Niccolo (Blood Brothers) (15 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Romeo nudged him. “Cheer up, kiddo, everything will be okay.”

Jagger stared out the window of his uncle’s pickup. “I’m not a child. I can understand my mother’s feelings. I will always be her baby, regardless of what age I am, but I’m disappointed my father would allow Uncle Dante to send me off as if I couldn’t handle myself.”

“You have to remember how close we came to losing you. I think a little experience would do you some good, but it’s not my call. Hey, I’d rather be with them, too, but what big brother says goes.” Romeo shrugged.

“Do you always listen to him?” Jagger lifted a brow, still trying to figure out the Grimaldi family dynamics.

“He’s the only one I’ll take orders from. Sometimes he’s more like a father than he is a brother. I’m not one to take orders well, but for him, I’d take the proverbial stake through the heart.”

“You must be very close to him.”

“Yes.” The older vampire didn’t elaborate. They drove in silence on their way to his Uncle GianMarco’s house. Jagger was still a little upset about not being able to go with his parents to face his grandfather. This involved him as much as it did the others. Hadn’t he been the one able to collect valuable information?

Now that he had tasted first blood, Jagger felt stronger than ever. His confidence level had risen and he believed he could take out any rogue who crossed his path. Perhaps when his mother, father, and Uncle Dante returned from Russia he could point out his usefulness to their cause. Eventually they would realize that he could hold his own. For now, it was frustrating to be so far away, unable to do anything to help.

Romeo began to chuckle.

Jagger looked over. “What are you laughing at?”

“You. Your thoughts amuse me.”

Jagger glared at him. “I didn’t give you permission to read my mind.”

“Yes, you did. You give any vampire the right to read your mind if you don’t close it. In human years, you would be considered mature and capable of making such decisions, but we live forever, and you still have a lot to learn. That is why your father didn’t want you to go with him. He has your best interests at heart.”

“I’m tired of being treated like I’m a child. I managed to kill a rogue when it was six against one. I’d be able to hold my own in any fight.” Jagger pounded his fist into his hand.

“I know, but in time, you’ll see plenty of action. You’re just not ready for Underground business yet.”

“I have a right to be involved. Aren’t I a Grimaldi? I have the added edge of powers beyond that of a normal vampire. My training is nearly complete. When my Uncle Blade comes back from his sojourn, I’ll be finished in no time.”

“Your powers will prove very valuable—one day.”

“But —”

“No buts.”

Jagger rolled his eyes before looking out the window again, the frustration nearly choking him.

“Your thoughts are showing again. You’re really worried about your parents, aren’t you?’

“How can I not be? My mother shouldn’t have gone—she has no powers at all and my father ... well, I just found him.”

“And you don’t want to lose him? It’s understandable. I worry about my brothers with each and every mission, as I’m sure they worry about me. That’s what families do.”

“I’m looking forward to getting to know all of my father’s family. What’s my Uncle GianMarco like?”

“You’ll like him very much. He’s got an artistic soul, so don’t be surprised if he asks you to sit for him. He’s managed to rope even me into sitting for him a few times. They were the most boring hours of my life, but the end result was amazing. His stuff is like nothing anyone has seen before.” Jagger could hear the pride in Romeo’s voice and smiled.

“What else can you tell me about him?”

“He can be quite outspoken. I think you’ll also like his wife. Maggie’s a lovely woman. They’re expecting their first child together in a few months, although she has two adult children already. I warn you though, you should probably have a barf bag available. The way those two carry on, you’d think no one had ever been in love before.”

“You sound like you don’t approve.”

“It’s not that I don’t approve. I’m happy for them. That kind of life just isn’t for me.”

“Why not? Isn’t it everyone’s desire to find their true mate?”

“Not mine. The responsibility would get on my nerves. Look, there’s the house.” Romeo pointed to a large estate situated on several acres of land. The big white house was not quite a mansion, but it was still quite large. Romeo pulled into the driveway and drove a little further to park.

“Here we are, kiddo, your safe haven for the next few days.”

The front door flew open. A tall man with shoulder-length blond hair and dark brows walked toward them. As he got closer, Jagger noticed the man’s amber-colored eyes. This had to be his uncle.

“Jagger! At last!” The older vampire came forward and pulled Jagger into his arms. Jagger automatically returned the hug as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

The smile his uncle bestowed upon him was sincere and he felt welcomed. “My wife has been cooking like a demon since we found out you were on your way. I hope you’re hungry because while you’re here, you’ll get fed plenty. If it were not for our naturally high metabolism I would have gained a ton of weight by now from all of her good cooking. Come inside, we have other company. My stepdaughter surprised us with a visit.” GianMarco turned to his brother.

“Hey, Ro, I see you’re still in one piece. What are you being punished for this time?” GianMarco whispered
sotto voce
to Jagger. “Usually when Dante takes him away from the action, he’s done something bad.”

“Don’t be such a brat, Marco. I’ve done nothing. Dante felt the mission they were on required a little more diplomacy than I was willing to exert,” Romeo muttered, sounding annoyed.

“I see.” GianMarco smiled, amusement gleaming in his eyes.

Jagger liked the lighthearted exchange between the two brothers. He was almost envious of their closeness.

“Come on, guys.” GianMarco led them into the house. The minute Jagger stepped though the front door, the smell of good old-fashioned American cooking hit him. Even though the house was large, it still had a homey feeling.

“This is a nice place,” Jagger said politely.

“Thanks. It’s mostly Maggie’s doing ... well, she tells me what to do and I do it.” GianMarco chuckled.

“You’re whipped,” Romeo said with disgust.

“Jealous?” GianMarco retorted, seemingly unbothered by his brother’s taunt. Just by the way he spoke her name, it was clear to Jagger that GianMarco was deeply in love with his wife.

A pretty African-American woman came into the room to greet them. She was positively glowing with a radiant smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. This must be
the
Maggie Jagger had already heard so much about. She walked up to Romeo and gave him a hug.

“It’s good to see you in one piece,” she teased, echoing her husband’s earlier words.

Romeo brushed his lips against her check. “It’s good to see you’re getting better at walking bowlegged. That baby is going to have a bone to pick with the two of you when it finally gets here,” he shot back.

Maggie giggled, smacking him playfully against the arm before turning to Jagger and giving him a warm smile. “So you’re Niccolo’s son. Welcome to the family.” She hugged him.

Jagger couldn’t help but to return her embrace; her curvaceous frame exuded warmth. It was little wonder his Uncle GianMarco was so smitten with her. Jagger decided he liked her very much.

“You look just like your father. The resemblance is startling. What should I call you? Do you prefer Jagger or Nikolai?”

“I’ll answer to either one, but not very many people call me by my first name, so Jagger is fine.”

“That’s an interesting name, Jagger. How did your mother come up with it?” Maggie asked.

“It’s a tradition in my mother’s family, passed down from her mother’s side, to name their male children based on their special gifts. The males in my family can manipulate metal and cut any type of metal surface. For example, my three maternal uncles all have traditional Russian first names, but they’re also known by their second names like me. My mother couldn’t think of a middle name for me at first, but when I was a couple of days old, my Uncle Blade dangled a metal rattle in front of me, which I somehow splintered into jagged little pieces. She didn’t want to call me Splinter, so she settled for Jagger; hence, my name.”

“That’s very interesting.” Maggie smiled. “Well, I hope you’re hungry. Camryn and I have been slaving in the kitchen.”

“Camryn?”

“My daughter. She’s still in the kitchen. I’ll go get her.” Maggie turned around, then stopped. “Oh, here she is.”

From the corner of his eye, Jagger caught the shape of a feminine figure walking slowly toward them. He turned to see the newcomer and froze. There was no mistaking the relationship between mother and daughter. They looked a lot alike but different. The younger version was an absolute vision.

His mouth went dry.

Camryn was around the same height as her mother, but where her mother was voluptuous, she was slender, yet rounded in all the right places, especially her rear. Big brown eyes were set in a beautiful milk chocolate face. Her hair was pulled back into a big bushy ponytail. She looked young, but she had to be at least eighteen or nineteen.

“Camryn, this is Jagger, GianMarco’s nephew, and you already know Romeo.”

Jagger barely registered the hand Camryn offered in welcome. She was so beautiful. He couldn’t move to save his life. If he touched her, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to let go. Where the hell had she been all his life?

An awkward silence fell in the room. Maggie frowned and shot her husband a questioning look. Jagger realized how rude his behavior appeared, but he feared he would do something stupid if he moved. Camryn dropped her hand, looking slightly offended. “Umm, Nice to meet you, Jagger. I guess I’ll go to check on the food.” She turned around abruptly and went back toward the kitchen.

“And I need to drain the lizard,” Romeo announced unnecessarily. He whistled as he strode out the room and headed to what Jagger assumer was the lavatory. That left him alone with Maggie and GianMarco, who stared at him with concern in their eyes.

“Are you okay, Jagger? Do you need to rest?” his uncle asked.

“Umm, no, I’m fine. That was very rude of me. I meant no offense.”

Maggie didn’t say anything. She actually looked ill. “Are you all right?” Jagger asked her.

“Maggie is still suffering nausea from the pregnancy.”

“Yes, I think I need to go the bathroom as well. Make yourself at home, Jagger.” She spun around.

“I’m going to go with her. Will you be okay by yourself?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Left alone, Jagger found himself wandering to the kitchen. Camryn was bent over, taking a dish out of the oven. The sight of her plump rear made his cock stir. The scent of her perfume filled his nostrils as he stepped closer. She was magnificent. He had never met a woman he had felt such an instant connection to.

Camryn straightened up as if she sensed she was no longer alone. Slowly turning to face him, she gave him a wary look. “Yes?”

“That smells delicious,” he said, stepping closer.

“Oh, yeah, my mom’s peach cobbler is the best. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

He wasn’t about to correct her by saying he had been referring to her pussy and not the cobbler. When he didn’t say anything, she took a step back. “Why are you staring at me like that? Don’t they have black people where you come from?”

“Plenty, but that’s not why I’m staring at you.”

“Well, whatever your reason, didn’t your mother ever teach you that it’s rude to stare?”

“I’m sure she did but I can’t help it. I ... you’re very beautiful.”

She seemed surprised by his answer. “Umm, thanks.”

“I apologize for my rudeness out there. I was stunned.”

“By what?”

“By your beauty. Will you be here long? Perhaps we could go out for dinner sometime.”

“I don’t think so.” She looked like she would rather be anywhere but standing there with him, but that didn’t deter him.

“Why not? I will be visiting for a while and since you are here, perhaps—”

“I said no. Look, I’ll be honest with you. I’m very happy my mother has found love again, but the bottom line is, he’s a vampire. I didn’t even believe in them until a few months ago. You’re my stepfather’s nephew, so you’re obviously one of them.”

“So? What’s wrong with that?”

“I’m not saying anything is wrong, but I’d prefer a human male. No offense.”

“I don’t see how I’m supposed to not take offense. Your mother seems so warm and open-minded. I didn’t think her daughter would be otherwise.” He surveyed the kitchen until they rested on a box of aluminum foil. Jagger used his hand to guide the box into the air, opening it to allow a long sheet of foil to break off.

He heard her gasp, but concentrated on his task. He directed the box back down on the counter while manipulating the sheet of foil. Jagger fashioned it into the shape of a rose. The foil rose moved through the air, stopping when it was in front of Camryn. She looked at him with wide eyes and didn’t seem to want to touch it.

“Go ahead. Take it,” he urged.

She hesitantly reached out to touch the metallic rose. “How did you do that?”

“I’m also a warlock. I’m not ashamed of what I am.”

“As interesting as this is, why are you telling me this?”

“Because you intrigue me, and I’d like to get to know you better.”

“I intrigue you? I don’t know you from Adam. Maybe weak pick-up lines work well where you’re from but they don’t with me.”

“So tell me what you want me to say and I’ll say the words.”

“I don’t want you to say anything to me. You’re coming on way too strong. Look, I’ll pretend this never happened and you stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours. How about that?”

She was feisty. Instead of it turning him off, it excited him. Getting feminine attention had always been easy for him. When he was fifteen, a sexy older woman had seduced him, and from then on, there was no holding back. He loved women—short, tall, thin, or plump. He loved everything about them. He loved their scents and he loved to eat pussy. In his short lifetime he had probably been with hundreds of women, but here was one who didn’t seem affected by his looks or charm. Actually, she looked at him with a hint of dislike. It turned him on.