T. A. Grey Read online

  “Why not?” His eye twitched again. He hated having to ask, it wasn’t a question he ever had to.

  She turned around looking incredibly happy...and gorgeous. “You’re not good enough for me.”

  Then she waved at him with her dirty fingers and strode off.

  Chapter 5

  The following morning Dmetri’s mind was still wrapped up in his unusual conversation with the lykaen Christine. He’d never been turned down for dinner. The denial burned his ego like hot coals, but that didn’t bother him so much as the fact that she didn’t think he was good enough for her.

  “Devil woman,” he muttered under his breath.

  When his cell phone rang, he went to answer it. He now had direct communication with the sentries guarding the pack. The number came from Gerry, who guarded the entrance to the pack.

  He answered the phone then, a minute later, hung up with a frown. Donning his black jacket and a clean black Charvet shirt, he jumped into his car and drove to the front gate. The Kategans didn’t have paved roads in their pack but kept dirt and gravel roads that had him grimacing as his BMW took a sound beating to the undercarriage.

  He spotted the main gate and pulled to the side of the road. The guards surrounded a young girl who looked to be at best sixteen. She wore clothes that looked like they’d had every bit of food and drink spilled on them, and she looked like she could use a shower, or twelve.

  There was something familiar about her but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

  All the guards were on alert for strange visitors and her timing couldn’t be more suspicious. If she worked for Claude, he’d find out.

  “Who are you?” he asked without preamble.

  The girl’s eyes widened and then she gave the guards a pointed look. “You question me but let a vampire in here? I think you guys are the ones who should be interrogated, not me.” The captain of the guard, Gerry, was a thick-necked stocky man with short crew cut hair.

  His dark eyes were smart and alert. Dmetri liked him.

  “She says she’s a Kategan.”

  The other guards chuckled but Dmetri didn’t. He studied her face, noting the dark color of her hair and it hit him like a slap to the face.

  “She might be. Who are you?” he asked again.

  Rolling her eyes, she spoke very slowly. “I am Vanessa Kategan. I’m Vane’s cousin and I’m here to see him. Just call him will ya? That’ll make this a whole lot simpler.” Dmetri nodded to Gerry and he stepped away to make the call.

  “Why are you alone?” The question he discreetly asked was: who are you with?

  She put her hands on her hips. “I ran away, duh.”

  “From where?”

  She clamped her lips shut and crossed her arms. “I’m not saying anything else until you get Vane down here. I’m starved,” she said rubbing her stomach.

  A few minutes later, a truck pulled down the drive. Vane jumped out without bothering to close the door behind him. His eyes widened as he spotted the strange girl and then a grin split his face as he ran for her.

  “Vane!” The girl launched herself in his arms, and he spun her around laughing.

  “Vanessa, what are you doing here?”

  He set her down, looked behind the gate, and saw no car. Then he took note of her dirty appearance and grimaced.

  “Did you run away again?”

  She shrugged helplessly. “I’m not going back this time. I vow it.” Vane looked less than happy at the news. “Vanessa...” he sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Come on up to the house. You can meet the baby.” Her eyes lit up and she squealed. “A baby! Sarina had her baby? Oh my God, I can’t wait.” She hopped into the driver’s side door and then hopped over to the passenger seat. “Drive on!”

  He nodded at her then turned to Dmetri. “She’s my cousin. My Uncle Eric’s only daughter. They’ve had problems with her running away before but...she’s never come this far.”

  “Where does he live?”

  Vane’s laugh was forced. “Northern California. He has a small pack up there.” Dmetri whistled. “Halfway across the country that’s a hell of a hike. I’m going to need to talk to her.”

  Vane looked back at her and nodded. “Understood, I’ll let you know when.” Dmetri finished meeting with the guards—no activity seen outside the perimeter. It was only a matter of time. But what were Claude’s tactics? Attacking alone wouldn’t be smart; too many numbers would be easily seen. Either way Claude would plan his move carefully. Though, after he tried to win Kategan land over with false documents his approach might be less than subtle. During that time, his envoy Ariss and her guardian attacked Vera and Jackson, and now Claude has killed four guards at the jail.

  Dmetri got in his car and, before he knew it, pulled up in front of a little cabin, the second house on the right. He headed to the house with one intention in mind—getting a yes.

  He knocked hard. No answer. No sign of movement inside. The sound of music reached his ears and he paused before following the sound. He walked around the side of the house and came upon a wood fence. With his height, leaning over the fence was easy.

  He saw a large yard with slightly overgrown grass and lots of flowers, bushes, and trees that reminded him of a mini botanical garden. His gaze followed the sound of a rock and roll song and landed on her.

  B’lad!

  She was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. He shook his head at the thought. Impossible, he’d seen countless women, fucked even more. Still, the thought popped in his mind again. He narrowed his gaze on her and leaped over the fence, landing silently.

  She rested on her stomach with her face away from him. His fangs throbbed at the sight of all that delicious golden skin, and she showed a lot of it today since she only wore a bikini.

  Where she was short, she made up for anything she might be lacking in curves. Her waist tucked in to offset perfectly big hips and a plump ass he could easily dig his fingers into. Christ, his cock was hard.

  Laughing softly, he purposely moved in front of her to block the sun. She squinted then blinked up at him. When she saw him, she laughed.

  “Back already?”

  His damn eye twitched again. God this woman was strange.

  “What are you talking about?” His accent grew thicker as it always did when he got angry or...emotional.

  She shook her head at him and turned around so she could look up at him. Her cheek was red where she’d been lying on it and her skin had a sexy sheen to it that brought erotic images to his mind.

  “I knew you’d be back here sniffing around.”

  He had the urge to clean himself after that comment. “I do not sniff around. That’s a lykaen thing.”

  Her eyes closed as she laughed. “It is,” she said coming to a stand. She stood mere inches from him.

  Dmetri didn’t know what to make of her. She was a puzzle. No one had ever approached him so boldly—unless he ordered it. She didn’t seem intimidated by him in the least. It was as if she thought him like any other ‘fellow’. The thought curled his lip with disgust.

  She leaned into him, closing her eyes, and softly sniffed his chest. Her breath let out on a delicate sigh that made his heart feel strange in his chest. And then she laid her hand on his chest and looked up at him.

  “You smell rich—”

  “I am,” he interrupted.

  She clamped her lips together, but her eyes were laughing. He looked down at the tanned hand on his black jacket and noticed her nails weren’t long or painted but blunt. He’d always loved the look of long nails, but then he couldn’t really picture this wild woman taking the time to paint her nails. She’d probably find it...frivolous.

  “Rich and...” she leaned forward and pressed her nose as close to his neck as she could.

  She barely came up to his chest and damn he wished she were taller just then. When she spoke again her voice was a little husky. “Delicious.”

  Dmetri’s skin coiled warm and tight. She was so vi
brant and golden. He wanted to eat her up.

  “Come to dinner with me.”

  An eye roll and then she walked away to turn off the obnoxious radio.

  “Don’t you know how to ask?” While she laughed at him all he could think about was bending her over his lap and spanking her until she apologized—with her mouth on his cock.

  Striding to her, he grabbed her hand. She seemed startled but let him hold it. Her hands weren’t very smooth but homely with some calluses on the palms. He rubbed his thumb across her palm, feeling her warm skin against his cooler skin. The pulse at her throat jumped and he’d never felt more triumphant—she wanted him.

  “Will you come out to dinner with me, millaya moya? ” Her eyes lit up with something, he hoped it was excitement. “Trying to woo me with sexy Russian, huh?”

  He smiled. “If that is all it takes then I will speak in Russian from now on. Vse dlya vas. ”

  “Stop or you’ll make me shiver.” She picked up the radio and headed towards the sliding glass doors.

  Realizing she hadn’t answered his question, he asked again. “Will you come to dinner with me?”

  She opened the door then paused to look back at him. One hand came to her chest as she cocked her head to the side to think about it. She hummed as her fingers rubbed closer and closer to her breast. Full, luscious breasts he planned to make great use of. Dmetri watched that hand move closer to the mound then stop just short of it. His mouth actually watered.

  “No,” she said sweetly then turned inside.

  Grinding his teeth, he snatched her arm. She looked up at him in surprise, her lips slowly curling into a little grin. God, she was going to drive him crazy.

  “You said if I asked you then you’d say yes. I asked.” Her laughter trickled over him. “I didn’t say I’d agree, honey. I just asked if you ever ask for permission. I got my answer. Sorry, maybe your English is a little bad.” She gave him a pitying look.

  Next she’d be signing him up for English as a Second Language classes at the nearest college. Dmetri had had enough. She was running circles around him, happily too, and he was done with it. Time to pull her to a stop.

  He cupped the back of her neck and pulled her towards him. Her eyes widened in surprise and then her gaze fell to his lips.

  She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Why, Dmetri, are you gonna kiss little ole me?” His frown deepened at her insolence and then he kissed her. Her lips were soft and warm, very warm. He pulled back quickly because his dick was already hard enough to snap with that one simple touch. If he tasted her, he might not be able to stop.

  He grinned as he saw she was slow to open her eyes. Her cheeks were just a little flushed and her fingers had curled gently into his jacket. Damn he couldn’t wait to have her.

  “Dinner tomorrow,” he said.

  And then he left before she could utter a word.

  Chapter 6

  Vane answered the door after the first knock.

  “Come in, Dmetri.”

  Dmetri strolled into the living room and saw an entourage waiting. This was supposed to be a small one-on-one interview with Vane’s cousin to make sure she didn’t have any contact with Claude before coming here. Instead, every one of the Kategans was here including their mates.

  Jackson was the first to acknowledge him. With a grin, he came forward and clasped him in a brief hug. Jacks and he had grown a relationship of sorts after he turned him into a vampire.

  The decision to turn him was made easily because—Vera had needed it. In the following month after turning Jacks, Dmetri and he had exchanged a few punches and, surprisingly, had grown close while he taught Jacks the ropes of being a vampire.

  “Good to see you, old man.”

  Dmetri smirked at the jab. “Rather be old than a young babe like you, drook.” Jacks laughed, clapping him on the back, and escorted him into the living room. He exchanged greetings with the big Kategan family and took a seat across from Vanessa.

  Vanessa looked better today. She’d showered and wore fresh clothes—clothes that barely covered anything. A frown crossed his lips as he took in the young girl’s short skirt and tight shirt. She sat with her leg crossed kicking it constantly as if she couldn’t wait to get out of here.

  “Why do I have to talk to the vamp?”

  “I just have a few questions for you.”

  She rolled her eyes and crossed her other leg, kicking faster.

  “You came from California?”

  “Da,” she said, mimicking his Russian.

  “How did you get all the way to Chicago by yourself?”

  Vane took a seat next to his mate on the couch. Sarina held her new sleeping babe in her arms. “She said she had some money and took the greyhound,” he said.

  “Did you meet anyone strange on your trip?”

  She cocked a thin black eyebrow at the question. “I met tons of strange people. People talking to themselves, a guy who smelled like garbage, a man who said he knew when Jesus was coming—it was fun.”

  Dmetri saw Vane bow his head into his hand. “Were any of them vampires?” She stopped kicking her leg. “No.”

  Reading people wasn’t his forte, that was more Brayden’s area, and he couldn’t be sure whether she was telling the truth. “Why are you here?” She gave an exasperated look at Vane. “I already told him all of this. Dad pissed me off for the last time. He’s arranged a marriage for me. Can you believe that? I mean what century is this, really?”

  “To who?”

  She shivered in disgust. “A nasty old man. Dad only wants to do it so they can combine the packs since we’re next to each other. One big pack. Dad said everyone needs this. Yeah, everyone but me.” She snorted and Dmetri saw a flash of pain in her eyes.

  “The man she’s referring to is Joseph Harrington. He has a much larger pack, combining them would make them more powerful,” said Vane.

  Dmetri cocked a brow at that. “Who’d run the pack then? There can only be one alpha overseeing the pack.”

  “I don’t know. I’ll have to call my Uncle Eric. Either way, Vanessa’s too young to be mated off to Joseph Harrington. The man’s got to be in his forties.”

  “Try fifties,” she said, a disgusted look on her face. “He has kids my age. And I’m not too young, Vane. I’m almost eighteen.”

  Dmetri almost laughed, he didn’t buy that for a second. She had to be barely sixteen. But when Vane didn’t dispute it, he looked harder at the girl. Finally, he shrugged. Anything was possible after all.

  “I’ll talk to Eric. I agree this isn’t right,” said Vane.

  Vanessa leaned forward in her seat, eyes wide with excitement. “So I can stay?” Vane hesitated for a moment. Sarina whispered something in his ear and he nodded. “Of course, we have room.” Then he gave her a hard look that had her excitement diminishing. “But there will be no partying, no running around, no sneaking out, and no leaving this land. Do you hear me?”

  She looked puzzled as if she didn’t know whether to believe him or not. “I can’t even leave the pack?”

  “No, no one is right now. We’re having...safety issues and I need you here and safe.

  Either agree to my terms or I swear I’ll pick up that phone and have Eric come and get you.” She looked shocked at the terms, but eventually nodded. “All right, I agree.” Dmetri checked his watch and noted that it was almost six o’clock. Dinnertime soon. He grinned, anticipation rushing through him like a warm drink.

  Vera grinned back at him. “What’s got you so happy?”

  He hesitated to say anything then shrugged. What did he care what anyone thought?

  “A date.”

  All heads turned to him.

  “With who?” asked several Kategans at once.

  “Christine, your pack healer.”

  A strange thing happened then. Several people chuckled in surprise, a few gaped in astonishment, and Vane tensed.

  “What?” he asked, his excitement dying in place of irritation.
<
br />   Sarina and Vane exchanged a long glance. But it was Vera who spoke first as if she was unable to contain her excitement. She straight up laughed at him, a full dissolve of giggles that left her gasping.

  “You and...Christine.” More giggles ensued.

  “What of it?” He felt his anger growing.

  Rome’s grin was pure shit eating. “You don’t stand a chance, my man.” Dmetri stood and towered over the Kategans. “Like hell I don’t.” Anything he wanted he got—one way or another. He could have her, willing and begging, in under a week if he wanted.

  Darien Kategan sat with his arm around his vampire mate. He smiled and said, “That woman has...high standards.”

  Dmetri relaxed infinitely. He already knew this—to an extent anyways. She’d already told him he wasn’t good enough for her. Not that he was going to admit that to them.

  “I’m an Elder with the Justicars, one of the most sacred jobs there is. Not to mention a man of great wealth.” He sounded like a smug ass but he didn’t care, because it wasn’t a boast.

  A few more chuckles came from the women. Fists curling, Dmetri rolled his neck to loosen the tight muscles there. Damn, he hadn’t been this stressed in a long time.

  “Explain what you mean now.” It sounded like a threat, and it was.

  Sarina elbowed Vane and he sighed. “Christine has a thing for...men of power or position, or whatever you want to call it. She used to chase after me even though I wasn’t interested.”

  Dmetri thought about that for a moment. For one, the Alpha was obviously an idiot.

  Secondly, he had more power than Vane did. Therefore, winning Christine the healer won’t be a problem.

  “I don’t see the problem then.” He stood tall, a brow cocked.