Thanks to everyone who read and/or reviewed, glad you liked the last chapter. Now we're going to see a little of Coraline and what she's doing. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 15

Cynthia knocked on the door. She'd just returned from Buenos Aires and a most successful mission acquiring real estate for their newly formed land company. She had been in touch with Coraline during the time away and wanted to update her on their progress.

Scenting her friend from the other side of the door Coraline opened it and saw Cynthia, who was tanned and elegantly dressed.

"Mon dieu, cheri, you look wonderful!" Coraline exclaimed. "Come in, and tell me all about your trip."

Cynthia noted an animation, a lightness she'd not seen in her friend for many years. She was pleased, hoping their newfound business would finally help Coraline move on from the difficulties with her sire and brothers, as well as her dreadful marriage to Mick St. John. Now, perhaps it was possible.

Cynthia took off her coat and scarf and looked around. "I love the room. It was not done before I left." She walked around, touching the silk-covered chairs and gilded woodwork. Coraline had decorated in the grandeur of Louis Quatorze, the same style in which she grew up. Cynthia was younger, but still appreciated the décor.

Coraline went to the bar and popped a bottle, pouring some champagne and blood, handing a flute to Cynthia. They sat on one of the glossy sofas.

"Now, tell me about your trip? You said you were able to purchase the land. What about the development?" Coraline asked. She was pleased this new investment would add to her portfolio as well as give them caché in the vampire community.

Cynthia pulled out her tablet, and showed Coraline the map of the area, then clicked through the blueprints of the proposed condos. "We'll have accommodations for both vampire and humans. For our people they will include freezer rooms with smaller kitchens and dining areas, so it will be the same overall size as the human residences."

"Perfect," Coraline smiled. "You have done so much. Do we have a builder?"

"I received bids from several different companies, and chose the one I thought best. It just needs your signature as partner, mon cheri," Cynthia said.

Coraline hugged her friend. "I can't believe you accomplished so much in so short a time."

"I'm glad you approve. Have you been keeping track of our company sales?"

"Of course. We have increased sales by 20% during the last quarter. We put the new warnings on the bottles and the website, and I haven't heard of any problems."

With a sigh of relief, Cynthia took a long sip of her champagne. She then updated Coraline about their new property development company, assuring her friend that neither of their names would be mentioned as owners.

When Cynthia was finished, Coraline said, "I'm glad you have a head for business. I can handle the pharmaceutical portion, but I'm over my head with real estate."

Leaning back, Cynthia said, "It will be simple. We use a third party holding company to own the land and do the construction so we will not be involved, but will make the final decisions. It will take some upfront investment, but will make money when the units sell. And we can keep some of the vampire condos for vacation rentals."

"Good idea," Coraline approved. They continued to talk about the new construction, laughing and drinking champagne. There was a knock on the door, and Coraline frowned. She wasn't expecting anyone and Luc had gone to a club with some of his more questionable vampire friends.

Putting down her glass, Coraline went to the door, scenting her brother Henri. What did he want? She opened the door and her brother brushed past her, entering the room.

Cynthia stood with a smile. "Hello Henri, how are you?"

Remembering his manners, he bowed briefly.

Before he could speak, Coraline said, "Cynthia has just returned from Brazil and was telling me about her trip."

Even though he was upset, his curiosity got the better of him, "Why were you in South America?"

"I was looking into some real estate investments for our company."

Henri tried not to huff with impatience. Now his sister was dabbling in international investments and who knew what else. Normally, he was not sexist but back in the day women knew their place and let the men handle the money. He didn't have time to think about that now. Henri turned to them and both women could tell he was agitated.

Coraline frowned, "What is wrong?"

"I just had a call from Josef Kostan. His wife and Beth Turner were kidnapped!"

Coraline feigned surprise and said, "What does that have to do with me?"

"He thinks you were responsible!"

Coming to her friend's rescue, Cynthia exclaimed, "Henri, why would you think your sister involved?"

Faced with irritation from both women, Henri ran his hand over his face, and paced the apartment. His life was forfeit if Coraline were to see Mick or interfere with him again. Kostan had the capability to enforce the oath and make good on his threat. But wait—there was no way Coraline could have seen St. John, she had been in Paris the last few months. And there was no proof that she had anything to do with St. John's or Kostan's wives.

Like a snake, he moved on Cynthia, "Are you sure you were in Brazil?"

Cynthia reared back at Henri's attack and looked at him in such surprise he knew she wasn't lying when she responded, "Yes, where do you think I was? Do you want to see my passport?"

Now radiating anger, Coraline cried, "Henri, how dare you come to my home and accuse my friend of ….. whatever."

Sitting down abruptly, Henri shook his head. "I'm sorry."

Seeing her brother was no longer suspicious, Coraline went to the bar and poured him a drink. Giving it to him, she soothed, "It's all right. We know that peasant Kostan will accuse anyone. Just because he has money doesn't mean he has honor. It is convenient to choose you from all his enemies."

Feeling the burn as he downed the alcohol, he looked at the two women. "Perhaps you are right." He put down his glass and stood up and kissed his sister on the cheek. "I will tell him you are not involved and to look elsewhere for the culprits. I'm sorry to disrupt your evening, mon cher."

Turning to Cynthia with a smile, he said, "You must tell me of your financial conquests." Kissing her hand, Henri let himself out of the apartment.

"I think I need something stronger than champagne after that," Cynthia said. She poured some single malt along with blood from the small refrigerator. Coraline just had the scotch.

After a few sips, Cynthia looked at her friend and said, "So tell me why did Henri think you might be involved?"

"I have no idea."

Cynthia shook her head. "You might be able to deceive your brother, but I can see right through you." Leaning forward with a severe expression, she asked, "What did you do?"

Coraline lowered her eyes, knowing she couldn't fool her friend. With a small sip of her drink, she replied, "Perhaps I know a little more than Henri imagines."

"What?"

"Henri took that oath, but I could not—could NOT—let that blond bitch get away with my Mick."

"What did you do?" Cynthia asked again, with a growl.

Coraline sighed and related her scheme to kidnap both Mick and Josef's wives. She told Cynthia the plan went off perfectly. Just yesterday she heard from the two vampires who took the women to the forest and left them. It all went well.

"They will never be found and nothing tracks to me," Coraline said with glee.

Cynthia was appalled, but only because she feared for her friend. If anyone found out Coraline's connection, she would be a target for revenge. Now was not the time for recriminations, she needed information.

"Tell me everything you did, how you found these people, how you hired them, does anyone else know? We need to make sure nothing can be traced back."

Coraline smiled at her friend's concern, happy that Cynthia understood. Point by point, she went through the steps she took to remove Mick's childe from him. As Coraline talked, Cynthia smiled. It was a brilliant plan and her friend would not be discovered.

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Rob Hemmings finally got home, ready for a double whisky and bed. He'd done his best to get Mick St. John released from the State Police but hadn't heard if it had actually happened. He had already pissed off the Commissioner and didn't want to push him by asking.

Worried that Josef Kostan would hold him accountable gave him the courage to pull out his cell phone and dial a number.

"Yes?" A voice barked at him.

"Mr. Kostan? This is Hemmings. I wanted to check to see if Mr. St. John had been released. I was told he would be shortly."

Traveling in the limo, Josef replied, "Yes, he was released and we're on our way back to LA."

"Good," Rob replied with relief and more confidence. "I just wanted to make sure there weren't any problems."

In the seat next to his friend, Mick glanced at Josef and took the phone away from him. "Rob, thanks for your help, I appreciate it."

"I'm glad it worked out. I hope your wife will be all right."

"Thanks. We'll be in touch," Mick said and hung up.

Josef gave Mick a look.

"Hey, the guy helped. We need friends like him."

"I know," Josef sighed. They both settled back into the comfortable leather seats.

The trip back to Los Angeles seemed to take hours. They finally reached the well-secured hill house and they saw the freezer truck was already there. Bursting into the back kitchen, Josef called out for his majordomo, Hale.

The vampire appeared immediately, exuding calm. "The ladies arrived an hour ago. Mrs. Simone is settled in your bedroom suite, sir. Mrs. Beth is in the Blue Room and they're both receiving blood intravenously."

"Are they conscious?" Josef asked.

Hale looked at Mick. "Mrs. St. John woke for a few minutes and I assured her you would be here shortly. I did not mention your brief incarceration."

Mick gave Hale a grateful look and said to Josef, "Okay, I'm going to check on Beth."

Josef followed Mick up the stairs, making for his own suite of rooms.

Mick located the guest suite which was outfitted with a double freezer. He saw Beth in the coldness with a pole containing a blood bag. The top of the freezer was cracked open to allow the insulated lines to get to her.

He looked at her, knowing he'd almost lost her again. Even her vampire abilities didn't help in this situation. Guilt weighed him down and he stepped out of the room for a moment. He knew if he stayed in there, he'd try to wake Beth and she needed her rest. He heard a noise and turned to see Guillermo coming down the hall.

"Hey man," the older vampire said with a grin. "Glad we didn't have to break you out of prison."

Mick smiled and shook his friend's hand. "Thanks for your help getting Beth back. Hale said she woke up—how was she?"

"She'll be fine," Guillermo assured him. He could tell Mick was blaming himself again. "She just needs some freezer time. I'm going to hit the freeze myself, but Hale will change the IV."

"How long will it take for her to be well?"

"I think she'll be up by tomorrow night. Once she's awake, she can drink and that will speed things up."

Mick nodded absently. He was still worried about his wife.

Watching his friend, Guillermo hid a wicked smile. Leaning forward, he sniffed conspicuously. "I'd say get in the freezer with her, but man, you smell like the river and, um, maybe fish, not to mention jail….."

Rolling his eyes, Mick grunted. "Keep it up, buddy."

"No problem," Guillermo laughed and made his way to his guest room for a shower and the freezer.

Mick shook his head, feeling better and went back to the suite. He checked on Beth for a moment then went to shower. He knew the icy water would help and he wanted to hold Beth while they slept. He dried off a little, then crept into the freezer, careful not to dislodge the IV in Beth's arm. He moved up against her and she made a little noise, turning so her back was spooned into him.

Mick put his arm around her and breathed in her scent. For the first time in days, he relaxed. They would talk about what happened later, but for now all he wanted to do was be near the center of his heart.

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Josef entered his luxurious bedroom and went to the private room that housed their double-wide freezer. Through the frosted glass he could see Simone in the still sleep of a vampire. There were IV lines leading into the container, and Josef made sure the blood was flowing properly. He stood and gazed down at his wife, thinking of what might have happened. After Sarah, he didn't think he would survive losing another woman he loved. Someone had tried to take the only thing that made his life complete. The rage overwhelmed him and he knew he couldn't join Simone in their freezer just yet. He pulled up the lid and kissed her on the forehead, closing it gently.

Turning, Josef went out of the room and walked the darkened halls of the mansion to calm himself. He'd already called Henri Duvall, mostly to vent his anxiety, not because he honestly thought Coraline had anything to do with the abduction. They had to wait until Simone and Beth were awake to tell them exactly what happened. His anger boiled again. He would find out who did this and hunt them down no matter how long it took.

Josef stood on his balcony, looking into the hazy California night. Scenting one of his ladies, Josef turned to see Lily. She was wearing a short robe with her blond hair loose. She looked like a model, but Josef knew she was getting her degree in engineering at Hearst.

Lilly came up to him. "Are you all right, Josef?"

He gave her a small smile in answer.

"We heard that your wife was found and she'll be okay. We were all worried."

Josef nodded. He would never tell Mick, but he was grateful for the humans that were not only loyal, but also concerned about him.

"Do you need a snack?" Lily asked, offering a wrist.

He took her wrist and kissed it, feeling the blood pulsing under the skin. But he wasn't in the mood to feed. "No, I'm fine. Get back to bed," he smiled.

Knowing Josef's moods, she turned and left him gazing at the lightening sky. It was time he joined Simone in their freezer—he didn't want her to wake up alone.

TBC

Next, Josef and Mick try to figure out who was behind the kidnapping. Coraline might not be as safe as she thinks. Thanks for staying with the story!