Part 16 (1/2)
Darcy hung onto the bars, her hips jolting, until her o.r.g.a.s.m hit-an explosion of sensation that tightened her v.a.g.i.n.a and seared the breath in her lungs.
Quentin was right there with her, his steel rod pistoning, hips slamming against her b.u.t.tocks, his hands squeezing her a.s.s in a bruising grip-and then he released a roar that should have rattled the windows.
Feeling him slow, Darcy gasped, her breath hitching on a burst of laughter. ”I'll have to check the s.h.i.+ngles on the roof in the morning.”
Quentin collapsed against her back, taking them both to the mattress. ”Madam, will you ever let me have the last word?”
Quentin stirred three teaspoons of sugar into his tea and ignored the amused smiles from his two companions.
Seated around the kitchen table, the three vampires took turns yawning sleepily.
Emmy stretched her arms above her head and giggled. ”Well, I'm going to say it. No, Dylan, I know you think it's impolite to comment, but I swear Quentin shouted loud enough to wake the dead last night.” She ignored Quentin's scathing glance. ”What on earth did she do to you? I think I could use some pointers.”
Quentin remained tight-lipped. His dignity demanded he keep mum. After all, Darcy's ”pointers” were the culprits.
Dylan cleared his throat. ”Speaking of your tormentor, where's Darcy gone off to?”
”She left a note. Said she'd stop by the house after dark and give us the scoop.” He didn't add that he'd been too caught up in s.e.x-play the evening before to let Darcy tell him the latest developments in the case. How the woman managed to distract him was too bruising to his ego.
”Quentin...”
Emmy's voice held a tentative note that snagged Quentin's attention from his cup.
”Darcy told me last night that she's thinking of becoming one of us.”
Quentin's chest warmed at the thought that Darcy was seeking advice. It meant she was seriously considering his offer. ”I've asked her to think about it.”
”It's not a good idea,” she said quietly.
”I know the procedure is dangerous, but I have done it before. If she wants it enough, I'll do it for her.”
”You mean if she wants you enough,” Dylan murmured.
”Well that, too.”
”I think you should wait,” Emmy whispered, her face reflecting sympathy.
Quentin stared. Something was wrong. ”Was your experience so terrible?”
”You know I didn't have a choice, but no, it was less frightening than the alternative. But that's not why I'm asking you to wait.”
A sick feeling of dread descended, weighing on his muscles. ”Well then, out with it, Emmy.”
”You can't turn Darcy. She's pregnant.”
It was early evening, and the sun still winked on the edge of the horizon. At the gate guard's direction, Captain Springer, Max, and Darcy exited their unmarked squad car.
”I have to take your weapons,” he said, his expression unapologetic. ”Mr. King's orders.”
At the captain's nod, Darcy reached beneath her jacket for the Beretta holstered at the small of her back and handed it to the guard.
Max pulled a gun from his ankle holster, but merely shrugged. ”I knew he'd shake us down.”
They were instructed to leave their car inside the gate and walk to the front door. The house was split-level and long. The grounds were lush with vegetation. A flagstone path led to the front door where another guard held it open for them to pa.s.s. ”Go straight back to Mr. King's office.”
The interior of the house was more impressive than the exterior, if the long corridor they traversed was any indication of the rest of the house. Dark wood floors, white stucco walls, and high ceilings were enhanced by a large, heavy oak armoire and high-backed leather chairs. At the end of the corridor was an open door.
”Drugs sure pay good,” Max said beneath his breath, halting in front of a large display case filled with baseball memorabilia. ”d.a.m.n, he's got a signed Sosa game ball.”
Darcy gave him a gentle shove to keep him moving toward Rupe King's office. As they neared the door, a large man with the shoulders of a linebacker held it for them, indicating they should pa.s.s. After they filed in, he stepped out and closed the door behind him. Darcy had no doubts the bodyguard would remain just outside the door in case Mr. King needed him, and the bulge she'd detected beneath his vanilla-colored suit jacket had certainly been a gun.
”Come in, come in,” a low, melodic voice, with a hint of Jamaican accent, beckoned them deeper into the room.
Darcy turned to see a tall, thin man wearing a long-sleeved linen s.h.i.+rt rise from behind his desk. His hair was close-cropped, his face a dark ebony, his mouth wide, and his dark brown eyes were wary.
”Mr. King?” the captain said.
”Indeed.” His gaze swept over the three before resting on Darcy. ”You and your people may take a seat here.” He indicated a brightly upholstered couch and two armchairs before a large picture window that looked out into the tall pines in the back yard.
Her two a.s.sociates took the armchairs, which left Darcy sitting on the sofa with Rupe King.
A long silence pa.s.sed, and then Captain Springer cleared his throat. ”Mr. King, you contacted our department regarding a man who approached you with a business proposition.”
”A vampire!” Rupe King's lip curled in a sneer. ”A G.o.dd.a.m.n vampire wants a share in my operation. I'd as soon f.u.c.k with the devil himself.”
”This particular vampire is of interest to us. He's responsible for numerous deaths of young people here and in Seattle, where his string of murders originated.”
”His name be Nicolas Powell.” Rupe all but spat the name. ”And I, too, have particular interest in this vampire.”
The captain's expression became intent. ”I understand you recently lost your brother.”
”Yes. One of Nicky's minions devoured him before his companions' eyes.” Rupe King's eyes held a bitter rage. ”I will see my brother avenged, whatever the cost.”
”We had a confrontation with him a couple of nights ago. We took out his followers, but Nicky gave us the slip. He's wary of us now. We need a way to set a trap.”
The Jamaican's eyes glittered with interest. ”I must admit that while I have a well-trained staff, I do not feel they are adequate for this challenge.”
Captain Springer's chin lifted toward Darcy and Max. ”My unit's been hunting killers like these for four years. We have the experience.”
Rupe King gave Darcy an a.s.sessing glance.
Darcy kept her expression impa.s.sive.