Exclusive (19 page)

LISA RENE E JONES

hair. Petting her like one would an animal, which is how Alex viewed his servants. Drago could feel Jolene's desire to push them away. He couldn't close the distance between them fast enough. One second. Two. It felt like forever before he was there, standing in front of her. For an instant, their eyes locked and he saw her register both shock and relief. Though he knew deep down she didn't trust him, she felt safer with him than alone.
“She's mine,” he told the two servants, his gaze moving from one to the other, making his intent clear. He was claiming Jolene. “What?” said the servant he knew as Catherine. “Yours? You've never shown interest in the . . . guests.”
She meant humans. Drago had managed to convince Alex he preferred only vampires. Catherine had always been one of his first choices when it came to appeasing his sexual hunger. With long blonde hair and voluptuous breasts, she sported a willingness to do anything and everything many times over. But now, with Jolene beside her, Catherine did nothing for Drago. Jolene had a quality that touched him well beyond the sensual. It made him protective and, yes, possessive.
Drago reached forward and gently grasped Jolene's wrist, pulling her tight against his body. His palm slid down her waist and across her ass, molding her against him. She settled her hands on his chest, and their eyes locked. He gave her a warning look, telling her without words to do as he bade her. For a moment she remained stiff, and then slowly, she melted.
Cupping her backside, Drago fit her hips against his raging hardon. The scent of her, of roses, all womanly and sweet, invaded his senses. He laced his fingers through soft, silky hair and angled her mouth to his. With nothing for motivation but pure lust, he claimed her lips, sliding his tongue past her teeth and tasting her, long and deep. When he raised his head, he found jealousy in Catherine's dark eyes. “Alex wants this one,” she said. “You can't have her.” Drago narrowed his gaze on Catherine and then smiled. “We'll see about that. Let's go visit Alex.”
Catherine stared at him and then made a frustrated sound before starting to walk away, clearly expecting him to follow. The other woman laughed and fell into step with Catherine. Drago pressed his mouth close to Jolene's ear. “You're a fool for coming here. Do everything I say without question.” He leaned back to look into her face to ensure she understood. “And if I don't?” she whispered, but there was no defiance in her voice. She was scared. He saw it in her eyes.
“Then you won't survive the night.” His harsh whisper declared the hard reality of her situation. He didn't wait for her response. He grabbed her hand and started walking. Jolene was his, if only for this night.
His lust would be her salvation.

FOUR

Alex 's private room was like a vault well guarded on
the outside and packed with luxuries on the inside. Double oak doors opened to allow entry with discreet, well-armed guards on either side. Both guards reported to Drago and he knew them well. Knew their complete and total loyalty to Alex. Of course, they saw Drago as sharing their philosophies and beliefs—that he, too, believed they had a right to claim human women as their own. A philosophy he planned to ram down their throats in the not-so-distant future.
Both guards gave Drago a respectful nod. He returned their gesture, grinding his teeth together as he thought of the charade he played, detesting it more with each passing day. Beneath well tailored suit jackets, each of the men wore a shoulder holster, a Colt semiautomatic tucked inside. Only one of several weapons they carried in preparation for human intruders. Vampires were another story. Bullets only slowed them down, but not for long.
Just as sunlight had no effect on vampires, killing them wasn't as mythology told, either. Despite decades of the two races living together, most humans still believed as much. Sure, a stake in the heart would hurt, but it wouldn't bring death. No. To kill a vampire, its heart had to be shredded to bits. That or the vampire had to be decapitated. Both methods were nasty tasks few humans had the stomach for.
Thus, the reason why Alex feared nothing from humans. Though Alex had well-trained guards on staff, none of them were a match for Drago or any of his brothers in combat. Drago tracked the two female servants as they entered Alex's chambers. Catherine, who was actually half vampire, held her head high, defiance crackling in the air around her. He chose her to sate his desires because unlike the human servants, she operated of her own free will, her morals ranking at about the same low level as Alex's. And right now, she was putting her nasty side to work, clearly on a mission. The mission of a jealous female who wanted revenge. A complication he didn't need right now. With Jolene tucked beneath his arm, pulled tight against his side, Drago felt the rise of protectiveness. Of all the innocents he'd encountered, none had made him feel this way. He knew war, and this battle with Alex was that and more. There had to be casualties. The human women in the clubs, farmed for slavery, were sacrifices that he hoped he could recover later. The last step toward taking down Alex was getting inside his slavery camps. Drago knew where two of the camps were but he needed the third before they moved forward for the take-down. Though he had allowed humans to be taken to those slave camps, vowing to save them later, he wouldn't sacrifice Jolene that way. She wasn't going to one of those camps. He told himself it was because she was Riker's daughter, but deep down he knew it was far more personal.
Holding her close, he could feel the tension in her body. She
might have come here willing to do whatever was necessary, but saying and doing were different things. She was ready to bolt at any moment;
he could sense it. But it was too late for that now. Once she'd
walked inside the club, once she'd entered Purple Magic, she'd set herself up to face Alex.
He reached for her mind, attempting to communicate with her, attempting to get her to drop her shields and let him talk to her. When she didn't immediately budge, Drago knew he could push past her guard, but didn't dare. It would take concentration he needed to extend other places. Especially considering they'd now entered Alex's private chambers, the guards shutting the doors behind them, the sound of heavy locks bolting them shut sounding in the air. Directly in front of them, a pair of black velvet couches framed the doorway. Alex sat in the center of one of them, a naked woman straddled him, her breasts in his hands. He suckled her nipples and she moaned. Catherine and the other female moved to stand behind the couch, each silently waiting until Alex acknowledged their presence. Even in her pursuit of vengeance, Catherine knew to keep silent until spoken to. Alex liked control. Complete, utter control. In the corners of the massive room were black satin drapes, each covering what Alex called “pleasure zones.” It's where he tested his pupils for the different rooms they might enter; each woman had to satisfy his desires in order to graduate to the next level of the process, the ultimate reward being to achieve “Purple Magic.” Once she was there, the pupil thought she'd find some hidden reward. What she found was herself shipped off to one of the slave camps. By that time, Alex had mixed their blood with his enough times to own their minds. The process wouldn't convert a human into a vampire, but it damn sure promoted servitude.
The woman straddling Alex cried out as he pinched both nipples at once. A soft gasp escaped Jolene's lips and she tried to move away from Drago. He tightened his grip on her, and fixed her with a warning look. She wasn't deterred, tugging at his hold on her hand, her struggle beginning to become a scene. He'd hoped she would simply play the role of willing submissive who wanted her friend back.
Since that wasn't the case, Drago had no option but to act, to treat Jolene as a captive. Alex knew she was Carrie's friend. The chance that the bartender had told Alex she'd seen him was even a possibility. He'd simply let her resistance become a show, lb keep her alive, he would have to be her captor, determined to make her submissive.
If he didn't get her under his thumb, Alex would.
Drago yanked Jolene hard against his body. “Be still,” he ordered in a low voice, his mouth close to hers. “Believe me. It's for your own good.”
Alex shoved the woman from his lap, his attention now on Drago and Jolene. “Ah, yes. The lovely Jolene.” He ran a hand over his short, well-groomed hair. “I knew she'd come for Carrie.” His gaze stroked her skimpy attire. “And I knew she'd come ready to please.” “I just want Carrie back,” Jolene whispered, and then to her credit, she took a direct approach that hinted she might submit rather than fight the physical play that had already been set in motion. “What do I have to do to make that happen?”
Alex's lips thinned slightly and then turned up at the corners, amusement in his eyes as he addressed Jolene. “If you prove you're worthy of Carrie, you will see her again. Your friend has worked hard to get where she is now. You will have to do the same.” Dressed in a shirt of the finest silk, a suit tailored to fit to perfection, Alex looked like the head of a major corporation, a man who belonged in a boardroom. His nails were manicured. His face, sleek and well shaven. His image was a facade, an image designed to lure human women into his web of desire. “I want to see her,” Jolene said, in a low, terse voice. “Show me Carrie and I will do whatever is required of me to take her home.” “She is safe and well sated,” he assured her, his tone dry. “Just as you can be.” His gaze slid to Drago. “She's special, this one. A Slayer's daughter.” “Riker's daughter,” Drago replied, and quickly began the important task of staking his claim. With a rough tug, he flattened Jolene's soft curves against his hard muscle. “As in the Slayer who turned me in to the council. The man owes me.” Alex would expect Drago to seek revenge, so he let the impact of his words hang in the air before adding, “I want her.”
Drago wasted no time showing how serious he was about his claim on Jolene. His hand slid upward, along her waist, until he cupped her breast, her nipple tightening against his palm.
She sucked in a breath, but to her credit didn't pull away. “Drago,” she whispered, his name on her lips a mixture of protest and pleasure. “Carnal satisfaction is the path to your friend,” Drago murmured to Jolene, holding her tight, possessiveness thickening inside him with Alex's presence, with the thought of anyone else touching her. “My carnal satisfaction.”
“How do even know she's alive?” she demanded. “I guess you'll have to trust me,” Drago commented, hoping she read between the lines and truly gave him her trust. Alex interjected then. “You must pass our tests, Jolene. When you do, you will enter the Purple Room, which is where you will find Carrie.” Her mouth opened and shut, her head tilting to study Drago before turning her attention on Alex. “And I can take her home?” “What makes you so sure you'll want to leave?” Jolene inhaled a sharp breath. “If I make it to the Purple Room, can I take her home?”
Alex smiled. Evil. “If you can convince her to leave.”
Catherine's hands stroked Alex's shoulders. He cut her a look.
“What is it you want?” His tone was sharp.
Drago took that moment to press his cheek to Jolene's, his lips to her ear, choosing his words carefully, knowing that Alex would use his exceptional hearing to take in what he said to Jolene. “Surrender to me and you will not be sorry.”
Catherine's voice filled the air. “You promised I could help you claim the Slayer's daughter,” she purred, rounding the couch and joining Alex on the cushions, her body pressed tight against his side, her breasts hugging his arm.
Alex stared down at Catherine body, but he didn't touch. And Drago knew it was because she wanted him to. Alex did nothing on anyone else's terms. He'd touch only when he wished it. Not a moment sooner. “Drago asks for little,” Alex told her. “If he wants this woman, he shall have her. Besides,” he added, turning his attention to Jolene. “I'm quite looking forward to the show.”
“Please, Alex,” Catherine said, brushing her lips across his cheek.
“You promised.”
Catherine, like all the vampire women at Purple Magic, enjoyed dominating her own kind. But that wasn't what this was about. Catherine wanted Drago. What she didn't seem to understand was that Alex knew this as well.
Alex gently stroked Catherine's cheek, studying her as he did. Then, abruptly, he moved his hand and grabbed a huge handful of her hair. He pulled her mouth to his. Jolene wilted against Drago, and he fought the urge to comfort her.
“Jealousy does not become you, little one,” Alex said to Catherine, his lips lingering above hers. “Control it or I will. In fact, I expect you to watch Drago fuck her because fuck her he will. And you know what else?” he demanded, not expecting an answer from his whimpering captive. “He'll enjoy every last minute of it.” He pressed his mouth to hers in a hard, punishment of a kiss before shoving her away. Pushing to his feet, he smoothed his shirt, seemingly irritated to find a wrinkle on his upper shoulder. Then, attention back on Jolene, he smiled. The sharp angles of his square jaw and straight nose seemed to enhance the predatory gleam in his eyes.
Alex walked toward them, stopping only a few steps from Jolene,
ravishing her with his stare. Drago squeezed her waist in warning. If she angered Alex, they could end up with trouble better avoided. Any sign of aggression toward Alex could escalate into danger. Fighting Alex was lethal. That was a job for Drago . . . when the time was right. And now
was not
that time.
Jolene watched Alex approach and fought the urge
to run. It was true, she'd come here telling herself she could fuck that man to get to Carrie. She knew now, she didn't want to. Wasn't sure she could. And the only thing standing between her and Alex was Drago. The closer Alex came, the more she melted into Drago, trying not to be too obvious. She trusted Drago, she realized. She didn't know why, but she did. Perhaps because he was a Slayer. The more she thought about his duty, the more certain she became that he hadn't turned against his own kind. Her mother and father had been clear about how deep the Slayer's blood ran, how deep their commitment to the council. No. Drago wasn't dirty. Drago was a Slayer undercover, trying to take down Alex. She felt it in her gut. If she had to pay the price of pleasing, she wanted it to be with Drago. She'd wanted him, before this club and this night. And right now, she wanted him to take her someplace private, away from Alex. Alex had now stopped in front of her, his eyes all but raping her with their blatant inspection. “She has a hot body,” Alex commented to Drago. “Beautiful breasts. Nice, ripe hips. Carrie tried to talk her into coming in before now.” Alex fixed Jolene in a challenging stare. “Your friend assured me I would enjoy you.”
Anger burned inside of Jolene, dark and furious, out of control, darkness borne of weeks of worry, weeks of guilt. Tears pinched the back of her eyes. Gone were rational thoughts. Emotion prevailed. “Liar,” she yelled at him. “Carrie would never say such a thing.” Drago tightened his grip around her waist, and she sensed his uneasiness, but she didn't care. “Where is she? Where is Carrie?!”
Alex tilted his head back and laughed. “She's a spitfire. I can't wait to see you take this one down a notch.” His face went serious. “I have a good mind to do it for you.” He eyed Drago. “I'll let you have her, but I get to set the stage.”
He snapped his fingers, and before she could blink, two men dressed in nothing but loincloths appeared. My God, was she in some sort of bad dream? Who wore freaking loincloths? The next thing she knew, they grabbed her. “No,” she shouted, wanting to call for Drago. But instinct made her refrain, fearful that Alex would take him from her if he knew she found him a comfort. But the men were pulling her forward, toward a doorway in the corner. She wanted to call for Drago. He wasn't supposed to let this happen. Slayers saved innocents.
“No!” she shouted at the men, kicking and fighting. “Let me go. Let go.” She eyed one of the men, frantic now, wild with desperation to get her feet planted solidly back on the ground and next to the Slayer. “Where are you taking me? Where?”
But there was no control to be found. In fact, she lost more of it as someone threw something over her head. Darkness enveloped her. Her chest tightened as she tried to reach for her face, but her arms were held by the men. The next thing she knew, she was lifted in the air and then thrown over someone's shoulder.
Jolene forgot the bag over her face and the fact that she could barely catch her breath. She reached for something to hold on to, anything that might stop the movement forward. Her fingers grazed walls on either side of her. Close walls. She was in some sort of tunnel.
Oh God.
Who knew where it led? Her stomach tightened into knots
and blood rushed to her head. She stopped fighting, somehow managing logical thought. Conserving her energy for a time when a struggle
might offer results seemed her best option. But she wasn't sure there
was any hope for her now.
I'm going to die. This must be what happened to Carrie.
But before the thought could take root, Jolene was on her feet, and her hands were stretched far to her sides. Cold metal closed around her wrists, and then the bag was ripped from her head. She blinked into a dimly lit room. Red silk draped a massive bed and lined windows that led nowhere.