Bloody Broken (A Bloody Series Book #2) (2 page)

    “You smell like a French whore.” Ethan managed to balance the weight of the curtain rod on to the fancy wrought iron hooks and jumped down.

    “At least I still
can
smell like a French whore. You smell like the antiseptic they use to clean the Lab. Anyway, I’m not here to have a pissing contest. Dominic has news from Orleans.” He caught Ethan's glare over the comment about his Alexs’ scent, and decided to move on. “He has Intel from Boston that there is another terrorist cell forming from the remnants of the Columbus group. They have Vamp members now. He asked us to get a few guys together and meet up with his gang.”

    “Good. Count me in.” He sat down on the couch and started to open his cell.

    “Hold on there, mate. You’re not
allowed
to go.” He grinned slowly as Ethan paused and looked up.

    “Why is that?”

    “Your wife said so. Princesses orders.” Adam grinned even wider.

   “Is that so? Then why are you here gloating about the mission I’m not to be involved in?”

   “So I can gloat, of course.” He chuckled at Ethans growl. He flipped open his cell again and speed dialed one.

    “Darling. Yes, he’s here right now. Yes, he told me. I understand. No, I’m not mad. I just wanted to let you know that I have a surprise for you when you get back home,” a pause as Alex asked if it was something sexual in nature, “No, but that can also be arranged. I love you too, dear. See you when you’re done.” He closed the phone and avoided Adams stare.

    “You’re pathetic,” Adam said.

    “I hope one day you meet a creature out there that gives you reason to breathe. Then you’ll know why I do the things I do. Anyway, Boston is a shit hole. Have fun working while I’m getting laid by a Princess,” he taunted.

    “Like I’ve never done that before.” Adam got up and left Ethan's apartment. He made his way to Dominic Harcourts office. His second in command was sitting behind his desk with his feet up, talking to Beta Orleans. The Were had a distinct voice. It was authoritarian, demanding submission from all who heard it. Good thing Adam didn’t give a shit about dealing with the man or they would be having a pissing contest too, instead of working together. Dominic was the son of a Dominican mother and a French father. He was capable of at least sounding submissive to the Beta, even if it was a farce. No Vamp bowed to a Were. Ever. 

   “Of course. Yes. This evening at the latest.  I’ll have the names for you as soon as I have them. Alright.” He hung up. “Prick. I hate answering to that mutt. He wants your group ready by tomorrow night, and the names of everyone coming. Is Ethan on board?”

    “No, he’s going to be detained this trip.” Adam gave him a significant look.

    “Alex?” He guessed.

    “Who else? I figure it’s just you, me, Claude and the new kid. Who is he?” There was someone Dominic had told him about but he couldn’t have been bothered to pay attention at the time.

    “She. It’s Joneses Daughter. Remember? He said he wanted someone he trusted involved in Investigations from now on.”

    "Christ. I wasn't even aware he had spawned another cretin. Where has he been hiding her? Antarctica?" He was honestly surprised he had never heard of her.

    "I'm not sure. I do remember hearing about her at one point, years ago, but no one I've spoken to has met her. If her Father is anything to go on, she'll be ignorant and cocky and not at all fun to get along with." He smiled in a sarcastic way.

    “Also, she’s going to be completely untrained and we won’t be able to trust her. Great. Just what I need. Who cleared that order anyway?”

    “You did. Forty minutes ago, when I asked you. Can’t you get your head out of your ass long enough to listen when I talk?” He rolled his eyes. Dominic just didn’t understand the art of seduction. It took concentration, full concentration. After four hundred years, you would think a man would understand another’s certain needs.

    “I’m sorry my extracurricular activities interrupted your planning this mission, Dom. A man has needs you know.” He sat down at the edge of Dominic's desk.

    “You’re not a man, you’re a rutting bull. They’re hardly extracurricular if you’re doing them on the clock, are they? ” He shoved Adam off the desk with his foot. “Now get the hell out of my office. I have plans to put together so you can come in here tomorrow and act like you’re in charge.”

    “I am in charge. Just because I trust you to work out small details, doesn’t mean I don’t do my job.”

    “Yeah, whatever helps you sleep during the day.” He waved him along.

    “The nerve of kids today.” Adam walked out of Dominic's office. In his day, a person knew their station. Vampire hierarchy was still basically structured the way it had been for centuries, but in recent years something had changed. It might be that the world had changed. Social barriers were crumbling. Since King Niles had passed and King John had taken the throne, the Vampire world had lost some of its rigid structure. Adam didn’t really mind so much. He was a laid back sort of fellow, never one to shun a person simply for their social standing, but there was something to be said from having power and having others recognize it. It seemed he was missing the good old days. Must be getting soft in his old age. He reminisced about home, his real home back in England, on his way back to his eighteenth floor apartment. After this mission was over, he was going to ask the King for some time off. His restlessness seemed to be stemming from missing home. He yearned for gray London skies. Maybe Stellan would like to join him. He pulled his cell from his pocket and quickly texted his brother, asking if he would enjoy a little R and R with him. Once he was in his apartment, he removed his shoes, took off his suit jacket and settled down in front of the TV. Of course there was nothing on. He stood and walked to his DVD collection. Modern conveniences had their advantages. He loved movies, his mood tending toward Horror as of late. Scanning, he landed on An American Werewolf in Paris. Might get him in the mood to chase some wolf tail tomorrow night.  He put the disk in the tray and sat back down. His mood somewhat more relaxed, he drifted off sometime after Julie Deply graciously showed her rack.

    When he awoke the next evening, his phone was ringing.

    “Yes, my lovely?” He answered. It was Loren Velez, a scanner Adam had recently run into and was wooing yesterday when Dom had tried to interrupt.

    “Adam. Were you sleeping? I can call back.” She was a sweet girl.

    “No, it’s perfectly alright. I should have been up an hour ago. What did you need dear? To hear the sound of my voice?” He smiled to himself as he walked into his bedroom, noting the still rumpled sheets, and opened his closet door.

    “Well, yes, you have a lovely voice, but I wanted to know if I left my shoes at your apartment last night. I can’t find them anywhere.” Shoes, shoes… He glanced around the floor.

    “I’m not seeing them. What did they look like?” He crotched down and lifted the bed covers to see under the mattress. Nope, no shoes.

    “They were red with little straps around the ankle. You complemented them when we were in the Scanner room, remember?” Of course he complemented them. It was Woman Seduction 101.

    “Oh, yes. I remember now. Well, never fear, Dove. If I don’t find them I will buy you a new pair. I’ll get back to you.” He hung up on her attempt to explain that it wasn’t necessary. She was a sweet girl, but no amount of sweetness was going to make him crawl around his apartment looking for her shoes all night. Though as he showered and dressed, he did manage to find one lodged in between the towel rack and the wall. He then packed his suitcase for the trip to Boston. Not knowing how many days this could take he packed only what he would need for the next three and figured he would buy more accordingly. Stellan called him back while he was on his way down to Investigations. He hardily agreed on the needed vacation. With that brightening his future prospects, he glided into Investigations with a smile.

    “You get laid already?” Claude Fletcher glanced up from his cell phone. “Stupid question.” He continued texting where he left off.

    “Actually I haven’t slept with anyone in eleven hours, not that it's any of your business. I’ve decided to take a vacation after this mission” Adam left his suitcase by the door. “Where’s Dom? I want to go over the details again before we leave. And McElroy's girl, is she signed in yet?”

    “Nah, both are checking in with the King before we leave. Have you met her yet? She’s actually really cute. She’s Joneses real daughter too. It’s some sort of miracle. Not sure if she’s insane yet. I haven’t actually spoken with her, but I could over look crazy for those knockers.” He looked up and winked at Adam.

    “Are they that nice?” Adam had overlooked many personality flaws for a nice set of bosoms.

    “They’re magnificent, but I would appreciate a change in topic boys.” A sultry, feminine voice answered coolly from behind him. He pressed his lips into a line as Claude flushed in embarrassment. He turned towards the door. The bosoms in question were very nice indeed, but the frown placed on the females face ruined any enjoyment he got out of gawking. She did have pleasant features. Strawberry waves fell over her slender shoulders. She had lavender eyes. She didn’t enjoy his assessment of her continence and glared harder. Dominic looked equally peeved.

    “Adam, this is Gloria McElroy,” he introduced her.

    “Many humblest apologies. I don’t believe we’ve met. Adam Hevenside, at your service.” He made a grand bow, and gave his best winning smile to the Lady.

    “Don’t try that crap with me Hevenside. There’s a reason why I never ran in your circles.” She walked past him, and picked up her bag from the floor.  Apparently she had inherited her Fathers haughty attitude. No matter. She would be taken down a peg or two once her training started.

    “Dom, I assume everything is in order. When do we leave?” Adam asked, ignoring Miss McElroy as she glided past him.

    When she was out the door Dom pointed a finger at him and mouthed 'Get your shit together.'  Then out loud, “As soon as you’d like. The jet is ready and waiting. Everything is cleared with his Majesty. I took the liberty of booking rooms at the Mandarin.  Master Orleans has sent three of his own from Boulder. They’ll be meeting us later tonight.”

    “The Mandarin? Nice,” Claude complimented.

    “Alright, let’s go. We can go over the details on the plane.” They set off. As soon as they were all seated on the Jet, Dominic pulled an envelope from his bag and handed it to Adam. He pulled out the contents and glanced over them.

    “This is all we have so far on this new branch. Beta Orleans had a scout planted at a warehouse near the Harbor last Friday that witnessed a meeting between the members. That’s where he spotted the Vamps,” Dominic explained.

    “Abandoned warehouse near the Harbor. Original.  Who do we suspect are the founding members this time?” Adam asked as he flipped through the packet. Arial shots of the Harbor and surrounding areas showed where the warehouse was located. Though it was unlikely they would meet twice in the same spot.

    “Our best guess is Vic Brown, the only name to be connected to the peace rally in Columbus that we couldn’t put a face to. He took off weeks before the attack happened and no one has been able to track him down until now. In Boston, no less. The good news is the scout overheard a couple things at the meeting. A name; Colin, and the place and time of their next meeting. Which happens to be tonight at midnight. I guess that’s why Beta Orleans wanted us in Boston by evening tonight.”

    “Good. Best guess, we’ll get into Boston at 8:30, settle at the Hotel and be waiting for the bastards before they arrive. Where are they meeting this time? Cock fight? Underground sewer?”

    “Pub, actually,” Dom said.

    “Oh, good. We can get a pint when we’re done,” he said sarcastically.

Chapter Two

    Victoria Brown, a.k.a. Vic, walked around the block from her studio apartment to Domino’s a few hours early. Matt called and said he and the guys were going to drink and shoot some pool before the meeting. As she was walking toward the door, she felt eyes at her back. She had been getting that same watched feeling all day. She turned but saw nothing. If she didn’t know any better, she would have thought the white whelp had survived his icy bath last week. Impossible, but who else would be following her? Maybe there was more than one? If she had been found, someone would have come after her before now, right? She didn’t shrug it off, just filed it away for later. If they were going to come, she would deal with it in time. She opened the door and walked through the throng of people hanging in front of the bar. Teddy, the bartender, caught her eye and put up two fingers. She nodded. He would have two Buds brought over to their table. The guys waved her over to the pool table. She set her coat and gloves on the back of Matt's chair, next to his leather jacket.

    “Who’s solid?” She asked, taking Matt's cig out of his hand, sucking a hit.

    “Kenny.” He took a swig of his Heineken.

    “Ohhh, you’re going down Kenny.” She laughed.

    “We’ll see bitch. You’re gonna eat them words.” He leveled his shot.

     “Yeah? Why don’t you eat my dick?” She thanked Sal for the beers when she brought them over. Kenny took the shot and missed the corner pocket by two inches.