“You know, Drake, I’m kind of a jealous guy. I don’t think I want my wife to be your acquaintance, much less friend.”
Drake laughed. “Wife? Surely, you didn’t really marry this sorry excuse for a vampire?” he asked Marie.
“Are we quite done here?” Marie asked sternly.
“Oh? She speaks!” He lightly pushed William out of the way. “Tell me, can he protect you from me? We need a witch in our coven. We could give your everlasting life, wealth beyond your dreams. You’d never have to lift a finger again.”
William stepped in-between them. “You touch me again—”
“What? You’ll kill me?” Drake feigned being scared. “Relax. I’m not going to hurt her. One bite from me and she wouldn’t feel a thing,” he said, looking at Marie.
“Get the hell away from us,” William said. “The sun is rising, and we need to get back to our hotel.”
“Ah yes. Tomorrow then. I look forward to it. Otherwise, I’ll come back here and burn this old hag of a witch myself. Don’t think I won’t do it.” He walked backwards to his car. “Think of it this way, you both will be safer with us. We’re a family.”
“I have a family, thank you.”
“Seriously, how’d you end up with the likes of her? When I met you years ago, weren’t you a manic depressive and somewhat of a suicidal paranoid waste of a vampire?”
William ignored him as Marie found another car to drive them to their hotel. Drake waved goodbye to them and got into his car. He rolled down the window and backed his car up to where they were standing. Drake handed William a card with an address. “I’m going to make this easy on you. Meet me here. I won’t be alone, and I can’t guarantee you won’t get hurt by some of the other vampires, Will. But I can personally assure you that no harm will come to your pretty wife. It would, in fact, be my pleasure to keep her safe. She won’t even feel a thing. Be there, midnight. Or face the consequences,” he said and drove off.
Their new driver arrived. William gave him the address to their hotel and told him to be speedy.
“There’s not much time,” he said, the sun already rising.
“We’ll be okay,” Marie said, placing a hand on his knee.
William, though, was preoccupied. “Damnit!” he yelled at no one in particular.
Marie cleared her throat. “We have a rough night at the tables,” she said to the driver.
“Happens to us all. I hear that at least once a day.” William ignored the both of them, but it was obvious to Marie that he was upset.
They didn’t speak until they got into their hotel room. William put the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door and locked it while Marie turned down the curtains.
“Marie, I am so sorry to have gotten you involved in all of this. That fucking guy is a giant asshole. As vampires, we’re supposed to keep a low profile. We’re not supposed to cause a scene or disturb the peace. I mean, who does he think he is?”
“William, it’s okay. Honestly, this was bound to happen one day. I was actually surprised it hasn’t happened yet,” she said, remaining calm.
Meanwhile, William’s temper was only rising as he paced the floor. “He thinks he can get away with this?” William shook his head. “We’ve got to do something about him, Marie.”
She nodded. “We’ll wake up early and get our hands on an executioner’s axe. A replica should be enough.”
He looked at her. “An executioner’s axe? What for? We can just go to the hardware store and get a wood chopping axe.”
Marie shook her head. “No way, you would never be able to get one swing with that.” She gave him a hard look. “Wait a minute. Did you use an axe from the hardwood store for yourself?”
He nodded. “Yeah, someone strong should be able to do the trick in one fell swoop.”
“I don’t think so. It’s way too small.”
“Where are we going to find an executioner’s ax in time?”
“You’d be surprised. There are a lot of collectors out here,” she said. “And we’ll show up to Drake’s address early while he’s still asleep. There, job done.”
“A coven like theirs is bound to have daytime security. Someone who can be awake during the day.”
“No, I don’t think so. That costs money and you said it before, vampires are cheap. If he’s working for a car-sharing company, then that’s how he’s getting his money, so it’s not like he’s making a fortune.”
“Well, I guess there’s only one way to find out,” he said, stifling a yawn. “We’ll need to hit the hay if we’re going to be getting up early.”
She nodded. They shed some of their clothing and got into bed together. William was in boxers, and Marie took the shirt William had been wearing and threw it on. They climbed into bed together.
William placed an arm around Marie. “I won’t let anything happen to you, so don’t you worry.”
“I have a few tricks up my sleeve, too.”
“I know. Goodnight,” he said.
“Night.”
WHEN MARIE WOKE UP later that day, she checked the time on her phone. It was one in the afternoon, and she had gotten little sleep. She took a look at William sleeping beside her. He was out cold.
Marie got out of bed and walked over to the window. She peeked through the curtains and took in all of Vegas beneath them. She took a deep breath and mentally tried to prepare herself for the day ahead. Closing the curtain, she stripped down as she walked to the bathroom for a long hot shower. Peace before the storm.
When she got out of shower, she felt the chill in their hotel room. Instead of putting clothing on, she climbed back into bed, where she knew it would be warm. Completely naked, she snuggled up to William. Her still damp body felt cool next to his. William put his arms around her as he slowly woke up.
“You’re about as chilly as a vampire before feeding,” he said.
“Mmmm. Funny to think that I’m using a vampire for warmth.”
“What time is it?” he asked, without opening his eyes. “You smell good,” he said before waiting for her to answer.
“Thanks. It’s five minutes past one.”
He groaned.
They were quiet for a moment, his hands exploring her body. He finally opened his eyes.
“Wait, you’re not wearing anything.”
“I just got out of the shower. And you were still in bed all warm and cozy. I came to borrow some of it from you.”
He didn’t reply but pulled her body in closer to his as his hands continued to slowly roam her body.
They were quiet for a few moments before Marie broke their silence. “William, are you really considering sticking around?” she asked.
“Well, I’m thinking about it, yeah,” he answered sleepily. “I need to make sure you’re safe.”
“I told you this morning, I can take care of myself.” She didn’t want his pity.
“I know. Look, I just need a little bit of time to figure it out,” he said, looking into her eyes.
She nodded, loving how genuine he looked as he was looking at her. Her body, responding to his touch, ached for him.