Authors: Eve Vaughn
She racked her brain to figure out what she could have done to tick him off this time
but couldn’t think of a single thing.
She calmly shrugged in an attempt to play it cool. “Okay. It was just a suggestion.”
“It’s not about the damn sandwiches. Look, have a seat.” His dark forehead was beaded
with sweat. He always perspired when he was nervous.
Maggie sat down on the bed and clasped her hands in her lap. An ominous feeling began
to settle within her and forced herself not to tremble. “So, what’s on your mind?
I thought you wanted to get on the road soon.”
“I do, but we’re not going.”
“I don’t follow. You’ve been going on about this reunion for the past month. I thought
you were excited to go.”
“I mean, I’m still going but you’re not.” He raised his chin almost in defiance as
if he dared her to argue about it.
She sat in stunned silence. It made no sense to her why he’d leave this news flash
until the last minute. To be honest, she was happy that she wouldn’t have to see his
rotten family, but she wished he had been a little more considerate by telling her
sooner. “Why did you wait until now to tell me? I could have set up my booth at the
farmers’ market this weekend. Really, Eugene, you should—”
“No. You don’t understand. I’m taking someone else with me.”
She furrowed her brows, confused. The kids had other plans for the weekend. “Who?”
“I am taking my fiancée Shelly.”
If he had punched her in the face, it wouldn’t have had as big of an impact as this
announcement. “Your fiancée Shelly? You’re joking, right?”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life. I’ve met someone else and I am in love with
her. Shelly is my soul mate,” Eugene explained as if she were a child.
Maggie felt as if the walls were closing in on her. Her throat felt tight and she
fought to get the words out. “How long has this been going on?”
Eugene rolled his eyes and waved his hand in a dismissive gesture as if she were asking
about something as insignificant as the weather. “That’s beside the point, and it’s
really none of your business. I want to marry her.”
“But you can’t, you’re married to me.”
Eugene studied his nails in effect relying to her that she didn’t rate the courtesy
of his full attention while he delivered this devastating news. “That can easily be
rectified with a divorce.”
“But we’re a family. What about the kids? They’ll be crushed.”
“Oh, stop it. You’re making a big drama out of this when there is no need. Darren
and Camryn are twenty-three and twenty-two. Adults. I’m sure they’ll get over it.
I think I’ve stayed with you long enough for their sake. I’m no longer willing to
sacrifice my happiness to keep this illusion of a happy family.”
“But —”
“Please, let’s not argue. You can’t be so dense to see we haven’t been happy for
a long time. I haven’t been in love with you since Camryn was born.”
Each word was like slice to her heart. She wrapped her arms around her body and began
to rock from side to side to keep herself from crying. “We had only been married for
a year and a half by then. Why are you saying this to me now?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“But it’s okay now? You stand there and tell me you want to leave me for some bimbo,
and you don’t think that would hurt me?”
Finally his gaze locked with hers. Eugene’s eyes narrowed and he sneered, looking
at her in a way that one would look at the bottom of their shoe after they stepped
in dog shit.
“Don’t you ever call Shelly that again! She is a lady and more of a woman than you
could ever hope to be. Let’s face it; you’re lousy in bed. I’ve had more pleasure
with a bottle of lotion and a porn than being with you. You never paid that much attention
to me after the kids were born, and if I’m being honest here, you’ve really let yourself
go. It wouldn’t have hurt you to use that treadmill I bought you last Christmas. Frankly,
I find you repulsive. It’s a wonder I didn’t leave you sooner.”
If she had any bit of self-esteem, Eugene had taken the last of it with his final
jab. Still she couldn’t let him walk and break up their home. If he did their twenty-three
years together was all in vain.
“We’re a family. You ...” Tears blurred her vision. “How can you say all these things?
I’ve devoted most of my life to you and the children. I made sacrifices. I didn’t
go to college, and I worked nights in that awful café to help put you through law
school. And let me tell you something, mister, I’m not the only one who put on a little
weight.” Maggie stared pointedly at Eugene’s pronounced stomach.
“Now, wait just a minute —”
“No, you wait a minute,” Maggie interrupted, finally allowing her anger to reign.
“How dare you tell me you want a divorce like this after all I’ve done to keep this
marriage together!”
Eugene had the good grace to look embarrassed, but like most people who were put on
the defensive, he attacked.
“You wasted your time trying to save this sinking ship of a marriage. Look on the
bright side, Margaret, at least you don’t have to go to my family reunion this year.
My family never liked you anyway.” And with that, he’d left her completely devastated.
Maggie had remained in the same spot for several hours, thinking she would wake up
from what she believed was a nightmare. If she had thought that was the worst, there
was more in store. She was served with divorce papers that very weekend, and on a
run to the bank, she found that their joint accounts had been wiped out and closed.
She had nothing but her own very modest savings.
When Eugene had returned the following Monday, he told her he was putting the house
up for sale as it was in his name only, and in lieu of alimony payments he was offering
her a lump sum of sixty thousand dollars. He said it was a fair amount and should
be enough for her to get by on until she was ready to seek employment.
That was not a lot of money considering what Eugene brought home every year. She had
threatened to find a lawyer to get her share, but that was when he’d played his trump
card. He had threatened to withdraw financial backing from their kids, who were both
in graduate school. She didn’t want to believe that he would use their children in
such a way, but wasn’t that how he had always kept her in line throughout the years,
threatening to take things out on the kids? She realized that her children were adults
and could take care of themselves, but she had played the role of their protector
for so long, she didn’t know how else to behave other than to back down in the face
of Eugene’s threat.
Maggie took comfort in her pride. She’d flatly refused his money and moved out when
she found an affordable place to live. It broke her heart to leave the stately Rockville
home they had shared. She had found an efficiency outside the city in Silver Spring,
Maryland. She got a job working at a restaurant as a hostess. On Friday nights, she
baked cobblers to sell at the farmers’ market on the weekends to supplement her tiny
income.
She learned that the woman he had left her for was a new associate at his law firm.
Unable to help herself, one day she took the train downtown to Eugene’s office to
catch a glimpse of the woman who had replaced her. Maggie waited until she finally
saw Eugene walk out of the office with his arm around her replacement. She was younger,
taller and slimmer. She was certainly a stunner with smooth caramel skin, large hazel
eyes and high cheekbones that gave her an exotic look. Maggie felt sick. She left
before she could be discovered.
Her friend Montana had told her that it was a time for new beginnings but what exactly
did that mean for someone like her? She was a forty-year-old, passably attractive
female; forty, maybe forty-five pounds overweight, with no job skills or training.
She had two adult children, one of whom was barely on speaking terms with her. It
was hard to look toward a future when she had nothing to look forward to.
She was about to leave the couch when one of the ads caught her eye.
G and T Associates, located in downtown D.C., is looking for an administrative assistant/receptionist;
no experience necessary; competitive salary. Call Oliver
.
Bingo. This might be just what she was looking for.
Chapter Two
GianMarco leaned against the wall in a seedy club located in London’s East End, surveying
the goings-on around him while he waited for his brother to show up. What he really
wanted was some blood and pussy, but not necessarily in that order. Since he was here
earlier than the agreed upon time with his brothers, he contemplated assuaging his
needs with the next woman who came on to him. Almost on cue, a cute little redhead
sauntered past him sending him a seductive come-hither stare with expressive green
eyes. A grin tilted his lips as he realized he his wish was about to be granted.
“Not tonight, little brother,” a deep voice whispered from behind him.
GianMarco frowned. “Dante, you always seem to show up when I’m about to have some
fun.” He didn’t turn around, keeping eye contact with the redhead, who began to dance
suggestively for him. She flung her flame-red mane over her shoulders and licked her
glossy lips. Her hands roamed over her breasts, pushing them forward for his appraisal.
She wiggled her hips and threw her head back as she became a slave to the music and
GianMarco’s unwavering gaze.
Dante chuckled and patted his shoulder. “I hate to interrupt your perpetual pursuit
for pussy but you forget we’re not here for fun. Perhaps when our business is concluded
she’ll still be around.”
On the dance floor, the fiery-haired beauty began to suck her finger between her cherry-red
lips. Without taking his gaze off the object of his arousal, he responded to his brother,
“I think I have a little time. Romeo and Nico won’t be here for another half-hour
or so, and our contact won’t be here for another hour. That’s more than enough time
for a quickie.”
From the corner of his eye, GianMarco noticed Dante now checking out the redhead.
“She’s definitely a tasty morsel. I can smell her pussy from here. I wouldn’t mind
sampling her myself but we need to remember what we came for and keep out minds clear.”
“Don’t be such a killjoy. You said yourself you want a piece of that,” GianMarco
coaxed.
Dante released a heavy sigh. GianMarco could tell his brother was battling between
staying the course or cutting loose.
“Twenty minutes. Half an hour tops,” GianMarco prodded.
“I may regret this later, but fine. Go talk to her, but I get to have a taste as well.”
Quickly, before Dante could change his mind, GianMarco stalked toward the dancing
sexpot. Easing himself behind her, he latched on to her hips and pulled her against
him until her ass was flush with his rising cock. The sexy little vixen seemed to
know exactly what she was doing as she wiggled against them, her gyrating body leaving
no doubt as to what this dance would lead to. She rubbed her body against his brother
with slow, deliberate motions.
As they moved together to the suggestive beat of the music, GianMarco could feel his
brother’s need from across the room. It was a rare occasion when Dante’s thoughts
weren’t guarded. This brief glimpse into his brother’s mind, however, told GianMarco
that Dante’s need to sink his dick into this vixen’s dripping wet pussy and to feast
on her sweet cunt juice and blood was almost overwhelming. Dante was the staid one,
taking his duty as the oldest seriously, sometimes too much so in GianMarco’s opinion.
Feeling what Dante did in this moment, GianMarco understood how the stress of keeping
their family safe and running their organization often led Dante to go without. GianMarco
knew how to rectify that and this seductress rubbing her ripe bottom against him was
the key.
GianMarco leaned over until his lips nearly touched her ear. “What’s your name
bella
?”
She leaned her head against his chest as he nipped her ear playfully. “Most people
call me Diane, but I can be whoever you want me to,” she spoke with a heavy local
accent.
“Well, Diane, something tells me you’re the adventurous type. Perhaps you’re up for
a challenge?”
She giggled. “Love, I can handle anything you can send my way.”
“Do you think you can take me and my brother?” He licked the curve of her ear. Her
scent was titillating. “He’s the tall dark-haired one staring in our direction.”
Diane turned around and glanced over his shoulder. “Mmm, he looks delicious.”
“I think you two should meet.”
“Well, what are we waiting for?”
Dante had seen the entire scene unfold and had heard every word. She was eager for
cock and he was willing to oblige.
Marco escorted her over to him with a smug grin. “Dante, I would like you to meet
Diane. She says there’s a private lounge downstairs where the three of us can get
better acquainted.”
Dante had the strangest feeling something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t look away
from the mesmerizing green of her eyes. He captured Diane’s hand and brought it to
his lips.
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Diane.”
“’Ello, love, are you ready to party? I’m going to have fun with a couple of handsome
gents like you.” Her thick East End accent was charming. She surveyed him with without
abash and her smile showed her approval. Her nipples had hardened in response to the
erotic charge that flowed between the three of them. She ran her tongue across her
lips in seeming anticipation.
He wasn’t a conceited man, but Dante knew from an early age women found him attractive.
Immortals generally had an allure most humans found difficult to resist, even the
ones who were plain of face. Though he never obsessed over his looks, he wasn’t above
using them to his advantage if necessary. They certainly seemed to be working for
him in this instant. He wasn’t sure if he was so drawn to her because it had been
a long time since he’d taken a lover or if she was just that tempting. It didn’t matter.
He would have her and sate his lust so he’d be able to focus on why he’d come to this
club in the first place.
“Very ready. Shall we go downstairs?” Dante smiled at the petite redhead. She giggled
again. Holding on to his hand, she led them through the throng of bodies moving around
them and down a dark stairwell. They were then taken down a narrow hallway to a small
room, which was dark and bare save for a velvet sofa.
Dante had been in his share of clubs since his brother Nico owned several. It occurred
to him this was the type of room that was off limits to the public. Even in his need
to have her, he was cautious. “Diane, how did you know about this room, why do you
have access to it?”
“For Christ’s sake, Dante, does it matter? I’m only interested in getting my dick
wet. I thought you were, too,” GianMarco admonished gently.
Diane didn’t seem fazed. She shrugged. “I know the owner. I come ’ere quite a bit.
I know ’e wouldn’t mind. Now, forget about that and let’s have some fun.” She stood
on her tiptoes to kiss his neck. Her hands were on the buckle of his pants. When she
unzipped him, his throbbing cock sprung forward.
Once her lips touched his skin, all his questions were forgotten.
“Holy shit! It’s a monster!” Diane shrieked in what sounded like fear and delight.
“It’s got to be at least a foot-long!” She ran her fingers reverently along its length.
Dante moaned at the feel of her gentle touch.
She fell to her knees and began to stuff as much cock into her eager mouth as she
could. GianMarco moved behind Diane, his gaze fixated on the erotic sight of Diane
devouring Dante’s dick. She worked his cock like this was something she did quite
often and was good at. GianMarco pulled out his own impressive organ and began to
stroke himself, seeming to grow more impatient with each passing second. Dante moved
his hips back and forth pushing more of his cock into her hot mouth. He inhaled deeply,
growing dizzy from the scent of the sweet nectar flowing from her cunt.
GianMarco tugged on Diane’s flame red mane, pulling her away from Dante’s shaft. “You
have to share, f
ratello mio
,” he chided softly.
GianMarco pulled Diane to her feet and carried her the short distance to the couch.
He positioned her so that she was leaning over it with her saucy little rump tilted
in their direction. He grasped her hips in his hands and speared her with his cock.
Diane’s eyes widened. “Oh, shit! That ’urts! I ain’t never had a cock this big before.”
GianMarco slid his cock into her deeper still. “Shall I pull out?”
“You better not! ’Urt me some more, damn you, just don’t stop fucking me!” she commanded
as GianMarco began to pump himself in and out of her slick pussy.
Dante joined them by the couch and grabbed her by the hair. He gripped the vibrant
tresses until she gasped, opening her mouth wide enough for him to shove his cock
between her berry-colored lips once again. Dante grinned to see her eyes roll in the
back of her head. Her body shook as he fucked her mouth and GianMarco her pussy. This
wasn’t the first time he and his brother had shared a woman but they hadn’t done it
in ages. Dante almost missed this, not only was this a chance to get his dick wet,
but it strengthened the bond between him and Marco.
GianMarco continued to pound her pussy mercilessly as she squealed with delight. Her
juices drenched his cock. Her heady odor was too much for him to resist. He needed
a taste or else he’d combust. GianMarco pulled out and knelt behind her, burying his
face in her hairless pussy. He drank from her essence. Diane moaned with her mouth
still full of Dante’s cock. GianMarco elongated his fingers and morphed the tips to
sharp points. Using one spiky nail, he made a quick incision into her inner thigh.
Drops of ruby-red blood dripped from the cut flesh. He leaned over to slurp up the
droplets that dribbled down her thigh, then pulled away, nonplused. Something wasn’t
right.
GianMarco looked up at his brother, who seemed to sense his unease.
“Taste her.”
Diane whimpered as Dante pulled out of her mouth. He turned her over on the couch
and positioned himself between her legs. He ran his tongue over her swollen labia
before running his tongue over the cut GianMarco had made.
Dante looked up.
She has recently been with a rogue. Tread carefully. We need to get out of here now!
He communicated telepathically.
When both brothers stood up abruptly and began to adjust their clothing, Diane pouted.
She whined, still very highly aroused.
“Where are you going? You can’t just leave me like this.”
Dante spoke with quiet menace. “We have no intention of leaving without you telling
us who you’re working for.”
Her eyes darted from side to side. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Do not attempt to lie to us; we will know. Who are you working for?” Dante asked
once more.
“I ... I can’t say. ’E’ll kill me if I say anything.” It was not their practice to
kill innocent humans, but if this woman was in the league with a rogue, she was no
innocent.
“You lured us down here, didn’t you?”
Though Dante’s initial prudence had annoyed GianMarco, now he understood why Dante
may have felt that way. His brother’s sixth sense was uncanny at times.
“’E made me!”
Just when GianMarco was about to demand who, Diane let out a loud scream. Two vamps
came out of thin air. Their incisors were bared and their hands had been transformed
into sharp claws, poised for attack. Their eyes glowed a bright red. Rogues!
GianMarco and Dante’s incisors and sharpened nails came out in battle mode as the
vampires attacked. GianMarco was punched so hard that he went crashing against the
wall. He was up in a flash, rushing toward his adversary and throwing out his fist
to administer a blow of his own. His enemy hit the floor hard.
GianMarco fell on top of the fallen vamp, wrapping his fingers around the villain’s
throat. The rogue brought his hands up to wrap his fingers around GianMarco’s neck.
They rolled on the ground, neither one giving an inch.
Dante was having his own problems with his attacker’s attempts to bite him. Once a
vampire’s jaws were locked around flesh, there was no escape without losing a chunk
of skin. The Grimaldi brothers could usually take out their opponents without breaking
a sweat, but these were no ordinary rogues. There was something different about these
two; they seemed stronger than most. When Dante spied the tattoo on the rogue’s arm,
he knew why.
“Can we join in?” a familiar voice came from the doorway. Always one to make an entrance,
Romeo Grimaldi grabbed the rogue who was giving GianMarco such a hard time.
Niccolo Grimaldi followed his brother into the room, going for the rogue Dante valiantly
fought. When Nico distracted the red-eyed vamp, Dante went for the jugular, tearing
out a huge hunk of the rogue’s throat. The evil vampire let out a bloodcurdling scream
of pain. Not to be outdone by his brother, Nico tore through the rogue’s chest and
pulled out his heart, crushing it to a bloody pulp in his muscular hand. The dead
vamp collapsed to the floor, and Dante and Nico pounced on the body and began to drain
it of its blood before it became too chilled to drink.
While Dante and Nico fed off their enemy, GianMarco disemboweled his attacker while
Romeo ripped the spine from the offender’s back. Together they tore open the rogue’s
chest to crush his heart, ensuring death. Like their brothers, they began to feed
off the vanquished vamp.
When the brothers finished feasting, they all looked at each other.
“I would much rather have been feeding on some pussy, but there’s nothing like a good
takedown, eh, boys?” Romeo laughed. He was the second oldest of the four brothers
and the rabble-rousing adventurer among them. Romeo was by far the wildest, always
ready for action and courting danger whenever he could. Sometimes when trouble didn’t
come to him, he went looking for it.
“Not now, Romeo. We were set up.” Dante hissed at his brother’s joke. He raked his
fingers through his hair.
“Yes, that much is obvious. Our little redhead friend is gone,” GianMarco observed
dryly.
“I noticed. Let’s get the hell out of here before more of these bastards show up.”
Dante wiped the blood from his mouth.