A/N: I have no excuse... Just read and enjoy.
Chapter 3
Skylar
I shoved him into my office ahead of me and slammed the door behind me, leaning back against it and taking deep breaths so I wouldn't break anything. Fucking I.A. If they didn't have so many stupid regulations my visa wouldn't have expired. Blackthorn better get this fixed, or so help me…
"It's your own fault."
I glared at him. "Shut up."
He glared right back, then checked his watch. "Can we just go now? We'll be lucky if we're not late."
"Fine." I turned and opened the door, and headed for the elevator, not bothering to make sure he followed. When we reached the ground floor I went straight out to my car, but he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. "What?""
He grinned maniacally. "Propose to me."
"...no. Why?"
"Because you've conned me into marrying you so you don't get deported, so the least you can do is ask me properly." I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth to meet his request, but he stopped me. "Down on one knee."
"No."
"Do it, or I feed you to the immigration's officer."
I stared at him. "This is blackmail."
"Do it."
I glared at him for a long moment before sighing and kneeling on the sidewalk, wobbling slightly before steadying myself and looking up at him.
"Make it convincing."
I rolled my eyes, then sighed, calming myself enough so I could make a convincing fool of myself. "Stark, heart of my heart, will you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage?"
He tapped his chin, looking off as if thinking, then, "No." He grinned, like it was a good joke.
I jumped to my feet and hit him hard in the chest, making him take a step back. "You are the foulest, most sadomasochistic, asshole in the history of mankind!" I continued to smack at him as I spoke to punctuate my words, and he grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer to him.
"Watch your mouth. You have no room to insult me in any way. Not only am I putting my life on the line to protect you from a dragon, I've also just agreed to marry you to keep you from getting deported. The way I see it, you owe me."
I ripped my hand out of his grasp. "That's why I'm paying your salary. So you'll do what you have to." I turned away to go to my car, putting an end to this farce.
"Hey!"
I stopped and groaned. "What?" I spat.
"Come back here." I looked back at him, but didn't move. "Come here."
I sighed and went back to him. "What?"
"I know you're paying me, but I don't need this job, so you should probably be nice to me, since I agreed to give you my name and all."
I blinked up at him. Why'd he have to put it like that? I shook my head. "Either way, we're not actually getting married. This is just buying time."
"We'll see. Now smile."
"What?"
"Just do it." I frowned up at him, then forced a smile, though it probably came out as more of a grimace as confused as I was. "Now hug me."
I took a reflexive step back instead. "What?"
"Do it!" He pulled my against him, and I really had no choice but to hug him, holding my breath as he held my face pressed into his chest. "The immigration's officer has been watching us from his car this whole time. If you want to make it out of here without getting arrested, you grin like a fool when you pull away."
Oh. Well that makes a lot more sense. To someone who hadn't been listening, this could've looked like a lovers quarrel. I nodded and took a step back, smiling up at him, then turned to my car. Once I started the engine I realized I was headed to the airport to go to Italy, and I nearly tore the wheel off the steering column.
We practically drag raced to LAX. He wanted to lead, but I was too angry to keep pace with him and traffic. When I stepped out of my car in the parking garage, he was there to yell at me, though I could've really cared less.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Are you trying to get yourself killed? Are you trying to get me killed? It won't matter about a dragon if you get us both killed in traffic!"
I stopped listening and popped the trunk, taking out the small bag I kept with an extra set of clothes in case of a messy hunt. At least it was something. Good thing I have money to shop.
At some point he stopped yelling and just sulked, but I wasn't sure when. I was focused on turning eyes away from us as I breezed by baggage check, security, and customs, down to an unmarked private gate where they'd readied the jet. I didn't have to say anything to the girl behind the counter. Less than five minutes and she was telling us to board.
Once aboard I threw my bag into a chair and started rifling through the bar; enough of something strong enough, and I could still get hammered. And after today, that sounded great. Not to mention I hated flying; if I'd been meant to fly, I would've been a shifter. I found a bottle of good scotch and took it back to my seat, taking a long pull.
"Gonna share?"
I looked over at him and frowned, and shook my head. "Get your own."
"But if you've deemed that worthy, it's obviously the best."
I rolled my eyes. "And? Are you even old enough to drink?" I knew he was, but I was really pointing out our age difference and trying to give myself some superiority.
"Yes. Are you?"
I stared at him for a long moment, knowing he was pointing out the age at which I was turned, and not sure I should tell him. So I shrugged and said, "No," then pointedly took a long drink. Of course I wasn't of drinking age. You can only be 19 to be turned, maybe 20 on a good day, but the stupid American Government had made the drinking age 21, as if it'd keep kids from drinking. What they really ought to do is just make it legal so the forbidden allure is gone, like it used to be.
He glared at me while I continued to ignore him through take off and an hour of the flight, when I finished the bottle and got up to find more. This time he got up and got two glasses, taking the bottle from me before I could get back to my seat.
"Hey!"
"You're already tipsy; I'm slowing you down."
"What does it matter to you?"
"I get drunk faster than you." I stared at him blankly, knowing it was an excuse. "I don't know what kind of drunk you are; you could try to rape or kill me." An even worse excuse. "You're not the only one who's had a bad day." Now that I'd accept.
Instead of my arm chair, I sat down opposite him at the table in back while he poured two glasses of brandy not aged enough to be smooth. I tossed back my ration and immediately regretted it as I watch him slowly sip his. I tried to grab for the bottle, but he pulled it out of my reach, and I glared at him while we slowly drank, me gradually getting more sober and him getting drunk rather quickly.
"You know, you're hot…"
I leveled him with an unamused stare and gave a sarcastic, "Thank you."
"No, I mean REALLY hot. Like… You could turn a gay man straight. If you weren't such a bitch."
"That's so very kind of you…"
"I bet… I bet you're a wildcat in the sack."
I wouldn't even dignify that with an answer.
"Wait. You're not a virgin, are you?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, I'm not." I got up and found myself a bottle of whiskey now that he couldn't stop me.
"Good, because that'd be weird since you're like...ancient."
"I'm 415. That's hardly ancient. Have you met Descoudres?"
"Pfft…no! I hate vampires."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because we're going to Italy to see my mom, duh…"
His remark made me realize I could ask him anything and he'd answer honestly. And as drunk as he was, he likely wouldn't remember in the morning. I sat back in my armchair, taking a deep drink from my bottle. "Why did you take the job protecting me if you didn't need it?"
He shrugged. "I wasn't doin' nothin', an' I don't like to be bored. My family has money, but I like to take care of myself. I didn't know you were a vampire, or that there'd be a dragon involved."
He went to pour himself another glass and missed, splashing the brandy on the table. He glared at the cup like it'd moved of it's own accord just to spite him, then took a drink from the bottle. It was quite entertaining.
"I didn't think we'd be soulmates, either."
I choked on my whiskey and coughed for a good minute. "You actually believe that?" There was no way we could be soulmates; we were different races. It just couldn't work. I took another swig as he answered.
"Why shouldn't I? You saw the signs same as me. May as well acc...accep...not fight it."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Maybe he's too drunk for this. "We're not soulmates."
He frowned at me in an attempt of seriousness that ended up cross-eyed. He must be seeing double. He threw back the last few ounces in the bottle and stood up, starting toward me.
"You...you need to stop being such a bitch." He swayed on his feet as he crossed the cabin. "We. Are. Soulmates. So you better start being nice to me." He staggered toward the bar when sudden turbulence made him lose his footing. I jumped out of my chair and just barely caught him before he busted his head open. I didn't think I could ride all the way to Rome with the air filled with the scent of blood, even 'shifter blood.
He leaned heavily on me and I half dragged him to the chair next to mine. I set him down-more like dropped him-and he pulled me down onto his lap. I gave him a look and tried to get up, but he pulled me back down.
"Okay. Very funny. Let me up now." I tried to get up again, but he held me down. "Let me up now."
"Why are you so cold to me?" If I hadn't been able to see the cloudiness in his eyes I would've sworn he was sober.
"It's not just you. Don't flatter yourself." It was the truth, though I wasn't sure why I told him. Really I just hated people anymore. I secluded myself completely after what happened; when I decided to re-enter society the world had changed so much. People were bawdy and crude, and I hated it. And that was 150 years ago. It's gotten worse since then. Why couldn't things just stay the same?
"Skylar!"
I jumped. I must've been ignoring him in my thoughts. "What?"
"Why are you so cold to me?"
Apparently the truth wasn't good enough for him. I pursed my lips and thought up an excuse. "I'm a vampire, and you're a 'shifter. We're natural enemies."
"Well apparently the Old Powers don't think so, so you're gonna have to get over it. We're soulmates."
"We are not s-"
Suddenly I felt very drunk. All my breath left me and lights flashed behind my closed eyes like I'd been hit in the head, but not. Like I was spinning into infinity, falling and flying, not knowing which way was up and not caring. It was dizzying and painful and wonderful, and suddenly nothing else mattered. I couldn't really remember much else. It was so warm and safe and perfect the way he held me.
My eyes snapped open and I jerked back so hard I almost threw myself to the floor, and I hit him as hard as I could up-side the head, knocking him out cold. I extricated myself from his still clutching arms and climbed into my chair, grabbing my bottle.
Why would he do that? How could I enjoy it so much? He's...an ass… And we're not soulmates. We're just not. We can't be. It's not possible.
The jolt of landing brought me awake with a start. I didn't remember falling asleep, but apparently I'd finished the bottle of whiskey. I looked over when Stark groaned, coming-to himself. He looked like he was going to be sick, and I was glad that I didn't get hung over. The pilot came over the intercom telling us that we'd arrived at Fuimicino and would be disembarking shortly.
Stark groaned again, grumbling about noise. "What happened?"
"You got drunk. You fell and hit your head on the bar."
He reached up and felt the goose egg I'd given him and groaned again. But he didn't call me on the lie, so I assumed he didn't remember, for which I was thankful. Not just the hit, but the whole conversation and the...kiss. Just the thought of it made me shiver, though I wasn't sure it was repulsion or remembered pleasure.
The door opened and I got up to get off the plane. Once back on solid ground, I pulled out my phone and switched the SIM card for European frequency so I could call a car.
"What're you doing?"
I looked back over my shoulder and shushed him. "I'm getting a car."
"Why? We don't need one."
"You're gonna walk to Venice?"
"No." He took my phone from me, ending my call and dialing his own. He spoke Italian so quickly that I didn't catch a word of it, despite being nearly fluent myself 100 years ago. He gave the phone back to me, and I glared at him, having lost my opportunity to yell at him. "Come on. He'll meet us out front."
The airport was eerily quiet at this late hour as we made our way to the front doors. I wanted to ask him who we were meeting, but my pride wouldn't let me. Outside we stood in a tense silence until an Italian sports car of a brand I wasn't familiar with pulled up. He opened the back door and threw his bag in across the seat, then motioned for me to get in. I frowned at him for a moment before acquiescing. He slammed the door behind me and climbed into the front.
"Sono ventui a vendere tua madre?" "Have you come to see your mother?"
"Sí." "Yes."
"Buona. Lei sará contento divederti." "Good. She'll be pleased to see you."
"Lei va bene?" "She's okay?"
"Rimbalzare indietro rapidamente. Chi è questa bella signora?" "Bouncing back quickly. Who's this beautiful lady?"
"Mia fidanzata, Skylar."
Fidanzata. Fiancée. I gasped sharply and forced myself to giggle girlishly instead of growling. Stark turned back and gave me a look as his father ranted on about how happy he was for his son and how happy I'd be as we drove through Rome, and I glared back, willing him to die by my stare. He'd just ambushed me with his father and outright said we were getting married when we weren't. It was just a ploy to buy my lawyer time, and he knew it.
I stopped trying to translate when we pulled up to a house. Not a house, a mansion, and the last-second to last-place on Earth I wanted to be. This was not just any house, but Spostare Manor, home and headquarters of one of the two Night World Italian mafia families. I was suddenly very aware of the scar in my side from the wooden crossbow bolt.
The door opened and I realized they'd been standing there waiting for me to get out. I stood there awkwardly, praying the wind didn't change directions and he realized what I was. I held my breath as he said goodbye and hugged his son, then held his hand out to me. I gave him mine and he lifted it, pressing his lips to the back.
"Fino alla prosimma volta, Bella Signora." "Until next time, beautiful lady."
I watched him until he'd gone into the house, then rounded on Stark.
"You lied to me!" I hissed, punching him in the arm.
"Ow! How did I lie to you?"
"You never told me you were a Spostare!"
"I'm not. I-"
"Ugh! I can't believe you!"
"What's the big deal? You not affiliated with the Sanguino, so you've nothing to worry about."
I growled in frustration. "You...you...you don't even know."
"Then tell me."
"No!"
"Then you have no right to bitch. Come on."
He grabbed me roughly by the arm and drug me around the side of the main house to what once would have been a carriage house.
I managed to break myself out of his grip and stood while he kept going. "What are you doing?"
"Getting us a ride." He opened the door to the carriage house and motioned for me to follow.
I stood my ground for a long moment to make the point I was not happy, then went in after him. I immediately wished I had stayed outside. Lining the walls were rows of motorcycles in every make, model, and brand, ranging from antique to top-of-the-line.
"Pick one."
I gaped at him. "No. absolutely not. I will not get on one of those. I'll call a car."
"I don't like cars. Now pick one."
"You don't… Ugh. No. I won't."
"You're gonna walk to Venice?"
I redoubled my glare when I realized he was mocking me. "No. I'll call a car."
He sighed. "Get on a bike, or I'll put you on one."
"No."
"Fine." He grabbed me around the waist and lifted me off my feet and threw me over his shoulder. I kicked my legs and flailed, but he didn't let me go. Then he plunked me down on a bike, climbing on in front of me before I could get off and starting the thing, revving the engine. He lurched backward out of the spot so suddenly that I desperately flung my arms around his waist so I didn't fall off.
"Hold on," he said, laughing, then sped forward and out of the building.
"I hate you..." I grumbled.
A/N2: Review and you'll get your mature content next chapter... ;)
