She whirled on me, vibrating with anger. “We have to talk to him.” Her shout drew attention. I sent a reassuring smile to the guests around us. Thankfully, Vegas was not unusual grounds for rambunctious, shouting people. I dropped my voice low, encouraging her to follow suit.
“Who you were is of no consequence. If he can’t lead us to a master vampire who turned you, he is also inconsequential.”
“Maybe he doesn’t know anything about vampires, but maybe he knows something about the night I died that could lead us to the master.”
Her case was weak, thready at best. To assume that man had been there the night she was turned was a stretch. I also had no interest in involving mortals in the sekhor matter.
“Please.” Her voice became hoarse. “He’s the only lead I have to figure out who I was. You can’t imagine how it feels to not know who you are.” Her sea-green orbs searched mine, also begging me to let her follow him.
Pleas, nothing but pleas, all day and night for centuries had long hardened me to their effects. Yet Vivien somehow plucked on a cord of guilt deep inside me with her earnest entreaty.
I turned away, dragging her back toward Sinopolis. The vampire tried to pull in the opposite direction. She was strong, but I was stronger.
We earned some concerned looks from guests, as I hauled her through the lobby of my hotel. Vivien turned despondent, now dragging her feet. I half-expected her to launch into a full-on tantrum.
I relaxed my grip, so it wouldn’t appear as though I was her pimp or abusive boyfriend. At least the staff knew to pay no mind to me or my companion.
“Of all the clothes available, you chose to dress like a delinquent punk,” I muttered under my breath, pressing the button to call down the private elevator. Timothy assured me it was still in working order despite Vivien’s tampering, but running a little slower than usual.
Vivien’s tight-fitting clothes revealed a figure that was both lean and toned with muscle. I was careful to keep my eyes averted when I realized she’d forgone a bra with the sparkly, low-cut top. She looked like she’d walked offstage after a rock performance. Rest assured, no groupies would be bowing before those impossibly long legs any time soon. I’d make sure of that.
Vivien raised her head at my comment on her clothing, noticing the attention we were getting.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to embarrass you. What was I thinking? I should have dressed up like a slutty piece of glitter, so I fit in with your clientele.” Her eyes slid back to the onlookers before she exploded. “Ricky, I’m sorry I didn’t get the money. I promise I’ll get it up front next time. The John said he had it, but I’ll make sure next time. Please, just give me my cut. Little Billy needs his insulin, and I can’t afford it if you take all of my green again.” She pretended to struggle in my grip without any real fight. Chatter started up around us along with a startled gasp or two.
I stared at her, wide-eyed, in shock. A devilish smile flashed across her face just as the steel doors slid open with a ding. She walked of her own accord into the elevator car, no longer bothering to hide her evil grin.
As soon as the doors shut, I slammed both hands on either side of her head. She jerked, and her smirk evaporated. Anger burned through me as I bore down on her. My fingers spread across the tufted, black leather wall behind her, so Vivien didn’t see them shift and elongate into sharp, black claws.
“Did the insanity set in after you turned, or has it always been your affliction?” I shouted, fighting the change, my hands returning to normal.
“If we followed that guy, we could have asked,” she shouted back. She blinked with defiance in the face of my fury, but she still drew back against the wall. “And what do you care? You are death itself. What does it matter what those Richie Riches out there think?”
“I do not require their approval. But I do take pride in creating a haven of luxurious sophistication. While you”—I pointed a finger in her face—“are like a rabid mongoose berserk on crystal meth and worse yet, I have to be the one to muzzle you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You just try it, bucko.”
Fire swept through me. My composure didn’t melt away, it exploded in an inferno. My hand clamped over her mouth as I pressed my body against hers, bringing my mouth to her ear. “I need you as bait, but perhaps you are of better use without your tongue. I wonder if it would grow back? How fast? Rest assured, if it was too soon, I’d be happy to rip it out for you again.”
Suddenly, I was all too aware of the way I was pressed against her. My chest flattened her breasts, and my thigh thrust up between her legs, trapping her hips. Images of fucking her into submission in this elevator flashed through my mind.
Leather, my personal soap, and something divinely sensual invaded my senses. Her scent threatened to drag me in and under. The feel of her silky lips against my palm heated my blood before sending it south. My breath turned shallow as I pulled back so I could look into Vivien’s face, amazed at the reactions running rampant through me. For a moment, I thought I saw a twin flame of arousal in her eyes. Maybe she too considered me taking her right here.
A wet cold smushed against my hand.
She licked me.
I wiped my palm against my pants and pressed the gold button with my other hand. Her childish behavior was an instant cure for my temporary insanity.
My work-driven celibacy was clearly driving me to madness. It had been a long time since I’d invited anyone into my bed. It seemed crucial I do so at the first opportunity.
* * *
Vivien satat the kitchen counter, sulking at me, while I stood in front of the elevator doors with my arms crossed. At least there were twenty feet between us now, allowing my senses to cool down from the lust-filled rage she’d somehow worked me into.
“What are we waiting for?” she asked. Arms also crossed, mirroring me, she sat on a stool on the other side of the island.
“My aide will arrive soon, hopefully with a report on the whereabouts of any recent vampire activity.” I couldn’t help the disdain in my voice. I hated biding time, but I had no way of tracking the bloodsuckers.
