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Julie bounced from foot to foot. Trucker
caressed her thigh. Her skin was still flushed and warm. He knew
the world viewed her as below average, but that was because they
couldn’t see how special she really was. Knowing, he got to
experience that with her was the highlight of his short life.
Trucker smiled, knowing everyone there that night would be able to
smell him on her, and be fully aware he got to experience her body.
He was not sure what his life held, hell what the next few days
held, but he did know she had compassed every inch of his being and
he would never let her go.

Trucker re-button the shirt she was wearing,
needing out of that room. The smell of sex combined with Julie was
almost too much for his resolve to handle. He took her hand and led
her to the backyard.

When he opened the French doors leading to
the patio, the cold air hit her bare skin. Goosebumps covered her
as she cuddled into his hot steaming body. For once the heat
pouring off his skin was relaxing. He walked her over to the cliffs
by the pool.

“I’m not getting in there.” She pointed over
to the pool, shaking her head.

He gave her an amused little chuckle. “No, up
there.” He pointed to the top of the cliffs. It was about thirty
feet to the top, but on the top sat a hot tub. She could see the
steam pouring out of the tub, clouding the sky. In his accelerated
speed, he had her thrown over his shoulders. After a quick but firm
pat on her bottom, he took one smooth almost motionless leap. It
was all in slow motion, she could make out every detail of his
magnificent gardens. He slowly pulled her down his chest until he
cradled her like a baby. He kissed her nose and landed gently in
the hot tub. The landing was so soft and smooth she never felt it,
just the warm water wrapping around them.

“You can fly?” Julie asked and protectively
wrapped her arms tighter around his neck.

“Just a very good jumper.” He ran the tips of
his finger across her collarbone before placing a kiss on her
shoulder.

“How?” she asked and trembled.

“One of those little tricks I have up my
sleeve.”

“Trying to show off?”

“Proving I can protect you.”

“I already know you can protect me.” She laid
over on him to take in his aroma. She couldn’t be happier for the
moment, but she also knew that their future was the complete
unknown.

“Truck, I want to be stuck with you, but it’s
all still too much. I’m just eighteen.”

He traced his fingertips across her cheek,
and down her neck. “Babe, we have a lifetime. I’m in no hurry. I’ve
still got law school in my future,” he said.

She never wanted to be anywhere more then she
wanted to be with him right then and there. She simply wished she
could understand what all life had in store for them.

Chapter 17

After their leisurely dip in the hot tub,
Catherine helped Julie get ready. Catherine was the epitome of
elegance in an off the shoulder black gown. The dress was form
fitting and draped to her toes, slightly flaring at the bottom.

“Be still, it’s like working on a wiggle
worm,” Catherine said.

Julie sat fidgeting at his mother’s large
lavish vanity. It was covered with more paraphernalia than the
local beauty shop.

“I’m glad we wear the same size. I didn’t
have time to go shopping.” Catherine fluffed the sleeves of the
soft pale pink cocktail dress that she had given Julie to slip on.
It was exquisite. The dress fell to Julie’s knees and was covered
with individually placed incandescent beads. It perfectly fit every
curve Julie didn’t even know she had. Julie knew Trucker’s mind was
somewhere else, when he failed to even comment on her
appearance.

“Truck, what’s wrong?” Julie asked.

Trucker knelt down beside her and took her
trembling hands in his. “There is going to be a lot of us there
tonight. Some you might know from elsewhere. Some you will never
want to see again. But no matter what, don’t think for one second
that you’re not my main focus.”

Julie fingered the wisp of hair falling down
over his forehead and wrapped her hand around his jaw. “I got it,”
she responded cheerfully, no need to let him know how scary it was
going to be for her. His doubtful expression and cynical eyes let
her know she was not fooling him. He bent over to kiss her forehead
lightly, so as not to mess up his mother’s flawless make-up
job.

Trucker left, against his better judgment, to
change into his suit for the evening. When his dad walked into the
room, Julie wished they would’ve listen to him and let him stay.
Larry came over, seized Julie’s hand, and helped her to her feet.
He twirled her around as he grazed her back with the tips of his
fingers. He laughed a laugh so menacing, her mind fought to reject
it.

“Innocent little thing,” Larry said in a
smooth voice. Julie tried to smile. His nostrils enlarged as he
sniffed the air around them. “Someone had a good time. Trucker got
you off, but I don’t smell him.”

“Larry, please. You promised you would be
good,” Catherine said.

Larry turned to his wife. His eyes soften,
his jaw relaxed, even a dimple appeared on his face. He indeed had
a soft spot for Catherine. “I will.” He glanced back at Julie but
still spoke to Catherine. “I hope you’ve been teaching her
well.”

“Yes, she knows what’s at stake,” Catherine
answered in a soft, shy voice.

“Good.” He turned his attention back to Julie
and smiled. “One last thing, do you know the consequences for
betrayal?”

“Get your damn hands off her,” Trucker’s
voice boomed as he walked in the door.

“Pardon me, son. I was trying to welcome this
lovely lady to our family.” His voice was so soothing; it could
have easily been a voice from a voice over artist.

Trucker was at Julie’s side, holding her so
tight she had to bite her lip not to yelp in pain.

“Son, calm down. I’m good with this.” He
gestured between Trucker and Julie. “It’s the other guest you need
to worry about.”

“I am.” His voice was placid.

Julie wondered what thoughts he was hiding
behind the cold stare on his composed face. Trucker gave her a
squeeze, letting Julie know his only concern was her. She wanted to
calm him, but didn’t know how. She finally noticed Trucker’s
clothes. He had on a double-breasted suit. It was tailored to his
toned and muscular body. The idea
a man that perfect
was
fighting to be with her gave her more than enough confidence to
face whatever might happen.

They followed Larry down the long hallway
that held those pictures that foretold so many secrets to the man
holding her hand. Julie suddenly realized how much she was shaking.
She drew closer to Trucker to steady herself.

“We’ll be in a public restaurant. I’ve got
more than enough faith in you, baby,” Trucker whispered in Julie’s
ear.

“Let’s just go before I realize what I’m
truly getting myself into.”

Larry’s head turned at her response. He
seemed pleased.
I don’t care what you like, but I do care for
your son. I just wish you would go away and get out of his
life.

She was pleasantly surprised when they
arrived. It was The Chop House. They took the back entrance. Julie
wondered how many unsuspecting people were sitting and eating with
their family while all of Hell was meeting in the back room. They
were escorted into a very private dining room. There was no doubt
that every waiter there knew who they were and what they were there
for.

“You’ll be fine. Angel.” He paused and leaned
into her hair, inhaling. “I need for you to do this. For me.”

The doors flung open, every hair follicle on
her body immediately stood at attention, and Julie’s heart skipped.
She was greeted instantly by Todd who offered her a bouquet of
roses
.

“Don’t take them,” Trucker whispered.

Julie glanced back and saw they were crawling
with bugs. She flinched and clutched onto Trucker’s jacket sleeve.
She took in the room around her. It was full. The males were all
muscular and elegantly built like Trucker. Every girl there was
stunning, and had their eyes on Trucker. Whether they had a man on
their arm or not, they made it clear that they were available for
him, rousing feelings of jealousy and possessiveness in Julie.
Luckily, Trucker seemed blind to them all. She spotted Tracey,
Courtney’s lifelong best friend in the crowd. She had been in
Julie’s class since Kindergarten.

“Psst.” Julie jerked Trucker’s sleeve and
cupped her hand around his ear to whisper to him.

“That’s Tracey.”

“Baby, we’re everywhere. Evil never rest,”
Trucker explained.

A man stepped in front of her. He grasped her
hand and brought it to his lips, gently brushing his lips against
her knuckles. He had the same unnatural beauty as the rest of the
men in the room. His hair was light, possibly bleached. His eyes
were an odd green color and were very cold.

“Eddie,” Trucker hissed.

The man’s head automatically lowered. A man
whose mannerism screamed superiority, an arrogant and self-assured
man was showing submission to a teenage boy. Julie glanced up at
Trucker’s face. He had never appeared harder and more dominant than
he did at that moment. It left no question to her mind; Trucker
topped this man in every way.

“Julie, this is Eddie.” Trucker nuzzled his
nose in Julie’s hair.

“I’m Emily’s dad. You have met Emily, haven’t
you?” he asked. “After all, she’s Trucker’s,” he added with a
smirk.

She is Trucker’s, but I don’t want to
share.

“Yes, sir,” Julie answered in a trembling
voice without thinking as Trucker squeezed her side.

Trucker’s hand grazed down her arm. For the
first time, she felt the same heinous feelings emanating from
Trucker that she’d often felt coming from his father. She shook her
head. She would not go there. Trucker locked eyes with her for a
moment before releasing her hand. As he copied his father’s lead
and kissed both Emily and Dianne, Emily’s mother, on the cheek when
they joined Eddie, Julie reminded herself to breathe. They all
turned their heads when Julie let out an audible gasp. Julie had
known she would have to face Emily, but she hadn’t prepared herself
for the horrible feelings that jolted through her at the site of
Trucker’s lips on Emily’s cheek.

“Oh, please, don’t faint. We don’t bite.”
Emily snarled. “Well, most of us don’t.”

The whole room laughed, even Trucker. Julie
was furious, not that they had laughed at her but that Trucker
did.

Taking a seat at the head table, Trucker
placed Julie protectively between him and Catherine. Julie gazed
around the table seeing unbelievable beauty and elegance, but also
great evil. She could feel the maliciousness in the air. See the
hate rolling out of their remarkable eyes. Emily got up from her
seat and moved to sit just to the left of Trucker. Trucker took
Julie’s hand as always but then turned and showered all his
attention on Emily. For the rest of the evening, Julie had a front
row seat to the back of Trucker’s head. She watched as Emily
stroked her hand up and down Trucker’s arm repeatedly. Julie
started fidgeting with the hem of her dress to pass time. From time
to time, she would run her fingers along the crease of Trucker’s
pants leg trying to get his attention. He would squeeze her hand,
but never looked at her. Every time Trucker would laugh, Julie
squirmed in her chair. The more time that passed, the more she
fumed. She was ready to scream when Trucker finally turned to her
with a smile.

“Ready to go, my love?” Trucker asked.

Julie glared at him, but managed a quick
nod.

“Let me tell my dad and Eddie bye. Then I’ll
drive you home.”

Julie didn’t respond. She was about to shove
her seat back when she felt a tap on the shoulder.

“This is not over,” Emily whispered in her
ear.

The site that greeted Julie
,
surprised
her. She was looking eye to eye with herself. Emily had changed her
shape to be a carbon copy of Julie. “This is how Trucker likes me
to look when we’re together.” She smirked as she spun around giving
Julie the full view of her powers. “My touch doesn’t hurt,” she
added.

Julie’s heart felt pulverized. Emily didn’t
even have to look like Julie. Looking like the vixen she was, had
gotten her more than her share of Trucker’s attention already.
Emily reached over and stroked two fingers over the carotid artery
in Julie’s neck and smiled.

“Trucker have a taste yet?” She leaned toward
Julie. “Maybe, he has in your sleep. Then he could have that
delicious blood pool in his mouth and read your thoughts, too.”

Before Julie could comprehend what she said,
Trucker launched at them. The crashing of tables and shattering of
glass echoed in Julie’s head. It was all too much for her. For the
first time, she understood all that was around her. Trucker was not
just living in the land of demons. He truly was one, his tricks
were not cool, they were disgusting and were designed to cause
pain. Julie fell to her knees, pulling at her hair. Her heart
hammered in her chest as she took in the sight in front of her.
Trucker’s hands were acting as a vice around Emily’s throat as he
shoved her against the wall. Power rippled out of Trucker and
spread across the room, causing sparks to rain down on them from
the electrical surge racing through the overhead lights. A low
growl emanated from his chest, the edges of his body shifted, the
sharp and shapely lines of him changed, his wings were spread. He
was on the verge of transforming. His veins had come alive as if a
thousand snakes were crawling under his skin.

Julie didn’t know what was the most
startling, his skin or seeing herself dangling from the wall. Larry
pulled at him. Trucker flipped his head around to face his dad. His
mouth was snarled around long sharp teeth. The sudden menacing
sound that came out of his chest was alarming.