Oh Happy Thursday, just two more days til the weekend : )

Enjoy!

Chapter Eight

The ride in the limo was uncomfortably quiet as the drove, natalie honestly didnt know if and what she should say but for starters he looked absolutely wonderful. He had on a black suit with a deep blue silk button down shirt that matched his tie and his eyes equally..If this had been a different situation, hell a different everything then she would have been more than happy to be sitting there next to him but something was going on with him cause even though he had that smug look on his face and he kept looking at her cleavage, well his eyes looked lost and he kept looking out the window. Maybe it was just nerves, I mean they were about to go head to head with Mitch Lawrence, maybe he was worried. She shook that idea off quick, John Mcbain worried, she doubted he ever worried about anything in his life..

"so when we get there you follow my lead" he finally broke the silence as she looked at him, she couldnt help but remember that kiss they shared, the few kisses actually, god his lips were so damn kissable, she quickly looked away..

"got it" she said as she looked out the window..

"Your not worried are you" he asked as she looked at him now..

"no just hope this necklace does what it is suppose to" she said honestly as she looked down at the necklace that was cradling her breasts and he reached his hand out slowly, touching the jewerly as his hand grazed the top of her breast and then he looked at her, that same lust again that made it hard to breathe..

"No worries" he said as he looked at her lips then her eyes as he let go of the necklace..

"well good" she said quickly and then looked back out the window..

Mitch lawrence's place was almost more grand then Johns, surprisingly enough.. They pulled up a huge driveway that lead up a huge incline to another hill, the place resembled the damn white house as they pulled up..

"You ready to do this?" he asked her as the car came to a stop..

"as I will ever be" she said with a forced smile as they both got out of the car and began heading up to the massive place..

Johns hand stayed on the small of her back that was exposed from the gown and she tried to think of something, anything else but the feeling of his hand on her..The front doors opened wide as an older man with white hair greeted them, his accent was heavily italian as he spoke and John replied to him..

" Sir lawrence has been awaiting your arrival" the man said as he lead them inside, the sound of music could be heard immediately, it was classical music and it matched the décor inside. Hell everything in her looked like it was right out of a 1800 scottish remake film.."this way" the man continued as Johns grip on her back tightened and they followed the man..

"this place is wonderful, very beautiful" Natalie said to the older man who smiled wide..

"Im glad that it is up to your liking" the sound of a deep husky voice said as they both turned to see Mitch Lawrence in the flesh.. Now Mitch wasnt a bad looking man by any means, hell if he hadnt been looking to destroy the world natalie probably would of found him attractive.. He had dark brown hair that was brushed off to the side, big wide brown eyes and a bright white smile. He looked to be in his fourties but something told Natalie he was much much older then that.."Im so glad you were able to come Jonathan" Mitch smiled as the men shook hands.."I wish I would of known what a beauty you were bringing as your guest" he smiled at Natalie..

"Gloria...Gloria campbell" Natalie said outstretching her hand to him but instead of shaking it he brought it to his cold lips and placed a kiss on it.."its a pleasure to meet you Mr Lawrence" she said sweetly..

"Please do call me Mitch and the pleasure is all mine" Mitch said as he let go of her hand and admired her some more.."come, the rest of our guests are here" Mitch waved his hand to lead the way and John pulled Natalie close to him, suddenly his touch felt more protective then anything else..

The sound of people talking, mingling as music played greeted them as Mitch opened another door, inside was about twenty people and not a one was mortal, Natalie even recognized a few demons that were there, she stiffened some as Johns hand on her grew stronger, he leaned over to her ear, to others it looked like a sweet setiment but he whispered.."Just breathe, in and out remember" he said reassuringly..

Mitch made his way around introducing them, John knew almost everyone there and it was a sick reminder of what and who he dealt with on a daily basis even though Natalie tried not to think of it.."come Jonathan, lets get some drinks, the fair Gloria looks absolutely parched" Mitch smiled as John looked to Natalie, she forced a smile as he left her side and she was left standing alone..

"your home is even more esquizette than I remembered" John said as he walked with Mitch..

"I had some new art imported from france, I will have to show you later" Mitch grinned.."But do tell where you have found such an esquizette girl"

"oh you know me Mitch, I know people" John grinned as Mitch began to pour them drinks..

"that you do Jonathan.." he grinned and then looked over at natalie again, John couldnt help but smile, this was working better then he could of imagined..

Natalie stood by herself as she smiled at all the evil faces around her, she couldnt help but wonder what would happen if that necklace decided to stop working..That was a horrific thought, she turned to find somewhere else to stand when she damn near bumped into a large man.."Im sorry I wasnt looking where" she said as her eyes looked up and she met a pair of green ones but not just any green eyes, the same ones that belonged to Victor, the vampire she had killed just days prior. Her chest tightened as she stood there in mid sentence..

"No worries young lady" the man smiled at her wide and she felt like she was going to be sick..How the hell was he there..He had been killed, she had seen it with her own eyes.."Im Victor" he said as he put his hand out..

"Gloria" she forced the word out..

"what a beautiful name for a beautiful woman" he smiled as he held her hand in his.."You seem familiar, have we met before" he said inquizatively and she felt herself freeze, he could sense her, the real her..Before she could have a full out panic attack John rejoined them..

"Victor" John said as he looked at the man and natalie looked at John as Victor removed his cold hand from hers..

"Jonathan, what a pleasant surprise" Victor said with a smile.."it has been ages my friend"

They shook hands as natalie stood there, still completely in shock and now feeling more than a bit lightheaded..

"well you dont look a day over 35" John grinned..

"i could say the same about you" Victor grinned.."and I see your taste is still immaculate" he smiled at natalie..

"it comes with the territory" John smiled and then put a protective arm around natalie,she was shaking now.."Pardon us though, I do need to get some food in my date" John said as they walked past him, once out of earshot he leaned into her ear.."you have to hold it together"

"how is he alive, he was, he was" she began a bit out of breath as they stood out of ear shot of anyone..

"Mitch has been busy" John said quickly and then he looked at natalie, she was on the verge of freaking out..he looked around at some of the people now looking at them, he couldnt let them see her slipping and so he did the first thing he could think of, he kissed her..

The kiss took her off guard and her first reaction was to push him away but people were watching, demons were watching and soon the only thing she knew was his kiss and her hands going into his hair, she couldnt even help herself, she felt compelled.. Slowly he pulled back , his eyes burning into hers.."better?" he said as she stood there breathless, now that was one hell of a kiss..

The night continued on with Mitch entertaining his guests with stories and jokes, he was a charming man indeed but then again he was a monster like the guests here. John stayed close to her as Mitch continued on, his eyes constantly landing on Natalie even though he had blonde haired woman attached to his arm.. Natalie knew that she needed time to look around, to see if she could find that book so she excused herself to go to the ladies room..

"its down the hall, second door to the right" Mitch smiled at her as she made John stay behind, she needed him to keep his eye on Mitch so she could do some looking..His expression said he wasnt happy but then again he wasnt about to cause a scene either..

Natalie left the room feeling incredibly dirty, she was essentially surrounded by the things she killed and apparently one of them was already back, she was fuming and even more convinced to find that damned book..She got to the bathroom and then quickly looked around as she darted down the hall, she would get her hands on that book, she would of die trying..

The first room she entered was a library of sorts and she sighed as she went from door to door, finally stumbling upon his private study, she did one more quick look before disappearing inside..

She quickly ran to his desk and sorted through some papers as she sighed, where the hell would he keep that book, she saw another door across the room and she quickly headed over there, the door had ancient writing on it, apparently it was to keep people from going in there, ones with evil intent, she stared at the writing and then her hand went to the door knob but before she could open it she was grabbed from behind as a hand came over her mouth..

"dont scream" john said quickly as he held her back against him.."are you crazy" he finally said as she spun and looked at him, her heart racing..

"im gonna get that damn book" she began..

"I said there was a time and place, this is neither" he said as he grabbed her wrist hard and yanked her over to him.."your gonna fuck this up" he said warningly..

"Look at that door, look at the markings, its in there, I know it is" she said quickly as she tried to yank her hand back but he wouldnt let go and then the sound of voices were heard as she looked at him with wide eyes..

"come on" he said as he rushed her out of the room, the voices were even closer now as he looked at her and then before she could say a thing he was pushing her up against the wall as he kissed her heatedly. His hand pushed hers up on the wall as his right leg came between hers and he pushed into her roughly, making her feel every inch of desire..

She could barely think as he kissed her, ground it her, his mouth and the feeling of his hands gripping both of her wrists, she wanted him, damn it she wanted him right now..

He let go of one hand as he grabbed as her leg, yanking it up high on his thigh as he kissed her wildly, she almost forgot where they were and her body was so ready, oh so ready but then the voices were right there and a voice was clearing as John pulled back breathless just as she was..

"i take it you found the bathroom ok" Mitch said with an unpleased voice..

"i apologize for our behaviour Mitch, its just that" John said quickly as Natalie tried to control her breathing as she fixed her dress, she could see all eyes on her..

"no need to apologize, im a believer in spontaneity" mitch said with a tight smile.."but I have bedrooms for that"

"of course" John said quickly..

"Please feel free to use one" Mitch grinned as he looked at Natalie..

"actually im a bit parched" she finally spoke as she wiped her lips..

"come on" John said as he grabbed natalie's hand, him and mitch kept up their staring contest and then they were walking away.."you almost got us caught" John whispered with annoyance to her as he practically dragged her down the hall..

"almost, but I didnt" she whispered back..

"my rules, end of story" John said seriously to her as they made their way back into the livingroom where some of the guests were now dancing slowly to classical music.."one more drink for you and that is it" he said as he brought her over to the bar, he looked pissed as he ordered a white wine for her and then looked at her..

Mitch came back a few moments later as natalie and John now sat on a nearby couch, she slowly sipped her wine.."i was going to give a tour of all my works of art" Mitch began and then looked at natalie..

"i would love to see your work" John said quickly to Mitch, he was trying to fix this..

"yes but it would seem your date here likes to roam around" Mitch said as he walked up to her and she swallowed hard..

"Im sorry I...i um" she began..

"again no need to apologize but please keep the roaming to a minimum" Mitch said seriously...She nodded to him, damn it this was going to hard to get in that room.."may I have a word with you" he finally said to John..

"of course" John began..

"inprivate" Mitch smiled at Natalie and John got up, nodding his head..

"i will be right back, enjoy the party darling" John said quickly then he was walking off with mitch..

John followed Mitch into the study as he offered him a drink..John accepted.."please have a seat Jonathon" Mitch smiled as he poured a drink for them..

"i really am embarrassed of my behaviour" John began as mitch handed him a drink and smiled more..

"I dont blame you Jonathon, if I was in your shoes I wouldnt be able to keep my hands to myself" he smiled as he sipped his drink.."actually that is why I asked you in here, I have a proposition for you" he grinned..

Natalie fidgeted with her hands and that glass of wine, how the hell was she going to get into that room.."thats quite the unique necklace you have there" Victor said as he came over to her and sat down right next to her.."where exactlly did you say your from" he smiled devishly..

"I didnt" she said sweetly.."United states currently, california" she said quickly as he smiled..

"ah a california girl" he smiled even more, his eyes lingering on her neck and then he touched her there.. "such beautiful skin Gloria, almost like porcelin"..Natalie swallowed hard as she sat there, all she really wanted to do was take her knife and gut the bastard.."Jonathon is a lucky man" he finished as he dropped his hand and let it graze her breast before putting it back on his lap.."lets get you another drink, shall we" he smiled as he up and headed to the bar..

John looked at Mitch as he held onto his drink, he did extremley well to keep his cool.."so this proposition" John began..

"ah yes, I like you Jonathon, I like you alot" Mitch smiled as he sipped his drink.."and your taste in women, very commendable"

"like I said it comes with the territory" John grinned..

"well how about we speak about that territory of yours" mitch smiled.."i think we could work something out"

"are you asking if you can have Gloria?" John asked with a raised eyebrow..

"what im asking is for a friend to help another friend out" he sipped his drink.."Im sure there is something I could give you in return" now he raised an eyebrow at John.."Is there something that you want, Jonathan?"

"actually there is" John smiled big, this was going just as planned and he couldnt of been happier for it.

"Just name your price" Mitch stared at him.

Natalie sat uncomfortably as she watched Victor come back with drinks, all she kept thinking is how he had come back even though she knew the answer to that, it was that damned book..

"here you go my sweet" Victor said as he handed her another glass of wine and she accepted with a smile.."Now where were we, ah yes I think you were just about to accept a dance with me?" he grinned..

Natalie's eyes got wide."I did?"

"Oh yes" Victor said as he took her hand and she fought the urge to kill him right then and there as she stood up and put her glass down, she wondered where the hell John was, and what was taking him so damn long..She moved with Victor to the dance floor..

"theres a ring or more like a family crest" John began as Mitch's eyes got wide..

"a ring?" Mitch said somewhat perplexed..

"it has sentimental value" John smiled.."have you ever seen such a ring?"

"I have many things John that I have collected over the years" he stood now and slowly walked over to the door with the symbols on it..He ran his hand over the door, whispering a chant as he did so and then the door opened as he looked at John.."this will only be a minute" he said before disappearing through the door. John sat anxiously by waiting, he would get that ring and then they would leave, no harm no foul. It seemed like an eternity that Mitch was in that room and John stood now, his hands literally shaking at the idea of that ring and what it could do..

Mitch stepped back out of the closet, a small box in his hand as he looked at John.."is this the ring in question?" he asked as he met John half way, John stared at the box and then at Mitch..

"May I?" he said as he outstretched his hand..

Mitch smiled big and continued to hold the ring.."a deal is a deal though Jonathon, I want the girl"

John fought to keep his composure, he saw this going completely different in his head, he couldnt leave Natalie with this freak, or could he, he could have what he wanted, what was rightfully his, this was his plan after all.. But something inside him twisted, a feeling he wasnt use to, was it guilt..

"this shouldnt be too hard for you Jonathan, she is just a girl and as we know you can get another one in a heart beat, you always do" Mitch still held the ring in his hand..

"Ive never traded for people before" John began as he looked at Mitch..

"a deal is a deal, I mean unless this girl means something to you, more than this ring does" Mitch practically dangled the ring in front of him as his blood pressure began to spike.."its up to you John, what will it be, the ring for girl"

Natalie danced with Victor, his grip on her was tight, too tight for her liking but she didnt dare show it..

"You are so beautiful Gloria and so familiar" Victor said as they danced..

"I guess I just have one of those faces" she swallowed hard..

"No..its something more, something I just cant seem to put my finger on" Victor smiled as he touched her face and then down her neck as he smiled, she could see the bloodlust in his eyes, where the hell was John!

"maybe we should sit down" Natalie said quickly as he continued to move them across the dance floor, her eyes searching the exit, she had a very bad feeling about this and then it became a reality as she watched Victors eyes change to a deeper green and the hint of fangs began to descend..

"this wont hurt, just a taste" Victor said as if in his own little trance as he opened his mouth, her eyes got wide but she couldnt move, she went to scream but nothing came out, was he somehow controlling her body, he leaned down as she braced herself..

"what the fuck are you doing" the loud voice of John was heard and then Natalie stumbled backwards as Victor was yanked from her..

"Victor!" Mitch yelled out as natalie began to come to her senses, she looked around as John stood right before Victor and so did mitch..

John quickly walked over to Natalie as Mitch yelled at Victor, something about not feeding off the guests or some bullshit like that.."are you ok" he asked her quickly, his own concern for her was alarming to say the least..

"I...i think so" natalie said as she tried to get out of the fog she was in..

"You should keep a leash on your guest Mitch" John yelled out as Mitch looked at him angrily.."come on were going" John grabbed her hand and began to rush her out of there..

"but we didnt even get to" natalie began to say as they left the room..

"its a bust, we have to go before Victor decides to take what he wants from you" John said seriously as they quickly stepped outside..

"But I didnt even get a chance to" she began as John yanked her in front of him..He looked pissed and annoyed now..

"do you want to die tonight" he snapped at her as he quickly looked around.."we have to go, now" he said seriously..

"did you even get what you wanted" Natalie said as he hurried them to the waiting car.."did you?" she said even louder..

"lets just say I saved your ass, yet again" he snapped and then he was opening the door as he ushered her in, standing at the front door was Mitch, he had a smile on his face but there was nothing friendly behind it.."were getting the hell out of here" John said as he quickly got in the car and they took off..

"she will be mine Jonathan" Mitch said as he stood there and smiled..