Léopold's Wicked Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans) (24 page)

“It’s most likely written in another language. Greek. ιστορίες του νερού,” Léopold added. “Maybe an ancient language such as Latin. I suspect it won’t be very special in appearance.”

“Well then, why would someone have kept it?” Mason asked, searching through the records on the computer.

“I don’t know, really. I just know that it would have come to me…sometime since we first opened the store,” Laryssa said.

“That’s a long time. You sure it’s not upstairs at your place?”

“No, I’d remember if I had kept one of our books…especially a book like that.”

“Well, hello there…look at this.” Mason moved to the right so that Laryssa could view the screen. He pointed to an entry. “That one there. ‘Foreign text’ is how it’s listed. Looks like we sold it three months ago.”

“That might be it. Did they use a credit card? We need an address. A name.” She watched as he selected the book and brought up the information.

“Nope. Paid in cash.”

Laryssa pinched the bridge of her nose. “Okay. Do you remember who sold it? To be honest, there’re days I can’t remember what I had for lunch let alone what I sold a couple of months ago.”

“Or I could have sold it.”

“True. Hey, you have a date on it?”

“Looks like December nineteenth.” He tapped on the keys. “Nothing says Merry Christmas better than a book about water.”

“Tales of the Water. And I don’t think they bought it for the holidays. Any other books sold that day?”

“No, mostly big items. A few knick knacks.”

“Let me use the computer a minute, Mase.” She moved into position and began typing. “Video. Hold on a sec. I just need to pull up the security video from that day. Here we go….let’s see what we’ve got. Lots of furniture movin’ in and out.”

“What are we gonna do? Put out a missing person’s report? All they did was buy a book. Not exactly a crime.”

“If I need to. I met a cop yesterday, and she seems pretty motivated to help us.” She smiled over to Léopold and continued, “Maybe we know the person. We get lots of repeat customers. Or maybe these guys might know…wait, there’s you and there’s a book. Leo, Dimitri, Jake. Come take a look.”

As she stepped back, Mason leaned in to study the picture. “Yeah, I do remember that dude. Kept asking what other old books we had. That’s pretty much all we sell.”

“I know this man,” Léopold stated.
Martin Acerbetti.

“Why does this not surprise me?” Dimitri said, stroking his beard.

“Martin doesn’t live in the city. He’s got a place outside of Baton Rouge.”

“How well do you know him?” Laryssa asked.

“Not very well. He’s a bit idiosyncratic. Has a temper.” While the eccentric vampire had violent tendencies, Léopold had never known him to actually commit murder within the city limits. Kade had very little tolerance for those who broke his rules. “I don’t keep company with him. No matter, though, I’ll call him and how do you say…like the Godfather…make him an offer he can’t refuse, no?” He smiled over at Dimitri.

“See, I knew you liked that movie,” Dimitri laughed, patting him on the back. “That’s my man.”

“Do you think he knows about the book? About me?” Laryssa inquired. It seemed strange that a rare book meant for her actually made it into the store and then was bought by another supernatural.

“Maybe. Maybe not. It doesn’t matter, though, because we need it. It’s not like he’s a demon. He’s a vampire. One I can easily manipulate, kill if necessary.” Léopold brushed lint off his sleeve, unaware that both Laryssa and Mason had gone quiet. When he looked up, he caught them both staring. “What?”

“Hey, man, do what you gotta do.” Mason held his hands up defensively, shaking his head with a smile. “Um, yeah, I guess I better start working on those books in the back. You need anything else, Lyss?”

“Leo, I know this is who you are. But some of us,” Laryssa pointed to her chest and then to Mason and gave a small laugh. “We, uh, don’t go around talking about killing people or demons…got me?”

“Humans, always so sensitive,” Léopold sniffed. “I speak nothing but the truth. This vampire is not to be trifled with, Laryssa. I’ll do what needs to be done to get the book.”

“Well, this human has got to get back to work. You take care, Lyss. One week and you better get your fine ass back here.” Mason hugged and kissed Laryssa on her cheek, never taking his eyes off of Léopold.

When he’d gone through the swinging doors, Laryssa turned to Léopold with her hands on her hips.

“Really? Did you have to go all ‘I’m a vampire’ just now? You freaked Mason out,” she informed him. “And to think he thought you were hot!”

“Oh, he’s hot all right,” Jake jested. “Nothin’ like baptism by fire.”

“I think Mason will survive. Besides, if you…Lyss,” Dimitri drawled out her nickname that he’d heard Mason use, “are gonna hang out with vampires and wolves, he’s got to get used to it sometime.”

“How to make friends and influence people….yeah, that’s what comes to mind when I think of ole Léopold here,” Jake jibed.

“He’s got the influencing part down right. Don’t worry ’bout that,” Dimitri teased.

“I swear you’ve all gone mad,” Léopold remarked with a grin.

“Hangin’ out? Is this what we’re doing? I’ll make sure to invite ya’ll to book club. Although with the way Mason reacted, I don’t think any of you would last ten seconds around them,” Laryssa said, walking toward the door.
Did they really expect to become friends when all was said and done?
She couldn’t tell, but she had to admit that she did like both Dimitri and Jake. Léopold, she liked way too much. Unfortunately, he’d made it clear that he had no plans to be with her afterwards, let alone have a friendship. “Leo, you scared the bejesus out of him.”

“Hey, does this mean you think we’re ‘hot’ too, Lyss?” Jake winked, knowing he was poking at the bear with the fangs. “Because ya know I’m single.”

“Yeah, me too,” Dimitri weighed in with a broad smile. “You know us wolves are okay with kinky, right?”

“More than okay,” Jake added.

“Ya’ll have big ears. Didn’t your mamas ever tell you it was rude to listen to other people’s conversations?” Confirming what Laryssa had suspected, they had heard every word of her conversation with Mason.

“If you’re finished, we’ve got a book to go find. Come on, let’s go. I’ll make the call in the car.” Léopold held the door open. As Laryssa went to pass through, he wrapped his arm possessively around her waist and nuzzled his nose into her hair. “For the record, wolves, I think it’s best you understand that the only ‘kink’ Laryssa is going to be having is going to be with me.”

Laryssa looked over her shoulder and her eyes met with his. She sought the hidden meaning behind his seductive words, but he merely smiled, leaving her without answers. Her heart caught, remembering their night together. She wanted so much more than he’d ever conceive of giving her. Yet every time he touched her, excitement flickered deep inside her belly. She knew better than to listen to her heart, but with his arm solidly around her, she was lost in all that was Léopold.

Laryssa stood in front of the art deco mirror, contemplating why she’d insisted on going with Léopold to get the book. In the car ride back to his home, he’d called the vampire, who’d agreed to give them the book in exchange for an undetermined amount of money. Léopold had steadfastly refused to tell her how much. Even though she figured he could afford it, she still felt indebted to him. He’d brushed off her concerns, maintaining that he was doing it for Ava. The manipulating vampire had given Léopold one condition in addition to monetary compensation; he’d asked him to attend at a soiree at his home.

They had quarreled when he’d told her he planned on bringing a blood donor with him to the party, as it would be expected for him to do so. Angrily, she demanded that she accompany him to find the book, arguing that it was her life on the line, not some mindless blood bag. After nearly an hour of going back and forth on the issue, Léopold had conceded her point.

The red satin evening gown she wore clung to her curves, streaming to the floor. The V-neck accentuated the swell of her breasts, and the diamond-studded spaghetti straps, gathered into a singular strand, exposed the creamy skin of her shoulders. The revealing contours of the low-backed dress incited both a sense of nakedness and sensuality. Her makeup was subtle and refined. The matching coral lipstick made her lips appear swollen, as if they’d been kissed.

She glanced at her upswept hair and absentmindedly touched her neck. She wondered what it would feel like to have Léopold pierce her flesh. To allow him to drink from her while they passionately made love. A tear threatened to fall as melancholy struck. Léopold, while provocative and flirtatious, had made no sincere attempt at continuing what they’d started. Their connection felt as strong as steel yet he denied any hint of a relationship.

The sound of a door opening stirred her from her reverie. Léopold’s reflection stared back at her, his dark eyes piercing her own. She brought a finger to her lashes, hoping to conceal her emotion, but deep down she knew he could sense even the smallest change in her mood. It bothered her that she felt as if he knew her better than she knew herself. The intimacy was too invasive, too seductive.

With the threads of Léopold’s restraint growing thin, the spectacular sight of Laryssa left him reeling.
Goddess, she is enchanting.
He’d planned to keep her safely by his side all evening, but he couldn’t fathom how he’d be able to stop himself from making love to her. Did she know how much he wanted her? How he’d secretly lost control? The realization that he was considering breaking all his rules, to make her his own, slammed into him like a train. Centuries of never loving another, and out of the blue, he’d become obsessed with his little naiad.

Concern furrowed in his brow when he thought of the implications. Tonight at the party, he couldn’t dare let the others know of his intentions. Like a rare exotic flower, she’d attract the attention of the other vampires, leaving them thirsting for her nectar. If they knew what she meant to him, it would further expose them both. They could use her to get to him. He’d never forget that his wife and children were dead because of his actions.

“You’re stunning.” His dark suave voice left no room for argument. Gently resting his hands on her bare shoulders, he stood behind her.

“Thanks. You look incredible in your tux. So handsome. Like a prince,” she said. A hint of sadness tinged her voice.

“Are you worried about tonight? It’s not too late to change your mind, ma chérie.” Léopold gave into impulse, and brushed his lips to her nape.

“No. I’m going. I was just thinking, that’s all.”

“I’ve brought you a gift.” Léopold knew he should take her into his arms, refuse to let her go, but they couldn’t afford to lose time in discussion. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a velvet box.

“What is it?”
Jewelry?
The man ran hot and cold. He must have an ulterior motive. She knew better than to think he was wooing her with presents. Besides, he didn’t have to do a damn thing to draw her to him, she was already captivated. The more time they spent together, the more she desired the impossible. Reaching for the box, she simply held it.

“Open it. It completes your role,” he told her.

“My role?”

“As my date. My donor.”

“I play my roles well. Don’t you remember the first night you met me?”

“Oui. Calm and cool. Your leathers said biker chick, but you did have a difficulty maintaining your balance if I recall correctly.”

“It was you,” she said.

“What do you mean?” Léopold had to hear it for himself, her reaction to meeting him. His had been the same, he knew.

“You really don’t know?”

He smiled, but said nothing.

“God, Leo. Are you really going to make me say it? Okay, fine. I was rather infatuated with this really sexy guy who had just walked into the bar. I became so nervous that I lost concentration and slipped. Those seats are dangerous, you know?” Laryssa paused, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. She cleared her throat and continued. “You affect me. I think I’ve lost a good amount of brain cells just being around you the past few days.”

“A guy, huh?” He laughed. “Sounds like I have some competition.”

“No, I’m afraid that you’ve already won.” Uncomfortable with her admission, Laryssa looked away from him, breaking eye contact.

“Open the box,” he insisted, changing the subject.

“It’s beautiful.” Laryssa did as he asked and gingerly trailed the pad of her forefinger over the diamond-studded bracelet and its matching earrings.

“It’s yours. Put it on.” Léopold watched as she inserted the earrings. Gently, he took her wrist and fastened the bracelet. He thumbed the clasp. “This here, this little button. Depress it and it’ll release a hidden silver chain from its interior. It’s a small weapon, but it can be effective.”

“Silver?”

“Yes, that’s one rumor about us that’s true. Like the wolves, we don’t do well with silver. I know you can move objects, but this is one more layer of protection in case things go south.”

“Thank you. It really is lovely.”

“Perhaps we should discuss the rules,” he suggested, continuing to touch her.

“You’ve already told me that I need to pretend as if I don’t mean anything to you. I’m a donor, not a girlfriend.”

“Mais oui. If they suspect anything more, you’d essentially be exposed as a weakness of mine.”

“Are you telling me that none of the people going tonight are lovers?” she asked. What kind of people took someone to a party but acted like they barely knew them? None of it made sense.

“Depends on the definition of lovers. I’m sure there’re others in the same predicament but you must understand, it is the nature of the affair that dictates our actions. Martin is a purist. Some would say he’s orthodox.”

“How do you mean?”

“Take me, for example. Contrary to what you may think, or the wolf,” he rolled his eyes, “I’m social with humans, wolves, witches, etc. I conduct business and pleasure with little regard to who is a vampire. But Martin, he leans toward socializing only with vampires. He does this because one, he wishes to be with his own kind, those who understand his needs, and two, because he believes that he’s far superior. Tonight, you will see only vampires and humans. His tastes run dark, so while I expect he’ll bathe his guests in decadence, you may see things that surprise you. You must remain calm.”