64 No business like vampire business (1/2)

Joslyn held tightly to Xavier's cool hand as he moved quickly and with ease through the many halls and doors of the massive mansion. Her eyes searched her surroundings, but much of the halls looked the same. ”I'll never find my way out of here.” She grumbled as Xaiver continued to drag her along behind him.

He smiled back at her, ”Good, then I don't have to worry about you escaping.” He mimicked a movie Dracula, ”Blah. You will be my eternal lover and we will be together for all times. Blah.”

Jos couldn't help but laugh as she rolled her eyes. ”For some reason, I just could never imagine you playing a role as a vampire.” She let out a huff when her body crashed into his suddenly still one. She gripped his arm with her free hand to steady herself. ”What is it?”

He turned fully around to face her. Xaiver smiled sweetly down into her eyes as he stroked her cheek. ”We are here. I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you look...” He placed a light kiss on the tip of her nose. His uncovered sapphire eyes twinkled under the light of the many chandeliers lining the hallway. ”And to remind you that you are an intelligent, capable woman.” He brushed his large thumb against her lower lip as he continued to speak, ”These men in here may not see that in you right away, but know as long as you stand beside me you will always be treated with the respect of an equal. You are a powerful woman, I've seen that much myself.” A warm smile spread across his lips as he bent down to place a soft kiss on her lips. After a quick peck, he released her face, spun her around him and smacked her on the behind. ”Now it's time for you to go in there and show these clowns what I already know.”

”Umph.” Jos stumbled forward toward the door with the force of his smack. She paused, her hand hovering over the door handle. ”Arrr... are you sure about this?” She glanced over her should at Xavier, who was now close behind her. ”I mean shouldn't you go in first?”

He chuckled as he closed the small space between them, her worried eyes prompting his movements. He clasped the back of her neck and captured her lips in one rapid, passionate movement. ”Ummm.” He pulled back, still holding her neck and licked his lips. ”Tasty as always.” He laughed when her eyes lit up in shock. ”Don't worry I have no intention of sharing you. Now open the door and walk through. I'm right behind you, but it is customary for the assistants to lead.” He frowned as she continued to explain, ”It's a show of power and importance. A show I don't necessarily agree with but must be done.”

Jos nodded with understanding but the worry was still written in her eyes and hands as she played with the buttons of his well-tailored suit jacket. ”Okay...” She turned but was surprised when she met the resistance of his hand still at the back of her head. When she turned back toward him, his lips fell softly on hers again.

Xavier whispered against her lips, his forehead pressed against hers. ”Stick to what we discussed and we'll both make it through this in one piece.” He let his hand fall away from her head, letting it glide down her shoulder and arm until he reached her hand. He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. ”You really are an amazing woman, and you look breathtaking.” His warm gaze met hers from over their joined hands. ”Now let's not keep them waiting.”

***

Joslyn sat back in the chair to the right, directly beside Xaiver's chair which was the head of the table closest to the doors they had entered in from. The main leader of the North American vampire clan sat at the head of the opposite end. Irritation was written in his face and body language as he glared in their direction. He was a thin, slight man in comparison to Xavier with the face of an angel. His chestnut hair was cut in the most modern business style to match the sleek three-piece suit. His words, however, corse and harsh as he continued to question Xavier's every word. ”And what is in this for the NAC?” He unfolded one arm and motioned around the room. ”What can you bring us that, among us all, we don't already have?”

Xavier answered without hesitation, confidence radiated from him as he clicked a button controlling the projector. ”As I highlighted for you earlier, by merging-”

The head arched a brow as he interrupted a bitter tone to his words, ”Under your rule.”

Xavier's confidence didn't falter as he shook his head in disagreement. ”As I said, I do not plan on ruling as a monarchy. The territories will remain under their individual clan leaders.” He motioned toward the proctor screen. ”My company will simply be overseeing operations and giving advisements where we see fit.”

The head huffed out a disgruntled laugh, ”We?! Do you seriously want to stand there and imply that it will fall under anyone other than you and that despicable brother of yours?”

Xavier's smile fell, ”In fact I do. As most of Europe and parts of the Asian territories will agree, my COMPANY and I are very hands-off operators. The company consists of various branches set up to ensure the maximization of resources, technologies, and safeguards.” He pulled up a new side highlighting the points he was making. ”As you can see the largest issues to vampires as a hold have been addressed and, may I add, already implemented with the approval and assistance of the Southeast territory leaders. There has been a 10% increase in blood donations and distributions, 30% faster cleanups, and a decrease of 15% vamp on vamp crimes... not to mention the decrease in exposure to the public.” Xavier turned his attention from the head to the other vampires sitting around the table. ”In the past, most of the vampire problems have come from exposure to humans or violence related to other factions. With our new safeguards, this has decreased this to the point of nearly removing the problems altogether. By standing united it increases the power of all the clans, not just a single leader and provides a safe haven for all vampires.”

One of the other vampires chimed in, ”Would these safeguards still include the attempted extinction of other factions... like your father attempted?”

Joslyn tried to hide her shock, directing her attention to the laptop in front of her. {Was it his father that nearly drove the wolves to extinction 20 years ago? Russ's people... his parents?} She watched Xavier's response from vailed eyes.

Xavier frowned as he tried to mask his frustration. ”I do not agree with the genocide of any population. My father's tirony was well ended 15 years ago. I have no intention of picking up where he left off.”