Part 24 (1/2)
”That's true. You're none of my concern, but Hannah is. She wants to become a hybrid.”
”I know.”
”She wants you to do it.”
”I can't.”
”You mean you won't.”
Seraphim raised his eyes to the ceiling. ”I seem to be having this same type of conversation with too many people of late. No, I will not make her a hybrid.”
”Why?”
”It's too dangerous. She could die, and why am I telling you this? Out!” Again he dragged her toward the door. ”Get out!”
”Why? So you can sit here like the man of mystery and wallow in depression when you could be spending time with Hannah? And get your paws off me!”
They paused at the door. Trixie poked his chest with her index finger. ”I don't know what your problem is, but you have about three days to get over it. Vincent and I are going to Vegas for a couple of days. When we get back, if you haven't made Hannah one of us, I will.”
”What?” His eyes seemed to catch fire and she saw his fangs lengthen against his lips.
Trixie smiled. ”We took the compatibility test. I promised to change her-if you didn't. Think about it, Seraphim. She can enjoy her pa.s.sage to vampirism with me, or she can absolutely love every moment with you. Everyone knows all hybrids who have been created by a lover say nothing can compare with the feeling. What greater moment can a vampire have than to give the gift of life to someone he adores. Do you want to miss that? Do you want me to change her instead of you?”
Seraphim's eyes blazed and his scent permeated the room as his anger and desire rose. Growling, he grasped her wrist and shoved her hand away from his chest.
”Do you love her?”
”I don't want to hurt her. Her life is worth more than my desires! What if she dies, or what if I do? There are things about me you don't understand, Trixie. You and the Network will know soon enough, but -”
”Stop making excuses. If you're compatible, the chances of her dying are slim so long as you know what you're doing -” Trixie paused and raised an eyebrow. ”You do know what you're doing, right?”
Again he rolled his eyes, and she took that gesture as a yes.
”Jules said he even has a special room set up in his office so the process can be monitored by him or another doctor. If anything happens to Hannah, they can revive her as a mortal.”
”How intimate, to transform one's mate on a laboratory table.”
”Be as sarcastic as you want, but it remedies your worries, doesn't it?” Trixie curled her lip. ”I have to go.”
”It's about time.”
Trixie grinned at him as she opened the door and stepped into the hall. ”If you really didn't want to hear what I had to say, you'd have thrown me out. See ya, caveman.” She winked at him.
He slammed the door as she headed for the elevator.
With her errand done, it was time for some fun. She was off to Vegas to marry the man of her dreams!
”Quit messing with that mirror,” Vincent said, tugging the compact from Trixie's hand as they stood outside the chapel in Vegas. He kissed her cheek. ”You look gorgeous.”
She smiled, her stomach fluttering as she smoothed her floor-length black dress with a slits running to mid-thigh and a low neckline revealing her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Her eyes swept Vincent whose perfect body was clad in black leather pants, jacket, and boots. ”Thanks, Dilorenzo. You look pretty s.e.xy yourself.”
”Yo.” He grinned, wrapping an arm firmly around her waist and strolling inside.
The chapel was decorated in black and burgundy with white pillar candles and stained gla.s.s. The scent of hybrids and incense hung on the air.
”Vincent, my friend.” A soft yet masculine voice sounded from a door to their left through which a slim man of middling height stepped. His black hair, moustache, and beard were streaked with steel gray. He approached, extending his hand to Vincent who grasped it.
”Raoul. Good to see you.”
”And this must be the lovely bride.” Raoul took Trixie's hand and pressed a wet kiss to the back of it. ”Stunning. Just stunning.”
”So.” Vincent rubbed his hands together. ”Let's get us. .h.i.tched.” ”In a minute. I have a surprise witness for you.” Raoul grinned.
Trixie and Vincent exchanged questioning glances until a tall woman wearing gray pigtails stepped through the door, her fleshy body draped in a red silk dress.
”Vinnie! Come here!” she croaked in a gravely voice, the cigarette hanging from the side of her mouth bobbing up and down with each word.
”Auntie!” Vincent beamed, accepting the woman's bear hug. He stepped back, waving away smoke. ”s.h.i.+t, you gotta quit those things. They stink like h.e.l.l.”
”Hey, give me a break. I'm an old woman. Gotta have some fun.” ”Trix, this is my aunt Sophia. Auntie, this is my wife-to-be.”
Sophia's eyes raked Trixie from head to foot. She took a long drag on the cigarette and blew it out slow. ”Quite a looker there, kid. You better be nice to my favorite nephew.”
”I intend to be.” Trixie slid her arm through Vincent's and he kissed her.
”Oh yeah.” Sophia grinned with approval. ”She's a true lady, Vinnie. A true lady. Let's get this show on the road.”
Trixie and Vincent approached the altar where Raoul waited. Trixie cast a glance over her shoulder at Sophia who lowered her bulk onto one of the pews. When Vincent had proposed, she'd never once considered what his family might be like-not that it mattered. She just expected relations of Roman senators to be a bit more.. .smooth.
”Got the rings?” Raoul asked.
”Right here.” Vincent reached in his pocket and pulled out two gold bands. He dropped one in Trixie's hand as the ceremony began.
”Do you, Trixie Caroline Greenly take Vincent Augustine O'Neil Dilorenzo to be your husband in sickness and health, in blood and soul for as long as you both shall live?”
”I do,” Trixie said, allowing Vincent to place the ring on her finger. She lifted an eyebrow at him. ”O'Neil?”
”It's a long story,” he muttered.
”Do you, Vincent Augustine O'Neil Dilorenzo take Trixie Caroline Greenly to be your wife in sickness and health, in blood and soul for as long as you both shall live?”
”You bet I do.”
Trixie took Vincent's large hand, admiring his long, rounded fingers as she slipped on his ring.