Here is the next chapter, and thanks for sticking with the story. I'll try harder to get the chapters out faster, even though life has been crazy lately. Hope you enjoy~~~~
Chapter 9
It was two weeks after his meeting with Josef Kostan, and Rob had settled back into his job trying to keep the criminals off the streets of Los Angeles.
He'd spent several interesting evenings with Mick and Beth St. John and learned quite a bit about vampires. Mick and Beth, as he now called them, said he needed to wait to meet other vampires in LA. He was still curious, and amused himself by reading the society pages and speculating if anyone pictured there were vampires. Mick said that the next time Josef had a party, they would introduce him around to some of the prominent vamps in the community. It made him nervous at first until they explained that he would be under Josef's protection and all the other vampires would know it. With that in mind, Rob was looking forward to it.
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Across town, Beth wandered into Mick's office to find him ending a phone call and looking a little guilty. He quickly grinned and asked, "What's up, sweetheart?"
His oh-too-innocent look put her on guard. What was he hiding? Beth didn't feel anything dire from her husband, which meant he must have a surprise for her. With an internal smile she determined to find out what it was.
"Nothing much. I finished my report earlier than I thought and wondered what you were doing."
'Uh, not too much," Mick replied. He'd been talking to Maureen Harrison about the progress on the new house and wanted to see when it would be ready to show Beth.
Oh, there is definitely something going on, Beth thought. She glided over to him, sitting on his lap, effectively trapping him in his office chair. Nibbling his neck, she allowed her hands to wander down his chest, and even lower.
"So ….. who were you talking to?" she whispered into his ear.
Mick growled, trying to keep his mind off what her small hands were doing. "C'mon Mick, you know you're going to tell me," she purred, feeling his response as she moved on his lap.
He leaned his head back and sighed. When Beth was on the track of something, it was better to give in. He shifted, sitting up. "I have a surprise for you."
Her eyes brightened, along with a beautiful smile. "A surprise! What is it?"
"I'll show you if you let me get up," Mick chuckled.
She sprang out of the chair with excitement. Mick caught her good mood and wanted to tease her a bit more.
"I don't know if I should show you since you tricked it out of me."
"Mick, now that you've told me it's only fair I get to have it," she mock pouted.
"All right, but we have to go get it."
"Where?"
"Get your things, we have a road trip," Mick said and was pleased when a puzzled Beth gathered her bag and stood by the door.
They got in the Benz and Mick headed out of town by a circuitous route. The roof was up because it was daylight and both of them donned their sunglasses. Beth couldn't figure out where they were going until they turned into the driveway of the late Max Fletcher's house. In the afternoon sun, she could see gardeners working in the yard, and the grounds were transformed with flowers and new landscaping.
"What are we doing here?" Beth asked,
Mick stopped the car in front and turned to her. "The house is yours, sweetheart."
"What?" She snapped her head between the building and her husband.
He got out and opened her car door. "I bought the place for our weekend getaways."
"No, really? Mick that's wonderful!"
He put his arm around her as they surveyed the yard. "I wanted to get the outside done before I showed you."
"When did you do this?" she asked.
They walked toward the door. "I had Josef work it out. We closed a couple of days ago, and I had them start working on the gardens. I wanted it to be our own."
Mick produced a key and they entered the empty grand hallway. Beth gasped, "Where is all the furniture?"
"I've been talking with Sofia's mother and she's going to help you figure out the design. She had all the furnishings moved to one of Josef's warehouses and you two can decide what you want to keep."
Beth went from room to room, chatting excitedly about what they could do to each one. "The best part is that it's already set up with a freezer room off the master bedroom and freezers in three of the guest suites."
"Let's go out by the pool," Mick said, happy that Beth loved the house. The water sparkled in the late afternoon light and Beth knelt down to check the temperature.
"Ooh, it's really cold. Makes me want to jump in."
"I wish we could, but the gardeners are still here."
"Darn," she replied, running her hand up Mick's Henley. "Maybe we should come back tomorrow night and explore the grounds then have a midnight swim."
Mick smiled. He loved to see Beth's enthusiasm and was pleased he'd made her happy. "I think that's a great idea. Once you're done decorating, we should have an open house."
Beth's eyebrows shot up. Her solitary vampire wanted to have a party? She took Mick's arm and they moved toward the house. "That sounds like fun. We could have a pool party and make it casual."
"Even better," Mick commented. His feelings soared as he viewed their new home with his wife by his side. He never thought he'd be happy again after becoming a vampire. Now he had Beth and everything seemed right. There would be bumps in their relationship, but nothing they couldn't work out. After all, they had all the time they needed.
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The rain had turned to a dreary mist in Paris and it was almost dark at mid-afternoon. Coraline Duvall hung up her mobile after talking at length with her partner Cynthia. Her friend was in Brazil buying land for their next project—beachfront properties for vampires. Since the formula for allowing vamps to thrive in the sun was such a success, Cynthia thought they should invest in vampire-friendly resort areas. There were certainly enough vampires worldwide that could afford second homes in the tropics.
Coraline was impressed by her friend's business acumen and agreed to the venture. She was also glad that Cynthia was out of the country while she worked out a scheme for her enemies in Los Angeles.
Luc had spent weeks locating qualified vampire mercenaries for Coraline's plan. Per instructions, he did not make personal contact, only by email and texts. She now had enough money to pay for the best. Luc had lined up three for her review.
She wanted to see the mercenaries in person, but it was imperative they didn't know who was hiring them. She knew if she was in the same room, even in disguise, they would be able to scent her and she didn't want that. She must be totally anonymous and she put Luc onto finding the perfect location for the interviews.
A few days later, Luc took Coraline to an older office building in the outskirts of Paris. It had a room with a two-way mirror and no access to the interviewing area, much like a police interrogation room. Luc had set up a table and chair and the rest of the space was empty. He'd arranged for an intercom system that would distort her voice so the applicants would not know who was talking to them. She wanted to personally question the vampires she hired, but didn't want anyone to know who their employer was. A large stipend had been promised to those who participated.
Coraline entered the building from the back entrance so her scent would not be noticed by the candidates. She entered the sequestered room, and saw through the two-way glass the other room set up for the meetings. There was no airflow between the rooms, so no vampire scent could be traced. She was pleased, and grasped Luc's hand in excitement. "You have done well, mon ami," she exclaimed.
Luc was overwhelmed by her appreciation and quickly raised her hand to his lips. Coraline glanced at him and allowed her eyes to hold his for a longer moment. If all went well tonight, she might let him satisfy his desires and bond him to her more fully.
"Who will be coming?" she asked, pulling them back to business.
"The first will be a vampire named Vincent. He has been working in Africa for the last twenty years, but desires to retire to Italy. He was turned in Chicago in the mid-1930's. He is familiar with America and has no ties to anyone in the France. He will arrive in twenty minutes."
"That will be fine, but for the women, you know I want only Americans or Canadians. Tell me about them," Coraline said, knowing the right woman was key for the success of her plan.
Luc reached in his pocket and pulled out a small notebook. He thumbed through a few pages. "The first one, Trina, is American but has been in Japan since the last war. She is versed in all the martial arts and has worked for the Yakusa."
"Hmmm, she could be of use. Tell me about the other one."
"Her name is Celeste and she is Canadian, turned in the early 1800's. She has been based in New York and travels frequently, but is well acquainted with American culture."
"Bon," Coraline replied. "I look forward to meeting them."
The first vampire came through the door into the room as he had been directed. On the low table next to the chair was a fat envelope. It contained $50,000 US dollars, the promised payment for the interview.
Coraline looked over the vampire. He was dressed in a leather jacket with new-looking jeans and cowboy boots. His hair was neither long nor short, and looked like any tourist come to LA to take in the sights.
Coraline spoke into the microphone, confident the vampire couldn't tell she was a woman. "Please make yourself comfortable. Your fee for today is on the table."
The vamp nodded toward the window and sat down, picking up the envelope full of cash rifling through it before putting it in his jacket pocket. The manner of the interview didn't seem to bother him, he was used to client whims and it was safer for him not to know too much about his employer.
"You are Mr. Vincent?" the synthesized voice asked.
"Just Vincent," the vampire said with a stoic face.
Coraline liked his manner, and asked, "You are available for a project?
"It depends. How much?"
"Your compensation is two million US dollars," she replied.
Vincent's expression didn't alter and said, "That is acceptable. What do you require?"
Now came the hard part. Coraline clicked the microphone and said, "There are two subjects, both women."
"You want them eliminated?"
"No."
Now the killer looked at the window in surprise. "Then, what?"
Coraline laughed lightly. It came through the synthesizer as menacing. "If you are chosen for the contract, you will receive instructions."
He nodded, "I can accommodate your needs. You have my mobile number." Vincent stood and left the room.
She turned to Luc, who was standing near her. "That went well. What do you think?"
"His reputation is good, madam. He is discrete and efficient."
Coraline nodded thoughtfully. Once the project was in motion, she had to rely on the mercenaries to complete it without input, so she needed to hire the right people.
"When will the first woman arrive?" she asked.
"Shortly, madam." Luc excused himself to place another envelope of money in the interviewing room. He knew his scent would linger, but Coraline would be protected.
In a few minutes, the door opened again and a slight woman entered the softly-lit room. She had on black leather with some chains, and her cropped hair was colored blue and purple.
Coraline frowned. This was not the type of woman that was needed for her plan, but could be used as an enforcer. She said into the microphone, "Please take a seat. You are Trina, correct?"
"Yeah," the vampire said, with supreme confidence.
"On the table is the stipend for coming today. If you agree to the assignment, you will receive two million US dollars."
Like Vincent, she gave a quick look at the cash and put it in her pocket, then sat waiting.
"You would be comfortable working in America?" Coraline asked.
"Yes," the woman answered. "I've been there several times in the last decade. You are offering a great deal of money. What do want done?"
"It involves two women."
"Human or vampire," the killer responded.
"Vampire."
"That should present no difficulty," Trina shrugged.
Glad the woman had no reluctance about dealing with women targets, Coraline said, "Very well, you will be contacted."
With a nod, the vampire left.
In a short time, the final applicant entered, and Coraline peered through the glass at the woman. She appeared to be in her mid-thirties, well-groomed, in a sleek black suit with Ferragamo heels, carrying a Prada bag.
Delighted, Coraline said, "Please have a seat."
The woman could scent several other vamps had been in the room, but she didn't sense any danger. She picked up the packet of money and put it in her bag. Looking at the two-way mirror, she said in a cultured voice, "Thank you. I am Celeste. I understand you have a job for me."
"Yes, I think I do," came the synthesized voice through the speaker. "You appear to be a woman of fashion."
Celeste tilted her head in surprise. "I do follow the latest trends. Is that important?"
"Very. The targets are two female vampires. I need you to gain their trust and lure them into a situation where they can be taken."
"Then they are to be tortured and killed?" Celeste asked in a calm manner.
Behind the glass, Coraline was impressed and wished she could get to know this vampire better. She liked her viciousness, but sadly, they could never meet.
"No, they will be staked and left somewhere no one will ever find them," Coraline said with satisfaction. And, no one could ever prove she was responsible.
"What are you paying?"
"Since you will have the most difficult part, you will be receive three million US dollars."
"Very well," Celeste said, crossing her silken legs. "But I will need to know much more about the mission."
"Of course. We have your private email address and specific instructions will be sent to you. Any questions will be answered as well as where you want your money sent."
"How long will this take? I need to clear my calendar."
"It should be completed within three weeks," Coraline said.
Celeste stood, smoothing the wrinkles from her pencil skirt. "I will look forward to hearing from you." She swayed out of the room, shutting the door.
Coraline was almost giddy with delight. She had found a team of ruthless vampires that would carry out her plan. Both Josef Kostan and Mick St. John would suffer for all the hurt they had caused her. If she couldn't have Mick, then she wanted him to suffer the loss she felt. To have his wife disappear would be the ultimate revenge. Decade after decade he would wonder what happened to his precious Beth, never knowing her fate. To do the same to Josef Kostan was a bonus and she felt no hesitation to hurt him as well.
She left the building with Luc following, always the protector. The Paris night had cleared and a few stars were visible above.
He guided her into the car, taking the wheel. "Where do you wish to go, my lady?"
"Let us go to the Bleu Club de Velours and celebrate." The club was a popular vampire spot and Coraline wanted to be conspicuous. Now that her plan was in motion, she wanted everyone to see she was resident in the City of Lights.
TBC
The DA is on board and will be an ally to the vampires. Coraline's nasty plan is in action, but will it work? More coming up. Thanks for reading and all your support!