Feral (Wicked Nights At Lair Book 1)

15. Yannis

Ireally hope Hale can’t tell that I’m losing my freaking mind on the inside. He’s a vampire! Did I hit the jackpot or what? My head is spinning from everything that’s happened since he stepped inside my apartment. The sex was mind blowing. The kisses alone were better than any I’ve had before, but then… All we did was rub our dicks together, and it was the best thing I’ve experienced to date.

Then he tells me he’s a vampire, like he didn’t just make my fantasies come true, and bites my neck, and that was… Well, fuck. It was amazing. My dick is still hard. Now he wants me all to himself? Is this real life? I blow out a breath to calm my racing thoughts.

When I come out of my bedroom after cleaning up a little, he’s unfortunately buttoned his slacks again. I huff a laugh at the thought running through my head right now.

“Something funny?” he asks.

“Yeah. I was thinking how weird it is that I’m in my thirties and just discovered this whole new side of sex.” I plop down on the couch beside him. “It’s always been okay for me, but not amazing, you know? Maybe it wasn’t the right partners or maybe it wasn’t the right gender. I don’t fucking know, but I do know that tonight was different.”

His eyes soften as a sweet smile plays on his lips. “That makes me feel good.”

“Seriously, Hale. I’m not blowing sunshine up your ass. I want to do more, everything, and that’s not like me. For years I wondered if my sex drive was lower than other guys’, but right now…” I swallow hard. “I’m pretty sure there’s nothing wrong with my drive.”

He leans in and kisses me, softly at first, then more intensely, our tongues tangling together as shivers run through me straight to my dick. When he breaks the kiss, pressing his forehead to mine, I whimper. Actually fucking whimper.

“Your kiss is delicious,” he says.

I drag my hands down his chest, ready to climb on him again when the intercom buzzes. Cockblocked by the pizza guy. “Food.”

Hale nods, releasing me so I can open the door. Stupid speaker doesn’t work. I thank the dude and give him a hefty tip since I can spare it. Carrying the pizza back, I know I have a big dopey smile on my face. In my room, I counted out my tips, and it’s more money than I made in two weeks at my old job. Not bad for a few hours of hustling drinks.

After sitting down next to Hale again and opening the box, I nudge his arm with mine. “How did you become a vampire?”

“Oof. Mine is a twisted tale.”

“I want to know it all.”

“Very well.” His face tenses briefly, but then his expression shifts to quiet determination. “I was born in 1758 in the American colonies.”

“Whoa.” I finish chewing my bite. “That was a long time ago.”

“Yes. The war came, what would be called the Revolutionary War, and I fought for a bit but against my will. Eventually I defected and came across a group who offered shelter. It turned out to be a cult.”

I gasp. “Holy shit, Hale.”

“I was loyal and climbed the ranks, until one night the compound was raided and me and a few others were attacked. I was turned that night.”

“Turned?”

“Made into a vampire.”

“Got it.”

“There was an uprising at the cult compound, and I ended up in captivity for years with the other vampires who were captured with me. It’s a bit hazy, but one night my coven was attacked again, slaughtered.”

His face pales and his eyes glow dimly. He looks terrifying. And fucking sexy.

“I had a lover at the time. His name was Nathan, and he was mortal. He was killed and I was fatally wounded. I would have died if Yves and his coven hadn’t found me. They were able to bring me back from the brink of death, but it was far too late for Nathan.”

I put my slice of pizza down as a lump forms in my throat. “You loved him. I can hear it in your voice.”

Hale nods. “I did, yes.”

“This was a long time ago?”

“Two years.”

“Oh. Recent.” I nod, losing my appetite. “You’re not over him. How could you be? It was so tragic.”

“I am. My heart is clear, and I’ve worked hard to let go of the guilt I felt over leading him to his demise.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“No, it wasn’t, but it’s a lot to have innocent blood on your hands.” He offers a somber smile. “Odd coming from a vicious killer, isn’t it?”

“Is that what you are? A vicious killer?”

“I can be.”

“But with cause, right? You don’t go out kicking puppies and killing innocent people, right?”

“No, but I do kill, Yannis. You need to know that.”

A shiver goes down my spine. “You would never hurt me or anyone I care about. I know that.”

“You’re right. Never. I would take a stake before I allowed harm to come to you.”

“I can handle that.”

He shakes his head “You are a wonder. You’ve dealt with all of this so well. It must be true what Vivienne says.”

“The witch?”

“Yes. She tells us only those with open hearts are lured to Lair, and here you are.”

“What does that mean exactly?”

He smiles softly, tickling my thigh with his index finger. “Mortals generally fall into two categories when they learn about the existence of the supernatural. They either want to destroy and exploit or they want to be part of it. Obviously, we only want the second category coming to Lair. Vivienne devised a way to make that happen.”

I nod, remembering the night Jade found me. “I think I get it.”

“Now you know my story.”

“And why you talk funny sometimes. You’re both modern and vintage.”

He chuckles. “That’s accurate. I’ve picked up a lot of modern sensibilities thanks to my younger, hipper brethren, but old habits tend to stick around.”

“Thorn is a vampire.”

“Yes.”

“Tiago?”

Hale nods.

“Hemsley too?”

“Yeah.”

I pick at a piece of pepperoni. “Do vampires usually date mortals?”

“It varies.”

“But it’s a normal thing?”

“Yes.”

I nod, mulling over my next question. “Do you live forever like in the movies?”

“Yes. We can be killed, but it’s difficult to do.”

“Okay, so what happens if you fall for a mortal? They’re gonna die, but you’re not.”

I literally feel his energy shift, like a wall going up between us.

“That’s something we can discuss if it comes up.”

I’m tempted to push him, but I don’t want to kill the mood, so I let it go. For now.

“Does it get lonely? Living for so long?”

His expression softens as his eyes cloud over. “Yes, but I have more now than I have in a long time, and meeting you… I’m hopeful.”

“Me too. I don’t know you super well yet, but I feel like you’re a good person. You deserve to be happy. I think most people do.”

“I agree.”

I open my eyes, and it takes me a minute to realize I’m in my bed and the sun is peeking through the curtains. I roll over to an empty bed but a note on the pillow.

Yannis,

You kept falling asleep so I put you to bed. Call when you wake up.

Hale

PS - thank you for last night. It was wonderful.

Smiling, I read it a second time. It was wonderful. I don’t remember falling asleep in between slow kisses and gentle caresses. I wanted more, but apparently Hale knew I wasn’t up to it.

I sit on the edge of the bed, brimming with excitement. My boyfriend is a vampire.

Wait.

I have a boyfriend. I think. What a fucking night.

The best thing I can do now is go for a run to burn off some of this energy so I can focus. With the money I made last night, I can buy some groceries and maybe even a couple of new shirts for work.

After throwing on sweats and brushing my teeth, I pause to call Hale. His phone only rings once before he answers.

“You’re awake?”

“I am. Sorry I fell asleep on you.”

“It’s okay. It was nearly two in the morning.”

“That late? Dang.”

“How do you feel this morning?”

“Good. Really good. Happy. Excited. You?”

“All of those things. You’re coming back tonight?”

“Definitely. What time?”

“How about six this time? You can help with setup. The rugs have to be steamed clean. A rowdy table of vamps spilled a pitcher of blood, so we figured we’d do the whole room.”

There’s a sentence you don’t hear every day. “Sounds good. I’ll be there. I’m going out for a run.”

“Be careful. Call if you need me.”

“I will.” We both linger on the call without saying anything. I can’t stop grinning. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Yannis.”

“Bye.”

I blow out a breath to compose myself. I’m acting ridiculous, like a kid with a crush, but I can’t help it. Hale makes me feel like attraction and sex and dating are brand new, and I like it. I feel normal for once.

Outside, I pause to take a deep breath. The air is filled with car fumes and the humid stickiness of summer pushing spring away, but I like it anyway. I start my run with thoughts of Hale streaming like a playlist in my mind. Last night was… My stomach flutters from the memories. Damn. It was fucking epic.

By the time I’m sweating and breathing hard, I know it’s time to turn around and go back. I could use a protein shake and maybe even some pancakes for carbs. At a stoplight, I glance around. I haven’t been on this street before, and a sense of foreboding moves down my spine. Judging from the beater cars, graffitied buildings, and the rough crowd, I’m pretty sure I don’t belong here.

I take off running before the light even turns, ready to get the hell out of here, but I don’t make it far before trouble blocks my path. A black car pulls up in front of me and the passenger window rolls down. It’s the guy from the club…what was his name? I don’t remember, but this isn’t good.

“What are you doing over here?” the man asks, lowering his sunglasses.

“Jogging. I’m leaving.”

“You look familiar. Where have I seen you?”

I shrug, not willing to admit the truth. “Don’t know, man.”

He opens the door and steps out, which makes my nerves kick up even more. I glance over my shoulder at a group of guys standing on the corner. They look about as inviting as a pool full of sharks.

“So maybe you haven’t heard, but this is our neighborhood. You’re trespassing.”

“What? I’m just exercising. I didn’t do anything.”

“But you did,” he says, rubbing his fist in his hand. “There’s a price to pay for trespassing. What you got to give me?”

I open my hands. “Nothing. I don’t have anything with me.”

He twists his lips then frowns. “That’s too bad. Now you’re gonna owe me.”

I’m really regretting not bringing my phone with me now. “Can’t I have some kind of pass for the first mistake? I’ll never come this way again.”

“Come on, Vito, you’re wasting time,” the driver says, leaning over the roof of the car.

Vito. That’s it.

“Shut up, Pippo,” Vito says without taking his dark eyes off me. When he starts nodding, his cheeks turn red. “I know where I saw you. That club the other night.” In a flash, he grabs the collar of my t-shirt and hauls me toward him. “I got a message for the owners of that place, and you get to be the one to deliver it.”

I nod, hoping he’ll just let me go.

“Get over here, Pippo.”

The other guy stands to his full height and walks over. He’s a beast of a man, taller than me and I’d guess about fifty pounds of muscle heavier.

“This is one of those pretty boys from the club I told Ricco about. What do you say we mess up his face a little?”

Pippo cracks his knuckles. “Now you’re talking.”

Fuck. I’m in serious trouble, but I’m not about to go down without a fight.

Vito shoves me back until I hit the car. I’m barely able to catch myself before his first punch lands across my cheek. My instincts kick in and I throw a punch right back, catching his jaw.

“You motherfucker!” Vito shouts, punching me in the stomach, but I saw it coming and tensed my muscles.

Pippo comes at me too, and I know the only thing I can do is not let one of them hold me down, so I dart out of the way as Pippo smashes his hand into the car instead of me. Vito rushes me, grabbing me around the waist and trying to take me to the ground, but I wrap my leg around his and he’s the one who tumbles. My minimal wrestling days in high school are coming back to help.

“Fucker,” Pippo growls, rubbing his fist as he closes in on me again.

I look for somewhere to run, but a crowd is gathering and I’m pretty sure they won’t be on my side. Before I can plan my next move, my feet are off the ground and I’m in the air, coming down hard on the hood of the car, the wind knocked out of me.

Pippo is on me again, hauling me to my feet and pushing me against the side of the car again. Both men close in, and all I can do is try to defend myself and hope they don’t kill me. I need Hale.

I’m so fucked.