You Promised Forever XII

Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. By now you all know the drill, I get no money for writing this, only pay is reviews.

Chapter 12

"Good evening Beth. Are you playing stakeout with Mick?" Josef asked as he answered her call.

"We're following Coraline now," Beth replied as she switched the phone to speaker. She knew Mick was able to listen in but this just made it easier for everyone.

"We believe that the GPS tracker was discovered, we're getting no reading on her car. She's heading to your place and might be in a foul mood because of it. Just giving you a heads up," Mick filled him in.

"She might think that the Sentinels put it there. The idea of humans watching her seemed to spook her," Josef suggested.

"Either way, expect her to be rattled or pissed off," Mick warned.

"Dear Coraline is often in a mood," Josef laughed. "Don't worry, I can handle her. If she isn't in a mood when she arrives she will be when she leaves. I couldn't convince Kira to go to the club early."

"Oh Josef, don't let Kira get in the middle of this," Beth spoke up impulsively.

"You know I can't do that Beth. My girl is stubborn and she has insisted on staying here," Josef answered, his voice mild. "I promise I will make sure no blood is spilled in my house."

"We will wait outside and follow her when she leaves your meeting. I don't think right now is the best time to force a confrontation with her," Mick told him.

"I can only approve of that decision. I will let the security know that you will be back by the garage during the meeting. I would rather you didn't have your knockdown, drag out fight in my home. If I remember correctly, the last time you two fought, you ended up burning the place down," Josef responded.

"You are a prince Josef," Mick chuckled. "Beth and I will stay out of sight and then see where she goes for the rest of the night. I'll call you later and bring you up to speed. Whatever happens at your meeting with her, please do not let Kira decide to play detective tonight and follow Coraline. I don't want her involved," he instructed.

"I'll do my best," Josef promised. "You take care of Blondie."

"He will," Beth answered and broke the connection. She glanced at Mick in concern. "I meant to call Kira earlier but forgot. Should I call now and talk to her? Maybe I can convince her to go to the club now."

"Do you really think she will listen to you?" Mick asked in amusement.

Sighing in frustration, Beth shook her head and put her phone in her purse.

"No," she admitted. "If she is determined to confront Coraline, no one will change her mind."

"Kira's a big girl, she can handle Coraline's verbal jabs. Josef won't permit anything more in his home," Mick assured her. "Coraline does respect Josef's age, she'll behave. I think that if Kira gets a few things off her chest she will feel better. Too bad we can't listen in, I'm sure it will be entertaining."

"I think I'll pass on that. I don't find very much entertaining about Coraline anymore. Not after everything she's done to me," Beth replied sourly.

"That ends now," Mick promised. "Coraline doesn't get her way this time."

"I hope you are right," Beth murmured softly.

*ML*

Kira swept into Josef's office not long after he had talked with Mick and Beth. She wore a sleeveless forest green dress with a plunging neckline that showed off her small waist and halted just above her knees. She paused before his desk, striking a provocative pose. The lights danced off the long, gold dangles in her ears.

Josef looked at her and smiled. He knew exactly why Kira had chosen to dress to kill tonight. His girl was aware of how Coraline would react to her appearance.

"I'm surprised you didn't haul out the Carrington emeralds just to make Coraline even more jealous," he commented dryly.

"That crossed my mind but I didn't want to risk losing an earring if we came to blows," she replied with a wicked smile.

"There will be no blows exchanged in this house," Josef ordered lightly. "No blood will be spilled tonight, do you understand? Verbal sparring is perfectly fine and in that case my money is on you." He stood and leaned across the desk to take hold of her hand. Carefully he drew her onto the desk, brushing aside any papers that were in the way. Kira cooperated with a small hop onto the surface and a push towards Josef.

"You are really one smooth devil," she said with a sigh as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He bent his head and kissed her deeply.

"You my pet are a temptress," Josef responded as he lifted her off the top of the desk and set her on her feet beside him. "I would love to show you how tempting but I've been told that Coraline is going to arrive any minute now."

"Good, I have a few things to say to her."

"You promised to let it go my dear. Both Mick and Beth asked that I keep you out of it," Josef said gently.

"I will not hide from her. If this is my home at present then I have every right to be here. This will not get physical, I promise," she said firmly.

"Of course this is your home and you do have the right to be here," Josef agreed. "Just keep it verbal my girl." He kissed her again when the sound of a throat clearing broke them apart. Josef looked over at William, his house manager who was standing in the doorway.

"Sir, Ms Duvall has returned and she has brought a friend," William announced.

"Thank you William, show them in," Josef instructed. He locked one arm around Kira's waist, intending to restrain her.

"I won't attack her," Kira told him as she leaned against him. "I have the vamp I love, she doesn't."

"You have a cruel sense of humor…..and I love that about you," he grinned and kissed her cheek just as Coraline and Cynthia entered the room.

"Josef, I've come for the flashdrives you promised," Coraline said formally as she cast a disapproving look at Kira. It was very annoying to find the redhead present and seeing her decked out in a designer dress and flaunting her relationship with Josef was insulting in her mind.

"I have them ready," Josef said, keeping his tone cool. "I see you brought along some backup. Hello Cynthia."

"Good evening Josef," Cynthia replied quietly. She had no desire to make a small talk and had remained near the doorway. Coraline went forward to the desk and held out her hand out.

"Well…Kira how lovely to see you," she cooed as she waited for the drives.

"It's a shame I can't say the same thing about you," Kira answered. "I see Lance has you playing messenger for the family, how sweet."

"I offered to represent the family since I happened to be in the city," Coraline responded with a sniff.

Kira stared to move away from Josef but he tightened his hold on her while pulling the flashdrives out of his pocket and handing them over to Coraline. Kira stilled, not wanting to make a scene in front of the two women. She settled down and pressed intimately against Josef.

"I'm sure your sire and Lance were just thrilled that you were coming to Los Angeles," she said, her voice laced with false saccharin. "Cynthia, I'm pleased to see that you have gotten over the need to stalk Beth."

"The human is too boring to keep following around and watching her dull life. I observed all I cared to," Cynthia said with a shrug. "Why anyone would want to spend time around humans is beyond my imagination."

"I can see how that would probably be a challenge to someone like you," Kira said nodding her head. "It must be difficult for you older European vamps to remember the humanity you came from. I am so thankful I can remember my roots, it helps me successfully live among the humans who supply our sustenance."

"That attitude is exactly what I would expect from someone with your peasant background," Coraline said snidely. "You have no clue how to be a true vampire."

Kira's eyes instantly silvered and a growl rumbled in her chest. She felt Josef give her a warning squeeze.

"I am vampire enough to please my sire and I have his complete trust. Josef is still by my side after all these decades," she purred as her hand ran up his chest and stroked his neck. She glanced into his eyes and saw his approval of her response. Josef had known that Kira would know exactly how to hit Coraline where it hurt the most. He loosened his grip on her and reached up with his free hand to stroke her cheek. He then turned his attention to Coraline, noting the anger that simmered in her eyes.

"Take those to your sire Coraline. The Sentinels are a very real threat and if he ignores it, he does so at his own peril," he advised harshly. "The vampire nation is in danger from this human group. My people will continue to hunt for the leaders with or without help from your family."

"Father doesn't need your help to track these humans down," Coraline responded haughtily. Her pride had been stung by Kira's jabs. While the woman had not said it outright, Coraline knew that Kira was implying that she had not been able to hold onto Mick. Hiding her hurt feelings, Coraline vowed that her sire and brothers would know just how shabbily Josef and his whore had treated her. She might not be treated equal with her brothers but she was family and should be respected. She would make sure that the smug smile was wiped off Kira's face. "Good bye Josef, I don't believe I will need to see either of you again," she said coldly and turned to leave. Cynthia followed her out without a backward glance.

"I wish I could take out that redheaded bitch along with Beth," she whispered as they walked out the door.

"We can always plan something before we are done here," Cynthia whispered back with a nasty smile.

*ML*

When Mick and Beth arrived at Josef's, Mick drove past Coraline's car and went around to the garage area as Josef had suggested. He positioned the Benz so he could leave quickly when he heard Coraline's car start up. Beth sat restlessly in the passenger's seat, worrying how Kira was handling the conversation inside. Mick leaned over in front of her to open the glove box. He withdrew two small objects.

"What are you planning?" Beth enquired.

"I'm going to replace the GPS tracker," Mick replied.

"What's the other gizmo? That looks like a bug."

"Very good, it is. I intend to listen in on what Coraline and Cynthia are plotting," Mick answered.

"Is that wise? Won't they smell that you've been in the car?" Beth asked worriedly.

"I can handle this, don't worry," Mick smiled. He nodded to the door in the back of the house. One of Kira's male freshies was waiting. "I figured Josef would arrange something. Michael works security for Josef, day shift. He'll plant the devices."

"That is perfect," Beth said with a bright smile. "She may not even bother to notice a human scent."

"That's the plan. I'll be right back. Stay in the car," Mick ordered.

"Yes, sir," Beth giggled. Mick kissed her and exited the car to join Michael.

End chapter.

So there you are, we are playing games with bug and tracers. Who will win in the end? Thank you for reading, I need all the support I can get. Please feed the muse's addiction.