Branded by Sin Page 4

  He kept his Mark 23 under the driver’s seat of his car; time to start carrying it on his person again. A vampire wouldn’t die from a gunshot wound but it would knock them on their ass long enough for Sean to move in and finish them off. Although he enjoyed hand-to-hand combat, efficiency was more important when dealing with someone like this Søren guy.

  The informal vampire meeting moved on to the kill of the day. “Tell me what happened today,” Giacomo asked. “Looks like the work of the same vampire, yes?”

  Tasha shifted her weight on the arm of the chair and nodded. “Another one bit the dust. Or one of your boys bit the poor dead guy, is more accurate.”

  Sean took over. “I’d say judging by the wounds and lack of blood, we’re looking for a chop-and-drop type. And he didn’t just bite and suck. He ripped the dude’s throat open. Since the chump was dead, I’m guessing no viable venom was dropped when the deed was done. So, could be a prepubescent who’s out of control or someone who just enjoys the kill.”

  Having the vampire version of the birds and bees explained to him had been as awkward as when his mother had forced his father to explain sex to Sean at fourteen. After Sean’s killing spree, Giacomo had told him since he hadn’t reached vampire puberty, for lack of a better term, he hadn’t changed any of his victims. It took roughly ten years before a vamp’s venom was developed enough to change someone. Before that, what came out of their fangs was akin to the venom of a nonlethal spider. It would make a victim sick but wasn’t potent enough to initiate the cell death and restructure. After being infected by viable venom, the incubation period was quick—seventy-two hours or less.

  “I’m thinking our hit man may be behind this,” Giacomo pondered. “It’s a little coincidental that we have three bodies in one week. And right around the time I find out he’s looking for me.”

  “Why would he do that?” Tasha asked. “I mean, wouldn’t he want to just get in, do what he came for and get out?”

  “Who knows?” Giacomo stroked his beard. “So, two orders of business then, find this idiot vampire dropping bodies in our backyard and find Søren and end him.”

  “You should lay low for a while,” Sean said to Giacomo. “You shouldn’t have come here today, knowing all this.”

  “With the building short-staffed, I had to check in on some things. After today, you won’t be seeing any more of me than usual. Not until it’s time to put this asshole’s body in the incinerator.”

  The BBE location was no secret to other vampires. Søren had to know exactly where Giacomo’s office was, but gaining access to get at him was a whole different ballgame. A BBE-issued card was required to open the gate to the underground parking lot and a code punched into a keypad opened the door to the building. Security was tight, and if an intruder managed to hack his way in, he still risked being caught on the closed-circuit television.

  And if Giacomo wasn’t here, it wouldn’t really matter anyway. No one, not even Sean, knew where Giacomo lived.

  Chapter Three

  Even when he didn’t have to touch them, dead bodies made him feel dirty. Luckily, he wasn’t a corpse scooper anymore and had the seniority to let that shit roll downhill and onto someone else’s head. Sean poured shampoo into his hand and lathered his hair. A hot shower, a shave and brushing his teeth, and he’d feel better. He was almost finished when Lila popped her head behind the shower curtain.

  “Can I come in?” She smiled. Her front teeth overlapped slightly, giving her an imperfect charm.

  “Like I’d ever say no to you.” He winked and held his hand out to her.

  Already stripped down, she grasped his hand and stepped in.

  “How was your day?” He kissed her forehead and they traded places so she could stand under the spray.

  “I had to watch a documentary on Martin Luther today for my world history class.” She rolled her eyes. “My brain is so dead.” She closed her eyes and smoothed her hair back while Sean ogled her. She was short, with a curvy body, full breasts and small, dark nipples that he liked to bite.

  It had been a long time since Sean had attended a college class and he didn’t miss it in the least. “Exciting stuff, huh?” He laughed.

  “Not the kind of religious experience I prefer.”

  Sean appreciated all types of women. Lila wasn’t like most he’d been with though. She was soft, supple, goddess-like. Perky tits and smooth skin came courtesy of her youth. He liked how the tops of her thighs touched, hiding her treasure.

  “I know exactly the kind of religious experience you like, babe.” He strummed his knuckles over her nipple as she rinsed her hair.

  Lila sighed and turned around to back up against him. “Mmm. Yes, you do. Was your day okay?”

  “Yeah.” They would have to talk about what was going on at the Empire but he needed a release first and so did she. The conversation would go much smoother if she were relaxed, post-orgasm style. He cupped her breasts from behind and kissed her shoulder.

  She reciprocated by reaching back to stroke his cock. The contours of her fingers slid up his length and her fist circled the tip.

  He nibbled her ear. “Damn, baby.”

  “You’re so hard already.” She turned to face him and slid down to her knees. Water dripped off her eyelashes as she stared up at him and rubbed his thigh.

  He braced his hand against the tiled wall as she sucked his cock. She never took much more than half and he didn’t push it. Gagging didn’t turn him on and her hand did a great job making up for it. Her teeth lightly scraped over his shaft and he shivered. If women only knew the real power behind a good blowjob, they would take over the world. Her lips closed around the tip and she tongued the slit. His muscles tightened. A little more of that and he’d be done for.

  He caressed the back of her head before sliding a hand down to her shoulder to help her up. “Let’s get out. I want to eat you.” That phrase held much more meaning to him than it did to her. They dried off quickly and he carried her into the bedroom, depositing her on top of the comforter. He crawled over her, covering her mouth with his before slinking down her body until his face was at the V of her thighs. He lifted her leg and inhaled deeply. Nothing compared to the smell of her pussy. He kissed the back of her thigh and licked her slit, teasing her with the tip of his tongue.

  She shivered and sighed, lifting her other leg. Goose bumps rose on her flawless skin and her nipples hardened into sharp peaks.

  He used his fingers to hold her open and expose her clit. The female body was amazing. That tiny pink bundle of nerves held more power of persuasion than the most educated brain. He touched his tongue to it and it pulled back of its own accord. He smiled and closed his lips on the nub, sucking lightly.

  Lila’s hips raised and her toes curled against his shoulders. He slipped his middle finger inside her, just to the second knuckle. Her magic spot was right there. Angling his finger up, he stroked her in a “come here” motion. Her clit tightened along with her pussy.

  The femoral artery runs right through the thigh. He pressed his thumb against it and felt her heartbeat. His cock was already hard and his fangs dropped. The pubis was a blood-rich environment, especially when engorged like hers was now. He added a second finger inside her and tongued her clit while still sucking.

  Lila moaned and her thighs trembled. “Don’t stop. I’m so close.” She arched her back and pushed his face against her mound. Her pussy clenched on his fingers and that was his signal.

  He pulled his mouth away from her clit, replacing his tongue with the pad of his thumb. He licked the juncture of her thigh and sank his fangs into her artery. Blood spurted over his tongue as he fucked her with his fingers and prolonged her orgasm. Her clit throbbed in time with her pulse and she screamed. He held her leg in place while he fed. Blood spraying everywhere would definitely kill the moment and leave him with some explaining he’d rather not have to do. He took what he needed, closed the wounds and kissed his way back to her clit, giving it a final lick.
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br />   Lila hyperventilated, her hands clutching the pillow on either side of her head. He kept his fingers inside her and moved up, licking her nipples, biting them.

  She looked down at him, mouth agape. “Damn.”

  “You’re so wet.” He tugged her nipple between his teeth and fingered her slowly. “I’m going to fuck you like I own you.”

  “Mmm. I’d love that.” She lifted her legs around his hips and pulled him up for a kiss.

  He removed his fingers from her body and squeezed her thigh, holding it tight against his waist. He positioned his dick at her opening, pushing just the head inside. “God, you’re hot.”

  She trailed her tongue over the twin piercings just below her bottom lip.

  He gripped her breasts and kneaded, pinching her nipples before sliding his hands up her arms. Careful not to squeeze too hard, he locked her wrists together above her head with one hand and pinned her down with his body. She liked relinquishing control and he enjoyed subduing her.

  Lila didn’t resist or try to break free, which, in the grand scheme of things, was good. A little struggle was fun but could be dangerous.

  She stared at him with wide eyes. Her gaze searched his face, darting from his eyes to his mouth and back up.

  He wondered if she ever caught a glimpse of the predator lurking just below the surface; the one who was tempted to really hurt her, who would feed off her fear, who might not stop if she told him to. He rocked his hips and buried his cock deep. Her pussy gripped him and he paused before pulling out and entering again, faster, harder.

  She squeezed her eyes shut and panted. Her hands clenched into fists beneath his grip.

  Sean buried his face in her neck, dragging his fangs over her collarbone and licking the slight trail of blood. She was an exercise in control and he teetered on the ledge every time. He’d never hurt her but they both enjoyed coming close.

  He released her wrists and cupped her face—so beautiful, so expressive. Every wince and whine set the pace. He pumped into her slow and hard.

  She scratched her black-lacquered fingernails down his back and held his ass, her fingers digging into muscles that flexed with every thrust. “Sean. Mmm.” A fine layer of sweat on her forehead caught wisps of her dark hair and pasted them in place.

  He smoothed it away and kissed her temple. “You’re gorgeous. Your pussy feels so good.” The urge to get as deep as possible took over. He gripped her thigh, just behind the knee, and opened her wider.

  Almost sobbing, she whined, “Yes. Yes.”

  To power his thrusts, he used his knees until that last stroke lit up the stars behind his eyes and he held his breath, spilling his seed. He let go of her leg, knowing his handprint would still be there. Stroking her rib cage lightly, he kissed her. It was easy to be tender when his needs were taken care of.

  She exhaled and laughed. “One of these times, you’re going to kill me.”

  He looked to the side and smiled. “I really hope not.”

  ~ * ~

  Lila padded barefoot through the kitchen while Sean sat at the table and nursed a glass of wine. For being so small, she could eat. The sandwich she assembled could feed both of them. The taste of food was a long gone memory for Sean. Blood and booze made his mouth water nowadays.

  She bit into a pickle and carried her plate to the table and sat down across from him.

  Sean poured some Cabernet into her glass and thought of a way to bring up her being extra careful without arousing too much suspicion. Telling her a dangerous vampire was lurking about, tearing people’s throats out, wasn’t all that plausible.

  “Something has come up at work.”

  She raised her eyebrows and took another bite of her pickle. “Like what?”

  Lila had no idea what he did or what he was. As cliché as it sounded, she thought he was involved in the mafia or the CIA or something treacherous and exciting. He was grateful she didn’t prod too much because he didn’t like lying to her. Being intimately involved with a human was discouraged but not prohibited, and he acknowledged the risks on both sides. The Empire’s security would be jeopardized if Lila found out about him. Likewise, he put her at risk simply by virtue of being around her. Any other vampire would smell Sean on her. She was branded by his sin. Once recognized, the outcome would go one of two ways. Either they’d leave her alone because they knew she was marked by another—or they’d kill her.

  He worried a lot more about the latter with some rogue vampire roaming the streets. “Look. I deal with some dangerous people…not-so-nice people. I’ve told you that before. I just want to remind you to be careful.”

  Lila took a sip of her wine. “Why are you giving me a safety speech again?” Her right eye narrowed like it always did when she was irritated.

  Sean swirled the red liquid in his glass and scooted his chair back. He went into the living room and opened his bag. Inside was a Ruger 9mm pistol, the perfect gun for Lila. It only required that she take the safety off before she pulled the trigger. Easy. It wouldn’t kill a vampire but would give her a chance to get away if anything happened.

  The magazine held six rounds and he racked the slide, making sure there was a bullet in the chamber and it was ready to use. He walked back into the kitchen, sat down and placed the gun on the table. “I want you to keep this with you.”

  She shook her head. “No. I could go to jail for that. I can’t carry a loaded gun. I have pepper spray in my purse. That’s all I need.”

  Pepper spray fucking hurt like hell but it would probably just piss off a vampire. Suddenly he felt as if he were making the situation worse and maybe he shouldn’t have said anything.

  “Okay. At least keep the gun here. Will you do that for me?”

  “Look, Sean. I’ve been understanding about your secrecy…”

  He reached across the table to touch her hand. “Please.”

  She pulled back. “I don’t like this.” She shook her head slower this time. “I know there’s a whole lot more you’re not telling me.”

  He sat back in his chair. “I just want you to be careful. That’s all.”

  “I’m always careful.” Lila pushed her plate away leaving half of the sandwich untouched. She swallowed hard. “You keep all these secrets and just expect me to smile and nod.”

  “It’s not like that. It’s not that simple.” Sean got up and walked around to stand behind her chair. He rubbed her shoulders and leaned down to kiss her head. Keeping the biggest secret of his life from her sucked but telling her would just complicate things further. And what would he say?

  Guess what, Lila? I’m not a secret agent or a spy or even a Mafioso. It’s way better than that. I’m a vampire. You’ve been fucking a vampire. Oh, and I drink your blood when I come. Isn’t that great?

  He imagined what the look on her face would be and laughed.

  Lila reached up and laid her hand on top of his. “It’s not funny.”

  “No. No, it’s not. I’m sorry. Do you want me to go?” For the most part, he’d been living at her house but still kept an apartment across town. And if shit got really bad, the Bad Blood Empire had enough space to house all its members onsite. He toyed with the idea of taking her there to keep her safe but that would require him telling her more, putting her in even more danger. Fucking Catch-22.

  Lila had bought him a toothbrush and some fancy man soap for the shower and cleared a drawer in her dresser to house his t-shirts and jeans. That was how she let him know it was okay to stay there. She didn’t gossip or talk about stupid crap like most women and spent an inordinate amount of time with her nose buried in this book or that book. She was the kind of woman his Irish-Catholic mother would have liked, save for the snakebite piercings under her bottom lip.

  The first time he saw her, she was running her tongue over those piercings and had given him an instant hard-on. Her boobs had been scrunched into a corset and she was dancing with another girl. He’d hoped she wasn’t a lipstick lesbian when he asked for her number. He didn�
��t normally date but something about Lila had enticed him. Despite his thrall, she’d resisted any advances the first few times they’d gone out and that made him want her even more.

  He wasn’t just attracted to her body or her blood, but to her brain. To say she was smart would be an understatement. She was a perpetual student and he thought as long as her folks were footing the bills, she might never finish. In her fourth year, she was still unsure of what she wanted to do with her life and she worked part-time in a bookstore for what she called “mad money”.

  He loved that she didn’t jump on his lap right out the gate and had engaged his mind. He respected her for that even though it had been near torture keeping himself in check. It wasn’t until after their fourth date that she gave him the go-ahead and they’d ended up fucking in his car in her driveway…

  The buttons on her top were open halfway down her chest and he was trailing kisses over her collarbone. He slipped his hand under her skirt and pulled at the elastic of her panties. “What do I have to do to get you out of these?”

  “Turn my brain on and you’ll get my panties off.” Lila tapped a finger to her temple. “Seduction starts here, in the inferior temporal cortex.”

  “I have no idea where that is but tell me more.” He massaged her thigh and sucked at her neck.

  “That’s the part of the brain that triggers arousal.” She opened her legs and moved his hand over her mound.

  “Well, am I triggering your cortex thing?”

  She laughed. “What do you think?”

  Judging by the heat emanating from her pussy, he thought he was on the right track. He stroked her over her panties. “I’m gonna say yes.”

  “Mmm.” She groaned. “Yeah.”

  Things moved fast after that. Clothes were peeled off and tossed around the interior of his car. Their tongues tangled and hands explored, touching, stroking, teasing until he was finally inside her.

  The engine was still running when she climbed off his lap. “Where did you throw my panties?”