The Vampire’s Redemption

Everything about Michael was intoxicating.

“Oh, Christ. You had s*x.”

“And good morning to you too, Jack.”

Jack was staring at her over a mug of black coffee at a table in their favorite café. Danielle took her seat and didn’t even bother to cover up the truth.

“If you must know,” she said, distractedly picking up a menu, “yes, I did.”

“So much for being careful.”

Danielle arched an eyebrow at him. “You’ve had s*x much sooner than this.”

Despite all of his reservations, Jack grinned. “Indeed I have.”

Danielle rolled her eyes. They placed their orders, and she happily dug into her eggs and veggie bacon as soon as it arrived. She felt famished.

Jack watched her in surprise. “That must’ve been a good session. You’re eating like you’ve burned off half your weight.”

Danielle laughed. “I guess I did.”

“So how is he? Give me details.”

“I’m not going to give you details,” Danielle protested. Then she grinned. “But he’s out of this world.”

Jack whistled softly. “That good, huh?”

“That good,” Danielle confirmed.

They had only lapsed into silence for a couple of minutes before Jack had to ask.

“So…that brother of his…”

“Oh, no,” Danielle said immediately. She put down her fork and stared at her friend as seriously as she could. “You stay away from him.”

Jack had not heard her exchange with Stephen the night before, and she had been very careful not to mention anything about it to him. Still, she couldn’t think of anything worse than her best friend hooking up with Michael’s brother. Stephen may have warned her about Michael, but she didn’t feel that comfortable around him either.

“Why?” Jack asked. “He’s drop-dead gorgeous. And I think he may be into me, I caught him staring.”

Danielle cursed inwardly. Damn Jack and his being very conscious of who was watching whom.

“It doesn’t matter, Jack,” she said. She didn’t bother to try and deny Stephen’s attraction towards her friend; it would have been pointless, especially considering that Jack had already noticed it. “I’ve got a bad feeling about him.”

“You think he’s the rotten apple of the family?” Jack’s eyes sparkled. “You know I’ve got a thing for bad boys.”

Danielle groaned. It was, unfortunately, very true. “I know,” she said. “But really, I think you should stay away.”

“Well, it’s too late.” Jack dug his phone out of his pocket and showed her a few texts. “I’m already meeting him tonight for a drink.”

*****

“Really? I’m supposed to stay away from her and you’re having drinks with her best friend?”

Michael was staring incredulously at his brother, who was currently busy brewing himself a pot of coffee that he would drink simply because he liked the taste. He had woken up that evening to a text from Danielle, and while he had fantasized about romantic words, he had been surprised to find that she was writing to him about his brother’s supposed date with her best friend instead.

Michael had wasted no time confronting Stephen about it.

Presently, Stephen shrugged. “It’s just one drink, Michael. I’m not going to fall in love with the guy.” He gave him a grin, but his eyes were dead. “Pinky swear.”

Michael cringed. He wished Stephen would not joke about that, even if it was his brother’s burden to bear. “What kind of ‘drink’ is it?” he asked.

Stephen laughed. “Relax. I’m not going to feed on your girlfriend’s best friend.”

“You’d better not,” Michael said darkly. Stephen had not fed on people in decades; he wasn’t sure he would be able to control himself if he decided to go back on a meat diet now.

“I just want to talk to him for a bit,” Stephen said. “He seems interesting, that’s all.”

Michael eyed his friend carefully. “You want to drill him about Danielle.”

Stephen brought a hand to his chest in a dramatic gesture. “Michael!” he cried, gasping theatrically. “How dare you suggest?”

Michael rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I can’t stop you from doing this, but please don’t drag the guy into it any more than necessary. I want him out of harm’s way. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Stephen said readily. His dark eyes then stared intently at Michael. “And what about Danielle? Is she out of harm’s way?”

Michael tensed up immediately. “Yes,” he said through gritted teeth. “She’s fine. She won’t get hurt.”

“I hope to hell you’re right, brother,” Stephen said. “Because believe me, if you’re wrong, the guilt of it will eat you alive.”

Michael sighed heavily. He watched as Stephen poured himself a cup of black coffee and took it with him out of the room. He shook his head and sat down heavily on one of the stools at the kitchen’s island.

The elation he still felt over his experience with Danielle the night before was rapidly evaporating. He couldn’t shake the feeling that things were bound to get out of hand very soon.