any explanation. Like I said, yesterday was only a pity kiss.” She headed back through the living room toward her room.

“There are clean clothes for you in the closet,” he offered, his voice full of apology.

I’m such an idiot. I’m such an idiot
. “Thanks! That was very thoughtful.”

Now, she definitely needed to get the hell out of there.

~~~

Andrus wondered why that had been so difficult. He barely knew Sadie, but telling her about his mate felt like a betrayal.

He blew out a grumbly breath.
What the hell is wrong with me?
He obviously felt an attraction for Sadie—she was, after all, very sexy—and he did feel extremely protective over her, too. Nevertheless, she’d been hired to help him achieve the goal of charming his new mate.

Eh, yeah. Which might all be a hoax. Dammit
. Come to think of it, this mounting tension and guilt still smelled suspiciously of a Cimil plot.
She probably wishes Sadie to fall in love with me and then have me break her heart when I meet this other woman.
Yes, that certainly sounded like something the crazy goddess would do.
I need to speak with Cimil and get the truth.

He slipped his cell from his pants and called the office. A lovely female voice answered. “Immortal Matchmakers. This is Tula speaking. How may I help you?”

“Tula, good morning. This is Andrus Gray. I must speak with Cimil. Is she available?”

“Yes. She is expecting your call. One moment, please.”

Of course she is. Which means she already knows the outcome of all this.

“Andrus!” Cimil’s voice came on the line. “What a surprise.”

“Funny, Cimil. Tula said you were waiting for my call, which means you know what I want.”

“Yes.”

A long, long, looong moment of silence passed.

“Well?” Andrus growled.

“Who’s this?” Cimil asked.

“Andrus. Don’t fuck with me.”

“Andrus Dontfuckwithme? I don’t think I know you.”

He sighed with a groan. “Cimil, it is me: Andrus Gray. Now tell me the godsdamned truth; is my new mate really going to be at the party?”

“Ah! Andrus! Yes, I told you already: her name is Charlotte, and she is very excited to meet you. How is the man-ners class coming? Get it? Manners? You’re a man—damn, I crack myself up.”

“So she really exists?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Swear to me, Cimil. Swear that you are not lying to me.”

“I swear on my unborn babies’ lives that I am not lying to you.”

“You’re pregnant again?” Universe help them all.

“No, but I will be. And don’t tell Roberto. He might burn himself at the stake if he found out. Can you believe an ancient Egyptian vampire says he can’t handle the four we have? I mean, the man doesn’t require sleep, but you’d think he was mortal with all of the ‘Oh, I’m so tireds’ and the ‘Oh, why are they so needys?’ Just wait until I crank out the next batch of four.”

“Cimiiil?” he growled. Why did she always have to try to distract people with her random mental vomit and frightening drama?

“What?” she said. “The man begged me for children. So now he’s gettin’ his own small tribe—my reproductive years are far from over—I’ve got at least another good…eternity in me. How many kids do you think I could make in an eternity?”

Oh, demons of death and destruction. Please stop this insane goddess from procreating any more evil offspring.
“I mean that you should return to our conversation at hand.”

“What were we talking about?”

Poke out my eye. Someone please just poke it
. “About my mate, Charlotte, and you swearing that she is who you say.”

“Oh. Are we talking about that again?”

“Just tell me; if she is my mate, then why do I have feelings for this Sadie?”

“How the hell should I know? What do I look like, an all-knowing goddess?”

I hate you. I truly hate you.
“Can you at least tell me what this creature is who hunts her?”

“Ah, yes! The creature. No,” she replied.

“What?” She’d completely lost him.