Yep, she was not ready for me to say that word. Hell, even I think I'm not ready to say that word, even if the meaning was carved into my heart. She got along with my sister, could take care of herself, filled my heart with joy, and fucked like she was made for it. Only I didn’t want to scare her off. So, I pushed that word aside and focused on the time we were spending together now. We would have all the time to figure out that shit. Also, I had this feeling that I wasn't the only one tip-toeing that line.
While I have definitely shared a woman in the bedroom with my chosen brothers, I did not know how far they wanted to take this. I was in for the long haul with this woman, so I was more than willing to wait. To take it slow and build up to it.
I would keep this secret in my heart. Just me and my wolf knowing until it was the right time to confess and, hopefully, get a confession back.
I slumped over to the side, crashing into the sand as it felt like she had taken all of my energy. Was that a siren thing?
“No. That's just a great sex thing,” she giggled as she turned towards me, all flushed and smiling. I guess I said that out loud. Oops.
I was about to ask her if she wanted to take a dip to wash off when my phone rang. I contemplated letting it go to voicemail, but I ultimately picked it up when I saw it was Rabid. “What's up?”
“We have our meeting. You and I will head inland to meet with Killian and the buyer tomorrow.” He took a deep breath before saying, “Tell her. Also, Bricks made dinner.” He hung up, not the one for idle chit-chat.
I relayed the message, and Celine’s eyes darkened for a second. She looked back out at the ocean and then back to me, eyes crystal clear as she smiled. “Ready? I have now worked up an appetite.”
I chuckled, thinking the same thing. “Sure. Let's clean up and head back.” I just hoped this meeting would get us the information we needed.
Chapter 13
“Sire,areyousurethat you want to go to this meeting?” Cain’s concern was loud and clear, but it didn't matter. None of it did.
As soon as I was released from that hell hole of a prison, I knew what I was going to do. I was determined to build my family name back up in the vampire ranks, show all those twisty old fuckers that the name Heroux was still the powerhouse that it was. That this name that has lasted for over a thousand years was still as strong as it was back then, and, to do that, I needed money. A lot of it.
I didn’t give a fuck how I got the damn money, I just knew I needed it, and I needed it fast.
When it was my last day in prison, I heard whispers about how the Rodriguez clan had gotten soft. That they were rubbing elbows with all the elites, even human politicians. In my mind, that weakness was my opportunity.
I hired a couple of well-trained mercenaries with a grudge against them, people who knew their security, and took out the whole family in one night. Making an almost vacuum in the cartel world, and I had the upfront funds left by my parents to make it happen. I did the math, and within one year, I would make back all the funds I invested ten times, and that was the kind of growth I needed.
“It has been past the twenty-four-hour mark, and the craving is down to a dull throb.” I put out my arms, waiting for Cain as he shuffled over and slipped my hands through my Armani woven shirt. Luxury was the only thing that would settle on this skin from now on. I would not settle for less. I yanked at the cuffs as he swung around to my front and buttoned my shirt. “Plus, I can handle a simple meet and greet with a couple of wolves.”
I thought about it for a second, settling on how I was going to react now that my senses were heightened from the bloodlust. “In fact, it might do me some good. Fill my nostrils with those mongrel's decrepit scents. Then, maybe, I will get over this bloodlust faster.” Cain was done and went to go get my suit jacket as I put on my diamond blood drop cufflinks.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I could see how stunning I was. My alabaster skin, partnered with my ashy hair and dark eyes, called to be looked at and adored. My shirt pulled around my broad shoulders, ripped arms, and stomach. The only good thing about prison was there was nothing to do other than fight and get ripped. I was in a state of physical perfection, which meant the world was my oyster. People only feared or fawned over the beautiful, and I enjoyed both.
“I just worry about if you catch that woman's scent again…” He hesitated, the fear he felt for me wafted in the air, and I sucked the smell in, enjoying its tangy scent.
“That won't happen. I will be with Killian and the wolves on a private hotel veranda. There is no chance that I will catch her scent unless she is very close.” I smiled in the mirror at myself, tonguing my sharp pearly fangs. “And if she is, then I will obtain her, and it would be a moot point as I would have my prey.” Just mentioning that siren caused goosebumps to erupt across my skin. The urge to hunt, find, and devour was strong, but I was stronger. I wouldn’t fuck this up a second time. I rolled my neck, letting go of that need coursing in my veins, controlling the lust for that splash of ocean in my mouth.
Soon. I will have it soon enough.
I turned around, arms wide open, and Cain nodded in appreciation. “You look perfect, sire. The vision of poise and power.”
“I know, right?” I looked over my shoulder at the mirror, flexing my body to see the fabric ripple. I turned around and walked out of my room at a clipped pace. “Let's go, Cain. I want to be sitting like I own the place before they even step into the hotel.”
“Yes, sire. I will get the Bentley.” He scurried off towards the garage building off the side of the house.
“No, Cain. I want to take the Rolls Royce. I enjoy the look on people’s faces when the doors open.”
He called, “Yes, sire.”
As soon as we rolled up to the hotel, people were gawking at my car, and I let that easy, carefree smile I had cultivated over the years take over my face. As soon as my foot hit the marble floor, the people in the lobby scurried around. The manager immediately scurried up to me and asked if I needed anything before I went up to my suite.
“Did you complete the requirement I had for the veranda?” This was a human-run hotel, but they catered to all different kinds of species. Since this was a day meeting, and I had sun aversion issues, I requested that the top of the veranda was to be covered. I wanted to be able to sit in the open space but not get cooked by the sun. That would be very agitating.
He assured us he would take care of it and walked us over to the private elevator. He took us up to the room and unlocked the door. “Please let me know if you have anything else you want, Mr. Heroux.” I flicked my hand at him as I walked out to check out the veranda.
I closed my eyes and smiled as a cool breeze blew by, and yet I didn't feel a drop of UV rays hit my precious skin. I wanted to show these stinky low lives that I was the one in the position of power, the one who could afford all of this for just a simple meet and greet. If they were as smart as Killian said, they would realize the message I was sending. If I could do all this at the drop of a hat, then think of all the money I could spend to annihilate them if shit goes wrong.
