Kade's Dark Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans) (16 page)

Kade blew out a breath. He knew Simone was capable of the most heinous torture he’d ever seen. So in some way, it didn’t surprise him that she wanted to control all the supernaturals, but she would fail if he had anything to say about it. “Thank you for your insight Ilsbeth. As always, you bring profound knowledge and perspective to the problems we face. Tomorrow night, we are going to follow a lead on Simone. Do you have any recommendations about how to proceed with regards to the witchcraft? Do you know who in the witch community would want to help her? Someone must know. It is hard to keep secrets within covens.”

“You are correct in your assumptions. I plan to scour the books, seeing who made the purchases necessary to create the oil and rope. These ingredients are widely available online, but any self-respecting witch or mage from New Orleans would buy them in our shop. We certify the authenticity of ingredients for all our products and supplies, which includes Van Van oil as well as hemp and hair. And if a vampire attempted purchasing these supplies at any stores in the city, I am confident someone would remember. That would not go unnoticed.”

“Thanks, Ilsbeth. Look back a year or two in your records, just to be safe. We aren’t sure how long she’s been in the city. If you send us the list of possible suspects, Kade and I can check it out from there. We really appreciate your help on this. If you saw what was done to those girls...well, we’ve got to stop it,” Sydney interjected. While she didn’t understand witchcraft, Sydney had to admit that she felt glad the witch was helping them. It was possible Ilsbeth could lead them to tangible clues so they could nab the killer.

Ilsbeth nodded. “I will contact you if I find anything. Like I said, I have been with my coven the past week. I will need to go back to the shop for the records. My escort, Zin, has been with me. He is my cousin, a practicing warlock, but most importantly, he’s trained in security. I will be going everywhere with him. We cannot be too careful. Okay, I must go. I will be in touch.”

After everyone said their goodbyes and thank yous, Sydney quickly retreated to her room. She wanted to give in to her desire to be with Kade, but she was on business and had to get up early. Being around Kade was beginning to cloud her judgment. If she could only get some sleep and shopping therapy, she’d be good...okay, maybe not good, but she’d be ready to go out tomorrow night. They needed to catch a break on this case.

Dressing up to fit into a vampire, fetish club was a bitch. Sydney spent the better part of the morning shopping for clothes that would say, 'I roll with kinky vampires,' She hoped she’d fit in. She knew better than anyone that people had a tendency to clam up around cops, and the supernatural crowd was even more tight lipped when it came to revealing secrets. They had their own code of honor and laws.

Xavier accompanied her on her shopping expedition to help her choose just the right outfit. She wasn’t above letting Kade pay for everything, after all he was the one who dragged her ass down here to New Orleans. Xavier promised not to reveal the details of her 'costume' to Kade. Oh yeah, baby, she wanted this one to shock him. They all needed a good laugh she supposed; a human girl dressing like some kind of sex-crazed dominatrix. She was planning on cracking the whip all right.

She finally managed to get the damn, thigh-high, fish net stockings attached. Garters were not as easy to put on as they looked. She had to admit, glancing at herself in the mirror, that she looked smokin’ hot. Sydney would prefer to look dangerous, but tonight she was playing a part: sexy, wanton; open to handcuffs, whips and paddles.

Sydney had chosen a black, tight, fishnet camisette with garters and a black, leather miniskirt. The fishnet cami was tightly woven and see-through, so it showed off her pert, rosy nipples underneath. She topped the outfit off with a sexy pair of Christian Louboutin, black, leather, over the knee boots that were adorned with silver zippers that ran all the way up from the back of her ankle to the back of her thigh. Xavier had given her slim, silver stakes that fitted into the boots nicely, no one could even feel them if they patted her down. She also concealed a small, silver knife and chain in her right boot that she could easily pull out if necessary.

Sydney conceded that she could not do much about her long, blond hair to make her fit in well. There was no way she was dying her hair black, or any other freaky color just for one night. She tried on a few wigs, but they were too hot, so she stopped by a local salon and had them tightly curl her long locks. Her hair looked amazing: perfectly spiraled, golden curls flowing over her shoulders.

She grabbed a small, gray bag off the bed and added the finishing touch. While in Jackson Square, she walked over to
Masquerade
and made a few purchases. She held the mask to her face and fastened the ribbon behind her hair. The incredibly beautiful mask was crafted of fine, swirling, black metal with diamond rhinestones. Worth every penny, it added an enigmatic flair to her sexy, fetish look.

She gazed one more time in the mirror before leaving the room, and wished she was home going to a Halloween party instead, but this was her life. There was no room for games or mistakes tonight. She would play the part and do everything she could to glean information about where Simone was and who else was helping her. She knew from experience that seedy bars were good places to get intel, as long as you had sources who were either afraid of you or trusted you, either worked. Unfortunately, in this town, she had neither.

Kade gaped at Sydney as she descended the staircase.
Holy mother of God. What was she wearing?
His cock jerked to attention and his eyes widened as he struggled to remain composed in front of his fellow vampires. In all his life, he had never wanted one woman so badly. He immediately noticed how her tight, hard peaks pressed against the fishnet weave. He could not believe she would freaking wear a see-through top to a vampire club. What was she thinking? Every supernatural in the place would want her. Let them try, he laughed to himself. She belonged to him and no other.

Sydney’s face flushed knowing she was half-naked in front of a group of free-loving vampires. “So, who wants a spanking?” she asked seductively. “Mistress Sydney is here to make your fantasy come true.”

Everyone started laughing, except for Kade. He strode across the room and possessively grabbed Sydney’s waist, pulled her into him, and kissed her senseless. It was a hard, dominating kiss that let everyone know she was his. His tongue forced its way into her mouth, and Sydney let him taste her. She kissed him back letting him know that she would not simply be taken. No, she would take as well. Her hands snaked up his back feeling the soft leather of his jacket. She breathed in his masculine scent, feeling controlled in his arms, seeking all of him.

Dominique coughed loudly from across the room. “Okay, you two, ya want to get a room and fuck, or go catch bad guys? Come on!” She was clearly irritated by their little show.

Sydney and Kade laughed while kissing and broke away, looking at the crowd waiting on them. “Uh...yeah, that would be ’go catch bad guys’.” She smiled over at Dominique appreciating her amazing, leather outfit. Dominique wore a dark purple bustier with matching leather, pencil skirt and calf high, patent-leather lace-front boots. “Hey, Dom, nice leather. And those boots...We need to go shoe shopping together someday, seriously.”

Dominique smiled back at the compliment, “Okay, girl, so we actually do have something in common. I’ll take a rain check. It may be nice to have another woman around all this testosterone.”

Kade interrupted their little bonding talk, knowing they needed to get going. “Okay, Luca will be clearing the site first before we go in.” He looked to Sydney. “Sydney, you will enter with the second group. I will approach Miguel and introduce you as my director of Philadelphia security. Luca and Sydney, stay close in the club. You are supposed to be working together. The rest of you work the club and try to find out anything about Simone’s whereabouts, or accomplices. The witch who is helping her may also frequent the club. Stay on your toes, and try to fit in. It cannot look like we are there investigating, or people won’t talk. Luca, please run down the security situation.”

Tearing his eyes off Sydney and her unbelievable attire, Luca looked at the others in the room. “We’ve got two limos. Xavier, Dominique, and I will take the first limo. We’ll go in and case things out before we give you the all clear. We need to make sure Simone is not in the club. If she is, Kade will enter.
You
,” he said pointing to Sydney, “will stay in the car. Under no circumstances are you to enter the club if Simone is in there. I am serious, Sydney. What happened with the vampire in Philly is child’s play compared to what Simone could do to you.” Sydney rolled her eyes.

“Once the go ahead is given, we can all enter the club. Spread out. Like Kade said, we are not there to investigate, so it can’t look that way: play, feed, gather information. Kade will give the signal when it is time to go. Kade and Sydney will leave first.”

Kade put a hand around Sydney’s waist and pulled her to his side. “Okay, everyone, let’s roll. Sydney love, stay close to Luca or me. Remember, while you carry my scent at the moment, other vampires will most definitely try to lure you.” Sydney shot him a defiant look. Kade may be the boss of his vampires, but he was not the boss of her. She would play nice so long as she was on the case, but no man, not even a sexy as hell vampire, was going to run her life.

Sydney was going to do this her way even if it meant letting Kade think she was following his rules. It wasn’t as if she was going anywhere without him. They all were going to be in the club. Whatever, if she argued, they’d never get there. She looked up at him innocently and sweetly said, “Yes dear, I would never plan to break your precious rules.” Annoyed, she pulled away from his possessive grip and strode through the door. “Let’s go.”

After Luca gave the all clear, Kade entered Sangre Dulce with Etienne and Sydney flanking him on each side. A tall, thin man with jet-black hair and a goatee rushed up to greet them. He almost looked like a pirate with the black, leather pants and white, ruffled, linen, open-chested shirt he wore. “Sir, I am honored to have you here. We have a special VIP table set up for you and your guests, which provides a wonderful view of the dance floor as well as the public play area.” Sydney struggled to keep her mouth shut.
Public play area? What the hell?

Miguel was soon joined by a naked, petite woman with long, bright, red hair, which was braided down her back. The woman wore a small chain around her neck that Sydney assumed was some kind of a collar. Sydney didn’t know much about fetishes, but she assumed this pixie of a woman was clearly a submissive. Miguel placed his hand on the woman’s back gently pushing her toward Kade. “Sir, this is Rhea. She will serve you and your party tonight...in any way you wish. She is human and has agreed to be a donor. Rhea can procure additional donors, submissives or Doms for your party should you need these services. And of course, she will be your waitress for the evening. She is new to Sangre Dulce, but as you will experience, she was born to serve others. She is quite the little obedient sub. I am certain you will enjoy her.” He looked over at Sydney and extended his hand. Sydney reluctantly gave her hand to him, and cringed as he kissed it. Before letting her go, he turned her arm over and smelled her inner wrist. Sydney snatched her hand away from him, shooting Kade a pointed look.

Miguel didn’t seem to notice. “Sir, what a lovely human you have brought to my club tonight. Shall we expect a public performance from her? I would most enjoy seeing her tan skin turn pink.” He licked his lips and smiled, displaying his fangs to Sydney.

Showing very little emotion, Kade approached Miguel in an authoritative manner. “Miguel, this is Miss Willows. She is director of my security operations in the Philadelphia area. She is being mentored by Luca.” Kade’s eyes narrowed. “Miss Willows is in my employ, and is not to be touched or seen by anyone but me.” He paused and winked at Sydney. “That is unless, I grant permission for her to be touched.”

Sydney fought for self-control as blood rushed to her face. She was pretty sure Kade was teasing her. Wasn’t he? Oh my God. She
so
needed to get this case over with so she could get back to her less than exciting life in Philadelphia. What the hell was wrong with these freaky vampires? She took a deep breath in an effort to gain her composure before she said anything she’d regret. She tried to remind herself she was just playing a part...here on a case.

Miguel bowed his head. “So sorry, sir, it is just that she is so very beautiful and so very human. She smells lovely. Please forgive me.”

Kade nodded. “No harm done. Rhea, please show my guests to our table. I have business that I need to discuss with Miguel.”

Sydney was about to flip out. What was Kade doing? He was not just sending her off with some naked waitress. Etienne gestured for Sydney to follow Rhea.
Okay, when in Rome.
Sydney followed Rhea up onto a raised platform area to a large table where she agreed, the view was great. They’d be able to see pretty much everything that was going on in the club, except for the private rooms.

Sydney took a seat and Etienne sat down next to her. Etienne looked at the wine menu and ordered, “Please bring us three bottles of Salon Le Mesnil, 1997. We are expecting additional guests.” Rhea bowed her head and scuttled off.

Sydney straightened in her chair trying to appear as if it was everyday she frequented kinky, BDSM, vampire clubs. Trying not to look surprised, she noticed several dominatrix-type women at a table across from them. They were drinking and laughing while naked men with collars knelt at their feet. The dance floor appeared to be rhythmically moving as one; waves of bodies in various forms of dress - from fully clothed to no clothing at all danced.