Beyond Temptation

~ This was a mess at times as I wrote. I just kept hanging out the dumbass. Gawd. Anyway, business is about to pick up. ;)





CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE



Avery couldn’t process the furor of activity that erupted in the normally quiet household. Helicopters landed on the vast lawn. She rose from the table where efficient staff had laid an early meal of traditional British beef roast. Walking to the window, she watched men in dark garments like the men on the cop shows wore on special missions.



Turning briefly to look at Malec, she asked, “Who are these people?”



He sat in his chair, a shallow glass of untouched wine on the table before him. “Insurance.”



“I don’t understand all this.” For a moment she watched the steady incoming stream of men. Then, she walked back to him. “Can’t you call the cops?”



“Police would cause more trouble than provide help.”



If she hadn’t learned about Brom’s line of work, she would have questioned that. However, if the authorities always provided the best hope for resolution, he wouldn’t have a job. Avery suffered a stab of fear. “If I’m in danger by associating with you, won’t this man target people I associate with?”



Malec held out his arm in invitation. She went to him, curling in his lap, laying her head against his chest. “Speaking truth, I cannot make promises either way.”



“What about Brom?” Avery’s fear placed her beyond reserve.



Malec gave a sound that she might have associated with a wolf or lion; a primitive rumble that indicated territorial anger. “Yes, he might be in danger. If Sinclair learns about his relation to you, and thinks it might provide leverage against me, he might at least try.”



“Rupert?” She felt frantic.



“I seriously doubt Sinclair would find him of interest.”



Avery sat upright. She cradled his jaw in her hands. “I had so little joy in my life. You and Brom have changed that. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to either of you if I could have prevented it.”



Malec scowled slightly. “You want me to protect your other lover?”



“I can’t hide out to avoid trouble knowing he’s vulnerable.”



“What of Ramsey? While you reside under my roof, you sleep in my bed. You believe he will honor that?”



Avery recognized the fact she now operated so far outside her comfort zone as to seem laughable. With nothing to base decisions upon, she stepped out on the ledge. “Maybe.” She met his gaze, trying to read his emotions in those glowing, gold-streaked eyes. “I have to tell you honestly, I don’t think I can choose.” Anger flared. Gathering her courage, she admitted, “I don’t want to choose.”



His arms tightened around her as the muscles flexed. “I could make the decision for you,” he said quietly. “I could lock you away from the world and insure only I had your body.”



“That’s not all you want of me,” she replied, not intimidated. Too much had happened. She’d changed from that shy, introverted girl to a confident, sexual woman. “You want my affection, Malec. You want the way I touch you without fear.”



Surprise replaced the anger in him. “You can’t ask us to share you.”



Heart pounding very hard, she slid her hands up into his loose hair, savoring the heavy liquid quality it possessed. “How can you two ask me to pick? To half my heart?” The moment the words left her, Avery realized what she’d confessed. She hadn’t even admitted the same thing to herself. The tension in his body magnified. She studied his face. The intensity of his expression accentuated the stark prominence of his cheekbones. “I care very much about you both.” In a sudden moment of self-examination, she considered her probably imminent fall into love with them.



He leaned down and kissed her very gently, courting her until she opened and let him fully into her mouth. He always tasted of something forbidden for all its sweetness, like expensive dark chocolate and sin. An answering bloom of desire filled her pelvis. When he lifted his head, he murmured, “That I must share your heart is almost more sacrifice than I can bear, ma chère.”







Malec sent one of the vampire security agents to London to locate and maintain surveillance on Sinclair. As soon as the agent reported making contact, they could relax a little until Sinclair either made an open, traceable move or simply vanished. Malec knew even if his enemy used others to attack, he would not miss the show.



Malec realized Avery slept little the previous night. When she had curled up on his bed and fallen asleep, he’d taken off her boots and socks, then pulled the cover over her. He walked to the cabinet beside his armoire. Though it matched the furnishings, it held security equipment not personal items. He rarely used it.



Tonight’s developments warranted opening it and turning on the machine. A com system, custom built for his use in contacting all sectors of his home, provided a cellular uplink to both Taylor and Evan's phones, both in cell and touch talk. He could utilize either functions, aided by a large monitor with a six-screen split.



Malec used the remote to power it up and flip through screens. He used the two way contact to reach Taylor.



The majordomo answered at once. “Yes, sir?”



“Update me.” He kept his voice soft, the volume on the return low.



“Twenty agents as ordered. Korvahnlith has already noted Sinclair’s vicinity and she will doubtless turn her attention to you.”



As the oldest remaining vampire born, she headed the council that governed his kind. Over the centuries, he and she clashed over his unwillingness at times to live by the rules. “I expected it. Corman’s gone to find Sinclair?” Something felt off, as if he overlooked some element.



“Yes, sir. He caught a ride back on a delivery chopper and has already radioed to confirm arrival.”



“Good.” He started to turn off the com. Then, decided better. Malec turned to walk to the bed. He sat gently upon the edge, looking at the woman slumbering there. Somehow, she had enslaved him. It felt good, although he dreaded her regard for the human man.



Malec did not make a habit of questioning himself. All the same, it occurred to him how many times lovers had become conflicted over loving him as well as another. His personal curse, perhaps. Or, the curse of the Fitz Gerald women?



“Sir?”



Malec drew close, remote in hand. “Yes, Taylor?”



“Mr. Ramsey is on his way up to your suite.”



“What?” He flipped through screens, seeking footage. In none of them did the human appear. Vampire hired-help patrolled, spine-cutting and UV rounds loaded and ready. “I can’t see him. Why didn’t the muscle stop him?” His earlier sensation made sense, he just hadn’t identified the source.



“Sir, he got passed all security.”



Malec flipped screens and saw the man coming down the dark hall toward the suite, silhouetted briefly against the brightness of a window when a search light swept the side of the house. Striding to the suite door, remote in hand, he opened it. “Congratulations, Ramsey.” He could smell him, sense his heartbeat, slow and steady.



From the dark corridor came the reply. “You have secrets. So do I.”



“Evidently.”



Ramsey wore sleek black and gray camouflaged tactical gear, a large black pistol holstered at one hip and a matte-handled knife sheathed on the other. “Did you think two tac team choppers could pass over, headed here, and I wouldn’t knock on your door?”



“It did not occur you might notice.”



“Didn’t know what I might walk into,” he said, “so I came heeled in case. What the hell’s going on?”



Malec considered the unlikely nature of the moment, his standing outside the room where their shared lover slept, discussing the situation as if discoursing the current climate. “I can’t say it sits well with me, but, I believe we have a few matters to discuss.”



Ramsey snapped a strap over the holster of his gun. He had kept it clear to draw even once inside the house. “Where’s Avery?”



“Sleeping. Follow me.” Malec closed the door behind them, went to the com unit and keyed Taylor.



“Yes, sir?”



“I have our new guest,” Malec told him.



“Very well, sir.”



“Keep me posted.”



“Will do, sir.”



Malec laid the remote atop the cabinet. As he turned away, he saw Avery stirring. “We have company, ma fetishe.”



She stretched most appealingly, and slowly sat up in the bed. Her sleep-heavy eyes sharpened, fastening on Brom. “Oh my God!”



Ramsey flattened his hand over the firearm. “Don’t let this worry you. Just a precaution.”



“Are you two going to fight?”



Malec glanced at Ramsey, catching his gaze briefly. “Not at the moment,” he replied. “I think we need to continue that conversation now.”