Chapter 11: Danger By Association

Josef is home in his office double checking some numbers waiting for Jean to get home so he can ravage her. Seeing everything was fine and he was still making money for himself and his clients Josef clicked off the computer and leaned back in his chair. Pulling out his phone he called Jean but her phone went to voicemail. He knew this meant she was probably on her way home so he would wait for her to have dinner.

Just as he set his phone down Mick's number appeared. "Mick to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Josef sat up in his seat as Mick explained that Ryan had come back. The news that he'd lost Coraline and last heard she was coming to California.

"I'll send men over now to restrain him." Josef growled. "I'll figure out what to do with him soon enough."

"Josef I know he betrayed you but I need you to let that go for right now. This is more important than that. Coraline is on the move and she could be coming after me and my family. Ryan might be able to help us."

He was right. Coraline was the top priority. She was deadly. She found the weak point on a person and attacked. For Mick, in the past it was his humanity, now it was Beth and Kayla. She would go after them he was sure. Hell hath no furry like a woman scorned he supposed and Mick had scorned her when he chose Beth over her.

Then like a flash of lightening Josef realized his own weakness. Coraline had run into Jean. She knew he cared for her even then it wouldn't take but a quick internet search to find out they'd married. He had not only confined her and made her transition more painful denying her fresh blood but he had been ready to turn her over to her family. He was on her hit list too, and he had something to lose.

Hearing the door and hearing Jean's voice call out, "Josef I'm home," made him relax slightly.

"I'm sending men over. I won't kill him…yet but he won't be running around my town unsupervised." Josef growled as he disconnected the line. He quickly dialed Devon, "Send some men over to David's. Restrain. Don't kill him but feel free to make him uncomfortable." A smile turned up on his lip, "Place him in the cell we were holding Coraline in. That will be fitting I believe."

Hanging up Josef stands up and goes to find Jean. She needed to be warned. He found her on the patio looking at the pool. He moved in behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "I am relieved your home."

"I called for you but I heard you were on the phone. You sounded upset," Jean turns in his arm.

"I need to talk to you about something very important." He pulls her over to the lounge chair and sits down beside her. "Do you remember Coraline?"

"Yes, she got away with one of your guards."

Josef nodded. "Ryan. He showed up tonight at David and Candice's. He lost track of Coraline and last he could find she was headed to California."

"She's coming after Mick again?"

"That'd be my bet. She never could leave him alone."

"Kayla," Jean looked panicked. She'd heard the story of how Coraline had kidnapped Beth as a child to convince Mick they could be a family.

Josef rubbed her arms, "One of my men is already keeping an eye on her. I won't let anything happen to the little rugrat."

Jean leaned her head onto Josef's shoulder not saying anything else. After a moment Josef continued. "The reason I'm telling you this is so that you can be on full alert. I don't mean to panic you but I'm going to have someone on you at all times."

"Why would she go after me? I only met her for a moment." Jean sat back looking at him curiously.

Josef looked down for a moment not wanting to admit the truth. Releasing a deep breath he looked up meeting her eyes, "Because you are my weakness. I held her and tried to turn her over to her family. I'm not her favorite person and if she wants to attack me she's smart enough to know that you are the best way to do that."

Moving her hand to his face Jean strokes his jaw line, "You have enemies. I knew that when I signed up."

Josef gave her a weary smile, "I promise you Jean I won't let anyone hurt you."

"I trust you," Jean leans forward and kisses him. She pours her trust and love into her kiss moving her hand to his neck pulling him closer wanting to be closer.

When they finally pull back Jean is half sitting on his lap and his hand is pressed against the skin at the small of her back beneath her blouse. "Josef would you mind if I ask a few questions about her?"

"Ask me anything you'd like my dear."

"Were the two of you ever involved?"

He shook his head, "In the distant past, long before she found Mick we would sleep together. It was never anything meaningful just two attractive vampires in the same place needing the same desires met."

"You said before that her family is royalty, is that real royalty or just high power in the vampire world?"

Josef chuckled, "You do change topics fast."

"I figured you'd slept with her since I first saw her." She shrugged, "We met and you were over 400 years old. I didn't think you'd been celibate all that time."

Josef couldn't help but laugh at the idea. "They are part of a bloodline of royalty but in all honesty I don't know much about them. Just that they are powerful and they never leave Europe without great reason. Accept Coraline who is not on good standing with the rest of her family given her life choices."

"Do you have anything else you need to do tonight?"

"No, what did you have in mind?"

Standing up Jean starts to undo her top, "A swim." Josef joins her in undressing.

To Be Continued…

Evilous