Edge of Night (7 page)

Until they had conclusive evidence, that is. Then all bets were off.

His father and Elinor stood, and she didn’t look happy, but didn’t look incensed either. An improvement, if a small one. “Step carefully, young man.”

“I will.”

“See that you do. Everyone in the Conclave will be watching.” The threat in her tone was a real one. For vampires, familial and racial loyalty meant everything. Those who went against those fundamental principles were destroyed, both figuratively and literally.

She turned to leave, but Luca’s father hesitated before she exited the office. “I’ll catch up with you in a minute, Elinor. I need a word with my son.”

Her final glance was one of satisfaction, likely thinking that Salvatore Cavalli was about to let his son have it. She probably wasn’t wrong. Salvatore closed the door behind her.

He met Luca’s gaze, disquiet showing in eyes that looked much like his. Because of the delayed aging of Magickals, the man could have passed for Luca’s brother. Appearances were deceiving.

Luca rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Father, you need to stay out of this. As far out of it as you possibly can.”

“That’s an impossible thing to ask.” His father flicked an elegant hand. “The Hammonds are staying at my house.”

Shit.
“Elinor is your new lover.”

“We have a certain…relationship.” Salvatore had had several in the years since Luca’s mother passed, but he was usually discreet about it. Normally, they didn’t move in with him.

Luca swallowed as the significance of the older man’s actions sank in. Was his father thinking of remarrying? The idea weighed down like a lead balloon in his stomach. It had been…gods, two decades since his mother passed. More than enough time to grieve, but to see his mother replaced with a woman people called
Medusa
was an insult to her memory. That his father had ambushed him with it today didn’t sit well with him either. “How serious is your involvement?”

The older vampire twitched his shoulders and sidestepped the question. “I never met the boy. Dillon. His parents didn’t bring him with them the few times we’ve had dinner together. If there were any problems there, I don’t know about them, and I never witnessed anything.”

Luca let the topic of Elinor drop. For now. He doubted he could take many more emotional blows today. His relationship with his father had never been a close one, and had been even more distant since his mother died. Then again, Luca had always been a disappointment to Salvatore. He’d never had any interest in power or wealth, never taken part in Conclave politics, hadn’t followed in the older man’s footsteps. Instead, he’d become an underpaid, overworked
civil servant
. He let that roll off his back, having made his peace with it long ago. He was who he was, not who his father wanted him to be. But they were still family, and that meant a great deal to both of them. “Do I have your word not to let them entangle you further? I have no guarantees my team won’t find signs of foul play. This could get very messy. You don’t want that mess to stick to you and smear your reputation.”

Salvatore’s eyes narrowed in a dangerous look, and Luca arched his eyebrows in return. “I don’t have to tell you that if you find out anything and don’t tell me—it’s obstruction of justice. Don’t make me arrest you.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” His father scoffed.

“A child is dead and it’s clear his family disliked his Normalcy. Perhaps that dislike went further than we know, or perhaps this was just a horrible accident. Right now, only Cecily and Robert know for sure, and it’s my job to make sure the truth comes out.” Luca smiled, and he knew it was closer to a baring of teeth. “Plus, Uncle Vito is pissed at you right now, so he would be happy to swear out a warrant for your arrest.”

Having a brother who was a judge usually benefited his father, but not this time. Salvatore’s displeasure was palpable, but he didn’t contradict what Luca said. “I don’t know anything, and I assure you I won’t find anything out.”

“That’s wise.”

Salvatore paused for a long moment, wavering. “I don’t like the idea that a vampire would harm an offspring they sired. It goes against everything we stand for.”

“I know.” Whether vampires were born or turned, they shared the blood of their sires, which meant those sires had a blood oath to protect their kin. Harming one’s kin was repugnant beyond anything a Normal could understand, which was why a turned vampire was thoroughly indoctrinated into vampire culture. A blood oath was consecrated, almost spiritual, and could never be broken. The idea that Robert Hammond might have killed his child was something those in the Conclave would fight, because none wanted to consider that a vampire would do such a thing, break such a vow.

Despite their differences, Luca knew his father’s loyalty was unshakable. If Luca had to arrest Hammond, Salvatore would stand with his son, no matter what it cost him personally. But Luca would pay privately for whatever influence and prestige his actions lost the family. His case had to be airtight, and even then, it might not be enough to stop the Cavalli honor from being tarnished. Unfortunately, that was something neither Luca nor Salvatore could control. They could only do their best with less than ideal circumstances.

Luca stepped around the desk and clapped the older man on the shoulder. “I’m sorry, Father. It’s always a pleasure to see you.”

“This time the pleasure was
all
yours.” Salvatore looked weary, shaking his head. He drew himself up and straightened his shoulders before he opened the door to step into Elinor’s view. Not wanting to show weakness in front of her. His sniffed, brushing a hand down his tie. “Son, I expect to see you for Sunday dinner.”

Since Uncle Vito was hosting this week, Luca could agree. “Of course. I assume your lady friend won’t be joining us.”

“No. I think it’s best she doesn’t.” Salvatore sighed and left.

Erin had started twitching any time the phone vibrated. Balthasar had hissed at it for about an hour before he’d swatted the thing into a pot of boiling water. She was pretty sure he’d used magic to make sure the cell hit the mark and didn’t survive the drowning. It was sad that its death upset her less than having to remake the ravioli in the pot. She’d called Holly and told her to use the landline if she needed anything. The silence after that had been a blessing, and she’d overfed the cat in appreciation. He was currently lolling on her bed, belly up.

Whoever had been calling—and she assumed it was Asher the Asshole—had had a lot of fun today, ringing her every half hour and hanging up. From a different number. He’d either run around to every pay phone in Seattle or he’d bought a bunch of those pay-as-you-go cell phones. Vampires and werewolves sucked at casting spells, or she might have suspected he’d done some complicated hocus pocus to make it
look
like he was calling from lots of different phones, but that was beyond a bloodsucker’s capabilities. Any way she looked at it, it was an idiotic waste of time and money. And that pissed her right off. Vampire or not, he was lucky he hadn’t decided to come knocking, because she had a really big knife with his name on it.

She didn’t have any proof, but she suspected he had been watching her last night at the restaurant too.

Three sharp taps sounded on her front door. “Erin?”

Luca’s steady voice made her chest squeeze and relief flooded her. The intensity of the feeling startled her, making her realize how alarming it had been to get those harassing hang up calls when there was no one around to take her mind off it. It had just been her, Luca’s cat, some pots and pans and the need to be creative. Being alone had probably not been the best plan. It had been a struggle to focus every time the phone rang, until Balthasar had taken matters into his own paws. She’d managed to get two of the three recipes she wanted to debut sorted out, but was still working on the last one.

She
should
have been done hours ago.

After wiping her hands off on a dishcloth, she tossed the rag on the counter before she went to open the door for Luca. He looked worse today than he had yesterday, more tense, with an edge of pissed-off vibrating around him. Most people wouldn’t see past the unflappable, sophisticated persona he showed the world—she hadn’t when they’d first met—but she’d learned to read the subtle cues the longer they’d been around each other.

She considered him for a moment. “You want to talk about your day or be distracted?”

“Distracted.” His lips quirked, a relief that matched her own flickering in his gaze. Neither of them wanted to deal with their day. She knew she’d rather forget, and it appeared they were on the same page. Worked for her.

Nodding, she stepped aside and waved him through the doorway. “Come on in.”

“Did your prank caller ever stop?”

She fought a wince as she shut the door, but managed a casual shrug when she faced him. “Your familiar killed my phone, so I have no idea.”

There was a moment’s pause. He knew she was hiding something—he was too good at his job not to sense a lie when he heard one, but he let her slide and she was grateful.

“That would explain why you didn’t answer when I called to tell you I was on my way over.”

“Yep.” She started toward him, reaching out to run a fingertip down his tie. When she met his gaze, his expression was warm. He brushed back a curl from her face, then slid his thumb over her cheekbone. The intimacy of the moment made her want to confide in him, tell him she suspected her ex was behind all the phone calls. Luca was an FBI agent—he would know how to handle the situation. The urge to lean on him was so strong it scared her. No. That wasn’t how things worked with Luca. They had fun together and that was
all
. If she let it get heavy, allowed him into her life on more than a superficial level, there was no going back. And then where would they be? She’d have opened herself up to a man who was in love with another woman. No good could come of that for either of them. No, no,
no
. She kept her worries to herself.

All he wanted was to forget his problems, not to take on more than he already had. He’d made that clear. So it was time for some distraction…for both of them.

“I’ll replace the phone for you,” he offered.

“That’s okay. I’ll take it out in trade.” After wrapping her fingers around his tie, she pulled him down until his dark chocolate brown eyes were level with hers. She’d always loved dark chocolate. The taste was addicting. Sweet, smooth, with a hint of bitterness to make it interesting. Just like Luca. Brushing her lips over his in soft sweeps, she steeped herself in the flavor of him. Heat began to simmer within her, pooling between her thighs. Pressing her palms to his chest, she felt the warmth of his skin beneath his shirt, and she let her hands glide up until she cupped the back of his neck, holding him close for her kiss. She licked her way into his mouth to twine her tongue with his. He made a low sound that vibrated his chest, his hands closed over her hips and he pulled her into swift contact with his long, hard body.

The fit was amazing, every inch of her pressed to him. His thick cock prodded the lower curve of her belly, and she stood on tiptoe to get him where he could do the most good. Groaning, he cupped one hand over her ass, pulling her tighter against him. His other hand drove into her hair, forcing her head back to expose her throat. Would he bite her now? Excitement twisted like a wild thing within her. He held her there, her body bent in supplication as he kissed his way down her jaw. The softness of his lips was a sharp contrast to his vise-like grip.

“Twice, you said.” His fangs grazed her neck, and a shudder rippled through her. It took her a moment to remember their earlier conversation, where she’d demanded two orgasms before she’d feed him. Of course, the hungry look on his face said he was having
her
as an appetizer. Sounded good to her.

“Twice,” she agreed. She squeaked as he took a quick bite, his fangs piercing just above the collar of her shirt, and her sex throbbed in carnal response.
Almost
an orgasm, but he’d left her yearning for him even more urgently.

“Let’s make this more interesting.” His palm slid up to cup her breast, his thumb stroking her nipple for just a moment before he let his hand rest over her heart. His gaze locked with hers, and she felt her lungs seize as his eyes glowed red. His fingertips tapped against her chest, and her heart skipped a beat, syncing her pulse with his. Closing her eyes, she let her breath filter out as his blood magic filled her. It felt like champagne bubbles fizzed in her veins. She was effervescent, weightless. And so hot she might scream. Her blood heated and her pulse sped as her lust spiked.

He hissed in a breath and she opened her eyes, seeing his fully extended fangs. “Gods, your sexual energy is so fucking amazing.” His nostrils flared. “I can smell it, taste it, drink it in. Sweeter than wine.”

“Well, don’t let all that energy go to waste.” She could barely get her tongue around the words. Her body was on fire, his power flooding her, but she wanted more than that.

“Never.” His mouth kicked up at the corners, and he dipped down to sink his fangs into her throat. Another shallow bite, but the piercing made her sex fist in helpless want.

Wetness coated her pussy, and every beat of her heart just made need slice through her. He flicked his tongue over the mark, and she shuddered, the touch on her sensitized flesh an exquisite torment. She arched her body against him, the craving beyond anything she could control. Not that she wanted to. She spent most of her time in charge of a restaurant. The last thing she wanted during sex was to be in control.