Red Satin Lips Read online

  “You were very lucky. There were enough explosives to put a giant hole in the ground. The rest of the house is cleared. Lars, whoever did this knows what they’re doing. It took my guys twice as long to disconnect everything.” He looked over at the main building and shook his head.

  “I need another team on this, Lars. There is no way my team can search that place without help and have it done by tonight.” Samuel nodded to the two men who came out carrying a large box between them.

  “Do you have someone in mind?” Lars asked, moving out of the way as his men moved to the main house.

  “Yes, but you’re not going to like it.” He grinned and Lars snarled. “Fine send for Mike, but keep him away from me.” Lars grumbled before turning to scoop her up in his arms.

  “The rest of you are welcome to come and sit inside with us while the team works on the main house,” Lars invited the six elders, his family and a couple she hadn’t seen before.

  “Lars who are they? I haven’t seen them before?” She sent an image to him and he stopped.

  Already, her father and the other men were surrounding her as Lars turned to stare at the couple in question. “And you are?”

  The rest of the guests had chosen to go into town. A few were even going to stay at the new hotel there that Alton had built. She didn’t see them as a threat, just different. Tamara tapped him on his chest. “Put me down for a minute, would you?”

  “Now is not the time to experiment with so many trying to kill you,” Lars, or his other form, snarled.

  “They are no threat, just different. Please, Lars trust me on this,” she said and waited as she watched the play of emotions roll on his face. Slowly he lowered her feet to the ground.

  “You stay behind us,” he grumbled and allowed the couple to approach

  The smiling couple bowed to Lars and Gage. The man winked at her as he stood. “My name is Grim and this is my lovely partner for the evening, Della. We mean you no harm Lars, Gage, but…” He stopped and turned his head towards the main house.

  “I must go to work.” Tamara could have sworn she heard before everything went crazy. The West Wing exploded, shouts and screams filled the night air. As the debris fell all around them, Lars and Gage covered her body on the ground.

  Her ears were ringing and it was hard to breathe with both men covering her, but she wasn’t about to lift her head when another set of explosives went off closer than the last ones.

  “Hotel now!” Alton screamed before the three of them sat on the carpet of what looked like a suite.

  “Are you okay?” Lars and Gage ran their hands over her body, searching for injuries.

  “I’m fine, my ears are still ringing and I feel like I was smashed like a pancake, but other than that, I’m pissed. We need to find out how many are dead. Lars call off this ball since it’s just too dangerous.:

  “I have to agree. We’re lucky we got most of the people out before this, but the servants and those poor men,” Angeline cried into Trevor’s shoulder. “Our home is gone. How could Alex do this?”

  “I have no idea, baby, but he’s gone from us.” His father looked to him. Alton nodded as did her father.

  Lars stood as did Gage, but Gage scooped her up in his arms. “Come on, let’s go lay down for a little bit.:

  She rested her head on his chest, as he carried her down the hallway towards the back room. “What are they doing, Gage?”

  He opened the door to a room that had a Jacuzzi tub in it, along with a bar, small fridge, a flat screen TV that almost covered one wall and an oversized round bed. Shutting the door with his foot, Gage made his way to the bed. He kissed the top of her head, before gently placing her on the edge and kneeling before her.

  “They are calling in all the elders, death warrants are now being placed on Alex, and the group he is with.” He slipped off a boot and her sock, before going to the next foot.

  “I’ve heard of this, but don’t understand what it is. I mean, hell, we’ve been looking for them. Why does issuing warrants help us?” Tamara moaned as he started to rub the sole of her foot.

  Resting against the bed, Gage sighed. “The one thing every species dreads is a warrant being issued, because once it has been issued on someone, the monsters of our world are released.”

  A cold chill settled over her, as Gage stood and picked her back up, moving to the center of the bed and covering them both.

  It had to have dropped at least thirty degrees in the room. “Why is it so cold?” Her teeth chattered as he curved his body around his.

  “They will be here soon. Do not make a sound. We don’t need them drawn to you,” Gage whispered and nodded to the bottom of the door. What looked like black fog now covered the floor. Tamara was terrified.

  Living with danger was one thing, but the thought of real monsters out there. She shivered and pulled Gage’s arm tightly around her. Needing him close. Just thinking Lars was out there had her tearing up, but Tamara didn’t say a word.

  ****

  He glanced back at the room where Gage kept their woman. He knew that she shouldn’t be a part of what was about to happen. His father had already placed his mother in the other room and sent her into a deep sleep knowing tonight would be just too much for her.

  Once the unknowns of their world were released on a target there was nothing that could stop them. He just hopped they had enough information on the female for them to hunt her. Thirty elders gathered around. Lars and his father stood in the back as the victims of said murders.

  The room’s temperature dropped as the dark liquid-like fog poured into the suite and surrounded them. It tasted and searched their minds before showing itself, There had been only one other time Lars had sat in on one of these summonses and even now he didn’t know what to expect.

  This was a part of their world no one wanted a part, but it existed. There was no way to get around it.

  “You seek the death of one of your own?” The voice was like that of a squeaky toy. It was annoying and hurt the ears.

  Lars’ grandfather stepped into the center of the circle and opened his mind for it. Showing it what had happened and why they needed its help. Alton disappeared as the black fog covered Lars' grandfather.

  In what seemed like an hour, but in reality had to have been about ten minutes, his grandfather reappeared a little paler, but all right. Two figures stepped out of the fog. One was that of a natural-born demon and the other Lars had no idea what he was.

  “We need to read the female,” the demon announced looking straight at Lars.

  His other form took over, bones popped and muscles stretching, as he snarled. “No, she is pregnant and will not be hurt.”

  The other form stepped forward, changing to look like that of a human. “She will not be hurt. Is this appearance better? Your woman has some kind of link with this other we need to seek. I can use that to track them.”

  Lars’ father placed his hand on his shoulder. “It must be done.”

  The door to their private room opened and Gage, in full beast form, held Tamara in his arms. At over seven foot four, Gage was a massive being. Even the two others nodded to him. “We will not harm her, mighty beast. I am called Jander.” Once more the other one spoke and seemed to glide forward, meeting them halfway.

  Slowly, Gage lowered Tamara down, so she could stand, but Tamara held onto Gage’s arms as they circled her.

  “You are new to our world, but already your gifts are strong. Will you allow me to see what you know? Sometimes another perspective can find something you can’t see?” He asked her as he stepped up to their side.

  She looked at him and he reached up, running his finger down her cheek. “Nothing will happen to you.”

  “Then let’s get this done. I want a normal life, well as normal as I can get,” she said and stepped forward.

  Lars had never been so proud of someone. Her courage still amazed him and scared the shit out of him too. The entity reached up and placed what looked like a han
d on each side of her head. Her eyes closed, but her breathing was steady and even.

  No one said anything,. What took only minutes seemed to drag on forever. When he released her, Tamara staggered back into Gage’s arms.

  “She will need to feed, but your mate is fine. Amazing gift your wife has, but the elder was right. You two have to create a barrier around her. With age, her powers will intensify and even if she is not meaning to, she will pick up odd thoughts from others. It will be very tiring for her unless she has protection, and it will drain her.” Stepping away from her, he nodded to his partner and they vanished from the room.

  “It is done,” Alton announced. “Now all we have to do is wait and stay alive.” He winked at Tamara before vanishing, as did the other elders. The four of them were the only ones left in the room. “I’m going to join your mother .It’s been a long day and I have feeling tomorrow will be even longer.” He walked over to them and bent, kissing Tamara in the head. “I’m sorry my son has attacked. This will all be over soon.. Good night, daughter.”

  She stood there watching his father enter his room and Lars laughed at the shock on her face. “Did you see that? He actually called me daughter. Okay what did those things do to your father?” Tamara asked.

  “Come on, you need to feed and we need to work on that protection.” Walking towards their room, Gage shifted and the demon retreated inside, but when they turned to look at their woman, she was standing behind them. A black film slid over her vision and her legs buckled. Gage reached her before Lars did, just as her body collapsed.

  “What the hell is going on?” Gage snarled and looked up at him.

  “Put her on the bed and stay with her. I’ll be right back.” Lars vanished, going to his grandfather’s room. As soon as he appeared, his grandmother looked up with tears in her eyes. “He just fell,” she cried, holding onto his head in her lap.

  “I think it’s a reaction to the mind connection with the other. Here, let me help you get him in bed. He’ll be hungry when he wakes, Grandma. I’ll have two feeders standing by for him. Just stay by him and keep me posted if you need anything else.” He leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

  “Thank you, Lars.” She followed him into the bedroom as he placed his grandfather on the bed. He watched as she curled up next to him, her head on his chest.

  Turning, Lars left them and made his way to his mates. Tonight he and Gage had some work to do before they could rest.

  Chapter Six

  She ran her tongue over her teeth. “Yuck, what the hell?” Tamara almost gagged at how rotten her mouth tasted. What the hell was wrong with her? Even her eyes were caked with crap. As she raised her arm, Tamara moaned.

  “Easy, baby,” Lars said as a warm damp cloth was rubbed across her face clearing her eyes of the junk that had been on her lashes. She looked up and blinked. Her eyes really sensitive to the light.

  “Can we turn down the lights?” Her throat was raw and Tamara’s words were squeaky. “Ugg, I feel like I’m falling apart here.” She grabbed the washcloth that Lars held and wiped away the tears that were dripping down her cheeks. “Can one of you take me to the bathroom? I really need to brush my teeth and a nice warm bath would be great. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to stand right now or I’d do it myself.”

  Strong powerful arms scooped her up and she looked up to see Gage’s worried face. “You scared the crap out of us, but not to worry. I blame this one Lars,” he snarled and looked over his shoulder.

  “Gage, it had to be done. I don’t want to keep looking over my shoulder wondering when Alex or that psycho bitch is coming after me.” She frowned and looked around. “Wait a minute, it’s quiet? Did you two do something? For the first time in weeks, I can hear my own thoughts without digging through others that are around me.”

  “We’ve been working all night on protecting you. The spell should help. When we’re in a attack, we can add our strength to the shield protecting you,” Lars said as he started running water in the tub.

  Sitting her down on the counter, Gage handed her a brand new toothbrush and toothpaste. “Then you two should be sleeping and not messing with me. After I get settled in the tub, both of you go off to bed and make sure you make up. Gage, you know this wasn’t Lars' fault, so stop acting like a child.” She rolled her eyes and started to brush her teeth as he watched her through the mirror.

  “We’re not leaving you. We’ll be fine. Maybe later we’ll take a nap or something, but for now I just want to take care of you.” Lars started to strip out of his clothes as did Gage. “The tub is big enough for all of us.”

  She spit the mess in her mouth into the sink, enjoying the scene. Where Lars was tall and built like a runner, Gage was built like a tank and was a bit shorter, but both men could rival any man in the Men’s Health magazine. How the hell she got so lucky to land both of them, Tamara would never know.

  After she was done brushing her teeth, Tamara pulled her shirt up over her head, moaning once more. “God, I feel as if I ran ten miles. Ever muscle is sore.” She threw the shirt down onto the floor and reached for the clasp of her bra, but Gage was already leaning over her to help.

  “Let us help. I’m sure after you feed and soak, you’ll feel a lot better, plus we love stripping your clothes off,” he wiggled his eyebrows and she laughed.

  “I’m surprised you let me sleep in my clothes last night?” she questioned as Gage slid her jeans and panties off.

  “We didn’t’ want to take the chance of someone coming in and seeing you if something went wrong,” Lars said stepping into the tub.

  “Oh, you really thought something would happen to me?” she moaned as Gage handed her off to Lars who lowered her to his lap in the warm water.

  “I wasn’t taking any chances. My grandfather is having the same trouble as you. One never knows what happens when the other touches you,” Lars said in her ear.

  Across from them Gage sighed as he sat down. She leaned her head back against Lars’ chest and stared at Gage. “You look awfully tired Gage. You should be curled up in bed.” She reached under the water and grabbed one of his feet. “So why do they call that one other? I know the other man was a demon, pure blood.” She asked as she rubbed the arch of his foot.

  Taking a sponge, Lars proceeded to soap it up before taking her arm and washing it gently. “We don’t know what they are. These beings can change into any shape or form. With one touch they can know your whole life, or they can drain you of every fluid you in your body. That’s why you are sore and need to feed. Even though he wasn’t trying to drain anything from you, his skin or whatever you call it, absorbs as he searches.”

  He reached for the other arm. “That is why we try not to contact them unless it’s the last resort.”

  She scooted up as Lars washed her back. “Where do they live? You would think being separated from everyone would make them resentful and not want to help.” Tamara placed Gage’s one foot down, but before she could grab his other foot, he reached over separating their legs and slid in closer to them.

  Taking the sponge from Lars, Gage lifted one of her legs. He ran the soapy thing down her leg as if it was an egg and would crack if he applied pressure. “Come here and feed,” Lars said in her ear and tucked her head into his neck. “You need your strength, please.”

  With her body humming from Gage’s hands, Tamara kissed, and then licked the side of Lars’ neck while he cupped her breasts. “Hmm, you’re building a fire here. I hope you’re going to put it out?” she asked into his neck right before sinking her fangs into his skin.

  There was no way to describe the taste of Lars. His blood replenished everything that Tamara had lost earlier.

  “We will always take care of your heat, baby,” Gage dipped her leg into the water, before dipping two of his fingers into her pussy. “You’re always so ready for us.”

  A moan slipped out of her. Gage pulled her forward onto his cock as soon as she sealed the holes in Lars’ neck. “It seem
s like forever since I’ve been inside you.”

  “We have been inside you. Lean forward, beautiful, so I can get you lubed up,” Lars gently pushed her down as Gage leaned down to give him room to work. “Look at that pretty hole and these gorgeous round globes.” He slapped each one before sinking a lubed finger into her ass.

  There was no slow slide, but one to inform her she would be taken tonight and claimed again. “Lars…” She wiggled her butt, which earned her another two slaps to her butt.

  “Hold still as soon as I get… Aww, there that should be enough.” She looked over her shoulder and realized he hadn’t put a finger in her but the lube plug. “Now you get my cock.”

  His gaze met hers as Gage sat up, reaching around to open her up for him. “Hold on, baby.” Gage leaned down and kissed each eye. “God you are so beautiful. Every morning when we wake I can’t wait to see those big green eyes starting up at me.”

  “Gage!” She squeaked the last part of his name when Lars pushed the head of his cock into her ass. “Umm, warn me there.” She looked over her shoulder at Lars and grinned.

  “You were too busy fawning over Gage’s words, but he does have a wicked mouth, doesn’t he?” Lars teased and Gage grumbled.

  “Just wait, next time we’ll see whose ass is being stretched.” Gage leaned over and took Lars’ mouth in a heated kiss. She loved to see them together. Lars dark skin, against Gage’s lighter complexion, both of them struggling for dominance when they were an even match.

  However with their dominant display of power, Lars pumped forward once more and embedded himself in her all the way. “Ugg,” She blew out a breath and elbowed him in the gut. “If you keep that up you’re getting off me,” Tamara mumbled and tried to push him back, but he didn’t move.