Chapter 24

Machiavelli

Intro Song: Smiling Faces Sometimes, The Undisputed Truth

Gabrielle Sinclair leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as she glowered at the group before her. Oh my god, will they never stop?! Scanlin's meeting had been going on for what seemed like hours as the vampires and the few humans in the room made grandiose plans for the New York vampire community. It was obvious from the conversation that their interests were narrow and their motives, selfish. That did not surprise her. What did surprise her was the presence of any humans at all in the group. They obviously knew that their business partners were vampires; glasses and carafes of blood were in full view in the room. Since when does Durin do business with humans? She caught herself wishing they had the kind of relationship where she could freely ask a question like that.

If she were being honest with herself, she would also admit that she was surprised at the adroitness Durin displayed in guiding the discussion and managing a room full of greedy, ambitious men. She had spent as little time around him as possible over the years since he had first turned her, and the man he was today seemed to bear little resemblance to that person. At least the person you thought you knew.

Scanlin had moved quickly to put this meeting together within a day of the announcement that he was assuming leadership of the vampire community in New York. It seemed as if he had been planning for just such an occasion. He's so Machiavellian, I wouldn't doubt it for a minute, Gabby thought cynically.

She grudgingly acknowledged that he was a natural leader. His intelligence and charisma had never been in doubt. Now he had acquired the polish and skills to command the room. This was a group of high-powered people, leaders themselves, yet he was handling them with ease. It was a revelation to her, one that made some of his past actions of challenging Victoria more understandable. Not forgivable, Gabby told herself, just understandable. Still and all, these were charitable thoughts about Durin Scanlin coming from Gabrielle Sinclair. And they lasted exactly ten minutes.

It was at that point that Scanlin launched into a discussion of the best way to separate Victoria Silver from her money – wealth acquired over the centuries, and discreetly housed in an investment firm of her own creation. Because she did not seek tax-exempt status, and the scrutiny that would come with it, she had been free to structure the company as she saw fit. And she had seen fit to install herself as CEO, with the New York City vampire council as her board of directors.

Durin had lobbied for a place on that board, just as he had lobbied for a place on the vampire council – and both had been denied. He was viewed as too self-serving, too vindictive, too… ruthless. It had been clear from the beginning that he didn't just want to make money – he wanted to take Victoria's money. That individual, naturally enough, was opposed to the idea.

Whether Scanlin's animosity started when Gabby left him, so soon after her turning, to be taken under Victoria's wing, or whether it had been there all along, the fact remained that his main focus in life seemed to be to take Victoria Silver down, to rob her of her status and wealth.

Now that he had her position and influence, his focus turned with laser precision toward her wealth. He outlined an ingenious plan to maneuver Victoria into a corner in a very public, very hostile, takeover bid. The result would be that she would be forced to resign her formal position in the corporation – the financial community would insist upon it. Of course, they would not know that the primary purpose of the company was to make –and preserve – wealth for Victoria and the vampire community. It wouldn't matter. If she didn't play the game out in the way investors expected, her company would be devalued and the end result would be the same.

Gabrielle had a hard time following the intricacies of the plan they were unfolding. Dammit! I should have paid more attention in my finance classes! She could hear it, but could she explain what she'd heard to Victoria? Doubtful... Inwardly, she was seething with anger and resentment. How dare Scanlin attempt a coup like this! How dare he take this away from Victoria and, by extension, the vampire council and their community!

I can't listen to this drivel any longer! She pushed away from the wall and stormed out onto the terrace overlooking the southwest corner of Central Park. The night was balmy, with the first faint hints of light brightening the eastern horizon, the sky changing from black to indigo as she watched, leaning on the waist-high wall enclosing the area. She felt her phone vibrate with the acknowledgement of an

incoming call just as the door behind her opened. She stiffened as she caught Durin's scent, the call momentarily forgotten.

"Something bothering you, Gabrielle darling?" He deliberately drawled out her name, provoking her as only he could.

She whirled around, eyes flashing blue-white, her lip curling to expose her fangs. "I've just never seen vampires behave as true 'blood-suckers' before, that's all. I needed to get some fresh air."

He threw back his head, laughing uproariously. "Oh, Gabby! You are a constant source of amusement for me! Blood-suckers? Really?! Welcome to the world of big business and high finance, little girl."

"Don't call me that!"

He stepped up closer to her and took a firm grip on her upper arms, forcing her face-to-face with him. As always, he was impeccably dressed in a conservative, well-cut business suit, his hands well-manicured, and every dark hair in place.

"Look, Gabrielle. You are either with me - or you are against me. Now, you assured me that you were joining me willingly, that you were ambitious. I took you at your word. You may be many things, but you are not a liar. Not usually that is."

At that comment, Gabby dropped her eyes from his, their shade reverting to almost black, her normal eye color.

Her body language was not lost on him. "Are you a liar, Gabrielle?" His voice had dropped to a low growl and now it was his turn to expose the tips of his fangs threateningly as he pressed even closer to her, tightening his grip on her arms.

Remember why you're here, Gabby. She straightened and met his gaze steadily, as she answered emphatically, "No, Durin, I'm not. But, it's hard for me to just switch teams as easily as you seem able to do. I owe Victoria - she's helped me a lot over the years. And you and I have issues, as you are well-aware. Deeply personal ones."

"Gabrielle, your supposed indebtedness to Victoria was your choice. I would have been happy to provide you with all the support and guidance you might have needed, but you wanted no part of me."

"Do you blame me?!" she spat at him, tossing her head. "Now, let me go!"

He released his hold on her arms, holding his hands up, palms out as if bestowing a benediction. "You know, for a woman who has been around for many years now, you still act like a child sometimes. This is just business, Gabrielle, nothing more. Hostile takeovers, like the one we are discussing, happen every day in the financial world - and being a vampire does not make one immune to such risks. It's just business," he repeated firmly. "If it were about vampires alone, do you think I would have humans present?"

"Why do you have humans here? Frankly, I was surprised to see that." Gabby took advantage of the opportunity to ask the question that had been burning in her mind.

"Humans have their place. They serve a useful purpose for us besides just being walking blood banks. These are all sharp businessmen, people who understand, and influence, the financial world. As I told you, this plan isn't about being a vampire - or head of the vampire community here, as I am now. This was in the works long before Victoria abdicated her responsibilities to me. You don't think something like this can be put together so quickly, do you? If so, you are even more naive than I thought. I would expect more of my -"

She raised her hand quickly to cut him off. "Don't say it."

He sighed. Damn, she can be difficult. But she is beautiful... and useful. "Alright, Gabrielle. I need to know, though. Are you in? Or out? Think about it carefully," he added when he saw her open her mouth. "If you are in, it needs to be for the long haul. I can't have you constantly having little hissy fits like this in front of my business partners." He nodded his head toward the room where the men and vampires waited.

"I'm in."

He held her gaze for a moment, then nodded almost imperceptibly and stepped back to the French doors leading to the living room within. "Then, in that case... won't you walk into my parlor?" He grinned wickedly as he held the door for her, then followed her in.

Said the spider to the fly... Gabby couldn't keep that thought from crawling into her head as she rejoined the group.

Simone lay on her stomach, naked, her thin frame sprawled across the large bed as if it were her personal oasis. Her eyes closed, she smiled at the thought. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The bed – and everything in it – belonged to the man in the next room. This was how she liked it, the games that they played.

From the moment she'd met him, at her third and final interview for a position on his legal counsel, she could sense that Josef Kostan was different from anyone she'd ever known. Much to her embarrassment, her attraction to him had been instant, visceral - and hard to disguise.

Simone had always had the advantage of never having to work for male attention, and Josef Kostan was no exception. But even at that first meeting, she had felt something different with him and she'd responded in a way that was unlike her usual level-headed, controlled self. The toned body in a black custom Armani suit, those deceptively warm brown eyes, easy charm, and boyishly-handsome features did nothing to dull the aura of power that emanated from him and she was definitely drawn to him. She had played it as cool as possible, acting as if she didn't notice his attention. She had also noted that he was not fooled in the least by her superficial nonchalance.

Kostan was unflappable and confident, possessing a strength that those around him clearly acknowledged. He expected his commands to be followed without question – and they were. He hid his true feelings behind an edgy humor. The only person who seemed able to push him without fear was Mick – but even he picked his spots. He also came to Josef for advice and direction. Mick challenged Josef but he also often deferred to him.

She had made some feeble attempts to differentiate herself from his other subordinates in that respect but had to admit that her success had been limited. Power... that was her aphrodisiac of choice. Power that did not come from position or prosperity, although he certainly had all that. Rather, this power emanated from Josef as naturally as the blink of an eye or an exhaled breath. It came from a very long life of lessons learned and insight acquired.

"I do love having sex with you, you know."

Simone was startled out of her reverie and looked up, raising one gracefully arched eyebrow at Josef, who had appeared at her side, still naked himself, wine glasses in hand. "Is that all you love?"

Josef's hand trailed down her long arm and moved to rest on her slender hip. "Well, you know me. Impossible relationships are my special gift, it seems." To forestall any more serious conversation, he sat down next to her on the bed, pulling the sheet across his lap as he handed her a wine glass. "Let's see if you love this," he said as he leaned over to pour the rich burgundy into her glass.

Simone tasted the wine and signaled her approval with a broad smile. "I do. Tell me what I'm drinking, Josef, it's splendid!"

"Dugat-Py Bernard Chambertin, 2003. Nothing but the best for you, as always, my dear. It's a little something I picked up from Jay Rockefeller after we worked on that charity together. Trust the Rockefellers to have the best wine. I thought you would love it."

"Well, I do. I don't have anything for you though."

Throwing back the sheet covering his naked body, he leered at her. "Oh I think you do."

Simone couldn't help herself; she laughed and settled down on his lap, sipping the extraordinary wine, her dark eyes sparkling as if she were privy to a secret joke.

For his part, Josef just smiled and drank from his own glass. He knew his silence would drive her crazy - this was a waltz they had danced before. He was right.

After several minutes, she gave in and shook her head at him, her thick, dark hair dancing on her shoulders.

"What?" he asked, knowing the answer, but playing the game nonetheless.

"You!" She took another drink, then leaned forward to place the fragile, hand-blown wine glass on the bedside table, her small breasts brushing against his chest, seemingly by accident.

Kostan wasn't fooled - nothing about Simone was ever accidental, it wasn't her style. It was one of the things he loved about her. Reaching up with his free hand to grab her thick hair, he took a sip of the exquisite burgundy, bent his head and and sealed her mouth with his own. She willingly accepted the fine wine, laughing as it leaked out of the corners of her mouth and ran down her long neck. Gradually, he released his hold on her, and, with a wicked grin, tilted his glass slightly to allow a small amount of the liquid to run down her flat stomach.

Simone laughed again, the sound deep and throaty as she reached down to smear the fine vintage across her abdomen. She took hold of Josef's glass, her hand sharing the delicate stem with his. "My turn," she purred, guiding the glass up to her lips to sip the delicious beverage. Her eyes never leaving his, she leaned forward again, this time pressing her lips against his, using her tongue to pry open his mouth and share the wine between them.

Several titillating but messy minutes later, Simone sat back and regarded her companion, whose face and muscular chest were stained with wine. "Hmmm. I think you need..."

"A shower?" Josef 's eyes sparkled with humor, amused by her antics.

"I was thinking more along the lines of... a swim."

"A swim?" Josef snorted. "That sounds like a lot more work than I'm inclined to do right now."

"Why not?" she countered. "It's gotten dark, you have that lovely heated pool out there... and we are the only ones here for a change so I can ditch the swimming suit." It was a constant source of irritation to her that Josef surrounded himself with minions so often that they could seldom be alone together. "Come on, Josef. It'll be fun - I'll make it fun!" She scooted off the bed and stood up, tugging at his hand.

"Okay, okay, you win!" A naked Simone was very difficult to resist - at least for Josef Kostan. He trailed behind her to the pool, his hand still captured in hers. When they walked outside, the evening breeze enveloped them in a warm blanket, sensual and inviting on bare skin. Josef stopped and pulled Simone back to him for a deep, toe-curling kiss.

She savored it for a moment, then broke away. "If that's your way of trying to get out of a swim, it won't work! Come on, Josef." She turned and dove into the pool, looking like a beautiful mermaid when she surfaced, her wet hair plastered to her scalp and neck. She flipped over onto her back and stroked effortlessly back toward her companion. "Your turn, Kostan!"

He surprised her by immediately executing a perfect dive, barely causing a ripple, and surfacing next to her. Damn vampires, she groused to herself, are they good at everything?! That complaint was forgotten as he took her in his arms, effortlessly keeping both of them afloat.

"So, Simone, by your own account, the wine I selected was excellent. Don't you think it only fair for you to return the favor and provide me with a tasty drink?" Josef grinned wolfishly at her. It was just that combination of predator, bad boy, and business genius that she found impossible to resist. And he knows it, dammit. She offered up her wrist to the eager vampire, but Josef surprised her by reaching up instead to move her wet, heavy hair off her neck.

"I was thinking that perhaps tonight called for something a little more... intimate." His mahogany-colored eyes began to take on the paler cast of a vampire as he looked to her for permission.

Her own dark eyes showed her puzzlement. "Josef - you've never wanted to feed from me there before. You always said it was too personal."

"I did? Hell, I should be staked for that." His flippant tone belied the serious look in his eyes.

Simone flipped water at him with a quick movement of her hand. "Yes, as I recall, that's just what I suggested when you said it!" She regarded him soberly. "Seriously, why the change?"

"I just feel like being more intimate with you tonight, that's all. But, if you don't want to..." The vampire trailed off with a shrug of his shoulders.

"You know damn well I want to," she said quietly. "It's about time, Josef Kostan." Simone lay back in the warm water, her slender frame supported by his strong arm under her shoulders. Closing her eyes, she anticipated the bite, but when it came, the intensity of her response startled her. Feeding from her wrist was an erotic experience, but it did not come close to the sensations that rushed through her body as the vampire gently began to draw blood from her neck. With a sudden intake of breath, Simone arched her back, her shoulders pushing against his chest. "Josef!" she gasped in delight. Time seemed to stop as she drifted in the warm water, his arms tight around her.

Kostan finally raised his head, his appetite for Simone's blood temporarily satiated. He gazed down at her still face and closed eyes as she floated on the surface of the water. What are you doing? He had promised himself never to get seriously involved with another human female after his experience with Sara and the disastrous turning that had nearly destroyed him along with her. He could still feel the anguish that hit him when she didn't awaken, as if it were yesterday, rather than 50 years ago.

Was he serious about Simone, or was she just the flavor of the decade? He didn't know - but he did know that the young woman had strong feelings for him. You are an undisciplined ass, Kostan. With an inward sigh, he reached up and touched her cheek gently. "Time to wake up, sleeping beauty."

Simone opened her eyes and raised her head. Dazed, she tried to orient herself. "Are you finished already?"

Josef's lips twitched as he suppressed a smile. "Um, unless you want a trip to the hospital for a transfusion, yes, I'm finished. I take it you enjoyed that."

"I'm not sure 'enjoyed' is the appropriate word!" she retorted as she regained her footing in the pool. "As a lawyer, I like to be precise, so I would describe it more along the lines of heavenly or ecstasy. I can't believe you have held out on me so long!" She indignantly put her small fists on her hips and lifted her chin, assuming a fighter's stance.

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Josef chose to ignore the comment about holding out. He really didn't have a good answer for her - or for himself, for that matter. He looked her up and down, the smile tugging harder at his lips. The water was deep enough that it lapped at the chin of the much smaller - and still naked – Simone Walker, the top of her head just even with his shoulders. "You know, I never realized how short you are without your heels - it does tend to diminish your threats just a little."

Simone couldn't help it; she burst out laughing at the comment. "Well, when they make waterproof stilettos, you can bet I'll be first in line for them!"

Sobering, she tried one more time to break through the seemingly impenetrable wall surrounding Josef's true emotions. She slowly raised one hand to brush his wet hair off his forehead, trailing her fingers down his cheek, ending with them at his lips.

"Josef, I know what happened to Sara has made you terribly sad. I have to think it has something to do with your suddenly being willing to drink from my neck and be more intimate. Can we talk about it?"

For a brief moment, he seemed ready to open up to her. His expression grew serious and he drew a deep breath as if preparing himself. Then, just as suddenly, the wall was thrown up again. He grabbed her hand and drew her forefinger into his mouth, dancing about it with his tongue and his suddenly present fangs. The eyes that looked back at her now were cloaked in the vampire's icy blue stare. The moment was gone.

Dammit. Would she never get to know the real Josef Kostan? She knew this was a dangerous game she played with him - not physically, but emotionally. Too much pushing and Josef would walk away forever. It was not in Simone's nature to give up, but this was her hardest case yet - much more difficult than any of her legal battles. Surrendering reluctantly, she responded to his play as he expected her to, smiling flirtatiously and using her free hand to caress his sudden erection. The touch made him stiffen, her finger dropping from his mouth as he leaned forward to kiss her.

Suddenly, Josef broke free to jump out of the pool, effortlessly pulling her up behind him. Pivoting, he snagged a luxurious Egyptian cotton towel from the heated rack by the pool and wrapped it snugly around her thin body before she even registered the chill of the night air.

"I'm feeling like doing something else with my mouth instead of talking, Simone. Interested?"

She nodded, clutching the towel tightly to her as he scooped her up and carried her inside. The intimacy he proposed was easy for him - the intimacy she wanted was not.

As he laid her down on the bed and slowly drew the towel away, she shivered, but not, as Josef thought, from the cool air on her sudden nakedness. Rather, it was the vampire's cold eyes that suddenly chilled her - but they didn't deter her.

I'm not giving up on you, Josef.

"I want to know what's going on, and I want to know now." Christophe Durand did not believe in shouting, a holdover, perhaps, from his years in the Jesuit seminary. He always found that the angrier he was and the quieter he spoke, the more attention he received - and right now, his voice was barely above a whisper.

He spoke into the heavy receiver attached to the old-fashioned, black desk phone. "My informant tells me that there has been a change at the top and Victoria Silver is no longer in charge. Apparently, she is still ill from the failed attempt on her life and she has put Durin Scanlin in charge. An interesting choice, to say the least. He is supposedly setting up a meeting with most of the community. I want to know when and where - and, I do not intend to wait weeks to find out."

He listened for a moment. "That's all well and good, John, but you have until tomorrow night to confirm your intel, set up the attack and report back to me. Now, we have another issue to discuss. Yes, him. What is your plan?" He fiddled with the solid silver stake on his desk, twirling it around and around on the polished surface as he listened. "I sense some hesitation on your part..."

Durand listened, then sighed inwardly. Would this particular discussion always be needed with Giles? "Yes, it is necessary. 'Dura necessitas', John. Necessity is harsh. Make absolutely sure he is gone tomorrow. Got it?"

After receiving a reluctant acknowledgment, he hung up without another comment, then sat contemplating the old phone on his desk. He was anything but a sentimentalist, but he enjoyed the weight and heft of the heavy receiver, something no iPhone or other modern technology could provide. It felt...powerful...and power was one of Durand's true vices. That, and cruelty for the sake of cruelty.

Turning around in his creaky wooden desk chair, he contemplated the large painting of St. George slaying the dragon that dominated one wall of his office. Speaking out loud to the empty room, he said, with a satisfied smile, "We're close."

End Song: Watch Your Back, Sugar Minott