"Holyfuck." Dar grunted and started pumping another load inside me.
Darand I collapsed, practically crawling on the desk while Jimmy fell to hisknees, hanging on to the edge like the final scene of Titanic.
"Justwhen I think I couldn't possibly be fucked any more than I already was…" Ichuckled at my own joke.
Darpulled himself from my abused insides and ran his fingers through the mess theyhad all made. "I would suggest not standing up." He laughed softly.
"Iwon't. I need a shower," I answered and let the shadows take me home.
Chapter 19
I walked out of my bedroom scrubbingmy hair dry with a fluffy white towel. It had taken me nearly an hour under thehot spray of water before I felt clean again, but as soon as the grin split myface, I felt dirty again and frigging loved it. There were musicians,composers, and maestros. Jimmy was definitely a maestro and his favoriteinstrument was me. Sighing happily, I put a mug in the coffee maker and set itto brew.
Bythe time I was sitting on my couch in my robe and happily sipping on my cup ofcoffee, Yuki came out of her room and stretched gingerly.
"Don'ttell me you're still hurting?" I set the mug down on the coffee table andmotioned her over.
"Thatthing kicked my fucking ass."
"Youhit that wall at about ninety." I turned her around in front of me andlifted her shirt up over her back. "No marks. I'll take that as a goodsign."
"Ithink it shattered every bone in my back."
Unsurehow well it would work, I pushed a bit of power into my hand and ran it overher skin. "Better?"
Shedid some over her head arm stretches and nodded. "Yes! Thank you, Master."
"Anytime."
Sheplopped down on the couch next to me and leaned against me. "So…"
Whatevershe'd been about to say was interrupted by the sound of the front door openingand closing with a woosh and giggles of laughter. I turned my head and smiledat Josie and Candace arm in arm as they walked around the kitchen into theliving room. I cocked an eyebrow. "You're home early."
Candacebeamed at me. "The vampires kicked us out."
"What?"
Josiesmiled and waved a hand, sensing my unease at Candace's words. "Our nightcrew. They're finally ready to be left alone." She stopped and smiled atYuki. "I can't thank you enough."
Yukijust smiled and nodded and turned back around.
Theyboth fell into the love seat across from us. "Who's first?" Shelooked at Candace.
"Iam, but you can go if you want."
"Gowhere?" I tilted my head, confused.
"Shower,"Josie answered and pushed Candace toward the bathroom.
"Youboth reek of coffee. Go together," Yuki said and pinched her nose.
"Notonly did you hook me up with the best employees on the planet, but you're agenius, too!" She winked and followed Candace toward the bathroom.
Yukiand Josie got along like nitro and glycerin. For her to suggest Josie andCandace take a shower together when she would be able to hear every giggle andsqueal through the thin wooden door meant she wasn't done with our conversation.As soon as they were behind the closed bathroom door and the sound of runningwater caressed our ears, she turned to me, her knees pressing firmly against mythigh.
"Youneed to deal with my uncle."
"Iwill."
"No,Master. You need to deal with him now. He has broken trust and theincident from last night it just the start. Even my mother could be involved."She frowned even more at the mention of her mother.
Reachingout, I put my hand on her shoulder. "We will, but honestly I don't see howmuch more damage they can do. All of the vampires who were loyal to him aredead. For him to cause any more harm, he'd have to come here himself."
"That'swhat scares me."
"Whatif we split the clan?"
"What?"Her voice cracked in astonishment.
"Splitthe clan? He takes Ashville, and I keep everyone and everything in Cedar Falls?"
"Youdon't understand how vampires work…"
"Prettysure I do." I smiled and ruffled her purple tinged hair.
"No.You don't. They're…territorial?"
"Yes?He'll have his territory, and I'll have mine."
"No.You don't understand. Not territorial, it's more of a pack mentality? Kind oflike werewolves. He wants to be the head of the pack."
"Yes.He can be. Of his pack. I'll be alpha bitch here."
"That'sjust it. It's all one big fucking pack to him. The vampires here, the bloodbank. His son. He thinks it all should be his and he will not rest until it is.It's kind of like an obsession. To relinquish a part of it to you… It would belike him admitting a weakness. That you're stronger than he is. That youdeserve all of it. He won't rest until either you, or he, is dead. Thestrongest rules and that is that. It's why he never challenged my father."
"ButI beat your father." I didn't feel guilty about doing it, but I feltguilty about saying it to his daughter. Even if he was an asshole.
"Whichhe probably sees as some sort of fluke. Like you cheated. You're not a vampire.He'll never see you as his equal."
"Areyou telling me I have to kill him to end this?"
Shenodded without an ounce of hesitation.
"Andwhat will that prove?"
"Thatyou are, in fact, our lord."
"Lady."
Yukichuckled. "I think that's the first time you've ever wanted to be calledLady."
"Well,it's better than Lord. Jeezus, Lady is pompous enough."
Hersmile faded. "Either or, it's what needs to be done."
"So,what? Do I challenge him to a duel or something? You think he'd come if Icalled?"
"Hewould. But it would be better for you to go to him and squash the…rebellion,for lack of a better word. Show them that you won't tolerate it."
"That'sjust it. I will. I don't want to kill your uncle. Not if I can help it. You'retelling me there's no possible way that he won't back down?"
"Hewon't."
"ButI'm not a vampire."
"Evenif that were true, he still sees you as similar. We all do."
"I'llthink about it. That's all I can promise you." I lowered my face and movedit closer to hers, staring at her eyes for emphasis.
Shegraced me with another small smile. "I should be happy."
"Butyou're not?"
"I'mhappy that
