The Vampire's Return (Fatal Allure Book 8) Read online

  Well, I suppose I should give them what they need.

  Flicking my thumb over my clit and pushing my other two fingers into myself, I thrust as fast and as deeply as I could, eyes screwing shut and my breath stuttering while I said, “G-god... I’m s-so close!”

  The grunts I received in response were the most guttural I’d ever heard out of them, forcing my eyes open and looking between them as they matched my gaze, the three of us rocketing forward to our ends so fast we could hardly even blink. I threw my head back with a shout, fingers never stopping even as the rest of my body shook violently and my lungs seized up in my chest. It was like the world was exploding behind my eyelids, the brightest white filling my vision and the deepest warmth flooding through my limbs.

  The two of them stuttered and swore, possibly the most animalistic yells ripping from their throats as their spend marked my body, arcing across my stomach and draping over my thighs, so warm against my skin and pushing me deeper into the throes of orgasm. I’d never felt something so incredible, not like this, not with so much covering me and knowing that it wasn’t just from one man. This was something new, some unknown pleasure that I’d always considered but never really understood the total depths of, the knowledge that two men were so entranced by me and so desperate to please me that we could all so easily fall into something that felt so debauched as this.

  But underneath it all, I could tell that this was just so much more than sex, the connection between us was so raw and so potent that whatever acts we engaged in together would never even rival the strength of the love that was in our hearts. These two men would do anything for me, would and had died for me, they would even do something like this with another man that they had every reason to hate. I’d already known for a long time now but just feeling this connection cemented it for me; I would do absolutely anything for these two men, there is nothing that I’m not prepared to sacrifice or take if it means keeping them happy and with me.

  But for right now, with my body still shivering and their release still fresh on my skin, I had to be prepared for anything that might happen after this.

  Like the way that Damon was covering his mouth with his hand and looking between Vincent and I. It wasn’t anger or jealousy that I saw in his eyes like I’d expected to see, this was something else… this was panic.

  “I… I’m sorry,” He said, shuffling back off the bed. “I know I’m just being an ass but… I’ve got to go.”

  “Damon!” I said, trying my best to sit up but finding my legs not obeying my orders. “Wait!”

  He was already out the door, pants barely even on and his chest still bare. This was among the worst panic moments I’d seen him go through, I think maybe the only time it was worse was after he stabbed me, which is definitely saying something. I was still trying to get up when Vincent laid his hand on my shoulder, pushing me back down into the bed and shaking his head.

  “Let him go,” He said gently, “He’s just got a lot going through his mind right now.”

  I looked at him in surprise, fully expecting to see some smug expression on his face over some perceived victory, but instead, I only say complete understanding. I think that smugness would have been easier to understand.

  “I… who are you and what have you done with Vincent?” I asked, reaching up and stroking my thumb over his cheek. He only rolled his eyes, a small smile dancing at his lips while he leaned into my touch.

  “You don’t live as long as I have and not have a few experiences. I was the same way as he is the first time something like this happened, all I needed was a few hours to think about things before I was calm enough to speak to the others.” He nodded at me. “He’ll be fine, all he needs is some time to sort through his own thoughts, we just need to be here when he comes back.”

  I was ecstatic to hear it, but I still couldn’t quite parse what he was saying with the venom they’d been holding for each other not a few hours ago. “You’re… being really supportive all of a sudden, what happened?”

  “I still don’t like him, don’t make any mistakes there, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try and get along.” He shrugged. “He’s as important to you as I am, just because we’re not fans of each other doesn’t mean we don’t understand that. And besides, what he’s going through is something I can actually sympathize with this time, it might be a good step in us finally finding some middle ground.”

  “Oh well that’s just wonderful,” I laughed, covering my eyes with my hand. “I’m so glad that the process of climaxing on me together could finally lead to a friendship, my dreams have come true.”

  “I don’t mean to ruin your sarcastic joke but-” He muttered, pressing his lips to mine. “If that doesn’t make people grow closer to one another, what would?”

  “That’s a fair point I guess,” I said, letting my hand fall back to my stomach. And right into the pool of their cum, lovely. “Ugh, could you help me with this?”

  He nodded, standing and fetching a towel from my wardrobe. I was still sensitive, and in the open air still cold, so when he sat back at my side and took up the delicate task of cleaning me up every movement made me ticklish, from the smirk on his face he was clearly enjoying it too.

  “So tell me,” I started, relaxing back into the mattress with a sigh, “You’ve had experiences like this before huh?”

  “Yes,” He said, “Many times over the years.”

  “And you were pretty close with Joseph and his two loves…” I grinned slyly, tilting my head at him. “Did you four ever… you know…”

  Vincent finished up, making sure that every inch of me was wiped down before he pressed his lips to my forehead. “You will never know.”

  I gasped as he stepped away, a dastardly grin on his face while he suggested that I grab a shower before he left the room, leaving me sitting in the middle of a bed still soaked in my own sweat. “I… you bastard, now I need to know.”

  * * *

  “So wait… you managed to get them both to do that?”

  I rolled my eyes, leaning my face in my hands so I didn’t have to look Cara in the face. “I didn’t get them to do anything, they were nice enough to do it themselves. I didn’t have to convince them at all, they were just happy to do it.”

  “Oh you know what I meant,” She said, laughing into her coffee, “I’m just impressed that you’ve still managed to hold onto two guys at once, whenever I tried something like this they either flaked out before or got going right after.”

  “They’re not some horny college boys just looking to stick it inside something, so I guess that helps a lot.” I frowned, tapping my fingers along my forearms. “I just hope that Damon’s alright, he looked like he was panicking pretty badly back there.”

  “Damon’s not going to leave you or anything just because he got himself off next to another guy,” She said, leaning in and placing her hand over mine. “He’s probably just got some stuff to unpack, and honestly it’s good that he made the decision to step away and think about it. That’s maturity, he didn’t just stand around and freak out on the two of you, he accepted that some things you’ve just gotta take some time for.”

  Even though we’d known each other since college, during which time I’d been privy to dozens of her relationships, hookups and countless numbers of illicit liaisons, something that she shared in regards to my sex life, it was easy to forget just how smart she could be when it came to reading people. I’m not stupid, I know the way I act can be a bit too blunt for some people and I don’t intend on changing that at all, but Cara was a master people pleaser. She managed to get us into dozens of private parties, bars before we could legally drink, she was much savier and much more aware than a lot of people, even her friends, gave her credit for.

  Still, I never considered the possibility that one day I would be getting advice on how to deal with a panicking boyfriend after a threesome, but I suppose it was hardly the strangest thing that had happened to either of us recently.

  “Time
s like this are really strange,” I said, smirking over my drink. “You can give such good advice and read all three of us like a book, but you still haven’t managed to get anywhere with Tariq.”

  She recoiled like I’d physically struck her, the blush blooming on her cheeks giving her away even before she opened her mouth to answer me. “I… I don’t know what you mean, we’re just friends!”

  “Oh that’s a bunch of bullshit and you know it, Cara, just admit that you like the guy!” I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my fingers against my temples. “I swear, global warming is happening faster than you two are.”

  “I don’t… we don’t…” She sighed, slumping over the table. “It’s obvious, isn’t it? God, I’m so stupid.”

  “I mean, yeah you are, but what’s going on? You’re never this shy, are you alright?”

  “I’m fine, actually I’m better than I have been in a long time! I’ve got a good group of friends old and new, I’ve got you back in my life, honestly, my life is great!” Chewing her fingernail, her eyes went wide in a state of near panic that I hadn’t seen on her in years, the sort that wasn’t from any sort of mortal danger, but the kind that was from a far deeper place in yourself. The fear that you were throwing something important down the drain. “God, but he’s so sweet! I just… I really like him Amy, but you know how dating’s worked for me. For both of us really, but you’ve gotten lucky now.”

  “That for the last few years, we’ve only ended up with assholes?”

  “And if they’re not assholes then something happens to push the nice ones away from us. Like there’s some sort of curse that was put on us to stop us from ever being happy with someone.”

  Cara was clearly dealing with this worse than I thought she was, her hands forming into fists and her nails scraping across the table. I wanted to help her in any way that I could, but with this sort of situation, there wasn’t really anything I could do other than sit there and listen while she got everything off her chest. It was the best course of action, but that didn’t mean I was happy about it.

  “I don’t want to fuck things up with him you know? He’s already so sweet and understanding and I feel like I can just talk with him and be sure that he’s not just waiting to get my pants around my ankles.” She placed her head in her hands, groaning, “I’ve got it bad, don’t I?”

  “Yeah, yeah this isn’t… a small amount of liking someone Cara, you’re in deep. I think you’re being too hard on yourself, you’re an amazing friend, an amazing woman and anyone in their right mind would be lucky to have you.”

  She sniffled, “You really think so?”

  “Honestly after the year that I’ve had? If I wasn’t with Damon and Vincent I’d probably be trying my luck, I can tell you that with absolutely no lie. You’re beautiful, smarter than anyone including yourself gives you credit for, how could someone meet you for even just a few minutes and not fall head over heels for you?”

  “Oh, now you’re just being nice…”

  “No! I’m never nice!” I reached across the table, grabbing her hand and holding it between my own. “Listen to me, you’re a bombshell, Tariq is absolutely into you! The two of you need to sit down and talk about this before either you lose the chance to or I start throwing punches, got it?”

  “Alright, alright,” She giggled, grinning widely at me. “You’re really invested in this aren’t you?”

  “Of course I am, I just want you to be happy after everything you’ve gone through. The last year kind of sucked for the both of us honestly, I want things to be good from now on.”

  “And you think me getting together with Tariq is going to help with that?”

  “Of course it will Cara, have you seen that man’s arms? To hell with what he can do with fire, he could flex and the world would stop spinning!”

  She laughed, clapping her hands over her mouth as she fell backwards in her seat, almost shaking when I tensed my forearm preparing to demonstrate. Unfortunately for us, both my show was interrupted by the shrill ringing of my phone, hand going into my pocket and placing the phone to my ear.

  “This is Amy, what’s going on?”

  “Amy, hi it’s Rick...” That tone gave him away every time, for such a talented detective he was ludicrously bad at disguising when he was going to be giving bad news. “I’m sorry to be calling you on your day off…”

  “It’s fine Rick, the job never stops right?” I mouthed an apology at Cara, who only nodded and smiled in understanding. “What’ve you got for me today chief?”

  “What do I always have for you, Amy? It’s a murder but…”

  Now my interest was piqued. “But?”

  “Well to be honest it’s just about the strangest thing I’ve seen in a while since you told me about your… thing. I can’t really explain it over the phone, it’ll be best for you to see it yourself.”

  “Alright, you got it,” I said, gathering up my coat and pressing a quick kiss to Cara’s cheek. “Anything I need to prepare for?”

  “Yeah actually,” He said, and the next words out of his mouth may have been the most surprising I’d heard in a long time, “Bring a raincoat.”

  2

  I always had conflicted feelings about getting back to work, on the one hand, sure it was very exciting to have another puzzle to solve, the chance to bring a monster to justice was something I would never turn my nose up at. But on the other hand, it just felt… wrong to be excited when someone had lost their life, some completely innocent person was laying on the floor of some empty room without anyone even knowing their name, and by all accounts this one was messy.

  In the car driving over, I couldn’t help but go through my normal ritual of going through the catalogue of murders I’d solved over my career, what they had looked like, who they had been. I remembered the looks on the faces of their loved ones when we told them that someone they loved would never be walking through the door again, the expressions of pure anguish that came over them with every agonizing second of realization. It was important to remember these parts of her job, to remember that the victims of these crimes that she delighted in solving were people with hopes and dreams, loved ones who would miss them dearly for the rest of their lives. I was a lot of things, but one thing I refused to be was jaded, I was not going to be like those career men I passed every day who looked at the bodies at these crime scenes and only saw a statistic. The day I started thinking that way was the day that I would quit, that was a promise that I forced herself to make.

  Not that there was any shortage of reminders for me, the murders of the young witches were still fresh in my mind even months later, everyone’s insistence that the cases were open and shut almost letting a murderer go free. I still had to thank Rick for how he explained away the true murderer ending up dead, it wouldn’t do to tell anyone that they’d been used as a sacrifice, but I have to admit that I’m still pissed at him for just going along with the want to throw innocent men in prison just to be able to move on.

  That didn’t just shake my faith in Rick, that shook my faith in the whole system if I’d let them take the murderer into custody who’s to say that they wouldn’t have just let him walk free anyway? The victims were young women, sure, but they were also strippers, and one thing that I’ve learned in my long career was that no one really cares about men and women who work in that industry. It doesn’t matter to anyone that they’re human just like them, that it’s a job just like any other providing a service that more often than not their detractors use anyway, they’re just considered expendable pieces of meat.

  I cared about them, I knew of at least three officers personally who did as well, but so many others just don’t consider them to be a priority. “She should have gotten a different job.” “She shouldn’t have been walking in that part of town.” “Why was she wearing that? Surely she should have expected something to happen.”

  I heard these things every time a sex worker turned up dead, whether they were just stripping or walking the streets,
it was like a switch flipped in their heads and told them that they didn’t have to consider this person human anymore. Not like it’s our jobs to care about these men and women, not like these men and women pay our salary so that they can depend on us to protect them, or to at least make sure that they can find some dignity in death. No, instead of doing their jobs they make jokes, they ask how much they were charging and they offload it onto some poor kid who’s never seen a dead body in their life and now need to be confronted with what people do to these vulnerable men and women.

  I swear, if I could I’d wipe out every single monster who even attempted to hurt these innocent people, then I’d move on to every low life asshole who thought the death of an innocent was something to joke about. I’d probably clean out the entire building at that rate, but maybe that was what we needed if someone was that dedicated to not protecting the public maybe they deserved to be removed, one way or another.

  But that was a train of thought for another time, and honestly, right now it was doing nothing other than pissing me off. It feels wrong, but I hope that the victim this time is a banker or something, not just because sex workers are harmed enough as it is, but there might be an actual chance of cooperation with my case if the other officers consider them to be important.

  God, maybe I should talk to Joseph sometime, he might be able to sort out a few of the issues here.

  Pulling up outside the scene, I was surprised to see that it was a regular apartment building. When Rick gave me the address I was expecting a motel or an industrial complex, the sorts of murders that required a raincoat generally didn’t take place in such normal areas. There very well could have been neighbours, not thirty feet from where someone was being murdered, that was too much of a risk if you were getting in and out, much less staying to make an art piece out of the victim.