Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed. The site won't let me respond to some reviews, so I apologize to those I can't email. You are appreciated, too! I hope it gets fixed soon.

And for your reading enjoyment, this chapter is rated M.

Chapter 2

Simone sat back, rubbing her forehead. Too much coffee and too little sleep was giving her a headache. Still, she sighed in satisfaction, the party next week is going to be great. Josef hadn't had a party at his mansion since her birthday. The natives are getting restless, she thought with amusement. The LA vampires were used to Josef's extravagance with free-flowing freshies and Josef had been too busy lately to oblige. Since they were now officially engaged she had moved into Josef's house permanently, and they hadn't had much time for outside activities.

The party would provide the opportunity to introduce Simone to the community as Josef's fiancée. He had finally made the decision and proposed to her. Well, actually not really a proposal, more like—how about it, babe? Simone smiled to herself. Her response was just as casual—sure, why not? They'd spent the rest of the night celebrating their engagement in several rooms and on various pieces of furniture.

Simone reviewed the guest list. Even though it was primarily a vampire bash, select humans would be invited. The vampire community couldn't turn its collective nose up at having an assistant DA for Los Angeles attend. Simone smirked as she thought of Ben Talbot and how he was now considered "family." He and Megan Donnelly had been quite occupied with each other, even if they kept a low profile. Josef had revised his opinion and was cautiously optimistic he wouldn't have to throw Talbot in the tar pits.

Her phone rang and she knew it was Josef. "Hi, there."

"Hi, doll. What are you up to?"

"Just looking over the party plans again," Simone replied. "I think everything is set."

She heard him sigh. "I just found out that delegations from New York, Rio, and Tokyo are coming."

"Oh, why?"

"The Council is meeting in LA to discuss how to help the Japanese vamps after the earthquake. LA is a midpoint location and as Elder, I have to play host."

"It should be fine. Do you think there might be problems?"

"No, I just wanted to have a fun party without politics and meetings." Josef grumbled.

"Oh come on, it won't be that bad. So when are you coming home?"

"I'm almost done here. Why, do you need me for anything . . .?"

"I'll let you figure that out. I'm just sitting here all by myself, waiting for a sexy vampire to come home." Simone smiled as she heard a growl at the other end. "I think I'll be in bed, but it's so hot I can't imagine I'll be able to wear much. I bought something with black lace that's perfect for this weather. Too bad you're so busy . . ."

Josef's eyes turned and his mouth started to water for Simone's blood. Suddenly, he decided that the next conference call could wait. "Change of plans— I'll be back soon. Why don't you turn on the air conditioning? I'll make sure you don't get too cold."

"Hmmm. I'm sure you can." Simone said sexily. She hung up and headed upstairs. She knew Josef would be home and in their bed shortly. The danger of pushing a 400 year-old vampire to the edge excited her, and she loved thinking of new ways to drive him to distraction.

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Mick came into the loft, aware Beth was home. He never tired of seeing her there and knowing she was in his life. She was sitting cross-legged on the sofa with her laptop, and turned with the smile she reserved just for him. "Hi, baby." she said, putting down her computer and coming to him.

"What a nice homecoming." He said as he kissed her. She snaked her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him. He pulled her close, running his hands over her greedily. He moved his lips to her neck and Beth growled in return. She wrapped her hands in his hair and let the change take her, biting his lip with her fang. Mick groaned, and she swung one leg around him opening herself up to him. She shivered as his cool hands reached under her shirt. "I want you now." she breathed in his ear. In a second Mick threw her over his shoulder and dashed up the stairs at vampire speed.

Sometime later after quality time in the bedroom and shower, they refreshed themselves with some A-, and Mick poured them some wine. "Oh, I checked up on Gerald's blood suppliers, their name is Peterson." Beth said as she took her glass to the living room

Mick sat next to the fireplace. "What did you find out?"

"I tracked them to Cabo San Lucas, in Mexico. They said they were approached by a company that offered to buy them out and provide a retirement home free and clear."

Mick frowned at her.

"Yeah," she responded to his look, "sounds fishy to me, too."

"What's the company?"

Beth grabbed her forgotten computer. "It's called Advanced Medical Supply—a really generic name. Their website doesn't say much of anything, and there are no owners listed."

"What did the Peterson's say about them?"

"Just that they were approached by a man who presented an offer. They checked it out with a lawyer and the deal was genuine, so they took it." Beth moved to Mick's lap and laid her head on his shoulder. "They were surprised the store was closed. When I told them who I was, they agreed to fax me a copy of the agreement."

"That's good." Mick replied, content to have Beth lounge on him. "Why don't you ask Logan to help you look into this medical place? It may be nothing, but I don't see a legitimate company buying out a blood supplier for that kind of money."

Beth sat up slightly. "You think it's a vamp? Why, since the store is closed?"

"I don't know, but I want to find out."

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The room was dark and Ben Talbot turned in bed. Megan was in her freezer next door and he stretched luxuriously, touching the new marks on his neck. He still couldn't believe he was involved with a vampire. He almost felt like he was two different people—government official by day, and adventurous lover by night. Now he knew why Beth often looked tired when she worked for him.

He'd always had a plan for his life; college, law school, a high profile legal or government job, then political office. He never deviated from this goal, but now for the first time he plunged headlong into something he couldn't control. He tried to make sense of his feelings for Megan, and finally gave up. He couldn't fool himself anymore; it wasn't lust or the feel of the bite. She filled a need in him he didn't know was there, to belong completely to someone and have that person belong to him.

He started to doze when his cell phone rang. Damn, he thought, crawling out of bed to find the phone in his pants pocket. He slouched back to bed and answered.

"This is Talbot."

"Ben, its Carl." The police officer's voice was muted.

"Yes, Carl, what is it? Have they got you on nights again?"

"Uh, yeah, I wanted to give you a heads-up. Ray Wilson has been released from custody."

"What?" Ben said sharply, sitting up. "What happened?"

Carl coughed uncomfortably. "That witness pulled out and won't testify. Without her, we don't have enough to hold him. Since it's the weekend your office might not call, but I knew you would want to hear."

"Thanks, Carl. I'll get in touch with my people. Keep me posted, okay?" Ben hung up, and sat up in bed with his feet on the floor and his head in his hands, furious and upset.

In her freezer, Megan woke suddenly. Ben's blood stirring in her veins gave her a link with him, and right now she knew something was wrong. Popping the lid, she climbed out, putting on a silken robe. She came into the room noiselessly and saw Ben hunched over, anger and helplessness rolling off him. She admired his naked body for a moment, then made a little sound to alert him of her presence. He turned, "Oh, did I wake you?"

"No, I sensed something was wrong. What's happened?"

Ben pulled her down next to him, feeling the coldness from her body. It felt good and helped him focus. "I just heard a major killer has been released from jail. We had a witness, but now she's refused to testify. Without that, the police can't hold him and we can't prosecute."

"What did he do?"

"He's a serial killer, and a smart one. He goes after runaways, usually teens. The police had the profilers in, and everything pointed to him, but we had no hard evidence. At the last murder there was a witness, but she's young and scared of this guy. We promised protection, but I guess it was all too much for her. Now we're back to square one." Ben said, shaking his head.

Megan felt a surge of affection for him. Ben was so caring about victims of crimes and dedicated to catching the criminals. "How can you stop him?"

Ben shrugged. "We have to get solid evidence or have a witness and that means we have to wait until he kills again."

"Can't you watch him?"

Ben looked at her, smiling sadly. He moved them both back onto the bed so she could lie beside him. "I wish it was that easy. We don't have the manpower to watch him 24/7. He's even free to leave LA if he wants, and start up in another city. Also, if he finds out he's under police surveillance, he can claim harassment. These guys know all the tricks." Ben commented glumly.

Megan was silent for a few moments. "Would you accept help?"

He turned toward her. "Help? What do you mean?"

"Well," she said carefully, "I have access to some people who could follow him and see what he does and where he goes."

Ben looked at her sharply. "You mean vampires."

She nodded. "They wouldn't be seen and could watch him for you. It would be harder in the daytime, but it could be managed."

Ben laid back, lost in thought. "They would have to call the cops if they saw him doing anything suspicious. Like an anonymous tip." He looked at Megan for confirmation.

Megan warned, "They couldn't be witnesses, of course, but they could see who he's with and if there's anyone in danger."

"I'd have to brief them about Wilson's habits and hangouts." Ben said, warming to the idea. Why not get help where you can? He gave Megan a hug and put his arms around her. She sensed his relief and was happy she could help solve a problem.

"I'll have to run it by Josef, but I'm sure he'll cooperate. If you can—"

She was cut off as Ben turned and threw one leg over her, taking her mouth in a demanding kiss. He reached into her loosened robe cupping her breast, grazing her nipple and moved his mouth nipping her neck with blunt teeth. She growled, writhing beneath him as he rocked his hips into her, letting her feel his hardness against her. Moving to suckle her nipple, his fingers brushed her inner thigh, and he saw her silvered eyes and fangs. He slowly caressed her sensitive core then swiftly plunged two fingers into her, stroking upward. She had ten times his strength, but was helpless when he touched her like this. He continued until he felt her tightening, and then quickly moved over her, sinking in and thrusting quickly.

Megan knew she had already taken his blood tonight and as she peaked, she lifted her hand to her mouth to bite. Ben snatched it away, holding it down as he rasped, "Do it, Megan, I want it . . ." She felt his need and she came with a shattering climax puncturing his shoulder, tasting his blood on her tongue. Pleasure flooded his body and he bucked wildly as he spilled into her.

Ben caught his breath as Megan watched him with concern. "Are you all right?"

"Fine." He grinned at her. The sex and biting had him riding high on endorphins. "I'm better than fine. Can you stay a while?"

"Of course." Megan snuggled into Ben, not caring about his body heat. It had been so long since someone loved her and this human made her feel whole again.

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Emmaline Martin sat at her desk in the New York Council office. She looked up as Otto, her Vice-Council and sometime lover came in. "Did you find her?" Emmaline asked.

The tall, rangy vampire sighed an unneeded breath. "Yes, and she's not happy."

"But she'll do it.' Emmaline pressed.

"Yes, she's agreed to set aside the time to look at what's needed, but she'll have to come here." Otto sat down and raised his eyebrow at Emmaline. "Are you sure this is necessary? Remember the last time we called her it was almost more trouble than it was worth."

"I know, but we don't have much choice. I don't like the stories I'm hearing from the west coast, especially Seattle "

"I thought we were flying to LA tomorrow night for the Japan meeting?" Otto queried.

"Yes, but I want her to come out with us and meet Josef Kostan if she's going to be working in his region. We'll all fly out together." Emmaline looked at Otto meaningfully.

He sighed again. "I get it; you want to keep an eye on her."

"It would be for the best don't you think?" She responded.

TBC

There will be a lot happening in Los Angeles soon! Who is the mysterious vampire? She sounds like a problem . . . .