Page 50 of Unholy Gambit: Checkmate in Blood
“I’m about to punish a ten-year-old baby vamp who can’t keep his fangs in his pants. How are you, brother?”
Ah, so she was working and couldn’t meet him. He’d rather do just about any job outside of training the newly-turned to learn control.
“I’m curious about Humphrey. Anything I should know?”
She grunted. “Yeah. Speaking of hard-ons, Giovanni’s had one for you since…” she sighed. “No need in regurgitating history, but watch your back.”
“Thank you, sister.”
She hung up, and he slid the phone in his pocket, the name a bitter taste on his tongue. He drove home, and once again walked the city he wanted to call home, threading through its streets on foot. Learning all the parts of it, scenting the air, and hearingeverything.
All the while, he considered how best to handle Giovanni, viewing his own actions centuries later through the lens of being in love for the first time.
Now, Axel understoodexactlywhy Giovanni’s vendetta had endured centuries.
Because if someone harmed his Aurélie, he wouldn’t rest until they’d suffered a thousand-fold.
Chapter 14
Axel breathed in the humid, slightly fishy air. Humans wouldn’t scent it, but it told him the river was significantly healthier than most of its European counterparts, and absolutely, one thousand percent healthier than the Nile.
It was warm for late October — low eighties, soft wind rising off the Tennessee River. A lazy, dreamy night that brought to mind slow kisses and slower hands, the sounds of live jazz echoing over the water adding to the effect as they walked across the parking lot.
Aury had worn a pale green sundress that hugged her waist and floated around her legs like it had nowhere better to be. Her hair was pinned back with pearl clips, a nod to the Southern Belle aesthetic, but her eyes were sharp, amused, fully herself.
Axel was in charcoal dress pants and a white shirt rolled to the elbows, the top two buttons undone. No tie. No jacket. Dress shoes polished but not flashy. A timeless look. One only needed to update the style of pants and shirt every couple of years. A dip into his Aurélie’s head told him she thought he looked dangerous, like a gentleman with a past and too many secrets. Perhaps it was time he started letting her know more about him.
He held out his hand with a little bow. “Mademoiselle.”
She giggled and took it, but before she could step forward, he blocked her path with two hands raised, palms flat against an invisible wall.
She blinked. Frowned.
He fashioned his face into slight arrogance and leaned against the imaginary wall he’d felt for.
She laughed again, richer this time. He felt around for another wall. Discovered the door handle, opened it. Stepped through the door, and let his face go back to normal. Another bow with a slight flourish, and he stood with his arm out, so she could hold it while they walked.
She curled her warm fingers around his forearm, and they made their way across the parking lot together.
“That was incredible!” Her voice softened. “And unexpected. Thank you for showing me that side of you.”
The old riverboat was a reminder of different times, and the lights strung up like stars didn’t detract from the history.
They boarded in time to get good seats, and he guided her to the upper deck, where café tables waited near the railing, and a small dance floor gleamed under strings of lights. A trio in vintage suits played jazz standards, the kind of music meant to be swayed to.
Axel didn’t rush to sit.
He pulled her in.
Their first steps together on the dance floor were quiet. Natural. He led wordlessly, and she followed like her body already knew the rhythm. He spun her once, slow, careful of her knee, but enough to make the dress swirl, and she smiled up at him, flushed.
The music shifted into something slower. Smokier.
He drew her closer, one hand at her waist, the other lifting her palm like a prayer.
“Tell me something real,” she whispered, breath against his collarbone.
He considered. Thought about teasing. Decided against it. Put a barrier around them so no one would overhear.
