Halfway to the Grave (12 page)

It occurred to me with mounting anxiety that he wasn’t kidding. “
You’re
Crispin? You? But your name—”

“Told you,” he interrupted. “Most vampires change their name when they change from human. Crispin was my human name, just as I said. Don’t go by it much anymore, because that bloke is dead. When Ian turned me, he laid me in the natives’ burial grounds until I rose. For hundreds of years they’d buried their dead in the same place, and not too deeply, either. When my eyes opened for the first time as a vampire, all I saw about me were bones. I knew it was what I was then, for from bones I rose and Bones I became, all in that night.”

The imagery was haunting, but still I persisted. “Then what kind of game are you up to? You want me to try and kill you, is that it?”

He laughed indulgently. “Blimey, no. In fact, this is all your doing.”

“My doing? How could I have anything to do with…” looking all around, adequate words failed me. “
This
?”

“You said last night when you were moaning about your life that you’d never been to a club just to have fun and go dancing. Well, pet, this is it. Tonight you and I will drink and dance and absolutely murder no one. Consider it your night off. You will be Cat and I will be Crispin, and you’ll send me home with a dry mouth and aching balls just like you would if we’d never met before.”

“Was this all some trick to get me to go on a date with you?” With a scowl I drank my gin, courtesy of the two human boys who had run for the hills after one dirty look.

His eyes glowed with dark lights and that sly curl returned to his lips.

“Let you keep your knickers on, though, didn’t I? Can’t even appreciate the little things, you can’t. Come on, luv, finish your drink and let’s dance. Promise I’ll be the perfect gentleman. Unless you request otherwise.”

I set my glass on the counter.

“Sorry,
Crispin
, but I don’t dance. Never learned how. You know, whole lack of a social life and all that.”

His eyebrows nearly swept his hairline. “You’ve never been dancing? That deflowerer of yours never even took you out for a twirl? Bloody sod.”

The memory of Danny continued to smart. “Nope. I don’t dance.”

He shot me a measured look. “Now you do.”

He practically hauled me to my feet, ignoring my protests and vain attempts to pull free. When we were well inside the hoard of human and inhuman gyrators, he spun
me around until my back was to him. He had one arm wrapped around my waist while the other still gripped my hand. His body was pressed along the length of mine, hips intimately touching front to rear.

“I swear if you try anything…” My threat was drowned out in the music pumping and noise around us.

“Relax, I’m not going to bite.” Laughing at his own joke, he began to sway in time to the beat, hips and shoulders rubbing against mine.

“Come on, it’s easy. Move the way I do, we’ll start you out slow.”

Out of lack of other options except to stand there stupidly, I followed the line of his body, mimicking his movements. The pulsating beat seemed to jerk my nerve endings like invisible puppet strings, and soon I undulated against him of my own accord. He was right, it was easy. And sexy as hell. Now I knew how a snake felt when the charmer played his flute, slavishly twisting along to the music. Bones whirled me around to face him, still gripping my hand as if fearing I would bolt.

He needn’t have worried. I was curiously enjoying myself. The lights and sounds seemed to blur together. All of the bodies brushing by us made me feel drunk from their collective energy. It was a heady feeling, to let my body move any way it wanted, directed by the rhythm and nothing else. I raised my arms and let my head fall back, surrendering to the sensation. Bones slid his hands to my waist, lightly holding me, and a mischievous impulse surged through me. He had blackmailed me, beaten me, and forced me to endure unbelievable rigors of training. Time for a little well-deserved payback.

I splayed my hands across his chest, seeing his eyes widen, and brought him closer until our bodies touched and my breasts rubbed against him. Then I gave a slow twist of my hips against his as I’d seen another dancer do.

His arms tightened around me, yanking me to him until we were molded together. One hand crept up to tug my head back, and I smiled smugly at him.

“You were right, it’s easy. And I’m a fast learner.”

My body was still curled around his, taunting him. This was so unlike me, but something felt as though it had taken over. My earlier concerns were a faint memory not even worth dwelling on. The lights caused deep hollows to form under his cheekbones, making them look even more pronounced. The heat in his eyes should have made me break free and run, but all it did was entice me.

“Playing with fire, Kitten?”

His mouth grazed my cheek as he spoke directly in my ear to be heard above the noise. His lips were cool against my skin, but not cold. My head spun, my senses reeled, and in reply my tongue crept out and licked his neck with a long wet stroke.

The shudder went all through him. Bones pressed me so close that his body ground into mine, jerking my head back with a thick handful of hair until our eyes locked. What had started out as a game was now an open challenge, as well as a direct threat. Any further action would bear results, it was clear from the way his gaze smoldered into mine. All of this should have frightened me, but it was as if my mind were incapable of rational thought. He was a vampire, a hit man, and had almost killed me…and nothing mattered more than the feel of him. I licked my lips and didn’t pull away, and it was all the invitation he needed.

His mouth came down onto mine, slanting across without difficulty, since I moaned at the first touch. It had been so long,
so long
since I’d kissed someone and not been faking it. The last time had been with Danny, and the scant desire I’d felt then was nothing compared to the searing flash of heat in me now. His tongue caressed my lips
briefly before twining around mine and seeking my depths with ruthless sensuality. My heart pounded so fiercely I knew he could feel its pulse in my mouth as I responded, pulling him closer and digging my nails into his back. Bones deepened the kiss further until he sucked on my tongue. Everything inside me began to throb with need. I returned the gesture with more strength, drawing on his tongue with erotic hunger. There was a distinct hardness to him as he rubbed his hips against mine in a wave of friction that caused a near-excruciating clench in my loins.

He only pulled away to snap at someone when we were rudely jostled for no longer dancing, leaving me to gulp in breaths of air. My legs felt almost rubbery and lights danced in my head. Bones propelled me toward the far wall until we were clear of the dance floor, tumbling my hair in my face from the speed of his action. He brushed it back to kiss me again, and this kiss was better than the one before. His whole body seemed to be poured into his searching mouth. He finally pulled away, but didn’t go far.

“Kitten, you need to make a decision. Either we stay here and behave or we leave now and I promise you”—his voice dipped lower and the words fell against my lips—“if we leave,
I won’t behave
.”

His mouth closed over mine once more, lips and tongue expertly evoking a response. My self-control was still somewhere away on vacation and my arms went around his neck because I simply wanted more. His back was to the wall and one hand was in my hair while the other was low, dangerously low on my back. Fingers kneaded my flesh through the thin material of the dress, holding me so close, every movement he made stroked me. After another few dizzying minutes, he broke the kiss to whisper almost raggedly in my ear.

“Decide now, luv, because I can’t take much more of this before I make up your mind and carry you off.”

The room seemed fuzzy, the lights dimmer, and there was a far-off noise in my head. None of those things seemed important, however, except for Bones. His body felt as hard and sinewy as a racehorse’s, and his mouth on mine made me want to scream with lust. There wasn’t a single part of me that wanted to be anywhere but with him.

“Bones…” I couldn’t begin to articulate the need.

Unexpectedly his whole body stiffened, and he looked over my shoulder with tension ringing off him.

“Bloody frigging hell, what is he doing here?”

He seemed to freeze in my arms, face hardening as though turned to stone.

Confused, I squirmed to look behind me. “Who? Who’s here?”

“Hennessey.”

M
Y MIND COULDN’T SEEM TO KEEP UP WITH
current events. “I thought Sergio said he was in Chicago. He’s supposed to be in Chicago!”

Bones muttered a foul curse and straightened, spinning us around until his back was to the door.

“Do you think Sergio lied to us?” I persisted.

He shook his head as if to clear it.

“Keep your eye on him, luv. Black hair. Mustache, thin beard, dark skin, tall. Wearing a white shirt, see him?”

I leaned my head against Bones’s shoulder and scanned the faces until I found one that matched.

“Got him.”

“Sergio didn’t lie,” Bones answered my earlier question grimly. “That means somehow Hennessey got word that he’s gone missing. He knew Sergio was in this area, so he’s poking around here for answers. He’s no doubt rightly worried about what Sergio would have said to whoever made him disappear.”

“Well, whatever the reason, he’s here. Let’s go for him.”

“No.”

The single word surprised me. “No? Why not? He just got dropped into our lap!”

His expression was ice, and he kept his voice low. “Because he’s a bloody treacherous sod and I don’t want you anywhere near him. You’re going straight home as soon as he’s away from the door. I’ll handle this myself.”

My head cleared enough for me to be pissed.

“You know, for someone who keeps telling me to trust him, you sure don’t extend the same courtesy. I thought tonight was a regular job, so I’m all staked out and ready to roll. I took on vampires before you, remember? All by myself and without someone to hold my hand through it. Now I have training and backup, and you still want me to turn tail and run? Don’t kiss me like a woman if you’re going to treat me like a child.”

Bones stared down at me with frustration. “This isn’t about treating you like a child. Bugger, I clearly don’t see you that way! Look, I told you Hennessey’s not just a bloke who goes out and snatches up a girl when his tummy grumbles. He’s in another league, Kitten. He’s a very bad sort.”

“Then quit arguing and let’s go get him,” I said, softly but firmly. “He sounds just like the kind of person I’d love to take out.”

Bones didn’t say anything for a moment, then he let out a resigned noise.

“I don’t like this, not at all, but…fine. We’ll go for him. So much for a night off. If anything goes wrong, anything at all, you hit that panic button. Now, here’s what we’ll do….”

He outlined the plan quickly and I picked a place near the bar where Hennessey just sat, keeping myself within eyeshot. Actually, I still felt a little dizzy, not that I’d told Bones. He’d have pulled the plug on this for sure if he knew. God, had it been so long since I’d been kissed, a few
smooches were enough to throw off my equilibrium? Just to be safe, though, I ordered a Coke instead of my usual gin and tonic. Maybe my resistance to alcohol wasn’t as strong as I’d thought.

After about five minutes, Hennessey glided over. It amazed me how vampires seemed to be drawn to me. Certainly there were plenty of other pretty human girls milling about with veins just as big and juicy as mine. Bones told me once there was something about my skin that was eye-catching, some glow that still looked human but also a touch vampiric. He said it was like a homing beacon.

“I haven’t seen you here before, Red. May I sit down?”

Wow, manners. Usually vamps just plunked down next to me, ready or not. After a faint inclination of my head in the affirmative, he sat next to me, regarding me with hooded blue eyes.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

Hmmm, two for two on politeness. With feigned regret, I smiled at him.

“Sorry, but I’m kind of here with someone. Wouldn’t want to be rude.”

“Ah, I see.” He settled back into his chair but made no effort to vacate it. “Husband, perhaps?”

The thought of being married to Bones made me nearly choke on my next swallow of soda. “No. A first date, actually.”

Hennessey smiled and spread out his hands in a harmless manner.

“First dates. They can be quite something, can’t they? Either perfume or poison, with usually no in between. Tell me, if I may be so bold—which one is it for you?”

With a slightly embarrassed look to my face, I leaned in an inch. “If I had to answer now, I’d say poison. He’s a bit…arrogant. Full of himself. I just hate that, don’t you?”

My smile was all innocence as inside I laughed at my
chance to disparage the man who was going to kill the vampire opposite me at the earliest opportunity.

Hennessey nodded in agreement.

“That can be bothersome. It is always better to speak less and not more of oneself, don’t you agree?”

“I couldn’t agree more. What did you say your name was?” This one would have to be handled delicately, no crude potty-mouth with him. Boy, for someone that Bones had described as practically sprouting horns, Hennessey seemed almost…charming.

He smiled. “Call me Hennessey.”

“Don’t mind if I do, mate. Been a while, hasn’t it?”

Bones appeared behind me, leaning down to kiss my cheek. I flinched out of genuine habit and it was perfect. The picture of the bad-first-date syndrome. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Hennessey’s mouth tighten.

“Bones. What an unexpected…surprise. This lovely young woman can’t be with you. She’s far too well mannered.”

Well, score one for the bad guy.

Bones gave Hennessey a look laden with threat. “You’re in my seat.”

“Bones,” I chided him as if aghast, “you’re being rude. This nice man was just keeping me company while you were away.”

“Yes,” Hennessey purred, looking at Bones with a gleam. “Can’t expect to leave such a pretty thing alone for long, old chap. Some monster might just…snatch her up.”

“Funny you should say that.” There was an ugly under-current in his voice I hadn’t heard before. Whatever had happened between them, Bones
really
didn’t like him. “I hear that’s your specialty.”

Hennessey’s eyes narrowed. The tension between them thickened. “Now, where would you ever hear something like that?”

Bones smiled with coldness. “You’d be amazed at the things people can find if they dig deep enough.”

I looked at both of them. It seemed like any second, they’d quit the verbal exchange and go right for each other’s throats.

Logan leaned across the bar and tapped the edge of my forgotten glass. He’d apparently picked up on their malevolent vibe as well.

“Not here, gentlemen. You know the rules.”

Hennessey looked at Logan and waved an airy hand. “Yes, I know. Pesky ordinance, that, but one must abide by the rules of the house when one visits.”

“Cut the fancy talk,” Bones said sharply. “It doesn’t suit you. That is my chair and she is my date, so back off.”

“Excuse me.” In a perfect imitation of outrage, I stood up and faced Bones. “I don’t know how you’re used to talking with other girls, but I will not be referred to in the third person as if I’m not even here! You don’t own me, this is our first date. And I wouldn’t have even gone out with you if you hadn’t kept begging me.” I bit back a grin as Bones blanched in indignation at that. “Our date is
over
. I’ll call a cab. In the meantime, you can get lost.”

Hennessey laughed. “You heard the lady. You know the rules. Only willing companions here, and she is clearly not willing. As she said, get lost.”

Bones took it with thinly concealed wrath.

“Let’s be men about this. Why don’t we go outside and settle this, you and me? Been a long time coming.”

Hennessey’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, we’ll settle this, mark my words. Not right now, but soon. You’ve been meddling where you shouldn’t for too long.”

What did that mean?
I wondered. I’d have to ask later.

“Oohhh, I’m shakin’ in me boots,” Bones mocked. “Another time, another place, then. Looking forward to it.”

With those last threatening words, he stalked off.

Pretending to be shaken, I grabbed for my purse and began to throw money on the table.

Hennessey stopped me with a beseeching hand on my arm. “Please, stay and have a drink with me. I feel responsible for what happened, but I must tell you it was for the best. That is a ruthless man.”

As if reluctant, I sat back down.

“Okay, a drink. Maybe I owe it to you anyways for getting rid of that creep for me. My name is Cat, by the way. Bones forgot to introduce us.” My smile wobbled for effect.

He kissed my hand.

“A true pleasure, Cat.”

Hennessey coaxed me back into ordering alcohol, and so I had another gin and tonic. After three more, I pleaded to be excused to the ladies’ room and left him at the bar. That residual dizziness still clung to me. Everything around me looked slightly altered, almost fuzzy around the edges. Time to switch back to Coke.

The bathroom was on the other side of the club, and once exiting it I saw Bones on the imitation balcony. His back was against the glass wall that separated us. I wanted to give him an update while I had the chance, so I quickened my pace and crossed through the people until I came to a door on the opposite side of the balcony he was on.

There was a woman in front of him. Her arms hung loosely at her sides and Bones gripped her shoulders. His mouth was on her neck, and the glow of vampire green shone from his eyes. I froze, transfixed, and watched as his throat worked, swallowing occasionally. The girl didn’t struggle. In fact, she was half sagged against him.

His eyes suddenly lifted to look straight at me. Helpless to glance away, I stared as he continued to feed. After a few moments, he pulled his mouth from her neck. Surprisingly it was only a little red. He must be a dainty eater. With his gaze still locked to mine, he sliced his thumb on
a fang and then held it to her neck. The two holes closed at once, and then vanished.

“Off you go,” he instructed her.

With a lethargic smile she obeyed, walking right past me without batting an eye.

“Didn’t your mum tell you it’s rude to stare at someone when they eat?”

The casual tone to his voice shook me from my stupor.

“That girl…she’s okay?” She certainly hadn’t looked mortally drained, but then again, I was no expert.

“Of course. She’s used to it. That’s what most of them are here for, I told you that. They’re the menu, with legs.”

Bones came closer, but I retreated a step. He saw it and frowned.

“What’s wrong? Look, the girl’s fine. It’s not like you didn’t know I was a vampire. Did you just think I never fed?”

The thought was so repellent to me I’d never dwelled on it one way or the other. Witnessing the scene just now had been the bucket of icy water I needed.

“I came to tell you we’re hitting it off. Probably be leaving in about twenty minutes.” Absently, I began to rub my head. It had started to spin again.

“Are you feeling all right?”

The absurdity of the question made a bark of laughter escape me.

“No, I am not all right. Very far from it, actually. Earlier I kissed you, and now I just watched you make a Slurpee out of a girl’s neck. Add to that a headache and it makes me not in the least
all right
.”

He moved closer, and again I backed away. “Don’t touch me.”

Muttering a curse, he clenched his hands but stayed put.

“Fine. We’ll talk about this later. Go on back, before he starts to get antsy.”

“We won’t talk about it later,” I coldly stated while walking back toward the door. “In fact, I never want to speak about it again.”

I was still rattled when I sat back down next to Hennessey, but I plastered a smile on my face and promptly ordered another gin and tonic.
Damn the Coke, full speed ahead!

Hennessey reached out and grasped my hand. “What’s wrong, Cat? You look distressed.”

I debated lying but then thought better of it. He might have glimpsed me speaking to Bones, although he wouldn’t have been able to hear us in this racket, so I didn’t want to make him suspicious.

“Oh, nothing, really. I ran into Bones on my way back from the bathroom, and he said a few less-than-gentlemanly things. Guess it just upset me, that’s all.”

Hennessey withdrew his hand and stood, a smile of perfect politeness on his face. “Would you excuse me? I suddenly feel the need to renew an acquaintance.”

“Please don’t,” I blurted, not wanting to have started a fight. Well, not yet.

“I’ll only be a few minutes, my dear. Just to let him know his rudeness wasn’t appreciated.” He left me there with my mouth still forming protests. Annoyed, I swallowed the rest of my tonic, and was about to order another one when Ralphie and Martin sidled up.

“Hey, there! Remember us?”

Their smiles were so genuinely artless I felt a reluctant answering tug of the lips.

“Hello, boys.”

They stood around me, one on either side again.

“Is that your date?” Ralphie asked, goggle-eyed.

“No. Yes. Well, he kind of is now. My other one didn’t work out, so this guy is keeping me company.” I was as vague as possible on any details that could somehow en
danger them later. “He just went off for a little macho showboating, probably be gone about ten minutes. When he comes back, you scatter, okay?”

“Sure thing,” they chorused.

Martin held out a drink in his hand with a shy smile.

“It’s a gin and tonic, like you ordered before. After you had one, I tried them. They’re good!”

The boyish delight on his face was infectious, and my smile broadened.

“Here,” he said importantly. “It’s a fresh one. I’ll wait for the bartender for another.”

“Why, thank you.”

After raising it in salute, I took a long draught. It was slightly more bitter than the other ones I’d had. Maybe it was made by a bartender not as skilled as Logan.

“Delicious.” Hiding my grimace, I took another drink so their feelings wouldn’t be hurt.

They glanced anxiously at me and back and forth between themselves.

“Do you want to see my car?” Ralphie asked, eyes wide and intent. “It’s a new Porsche, totally loaded. It’s so cool.”

“Yeah,” Martin chimed in. “You gotta see it, it’s really trick!”