Hello Lovely readers thank you all that are still here with me in this long winding journey. The chapters tell an adventure story but it was also an attempt to show how Stephanie and Ranger went from a JE vague relationship of them circling each other to something emotionally intimate. Now I am sure you are ready to crush the main villain already.
The vampire scenario was a vehicle to express the idea of coping with an impossible situation and feeling hopelessly trapped. What to do? It is easy to because disheartened and cruel in that type of situation and give up. I can't judge others that do. But I like to read and think about those that rise above seemingly impossible problems and human pettiness.
I guess that is why I stopped reading fanfiction for awhile. JE characters were more mature and less petty than what I was reading. I was disheartened because I didn't want to hate the characters that amused me. So I left for a few years. Even though my story is unusual for this website, hopefully the characters were something you enjoyed. I hope you did not find yourself hating Stephanie or wondering why Ranger was depicted as a tyrant and a bully when he never was that way in JE. I always felt in JE he was the strong warrior type that decisively solves problems. True he has faults like Stephanie, but she was usually spunky and tenacious to the end no matter how dire the situation. I'm not good at the spunk like JE, but I can write tenacious. How else would I be a chapter 32? Ha. So again thank you to all that read and read depite the typos and confusing images I am sure I dropped on you accidentally. The end of the road is just up ahead.
Special thanks to all the reviewers. You keep me moving and let me know what is what because you are my Betas.
As always for every single reader out there, thank you for reading.
Chapter 32
"STEPHANIE! He did it again." Cringing I pull the phone away and glance at his perfect strength outlined against the window. Just looking at him makes me feel better. I'm tempted to just hand the phone over. But I can't do that to Carlos. I'm not that mean…not every day.
"Mom, he is taking care of everything. There is a perfectly good reason he changed the date."
"This is the 20th time" she fumes. Puffing out the breath I'm holding in, I can't help but scoff. Exaggeration MUCH. Its only like the 6th time or is it the 8th he changed the time or the date of our marriage?
"He is just stalling…..or WAIT! He doesn't want me to come. That's it. He HATES me. I never did anything to him other than ask he do right by my baby. Why is he doing this to me. WHY?!. He's so mean. Wahhhhh! I …don't …know if I want him….to marry …YOU…wHAaahh" great she is really crying, not her drama crying. I can barely understand her between the sobbing. The conversation has completely broken apart. My heart is racing in my ears. I can handle it when she complains about me. But I CAN'T tolerate it when she attacks Carlos and twists his intentions. She doesn't understand this has nothing to do with her.
"Mom..it's not that.."
" Tell mee..Wahhh.. why? WHY!? I just..want you..to …be…hAPpppeee!"
"Uhh Mooom" clenching my teeth, my heart is now beating a tap dance in my flushed faced. Take deep breaths, calming breaths. Like Ranger taught you. Center yourself. Tell her you'll call her back when she is feeling better. Don't engage her when she is like this. I'm in the middle of my second deep breath, when suddenly the phone is pulled from my hand. His arm wraps around my waist pulling my back snugly against his hard chest.
"Helen….MMmm…..I see. Follow security protocol and the new date and time won't change. MMm. No. I won't. I'll text you the new time and place the night before…No exceptions….Security was compromised… I will not release it earlier…No, you're invited. See you there." Click he hangs up and hands me my phone. I stare at him, dumbfounded. That's it? All her arguing back and forth and hurt feeling. All her demands that someone prove he isn't stalling, was reduced to that!?
"I, I ,I …how. Are you okay?"
"Babe. Next time just pass me the phone. I'm handling everything. Even your mother."
"But I didn't want to torture you" Ranger winks at me and barely shakes his head. He doesn't seem to think she's so difficult. I sometimes wish I could intimidate her a bit. Then she wouldn't get so worked up with her antics. Maybe I don't have to feel guilty. Maybe I should just hand her over to him at times like this.
"You should. And don't worry about it." Ranger turns calling the last comment over his shoulder as he walks out. He read my mind again, actually, my face. It's still a tad unnerving when he does that, even after 3 years together. But it's also a bit comforting that he understands me so well.
I race after him and jump on his back, riding piggy back. "Oh so you think it's that easy" I whisper into his ear as I hug him tightly. "Once she's no longer afraid of you, she will let you have it."
"Em" Ranger swings me around and plops me down on the bed, hovering over me.
"YepP" I pop the P "Nagging and then sobbing and tears, if that doesn't work." I reply tracing his sharp jawline. Hmm so perfect I just want to kiss…
"I won't wait around for that" Ranger rumbles in exasperation. I giggle because it looks like he is going to roll his eyes. I can see it now, him walking away mid scold or wail. You know, she may always be a bit afraid of him. So it may never get to that.
"She'll just come complain to me instead" I mutter under my breath.
"Not if I'm around, Babe." Ranger gives me that look I know so well now. The one that says bring it to me. "How many times do I need to tell you?" He murmurs next to my temple as he kisses it. "A thousand, a million times?" I never considered bringing this to him. We are stronger when we face obstacles together. Even if it is simply my mother. "Then I'll say it a million times, Babe." He smiles beautifully at me and his gentle eyes see nothing but me. "..and then one more time so you'll never forget." He murmurs low. Pulling me into a deep kiss that takes my breath away. I forget everything that is upsetting me. When I return to my senses, I wonder, why do I let these things bother me anyway? I grin up at him and launch kisses all over his delicious persona like a mad woman.
Ranger laughs low and peels me off him. "Hold that thought" And he is on the phone rearranging the security for our marriage. I've never seen a guy so bent on going to the justice of the peace for an official marriage certificate. It kind of baffles me. It was never a priority before. But something seemed to snap in him. What did mother say a few weeks ago? I don't remember it being anything so monumental.
He was never one to care about what people thought. He seems to be worked up that people look down on me as an unwanted woman. That he keeps me around like some long term kept prostitute. Once he got wind of that idea, he went crazy and now here he is planning our justice of the peace marriage for this week. At the rate Mom is breaching his security protocols, maybe it will be next month.
But do people really think of me as his long-term toy because we are not married? They judge and say he doesn't care about me seriously and that is why he won't marry me, but do they look down on me that badly? And is that really the main issue here? It seems like it is more than what gossips say.
I know Ranger is rather protective of me on all levels. To the point he is a bit overbearing sometimes. I used to worry it may backfire and burn me. You know the dark side of his take charge personality and devotion. Sure, he locked me up in his tower by his side. But I agreed to it because a killer vampire is after me. So far he hasn't freaked out when I've talked to other men. Not like I get the chance, other than to his men or when I am pumping Sunny for information. But Ranger isn't threatened by them. How could he ever be threatened by any man?
The new Justice of the Peace appointment is set for 2 days, but because of the short notice, we must go the courthouse instead of having him come to us. It is sooner than the one my mother was moaning about, which was in 5 days. I forget all the previous dates it has bounced around so much.
The ceremony is to be only immediate family and 2 close friends. We will one day have a large wedding with anyone and everyone. But Mom doesn't really believe this, so she at first invited the entire Burg and all my relatives and cousins. Even the ones I never talk to.
The entire block to Hayward would've been jammed with traffic and people coming and going asking for entrance, since we don't have good parking in this area. Well, other than the limited spots in the Rangeman underground garage. Once a person is in there, they've gained access to the building at a certain level. Ranger didn't have enough time to get the city to section off the street to prevent the traffic from getting too close to his building. If someone planted a car or truck bomb and parked it right outside, they could easily breach the building and create enough of a ruckus to not only break his security but seriously hurt people. Besides that many people to watch at once inside of Hayward is impossible. Our prime enemy knows the location of Rangeman. So the idea is to keep it impenetrable and the view around it clear so we can see anything coming.
Leaving the building is always a risk, but it is less of a risk than being overrun by a crowd. Especially, if our location is discrete with an easy escape route. So Ranger canceled the first date and rescheduled to an outside venue. It was surrounded by a large field with sweeping mile long views of all approaching traffic. Mother then invited the entire family up to my 20th cousin I never met. Too many people knew when and where we would be days before the event. He rescheduled and she invited closer family and the "people that count" from the Burg. I guess that means the ones whose opinion matter? The gossipers? Who are the important people to a Mom? Anyway, it got rescheduled again and around in circles we go as she keeps leaking the date and time.
Ranger is serious. Only parents, siblings and 4 friend's between the two of us. If the date and time of our marriage gets out too soon, then security is compromised. He doesn't want our location broadcast. When we travel outside of Hayward, no one except us knows when we are leaving, our route, or our destination. The unpredictability gives us an extra layer of security. Going to the courthouse is already a security nightmare. Ranger cannot send his guys in to mingle and hide among the staff and crowd like he can at a mall or even the hospital when I use to go and give my monthly blood donations to myself. Then he and Bobby figured out how to do them at Hayward so that eliminated a predictable routine from my schedule.
Ranger returns and I wrap my arms around him laying my head on his chest.
"It's so much trouble, we don't have to do this until…"
"NO, Babe." Ranger tightens his arms around me.
"Or we can postpone until next month when things are calmer. We can then schedule a Justice of the Peace to come to us again."
"Perhaps.." Ranger kisses my nose then my lips "First I'll use the element of surprise" His eyes are chocolate brown and soft as he gazes back at me. The corner of his lips twitches up. Laughing I hug him tight.
"You're always a surprise." Kissing his chest. I release him. Afternoon lunch break is over and we both have work to do.
"Ready?" His voice is low and warm. Turning I gasp. He literally takes my breath away in his dark suit and bowtie. His eyes sparkle, dark chocolate and a 1000-watt smile lights up his face as he scans me. I must have tried on 100 dresses until I found this midnight blue satin. It hugs my curves until the hips where it falls straight and lose to my ankles like shimmering smooth water. It is opens in the back to the waist and has a slit just past the knee on the left side so I can walk with ease. It isn't a wedding gown, but an elegant evening dress used for formal dinners or parties. It's one I can wear again and remember that in this dress we officially became husband and wife. For our show wedding someday, I can get a white fancy gown if I want to. But with all we have gone through, I want something I can wear again and again. Something beautiful but elegant that is not used once and then tossed aside, never to be worn again. It doesn't seem like the real us and our relationship. We are durable and together we elegantly wear as a couple over and over again, through many occasions.
Coming behind me Carlos places a sparkling diamond and sapphire necklace on me. It matches my dress perfectly.
I look down at my diamond and platinum engagement ring. Tiny green peridots, his birthstone, twinkle at me from around the diamond setting. Ranger is telling the world again, I am his. I decided to mirror his sentiment and set 4 tiny fire opals around his wide platinum band. Declaring even louder he is mine too. I know other women have October birthdays, but I engraved my name inside the ring with an inscription. Don't even think about it ladies. I smile as I polish the ring and its engraved endearment, placing it back in its box. Ranger takes it from me and slides it in his coat pocket winking at me. I smile back because I don't have any place to carry it.
I slide my industrial nylon garter up and strap it down hard before placing a pretty lace one over the black strap with the 6 inch metal rod snug in its loop. I am careful to place it on my leg were the skirt flows like water, so there is no bulge under my dress. Ranger smiles a 500-watt smile when he sees my weapon attached to the garter. I grin back. "I'm not carrying a purse..soooo" I attach a decorative strap to my cell phone and hang it around my wrist, like a small glittering purse, in its phone case. "Ready."
I take his outstretched hand and we walk out the door. The next time we walk back in, we'll be husband and wife. Officially, through the state. It seems strange but at the same time nothing will change. We will still be the same strong team. I will support him, and he will protect and love me, just for being me. Just me. I can't stop smiling at that thought. He is actually willing to stand between me and my mother when she is raging on the phone. Joe and Dickie always ducked for cover when she was in a mood.
Driving to the courthouse, I watch the green trees fly by as the noon sun shines brightly in the azure sky. The perfect spring day. Ranger sits next to me holding my hand as he checks in with the 4 security teams in route with us, the 3 teams on the ground and the 2 inside the courthouse already. Once we arrive, the 4 teams will mesh with the teams on site according to the plan Ranger has set out. He texted the ceremony time and place last night at 11:55 pm to mother, only because he promised her, he would text it the night before. I think he regrets not saying the day of the event. But he knows she would harass me if he postponed telling her to the day of the event. So that is why he originally said that. She still called and complained after his phone conversation but hasn't called for the past 2 days.
The bright afternoon sun blinds me momentarily as I step out of the SUV. Walking towards the courthouse Ranger tenses. It is subtle. Only I notice it because I know him so well. And I'm holding his hand. Glancing up I see his jaw is tight and his lips are a thin line. He is scanning the lawn. Looking around I see at least 50 people outside the courthouse. My mother is at the top of the steps laughing and chatting happily. Obviously, she isn't with just Dad, Valerie, Grandma Mazur, Mary Lou and Melissa. Tank and Lester would be the 2 Friends Ranger asked but since they are also like security, I don't feel they technically count. Ranger's Mother, Sister and Grandmother are here too waving and smiling at us. Unfortunately, it seems mother has spread the word. How does she do it? She must have a phone tree or something.
"Stephanie!" She exclaims happily and the entire crowd looks my way. Ranger visibly flinches as all attention focuses in on me. So much for being discrete. He pulls me tight to his side and is talking to his men in his commlink. A chill runs up my spine. Glancing around I see nothing but a sea of familiar, mixed in with vaguely familiar, faces surrounding me. "What is it?" My mother looks at me concerned.
"Someone is watching." I murmur.
"Don't be silly everyone is watching you. You look lovely."
"It's not them." I gesture to the crowd. I shiver again and glance around. Mother laughs proclaiming it is just my silly pre marriage nerves to all in earshot and pulls me forward into the crowd. A strong arm wraps around my waist and snatches me backward.
"Come along then, she can't do this without you" Mother laughs nervously as she looks steadily over my shoulder. Ranger's warmth seeps into my bare back as he holds me tight against his chest. I don't have to look back to know it is him. I know the way he feels and his comforting smell. He has my back. Standing quietly, he holds me tightly, not moving an inch until the crowd gets bored and slowly moves back to the courthouse steps. Mom opens her mouth to say something but looking at Ranger, she promptly closes it and joins the others.
"Babe?" he whispers into my ear and turns me to face him. Searching my eyes, he is asking me what it is. He believes me even before I tell him.
"I felt eyes watching, then I saw a flash of silver."
"Dros." I nod. Ranger grimaces slightly. He is not happy. What Sunny knows the Queen knows. And what the Queen knows, the unmentionable will know eventually.
If the unmentionable came in demanding answers Dros and the Queen will tell all. But do they volunteer information? Is he even around collecting information and tribute from his vassals? He may be long gone. They despise him but we can't count on that to protect us.
"Let's Go." Ranger turns taking my hand and stepping towards the SUV.
"Carlos, Stephanie!" Mother is running "Don't GO!" Ranger ignores her "I knew it. You don't really want her" everyone is frozen staring at us, shock and sympathy in their eyes. Ranger keeps walking. "I know some men that are still willing to take you, even after this" Mother waves her hand over me. Her eyes are sad and filled with tears. She looks worried and heartbroken. Ranger freezes.
"I don't want anyone else. No matter what people think of me" I spit back at her clenching my fists. She sighs and breaks down crying over her poor fallen and dejected daughter. I realize she actually feels I am in a hopeless dead end. Was she desperately trying to save me all this time? But she doesn't really understand what is going on. Nor does she understand me and what I want.
Ranger whips around his eyes dark and glittering. "Helen, I love Stephanie and I will never give her up to anyone." Mother recoils at the fierceness in his voice. Then scoffs and wanders back to her friends dejected and broken. They console her patting her on the back giving her a there, there.
This is crazy. She doesn't mean to cause a ruckus, but she is. She believes she is fighting for a better life for me. Only if I am married will I be protected and respectable. But she conveniently forgets about the fiasco with Dickie.
Tearing my eyes away from her I glance back at Ranger. He has just finished talking with his men on the commlink. He pulls me toward a side entrance and up the stairs. Racing along the hall we enter a stairwell. Picking me up, he cradles me close to his chest.
"What?!" I wrap my arms around his neck. "Aren't you supposed to do this after the ceremony, when we enter the penthouse?"
"Hold tight," He whispers. Whoa! He is running up the stairs, I curl tight into his neck and chest as the walls blur past. I see what he means. My shoes might fly off any second. But surprisingly despite practically flying up the stairs, I am barely jostled as he cradles me tightly but tenderly to his chest. Just as I'm about to lose my shoes, he stops and gently puts me down. He smooths my dress and hair. "Beautiful as ever" He whispers then grabs my hand and we are practically running down the hall.
Bursting through an office door at the end a woman jumps up with startled eyes. Lester is there already.
"Where are they?!" Ranger exclaims.
"Here" Lester steps forward. The woman bustles to the counter. Two certificates lay waiting for us. I glance at Ranger puzzled.
"If you sign, it's official. I understand if you don't want to." Ranger looks at me steadily with serious eyes. A no frills marriage. Just sign the certificate, file it, and the marriage is legal. No ceremony required. I've heard of that. But we were going to do the ceremony. Then I saw a glimpse of Sunny. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I'm overreacting. I faulter looking out the window at the crowd below.
"Babe. Trust yourself. I do" I remember the eerie chill up my spine. I can wait for something fancier. This is so sudden and not at all what we wanted, even for the Justice of the Peace. We didn't even get to say the words we planned to each other. I look into Ranger's eyes. "I'm never letting go." He murmurs softly caressing my hair and continuing down to my jaw "Someday I'll throw a giant fiesta screaming this to the entire world. Right now, I'll record for ALL posterity you are mine forever. If you'll have me." he whispers. His dark eyes are deep, drawing me into them. His grasp at the small of my waist tightens as he pulls me protectively forward, encircling me in his strength.
"Never doubt, you're who I want, who I need" I murmur as I pick up the pen and sign. His breath hitches behind me at my words. He pulls me tighter to his side as he signs.
The moment of silent stillness ends. Instantly he is in motion pulling me out of the door.
"My shoes!" I cry. He stops as I jump out of them picking them up. Suddenly, he has me in his arms tight against his chest hoisted slightly over one shoulder. I stare backwards like some little kid over his shoulder at the stunned court filer who has stepped into the hallway. His momentum creates a breeze blowing my wispy hairs around my cheeks as the woman from the certificate office continues to gape at us as he sprints down the hallway at superhuman speed. Bam! the door from the stairwell slams behind me and she is gone from view. "Carlos! Are you ok?" I've never seen him carry a heavy load and go this fast in a fancy suit.
"Just hold on a while longer" He responds and starts giving orders through his commlink to his men. He doesn't sound out of breath. So I curl around him tight keeping my center of gravity closer to his and cling on to his shoulder and back. That is all I can do to help, oh and try not to drop my shoes. Surprisingly, I'm not motion sick despite the speed and stairwells corners Carlos maneuvers. Somehow, he keeps my motion steady like he is carrying a barrel of water on his shoulder, he doesn't want to spill, as he races out of the building.
Once outside, the bright sunlight momentarily blinds me. When my eyes adjust, a flash of silver catches my eye. Glancing to the back of the building, I spy Sunny just as he disappears around the corner.
Ranger sets me gently inside the SUV when screaming and a loud commotion erupts from the back parking lot. Was that an explosion I heard!
"The guests!" I lung forward to jump out of the car. My family and closest friends are there! Mixed in with all the people my mother invited to prove my marriage. Ironically, she ended up missing it along with everyone else.
"Stay here Babe." He places me back in the seat. His eyes furrow in concern as he seatbelts me in, then pauses. I know he is listening to reports on the commlink.
"I saw Sunny go around the back where the explosions are! The vampire doesn't come out in the day but Sunny could.."
"Don't worry, I've got it." Sunny is an annoyance, but Ranger never had troubles stopping him before. He turns and blurs away. Half a minute later Zero jumps in next to me along with 3 men and we roar away.
"But Ranger?!"
"He wants you out of here and secure at Hayward" Zero explains scanning the street. "He'll follow in a minute. As soon as he makes sure your families and everyone is safe" I sigh in relief knowing it will be ok, because Ranger is there.
As we hit the main road and our speed starts to pick up, Bam! I'm suddenly plastered against my window, unable to move, as the force of the blow careens us onto our side. Metal screeching on pavement roars around me as sparks fly outside my window. Then all is still and silent. And I can move again. Dazed I look around. The bent passenger door is my ceiling and the shattered window next to me is now my floor. I realize the SUV is on its side as I lay listening to my ears ringing. A truck must have hit us on the side opposite me.
"Zero," I croak "Are you Ok!?" that is where he was sitting. No answer. Scrambling I fumble for my seatbelt. Craning my neck, I try to get a peek at his still form hanging limply in its restraints. "Luis!?"
"Hold tight, Stephanie" His voice reassures me from the front. A pounding on the passenger door above me shakes the car. Someone is already trying to rescue us. The screeching of metal bending and crunching grinds a chill through my bones. It's nails on a chalkboard.
The door comes loose, then flies away. Sunlight blasts in above me. Winking, I shield my eyes to the silhouette looming over me. But the sunlight entering the car isn't hot, nor the breeze warm. The darkness of winter's chill blasts the car. I freeze for a second under the icy pressure, then fumble for my garter belt. I can't reach it. I'm lying on it. My weapon is pinned against the car door and tangled in my dress. The immense pressure of the dark aura makes movement sluggish and nearly impossible.
"Little thing, there you are." A fine sweat breaks out on my neck and back despite the chill. Everything fades away and I'm in a dark tunnel. The men in the front are shouting but they're voices are so distant. Now I hear weapons firing and metal shrieking along with glass shattering so far away.
"HE IS GOING TO KILL THEM!" she is shrieking it over and over all around me. In my ears. Screaming it in my head. "STOP HIM, STOP HIM!" then I realize it's me. But I haven't said a word. Click. My seatbelt springs away. I'm free. Somehow, I must move against the lead pressure. Staggering up, I throw myself at his claws and fangs. He is flying toward them but strangely everything is also in slow motion. I don't care if they are shooting at him at the same time. I have to stop him. Their mangled bodies bloodied and broken splash vividly into my mind. He is laughing. I shake the image away. I can't bear it. Somehow, I will divert his plan before it happens.
The air is suddenly silent and still around me as I crash into his chest, pounding my fists into it with all my might. "DON'T, DON'T, DON'T, DO IT!" I scream until my voice cracks hoarse from the strain. He will kill them all and take me no matter how hard they fight. It is better if he just takes me and leaves them alone.
Looking up into his molten amber eyes, tears blur my vision "Why are you here?" He grins wickedly in response. His perfect white fangs gleaming in the sunlight. "It's daylight." I whisper.
"No one can claim my little thing" he responds smoothly his voice as cold and hard as ice. He strokes my neck with his long black claws. I pull away but he quickly crushes me to his side jumping up. We shoot 30 or 40 feet straight into the bright blue sky. Below me the SUV is tumbling, tumbling like an empty can along the road. It finally comes to a stop rocking on its roof. Gasping I clutch his shirt at his chest. He did that with a simple kick of his foot as he jumped away from the vehicle. Are the men ok inside? But I know their chances of survival are still better than being ripped apart by the unmentionable.
My eyes see another SUV in a tree and another off the road on its side. He took out the other 2 teams Ranger sent with me. Is Ranger in one of those SUVs? He said he'd follow in a moment and the one farther in the distance could easily been an SUV catching up with us. My heart pounds and my mouth is dry. He could be injured. What if the unmentionable seeks him out and kills Ranger while he is incapacitated in one of the SUVs!?
Then all air is slap from my lungs as we hit the pavement. The Unmentionable appears unaffected by the impact or the whiplash. I expect him to put me down but instead he grips me closer to his chest. The next moment my head slams back as a furious wind roars around me rushing into my ears and tangling through my hair. I curl up as best I can, trying to keep my feet from hitting the ground. Every time they do, I yank them up crying out from the friction of the ground burning my bare feet. My shoes fell off long ago. He clutches me haphazardly at his chest and ribs as he races through the city. Now I know how a battered stuffed animal must feel that is dragged everywhere at the side of a child. My head slams to the side as he turns and loops along his path and my stomach lurches. I think I may vomit. That is a mildly satisfying thought only because it will get all over him too.
Buildings and trees blur together. Soon everything is one bright smear of color and wind and pain as he races up whatever strange path, he choses. It's clear he isn't always following a road. Tiny grains of rocks kick up ocassionally and hit me. At this speed, the miniscule rocks sting, biting into the skin of my exposed arms and back. Wincing I curl in tighter and try to wrap my legs around him, but my long dress prevents this. So I curl up tight like a ball and hold on tight trying to keep my feet off the spinning ground below me. How much longer!? Suddenly, he stops and drops me on the hard stone floor in a heap. My head swims and my stomach heaves.
Slowly I look around. Stone walls and floors with high windows to the ceiling. I'm in an old abandon building. It doesn't look 20th century. Someone repaired it. I suspect it was him. The room is very clean and there is a water basin next to a large white marble table. But the table has a half crescent cut out of it at the foot of it. It's rectangular, heavy and beautiful in its simple classic design.
He zips around the room then stops next to me with a wet cloth in his hand and wipes the bleeding knicks off my arm and back, caused by our furious speed to his lair. Next, he insists I wash my feet from all the dirt and road rash. I don't complain. It buys me time. I wash them as slowly as possible as I peek around the room looking at the layout and doors.
"You thought I gave you up. I wouldn't let you go. You're too rare a flavor. But mostly I won't let you escape because I owe the Hunter." Revenge he means. "Today or tomorrow, it doesn't matter. I always win." frowning he slides my diamond ring off giving me a disapproving look as he shakes his head no. He won't allow it. Dropping it on the floor he steps on it breaking the setting apart. The large diamond scratches the floor but twinkles back unblemished. I never doubted that rock was real.
Pulling my chin up, he draws my gaze away from the floor. He trails his fingernail down my neck, onto my chest then keeps on going onto my dress until he reaches the skirt where it flows like water. It splits wide open where his nail traced across the fabric. He rips it in two and tosses it away violently. So much for keeping that dress. I sigh in disappointment. If only I could send him the bill, I would.
"Your life and death belong to me" he licks his lips scanning my bare form. The dress had Its own bra sewn into it and liner it so he can easily see my heart and pulsing arteries. The only arteries that are slightly hidden are the ones at my hips behind my lacy panties. But I know he isn't interested in those anymore as he eyes my heart and neck. I frown at him and shiver. Maybe I can talk him down again. Buy some time.
Fingering my garter belt the cold mental end of the rod greets my fingertips. I can feel the trigger button on the end. Now how to get it out and on his chest without him noticing. He is faster than lightening. If he notices my weapon, he'll snatch it from me in a blink of an eye.
Inching back, I angle my leg away from him while he is busying himself at the marble table. He's fussing over a chair there. I'm not really paying attention to exactly what he is doing, only if he is watching me or coming my way. Suddenly he is turning. His eyes lock onto me and glow molten amber. That look in his eyes…
Crap. Whirling, I sprint with all my might, but in two steps I crash into his chest as his laughter rings in my ears. "Little thing, you're always so amusing." At least he doesn't sound mad. Then the pressure increases, and I gasp under its weight, barely able to breath. His aura increases and the temperature drops. "Playtime is over" his ice-cold voice rings in my head sending shivers through me. Flick. His nails slice at my hips and the last piece of cloth I have shielding me, falls away. For the first time ever, I am completely exposed to him. Only my garter belt with my mini stake remains. Will he remove that too?
Now I have no doubt he means to consume me completely. This naked vulnerability was always his plan when he reached the end. There is no need to hide his presence now he will disguard me forever. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I try to move but my muscles are frozen. "Wait My Lord!" I cry out in my mind hoping to persuade him to slow down.
"SILENCE!" He roars slamming my mind, leaving me numb and my head pulsing. He doesn't want to be disturbed. It is time to feast on his final delight.
Swooping me up in his arms he lays me on the large white table. I wince inwardly as the cold marble hits my back and skin. Outwardly I'm unable to even flinch a muscle. Goose bumps pebble my skin.
"You are luscious. A truly sweet wine. A fine delight that is so difficult to find. I've waited long to enjoy the fullness of your flavor." Taking my wrist, he closes his eyes and inhales the pulse point over the artery. "The first sip I ever took was here." He walks to my feet at the end of the table where the crescent moon is cut out is. One foot is at the corner tip of each end of the crescent moon cut out. He picks up the right foot and taps the artery on it. "An indulgence in the sweet memory, before it is no more." Sharp needles sink into my foot and I gasp screaming once and then I am voiceless and motionless once more. The foot and all those little bones are more painful than I thought.
He licks it stopping the bleeding. The cooling sensation calms the ache in minutes. He likes to take his time with his final indulgence. That is what saved me when he arrived unexpectedly at Hayward. The idea he couldn't do things his way. Maybe it will be enough time for Ranger to arrive. He will find me. I refuse to even think he is in one of those devastated SUVs. When he brings his teams, he'll crush the unmentionable.
I talked the unmentionable into whatever this routine is the day he came to kill me quickly at Hayward. But I don't regret it. A few extra bites and not dying in Ranger's apartment was worth it. That isn't all I got. I bought myself 2 extra years. Actually, whatever happens today is what gifted me 3 years with Ranger. Before the unmentionable threatened to kill me, we were just circling each other from a distance.
It was worth being hunted by a crazed vampire to find Carlos. I never knew someone could be so beautiful and strong yet gentle at the same time and belong to just me. Strong people are usually annoying as partners because they almost always end up stepping all over me demanding things be done their way. But with him I am completely comfortable and free. Even though ironically, I was on lock down half the time.
I am his. And it doesn't give me hives to say this. When anyone looks up Carlos Mañoso's wife in the official records, my name will be there. Just like Ranger said, in 100 years it will still be recorded in the courthouse that he is mine. I can't help smiling my biggest watermelon smile even though my mouth doesn't move. I feel it inside my entire body. The unmentionable was too late. No matter what he thinks. Someone already claimed me long ago. Today it was officially recorded for all the world.
"Next came this one". He is fingering the back of my knees. But it seems this one is too hard to reach without turning me over and messing up his perfect positioning. So he skips it and walks up to my core. Oh that is the point of the cut out crescent moon. He sets the chair down between my legs and strokes my hips. "Each one was different." He grins eyeing the right one he decided to drink very quickly at Hayward. "It was a new experience. I realized how exceedingly expert I am" his says arrogantly fingering the right hip. "Not today. It would ruin the final wine. Instead, the traditional toast." Leaning over my right hip he inhales deeply and, in a flash, knives pierce me and pressure pulls on my stomach. Then it is over before I finish gasping. That's not so bad.
If only I could move my right hand. Come on fingers! They are twitching next to my garter belt. They started when I was thinking about Carlos. Anger swells in me as I think of the vampire sipping each area like he is at some wine tasting.
Who is he to just take what he wants?! He never asked me if I wanted to give him my blood, much less my life. If he asked, I'd say no. But if he said, give me some blood sometimes and I'll leave you and everyone else alive, I'd consider it. My twitching hand is now frozen solid. All of me is paralyzed again other than my breathing as the anger courses through me.
The unmentionable looks into my burning eyes and laughs. "Trying to add a little flavor to the wine, little thing? I don't mind. It will be a welcome additional flavor. Your flavor is always superb. When you are calm. When you are angry and after you have been lusty" he breaths. I flush as my anger dies and a feeling of helplessness crashes down upon me. How long has he been drinking me? Has he really sipped me while I experienced each of these emotions? "Of course. You share an intimacy with me that no human male knows. I own your blood and all the flavors of your heart." His yellow eyes burn hotter, turning red.
"You are my little thing and you will become part of me forever. Few receive this honor of my attention or immortality with me. I'll never forget you….and your distinctness." He murmurs before sinking his teeth into my other hip. The searing pain is but a moment and he is done, licking the wound to seal it. He visited each bite site for a moment, remembering. Well almost each site. He didn't remember my wrist or my mouth, but he bite those out of revenge only. Not to feed. The wrist was where he gathered blood to smear it all over me to taunt Ranger. I don't think he even made bruises at any of the spots he bit today he was so clean and brief. All in keeping with his beauty of form.
Once he is satisfied everything is perfectly clean and exactly as he likes it, he moves the chair to the side of the table. He stroked my stomach over the main lifeblood artery feeling its pulsing beat, then my chest above my heart. Sweeping my hair to the side he strokes the pulse at my neck. He inhales deeply closing his eyes. He can smell the blood coursing under my neck and his bloodlust is mounting.
Pulling my upper body onto his lap, my legs and lower half remain on the marble table. "This is finally it." But at least I'm at his lair and not at Hayward. Relief flows through me knowing Ranger won't walk into anything horrible in our penthouse. That is our place, full of the memories of us and our love. Just remembering him and his beautiful strength surrounding me and I'm glad. Even if this is the cost.
I can't help but feel warmth and pride that Carlos hunted down and slammed such a crushing blow to this powerful monster that it ran and hide for 2 years. My fingers twitch and move next to the stake. I stroke it. What is this? I concentrate on Carlos and how he makes me alive and calm at the same time. He also inspires a feeling of power in me, like I can do anything because of him. My hand closes around the stake. I'm no longer paralyzed?!
If I can just get it up to his chest I can …
Pressing his hand between my shoulder blades, the unmentionable arches me upward pressing me closer to his mouth. Tangling his fingers deep into my hair his grip brings tears to my eyes, as he yanks my head back exposing my throat. He's paying no attention to my right hand or leg.
His cold hand on my bare upper back strangely feels no different than the cold hard marble under my legs that remain on the table. My fingers tighten around the top of the mini-stake. I concentrate on sliding it out of the garter belt loop. My muscles should be paralyzed and my movements are slow with little strength. Focusing on my feeling for Ranger, I inch the stake out further.
Cold breath fans cross my neck. A low guttural growl fills the air "Wait! No!"
Searing needles shoot into me. Something hard is lodged deep inside my neck! White hot glass explodes in my head at the same time a claw rips down into my chest, crushing my heart. This is too much at once!
"AAAHHIIEEEEE" all air rushes out in one ear splitting scream, exploding my lungs. I'm shattered!
My arms and legs are already beating their own strange rhythm. The mini-stake in my hand is out of the garter belt. But it is locked forever in my ever-tightening fist as the surge of convulsions build. I can't let go or move my arms voluntarily as my muscles wind tighter and harder at breakneck speed.
"At least it came quickly..." I think bitterly as the convulsions peak and white flashes before my eyes. The sound of a swallowing gulp at my right ear is the last thing I hear as I pass into blissful oblivion.
Hint: Life isn't fair. Don't worry, it has it own way of working itself out.