Poisonous Pleasure (17 page)

“Oh honey, there you are. Your friend stopped by to see how you were.”

“Thanks, Mom. It was nice of you to keep him company for me. Dom, you want to take a walk outside?”

The tall blond stood, reaching inches from the ceiling. “Sure, sounds great.” He turned toward Jason’s mother and dazzled her with a smile. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mable.”

“Pleasure’s mine. Come by anytime.”

“I definitely will, Thank you.”

Jason stormed from the house furious. When he walked around to the backyard he turned around glaring at Dom. “What are you doing here?”

“You have some nerve to ask me that.” He growled. “I want her back. Tell me where she is?”

“She doesn’t want to see you.”

“But I want to see her. I have to explain.”

“I’ve already told her why you lied. She wouldn’t listen. She’s gone, Dom.”

“Gone where?” he asked, his face growing pale.

Jason shifted his feet. “You mean to tell me you can’t find her? I thought you could, no matter what?”

“Something happened. Our connection is weak. I’ve lost her for good. I…”

Dom began to pace the length of the backyard, running his fingers through his hair. It wasn’t until he stopped and looked toward him that Jason saw the tears. “I can’t lose her. I can’t. You don’t understand. She makes me good, better than good. Yes, it was stupid to lie to her. I’ll never do it again, but it felt better than letting her hurt.” He paused and walked back toward him. “Is she okay?”

“She wasn’t at first, but when she left I got the impression she was better.”

“Listen, you have to tell her I’m sorry. Tell her I’ll never lie again. Whatever she wants, all she has to do is say the words.”

“Dominic, if I see her I’ll tell her, but I can’t promise you she’ll listen to what I have to say.”

“Tell me where she is. I know you know.”

Jason took a step back. “And you also know I’d never go against what she asked me. Don’t make things worse, Dom.”

“You’re right. Fuck! Okay, just tell her…”

“Dom, I know, okay I’ll tell her you want to see her, you’re sorry, and you promise never to lie again.”

“Dom, go home and wait for me to come to you. Or better yet, go collect the souls you need.”

“What do you think I did all day? I’m done. I was going crazy in that big house by myself. Marcella’s presence is everywhere. I couldn’t go in the room, or the living room. The dining room and kitchen were even filled with her. I tried going upstairs, but it was too damn quiet. ”

“You’re done collecting the souls? Are you serious? How?”

“Easy, I didn’t bullshit. I took their souls and told them if they didn’t straighten out their lives everything would go to shit. Sweet and simple.”

“Oh, but isn’t that against the rules or something?”

“No, I didn’t do anything that would jeopardize me staying here.”

“Good, well, it’s getting dark and I’m sure my mom is done making dinner so you better go. I’ll tell Marcy when I see her.”

“Thanks, Jason.”

Dominic disappeared, leaving Jason in the backyard by himself. He shook his head and walked into the house. Being the middle man wasn’t a very good place to be. Hopefully, it wouldn’t last an eternity, or he’d surely lose his mind.

* * * *

Looking across the dinner table at Jason, Marcella watched him uneasily shift in the chair. Nine days. That’s how long they’d pretended nothing was wrong. The busy restaurant sitting atop the large hotel wasn’t nearly as noisy as the previous nights, but she couldn’t deny how her body jumped at every sound. She felt home sick, and like a piece of her was missing.

Pushing away the anger that began to surface at the memories, she rose, staring down at Jason. “I’m done pretending to eat. Let’s go to the room.”

Leaving money on the table, she waited for him to link his arm in hers. The silver gown she wore glistened in the light as they made their way to the elevator. Silence followed them all the way to her door.

Jason cleared his throat. “I wish you’d stop this. You’re acting different. Please come home with me.”

Marcella kissed his mouth gently. “I can’t, Jason, you know that. Give your mother a hug for me.”

Heaviness settled in her chest. She walked in and shut the door on him. Kicking her heels across the room, Marcella tore the dress off of her instead of making it disappear. Hate, that’s all she felt. She hated being away from her mate, hated that all Jason talked about, when he did talk, revolved around things like the weather or of course, Dom. Things were so fucked up.

The sound of a sigh told her Jason had materialized inside of her room. “Now why did you do that? The dress looked beautiful on you.”

“Go home, Jason.”

“I’m thinking of telling Dominic where you are. You both really need to talk and put this behind you.”

Spinning around, she faced him, her eyes burning from their anger. “You better not, Jason. There’s nothing to talk about. He lied to me about something that’s beyond forgivable.”

“That’s a lie and you know it. He loves you, Marcy.”

Clearing her head, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She didn’t have time for this. Jason needed to leave. She had plans to go out and she wanted to get there early.

“Give me a few more days, okay?”

Deciding it was time, she nodded her head. “Yes, I promise.”

“All right. Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He vanished, leaving her in the suite by herself. Looking around, she sighed. How could she grow to dislike a room so much? All she wanted to do was go home, to her real home, if not that, then the mansion. Her heart ached for something familiar. At the pain, she numbed it by letting the cobwebs take over.

Materializing a black dress, she let herself appear in the dark parking lot of the club. An attendant turned and jumped when he saw her. She smiled and watched him sheepishly smile back. Not wanting to get into a conversation, she headed for where she’d been almost every day for a week.

Walking through the crowded club, Marcella made her way to the VIP room. Ambrose had to be somewhere around here. She wasn’t sure what made her come to the clubs of all places, but that’s where she felt her pull. A week ago, when sleep neglected to come, she knew what she’d needed to do. Ambrose would keep Dom here, and she couldn’t risk him being sent away. It didn’t matter how mad she remained, he wouldn’t suffer for his mistake.

The VIP held the same people as it did every night. What did everyone get out of coming here? She couldn’t understand it. Nothing special ever happened, and after the second night she became bored with the atmosphere.

Turning around, she headed back toward the bar. For hours she sat there watching the door for someone new to walk in. Vampires littered the place, and she couldn’t help but inwardly groan. Every single one of them who crossed her path acted as if Ambrose didn’t exist, but she knew he did, he had to. They no doubt were covering for him, but she’d find him if it was the last thing she did.

“May I buy you a drink?”

Marcella looked toward the same vampire who always seemed to make his presence known to her. His dark brown hair rested passed his shoulders, dark green eyes like her own stared back at her. “No, thank you. I’m about to leave.”

“But don’t you want to hear about Ambrose?”

“You already said you didn’t know him.”

“I lied. Why don’t we go back to my place and I’ll tell you all about him.”

“Get lost, asshole. You don’t know shit. If you’re looking for a quick fuck, you’re looking at the wrong girl. I don’t care how good looking you are. I’m taken.”

“So you said a few nights ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry I thought maybe my rejection didn’t get through the last time.” Marcella rolled her eyes and headed for the restroom. She was exhausted from lack of sleep. Two hours a night just wasn’t cutting it.

Walking to the last stall, she made sure no one saw her go in. She quickly vanished back to her hotel room.

“Fucking prick, I swear.” She snapped her fingers placing on a white gown almost identical to the one she wore with Dominic. Tonight, she’d finally get some rest. That is, if the nightmares didn’t wake her again.

“My my, what a vision you are. And powerful, very, very powerful if I do say so. Who’s your master?”

Marcella spun around, seeing a vampire she’d never seen before walking out of the darkness of her restroom. “How in the hell did you get in my room?”

“You’ve been asking for me. I thought I would meet the only vampire in town who wasn’t my servant.”

“You’re Ambrose?”

“You’re correct. Now tell me. Who’s your master?”

She took in his black hair and pale skin. The bangs rested just even with his defined cheek bones, the rest of the length came just above his shoulders. She noticed all the vampires shared the same dark green eyes, and he wasn’t an exception. His features were beautiful, perfect. A dark business suit covered his body, showing off his small waist and wide shoulders. Remembering his question, she took a step forward. “Me. I don’t take orders from anyone but myself.”

“
Tisk, tisk.
You’re wrong, my sweets. Everyone has a master. Yours is in big trouble if he lost you. I need to know his or her name.”

“Well, I don’t have one to give you, I’m sorry.”

“Tell me why it is that you don’t think you have a master?”

Marcella watched as he sat down on her bed. The pounding of her heart caused her whole body to vibrate. What was she supposed to do now? She could turn collector, but how would she detain him, try to read what was on her chest, and keep him quiet?
Jason.

“If you give me a moment, I’ll tell you.” She closed her eyes, feeling for her connection to her boyfriend. Once she had it she focused on pulling him through, but nothing happened. Stunned, she tried again. In all the training, she’d summoned everything, but him. Dominic, objects, even Samael came to her. Why not her own servant?

“Would you mind if I made a quick phone call?”

Ambrose gestured toward the phone. “Be my guest. Just make it quick. I don’t have all night.”

“Thanks.” Marcella grabbed it and dialed out, punching in Jason’s cell. After four rings the voicemail came on. “Uh, Jason…call me.” She hung up and looked at him nervously.

“Sorry, okay, well you see. Fuck!” She knew she couldn’t let him go or get the upper hand. Desperate, she closed her eyes and felt for Dominic. Their connection remained, but was very weak. Focusing all of her energy, she grabbed a hold of it and jerked hard. A ripple echoed through her body and she knew she had strengthened their tie.

“What the fuck?” Dominic hit the ground hard landing on his back. Groaning, he rolled to the side, his eyes heavy with sleep. The dark circles made Marcella gasp. He looked nothing like the flawless angel she’d left. He resembled hell. Knots covered his silky hair, and his face looked weary. Was he drunk?

“Have you been drinking?”

Dominic stood, his body falling forward before catching itself. “No, I wish. The temptation was certainly there, but I knew you wouldn’t like it. I’ve only just gone to sleep.”

“Since when? You look horrible.”

“Since you left,” he said, looking around the room tiredly. “Where are we?”

“Never mind that right now. I want you to meet someone.” Marcella took a deep breath and walked closer to Ambrose.

“Look, woman, I don’t know what you’re up to, but this isn’t your master. He’s a demon, not a vampire.”

“I already told you, I’m my own master.”

“Ambrose, meet my… mate, Dominic.”

“Mate? Impossible. Vampires don’t mate with demons.”

“This is Ambrose?” Dominic asked, confused. “I expected him to be older. Not so…pretty.”

A laugh filled the room sending sharp pains down Marcella’s skin. “I’m over four hundred years old. Don’t let this face fool you. I’m capable of things you could only dream about.”

“And I’m thousands of years, older. Now, let’s cut the bullshit. Marcella, do you know that thing you did when you left with Jason? Do you think you could do that again?”

Thinking back on how she made Jason disappear with her, she shook her head. “I think so, but Jason usually does it. I haven’t tried it since, but I’m sure it couldn’t be too hard.”

“To the house, then?”

“Are you serious? I knew you’d try to trick me into going back there! You have some nerve, Dominic. To stoop so low is beyond what I thought capable of you. You hurt me by lying, now you’re trying to manipulate me, too?”

Marcella buried her face in her hands and pretended to cry. The vampire instantly reached out to comfort her. “Don’t cry. Shh, it’s going to be all right. I won’t let anyone hurt you”

Wrapping her arms around Ambrose’s waist she shut her eyes, visualizing Dom’s bedroom. Guilt settled in the pit of Marcella’s stomach, but she knew what she had to do. Opening her eyes, the familiar bed sat a few feet away. Jumping back, Marcella wrapped the invisible wall around Ambrose.

“What in the hell was that about? You really don’t think I’d do that, do you?” Tears clouded Dominic’s eyes as he walked toward her.

“Of course not. Did you really think he’d let me bring him here on his own? I’m not sure what he’s capable of and truthfully, I’m not ready to find out. He’s got a hell of a laugh, that’s for sure. Now, I need help taking his soul. Someone’s going to have to keep him contained long enough for me to get my mouth near his. I knew if I changed and began reading the chant he’d know what I was doing. And Jason of course isn’t answering his damn phone.”

“Why didn’t you summon him?”

“I tried, but I can’t,” Marcella whispered, turning away. Looking at him hurt her heart. She wanted to touch him, taste him. Another part wanted to scream at him for lying to her, for breaking their trust.

“He’s your servant. You have to be able to bring him to you.”

“I’m telling you, I tried!”

“Fine, okay. I’m sorry. Marcella…”

The strength of Dominic’s presence directly behind her caused her eyes to close. The need to feel him make contact caused every inch of her skin tingle and tighten. She quickly took a step away from him.