Bite Me (6 page)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

     I stepped into the vampire club: Sinister Nights. The bouncer at the door must have recognized me from the other night because he bobbed his bald head and let me by. I strode through the fancy marble lobby, coming out on top a staircase. The place was packed, as the last time. People just could not get enough of vampires. Including me! Despite my situation with Draco, my writer's curiosity drew me back.

     I went down one staircase and up another to the second floor where I walked up to the bar and ordered Scotch. A young man approached me.

     "You're Lucy, right?" he asked.

     I lifted my green eye gaze. It was Weston. I nodded.

     "Where's Donnie?"

     "He had to work tonight."

     "Too bad." He stepped up closer to me. "Are you alone?"

     "She's with me." A voice decreed.

     Weston turned and blanched at the sight of Draco. "Sorry." He mumbled and hurried away.

     I snatched my glass from the bar, glaring at Draco. As I started to walk towards a table, he walked beside me.

    "You couldn't stay away."

    "I'm doing research."

    I slipped my shoulder bag on the back of the chair and then removed my coat. I felt the lustful stares. I was wearing a clingy, black tank top that came just above the dark blue leather mini skirt and my knee high, heavy black boots. A lot of curves were showing.

     I sat down. Draco stood by the table, leering down at me. "You could always get your information from the internet."

     "I prefer up front and personnel."

      "So do I."

     His lascivious smile made my skin crawl. I looked him in the eyes. "Are you the one going around killing those prostitutes?"

     "I don't kill my victims. I just take the blood I need and let them go." He continued to grin. "Except for you."

     "Do you know who's doing it?"

     "I have my hunches."

     "Then, why don't you stop him?"

     "I can't."

     "You won't."

     "You want to run to your cop boyfriend and tell him so you can score points with him? Maybe a better roll under the sheets."

      "Go away. Leave me alone."

      "Never, my light, my Lucy. And besides, you came to my club."

      "I am not your Lucy or light, or anything. I came here to do research and that's it."

      "Then maybe, you'd like to research the underbelly of the vampire world?" he lured.

       I stood, grabbing my coat, "I see, it was a mistake coming here." I quickly put it on and slung the strap of my bag over my shoulder. "Good bye."

       He stood in my path, caressing a curl of hair over my shoulder. "Not good bye, Lucy."

      I pushed him aside and stormed through the crowd. I could hear his laughter over the din as I hurried down the steps, across the floor and up the second flight of steps. At the top, I paused and turned to look up. He was by the rail watching me. I sharply turned and raced out of the club.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

     Aiden and I were seated at a restaurant having a casual dinner. As we talked, I tried blocking out the conversations from all around me that were coming in so loud and clear. And then I discovered a new symptom. As I glanced across the room at a couple chatting about what was on the menu, I was actually able to see the words on the menu as if it were right in front of me. I realized Aiden wasn't talking much anymore. Something was bothering him and I knew what it was.

     "Can't stop thinking about the case?"

     "It's got me and my department stumped. We found a lock of hair at the last scene that the girl pulled out but the lab came back with no DNA. How's that possible?"

     "It could be something supernatural." I suggested.

     He arched his thick brows. "Such as?"

     "Maybe it is a vampire. It would explain why there's no DNA at any of the scenes. They have none."

     "Baby, you know I don't believe in that stuff. There's got to be a logical explanation."

     "You could consider it." I stated.

     He scoffed. "I can see me telling the guys down at the station my girl thinks it's a vampire killing these women."

      "You don't have to tell the guys anything. Just go at the case with an opened mind."

      "I'll see. Now," he reached over and took my hand. He furrowed his brow. "Your hand is cold."

      "I just feel a little chilly." I lied. I felt fine. The cold didn't bother me; so these cold hands were another symptom of my infection.

      He subtly smiled, "Why don't I take you home and warm you up?"

      "That sounds nice. But first, dessert."

      "Baby, I thought I was your dessert?" he feigned indignity.

      "Get over yourself." I wryly returned.

      Aiden good-naturedly laughed and gestured for the waiter.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

     I never was a morning person but now I'd been sleeping till three or four o'clock. I'd only just sat up in bed, there was a knock on the door. Tossing the covers aside, I trudged over and answered it. I was surprised to find Jack on the other side.

     "Jack?"

     "I'm sorry to bother you, but have you heard from or seen Donnie?"

     I frowned but gestured for him to step inside so I could close the door. He stepped in and I closed it. "I haven't heard from him in a few days. I just thought he was busy with Wes…the club."

     "He hasn't been answering his phone or come to work. I'm getting worried about him."

     "Have you gone by his place?"

     Jack nodded. Tears seemed to be brimming in his eyes. "You know, he broke it off with me."

     "I'm sorry. What about his flat? Have you been there?"

     He bobbed his head.

     I went into the living room and snatched the phone off of the lamp table. I pressed the speed dial button and pressed the phone to my ear. "It's going straight to voicemail." I was getting a sinking feeling about my friend. Getting involved with Weston was a big mistake. "Look, I might have an idea where he's at. Let me get back to you."

     He took my hands, "Thank you."

     "Don't worry. I'm sure he's just having fun with friends." I lied.

     I opened the door for him and he departed.

     This was not good. Donnie had gotten himself addicted to the vampire's darker side. I needed to get him out of that club.

*****

     The bouncers and bartender were getting to know me. When I went to the bar, I was automatically given Scotch. I took it to my usual table. Setting it down, I removed my coat and shoulder bag, placing them on the back of the chair. I watched the crowd below, looking for any sign of Donnie or Weston.

     I sensed Draco behind me. How quickly he discovered my presence.

     "You really can't stay away, can you?"

     "Don't flatter yourself. I'm looking for my friend Donnie."

     "The last I saw him, he was with Weston."

     "When was that?"

     He knit his dark brows reflectively. "About two days ago. They were dancing."

     "Where's Weston now?" I demanded.

     He looked around him, "Around here somewhere."

     "Find him and bring him to me."

     A subtle smile touched his lips. "Oh yes, I made the right choice." He softly laughed and walked away.

     I sipped my drink, watching the dancers. I wondered if Donnie was down in the dungeon. Moments later, Weston approached my table. He sat across from me with a sinister smile.

     "I heard you were looking for me."

     "Where's Donnie?"

     "I dumped his body days ago."

     I hissed and lunged across the table at Weston, my hands around his throat. The chair tilt back, knocking over the chair behind it. Luckily no one was seated in it. Weston grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. I snarled and scratched at his pale face. I was suddenly snatched by the waist and swung from Weston, kicking and screaming. I had now drawn a crowd.

    "He killed my friend!" I hollered, trying to break loose from Draco's grip.

    Weston got to his feet, brushing himself off. "He knew what he was getting into when he accepted to go in the dungeon."

     I extended my fingers to claw at him.

     "Get out of here." Draco ordered Weston.

     The younger vampire indignantly sniffed and walked through the gaping crowd that slowly dispersed. They didn't care that my friend was dead; they wanted to see bloodshed.

     I squirmed in Draco's arms. "Let me go!"

     He did so and I rounded on him in a fury; tears burning my eyes. "I hate you! This is your fault! Had you not bit me, I would never have come here and my friend would still be alive. Where's his body? He deserves a decent burial."

     "I'll see to it you get his body. But your friend made the choice to go to the dungeon more than once with Weston. It's what happens with a lot of our vampires. The eroticism, the blood, it sends them into a frenzy."

     "Donnie had no idea he would be killed. He trusted Weston."

     Draco subtly grinned. "You know you should never trust a vampire."

     Shaken, I put on my coat and grabbed my bag. "I'd tell you to go to Hell but you're already there." I hissed and pushed past him.

      "You'll be back." He thought to me.

      I froze. Those words were in my head. I didn't hear them with my ears. I sharply turned to face him. "You're becoming one of us. You can't stay away."

      I could feel the blood drain from my face and a cold chill sluice through my body. I whipped around and continued on my way out.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

     Aiden was on the other side of the door when I answered it. I threw myself into his arms, sobbing.

     "Oh, Baby, I'm so sorry about your friend." He comforted.

     I stepped back and allowed him to close the door. "Thank you."

    "We'll get this guy who killed him." He swore.

    His arm around me, we walked to the sofa and sat down.

    "I can't believe he's gone. It's my fault. I should never had taken him to that vampire club. He told me he got involved with the erotic stuff that went on in that dungeon."

     "You can't blame yourself. He could have said no. He made the choice to go back."

     I leaned my head on his chest, "This is all too surreal for me."

     He kissed my head and caressed my arm. I lifted my head and gazed into his soulful brown eyes. I wanted so desperately for him to comfort me. To make love to me. He sensed it and pressed his lips to mine. We were laying on the sofa, my arms and legs entwined around his sculptured body when someone knocked at the door.

     We both moaned and sat up.

     "I'll get it." Aiden said and climbed to his feet. "Hey man, come on in." Aiden told the visitor. Jack stepped into the flat, his eyes bloodshot from crying. Aiden hugged him, "I'm really sorry about your friend."

     "He was more than a friend." Jack sniffled. He saw me and hurried over to me. I stood and he wrapped his arms around me. "Our Donnie is gone. What are we going to do?"

     "We're going to get the guy who did this to him." Aiden answered.

     "I had a feeling he was involved with something unsavory. In the past few weeks, his personality had changed. He was sharp and abrupt with me and the guys at the club; when he decided to show up."

     I placed a hand on his trembling shoulder. "He made a grave mistake. But like Aiden said, we're going to get this guy." I looked at Aiden. "I know who he is. His name is Weston and he hangs at Sinister Nights."

     Aiden immediately pulled out his cell and made a call to his precinct to arrest Weston. He kissed me. "I've got to go for now. I'll call you when we made the arrest."

     I nodded. Aiden patted Jack on the shoulder. "We’ll get him, man." He then exited the flat.

     I lifted my gaze on Jack, swiping the tears from his cheek. "You know, I would have forgiven him. I do, I mean."

     "I know. Can I get you something to drink? A beer? Tea?"

     "Do you have anything stronger?"

     "Scotch." I'd just purchased a bottle the other day.

     "That's fine."

     We went in the kitchen. Jack sat down and I retrieved the whiskey and two glasses. I poured each of us some and handed a glass to Jack. He lifted it in toast. "To Donnie." With a deep sniffle, he tilt back his head and downed the hard liquor. I did the same.

      I poured us more.

     We spent the night drinking and talking and sobbing about Donnie. Since I knew him longer, I had more memories and some of them actually made us laugh. By the time Aiden called, we were pretty smashed.

     "He wasn't there." Aiden's voice came over the phone.

     "Of course not!"

     Jack stood, coming up behind me on the cell. "What's he saying?" he slurred.

    I turned to him. "Weston wasn't at the club. They didn't arrest him."

    "We have an all-points bulletin out on him. We'll catch him."

    "You better." I retorted.

    "Baby, you okay? You sound like you've been drinking more than beer or tea."

    "I'm drunk and I don't care. Jack and I have been celebrating Donnie's life."

    "Well then, I'll see you tomorrow. That is, if you can stand up." He smirked.

    "I'll be fine." I boasted and hung up before saying good-bye.

    I turned to Jack, now seated on the armchair, sobbing into his hands. "My poor Donnie's death will go un-vindicated."

    "We'll get him." I swore. "If I have to track him down and kill him myself."

    "Me too." He whimpered.

    I went in the kitchen and poured us two more glasses of Scotch. I brought it into the living room and handed Jack a glass. I plopped on the sofa. We toasted Donnie again and drank until the two of us passed out.