Chapter 72

Party People

Intro Song: I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas

Logan Griffen and Ryder England walked out onto the vineyard terrace, uneasily looking around for familiar faces. The two geeks had dressed up for the evening; Logan, in particular, had - for him - pulled out all the stops. Ryder had teased him when he picked him up - the vampire was wearing a linen sports coat, dress shirt, and tie with new blue jeans - the first time England had ever seen him in a tie.

"What?!" Logan had responded querulously. "I don't know about you, but an invitation from Josef Kostan for a private party doesn't come along every day. I sure wasn't gonna wear sweats!"

"Okay, okay," Ryder had said hurriedly. "You look..." He'd looked his friend over slowly. "You look... good."

"Good?! I don't wanna look good, I wanna look... sophisticated."

Ryder had not been able to help himself - he'd started laughing uproariously.

"Real nice. At least I'm wearing a tie!" Logan had huffed and stomped out to the car.

Ryder had razed him about wearing a coat and tie all the way to the Kostan mansion. Now, as Josef started toward them in his designer suit, Logan looked around and saw that virtually everyone was wearing suit coats and fancy dresses. He nudged England with his elbow. "Still think I did the wrong thing by wearing a jacket?" the curly-haired vampire whispered out of the corner of his mouth.

Before Ryder could respond, Josef greeted them warmly, thanking them for coming and directing them to the refreshment table. What's up with him? England wondered. In his ten years of working for the billionaire, he had never been treated so courteously. He couldn't help feeling as if he'd stepped into a dream - and at any moment, the real Josef Kostan would show up to growl at him for surfing for porn on the job...

"Hey!"

England jumped when Logan appeared at his side and handed him a glass. "Here you go, Ryder - O-positive after a night of Jack Daniels. You're gonna love it! " He looked around at the party-goers. "So what do you think? Will Gabby be here? You gonna ask her out?"

"Geez, Lando, I don't know! Why don't you ask her out?!"

"I'm not the one hooked on her!" Griffen grinned. "I saw how you were around her when she was here before - you were practically drooling on yourself whenever she was in the room. I just know she and Dr. Spector came back to check on Mick and attend the party – and you took off down the hall like a rocket when you heard she'd arrived."

The taller vampire just shook his head. He knew he was definitely out of his league with Gabrielle Sinclair. But what the hell, stranger things had happened. After all, Mick's still alive... Maybe he would screw up his courage and... what? Hit on her? Gabrielle was an intimidating female. She was liable to take his head off - literally. Ryder England sighed to himself. Maybe an opportunity would present itself tonight. In the meantime...England downed the blood Logan had handed him and headed back to the bar for more. At the very least, no one would be going hungry - or thirsty - tonight.

The sounds of a jazz band wafted in from the veranda, the French doors along the back wall of the house now open to the terrace, allowing the cool, fragrant air of early evening to permeate the house.

Beth, walking through Josef's study with Simone, could feel the breeze caress her skin, touching her bare arms gently. If she closed her eyes, she could almost imagine it was Mick's touch she was feeling, his fingers sliding down her shoulders...

"Are you alright, Beth?"

She opened her eyes to see Simone hovering worriedly in front of her. Blushing, she brushed at a strand of hair that had fallen into her eyes. "Just getting a whiff of those delicious smells," she lied.

"I know! I didn't realize I was hungry until I got close enough to smell it." Simone grinned. "There won't be many of us eating besides the band, so at least we won't have to fight anyone for it!"

"Everyone else is a vampire?" Beth realized she didn't really know any of the details about tonight, other than Josef saying they were going to have a party to celebrate Mick's recovery. Her insatiable curiosity was stirred, albeit belatedly.

"I'm not completely sure, but there can't be many besides you, me and Dr. Spector. Josef said he was only inviting people who had been involved in saving Mick. I didn't see his list, but I know he was being very specific - and he did say that vampires weren't going to be hiding tonight, so that would leave out anyone who doesn't know about them. He had us so tied up all day, I never had a chance to check in on him or figure out the arrangements."

"Is this typical for Josef and his... events?" As usual, Beth had a difficult time restraining herself from asking questions.

Simone shrugged her bare shoulders. "You never know with Josef, but he always has a plan - and today part of his plan was for us to be treated like royalty and let him handle the party arrangements, apparently. Which, by the way, I'm totally fine with."

Beth had to agree. After their massages and the entertaining interlude with the stylist, they had been spirited away for manicures and pedicures, after which she'd squeezed in a nap. Sessions with hair and makeup artists had followed her siesta. She had never felt so pampered in her life - and, when she looked in the mirror, the final results had astounded her.

Catching sight of her reflection in the glass panes of the French doors, she was dumbfounded once more. It had taken an hour with a professional hairdresser to give her a casual, tossed, 'bed head' look, her waves arranged artfully. Even though it had been a lengthy process, Beth had to admit that the effect was sexy and feminine - and, after ten days of hurriedly slicking her hair back into a ponytail or behind a headband, and pulling on a parka and hood to spend time with Mick in the freezer room, she welcomed the change.

Simone linked her arm through Beth's. "Ready to go out and show these vampires what hot women look like?"

Beth grinned at her beautiful companion. "Definitely."

The two women headed through the doors.

"I believe our ladies have arrived." Josef handed two flutes of champagne to Mick, then picked up two more for himself.

Advancing through the throng of vampires to Simone, who had just entered the veranda from the house with Beth, he handed one crystal glass to her. "My dear, you look phenomenal," he murmured quietly in her ear. A broad grin spread across his face as his eyes traveled down her slender body, encased in the sleek, sexy Vera Wang silk-satin dress in a brilliant shade of green. The crisscross pleated bust and sweetheart neckline of the strapless dress were feminine accents for her rail-thin figure. The soft light glittered on the diamonds and emeralds embedded in the gold bracelet he had given her.

"You like it?" Simone asked demurely. The dress, itself, was anything but demure, however, and Josef's eyes devoured her in a way that made her want to pull him into a dark corner.

"You look good enough to eat." Josef glanced over her shoulder at Beth, noticing her for the first time. He whistled softly. "I stand corrected. You both look good enough to eat. Don't you think so, Mick? Mick?"

The billionaire turned around to see his best friend staring at Beth, his mouth agape. The champagne flutes dangled, forgotten, in his hands.

Josef grinned and said to no one in particular, "I take that as a yes."

When Beth walked out onto the veranda with Simone, Mick felt for a moment as if all the air had been sucked from the patio. She seemed to glow, her pale, flawless skin almost iridescent in the subdued light from Chinese paper lanterns and honeysuckle-scented candles scattered about on the low stone walls and the surrounding grounds.

The one-shoulder, draped silk chiffon Marchesa designer dress fit her like a glove, the short length showing off her shapely legs. The dress was a cobalt blue so vivid that Beth looked as if she had a spotlight on her, the color accentuating the blue in her eyes - eyes that were shining now with happiness and anticipation.

Mick had never seen her in anything so bright and sexy... and he loved it. He couldn't help but fixate on her toned legs as she glided across the floor on high-heeled sandals held in place with wisps of leather. How can her legs be so long when she's so small?

His first instinct was to scoop her up and carry her off to a bedroom. Damn you, Spector! How he would ever be able to keep his hands off her tonight was beyond him. Come on, St. John. You're not some horny teenager, he lectured himself. Maybe not, but he certainly felt like one right now...

"Is that for me?" Beth broke into his thoughts, looking up at him innocently, as if she had no idea how her appearance had affected him.

"Sure! I'm sorry. Daydreaming, I guess." He handed her one of the full glasses of champagne. "You look... that dress is just… stunning. You look stunning. I can't think of another word."

Her answering smile all but blinded him. "Thank you. And short. Another word would be short. Apparently, in the world of the wealthy and famous, less is more - at least as it applies to fabric!"

"Well, I'm all for it then." As the band started their next number, Mick cocked his head to identify the selection, then threw back his head and laughed. At Beth's questioning look, he commented dryly, "Josef doesn't miss a trick."

As the strains of 'The Way You Look Tonight' reached Beth's human ears, she joined him in laughing. "Okay, Mr. I-was-there-when-these-songs-came-out, give me the scoop on this one!"

"Funny you should ask." Mick's face was alight with pleasure. "You remember I told you what a fan I am of Fred Astaire, right?" He continued, his voice animated. "Well, it was written for one of his movies - 'Swing Time', I believe. He sang it and it won an Academy Award for best song. Can't remember what year. Not bad for a guy they said couldn't sing, huh?"

"I'd say, not bad. I know it's been done a lot. Which is your favorite rendition?"

He thought for a moment. "Frank Sinatra. I mean Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James – they all covered it and I love them. – And this girl's doing a great job," he nodded toward the singer in front of the band, "but this is a song a man should sing to his girl." He grinned sheepishly down at her and shrugged. "Sorry. I know that sounds pretty old-fashioned."

Beth said softly, "I like old-fashioned." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, then lost her balance and almost fell into his arms. Somehow she managed to juggle her glass and prevent her champagne from spilling on Mick's suit coat. "Whoops!" Laughing, she admitted, "I'm just warning you - I've probably been over-served on this stuff all day. Josef had quite an agenda lined up for us and it all included champagne!"

"Well, if this is what you look like after a day of champagne, I'm buying it by the case." His silvery hazel eyes roamed over her, lingering on breast and leg, devouring her...

His stare was powerful enough to give her the sensation of being touched without his laying a finger on her. Trying to sidetrack both of them, she pointedly cleared her throat and looked away, focusing on the array of individuals gathered on the terrace - most with glasses of blood in their hands - and commented, "Quite a turnout."

Mick tore his gaze away from her to follow her glance. "Josef said he invited about thirty people - and when Josef invites, people come. I don't know a lot of them, but I need to. He said he only invited people who had been helpful when I was..." He hesitated, then continued, "Well, when I was injured."

"Simone said something like that. I think that's very commendable of Josef."

He groaned. "Just don't tell him that or there'll be no living with him. I certainly do need to thank all of these people, though, so it's nice to have them all here."

"How about a dance first?"

"Why, Miss Turner, how very un-old-fashioned of you to ask me! I'd love to dance with you."

The couple moved out to an open area in the center of the terrace and began to sway in each other's arms as the quartet began another jazz standard, and the lovely front singer began to croon.

Two pair of female eyes watched the dancing pair intently.

"Certainly trying to flaunt herself, isn't she?" sniffed the taller of the two female Cleaners.

"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about," Guilia Boyd calmly replied. "Looks to me like they are just dancing."

The auburn-haired vampire growled under her breath. "I'd like to rip her head off for meddling in Cleaners' business. Let's see how well she'd dance then."

Guilia frowned. Lauren's animosity and jealousy were getting the better of her. Given what she had heard of Josef Kostan's protective nature around this human, that might be a very dangerous path to take. Besides, it wasn't Beth Turner's fault that the Cleaners had bungled the Monaghan assignment. Facts were facts - and as she understood it, Lauren and her team had fucked up and they got nailed for it. Which was as it should be. Human or not, Mick's new main squeeze was not the cause of her fellow Cleaner's woes. She certainly didn't want to put the human on her proverbial Christmas card list, but she just didn't feel the same hatred that Lauren did. Curiosity? Yes. Jealousy? Maybe a little. Okay, more than a little. But, even so, she didn't want to rip Turner's head off as her companion seemed to fantasize about doing. A hint of a smile appeared on Guilia's face. "Is that really the reason you hate the girl, Lauren? You sure your little crush on Mick St. John isn't at least partially to blame?"

"I never tried to hook up with him when you two were together, Guilia! Surely, you know that!"

"Take it easy. I'm not suggesting you'd do anything that... skanky. Besides, you wouldn't have dared. Let's just put all our cards out on the table here though, shall we? You're enamored of Mick, and have been for a long time. Not that I'm blaming you in the least. I just know it's got to gut you like a fish to see that he's choosing a mortal over you." Guilia struggled to keep a straight face. She knew what she'd said was accurate, although admittedly a touch vicious... and she had enjoyed uttering every syllable.

Lauren smiled thinly. "Now, that's where you're wrong, Guilia. I'm not in competition with any human - especially not one who goes whining to Josef Kostan when things don't go her way. "No, I'll just wait... she is mortal, after all." She glanced furtively toward the handsome vampire dancing with Beth in his arms, and brazenly licked her full lips.

Golden eyebrows rose in mock surprise. Though their job was at times dirty, even violent, Cleaners fulfilled a vital function for the community - and were supposed to maintain at least an air of decorum and tact. This creature had neither. Tell me you wouldn't have fucked Mick behind my back if you'd thought you had a chance! Trashy trollop. " Yeah, because we all know that if Beth was out of the way, you'd be at the top of Mick's list, right? He'd run into your arms for comfort?" Guilia shook her head. "You are nothing if not deluded."

"We'll see, Guilia, we'll see. Maybe sooner rather than later. You had your turn – why shouldn't I get mine?" Lauren's dark eyes were flat with hatred and the tips of her fangs showed on her lower lip. Calm down! This was not the time or place for a knockdown-dragout with her fellow Cleaner, Lauren reminded herself, getting under control with difficulty. "So! Since this is Josef's party and we have to play nice...would you like for me to introduce you to Miss Turner?" She smiled wickedly. Back at you, bitch. Let's just see how you handle this.

The blond vampire relented. Though Lauren was definitely not someone she personally would choose to spend any time with, she was a fellow Cleaner after all. Those bonds, if nothing else, deserved to be respected. Most importantly, this was the party Josef Kostan was throwing for Mick St. John - two vampires neither of them could afford to alienate.

Then there were the lingering feelings Guilia still had for Mick, hard as that was to admit. Not anything as lofty as love – but she did respect and care for the man. From the reports she'd heard, it sure as hell sounded as if Mick, by all rights, should have died. That he hadn't, also seemed to be, in large part, because of Beth Turner, if the gossip was to be believed. At the very least, she intended to put on a good showing with the couple for that reason.

She didn't have the dislike for humans that Lauren, and some of the other vampires she routinely encountered, had. She even enjoyed some of them. They were, however, incredibly high maintenance and fragile - two characteristics she had a hard time reconciling with her memories of what nights with Mick St. John had been like. Yes, it would be very interesting indeed to meet this Beth Turner in person.

"All right," Guilia agreed with a wide smile for her companion. "Let's show them just how classy we ladies can be. In the name of solidarity, of course."

"So, where are you two headed?" Josef, keeping a close eye on the proceedings as the party moved into high gear, had noticed the two female vampires heading toward Beth and moved to intercept them.

Lauren smiled in what she hoped was a winning fashion. "Just wanted to introduce Guilia to Beth. I thought she should meet one of the guests of honor."

The billionaire stared her down. "Not happening, Lauren. Go get yourself some refreshments- and stay the hell away from Beth."

Lauren made as if to argue, but then thought better of it. There was no future in tangling with Josef Kostan, especially on his turf. Instead, the chastised vampire stalked away, shaking her head angrily.

Josef joined Guillia in watching her go. The Cleaner's green eyes narrowed to slits. "That was a little harsh, don't you think?"

He snorted. "Hell, no! As far as I'm concerned, I was going easy on her - certainly easier than she deserves." Kostan paused, crossing his arms as he eyed her. "What's your interest, Guilia?"

She let out a short laugh. "Well, you invited me here, Josef. Why don't you tell me what my interest is?!" Even though Lauren had richly deserved a dressing-down, it irritated her that the billionaire had stepped in. This was Josef Kostan, however, and she was most definitely not about to challenge him, especially not under these circumstances.

Josef unleashed his trademark smile. "You and Beth have something - or rather someone – in common."

"Aren't you afraid I'll hurt her precious human feelings?"

Kostan's smile grew cold. "Absolutely not." His eyes subtly shifted color. "Beth is very special to Mick, as well as to me. To be anything less than cordial to her would be as bad as if you did it to one of us." He cleared his throat, with a sound suspiciously like a low growl. "And we both know you are neither dumb, nor suicidal."

"Oh come on, Josef. Climb down off that high horse of yours. I'm a hell of a lot smarter than Lauren - and besides I don't resent Beth Turner. I was just baiting you."

"I already know what a tease you are," Kostan retorted, his eyes reverting back to their warm brown color. He offered the Cleaner his arm. "Shall we go get a drink before meeting the lovely Miss Turner?"

Guilia flashed a brilliant smile up at him. "Lead the way. I'll make you proud - despite the fact that I know you never approved of Mick and me together in the first place." She slid her hand into the crook of his arm.

As they strolled across the broad veranda, Kostan corrected her quietly. "For the record, I didn't disapprove of you and Mick. I did think you were trouble." He smiled down at her. "If I had any reservations...well, let me go on record as saying I was wrong. And I don't often do that. But anyone who could pull him out of that suicidal funk he was in after Coraline is good in my book. Whatever did you do to accomplish that?"

Guilia stretched up to whisper in his ear. "We fucked like bunnies... demented, fanged bunnies." Throwing back her head, she laughed, a rich, throaty sound that attracted the attention of most of the men at the party.

Kostan couldn't help but laugh with her, stopping at the bar to pour each of them a fresh drink. Mick had always told him that Guilia had a touch of the wild in her. Clearly, he was right. Unfortunately for Josef's voyeuristic tendencies, that was all he'd tell him.

"So," Guilia asked, her eyes dancing mischievously as she leaned against the bar, flirting with the billionaire. "Do you suppose Beth Turner can top that?"

Josef's only response was a noncommittal grunt. He knew Guilia was already sizing Beth up, determining whether she was a worthy successor to be with Mick. As sure as he was that she would keep things civil and polite, he was just as sure that these two women would not become friends. Guilia wasn't Gabrielle; she didn't have the inherent appreciation of humans and human love which that vampire appeared to share with Mick. What she did have, in abundance, was the territorial jealousy that seemed to afflict so many female vampires. He didn't know if it was because they were vampires - or if that most human of female traits was simply amplified by being one. He distracted her briefly with gossip he had picked up while he was in New York, knowing her fascination with that community.

"So, do you think Victoria Silver will visit you at some point? I mean, I would think having your own vineyard and all would be a drawing card," Guilia added slyly, looking at Kostan over the top of her glass.

"Oh, I expect she'll be here at some point. On her own timetable, of course. Maybe Gabrielle Sinclair would be a better person to ask about that. She and Victoria work together pretty closely."

"I'll ask her when I see her then," Guillia purred. " Now, come on, Josef." She discreetly tugged at his arm. "You've stalled me long enough - and don't think I didn't notice that was what you were doing. I really do want to meet her - and I promise to play nice. After all, if what I've heard is true, she did help save one of my favorite people."

Kostan relaxed slightly. "She did. And she really does love him, you know - and he, her." He wasn't sure exactly why he said it, but his gut told him that it needed to be said - and Josef Kostan was a firm believer in following one's gut.

Guilia smiled almost wistfully. "I hope so, Josef, I really do. Now, come on. No more stalling."

Out on the temporary dance floor, Mick watched over his partner's head as Josef walked Guilia to the bar, and relaxed slightly. Maybe he would keep her occupied for the evening. Maybe. He wanted nothing to jeopardize Beth's joy tonight and Kostan had a particular skill at deflecting potential female crises. With a happy sigh, he lowered his face to smell Beth's fragrant hair and nuzzle her neck. Thanks, brother.

End Song: The Way You Look Tonight, Michael Buble