Hawk (11 page)

“Everyone ready?” Kaleb asked as he walked up beside Grayson. “This should be an easy in and out for the Knights. Especially since this is so last minute. No time for the word to get out. Meet Red and his boys at the county line at twelve thirty, ride with them to Florence. Once the exchange has been made, escort them back to the county line. Xander, you and Blondy follow them to the state line. Any sign of trouble, get the fuck out of there. The Sons aren’t going to take the heat for a puppet club. Questions?”

“What should we tell Red if he wants to know why you and Gypsy aren’t there?” Anton asked.

“You tell him, Blondy, that it couldn’t be helped. If he wants Gypsy and I there next time, give us more than a couple of hours heads-up.” Kaleb glanced at the clock on the wall. The black hands read ten fifty. “VP and I are heading for Florence. You guys can hang out here until time to meet the Knights. Make sure you aren’t late. Xander is in charge of this run. Don’t give him reason to have to report back to me. See you don’t fuck this up.”

Kaleb grabbed his chaps off the back of the sofa and stepped into them, buckling them at the waist, before shrugging into his cut. He sat on the edge of the chair and slipped on his boots before standing and heading for the rack of keys by the door. Snatching his set of keys, he headed for the door, knowing Grayson followed. Once outside, he stepped over his chopper’s seat, stuck the key in the ignition and turned it. The ’79 Harley Davidson Ironhead chopper roared to life. He placed his skull cap on his head and buckled it beneath his chin. After kicking up the center stand, he looked back at Grayson. The VP gave a nod and the two pulled out of the gravel parking lot and onto the open road.

Pulling back on the gas, Kaleb opened it up and took off down the road, the wind whipping his cut behind him and beating against his leather chaps. Now that he had business behind him, hunger gnawed at his gut, and not just for communion. No, only one smart-mouthed brunette would do. If she wasn’t at the Blood ‘n’ Rave tonight, he’d beat down every donor’s door until someone gave her up. And after tonight, he’d make damn sure he knew where she lived. Keeping an eye on her and this fiancé had suddenly become a priority. If he wasn’t sleeping with Suzi Stevens, he’d make damn sure that this piece of shit wasn’t either.

Chapter 11

Kaleb and Grayson parked their Harleys near the entrance to the Rave. Thursday being ladies’ night, the parking lot was filled to overflowing. He was sure Murphy’s Bar used some of the space. But by the noise spilling into the parking lot, he’d bet a big share of the vehicles belonged to those at the Blood ‘n’ Rave. Normally, the Sons were all regulars on ladies’ night, with the exception of his brother, who had become a bit antisocial the last decade. Kane would show up every few days, find his donor, and head off to Draven’s office for a private meet and eat, rarely sticking around to hang with his brothers. After Ion had been murdered, Kane changed, no longer much of a partier, preferring his life more low key.

Not Kaleb.

There weren’t enough women in the world to satisfy him, the Rave never had a shortage. He’d take his pick of the ladies, find a back table, dark corner, bathroom, hallway—anywhere convenient—and fuck them like there was no tomorrow. Later, he’d hypnotize the non-donors into forgetting the change in his features, but not the sex. Kaleb was far too vain to allow them to forget the down and dirty. And he definitely liked the dirtier side of sex, dirty talk, dirty
fucking—no prim and proper missionary style for him. So why the hell did one little brunette have him by the balls and swearing off all others now that she had walked back into his life?

To hell with that!

Once he found Suzi and took his communion, he’d hunt up another lady or two—and get busy. He’d do Grayson proud if he for once decided to take on two. Kaleb had always been a one-at-a-time kind of man, where the VP often had two ladies on his arms at any given moment. No one liked the ladies more than Grayson. And he never seemed to have a shortage of them with his longish deep-brown hair, pulled back from his face with a pair of shades. He’d no doubt look just as at home on a surfboard as a Harley. Kaleb smiled. It wouldn’t surprise him a bit to see Grayson on the beach, heading for the surf with a board tucked under his arm. He had that laid back-vibe going on that a lot of surfers did. Stepping over his bike, Kaleb hung his skull cap on the handle and looked at his VP.

Grayson pushed his sunglasses up on his mussed hair and grinned as big as the night. He rubbed his hands together. “You ready, P? Let’s go find us some action,” he said, grabbing his crotch.

“Communion first for me, Gypsy. Can’t have my little donor getting cold feet and disappearing on me.” Kaleb laughed. “But save me a lady or two, will you?”

“Then don’t take all fucking night with a little bitch who doesn’t deserve your time.”

Kaleb grinned, slapped Grayson on the shoulder, then headed for the front of the club where a doorman nodded in greeting, opened the door and indicated for them to go ahead of those still standing in line waiting entrance. The line curled around the building. Packed house. He sure as hell hoped Suzi made it past that line. Normally the doormen were trained to let the donors in before all other women, regardless of the length of the line. But the bald giant at the door seemed new as Kaleb hadn’t recognized him on sight. If his donor hadn’t made it inside, he’d make sure the man never worked another day at the Rave. Kaleb wasn’t in the mood to be denied. That included his donor. After tonight, he planned to know the name of the man who thought to marry her and where the hell she laid her head. He had a vested interest in keeping an eye on her. If need be, he’d keep a prospect on her at all times, reminding him it was time to bring on new prospects now that they’d lost Steven.

The DJ spun records at near deafening levels, but with his acute hearing, Kaleb could still easily pick up the din of conversations. Gravers and ravers filled the dance floor, gravers being those with more of a Goth type appearance. Glow sticks swung about the floor as dancers waved them overhead and they hopped and swayed damn near chest to chest and chest to back. A good share of the them were probably already high on X and would be easy pickings once Suzi finished her obligation and fled into the night. Suzi had done her damnedest to convince Kaleb that she hated him, when in truth she wouldn’t have sought him out once she had heard he’d almost been beheaded if she didn’t care for him at least a little.

But what the hell did he care whether she did or not? Kaleb wasn’t about to forget that she once belonged to his nephew, or what a cold-hearted bitch she had been when he had been murdered. When the rest of the family mourned the loss, she couldn’t bother herself to approach Kane and give her condolences. She had simply stared coldly at Kaleb, after he had delivered the news, and turned and walked away. Not even a sorry for your loss had left her lips that had once kissed Ion in passion.

Kaleb planned to make her life a living hell for that alone.

He believed that karma came back to bite you in the ass, and Suzi was about to get bitten. Skirting the dance floor, Kaleb hung to the edge and out of the way of the tables surrounding it, filled with those trying to converse as they shouted at one another to be heard over the beat of the music. His gaze took in several hopeful donors, but he continued past them and headed for the main bar, hoping to find Suzi there. Grayson had long since left his side, already trolling the room for tail. With his dark good looks, Kaleb bet he’d have a woman on each arm before he even located Suzi.

A large man wearing a white sweater, stepped back from the bar and bumped into Kaleb. He glanced up at the easily six-foot-eight man who seemed to tower over him and outweigh Kaleb by several pounds. His brown hair cut short around his ears and he looked to be a little old for this crowd, making Kaleb wonder exactly why this man patronized the Rave when he seemed more suited for Murphy’s Tavern next door.

“I’m sorry,” the man quickly apologized. “I can be incredibly clumsy at times.”

“No worries,” Kaleb grumbled, skirting past the big guy’s arm, holding a vodka and tonic. The scent of the vodka and lime gave way to what the glass held. At least the big ox had kept a firm hold on the glass and Kaleb wasn’t now reeking of vodka.

Just as Kaleb cleared his way around the man, the short brunette on the barstool caught his attention. Suzi smiled up at him, one brow raised, making Kaleb immediately suspect her intentions. No way was she that happy to see him. His nostrils flared as he breathed in her unique scent. Blind, he still would have easily recognized her. His groin tightened, making him none-to-happy at his reaction to her. He’d prefer his body would cooperate with the hatred running through his brain. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have gotten himself in this situation in the first place.

“Hawk,” she greeted, her smile widening. “There is someone here I’d like you to meet. My fiancé who just nearly tripped over you. Lyle, meet an old friend of mine, Kaleb Tepes.”

Lyle held out the beefy hand not holding his drink and smiled. Kaleb bet that hand would be great at knocking out most guys with a single punch. Fortunately, he wasn’t most guys.

Kaleb ignored the outstretched hand. He tilted his head up and leveled the guy with his black gaze. “So you’re Suzi’s fiancé. Since when?”

Lyle cleared his throat. “Excuse me?” He shoved his ignored hand back in his pocket, not looking the least bit affronted by Kaleb’s brush-off.

“How long have you and”—his hand indicated Suzi—“Miss Stevens known each other?”

“It’s been—”

“A few months,” Suzi quickly finished for him, capturing Kaleb’s gaze.

“Really?” Her rescuing Lyle from having to answer the question didn’t go unnoticed by Kaleb. “Six months ago when I kissed you, you and Lyle weren’t yet an item?”

“Nope,” she said with a big smile. “I didn’t meet Lyle until after I left Pleasant.”

Kaleb looked back up at Lyle. “You certainly work fast. I don’t know if congratulations are in order, though. Do you also know she’s a cold-hearted bitch?”

Lyle’s face reddened as his large chest puffed out. “Now wait one damn minute.”

Suzi quickly laid a hand on Lyle’s forearm, wisely silencing the man but further pissing off Kaleb, saving the big guy a serious ass-beating, which at the moment Kaleb wouldn’t mind handing out.

Lyle stood easily a foot and a half taller than Suzi. Hell, at six-foot-two Kaleb towered over her five-foot-two frame. They must look completely ridiculous walking down the street holding hands. Talk about a mismatched couple. But why that rankled his ire, he wasn’t about to examine. No, that would give purchase to the green-eyed monster trying to take up residence in his gut.

“Must be awfully easy to get blow jobs.”

Suzi jumped from her barstool, coming between both men, probably hoping to diffuse a likely all-out war. Kaleb almost laughed at the thought. Hell, he’d welcome a good fight right about now. Unfortunately, Lyle wouldn’t be it. Where was the fun in whipping someone’s ass who didn’t stand a chance in the fight in the first place?

Suzi poked her pointy index finger against his sternum. “You’re out of line, Hawk.”

He raised one of his brows. “You brought the fiancé to the soiree,
piccolo diavolo
. This is on your shoulders.”

“What did he just call you?” Lyle’s deep voice rumbled up from his gut, which probably cowered most men. “I’ve had about enough of your foul remarks and attitude, buddy.”

Kaleb ignored Suzi and instead focused on the man behind her. Funny, she thought to shield him from Kaleb. It was like bringing a Chihuahua to a dog fight. “And what exactly do you plan to do about it?”

“I’ll take your ass out—”

“Hawk,” came from behind the bar. Draven stood, back ramrod straight, glaring at him. “The last time you came to blows in my bar it cost a fortune.”

Not even glancing at the barkeep, he said, “And the Sons paid for it.”

“It took a month to repair the damages. Damn it, take it outside!”

Suzi shoved at Kaleb’s unmoving chest. He barely felt her nudge. “No one here is throwing a punch, Draven. Got that, Hawk?”

He ground his teeth. The ache in his gums spoke of his lengthening fangs. If he didn’t control his anger, her fiancé would witness something he had no intention of trying to explain. Kaleb took a deep breath and tamped down his rising ire.

“Let’s get this over with,
piccolo diavolo
.” His heated gaze landed on her. “Then you and Romeo here can be on your way. I don’t give a fuck what you do, or with whom you do it, once we’re finished.”

Kaleb turned, passed the bar, and swung the curtained covering over the doorway to the side, then took the stairs two at a time. Once in Draven’s office, he walked over the cut glass whiskey decanter and poured himself two fingers, then took the crystal rock glass to his lips and downed the amber liquid in one swallow. Jesus, his emotions had gotten out of control. He normally prided himself at having unbreakable composure when it came to humans. He ought to send her packing, forget about his ridiculous request, and find one of the willing donors downstairs. But instead, bullheaded as ever, he’d rather piss her off instead.

Suzi walked into the room as if on cue and slammed the door so hard that the picture frames bounced off the adjoining wall. Guess he accomplished what he had set out to do with his little tirade downstairs. Good enough for her ass. She should’ve known how he’d react if she brought her fiancé to the bar when she was supposed to be here to feed him. The big ox fit in with this crowd about as well as a cop at a biker rally.

“What the hell was that about, Hawk? Explain yourself.”

“Fuck you,” he said, his voice rising as his teeth elongated.

Suzi took a step back in reaction to his features becoming more prominent, his heated gaze becoming black as coals. He allowed himself to fully turn. To Suzi’s credit, she didn’t run from the vampire now standing before her, nor did it soften her mood. Only she wouldn’t be threatened by his animalistic side.

“Could you have been more rude?”

“Could you have been more stupid? You knew I would be here to feed.”

“Yes, and I am here fulfilling that duty.”

“So why the hell bring lover boy?”

Suzi rolled her eyes. “It’s what engaged couples do. We spend time together.”

“Does he know about me?” Kaleb poured himself another couple of fingers and downed it as quickly as the first, trying to stave off his gnawing gut. “Why you’re up here?”

Her mouth gaped. Kaleb knew she would tell no one of their existence. It was the number one rule of the donor society. To do so could mean her death.

“Of course not.”

“Then what do you think you’ll tell him we’re doing up here,
piccolo diavolo
? Fucking?”

She sucked in breath. “Absolutely not.”

Kaleb slowly approached her, gripping her wrist and pulling her flush against him. She couldn’t mistake his erection, hot and heavy against her abdomen. “Are you so sure about that?”

Before she could utter a protest, he gripped her short bob and tilted her head to the side, sinking his fangs into her carotid artery. The sweet tang of her blood flowed over his tongue as her slight gasp filled the room. She shuddered within his embrace. He could smell the scent of her desire. Hell, he caught the scent long before she followed him up the stairs. Suzi could deny her desire for him all she wanted, but Kaleb knew better. She was just as hot for him as he was her. He may not like her much, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to bury himself to the hilt. His balls tightened at the thought of it. It was no secret he wanted her in a bad way.