Page 4 of Vampire

Still holding onto my hands. Vampire leaned down to murmur in my ear, “My little naïve butterfly, you really don’t understand, do you?”

“Umm, understand what?” I asked, not getting his meaning. And my heartbeat sped up when his breath hit my ear.

“Never mind, Nicolette, I will let you get back to work.” Vampire rubbed my hands one last time before allowing me past. I was thankful I didn’t fall flat on my face because my legs were shaking from being so close to him and having his hands on me. I may be a virgin, but even I knew I would explode if that man ever took me to bed. All the girls here wondered what it would be like to go to bed with Vampire. As far as gossip went, there wasn’t much. Vampire did not mess with any of the girls that worked here. Terri said his attention to me is an oddity and is convinced he wants me, but even though it looks that way, I cannot see why for the life of me. I knew I was attractive, but I wasn’t sexy and exciting.

“Hey chickee, I’m not going need a ride tonight,” Terri said next to me, giving me a naughty wink. I was so deep in thought I didn’t hear her approach me.

“Just be careful, Terri, and remember to get a picture of his license and text me it, plus where you are going with him.” I worried about Terri; she had no problem taking men up on offers for a little extra as long as the money was good. I tried not to nag her because I would still be on the street without her. Terri found me at the bus station on her way back from visiting family, and when she found out I had nowhere to go, she helped me, letting me move in and helping me get jobs.

“You are such a worry wart. I will send you the information if it makes you feel better,” Terri scolded me with a smile, saying she appreciated that I cared. “Now I gotta go. I’m up next.”

I watched Terri hurry to the back to change, and then, seeing a table signal me, I realized I better get back to what I was paid to do. So, putting a smile on my face, I went to work. Again, feeling those gray eyes follow me.

CHAPTER THREE

MY ORIGINAL PLANwas to follow Nicolette tonightand see where she goes on her days off. But Shadow has a meeting with Patch in West Virginia, so I’m riding along. As the Sergeant at Arms for the club, I was responsible for Shadow’s safety. The good thing was Shadow planned it as a day trip, and I would be back tonight.

I left my room and headed down for breakfast. I saw Shadow and Mary walk in the door. Since their house was finished, Shadow no longer lived in the clubhouse. “You two already eat?” I asked. His and Mary’s baby was due in May, and we were nearing the end of March. So, not too long now. Shadow was way overprotective, same with Fuse; his and Shay’s baby was due next month. Both couples declined to know what the sex of the baby was so that they could be surprised.

“No, Mother to be here is craving some of Jane’s blueberry pancakes,” Shadow said, patting her swollen stomach and kissing her lightly on the mouth, causing Mary to blush.

“Her pancakes are the absolute best,” Mary said, her usual smile in place.

“I wholeheartedly second that. I made sure mom would have some this morning,” A very pregnant Shay said as she and Fuse came down the stairs.

“I swear the doctor is wrong, and Shay has more than one baby in her stomach the way she eats. Shay about took my hand off last night when I tried to take one of her fries,” Fuse said, teasing Shay.

“And I’d do it again. Get your own damn fries. Leave your mitts off mine,” Shay said. Two pregnant women two very different attitudes. Mary glowed and was serene. Shay looked like she could kill Fuse any second, the pregnancy making her cranky. But, to be fair, we all wanted to kill Fuse at some point in the day.

As a group, we made our way into the kitchen. Of course, being a work day, it was packed. I looked around the room. These people were my family, the only family I had ever had besides my uncle, who died when I was sixteen. It was a lucky day when I started talking to Shadow and Stonewall seven years ago in that bar, following them back to the clubhouse to speak to Jax. Shadow, Stonewall, and I were prospects together and remain close, and we are all the same age at twenty-Seven. The club allows me to be who I am with no judgment.

A trained assassin.

Courtesy of my uncle Dimitri. He groomed me to be just like him. Only he hadn’t counted on being killed on one of his jobs. So, with no other family, I did the only thing I knew how to do. Kill. The jobs paid well enough for me to survive, but I wasn’t happy making contract kills, it didn’t sit right with me, so The Devil’s House was perfect. I could feed my need, but on my terms. I had some twisted tendencies, but who the fuck doesn’t in one way or another. The only difference is I allow myself to be who I am.

No fucks given.

I filled my plate with a light breakfast. I looked for a seat and heard. “Over here, Vampire, there’s room on this bench,” Lexi said, scooting over into Reader to make room. I made my way over; I had no choice; the room was packed. No matter how often I turned the club women down, they never gave up. I hated desperation in a woman, and I found it unattractive. And as I sat down, desperation flowed off of Lexi. I think as the brothers slowly started taking Ol’ Ladies that the club women were beginning to get antsy that they won’t land a brother.

“Ready to ride, Vampire?” Stonewall asked from across the table. It was me, Shadow, and Stonewall going on the run today.

“Yeah, I’m glad we have a nice sunny day so we can take our motorcycles,” I said. Hating the winters when I had to drive my truck.

“You and me both, brother.”

I finished my breakfast, trying not to get irritated with Lexi, who kept leaning into me. Once I claimed Nicolette, this shit would stop; maybe the women would get the picture. Nicolette was never far from my thoughts, and starting tomorrow; I would begin to pursue her full force. And once I have her, I need her to tell me what she is running from so I can eliminate the problem. I stood, got rid of my tray, and headed out to my bike, a Black Harley Fat Boy. I had Black customize it with bat wings; I had a thing for bats. They were bloodsuckers, after all.

Shadow and Stonewall were already on their bikes and ready to ride. It took us an hour and a half to get to Patch’s clubhouse outside Morgantown, West Virginia. Patch was waiting inside by the bar, talking with Player, his vice-president. Other members sit around, playing pool or hanging with the club whores. I know Patch is an original of the club, and I may be biased, but Shadow is one hell of a President, our charter is tight and making more money than it ever has, and that’s because Shadow doesn’t allow any room for immature shit, you party when the work is done, not before.

Shadow headed into Patch’s office, and I sat down with Stonewall and Player, drinking a beer while I waited. “Want to play a game of poker?” Player asked. The brother got his road name because he was damn good at cards. He could read you like a book and have all your money before you knew what was happening.

“No thanks, I’ll hold onto my money today,” I said, laughing.

“Same here. You know we can’t beat you,” Stonewall grumbled.

“Pussies,” Player mocked, flipping us off. “Got some new club whores you might want to try; Tina has a mouth like a vacuum.” He pointed to a blond sitting on the couch, who winked and gave a little wave.

“No, thanks.” Both Stonewall and I said at the same time. I was surprised at Stonewall; he was usually all in, but now that I think about it, he hasn’t been around the strip club lately, and I don’t remember the last time I saw him with a club girl.

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