In Blood and Worth Loving 3 Kiss Cover (17 page)

* * *

“
Falling for a human woman has reduced you to hanging in dives in the middle of the day, Redwolfe?
”

Fuck! Seated alone in a booth in Midnight Shadows trying to decide his next move, Conner had allowed his morose thoughts to dull his senses. That had allowed a potential enemy to sneak up on him. But what the hell was Boucaro doing in a lounge owned by one of the Walker-Dumont line of full-bloods? There was open animosity between he and the Walker-Dumont family of vampires. He lifted his gaze.

A tall vampire with bronze skin and short salt-and-pepper hair stood in front of him. Although he appeared to be alone, Conner knew that Vitali Boucaro, head of The Defense League of the Brotherhood, was nearly always accompanied by at least two other full-blood minions eager to do his dirty work.

He bit back the impulsive response to tell the older more powerful vampire to go fuck himself. Given his current luck, the other male would almost certainly end his life, but there was no need to insure that happened sooner rather than later. Dying before he
’
d found a way to make things right with Desiree wasn
’
t on
his
bucket list.

He remained silent, while aware that most of the occupants of the lounge were watching and listening. But none would intervene on his behalf
. Of course he
would
n’t
expect any one less powerful than an ancient blood to be willing to challenge Boucaro.

The other male slipped into the seat opposite his and leaned across the table to stare in his eyes.
“
You and your brothers have all declined repeated invitations to join the League.
”

Tell me something I don
’
t already know and please leave my brothers out of this.

“
Tyler Hartford, on the other hand, is not only a member, but a favorite of mine.
”

Great.

“
Afraid to speak, Redwolfe or are you just a coward who enjoys bullying full-bloods who are younger and far less powerful?
”

“
You mean much like yourself, Vitali?
”

Surprised, both he and Vitali turned their attention to the male who stood at the side of the booth, watching them.

Just over six feet, the male who had spoken to Vitali had blond hair and green eyes. Although he looked as if he were in his early thirties, he exuded the unmistakable aura and majesty of a full-blood long accustomed to commanding other powerful vampires. No one meeting Grayson Stormwater would have any doubt that they were in the presence of a rare breed
–
a centuries old master vampire.

Although Stormwater hadn
’
t turned him or his brothers, Conner rose and inclined his head in a show of deference and respect.

Vitali remained seated but Conner could feel the tension between the two centuries old bloods. One commanded by earning the respect and affection of the countless full-bloods he
’
d turned, the other by means of a pack of crazed full-bloods at his back. Both were far more powerful than any of the
Redwolfes
. Conner knew only a few full-bloods who could possibly challenge either male successfully. Included on that short list was Sin-Bad and
Aleksei
Madison, whose younger brother owned Midnight Shadows.

“
I
’
m surprised to see you out and about, Stormwater. I heard you spend most of your time vainly trying to teach that new baby vamp of yours. Shouldn
’
t you confine your meddling to whatever Leroy is doing?
”

“
His name is Liam, and unlike your lackeys, he
’
s not out looking for opportunities to terrorize others.
”

“
I heard otherwise. In fact, I heard he
’
s plotting murder of the man who took his woman from him. It
’
s a sad so-called full-blood who loses a woman to a human male. Clearly, his skills are in need of a lot of refinement. I suggest you bu
tt
out of things that don
’
t concern you, Stormwater and concentrate on teaching Leroy how to keep a woman.
”

The remark surprised Conn
e
r. Although he knew Liam ha
d
fallen for a human woman who had chosen to stay with her human male, he hadn
’
t seemed murderous the last time they saw each other. He suspected Boucaro was exaggerating in an attempt to fuck Stormwater off.

It was difficult to know if he was successful because he gave his response in a cool, measured tone.
“
When I want or need your suggestions I
’
ll ask for them.
”

Conner tensed as two full-bloods came to stand behind Vitali. Fuck! This was not going to end well.

Stormwater turned and gave each of Vitali
’
s minions a long, silent stare.

Without a word, they both stepped away and quickly left the lounge, leaving Boucaro alone.

Vitali swore and rose to face Stormwater.
“
You have no dog in this fight, but I won
’
t forget your in
ter
ference.
”
He then turned to Conner.
“
This will be your only warning, Redwolfe, don
’
t fuck with Hartford or I
’
ll be fucking with you. And when I
’
m done fucking with you, you
’
ll be dead.
”

“
Maybe so, but if he touches my woman, I
’
ll kill him and worry about the consequences later.
”

“
If you fuck with him, there won
’
t be a later for you!
”
His clenched right fist shot out.

With a speed rare even for full-bloods, Stormwater intercepted the fist with a clench hand of his own, deflecting the blow from Conner
’
s face.

Vitali swung around to glare at him.
“
You
’
ll regret aligning yourself with my enemies!
”

Stormwater leaned forward until he and Vitali were face to face.
“
If you think I
’
ll stand by while you and your gutless lackeys behave like bullies, you
’
re mistaken. While I
’
m here, you will leave him alone or you and your lackeys will be the ones suffering consequences. Unlike you, Boucaro, I don
’
t need or require an endless succession of lackeys to protect me.
”

“
I
’
d advise you to mind your own damned business, Stormwater.
”

“
And I
’
d advise you to choose wisely. We can end this now or I can kick your ass where you stand and demonstrate to everyone watching that there
’
s really very little reason to fear you or your lackeys. Your choice.
”

For several long minutes all sound in the lounge ceased while everyone present watched the two powerful bloods. Who would prove the stronger of the two?

“
Do I make myself clear?
”

“
I won
’
t forget this, Stormwater.
”

“
I
’
m counting on that.
”

Boucaro spun around to look at Conner.
“
You
’
ve been warned,
”
he said.

“
So have you,
”
Stormwater replied.

Vitali clenched a fist before he abruptly stalked out of the lounge.

Conner released a breath and sank back in the booth, certain the other full-blood had only bought him a brief retrieve.

Stormwater looked at him.

Conner expected a lecture and a warning to leave Hartford alone. Instead the other male glanced over his shoulder.
“
Will you join us?
”

A curvy woman with dark skin sat alone in a booth across the room.

Damn. Even master vampires were taking up with human women.

“
It
’
s the only way to fly, Redwolfe.
”

Realizing how easily the older male had read his thoughts, Conner grimaced.
“
So my brothers tell me. Thanks for the invitation but I
’
m sure you
’
d rather be alone with her.
”

“
How right you are. As for Boucaro, don
’
t cross him unless you have a death wish.
”

“
I don
’
t, but I have to do what I have to do.
”

“
But do you have to do it? Don
’
t you have anything in your life worth living for?
”

His thoughts turned to Desi and the relationship he
’
d ruined.
“
Not anymore.
”

“
Are you sure?
”

He recalled the many times he
’
d implied that she was a slut and sighed. He
’
d made far too many mistakes with Desi for too long to expect her to willingly forgive him.
“
Yes.
”

“
If you go after Hartford, he
’
ll have his minions kill you. It
won
’
t
’
be fair or pretty.
”

“
I know. Thanks for your assistance.
”

Stormwater turned away but then quickly turned back.
Should you find yourself in a rough situation and think it will help, you have my permission to use my name as freely as you like. As Boucaro so inelegantly pointed out, I have no dog in this fight. Although I won
’
t personally intervene again, he doesn
’
t have to know that. I
’
m on record as having a marginal interest in your welfare, so using my name might be enough to help you extricate yourself from a bad situation.

The offer surprised Conner.
That
’
s very generous of you.

He shrugged.
I won
’
t have Liam involved, but if some of my older and more powerful guys want to intervene, I won
’
t object.

That wasn
’
t likely since the only one of Stormwater
’
s full-bloods Connor knew personally was Liam who had designed his business site and occasionally played with the band he
’
d co-founded,
Rolling Thunder.
Liam was powerful by human standards, but considered a baby vamp by other full-bloods.

You and I have friends in common with the Stoners. Also, Liam has spoken fondly of you and your brothers.
He shrugged.
Because of that, some of his brothers might have an interest in ensuring you don
’
t face unfair and overwhelming odds just because you want to protect your woman
;
assuming you get with the program and make things right with her.

Damn. Did everyone know how things stood between him and Desi?

Stormwater smiled.
“
As you should know, it
’
s difficult to keep secrets when you
’
re a member of a group who can so easily read minds. Be careful, Redwolfe and don
’
t be in such a hurry to surrender your life.
”
He glanced over his shoulder at the woman waiting for him.
“
With the right woman life is infinitely worth living.
”

He inclined his head before he walked across the room to the booth to join the woman who sat waiting for him.

Conner resumed his seat.
Your damned days are definitely numbered. You have to make things right with Desi before it
’
s too late.
But how the fuck was he supposed to do that when she wanted nothing to do with him?