Okay so my computer took a dump on me last night. It wouldn't start or anything and I freaked out so bad. I knew I would need to get a new one in the next month or so but I thought I had more time... Isn't that how it always goes? :hitting: Anyways bought my new computer, and as soon as I did the old one comes on (go figure) bright side is I saved myself from having to pay them to get my data out of it. I have backed up almost everything at this point. I am even using it now to post this and will work on getting my new laptop up to speed tomorrow (as I have to go to work in a few minutes) but I did finish writing this chapter and with everything preventing me temporarily set aside I am going to post this for you all. So so sorry again but thank you all so much for sticking with me.

Chapter 11: He Arrives

Josef stood leaning against the car in the shade of one of the private hangers he owned as Lance's plane taxied into the place. He pressed his hand against the glass behind him and felt Jean do the same. He'd been hesitant to bring her along but knew it would be best to introduce her as soon as possible and while they still smelled of their lovemaking it would be clear she was his. As the plane came to a stop Josef stood straight to his full height and squared his shoulders ready to do what must be done.

The stairs were put into place and the door opened quickly as Lance stuck his head out. He came down the steps with a half smile on his hard face, not what you'd expect of a brother mourning the loss of his sister. Then again Josef knew Lance didn't hold Coraline in the highest regards and was probably not the least bit concerned with her passing.

Josef moved forward a few steps to meet him, "Lance I hope your flight was well."

Lance nodded as the men around them busied themselves taking his luggage to the car. Josef held out his hand in courtesy and he took it both giving a firm and powerful grip assessing one another. "The flight was as I thought. Now I'm here in California…just as ordinary as I remember."

Lance looked down to Josef's hand feeling the cool metal, "Ah yes I seem to remember hearing you married." He took in the scent and grinned, "It seems you still enjoy her."

Josef puffed his chest out a bit more, "I did marry an extraordinary woman." Josef chose to ignore the last dig knowing Lance was trying to goad him. He turned and headed back to the waiting car and nodded for the driver to open the back door.

He reached his hand out and Jean took it stepping out of the car and giving Lance a quick once over as she smiled politely. "Lance Duvall this is my wife and mate Jean. Jean, dear, this is Coraline's brother and our guest Lance."

"A pleasure," Lance took her hand in his and placed a kiss on her knuckles as he took her in.

Jean took in every part of him and tried to act natural. Josef had warned her of Lance's eye, the one that was black as a bottomless pit, but still seeing it was still shocking words could not measure how menacing it was. She gave a smile, "It's good to meet you."

Josef was still on alert but seeing the way Lance took in Jean made his pride swell. Lance had jabbed him for marrying but now he was seeing the woman who would drive a man to change his way. "Now, I'm sure you are tired from the long trip let us take you to get some rest and some blood."

Lance let go of Jeans hand and looked back to Josef, "It was very generous of you too offer me your guest house Josef, however, I have rested enough and I am ready to find out what happened to my misguided sister."

Josef bit back his annoyance and nodded, "Of course why don't we go back and I can make some calls and see who is available at the moment. Until then, my security team that was with us will be available to speak with."

"I understand your desire to help your little flock here Josef, it's almost admirable but bare in mind I will speak with whomever I choose whenever I choose."

Josef gave him a grin, "Everyone you want to speak with has a very full and eventful life here. They are not simply sitting around their grand estate waiting for someone to call upon them." Josef paused briefly to enjoy his dig. "To speak with them you must find them when they have time. They have been advised to keep their schedules as light as possible as you would want to speak with them and I would set up meetings, however, they are not at your beck and call."

Lance moved to get into the car, "Very well. But Josef," he paused before slipping inside, "Not all of us Bluebloods sit around. I will speak to whomever I desire and if you try to impede me from doing so I shall have to send for some…reinforcements ."

"I wouldn't dream of preventing you from speaking with anyone Lance. You have a job to do here and I respect that, I aim to assist and make this as easy for everyone as possible. They are after all my flock as you put it."

Lance said nothing more as he slid inside the car. The driver shut the door and Josef and Jean walked around to the other side where the driver opened the door for them. Josef held Jeans hand as she got in and sat inside followed quickly by Josef who faced Lance who had moved to sit with his back to the drivers seat.

"What about you lovely?"

Jean looked up to meet Lance's stare head on, "What about me?"

"What do you know of my sisters demise?" Lance kept his eyes on Jean but was also watching Josef out of the corner of his eye for any reaction.

"She was not involved in anyway." Josef quickly spoke.

"Josef is right I was not involved in tracking or killing her and what I know of it I have heard from others." She spoke calmly, "That being said your sister was a highly unstable woman with many deep rooted issues. Even you can not ignore the facts, she tormented Mick and Beth for so many years and now it is finally over."

"And just who are you to comment on her stability?" Lance asked rather amused.

Jean gave him a smile, "I may not have been a vampire long but I have used my time studying psychology and sociology. To better answer your question I run a women's clinic, so I'd say I was qualified to comment." She looked over to Josef, "Then again she did try and kill my friends and steal another little girl, and even the most simple of minds could assess she had problems."

Josef couldn't fight the smirk. His Jean was a spitfire and he loved her for it. He'd thought long and hard and knew that their strength came from their strong personalities, none of the women were meek or timid and that would be both a strength and danger to them where Lance was concerned. Though there was danger in pissing off such a powerful vampire Josef knew truth was always a better way to go than lies, and pretending to be something they were not would only lend falsity to their story.

"She was no saint," Lance agreed. "I look forward to finding out exactly what happened to her in the end."

"And you shall," Josef agreed.

To Be Continued…

Evilous