Angel's Guardian: A Contemporary Vampire Romance (11 page)

CHAPTER
20

Angel wiped a side table and placed the lamp that came with the set, center and back. The center cocktail table was perfect for the movies that Nina loved to have in front of her as she watched TV. The sofa and love seat, a warm, brown leather, were child proof as well as comfortable. The TV stand was bolted to the wall so that it would not pose a danger to children. Max thought of everything.

She had not felt this happy and safe since her life before the abduction. Marco made her feel grateful, but she never loved him and never felt safe. Now she ached at the thought of not having this happiness any more, of losing the vampire with his gruff ways and deep, blue eyes, forever.

“It looks beautiful.” He looked around with obvious approval in his eyes. “Definitely comfortable and homey. I should have done this a long time ago.”

“Why didn’t you? To have such a spacious living room and keep it bare makes no sense.”

“I was comfortable enough. I didn’t cook, received no visitors, had no need for extras. Now, it is different.” Max smiled guiltily. “But better,” he assured her quickly, “definitely better. I honestly enjoy watching movies in the living room and stretching out in comfort on the couch. I like the feel and smell of a home.”

A quiet tap at the window caused Max to look up and Angel’s heart skipped a beat. He went to the window instantly, carefully lifting the edge of the drape to peek out.

“Who is it?” Angel’s fear was thick in her voice.

“No one to worry about. Stay inside. I will take care of it.” Max raced up the stairs and dashed back down wearing his trench coat.

“No, stay inside,” she begged. “No one can come in. You said so.”

“Are you serious? Since when do I hide from threats? You better than anyone  should understand that weakness invites attack.”

Angel felt her face redden in shame. Max reached up to gently touch her face. He regretted his words instantly.

“I did not mean anything. Anyway, I know the visitor. I will be safe.”

Max crossed the dark street and made his way to the street lamp where under the soft pool of light, a tall, imposing male waited.

“Luca, from her description, I knew it was you. I should kill you where you stand or at the least, teach you a painful lesson for what you did.”

“I was trying to get your attention, Maxim. I made a journey fraught with perils; one I would not have made had your uncle not begged me. I did not wish to return to him empty handed. You must admit, my ruse was effective. You’re here.”

“Yes, I am. You better be eloquent as I may still gut you.”

“Glad to see you too, cousin. You look different. As they say here, you clean up well. There must be a reason for the new image.”

“Just got tired of the fleas. How is my uncle?”

“Old and weary. He begs you to return, Maxim. Toma gets more and more daring each day. He riles the people, inciting them to hatred and violence. His own son is creating an unbearable situation for our uncle.”

“Yes, he’s becoming a great thorn in my side too. I recently had a friendly visit from a handful of his assassins.”

“Danut claims they came to deliver a friendly message, and you killed his companions without provocation. He says you used guns in a surprise attack.”

“Well, we both know Danut lies. About the friendly message, that is. They attacked me first. I think that my dear cousin means to inherit the crown.”

“You have placed him in a position where he can. You have no heir, you’re unwilling to take the crown yourself. Even his father’s death will solve nothing for him, as your uncle is only your steward. But your death will solve all.”

“He can keep trying.”

“Yes, but now you have something else he can touch.” Luca’s pale gaze turned to the window where a twitch of curtains betrayed a glint of soft light. “Humans, Max?”

“They have nothing to do with this.” Max’s jaw clenched and fire glinted in his eyes.

“What can you possibly want with a human family? They will become pawns in this struggle between you and your cousin. It can’t end well.”

“They’re temporarily sheltered in my home. Soon, they will be gone. They’re nothing to me or mine.”

“But they are. Toma has taken notice. He will make them part of this, and you will be unable to stop him. “

“Then I will kill him. I would hate to kill family, but he will leave me no choice.”

“Your uncle will never forgive that. It will kill him if you do that.”

“I love Uncle Vadim as I loved my own father, but if Toma comes near my charges, I will kill him. I have overlooked much in my greedy and power-hungry cousin, but there is a line he must not cross. Take my message to him.”

Luca nodded imperceptibly. “Will you not introduce me to your little family?”

“Some other time,” replied Max.

“Please, Max, come back and fix this problem. You do not want Toma to take leadership. Even as steward, he would be little less than a cruel, sadistic dictator. He’s not like his father.”

Max’s gaze fell to the ground, and for a moment, guilt clouded his thoughts. “I will consider your words. Tell my uncle that I will plan a return home, but only a temporary one.  I have not been home in many years. It may well  be a good idea to pay a short visit.”

Luca’s demeanor brightened up. “You should, Max. You owe it to your uncle. You owe it to your people.”

“To my uncle, yes. To the people I owe nothing. Stupid cattle refusing to enter the next century, holding on to ancient, archaic ways, willing to put their and their children’s destinies in the hands of the next worthless monarch. If Toma took over and bled them dry, they’d deserve it.”

  “You’re wrong. Tradition and our ability to stay in the shadows is what keeps us alive. How long would we continue to exist if humanity knew of our existence? How long before Christians, Muslims,  Jews, and every other self-righteous group became united in a common fear and hatred of us demons? How long before they joined forces to exterminate the last  vampires? How long before they used their technology to bring their terrorism to our door? To embrace technology and the modern world will mean becoming visible to them. In that, my friend, Toma is right.”

******

Max fed deeply, viciously,  anger fueling his actions. He did not fool himself that because his prey was a vile drug dealer, Max was any less savage, any less ignoble. Tonight, in his frustration and anger, he’d allowed his emotions to fuel a rare ferocity he seldom indulged before.

It was almost sunrise as he walked through the door and made his way to the small bathroom tucked behind the stairs. He bathed and quietly made his way to the furnace where he burned his shirt and the tell-tale evidence of his actions. Upstairs, he slipped on his pajama bottoms and climbed in bed trying not to disturb Nina and Angel.

“You’re late. Sun’s almost up. I was worried,” Angel whispered, turning on her side to face him.

“You should not have worried. I’m the most deadly monster out there.” He fought the urge to reach out and touch her.

“Who was he? The man you met outside.”

Max turned on his side to face her. “A messenger sent by my uncle. A good guy.” In the twilight, he could make out the line of her silhouette, the shadows of her hair tumbling over her pale breast, and he could feel the warmth radiating from her skin. He could smell the scent of her blood,  not a sharp, hunger-calling tang, but a soft, sweet note like jasmine on a summer night.

“Tell me about your uncle.”

“He rules my people, having done so since my father’s death. He’s a good man, concerned with the well-being and survival of the vampire nation.”

“That seems like a good thing, then.”

“Yes, it is. The problem is that he rules as steward only. I’m the true king, heir to a crown that’s passed from father to first-born son. My uncle has been steward because I have refused to come home and rule. His own son, Toma, burns to be king.”

“Why  would you not want to be king?”

“It’s complicated.”  Max did not feel like talking. At the foot of the bed, Nina turned over, bringing an instant end to the conversation. After a few moments, he pulled himself up on his elbow and looked down on the woman he ached to take for his own. “Everything is getting complicated, and my problems are now spilling over to you. We must resolve your situation once and for all.”

“I need to leave, I know.” Angel’s hand came up to caress his face, and he could not help but lean into the caress. Feeling the warmth of her hand, he took it in his and kissed the inside of her wrist. She inhaled deeply, and he bent to take her lips and breath in one fell swoop.

Angel knew their time together was coming to an end, and she embraced him desperately, pulling him with  eagerness that gave proof of her desire. They kissed with mad abandon, fear of loss and separation fueling the fire of the kisses. When Nina once again moved, they stilled, holding each other, hearts beating as one.

CHAPTER
21

Jonathan Lee Travers was the owner of a small, discreet, and highly successful  law firm that catered to an elite clientele. His firm's specialty was solving problems that required discretion and, in most cases, special methods. His clients figured among the socially and politically powerful.

Some hailed from the layer of old money found in most large cities. Others came from the nouveau riche, that group that is all self-importance with little subtlety or class. He himself came from humble, beggared beginnings, but you'd never know it. He was a self-made man, and class oozed from his pores.

Jonathan cradled his glass of Macallan in his hands as he considered his friend. They were at the lawyer’s high-rise luxury condo. The wall to wall expanse of glass offered a stunning night view of the city skyline. Maxim, sitting across from him, was barely recognizable. The young lawyer had been shocked when out of this stranger's handsomely striking, clean-cut features had come  his old friend's voice.

“I have a job for you. You have been my legal advisor, lawyer, and closest friend for many years. I know that you have deep connections all over the city, especially in the murky layers. I need documents, forged of course, for a woman and her two young children. I need driver’s license, birth certificates, passports, social security numbers. These documents must be of the highest quality and able to bear scrutiny. Expense is no object.”

“Are you planning to bring friends into the country illegally? I’m confused. I know you crave isolation. You limit personal interactions to an extreme degree. For all practical purposes, you’re a true hermit. Hence, the need for my services.”

“No, I’m trying to protect and hide legal residents who are hunted by vicious enemies. A young woman and her children. They have found her once before and almost murdered her. There is no one else to help her. She’s important to me.”

“I see. Is she responsible for the change? Is this new image one brought about by the need to please a special woman? Don't misunderstand me. I think it's a great look for you and way overdue. The homeless look did not do anything for you.”

Maxim shifted about on his seat as if trying to find his comfort. He looked about him sheepishly, embarrassed. “Yes, well, she’s the cleaning type. She started with my house and was not happy until she got to me. It was like being hit by a tsunami. I never saw it coming.” Max had trouble meeting his friend's gaze.

Jonathan shook his head and laughter twinkled in his light-brown eyes. “I thought I'd never see the day. Maxim in love. It suits you.”

“No, no, I assure you, you’re wrong. I feel a certain affection for the young woman and her children, a need to protect. She reminds me of my own mother, years ago. Besides, it suits my sense of nobility. Damsel in distress and all that, you know.”   

“I understand,” said Jonathan still smiling, knowing full well the truth. “It makes a difference knowing the reason and purpose for your request. Obviously, it will have to be new names, ages, totally disconnected from the old identities. Are the children of school age?”

“The little girl is six years old; she can start school where ever they go.”

“Yes,” agreed the lawyer. “Any older and the administrators would request a school history. Anyway, I will need all the relevant information. It will take a few weeks to have it done right.”

“I also need to find them a home where they can settle down, be safe and happy. Someplace where a young woman might make a good life for herself and her children.  I will finance the entire thing. A nice little house in a nice neighborhood with good schools and a low crime rate. Find it for me and buy the house.”

“I know exactly what you want. You may find it hard to believe, but I’ve done the same for others before. I will take care of it.”

“Thank you, Jonathan. I will pay your fees as I always do.”

“Of course, Max. There is no need to speak of that. I’m glad to be of service.”

“How is Armand? I have not seen him in some time.”

“Keeping my home in order. You know, retrieving the thongs females leave under my bed, finding my misplaced keys every morning, telling unwanted callers that I'm not available, and so on. He's getting older, but he’s still strong and healthy. Tonight he's with friends at the theater. He'll be miffed that he missed you.”

“Give him my regards, will you?”

“I will do just that.”

******

When Max returned to the house, Angel was asleep on the couch, the TV on. She had obviously waited for him and fallen asleep doing so. He turned off the TV and came to stand over her, silently gazing at the face he’d come to know  so well. He went down on his knees and softly kissed her awake. Her arms came around his neck, and he allowed himself the pleasure of her liquid mouth.

Instantly, his body came alive, asking for what he should not have. He pulled away from her and stepped away, turning his back to her to hide the proof of his desire. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Of course, Max. Anything you need.”

“I need you to sit down and write down everything you know about your old boss. Name, description, addresses, associates, distinguishing features, friends, businesses, anything you can think of.”

Angel came truly awake, alarm showing in her eyes. “Why? What are you going to do? I don’t want you anywhere near him and his people. He’s both merciless and powerful. If he becomes aware of you, that you killed his men and then sheltered me, he won’t rest until he destroys you.”

“Angel, as long as your old boss lives, you’ll never be safe. He may be powerful within his circles, but I only want him. He’ll never see me coming, and when he does, he won’t be able to stop me. He and his closest lieutenants must be wiped out if you’re to live in safety.”

“How will you get to him? He makes his home in many places.”

“I’ll find a way. Believe me, I will.”

Angel frowned and looked down at the floor, her heavy fall of dark hair wild and tousled around her, worry weighing down heavily on her shoulders. Max came to sit next to her and pulled her close to him.

“Soon, I will send you away. Tonight, I talked to the one human I trust in this world. He knows what I am, has known me since he was a young man, penniless and hungry. I financed his education and his social climb to the top. He’s loyal and devoted to me, to say the least.

“He handles all the legal, business, and personal matters that someone with my limitations can’t handle. His name is Jonathan, and his people have been tasked with carrying out your relocation.  New identities, birth certificates, credit cards, bank account, and safe transport to your new home will be arranged.”

“Can’t you come with us? Please?” Tears came to her eyes, sobs threatening to choke her words. “Please, I beg you. Come with us. I don’t want to be parted from you. Nina loves you like a father, and baby Marco has no other.”

Max’s heart threatened to burst in pain. “I can’t. God knows I want to, but I can’t. You would be trading one peril for another. My enemies may prove even more deadly to you than yours. I need to know that you’re safe and away, so that I can then deal with my people without any vulnerabilities or liabilities.”

Angel nodded her understanding. It was true. She and the children were a liability to him. They had been a liability to Marco, and she well knew where that had led. “As you wish. Today I will sit and write down everything I know. Hopefully, it will help.” She wiped her tears with her hands and stood up. “You must be tired. Let’s go to bed.”

Max took her hand and led her up the stairs, but when they stood at his bedroom door, he stopped.  “No, not tonight,” he  murmured.

Angel looked at him in confusion.  “Not tonight?”

“No. Tonight I want us to sleep alone, just the two of us.” His eyes looked deep  into hers, desire clear in his gaze. Angel’s face warmed, but her eyes gazed at him with a longing she would not deny. When he pulled her to him, she went willingly, and when he swept her up in his arms, her own clasped around his neck and held him tightly. He carried her to the next bedroom and through the door as a groom carries his new bride over the threshold.