The Blood Covenant: Book One of The Medici Warrior Series Read online

  “You drive a hard bargain, my friend. But for that much money, you damn sure better protect my ass. Otherwise, I'll tell Rissa to be sure to get a refund. You've got a deal. Both pieces of property will be deeded over. I'll have my lawyer draw up the contract.”

  ***

  Shade smiles wickedly, he knew Alec would see his side of things.

  “Deal, Senator. Now, one more thing before I decide to move on. There is a place right outside of Georgetown. Run down old house, not sure what in the hell it was used for. Some of your warriors told me you own the place. It looks run down but livable on the outside, but the inside is gutted, perfect for creating a command post for the warriors. A central place for them to meet, get their orders, and allow me to track their activities. It’s a Dead House, brother. You up for me using it for my purposes? I can create a grid of the district and begin assigning the warriors. I need to have total control of these goons, Alec. No interference. They need to know, going in, I don’t take bullshit, and what I say...goes.”

  Alec swirls his drink in his glass.

  “Dead House, good name for it. That place has been vacant for years. I thought I might renovate it, but never got around to it. Was going to sell it, but the realtor said I would need to do the renovation first. So it just sat there. Do whatever you want with it. And I will tell my warriors you're in charge. They all know you, know your reputation. Some of them are mine. They work only for me, but most are mercenaries. You won’t have a problem there. We'll set up a meeting with them.”

  “Sounds like a plan, brother. I met Tomas, and to be dead honest, he may be the only one who is going to be of any use to me right from the start. He is a mercenary, but likes it here, likes me. He has some skills. I can use him to help me train the others at first. We will go through them all, see where they fall, they either stay or leave. It won’t take me long to decide, trust me.”

  Alec stands and shakes his hand. “I'm glad we have a deal. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to mingle. Politics... It's all about who you know, brother. Everyone here tonight is someone in my circle; other politicians, press, the social climbers and power brokers, lobbyist, and few of Rissa's clients. Just get a feel for them. There are only mortals here tonight. No other vamps. But these are the people I'm around all the time. I don't sense any danger with this group, but I wanted you to get a sense of the people in my social circle.”

  Shade empties his glass and looks around the room and thinks to himself it is a sorry excuse of a social circle.

  2

  Shaking Alec's hand, Shade watches him work the room. He is one slick businessman, but Shade has bested him at his own game this time. Rule number one when doing business, don’t get sucked in by the first offer. Shade always knows what he wants going in and is prepared to walk. It’s the ace up his sleeve.

  He stands back, watching the people in casual conversations, all mortals, but never harmless. The deadliest enemies Canton has are right in front of him, and Shade always keeps his enemies close. Alec is useless as a warrior, but he is definitely one personable wheel and deal vamp. Alec needs him much more than Shade needs Alec, but they go back a long way, and each of them has secrets they wish their enemies never to know. He lets his eyes wander throughout this classic Georgetown home. It is elegant and tastefully decorated.

  His eye catches Alec’s lovely mate Rissa. She is a beauty, and not unlike the other women here, with her nose in the air. There is a wild, wicked side to her, just as there is in Alec. they were made for each other. Shade watches her laugh and schmooze as much as he does, the Darling of G-town they call her. What a joke, there is not a fucking thing darling about Rissa, but she can hold her own on the business end of any deal. He sees her smile and wave at someone across the room and his eyes go immediately to her target.

  Shade’s attention is captured by this young woman, this petite female. She can’t be more than five foot three in her bare feet. He is usually drawn to statuesque women; strong vampire females who are his equal, but this one is clearly mortal. She has a mass of crimson hair that tumbles down her back, and sways when she turns her head. Her bangs frame her face and hang almost to her lashes. Her eyes are large and change color depending on the light, from a dark brown to a deep amber, and they peer out from under bright red hair. Her skin is pale. No, not pale. White. She is lily white. Her lips are soft and full, and she wears a red lipstick which only intensifies their fullness against her pale white skin. She is small like a girl, but with a woman’s curves. Her breasts are full, her waist is tiny and the curves of her hips and ass have him entranced. That ass, the way it moves and sways when she walks, he can almost imagine his hand gliding over those tight, sweet cheeks. She wears a simple white silk blouse and a tight black skirt that clings to her slender frame. The black stiletto heels are all straps that wind their way across her feet and around her slender ankles. Her toes are painted bright red, as are the nails on her hands. She looks more elegant in her simple but stylish attire than all the other women in the room who are over-dressed to impress.

  He makes his way over to Rissa, nodding his head in the direction of the redhead, and asks her for her name.

  Rissa looks up, “Her? She is no one who could hold your attention for long, warrior. She’s not your type. We went to college together.”

  Shade raises an eyebrow at her response. “I wasn’t aware you knew my type, Rissa.”

  Rissa laughs, “Shade, I’ve seen some of the women you’ve been with. I think I have a good idea. And let’s just say she’s no match for you.”

  He swirls the Midnight in his glass and looks at her impatiently. “I don’t think you told me her name.”

  Rissa sighs, “What in hell is it about her has you so worked up? She is nothing. Her name is Kate. Kate Reese. But you’re wasting your time. You’ll scare the hell out of her. She is mortal, and I doubt she knows anything of immortals.” She laughs and flings her blonde locks back from that highbrow face of hers.

  Shade runs the name over his tongue… Kate Reese. He walks across the room to stand closer to her and he picks up the scent of her perfume. Roses, she smells like roses. He listens to her talking to the other guests. Her voice is soft and breathy; soothing. It calms him and excites him at the same time. And then she laughs. He watches as she throws her head back. Her hair sways and her laughter sounds like music to his ears. She has a contagious laugh that makes the other people around her laugh along. She lights up the room without even trying. She is completely unaware of the stares she draws from the other men. And they are watching her. He can read their thoughts, feel their emotions as a few of them wish they had that sweet ass under them when the night ends. For some reason, it bothers him. They are dogs, mortal abusers who wish nothing but a good lay and to move on. He knows the type. Hell, he is that type, and he doesn’t see one mortal in this fucking room who deserves her. He feels an intense need to protect her, and it draws him in. Strange how this small mortal female has brought this out in him and he has not even spoken to her yet. That is about to change, though.

  The conversation is breaking up. She is turning away from the group and turns to face him. She stops short and looks up at him through red hair. His breath leaves him. Those dark eyes pull him in. Their eyes lock for a few seconds before she looks down, her thick lashes fanned out across her cheeks. When she looks up again, he nods his head at her.

  “Your glass looks almost empty, mi amore. May I get you a refill?” He watches as she blushes, looks away and stammers a reply.

  “I, uh… I’ve probably had too much already, so…no… But, thank you.”

  ***

  Kate is dumbstruck by the tall, handsome man standing so near. Who is he? She hasn’t seen him at any of Rissa’s soirées before. He is tall ̶ over six feet ̶ imposing, intimidating. He makes her feel cornered and she feels her breath quicken. His voice is deep, and his thick Italian accent is disarming. He is breathtakingly handsome, distractingly handsome, wearing a suit clearly hand tailored t
o fit his frame. His hair is dark and long but tied back in a loose ponytail at his neck, and his blue eyes are piercing.

  ***

  “Scusi my manners.” He lifts her hand to his lips and bows slightly. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Shade Medici.”

  He can feel her nervousness, her trepidation, but he can tell she likes what she sees, and the feeling is mutual.

  ***

  Kate thinks to herself, Shade... what kind of name is Shade? “I’m Kate Reese.”

  “Kate. What a beautiful name.”

  His voice intoxicates her, seduces her. She feels like it is hard to look away, and hard to maintain eye contact all at the same time. She can feel her pulse quicken.

  He watches as she blushes once more. “Red suits that beautiful face. You are friends with Rissa, si? She says you went to college together. Old friends.”

  “You know Rissa?” He asked Rissa about me already? “Are you a client?” She starts looking around the room for Rissa. Anything to avoid looking at him, feeling trapped in his gaze.

  He smiles at her discomfort. “Alec and I are very old acquaintances, so I have known Rissa for as long as she has been with him.”

  As drawn to him as she feels, she also has the instinct to bolt and run. “I, I’m, uh, I hate to rush off, but I was just leaving. I’ve already stayed longer than I intended.”

  She looks around for a place to set down her empty glass and he finally reaches out and takes the glass from her hand. His hand touches hers and she feels herself start, his touch sending an electric current through her.

  ***

  He feels her hand jerk slightly under his touch and smiles at her. She is timid and sweet, and he likes the feel of her soft white skin, and the contrast of his dark olive tone to her lily white.

  “Do you have a wrap, Kate Reese?”

  “Wrap? Yes, it’s in, uh….” Oh my God, can I at least stop tripping over my own tongue.

  “I believe your wrap is in the study. Allow me?”

  He offers her his arm and watches as she hesitantly places her small hand around his elbow. She glides in those stilettos and he slides his eyes behind her and watches that beautiful ass swish and sway on the way to the study. She identifies her green suede coat from the pile, and he notices the label inside. Italian…leather from Florence, and he smiles. He holds the coat for her as she slips her arms into the sleeves, then he slides the coat onto her slender shoulders, letting his hands graze her hair and neck. He loves the feel of her, touching her. He loves her petite stature to his height and mass. He watches as she pulls those long crimson locks from the collar of her coat and flings her hair back. He is assailed, once again, by the scent of roses. She turns to him, looking into his eyes again, before quickly looking down.

  She is unable to maintain eye contact with him for more than a few seconds. “Do I make you nervous, Kate?”

  “No, no, no... I, really, I just need to go. Thank you.” Nervous? Does he make me nervous? He scares the hell out of me! Who looks like this?

  ***

  She scoots past him in the study and back into the formal living room with all the guests. She can feel him as he walks behind her. Kate sees Rissa and approaches to offer her thanks for the invitation and to let her know she is leaving. When she turns to leave, she practically bumps into Shade.

  “Oh, sorry, I…”

  “No apology necessary, mi amore.” He chuckles at her and the frenzy she has worked herself into trying to escape him.

  She rushes past him to the front door and steps outside into the crisp air of this fall night. She takes a deep breath, letting the cold air clear her head. What just happened? She has never been tongue-tied in front of a man before, so what is it about this man that leaves her so flustered? Shade. Even his name is mysterious to her. Maybe she will ask Rissa about him. Or maybe she should just leave well enough alone, and know when she’s out of her league. She walks to her car and heads back home, but she can’t get the image of him out of her head.

  ***

  Rissa is looking at Shade as Kate rushes past him to the door. He hears her spiteful laugh as she comments, “Like I said, warrior, you’ll scare the hell out of her.”

  ***

  He looks at her, hiding his annoyance at her response. “Ah, patience, Rissa. The situation calls for patience.”

  Rissa shakes her head. “Shade, there are at least fifty women in this room who would climb in your bed tonight. Each one giving you exactly what you crave.”

  He smiles at her and thinks to himself, True, but none with crimson hair and lily white skin. None who fill the air with the scent of roses, and whose laughter lights a spark in my heart. None whose soft voice calms my beast and soothes my soul. None whose brown eyes bore into mine and hold the promise of unlocked passion.

  "Rissa, if you just give up the details I need, I will leave you alone, and you can get back to Alec's cronies, which I am quite sure you cannot wait to do."

  ***

  Rissa stares at him with her big blue eyes. She cannot even imagine how that timid little mouse could figure out how to please a hot ticket like Shade Medici. She knows enough about him to know he is one big player. He is the wandering Casanova of vampires. There is no way Kate could keep him entertained for long. She can’t keep a man to save her life. Stupid little bitch. There is a reason they all leave her, cheat on her. She can’t hold a mortal, let alone this immortal.

  "I told you, Shade, she has no idea about immortals, so exactly what do you want to know about her? You can’t be serious? Is it sex, or do you just desperately need to feed? I can’t figure it out."

  Chuckling, he winks and smiles at Rissa. "You do not need to concern yourself with how serious I am. Just tell me where she lives, where she works. That’s all I need, trust me."

  Shaking her head at him, she sighs. Fine, he wants details, he can have them. She does not care a fig what the hell he does with her.

  "Fine, whatever, it makes no difference to me. She lives in Arlington, has a condo around Pentagon City. You should be able to find it. Just don’t expect to knock on her door and jump her bones. She is Miss Prim and Proper and you scare the hell out of her, which should be obvious to you after she almost knocked down half my guests getting to the front door. She works for the Brunswick Agency, based here in D.C. They do national magazine ads, commercials, marketing campaigns and such. Kate refers some of her high profile clients to me, so she has been a good resource. Maybe you could use that as an angle. You need someone to market your wines here in the States."

  ***

  Downing the last of the Midnight, he sets the glass on the table and smiles at Rissa.

  "Thank you for the information, but let’s get one thing clear, Rissa. I need no angle to get a woman, they usually come to me and so will this one."

  Turning on his heels, he heads out the door and finds his journey taking him straight to a little condo in Arlington.

  3

  Shade teleports directly to Pentagon City and has no problems finding her condo. As he checks the listing of residents, he finds she is on the seventh floor. He lands directly inside her condo, shadowing his presence and blocking any detection; a handy little vampire trick. He can watch her without her ever knowing he is there.

  She hasn’t arrived home yet. Teleporting these short distances is instantaneous, faster than any mortal human eye can see. He uses the time to walk around her condo. It is clean, organized and very feminine. No dog to greet her, no cat to ignore her. No pets in this condo at all. The furniture is comfortable, her style eclectic. She decorates in greys, blacks and white, which sounds harsh, but she has made it soft, feminine. She has lots of books; novels, history, biographies, travel. She is well read, with a diversity of interest. She has interesting art on all the walls. He picks up a few pictures she has in frames on the tables; family and friends, at the beach, in the mountains, standing in front of recognizable back-drops like New York, San Francisco, Paris, London, and Hong Kong. F
or a mortal female, she is well traveled.

  He hears the key in the door. He hovers in the corner and watches her as she slams her back against the door, something has her spooked. He has this overwhelming urge to protect her, watch over her, and he’ll be damned if he knows why. He just knows he will not settle unless he knows she is protected; home, safe and sound. Besides, someone needs to remind her to lock the damn door once inside!

  ***

  Kate drives home through the Washington D.C. traffic into Arlington and to her condo in Pentagon. She had hoped the traffic would have thinned out by now, but D.C. traffic never stops. She parks the red Miata in the underground garage and heads for the elevator. As she waits for the elevator doors to open, she thinks she hears something behind her and turns suddenly, her keys held in her hands like a weapon, but there is nothing there. She hates this parking garage. It never fails to creep her out.

  The doors of the elevator open and she quickly moves inside and pushes 7. Seven is her lucky number. She lives in unit number 711, doubling her luck. She remembers being so excited to buy this condo, giving her a view across the Potomac River and of the D.C. skyline. She unlocks the door of her condo and steps inside, closing the door behind her as she stands there, back against the door.

  The first image in her head, the only image in her head, is him. Those eyes, those piercing blue eyes, and those long black lashes.

  “Enough!” She shakes her head, trying to rid herself of his image.

  Tossing the keys on the side table in the entry hall, she walks to her bedroom. The drapes are open, and she steps to the large picture window, looking out at the lights, and the traffic on the Arlington Memorial Bridge. From here, she can see the Pentagon, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. She never gets tired of this view. Her family thinks she’s insane to live this close to D.C. They are always worried about the crime. But she feels safe here... sort of... most of the time.