“Don’t worry about it. I know you guys have a connection to her. But Tristan, this is just another killer. We'll get her.”
“But, Sydney, that’s just it. You don’t know what she's capable of...what she did. Aw hell. I just don’t want to see you hurt. Before you even say it, I know it’s your job, but there are forces that could easily kill you...you’re human. She got my sister, and she was a strong wolf. If you could have seen what she did to those girls…you just need to be extra careful on this case.” He sounded exasperated. “Look, I’m coming down there. My brother, Marcel, is the Alpha in the region, and before you say anything, which I know you will, don’t argue. It’s not negotiable.”
“Okay, Tristan. I get it. Simone-evil vampire. Me-weak human.” She rolled her eyes. Men. “I won’t argue...well, not now anyway. But, I need a favor. I need you to stop by my condo and bring my weapons. You know, the special gifts you gave me a few years ago. I also need my guns. I left them in the condo. I might need them down here.”
“Okay Syd. I will bring the weapons, but please just stay with Kade until I get down there. You’ll be safe with him at his compound. We can talk about next steps when I get there.”
Sydney sighed. What was it about these werewolf and vampire men thinking they could boss her around? Hello? Detective here. Vampire-killing cop. Ugh. Whatever. Just tell him yes so you can get your weapons. “Okay, Tris, call me when you get down here. Thanks for bringing my stuff.” She hung up, resigned that it was going to be even more difficult working with both Kade and Tristan.
After taking a shower, she gingerly brushed out her hair, still feeling the goose egg on the back of her head; at least the headache was gone. She dressed in a pair of black leggings with a sports bra and pink workout top, which clung to her figure, showing a hint of cleavage. Her stomach growled. She remembered Kade said that vamps ate food, but she wondered if they really kept any around for humans. She cringed, thinking about what they really ate: humans. She wasn’t stupid. She knew that human donors, both women and men, served themselves up on platters at Eden, but Sydney had never witnessed a 'feeding.' And in a house full of vampires, she didn’t plan on offering herself. Just play it cool, get your weapons, and you’ll get a hotel room in the French Quarter. You will be fine.
Deciding not to wait for Kade, she ventured out in search of food. A hand gently blocked her way as she took her first step out of her room. She looked up to see a good looking, African American man smiling down at her. He must have been at least six-five, lean and strong. He was dressed in casual, black sweatpants and a white, sleeveless, spandex shirt that showed every hard line of the muscles in his arms. He was statuesque and reminded her of a Greek god. “Mon Cher, where you think you’re going without me?” He grinned knowingly.
Sydney smiled back. She didn’t know this man, but her gut told her that he had good intentions. “I take it that you are Xavier? Hi there, I’m Sydney Willows, Detective Sydney Willows. Nice to meet you.” She extended her hand.
He took it and kissed the top. “Ah, mon cher, so very nice to meet you. Yes, I am Xavier. I have been assigned to accompany you during your stay at the Isaacson Estate. I am a good friend of Kade’s, and we do intend to keep you safe.” He let go of her hand.
Okay, here we go again with the vampire hand kissing: so polite, so deadly. Sydney sensed he was a nice guy, for a vampire, so she decided just to go with the flow, no use fighting with the hunky, vampire guard. She would save her energy and deal with Kade once she found him. “Xavier, I really need something to eat.” She laughed a little. “You know, like human food. Also, I really need to talk with Kade.”
“Ah yes. This is N’awlins girl. You kidding? We’ve got plenty of food.” He laughed as if she was crazy. “Come on, you must be famished after your ordeal. We heard all about it, tough girl you are.”
They made their way to the kitchen table where an older woman served them food. Sydney polished off a pile of eggs and quite a bit of andouille. She loved New Orleans food and was pleasantly surprised that they had a human cook in the house. She ate her meal, and enjoyed drinking her hot, chicory coffee. Sydney wondered exactly how many people lived here. She learned from Xavier that the mansion was located in the Garden District. She was pleased to learn she was in a place where she could easily get to the French Quarter without needing directions. On one of her previous trips to the city, she stayed in a lavish bed and breakfast in the Garden District and knew exactly where she was.
Xavier kept her company while she ate. He told her how he’d come to know Kade in the year of eighteen sixty-eight. His father was of Acadian decent and married his mother, who was an African American, freed slave. He grew up in Lafayette Parish on the bayou, learning to fish and trap as his forefathers had done. Around his twenty-eighth birthday, he was attacked by the Southern Cross KKK and left to die in a field. As he struggled for his last breath, Kade found and turned him. Soon after, he’d come to live with Kade, Luca and the others. He was a loyal friend to Kade and currently worked for him as a technology specialist.
After she finished eating, Sydney walked into a large, sunroom in the back of the home, which was filled with orchids, lilies, and various other flowers. Someone had designed this room as if it were an indoor garden. The moonlight poured into the room, and she found herself resting on a large, overstuffed chair. Xavier told her she could wait for Kade in the sunroom, and that he would be nearby if she needed his assistance. Even though she thought there were other vampires living in this home, the house was curiously quiet. All she heard was the rhythmic serenade of the cicadas.
Sydney felt that familiar tingle up her spine and quickly turned her head. Kade. She blinked, and he stood in front of her taking her hands in his and bringing her to her feet. They were face-to-face, mere inches away. Seeing him again, her stomach filled with butterflies. This was the first time she really got to talk to him since he held her in the bed on the plane…since the kiss. She should be mad at him for bringing her down here. Yet her body reacted as he placed a chaste kiss to her lips. Aroused, her nipples hardened in anticipation of his touch. She wanted more, but it was clear he wasn’t about to give it to her yet.
Sighing, Kade sat down on the ottoman, and Sydney followed, sitting back down in the chair. He placed his hands on her knees. “Sydney love, so sorry to have left you alone for the past hour. I have much business to catch up on since I’ve been to Philadelphia. Please forgive me.” Finally, he felt relaxed now that she was home with him, safe. It was the one place he could be certain Simone would not reach her. He knew that they would need to resume their investigation, but was determined to enjoy the short solace.
“Kade, thanks again for getting me out of the condo. But as much as I love New Orleans, this was not how I expected to return.” She found it impossible to keep her hands off him as she reached for his hands. “I...I don’t think it is a good idea that I stay here in your home. It makes me really nervous…all these vampires roaming around your house. Besides, I know this city. I’d be okay on my own in a hotel. Okay, I don’t know it as well as I know Philly, but I can get around, and we can still work together. I talked to Tristan this morning and...”
Kade removed his hands from hers, stood and walked across the room. He turned and stared back at her with astonishment. Unbelievable. This woman had been in his home for less than twenty-four hours and was thinking about leaving already. And damn it all, she’d talked to Tristan about it. Sure, Tristan was a good friend, but he would not have her going to another man for protection, no fucking way. It was time he set her straight. “Sydney, I’m not sure what you talked to Tristan about, but while you are in my city, in my home, you will abide by my rules. We will catch Simone together, but you will do this my way. I am completely serious. And before you open that lovely mouth of yours, I will not have any arguments about it. I’ve already called your captain and given him my assessment of the situation about what happened back at your condo. There is agreement between P-CAP and your department that you are here on a consultation basis only. That means no leaving this house without my knowledge and protection from me or someone from my security team. On the case, I tell you what to do and when to do it. I will not have you getting yourself killed while you are here.”