Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (17 page)

Isabella failed to see the levity.

“It’s you, dear daughter. In order to save this world, the Vanquisher must get together with the Prince of the City.”

“Shit,” Isabella said aloud this time. She rose and headed toward the exit. “Then you guys and this world are pretty much fucked.”

Chapter Eighteen

“What?” Collena asked as she and Isabella reclined in a hot tub, on the property of Collena’s spacious mansion on Saint Charles Avenue. “They want you and Alesandro Roma to what?”

“Get together,” Isabella said as she closed her eyes and allowed the hot water to massage her tired, achy muscles.

“No, I don’t even want you talking to him. Why would they think Lucifer meant you two? You barely know him.”

If Collena only knew how much she did know Alesandro, or dreamed about him. “How should I know? Maybe there is some truth in it. I’m against everything he stands for.”

“So, let’s say the two of you are the chosen ones. What are you supposed to do…talk?”

“Nothing is that easy,” Isabella said. “Lucifer did not specifically say what we are supposed to do but we’re dealing with a devil here. I suppose we have to perform some kind of monumental
fête
together, like stay in the same room together for twenty-four hours without killing each other.”

Isabella opened her eyes, as Collena climbed out of the water and walked over to a chair to put on a robe. If she was into women, Collena would be a perfect candidate with her muscular tanned body and great breasts.

“You’re not taking this seriously,” Collena replied, flopping down in a chair and retrieving a frosty glass of iced tea.

Isabella sighed and stepped out the water, aware that she had Collena’s full attention. Collena, on the other hand was very much into women. The woman’s eyes never left her body until she had donned her own robe and sat down. Another woman, checking her out did not bother Isabella, as long as they did not expect her to reciprocate.

“I am taking this seriously and I really don’t have a choice. If I have to get along with Alesandro to save the world, I’ll try my best.”

“So, when are the two of you meeting with Lucifer?”

“Tonight after dusk,” Isabella answered. “Alesandro has already arranged the meeting.”

“When and where?” Collena asked, sipping her tea.

“Alesandro’s place, around ten.”

Collena stopped sipping. “Alone?”

“I’ll be armed,” Isabella assured her.

“You know that’s not what I’m referring to. What if he tries something…you know sexually?”

“Nothing is going to happen,” Isabella assured her again. “We’ll be too busy with the second part of the puzzle.”

“Second part?” Collena asked.

Isabella nodded. “There has to be a second part. If Alesandro and I are the players, then there must be something else we have to do to actually stop the destruction which has already begun.”

“I understand,” Collena said. She rubbed her chin. “It has to be something big. Something mind-blowing.”

Isabella shuddered. Anytime alone with Alesandro would be mind-blowing.

“You seem nervous all of a sudden,” Collena said, staring at her across the table.

“Not really. I’ve been alone with a man before.”

“I’m not talking about a man, Isabella. You are going to be alone in a mansion with Alesandro Roma.”

* * * *

“Miss Denning is here to see you, Mister Mayor,” Torrey said to Malcolm, who’d returned from a meeting with the city council.

“Send her in.”

The next he knew Isabella Denning stood in his office, dressed in a black pantsuit with a high collar and a white dressed shirt that made her look all business.

“Please sit down,” he told her, offering her a seat. “Would you care for some coffee or tea?”

“No thanks,” Isabella said. “This is not a social visit. I came bearing bad news.”

Malcolm settled down in a chair at his desk. “What could you possibly tell me that is so dire?”

“This world is about to come to an end.”

He had not expected that. “What? When?” he asked, knowing anything she said could be taken as the truth.

“In two days,” Isabella replied. “I’m sorry. I know you weren’t expecting this but I got it from a very reliable source.”

Malcolm leaned forward in his chair trying not to show fear. “Why don’t you start from the beginning and tell me everything.”

It took twenty minutes.

“Lucifer?”

Isabella nodded. “I told you things go on in this town that could curl your hair.”

“How can we prevent this? Can you find two such creatures?”

Isabella shrugged. “Anything is possible if we have enough time, which we don’t.”

Malcolm leaned back in his chair. “I thought we might have a second dance before I die,” he joked. “I would have moved a little quicker if I knew I was going to die before I kissed you.”

Isabella rose, walked over to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She smelled like sunshine and everything good in the world. Her lips touched his, sending the most spectacular feelings through his body.

“I will do all I can,” Isabella whispered breathlessly against his lips. She straightened up and moved away from him.

His body had hardened to a full arousal. “Please do. Please save the world.”

Isabella walked toward the door. “I’ll do my best,” she said before disappearing out of his office.

“Damn,” Malcolm said adjusting his pants to alleviate his discomfort. “It cannot end like this.”

* * * *

“What do you mean the world is going to end in two days?” Oliver asked Malcolm as he and the Chief of Police attended a private meeting with the mayor.

“Isabella Denning came here earlier and told me everything. So, you can call off your investigations. Apparently all the things happening were caused by a demon more powerful than either of you can imagine.”

“What creature?” Anthony asked. “I’ve never met a creature I can’t handle with a revolver.”

“Try Lucifer,” Malcolm replied, watching the smile disappear from Anthony’s face.

“A devil?”

Malcolm nodded. “Apparently he decided that he’s tired of this corrupt world and wants to destroy it.” He filled them in on what else Isabella told him. “Do you think she can stop this?”

Oliver nodded. “If anyone can, Isabella can.”

“You have a lot of faith in her,” Malcolm replied. “Why? She’s only a woman.”

“Because she’s our last and best hope,” Oliver said. “Isabella is not just a woman. There’s more to her than what you’ve seen.”

Malcolm chuckled. “I’ve figured that out. She’s a strong young woman with some amazing preternatural powers.”

“She’s more than that,” Oliver replied. “But you need to find it out for yourself.”

“If I’m alive long enough,” Malcolm said. “How do I begin to prepare everyone for this in case she fails?”

He was not looking forward to meeting with the governor or the President of the United States and giving them the bad news. The results would be disastrous. There would be mass pandemonium.

“I think I won’t make a formal announcement,” Malcolm finally told the other two men. “Why send the world into a panic before anything happens? Let them go on with their lives in complete ignorance.”

Anthony nodded in agreement. “What good will it do anyway?”

Oliver agreed with him. “I have faith in Isabella. She will come through for the world and humanity as she’s always done.”

Malcolm hoped he was right. “I think I’ll head over to church when I leave here this evening.”

“Why?” Anthony asked.

“I think the world needs all the help it can get.”

Chapter Nineteen

Darkness came too quickly. Isabella looked down at her outfit as she drove through the gates of Alesandro’s mansion after she’d cleared security.
Why am I wearing a dress?
Normally he’d seen her in pants, T-shirts, and boots but today she wore a form-fitting dress, heels, and she’d styled her hair in a French knot. It wasn’t like she was on a date.

The mansion never failed to impress her. It was set up at the end of Lake Shore Drive overlooking Lake Ponchatrain. The driveway was lined with palm trees imported in from Florida, well-maintained lawns, and a waterfall garden made from marble.

The mansion itself had five or six bedrooms, a huge kitchen, two or three bathrooms, a large entertainment room, a library and other rooms, all manned by day and night crew
.
Isabella guessed Alesandro sent the night crew home to keep them safe from Lucifer.

Isabella drove up to the parking lot, parked her car, got out, and walked up to the front door. Normally the place would be swarming with guards. Apparently Alesandro didn’t see her as a threat.
Stupid man.
She was armed with a weapon on every part of her body.

Isabella rang the doorbell.

Alesandro answered and stared her up and down slowly. “A dress? I’m flattered.”

“Don’t be,” Isabella said entering. “I felt like dressing up for Lucifer.”

The loud hiss behind her back meant she’d said the wrong thing. The door closed and locked soundly behind them.
He thinks he has the advantage.

“Your ass looks phenomenal in that dress.”

Isabella spun around to face him.

“The boobage aren’t bad either. You should wear dresses more often. Your body was made for them.” He stepped towards her.

“I’m packing,” she informed him.

“I’ve already checked them out,” he said, bragging about his amazing vision. “There will be no need for weapons tonight.” He took her arm and led her through the ceramic tiled foyer past the formal parlor with the white baby grand piano, past the fully equipped kitchen to the formal dining room.

The table was set for two. Isabella noted a hot chocolate fountain. Chocolate worked as an aphrodisiac on the vampires from the Otherworld. It was why she mostly stayed away from the sweet confection. Someone took the liberty of preparing all of her favorite foods…Gumbo, Jambalaya, and bread pudding. These particular vampires could eat food because they were born vampires and not created by a bite.

“I thought we’d eat before Lucifer arrives,” Alesandro replied.

There was no way she was going to say no to Gumbo. “Great idea.”

Alesandro helped her into a seat and then began to serve her.

“This is a first…you serving me.”

“I’d move Heaven and Earth for you,” Alesandro told, her sliding into the seat across from her.

“I’d prefer it if you to stop the destruction of Earth.” She picked up her spoon.

“Why?” Alesandro asked. “I thought you were ready to die.”

Isabella didn’t answer. She ate the Gumbo without fear of being poisoned. Alesandro didn’t want her dead, this much she knew. He wouldn’t stoop to poisoning her either because it would tamper with her blood…the liquid delight he hoped to sample.

“Give my compliments to the chef,” Isabella said when she finished eating. She gazed over at Alesandro, admiring the way the black clothing brought out the paleness of his skin. She sighed. There were surely worst things than being adored by a Roman prince.

“I’ll tell her,” Alesandro said, getting up to clear their plates away. He was being surprisingly good. He returned to the table with two mugs of chocolate. “Let’s retire to the parlor.” He handed her a mug and led her down the hall.

He’d done some redecorating, Isabella noticed. The parlor used to be done in beige and brown, now it was romantically set in red and Victorian white. The furniture was French Provincial and a large chandelier hung from the high cathedral ceiling.

Isabella sat down on the sofa and Alesandro sat down next to her. She watched him sip from the mug and found it fascinating to watch his eyes deepen in color. Normally that spelled trouble, but not this time, unless it meant her body was in danger.

Isabella sipped the chocolate and the warmth spread throughout her entire nervous system.

“Do you know that your eyes change colors?” Alesandro asked her.

“Yes,” Isabella replied looking deeply into his. “I find it most discerning.”

“I find it very sexy,” Alesandro told her. “They turn silver, meaning you’re warming up towards me.”

“Or it means that I’m about to lob your head from your shoulders.”

Alesandro wrinkled up his nose in distaste. “Here you are thinking about violence when I’m trying to romance you.”

Isabella giggled, which was most uncharacteristic of her. “I’m not here for romance. I’m here to talk to Lucifer who hopefully will be arriving shortly.”

“Spoil-sport. Are you afraid to be alone with me?”

Isabella sipped from her mug. “Yes. You’re being downright civil to me. I’ve been here about two hours and you haven’t tried to kill me.”