AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I fall to my side and curl in on myself, trying to make myself as small as possible as vampires drop to the floor around me. Mr. Pala growls under his breath from close by, and I listen as he mutters for help into his com device, calling his security. Only static responds.
Heavy footsteps thud nearby, and a black boot stomps on Mr. Pala’s hand, crushing it. Unlike at the Aris Hotel, Walcott wears a full face mask like the ones I’ve seen vampire guests wear coming in during the day, desperate enough for entertainment to face the heat of the sun. Their sun sensitivity doesn’t kill them, but from seeing a fight outside through the tinted glass doors of the entrance, I know it scorches the hell out of them.
Walcott grinds down with his steel toe, grinning as Mr. Pala shouts in pain. I release a breath, hearing the sound of his agony so satisfying that it takes everything in me not to sit up for a better view.
“Would you like me to stop, Mr. Pala?” Walcott asks, his deep voice growling the words.
“What is it you want?” Mr. Pala asks, grinding his teeth. “Stipends? Free credit? Rooms? Donors? I can provide that.”
“A man after your heart, dude.” Monroe’s familiar voice shoots a bolt of energy to my core. I can only see his reflection in one of the shiny mirrored pillars with a sign for one of the card tables. “But I think he can do better than that.”
I roll over slightly and peer up at him, stepping to stand tall beside Walcott. Several other masked vampires lurk around the casino, pushing and forcing all of the staff and guests toward the main carpeted walkway.
“Just name it,” Mr. Pala says, his voice rising in pitch. “I can arrange it.”
“Until your precious allies come to the rescue,” Walcott says, thudding the cane near Mr. Pala’s head.
“They won’t. I won’t call them. I swear.” Mr. Pala rests his elbows on the floor. “Please. I have power and influence. Just tell me what you want.”
“What about her?” Monroe squats down beside me and caresses his finger along my cheek. I can only see his golden eyes, but they crinkle in the corners with a hidden smile.
Mr. Pala groans. “She doesn’t belong to me. I have an arrangement with Alexander Aris. If you take her, he’ll find her. It would be a mistake. Please. He’ll not only take my head, but he’ll also take yours. No one will get anything they want.”
Is he really trying to convince them not to take me? Is Alexander so terrifying that even Mr. Pala fears him? I can see it, but I don’t know the extent of it.
“An arrangement, huh?” Monroe asks, taking the cane from Walcott. He presses it to the side of Mr. Pala’s face. If he pushes hard enough, he could break his skull. “Tell us or I’ll move on to someone more willing. Your second in command would be thrilled.”
Mr. Pala growls and bucks under the pressure of the cane. “Wait! Wait! Every Monday to Tuesday morning she is under contract to perform here. You can have it. I’ll provide the room. Please.”
Monroe hums and stares at me a bit longer. “What do you think, little bird? Would you prefer me to take your contract instead?”
“Fuck yes,” I say, my voice surprising me as I speak out loud.
Holding his hand to me, he helps me to my feet and offers me his jacket to cover up my skimpy costume. I peer around the casino, shocked by the sight before me. The Bella Crew wasn’t lying when they threatened to hurt anyone who tried to run or hide.
“We won’t be taking a room here, though. We’re not as stupid as the man whose security ignored their jobs to get their rocks off on watching you and your cane.” Monroe thuds it to the floor again. “I have to say though. Your performance gave me an idea.”
I press my lips together into a thin line, studying the thoughts crossing his face and darkening his expression.
“I love nothing more than a good punishment. What about you, folks? Who wants to see this little bird in action? I know I do.” Monroe twirls the cane and offers it to me.
“You heard him, assholes, get on your knees and tune in for the greatest show in La Vega courtesy of The Pala!” Walcott shouts, throwing his hands out. Kicking his boot under Mr. Pala, Walcott forces the vampire to his hands and knees and shocks the hell out of me by ripping his pants at the seam, forcing him to bare his pale ass.
Murmurs whisper over the catchy music of the slot machines, and the once scared crowd now becomes enthralled with the change in Mr. Pala’s twisted show. My head pounds with my heartbeat, and I grip the cool gold of the cane, listening to the Bella Crew start to chant for me to beat his ass.
“No one messes with my girl,” Monroe whispers under his breath, touching his palm to my lower back. “Teach him that, little bird. Teach him what happens when you touch what doesn’t belong to him.”
Bending down, Monroe slaps his hand on Mr. Pala’s ass, leaving behind a bright red handprint. He smiles with his fangs, encouraging me, and I summon my nerve to do what the crowd wants. What Monroe wants. And right now, what I really fucking want.
Because this asshole hurt me. He humiliated me. He thought because he bought a contract with Alexander that he was entitled to do whatever he pleased with me.
Well, fuck that. I’m going to make him reconsider ever thinking about doing this to any woman or donor again.
Swinging the cane like a bat, I use all my strength to whack him hard on his ass. The crowd cheers, the sadist fuckers not even caring who gets hurt as long as it’s not them. Like with my stage performances, I let the crowd infuse me with their energy and I hit Mr. Pala again and again until he falls to his stomach. My whole body trembles with adrenaline, and Monroe scoops me into his arms and tugs his mask from his lips, kissing me. Electricity zings between the two of us, his kiss rough and passionate, driven by the craziness unfolding around us.
“Make sure he doesn’t forget his place,” Monroe shouts. “Make him feel his mistake for days.”
I clutch onto Monroe and watch with wide eyes as a few of the guests from the crowd force Mr. Pala back to his knees while pressing his head to the ground. Walcott spits on the cane and slickens it, aiming the end at Mr. Pala’s ass.
