Accidentally Married To a Vampire(20)

"Control, no. This place-I simply do not understand it. The humans here wear giant cocktail glasses around their necks and insert exorbitant amounts of money into little machines that light up. I still cannot understand, however, why they call them ‘slut machines.' Is because they steal your money?"

"I believe the correct name is ‘slot machine.' They're kind of fun … " As Viktor spoke, Niccolo's mind involuntarily shifted back to the topic of Obscuros. According to his calculations, he'd personally executed two hundred rogue vampires in recent weeks; over a thousand had been killed by his soldiers, yet the list only grew longer each day. Niccolo needed to make a bigger dent. He'd heard all about the Demilords who'd supposedly been put in place to control the outbreak during his absence, but where were they? From what he could see, no one had been keeping the Obscuros in check. Suspicious, to say the least.

"It matters little what the machines are called," Niccolo interjected. "This place is loathsome. But if a wedding here will please Helena, then I shall do this for her. Please tell me one of your men is tracking her."

A long silence, then, "Not exactly. She slipped away too quickly. We couldn't pick up her scent-it is pretty sunny today."

"Inferno! I am in no mood to blindly sift all over the goddamned-"

"Don't go ballistic," Viktor added, "I gotcha covered-GPS tracking. I had it added to her phone-she busted into your office and took it back. I've been watching her movements via Internet. You can use the live satellite map to find a safe place to sift nearby-away from any structures-then, boom. You're there."

Thank the gods for her thievery and for this "GPS."

"Where is she now?" Niccolo asked.

"Heading west toward the Windy City. I'll send the link to your phone and get you hourly updates."

"Buon. Grazie."

Niccolo hung up and rubbed his hands over his face. He had to get her back quickly and make amends. He had only six days left until their three-month anniversary. She had to be turned willingly or the prophecy would not be fulfilled, and Niccolo's one chance of leaving the queen would be lost.

That meant he'd never have the chance to know peace or a day of freedom. He'd never know Helena's sweet body inside and out. His mind toggled through the catalog of fantasies awaiting their day in the spotlight. His standard: taking her for the first time over a bed of velvety red rose petals, the midnight crackle of a fireplace, the sweet scent of her arousal filling his lungs as he plunged himself repeatedly inside her. Then there was the fantasy of taking her in the shower, pinning her against the wall, her legs wrapped around his waist as she panted his name in his ear.

Niccolo grew hard for the fifth time that day and shifted himself.

Gods, he could not wait to bed her. Gods, he needed to buy looser pants. Otherwise, his cock might not make it to their wedding night. Or, perhaps, he needed to stop thinking about her.

Idiota. You realize that's impossible. Any second now you're going to get the itch. You won't be able to resist wanting to feel her with your mind.                       
       
           



       

His attempt to fight his craving for her, indeed, lasted all of one glorious second before he gave in. He focused to catch a whiff of her mind in the atmosphere. Distance dulled the connection, but it was always there.

Aaah, Helena... Right now, she's annoyed, but no longer angry. In any case, the guilt was almost unbearable; he'd caused her pain. Thank the gods he didn't love her. He couldn't imagine how miserable he would be if they shared more than just a powerful bond and insatiable lust.

For a moment he considered using his gift to sift to her, but blind sifting was extremely risky. And sifting toward a moving target was unthinkable. He could end up landing inside a steel girder, slab of cement, or hit by a semi. No. He'd have to wait until she stopped moving and then do as Viktor suggested.

Niccolo suddenly flinched and released a growl from deep within his chest. He sensed a burgeoning lust radiating via their connection. She'd better be thinking of me.





Chapter 9





Helena stared out the dust-coated window of the black Hummer speeding west on Interstate-80, watching the sherbet sunset and chewing her thumbnail to the nub. She'd already surveyed everything inside the enormous tough-boy vehicle twice. A waste of time. The interior was spotless except for several discarded candy wrappers on the floor. There was nothing to tell her who this dark, brooding man truly was.

She quickly stole a glance of Andrus whose gaze was fixed on the road, sunglasses covering his eyes despite the darkening sky.

Of course he can see in the dark, she griped, all monsters can.

Earlier, he'd pulled off his leather coat and was now wearing a plain black tee and leather pants. With both hands firmly gripping the wheel, the thick muscles of his forearms flexed just enough for her to see every menacing rope. She noticed his appearance the first time she'd laid eyes on him. What woman wouldn't? He was unusually handsome-in a dangerous to your heart kind of way-and built like a brick house.

Problem was, he reminded her of Niccolo. They could be brothers, she thought.

So who was he really? More importantly, what was he? She didn't buy his scientist story one bit, but she did buy the part about him knowing how to keep Niccolo away. Something about Andrus screamed, "I am lethal!" Yeah, he'd had lots of practice keeping people at a distance.

Helena was a trained observer, a scientist; she knew how to watch and learn. She was good at it. This was how she noticed the pain undulating just beneath the surface of this man's menacing shell. Maybe it wasn't obvious to the average Joe or Jill on the street, but this creature was a walking contradiction. Even his short dark brown hair-recently cut and deliberately mussed-was a clue. Cold-blooded men didn't care about styling their hair in a way that advertised they were dangerous. Truly lethal men tried to hide what they were. The element of surprise was more important. No, he was trying to look more dangerous than he really was-which was still considerably dangerous.

"Where are you from?" she suddenly blurted out.

Andrus didn't acknowledge her question.

Helena was growing seriously impatient with the secretive act.

Suddenly her phone beeped. It was a message from her mother. Baby, you okay? No response on my email. Are you coming home for Christmas, or I am coming to see you? Airline tickets are on sale, want to buy now.

Crap. She had no idea when she could go home. She needed to end things with Niccolo first. Otherwise, he'd just find her and take her. The situation stank.

Helena quickly replied, Sorry. been swamped w/ work. Yes, coming home for Xmas. Got ticket already. Love u. Miss u! She'd have to figure it out later. Dammit, she hated all these lies!

She turned to Andrus. "Look. You can cut the crap right now. I know you're not a paranormal scientist."

A hint of a smile, the frightening kind, touched his lips. "Then, what am I?" he said, his voice low and crawling.

Helena thought for a moment. "You're not a vampire, but you're no human either. I can tell."

No response. His eyes remained locked on the road.

"I think you're a … demon," she guessed.

Demon? That sounded silly. Helena chuckled inwardly. She had read way too many novels. Her favorites were the ones where the heroes were dark, brooding demons. She had never actually seen one or truly believed they existed for that matter. But up until a few months ago, she would've said the same thing about vampires.

"Sorry. Not a demon," he said coldly, scratching his rough jaw, obviously not interested in discussing the matter further.

"Fine. I don't care. Just promise you'll hold up your end of our bargain and not bully me like Niccolo and his buddies."                       
       
           



       

Andrus removed his glassed and flashed a glance her way. "They've treated you badly?"

The surreal golden color of his eyes startled her. She lost her train of thought for several moments until she realized he was waiting for a response. Speak, dumb-dumb. "No. Not badly, but like a redheaded stepchild. It's not just annoying, but hypocritical. I mean, if I'm so lowly, then why did he want me?"

Andrus did not respond for several moments, then, "Even a dog is missed by its owner when it runs away. But it's still a dog."

Did Niccolo really think of her as his dog? Christ, he probably does. "I'm not some vampire-pet."

Andrus stifled a laugh. "No, but can you blame him for trying? You look like the kind who might incite frequent stroking."

"Sorry?" Helena snapped. Had he just flirted with her?

"Forget it. I will not treat you like a dog, I vow it," Andrus mumbled, returning to his icy demeanor.

So then, what was he going to do to her? Was she safe with this stranger?

Unlikely.

With the way things were going, Andrus would turn out to be the Grim Reaper.

In fact, now that she was in feeling-sorry-for-herself mode, why not move the needle to a full-fledged pity party? That's right. Because her life had always been a struggle. Why should now be any different? For years she worked hard, helping her mother make ends meet. It had made her into a workaholic, worrywart, control freak. Her life became all about the future, avoiding a repeat of her mother's mistakes. That's why she'd never had a boyfriend; friends and school were way safer bets.