Damek's Redemption

Chapter Seven

Sonia didn’t dare move, barely dared to breathe. Damek hadn’t liked what she’d said. Not one little bit. Power pulsed from him like a heartbeat, expanding and filling the club slowly. She now knew what a deer felt like when it was cornered by a predator. No, scrap that. Make it a bunny. Yeah, a fuzzy little bunny facing the big bad wolf.

“If you’re not a vampire, are you a werewolf or some kind of other shifter, or maybe a mage?” If she was in trouble with him she might as well go all the way. The voice of common sense yelled at her to shut up and quit while she was ahead, while he still might let her walk away.

Her ace in the hole was the fact she was a member of The Keepers. If he was indeed a paranormal creature, as she suspected, there was a chance he might have heard of the group and know she meant him no harm.

“What do you know of such things?” Damek’s voice was low, seductive and compelling, winding its way into her mind, making her want to tell him everything. Only years of training allowed her to shove back at his attempt at mind control.

Damek pulled back as though she’d struck him physically instead of on the psychic level. “Well, well, the kitten has claws. Maybe the vampire hunters sent you in as bait to flush out a vampire. If so, they wasted their time and yours.”

Stark fear made all the blood drain from her face and she swallowed the lump in her throat. Even through the dark lenses of his glasses, Sonia could see a red glare emanating from his eyes. She hadn’t even questioned why he hadn’t removed his glasses when they’d stepped inside. She was beginning to think she was totally screwed.

“What seems to be the problem?” Isaiah Striker suddenly loomed over their table, large and intimidating, and Sonia had never been so glad to see another person in all her life. Maybe she could use the distraction to her advantage.

“Nothing. I need to go to the ladies’ room.” She pulled her hand away from Damek’s and jumped up from her chair. Now that she was standing, she realized she had no idea where to go. Isaiah pointed to a door in the corner and she grabbed her purse and ran.

She was practically hyperventilating by the time she pushed open the bathroom door and slammed it behind her. There was a lock and she turned it before glancing around to see if there was anyone else in the ladies’ room. She was alone and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. The lock was more for privacy than anything, and she didn’t think for one minute it would stop Damek if he decided he wanted to get inside.

Her phone. She had to talk to her mother. Sonia tossed her purse on the counter and dug through the contents, searching for her phone. Her hands were shaking when she found it and she was glad her family was on speed dial. She hit the button for her mother and wasn’t surprised when it was answered on the first ring. Her mother always knew when something wasn’t right with one of her children.

“What’s wrong?” Sonia almost cried with relief when she heard her mother’s familiar voice. “Sonia?”

“Mama.” Sonia wished her mother were here, wished she could let her mother take her in her arms and soothe away her worries like she’d done when Sonia was a child. But this mess couldn’t be smoothed away with only a hug. “I think I might be in big trouble.” She was so cold her teeth were practically chattering.

“I knew it. Where are you?”

“Right now I’m at a club called Haven. I’m with a man named Damek who owns a nightclub called Inhibitions.” She hated to admit she was in over her head, but it was too late to wish she’d handled things differently. She glanced at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and quickly looked away. She was so pale she resembled a ghost.

“Oh, baby, what have you done?”

“I’m not sure. He’s different. I thought he might be a vampire, but he was working in his club late this afternoon and went outside briefly before dark.”

“Hold on.”

Sonia glanced at the door while she waited for her mother to speak to whoever else was in the room. She heard her grandfather’s voice in the background. “Is Papou there with you?” She fell back into the traditional Greek name for grandfather, knowing how much it pleased him. She called her grandmother Yaiyai for the same reason.

“Your grandfather says that the very ancient are not so much at the mercy of the sun as the young ones are, but they are also the most dangerous creatures on earth.”

“Why am I only hearing this now? Why did no one ever tell me this?” Really, it was too much to take in.

Her mother sighed. “You know we did not want to encourage your unhealthy interest in vampires. But that does not matter. You need to leave where you are. Do not go back to your hotel. He probably already knows where you are staying.”

Sonia swallowed hard. “He did mention following me home last night. He also mentioned I was being followed by a vampire hunter.”

Her mother swore both in Romanian and Greek, a sign of just how dire Sonia’s situation was. “You do not want to ever have them interested in you, baby. Vampire hunters kill without discrimination. They are the worst of the worst.”

Sonia already knew that much herself. Her stomach roiled and she thought she might throw up. She was grateful she hadn’t eaten any of her meal or it would probably be on its way back up.

“Okay. I’m going to try to slip out and head to another hotel.”

“Your father and brothers are on their way. They will drive. It is quicker than waiting for a plane. Call when you get settled in so they know where to find you.”

“I will.” Sonia clicked off her phone, her only link to safety and she held on to it, reluctant to let go. She had to get out of here.

The door rattled as someone pulled on the handle and she knew time was of the essence. Hopefully, Isaiah was still at their table and would distract Damek enough for her to slip out of the club and grab a cab.

“You can do this.” She tucked her phone in the pocket of her blazer for easier access, slung her purse over her shoulder and then reached for the lock on the door.

The lock started turning on its own before she reached it. Sonia halted where she was and felt the bottom dropped out of her stomach. Crap. She was in big trouble. Her gaze darted frantically around the room. There was no window to climb out of and nowhere to hide but the bathroom stalls, and she wasn’t going to demean herself by even trying. There were plenty of people in the club. He wouldn’t do anything with all these witnesses. At least she prayed he wouldn’t.

The door pushed open.

Damek shoved the door inward, needing to see Sonia for himself, even though he knew she was still inside the bathroom and hadn’t fled the premises. Although from the look on her face she would have gone out the window if there’d been one in the room.

Her skin was as pale as newly fallen snow and he would wager it was just as cool to the touch. Fear had her heartbeat skittering at a fast pace and a bead of sweat rolled down her temple. She nibbled on her bottom lip and her eyes widened with fear.

Good, she should be afraid. It was not wise to accuse a man of being a vampire, especially if he was one. His earlier assessment had been right on target—the woman needed a keeper.

But first he had to find out exactly why she’d sought him out and how much she knew. He slowly removed his dark glasses and tucked them into the inside pocket of his Armani jacket. He smiled fully for the first time, offering her a glimpse of his lethal fangs.

She swallowed hard and took a step back.

“I’m curious.” He advanced a step and the door closed quietly behind him. “What did you expect to happen if you discovered I was a vampire?” Did she have orders to contact someone about him?

He hissed as a thought occurred to him. “Were you working with that vampire hunter who was following you? Did you already call them?” If she had, he would have quite a mess to clear up.

Her hand jerked toward her blazer pocket before she could stop herself. He stalked forward, his usually fluid movements replaced by tight, jerky motions as he struggled to contain his rage. If he released it, he could potentially destroy Haven and all the people inside it.

“Who have you called?” He reached into her pocket and grabbed her phone. She captured his hand and fought him for the phone. She lost.

“Give me that. It’s not yours.”

Her audacity astounded him. “You’re in no position to object.”

“Yes, I am.” She glared at him and made a grab for the phone. He read the move before she made it and jerked the phone out of her reach. “If you’ve survived for any length of time, and I think you have, then you know you don’t want to draw attention to yourself.”

“And who have you told, sweet Sonia?”

Sonia’s blood froze in her veins. This was not happening. The entertaining flirt from earlier tonight, the man she had shared such a warm moment with in the limo, had disappeared and in his place was the most frightening creature she’d ever encountered. The power she sensed swirling around him made her realize how ill prepared she was for the reality of discovering a true ancient vampire.

She was almost lightheaded at the realization that she was in the presence of a vampire. A very pissed-off one, but a vampire nonetheless. All her life she’d been searching and hoping for this moment. Now that it had happened, a part of her wished she could go back in time and undo every action that had led her to Chicago.

She’d drawn his attention to her family.

“No one. I haven’t told anyone.” She could talk her way out of this. She had no choice. Her family had to be protected at any cost.

“Such a pretty liar you are.” Damek started scrolling through her calls. “Celia Agostino. Hmm, I assume she’s related to you. Maybe I should pay her a visit.”

Anger broke through the ice surrounding her and in its place was a fiery fury unlike anything she’d ever known. She flew at Damek, knocking the phone from his grasp. It fell to the floor with a crash and Sonia prayed it was broken so he couldn’t discover her friends’ names. It was bad enough she’d endangered her family.

He caught her about the waist as she pummeled him with her fists. “You leave my family alone. Do you hear me? I’ll stake you through the heart if you touch them.” Considering he held her captive as easily as she could a butterfly, she didn’t think he took her threats seriously. But he didn’t know her, didn’t know the lengths she would go to in order to protect her family.

Sonia reached deep inside herself and drew on the blood of her heritage. She was no purebred anything, but had a mixture of paranormal blood and human running through her. She focused on the paranormal and pulled hard on the energy like her mother had taught her. Strength filled her and she pushed Damek hard. Caught off-guard, he flew backward and hit the tiled wall with a heavy thud.

Both of them froze and the bathroom door banged open. “What the hell is going on in here?” Isaiah Striker strode through the door like he owned the place, which Sonia realized he did.

He glanced from one to the other and shook his head. “Let’s take this into the office. Half the patrons in the club have already left. Those are powerful vibes you’re giving off, my friend.” Isaiah turned from Damek and studied her. “And I don’t know who you truly are, but I would advise you not to anger our mutual friend any more than you already have.”

Sonia scooted closer to Isaiah and Damek bared his fangs. Isaiah held up his hands in mock surrender. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but you’ve brought your problems here and we need to settle this.”

“We will go elsewhere.” Damek was back under control, all urban sophistication once again. Sonia was panting hard and her sweater was stuck to her body with sweat. She felt as though she’d run a marathon and had come dead last. Dead. Definitely not a good word to use given the situation.

“No, you won’t.” Isaiah put his hands on his hips and glared at Damek. “You’ve worried Meredith, and I don’t think it’s safe for your guest to be alone with you right now.” Isaiah dragged his hand through his hair, making his biceps ripple. “Come on, man, you need to calm down. Let’s go into the office and talk.”

“She knows I’m a vampire.” Damek threw that little tidbit out and it landed between them like a live hand grenade that hadn’t exploded. Yet. “Don’t you, my sweet?”

The endearment he tacked on at the end sounded more like a curse, and Sonia swallowed hard. Why hadn’t she kept her questions to herself or played dumb? Because this was the quest of a lifetime for her, that’s why. Her curiosity might get her killed yet, but she was still alive and ready to fight if necessary. Although her chance of success was little to none unless Isaiah and his employees helped her.

Isaiah’s eyes narrowed on her and she realized whatever good will he’d had toward her had just vanished. She truly was in enemy territory. There was only one thing she could do.

“I’m a member of The Keepers,” she blurted.

When they both looked at her as though she was speaking in tongues, Sonia knew if she couldn’t talk her way out of this situation, she was as good as dead.

“I don’t know who in the hell The Keepers are but this discussion needs to move to a more private location.” Isaiah opened the door and pointed. “Now.”

Damek was beside her before she could so much as blink and wrapped his fingers around her wrist like a manacle. “Don’t make a scene or you’ll regret it.” He bent down, picked up her phone and tucked it into his jacket pocket.

Regret sliced through her like a knife. She’d been stupid to think there could ever be anything more than business between her and Damek. But how she’d secretly hoped for more. Damek had tapped into the sensual side of her nature without even really trying. Her erotic dream was evidence of that. She was drawn to him in a way she’d never been to any man. Of course, he wasn’t exactly human.

She’d liked the mysterious club owner, the charming companion and the man she sensed lurked beneath the persona he’d carefully built. He’d seemed…lonely. That was the word that came to mind over and over and she’d longed to be the woman who eased his loneliness.

Yeah, like that would happen. Once again she’d followed her heart instead of her head and it had gotten her into deep trouble.

She might be drawn to the man she thought he was, but she knew nothing about the vampire he truly was.

Damek tugged on her arm and she reluctantly followed him out of the bathroom. It was a shock to see that the rest of the world was still as normal as ever. Patrons danced and ate, but there were a lot less of them than there had been. Neema cast her a sympathetic glance as they passed but made no move to interfere. She glanced toward the door but the bouncer was looking at Isaiah and whatever signal he’d gotten from the other man had him turning his attention back to the club. She was so screwed.

She stumbled along behind Damek with the crowd parting easily for them. Of course, she’d get out of the way too if she saw Damek and Isaiah coming toward her. No, that wasn’t quite true. She’d be more likely to approach them and ask questions, which was why she was in such hot water.

“In here.” Isaiah stood back and let Damek pull her into an office. Meredith was already sitting on the edge of a large desk, which dominated the space. Meredith glanced at Damek’s hand where it was wrapped around Sonia’s arm, but offered no comment.

Damek shoved her into a chair and casually took the one next to her. Sonia wasn’t fooled in the least by his show of nonchalance. The tension in the room was palpable and the walls seemed to move in and out, undulating with each passing heartbeat. The air was alive with static electricity and the fine hairs at her nape stood on end. Beneath her sweater, goose bumps raced down her arms even though she was sweating.

Oh yeah, there was a lot of power, a lot of anger in this room. The curious thing was she didn’t think all of it was coming from Damek.

She turned her attention back to Isaiah as he assumed the chair behind the desk and stretched out his long legs beneath it. The muscular build, the animal grace, the way he assessed her and subtly sniffed the air all made sense. No wonder she’d recognized him. He reminded her somewhat of her beloved papou.

“You’re a werewolf, aren’t you? I’m not sure if you’re full-blooded or half, but I know you are one.”

Isaiah put his hands behind his head, showing off his massive biceps. “I’m trying to figure out if you’re really as naïve as you seem or if you’re the most conniving bitch I’ve ever met.”

Sonia winced. “I didn’t mean it to be disrespectful or to worry you. I’m no threat to you or your pack.” And many of them would be living and working here because wolves were pack animals. Not many lived in cities, but it wasn’t totally unheard of.

“Well, that’s where we might have a difference of opinion.”

Beside her, Damek stirred and pure menace rolled over them all in waves. “Don’t threaten her, wolf.”

“Why not? You brought her into my club, my home, without knowing what kind of threat she was.”

“Enough.” Meredith’s voice was low but filled with command. “How do you know such things?”

Sonia set her purse down on the floor beside her and rubbed her sweaty palms over her jean-clad thighs. Her sweater was clinging to her back and she knew they could all smell her fear, but there was nothing she could do about it.

“I’m a member of The Keepers,” she began.

“You said that before,” Damek pointed out. “What does that mean? Is it another faction of the paranormal bounty hunters?”

“God, no.” She shivered at the thought of being associated with those butchers.

Meredith suddenly picked the phone up off the desk and dialed a number. “Hi, it’s Meredith. Where are you?” She paused and nodded. “Good. I need you in the office as soon as you get here.” She ended the call. “Craig will be here in about two minutes. He was already on his way over. Apparently, Hank called and let him know you were here and with a woman, no less.”

There was obvious affection in Meredith’s voice for this Craig person. Sonia only hoped he knew more about The Keepers than the rest of them did.

“You never answered my earlier question,” Damek pointed out.

“Which one?” she countered.

“Why did you think I was a vampire?”

Sonia studied his familiar face with its classic features and dark eyes. “I didn’t know for certain. It was a hunch more than anything.” When he gave a small growl of displeasure, she held up her hand to silence him and was surprised when he actually subsided. “Honestly. I stumbled over some articles on Inhibitions when I was researching the death of several men in and around Wicker Park last fall. Something about the findings was off. They said some of the men were shot and others looked as though a large dog had mauled them. Since pit bulls are a favorite breed with drug dealers, the police called it a drug killing and left it at that.”

“But you didn’t.” As he studied her, Damek’s gaze seemed to penetrate her very soul.

She swallowed hard and shook her head. “No, I didn’t. It had all the classic signs of a paranormal bounty hunter/werewolf attack. Of course, it could have been a drug killing too. So I kept researching and stumbled on to Inhibitions quite by accident. There was a grainy picture of you in one of the articles. I know most people believe that vampires can’t be photographed or seen in mirrors—”

Damek cut her off before she could continue. “But you know better.” He swore under his breath. “Some idiot snuck a camera into the club and that damn picture was out before I knew it existed.”

Sonia shivered, not wanting to know what had happened to the photographer. “I became obsessed with finding out more about you. Everyone I spoke with about the club seemed to feel it had some kind of hold on them while they were there, making them lose all inhibitions.”

“You, better than anyone, know what mass hysteria can do to a crowd,” Damek pointed out. “As a folklorist, you know all about such things. Look at the Salem witch trials, where everyone condemned those poor people with no hard evidence. It’s the same principle at play at my club. One or two people push the boundaries and before long so does everyone else.”

She nodded. “I know, but I had to see it for myself. To see you for myself.” Sonia looked away from Damek’s penetrating eyes, not wanting him to see how badly she’d wanted to find him, not for research, but for herself.

“This is all a little too pat for my liking.” Isaiah sat forward and put his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers together. “I don’t like it. This is a problem that needs to be handled.”

Another shiver raced down her spine and Sonia ceased to breathe. She could almost feel the chill of the Grim Reaper brushing against her neck.

“It is not for you to decide.” Damek stepped behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. He gave them a gentle squeeze and she looked up at him. As unbelievable as it seemed, he was protecting her from the werewolf.

And what was she to think about that? Did she even want to think about that?

A knock came on the door and a man entered. He was in his early twenties with a friendly face, sandy-brown hair and wire-rimmed glasses. His build was lean, not heavy and, whoever he was, he wasn’t a werewolf, at least not a full-blooded one or a half-breed.

“Hey, Damek.” The younger man greeted the vampire and then nodded at her before turning his attention to Isaiah and Meredith. “You needed me for something.”

“Yes.” It was Damek who answered. “Do you know who The Keepers are?”

“Sure,” he answered. “What do you want to know?”