Suckers Bite Back (San Francisco Vampires #5) (Vampires of San Francisco series) (11 page)

“Hello, Sebastian. Thank you for the Champagne. Manda will enjoy it,” he says. His face is not giving anything away. He had to know there would be a chance I would see him here.

“What are you playing at, Aidan?” I ask.

“I don’t know what you mean, Sebastian.”

“Yes you do. You haven’t had a moment for Lily but you are out with a hot supermodel. Are you backing down from Lily? I need to know. She needs to know.”

He sighs, rubs his face and cracks his neck. I’ve never seen him so uptight.

“I don’t know what I’m doing, Sebastian. I know that while I was gone my head cleared and I didn’t have this obsession over Lily anymore. I love her. I always will. But I think it’s time that I move on. It is the healthy thing to do, don’t you think?” He looks serious. Oh God, let him be serious.

“You know what I think, Aidan. I would support you moving on. Manda is known for her kind heart. You could do a lot worse, that’s for sure. She’s beautiful, smart, kind…”

“… funny, flirtatious, amazing, sexy, and she doesn’t even know half of it. That makes her even more alluring,” Aidan says wistfully as he waves to her.

“Good luck, my friend. Enjoy the champagne. You know you have to tell Lily though, and soon.”

“I know, I will. Tomorrow when she wakes up,” he says.

“Good. That will be good. You shouldn’t let any more time go by.”

“Agreed. Thanks again for the champagne, Sebastian.” And with that he moves back through the crowd to Manda.

Her whole face lights up when he gets near. He deserves that. To be first in someone’s heart. Not second choice. I wish him well. I just don’t know how Lily is going to take this.

I decide to hang around after all. Doing paperwork is not my idea of fun but it keeps me connected to the club at its basest level so I dive into it. By the time I am done, the club has closed and I am the last to leave. It’s early morning. Lily will have to sleep soon. Maybe if I hurry I can say goodnight.

With that on my mind, I hurry to my car parked right in front. I don’t notice the big Demon until it’s almost too late.

I narrowly avoid an uppercut and kick out with my right foot. Damn Italian loafers. He grunts and recovers fast, throwing a roundhouse that I dodge and two punches that I don’t. Each hit me in the side. I’m thrown against my car, setting the alarm off.

The Demon bends down to finish me off but I haven’t even started. He got lucky and I act like I’m hurt before swinging a fist up into his nose, rallying on the sharp snap I hear. He stumbles back and I move in for the kill. While he grabs his nose I swing a kick to his knees knocking him down to the pavement. He howls in pain before I grab his head and bring it down hard on my knee, knocking him out.

He is a brute of a Demon but relies on his size and obvious strength too much. He never learned to fight. I doubt he has taken on too many vampires. I search his pockets and find a card and club I.D. for The Devil With You. Fucking Mark. I know if I tell Lily she won’t believe me. It’s too early in our tentative realignment. I don’t have enough credit in the trust department yet. Too much back and forth between Aidan and me. No, I have to handle this on my own. For now that means going home to her and saying good night.

17 LILITH

Sebastian comes through the door just before I turn in for the night. I can’t help but smile at him. His hair is mussed and he is predatory. It does something to me. He sees my smile and his eyes light up. He stops to kiss my cheeks and say good evening before heading to the bar that’s located here in the library.

“Cherie, can I get you anything?” he asks.

“No, Bast. I was just getting ready to go to bed,” I say.

He downs a shot of whiskey. Hmmm…

“May I escort you to your room?” he asks politely. I know he means it respectfully.

“Yes, that would be nice. You can tell me how your night went.”

“Ahhh… I would rather hear about yours,” he says as he takes my hand and helps me from the chaise. “What did you do after I left?”

He leaves the door open to my room. A subtle signal that I don’t need to feel pressured or rushed. I sit down in one of the big over-stuffed, striped chairs and he takes the one next to me. I notice him wince and favor his left side when he sits down.

“Sebastian, I can see when you are in pain. Take off your shirt.”

“What?” he says, eyes wide, startled.

“You heard me buddy, off with your shirt.” He hesitates. “Now, Sebastian.”

“Okay, cherie,” he says and tries to chuckle but grabs his side instead and grunts. I go over to him and take off his jacket and then start to unbutton his shirt.

“You know I imagined this very differently,” he says softly as he runs his hand down my cheek.

“I know, Bast. Let’s see the damage first,” I say.

I gently take his shirt off and grimace at the huge bruise over his ribs on the left side. I tenderly apply pressure and hear his quick intake of air. I feel at least one broken rib.

“You’ll need to feed. You’ve got at least one broken rib. Maybe more.”

“Fucking Demon,” he mumbles.

“What was that?” I ask, truly not wanting to hear what I think I hear.

“Nothing, cherie. Just a mix up after I closed the bar. I got jumped. I came out ahead, though. You should see the other guy,” he says and gives me a toothy, fangster smile.

I can’t stop the tingling. I love his fangs. I rapidly push that aside to focus on the problem at hand. Why would someone jump Bast? And a Demon at that. My face falls.

“No cherie, don’t worry about it. I can handle it. I’m a big boy and can take care of myself. He got one lucky punch. One. I got all the rest. I promise you. Besides, once I feed I will be better by tomorrow.”

Why was he being so easy-going about this? It wasn’t like him. Bast has a temper or could have one if he or a loved one is attacked or hurt. Why isn’t he taking this seriously? There has to be some reason behind it.

“I know you’ll be better tomorrow and that you probably pulverized the other guy but you’re being so calm about it. He must have been supernatural to have hit you even once.”

“I was distracted. It was a lucky shot, ma petite. That’s all.” His eyes were begging me not to ask more questions.

I placed a small kiss on the bruise and when I looked up at him his eyes had closed. Peace descended on him and it made me happy I could give him that. While his eyes were closed I kissed the corner of his mouth too. He groaned and pulled me close to him nuzzling his face in my hair and smelling deeply.

“You smell so good Lily, it awakens something in me. Your shampoo and soap smell great but it’s your blood and you, your essence. God, I’ve missed your scent.”

I make a motion to move away but Sebastian tightens his hold.

“Just a minute more, please?” he asks.

“All right.” I gently snuggle into him. He sighs and relaxes against me.

After a minute or two he lets me go. His jaw is tight and his smile is gone. He has pulled on his carefully controlled mask to hide his true emotions. I know it is for his protection as well as to show me he is all right without me. I know he doesn’t want to startle me. I almost go back to him but I can’t yet. At least I can admit there might be a future there and I know he wants one. That has played heavily on my mind. I was so afraid that I had pushed him away one too many times.

“I had better leave you to your journal and to prepare for bed,” Bast says.

“You know me well,” I say as I take his hand. “Thank you for letting me care for you for once. Please go feed right away. I’ll go to sleep troubled knowing you are in pain.”

“I’ll leave now. That way you can know that I will be mending by the time you fall asleep, ma petite. Rest easy,” he says and then he leans down and kisses each of my eyelids. He’s disappears in a blur, leaving me a bit shaken. So many emotions floating around in me.

I go to my closet and choose a silk gown. Grabbing my journal from the bedside table I climb into the bed and burrow down. The words start to pour out like they have every night since I was turned. It’s my connection to my humanity. It keeps me grounded. Now it is also my homework for Sophie. It’s going to be hard to let her read this because this is the one place I am completely honest with myself.

Dawn is drawing near and I need to put my journal and pen away so I don’t wreck my sheets, again with spilled ink. Just before I go to sleep my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Mark.

Good night, Lily. See you tonight, beautiful. – Mark

Right after Mark I get a text from Sebastian.

Ma petite, I wanted to let you rest easy and let you know that I fed and already feel much stronger. The rib feels bruised not broken now. Thank you for taking care of me tonight. It meant more than you know. I’ll be there when you wake.–Sebastian

Sebastian’s text makes me feel better and I smile thinking about him just before I fall asleep.

When I wake he knocks on my door. I can smell his amazing scent from the other side.

“Come in, Bast,” I say.

He walks in carrying a vase full of lovely wild flowers. They are delicate in whites and lavenders. They smell incredible. I believe there are sweet peas among the beauties.

“Lily, these are for you. I tried to find something that reminded me of what you smell like, but I couldn’t even come close. I thought you would enjoy their scent all the same.”

“That was so thoughtful, thank you, Bast. Please put them on the table under the stained glass windows,” I say. I sit up fully and clasp my hands in front of me. Sebastian puts the flowers where I suggested and then takes the chair next to my bed.

“What are your plans for the day, ma cherie?”

“I have an appointment with Sophie in about two hours, and then I have a dinner appointment tonight.”

“With Mark?”

“Yes. I know you don’t like him, but he is trying to be just my friend. And I really need that now. Especially since Aidan has decided to be so distant,” I say. I recognize the hollow feeling it leaves in me to say this out loud.

“I’m trying not to interfere, but please be cautious of Mark. Please. I feel it would be my fault if I didn’t warn you and something happened,” he says as he looks down at his fisted hands. I lean over and place my small hand over his large ones. I hear his intake of breath at the skin on skin contact. He looks up at me with a dark heat.

“Sebastian, I know you feel responsible for me still. It’s one of the things I struggle with. It’s time I took care of myself. I need to. I have to grow up, Sebastian, and that means making my own mistakes if I am going to make them,” I say with a tight smile.

“It goes against every protective instinct in me, Lily. I’m trying very hard. But I respect your wishes. Promise me something though, promise me you will call me if ever you get into something you can’t get out of and need help.”

“I promise, Bast,” I say. I secretly cross my fingers. My new mission in life is not to be the damsel in distress. I vow silently to myself right here and now not to have to call on Sebastian.

Sebastian relaxes and I feel a little guilty for lying to him.

“Thank you, ma petite.” He kisses my hand then leans over and kisses my cheek. I let out a little sound out. Between his fresh scent and his closeness, I can’t help it. He pulls away with a knowing look. Dammit.

He raises an eyebrow, indicating if I am up for it he is too.

“No, go now. I have to get ready for my appointment, you naughty man.” He chuckles to himself as he leaves the room.

I get out of bed and the first thing I do is go over and smell the flowers. They smell so good and look gorgeous with the dappled lighting coming in from the stained glass windows. I slip out of my silk night gown and toss it into the hamper making my way to the bathroom. Turning the water on hot, I think about the showers that Sebastian and I have shared. We never got to try this one out. This entire suite was designed for us as a wedding present. It makes me sad as I climb into the steamy spray. I wash up quickly and finish the rest of my morning rituals including brushing and flossing the fangsters. When I’m done I walk into my closet to pick out a short striped dress with long sleeves. It fits snuggly and I pair it with knee high flat boots.

I enter the library just in time to hear Helena get off the phone with Hannah, my best friend. My vampire hearing allows me hear Hannah is pissed at me. She’s been in Hell on her baby checkup appointment and Helena must have filled her in on my latest screw-up. Great.

“Hannah is coming over today. Between your appointment and kickboxing. Remember since we are in the intermediate class the schedule is different and we have it again tonight.” I pull a face. “That’s not a problem is it,” Helena asks, raising her eyebrows.

“No, it will just take some creative rescheduling on my part. No problem. I’m excited about the class,” I say and mean it. I want to learn how to kick ass properly.

“Good. I’ll drive you to your appointment in case you need someone to drive you home afterwards,” Helena says.

“Thanks, Helena,” I say.

Aidan pops in, surprising us.

“I still got it,” he says and laughs. It’s infectious and I giggle too. “Helena, could I speak to Lilith alone, please?”

“Sure, Aidan. I’ll just see what Julian is up to.”

“Lilith, I don’t know how to say this.” Aidan is uncharacteristically anxious. I don’t think I’ve seen him like this before.

“Just spit it out, Aidan. You’re killing me here.”

“I’ve found someone. Her name is Manda.”

“Who is she,” I ask.

“She’s a model.”

“You know, you men and your models. I’m starting to get self-conscious,” I say avoiding the bigger hurt.

“You have no need to feel that way. You are truly beautiful, Lilith. Inside and out.”

“Yet you’ve met someone who appeals to you more?”

“I wouldn’t say more. But yes, I like her a lot. I’m having very conflicting thoughts about this whole situation. You seem to be happy with Sebastian. I’ve been a third wheel from the beginning. It’s hard. I think I may have found my wheel.” His voice and face show his turmoil and hope at the same time.