Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(7)

“I wasn’t expecting company,” I said by way of explanation.

Marini held his hand out. Unfortunately, I knew exactly what he wanted. It was a little formal greeting between vampire and companion. Forcing myself to stay calm, I allowed my hand to find its way to his. He towered over me and gracefully flipped my hand over in his palm so the wrist was exposed.

He leaned over and sure enough, I felt the little sting of his fangs. “As always, Mrs. Donovan, it is a pleasure to greet you.”

I looked around and saw that the bastard had brought his companion with him. He’d just tasted me in front of her. Most of the companions I’d met were as possessive as the vampires they belonged to. I expected her to look at me with hate, but there was only sympathy in her brown eyes as she watched the scene. Marini’s companion reminded me of a little mouse the last time I had seen her. Now she was a little mouse someone tried to dress up. She was wearing a designer gown. Vintage Versace if I was right, and it was meant for a much fuller figure. She was wearing four-and-a-half-inch heels that I would be shocked if she really knew how to walk in. Someone had done her hair and makeup, but she seemed like a little girl playing dress up.

I smiled at her to acknowledge her presence, and she lit up like no one ever noticed her. Then Marini glanced back and her eyes were downcast again.

“You know Rose,” Marini said as if it didn’t really matter if I did or not.

I didn’t. I’d never heard him say her name, but I nodded anyway. I knew how she must feel, the lone female in a room full of predators. “Hello, Rose. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Hello, Zoey,” she replied shyly and I was surprised she had a very British accent. “I like your pants. I like Hello Kitty, too. They look warm and comfy.”

“Kevin,” Marini barked and one of the vampires moved forward. “Take your mistress home. I no longer need her.”

Rose stood up obediently and tottered on her heels. So young. I couldn’t imagine she was past twenty-one. She should be in college, figuring out her life, not obediently following her master’s wishes. She nodded as she passed with her vampire escort.

Marini obviously forgot about her the instant she walked away. “Why don’t you introduce me to your friend, Zoey?”

It was time to get rid of my other two problems. I’d felt Michael tense behind me when Marini had greeted me. Michael hadn’t liked it, but as a member of the Council, he had the right. I was more worried about the inevitable time when Marini tried taking rights that didn’t belong to him. I would just have to give the man something better to do than watch over me.

Smiling brightly, Nim moved forward. “Hello, I’m Nim.” Marini introduced himself but made no move to touch her. She frowned at me. “Is he not going to do that thing with his tongue to me?”

I fought not to smile. Nim was very straightforward. “I think that’s a vampire/companion ritual.”

“That sucks,” Nim protested, looking very disappointed. “When I heard there were a bunch of vampires hanging out, I was hoping I could get one to bite me.”

I turned to Marini. I needed to set my plan in motion right away before he offered up one of his own men. A little light flirting was called for. “Louis, I was hoping you could help me with that little problem. You see, Nim is very curious. I was thinking Michael could…well…”

“Bite me,” Nim supplied helpfully. “And do all those hot vampire things Daniel does to Zoey. I really think it’s sexy when he sits around and licks her neck.”

The head of the Council seemed very amused now as he turned to Michael. “Do you have any objections, Mr. House? It seems Mrs. Donovan would like to…I believe the current phrase is ‘pimp you out’ to her friend.”

Michael’s jaw dropped in obvious surprise, his fangs already on display. “Does she know all the…stuff involved?”

Nim grinned. “Oh, yes. I’ve listened in on Daniel and Zoey several times. It sounds like heaven. Of course, she usually has Devinshea as well, but I’ll settle for just a vampire.”

“You know about the sex?” Michael asked.

“Of course,” Nim replied like he was an idiot. “Vampires like sex.”

“We certainly do,” Michael said in a low, sexy voice. His eyes took in every inch of Nim’s form and a slow smile crossed his face. “Hello, Nim, my name is Michael House, and I’ll be the one supplying you with multiple orgasms tonight.”

“Why don’t we go back up to my room and you can rock my world?” Nim led the vampire off toward the front of the club. Dev had given her an apartment in the building. Neil, Nim, and I had spent a fun day at IKEA furnishing it.

I watched the last of my problems leave. Unfortunately, they were also the last of my friends, and I steadied myself as I looked back at Marini. I wouldn’t be able to count on Chad. He was in deep cover, and he would let Louis do a lot to keep it. Besides, I wasn’t sure Chad could even stop Marini if he wanted to. “I was going to call you tomorrow.”

Louis smiled but it was a predatory thing. “That is lie number one, chère. I will keep count and mete out punishment when I see fit.”

I crossed my arms defensively over my chest. I didn’t really like the sound of that, but it didn’t seem the time to complain. “I would have called you, eventually. We just got back. It was a hard trip.”