Blood Thief Box Set(11)

I turned into the parking garage of the Penthouse and stopped at the booth. A wide, striped pole blocked the way. A different man than the night before slouched against the counter of the window and studied me with disinterested eyes.

"Yes?" he asked me.

I tapped my dashboard. "I need through."

He followed my finger and his eyes fell on the parking ticket. They widened, and he stood at attention. "Yes, ma'am. Sorry for the delay." He pressed a button and the barrier lifted.

I drove into the parking garage, but glanced in my rear view mirror. The man in the booth glared back at me.

I parked my car in the thirteenth berth. The limo from last night sat two spots down from me, and there were no cars between us. Simon must have rented most of the parking spaces along that wall.

I stepped out and made my way to the elevator. The gloom of the garage cast a deep shadow over the closed doors. I reached them and stretched out my hand to press the call button.

My finger was an inch from the button when the button lit up and the doors swung open. I started back. The sole occupant was Certus and his red eyes stared unblinkingly at me. He stood in front of the button panel and bowed his head to me.

"Good morning, Miss Luvena," he greeted me.

I frowned. "How'd you. . .did you know I was here?"

He pointed at something above and behind me. I followed his gaze and noticed a curved mirror in the high corner of the garage. "Mr. Cruor doesn't leave anything to chance," Certus told me.

I returned my attention to him. "Is he able to talk to me right now?"

Certus nodded. "Yes. He's waiting for you now if you would accompany me."

I hesitantly stepped into the elevator, but I pressed my back into the farthest corner of the space. The doors shut and Certus pressed the button to the top floor. I swayed as the elevator shot up.

My eyes flickered to the pale man close to me. "How old are you?" I asked him.

He didn't look at me when he replied. "Two hundred years." After what I'd been through I didn't doubt his answer.

The elevator reached the thirtieth penthouse and I stepped out. Certus didn't follow. I turned to him and frowned. "Aren't you coming?"

He shook his head. "No. Mr. Cruor wishes to see you in private. Good morning." He bowed his head to me and the elevator door shut.

I pursed my lips and turned to the closed doors to the penthouse. I steadied myself and strode up to them. They were unlocked, and I peeked my head inside. The curtains on the windows were shut, but the main room was lit with electric lamps.

Simon occupied one of the chairs that was turned towards the door. His legs were crossed and his hands were clasped together while his elbows lay on the wide arms of the chair. He wore a posh gray suit with a red tie. The dim light cast shadows over his face and illuminated his red eyes.

He bowed his head to me. "Good morning."

I pursed my lips. "That depends."

"On what happened last night?" he guessed. I nodded. He gestured to the couch to his right. "Please have a seat." I reluctantly sat on the edge of one of the cushions. My eyes never left him. His smile widened. "Trying to read my thoughts?" he teased.

I shook my head. "I can't do that, but you can, so you know why I'm here."

He chuckled. "I have no need of mind reading to know you want an affirmation of last night's events. They did happen, and you are changing into a vampire."

That was the blow I was waiting for, but no amount of will could have prepared me for the disappointment. I fell back against the couch and sank down.

Simon tilted his head to one side and studied me. "You're still disappointed."

I raised my head and glared at him. "No shit, Sherlock. What am I supposed to do now? Slowly die of sunburn?"

"You could work for me as my protege," he suggested.

I frowned. "I already have a-" My phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and cringed at the number on the screen. It was the flower shop. "Hello?"

"Where the hell are you?" Vorax growled.

"I'm-um, I'm sick," I replied. "I can't even get out of-cough-bed."

"Then stay in bed for the next couple of months, because you're fired!" Click.

I set my hand in my lap and looked dumbly at the screen. My heart sank along with my shoulders.

Simon chuckled. "You seem to have an employment problem."

My eyes flickered up to him and my eyebrows crashed down. "And it's all because of you," I retorted as I stuffed my phone back into my pocket.

"And that's why I offer you a position as my protege," he reminded me.

I raised an eyebrow. "What the hell does that even mean?"

He stood and strode behind the couch. I twisted around to follow him and he stopped behind me. He set his arms on the back of the couch and leaned towards my neck. His voice softened, and I felt that familiar hot thrill run through my body.

"It means I would like you to accompany me on several errands."

I jumped to my feet and spun around to face him. The greater distance helped me gain back some of my self-possession. I balled my hands into fists and glared at him. "Why the hell would I want to be with you after what you've done to me?"

I blinked, and Simon vanished. He was there one moment and gone the next. I whipped my head left and right, but there was no sign of him.

A pair of arms wrapped around my chest above my breasts. They pulled me backwards against a strong, cool chest. I stiffened as I felt Simon lean down and nip the trembling flesh along my neck. His whispering words made me close my eyes and shudder.

"Don't torture yourself with what was. Fate had greater plans for you than that little flower shop, and I as her agent directed you to this new life."

I bit my lower lip. My voice trembled. "I . . .I just want a normal life. Have a job, win the lotto, and die wealthy."

He chuckled. "Then I offer you a job, my wealth, and the possibility for an endless life of wealth."

I swallowed the lustful desire inside me and tilted my head back to look into his bright eyes. "Don't you ever regret what's happened to you? What you are now?"

The smile on his lips faltered. Sadness crept into those bemused eyes. He turned his face away from me. "What's done is done. The past cannot be changed, and the future awaits." He returned his gaze to me and his expression softened. A wistful smile crept onto his mouth. "Perhaps some day you may forgive me for being Fate's agent." His arms slipped off me. He stepped back and bowed low to me. "Until that day comes I offer myself as your guide through eternity."

I half-turned to him and sighed. I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but-well-" I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "-I guess I'll go along with this."

He straightened and his mischievous smile widened. "I'm not sure I quite understand what you mean."

I whipped my head towards him and glared at him. "You know damn well what it means. It means I'll be your 'protege' and you can show me this whole creatures-of-the-night world."

He stepped up to me and took my hand. I blushed when he pecked a delicate kiss on the back. His bright eyes flickered up to mine and he had that devilish smile on his lips. "Forever your servant, madam."

I pulled my hand from his grasp and turned away. "Whatever. Just where the hell do we start with this stuff, anyway?"

Simon strode past me and plopped himself on the couch beside me. He stretched his arms along the back of the couch and crossed his legs. "We start with the mistake I made last night."

I turned to him and frowned. "You mean turning me?"

He shook his head. "No, nor will I ever consider our union   a mistake. What I was referring to was your intruding on my hobby."

I raised my eyebrow. "What hobby?"

Simon chuckled. "I have several weaknesses. One of them is for beautiful women and the other-" he nodded at my neck, "-is for that."

I followed his gaze and saw his eyes lay on the necklace that still hung around my neck. My eyes flickered up to him, and I held out the piece of jewelry. "You stole this, didn't you?"

He bowed his head. "Guilty as charged."

"Then I don't want it." I tried to pull off the necklace, but the clasp was beyond my limited skill.

Simon patted the seat beside him. "Let me assist you."

I reluctantly took a seat beside him and turned my back to him. He unclasped the necklace and slid the jewelry from my neck. I twisted around to find him admiring the jewels and gold.

"It's quite exquisite, isn't it?" he commented.

I frowned. "Did you steal this from another of your friends?"

He shook his head. "No, an acquaintance with a very fine store in Venice."

I stood and turned to face him. "I'm not going to help you steal from everybody."

Simon chuckled. "On the contrary, it's merely a matter of stealing from those more fortunate and less deserving, and giving the proceeds to those who have more need."

I snorted and crossed my arms over my chest. "So you're some sort of modern-day Robin Hood?"

He bowed his head. "In a way. I steal from the wealthy and invest, or keep, the proceeds for other purposes."

"Like your own?" I retorted.

"Sometimes, but-" There came a knock on the door. I turned to the entrance in time to see Certus step inside.