Revelations in Blood Read online

  Or an eternity.

  “I still can’t believe my father…did something…good.” She trailed her fingers across his chest, over the vertical scars from Longo’s final torturous act designed to kill him. “I doubt he meant to.”

  “Evangeline.” Nic had spent the entire night trying to figure out how to broach the sensitive subject of his interrogation and her new bodyguards with her, but he’d been so happy to be home, to celebrate their wedding, to see her enjoy a meal he cooked for her, to make love in their bed with the ocean breezes wafting in through the open veranda doors, that he’d finally given up. “Tonight, I will have to leave at sundown. The Conclave is expecting me by nine.”

  “I know.” She swiped her delicate fingers over her eyes. “How can they possibly suspect you of anything? You were tortured for eighteen years. You did nothing wrong.”

  “Vampires…we are protective of our secrets. Pietro’s death, our failure to obtain usable data or samples of the serum…” He stopped short of telling her of Carlo’s suspicions. If anything happened to him, she’d be safer not knowing.

  “We barely escaped. And we still saved two of the hard drives. Won’t that count for something?”

  Nic reached up and flipped off the bedside lamp. Though he wouldn’t outright lie to his sposa, he didn’t want her to see the fear in his eyes. “It should. But…I do not know if it will be enough.”

  Evangeline didn’t respond, but her fingers fluttered along his arm, and he sensed her worry. He had to distract her. “I would like to take you to town this morning. Show you where the shops are, introduce you to several people you may need to rely on while I am gone.”

  “Can’t we just stay here? You’re only going to be gone for a day or two. You had enough food delivered to feed us for a month.” She met his gaze in the moonlight. Her unfocused eyes told him she could barely see him, but his enhanced vision revealed every line and curve, the rise and fall of her chest, the little stutter in her breath.

  “I hope so, si. But if I am found guilty—” he held up his hand when she started to protest and brushed a kiss to her lips, “—they have no reason to make such a ruling, but I never thought they would subject me to the interrogation either. They could order me jailed. I would fight—legally—but that could take weeks.”

  “Nic, no. I can’t…” Her voice broke, and he tightened his arms around her.

  “Shh, cara. You are the strongest person I have ever met. I will survive this. As will you. I hope to have you back in my arms within two days. But if you need anything…Carlo and Vittoria will help you.”

  For the rest of your life.

  “Just…come back to me,” she said and snuggled closer. As Evangeline drifted off to sleep, Nic’s earlier conversation with Carlo played through his mind. If he found himself on the wrong side of the divide, would he be locked away? And if so, how could he survive losing his freedom again?

  2

  Sunlight streamed in through the gauzy curtains. The scent of her life mate—tobacco and spice and something decidedly male—surrounded her, and Evangeline stretched, her shoulder protesting the movement. She stifled her wince, not wanting Nic to worry. But only cool sheets met her touch, and as she turned towards his pillow, she frowned.

  The blankets had been straightened, and it was almost as if he’d never been to bed.

  “Nic?” Evangeline slipped out of bed and retrieved the silky black robe hanging on the tall poster. Padding down the hall, she held her breath, and heard a rhythmic thudding from somewhere downstairs. His home gym.

  Her toes chilled on the cool marble staircase, and she wound through the fancy parlor, down the hall, and slipped through a door behind the kitchen. “N—?”

  His name died in her throat as she watched him move. Wearing only a pair of loose shorts, he was magnificent. All coiled muscles, glistening with sweat. His hair curled at the ends where it stuck to his shoulders. Nic bobbed and weaved in front of a heavy bag, a series of jabs and crosses landing with solid thumps.

  His breaths came in short, controlled bursts, and after another six punches, he pivoted on his back foot and kicked the bag with a deep grunt. Evangeline marveled at his speed, his precision, and his focus, and leaned against the door jamb until another roundhouse kick turned him enough for her to be in his eyeline.

  “Did I wake you?” He ran a hand through his hair, then caught the towel she threw at him and wiped his face.

  “I don’t think so. How long have you been up?”

  “Perhaps an hour.” Nic drained his bottle of water, then filled the metal vessel from a small sink in the corner of the room. “I have missed this. My muscles may not atrophy, but the release of a hard workout is incomparable.”

  Sadness tinged his words, and Evangeline’s heart skipped a beat. He’d miss this again during the interrogation. Tonight, he’d be locked in another cell, in another room, deep underground, unable to do much more than pace a few steps at a time.

  “Can I make you breakfast?” he asked.

  “I think I can manage espresso. You showed me where everything was yesterday.” She forced a smile. “Finish your workout.”

  Nic strode over to her, slid his hand into her hair, and claimed her mouth. “I love you, Evangeline.”

  Arousal churned in her belly, and she clutched his arm, holding on as her knees threatened to buckle with the strength of her need for him. They’d made love until the early hours of the morning, and yet a single touch was all it took to ignite the flames of desire once more.

  “If you don’t stop that,” she said, breathless, when he broke off the kiss, “we’ll never make it out of this room today.”

  “Would that be such a tragedy?” His amethyst eyes sparkled in the overhead lights, no hint of sadness remaining in his gaze. “I want you, cara. After breakfast…I will show you just how much.”

  Evangeline shivered, shifting her legs to try to soothe the ache between her thighs. “I’m counting on it.”

  As she slipped out of the room, Nic started in on the bag once more.

  In the kitchen, Evangeline found the espresso beans and spooned some into the grinder. Working from memory, she retrieved the little espresso pot from the stove, added the grounds and water, and managed—with only a moment or two of panic—to start up the gas stove.

  The rich scent of coffee filled the open, bright kitchen as she pulled a small bag of biscotti from the cabinet. Sliding a hip onto a stool, she let her mind wander. Tonight, she’d be alone in this big house. Her stomach flipped, and she set the biscotti down, suddenly too nauseous to eat.

  Nic’s tablet computer sat a few feet away, and she pulled the small device in front of her and searched for “Hand of God.” In the two days since the explosion in the catacombs, nothing had appeared in the news, and Evangeline wondered if her father’s work had really amounted to so little in the end. He was a monster, and though she was glad she’d never have to see him again, she ached for closure. Why did he have to force her to kill him? He should be in jail for his crimes. Instead, Nic was the one who’d be behind bars—at least for tonight.

  “It’s not fair,” she said under her breath as she scrolled through news reports from around the world.

  “What is not fair?” Nic asked as he brushed her hair off her neck and pressed his lips to one of her bonding marks.

  Evangeline shivered as his love for her sang out across their bond. “Nothing important.” She wouldn’t burden him with her problems. Not today. Forcing a smile, she rose and retrieved two small cups from the cabinet. “Are you sure we have to leave the house today?”

  “Si.” Nic’s voice sobered as he leaned against the counter and sipped his espresso. “Call me selfish,” he said, “but I want to be the one to introduce you to Sorrento. And as we do not know how long they will keep me…”

  “Nic, why do you have to do this?” Her emotions threatened to overwhelm her, and her eyes burned, the strain of the late night, Nic’s nightmare, and her father’s death cras
hing down on her. “Just…say no. Or…let’s go somewhere else. Somewhere they can’t find us.”

  “I cannot. I gave Luigi my word, and he agreed to protect—” Nic set his espresso cup down with enough force to shatter the porcelain. “Vaffanculo.” Using his enhanced speed, he swiped up the coffee quickly streaking towards the edge of the counter, then threw the broken pieces of the cup in the trash. “I need a shower. Then we will go into town.”

  Pausing at the entrance to the kitchen, he ran a hand through his thick black hair. “Evangeline, I am sorry. There is so much of this life you do not understand yet, and I wish I had the time to tell you everything. But until I return, I need you to trust me.”

  How could she do anything else? He’d asked so little of her. Well, other than giving up the only life she’d ever known. But that life hadn’t been hers anyway. She’d come to Italy willingly. Excited. Ready to be free.

  With her lip tucked under her teeth, she nodded. “I trust you. But when this is over and you’re back, we’re going to have a serious talk.”

  Nic held out his hand, pain etched on his handsome features. “I promise, cara. We will have no secrets. I will tell you everything that happens during the interrogation.”

  Her nerves steadied once he wrapped his arm around her. As they made their way upstairs, she tried to force herself to be strong. He needed her right now. Until he returned, she could lock her fears away where they couldn’t hurt her.

  Nic’s hands stroked down her breasts, and Evangeline shuddered when he pinched her nipples under the hot shower spray. “You are so beautiful, cara. And the sounds you make…”

  The low rumble in his throat reminded her of the lions she used to watch on the nature programs during her lessons. His erection pressed against the globes of her ass, and she purposely wiggled her hips in response. “I need you.”

  “You have me.” Nic gently turned her, and when he claimed her mouth, she swirled her tongue around his fangs. Surging forward so they were both drenched under the multiple shower heads, he lifted her so she could wrap her legs around his waist and gently lowered her onto his cock. “I am only for you, Evangeline. For the rest of my life. Feel me inside you.”

  “I want…to feel…more than that,” she managed as she tipped her head to the side to offer him access to her neck. “Bite me, Nic. Please.”

  “Not yet.” He braced one hand on the shower wall, pressing her to the tile, and started to thrust. Slowly at first, he let her pleasure build, toying with her until she couldn’t stand the delicious waves building inside of her. “Come for me,” he commanded, and the rough edge to his voice sent her flying.

  “Nic! Oh God. Oh fuck.” She couldn’t see, couldn’t hear anything other than the shower water and her own heartbeat. Dropping her head onto his shoulder, she let the spasms from her release roll through her until finally, Nic withdrew and set her on her feet. “But…you…”

  “We are far from done.” Once he turned off the shower, Nic wrapped her in a plush towel and led her into their bedroom. “Lie down.”

  She obeyed, and when he loosened the towel to bare her to him, she wanted to look away from his hungry gaze, but he cupped her cheek, and the power of his need and his love for her reflected in his amethyst eyes.

  “Nic. Take me. Take my blood.”

  With her next breath, he was on top of her, sliding deep, filling her completely. “I love you,” he whispered. After two thrusts, he reached between them and fondled her clit. “And I love seeing you come for me.”

  This time, she wouldn’t give in. Grabbing a fistful of his hair, she held on tight, and his eyes flashed with streaks of silver. “But what about what I want?” Nipping along his lower lip, she drank in the taste of him.

  “Together,” he said when she finally broke off the kiss.

  Evangeline nodded. As he covered her body with his, she scraped her teeth over his neck, right along his bonding mark. Nic slammed into her harder with each thrust, and she briefly worried they’d slide right off the bed, but a second later, she didn’t care as he bared his fangs, made a low, deeply possessive noise in the back of his throat, and pierced her vein.

  With the first sparks of pain, Evangeline imploded. Her vision darkened, her back arched, and her toes curled against the sheets. Keening, unable to control herself, she let Nic wring the most intense release she’d ever had from her weary body. When he took a deep pull on her vein, he lost his own battle for control and fell over the edge with her.

  Once he’d sealed the wounds and tucked her against him, he sighed. “I need to ask you something, Evangeline.”

  “What?” Still hazy from her release, she didn’t care what he needed—she’d give it to him.

  “Will you let me feed?”

  His quiet words shocked her enough that she pushed herself up so she could look into his eyes. “You don’t ever have to ask me to feed. I’m your…life mate. If you need blood…”

  “This is new to me, cara. Depending on someone.” He tucked a damp tendril of hair behind her ear. “You hold my life in your hands.”

  She smiled. “That’s a bit of an exaggeration. You could take blood from a bag.”

  “I could. Si. Though blood in Italy is sold in bottles. But I will not.” Nic did his best to sever the connection between them—she could see the attempt in his eyes. But she could still hear him. Still understand what he’d been about to say.

  Not even if I weaken…

  “If you need blood during the interrogation, you have to take it. Promise me.” With her hands on his strong shoulders, she tried to convey the seriousness of her words, but Nic shook his head.

  “No. I cannot make that vow.” He sat up and gathered her in his arms. “I will not need blood while I am gone. Not if I feed today.”

  Brushing her hair off her neck, Evangeline leaned in, and as he pierced her vein again, she tried to convince herself Nic would be fine.

  3

  Evangeline’s knuckles paled as she gripped the door handle, and she stifled a yelp as his Audi smoothly accelerated around a curve.

  “I will not let any harm come to you, cara. Cars are very safe.” Nic reached over and brushed the backs of his fingers across her cheek. “Especially with a vampire at the wheel. My reflexes are better than most.”

  “I’m fine,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “Hardly,” he muttered, unable to let go of his worry. Evangeline had refused to eat after he’d taken her blood, and she was too pale. She shot him a look that could have melted the polar ice caps, then turned her attention back to the road in front of them.

  His last hours free, and the tension between them choked him. Nic couldn’t help his lead foot halfway down the mountain, but when he saw the vaguely green tinge to her cheeks, he eased up and started taking the curves at a more reasonable speed. By the time they’d parked in downtown Sorrento, Evangeline had calmed slightly, though she hadn’t let go of the door handle, and he wondered if he’d find finger marks in the leather.

  Rushing around the car, he waited for her to pry her hand free before opening the door and helping her up. She swayed for a second, and he wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. “I am sorry, tesoro. I should have taken more care. I am not thinking clearly today.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “But this is only the third car ride I’ve taken. You want me to drive one day?”

  “Si. Driving is…can be…a joy. The countryside is beautiful. But perhaps we will see Italy by train first.” He feathered kisses all along her neck, concentrating his touch on the bonding mark he’d fed from earlier. A subtle swelling marked the site, along with twin silvery scars.

  A vampire could seal a bite so it healed within seconds, but the bonding marks were permanent. The bonding ceremony changed both participants physically and emotionally, and the five bites—one at each wrist, one on either side of the neck, and one directly over the heart—would never fade. Though Evangeline had no fangs with which to bite him, she’d u
sed a pocket knife to mark him and take his blood during the ceremony.

  Evangeline melted against him, and for a moment, he worried she’d actually passed out, but then her fingers curled around the buttons of his crisp, white shirt.

  I’m scared.

  She hadn’t meant the words for him. They were too faint. But the strength of her mind shocked him sometimes, and her thoughts were often so transparent to him. “You will feel better after an espresso and pizza.”

  “I’m not hungry.” Her brows furrowed, and she chewed on her lower lip. “I know I should eat something. Especially after you fed from me, but…” She grimaced, her nose wrinkling. “I don’t think I can.”

  “Will you try? You have not eaten since last night.” He toyed with a lock of her hair and met her gaze. The contact lenses turned her eyes a deep purple, and she blinked rapidly in the sun. “Are the contacts bothering you?”

  “No. Not really. I just…don’t like having to hide.”

  Nic took her hand and interlaced their fingers as he led her down the sidewalk. “I know. But no vampire has ever bonded with a human before. And if anyone were to learn of your humanity…I fear for you.”

  “Someone’s going to know. I don’t…you move so smoothly. Like a cat. You don’t fidget.” Her voice cracked, and she glanced all around them as they turned onto the main street. People spilled out of shops, talked in doorways, laughed as they dined in open-air restaurants.

  Sensing Evangeline’s fear, Nic pulled her closer and draped his arm around her shoulders. He’d keep her close for as long as he could. Merda, he didn’t want to be parted from her.

  “You are a new vampire,” he said, repeating the story Carlo had concocted for them. “Your father turned you, likely by accident. You are less than two years old. So you retain much of your human actions, human emotions, human habits.”