We arrived at the club/bar after about a twenty or so minute or so drive. There was a line all through the front. This is really where he wanted to be? I shook my head as I followed them to the front of the line.
"Are you serious! We've been waiting outside for an hour!" A group of people yelled as they let us in without any question.
Guess he's quite the regular. . .
There were a bunch of flashing lights as the bodies danced against each other. The Waitresses were dressed with small fabric of shiny material barely covering them as they moved throughout the crowd with trays and drinks in hand. The music was thumping all sorts of loud rock music. Jarred pulled us over to the bar.
"Sup boss, didn't expect you here tonight!" the large bartender said looking at Jarred and I looked at him confused.
Boss? Since when did Jarred bartend?
"Who's the pretty lady with you two tonight?" he raised a brow at me.
"The pretty lady is my fiance Jaxon, his little sister can you get us our normal VIP room?" Rickey curled his arm around my waist pulling my to his side.
Jaxon put his arms up in defense.
"Well shit, my apologies then. . .?" he looked at me as he tossed a rag to his other bartender.
"Luna" I gave him a small smile.
"Well nice to meet you Luna- must be a special lady to lock that one down- I'll have Lilly meet you up there in five or so"
Rickey rolled his eyes tugging me away from the bar.
"Thanks Jax" he muttered.
Jarred laughed shaking his head and lead the way to upstairs. Part of me wanted to ask so many questions with what I just witnessed, but I didn't even know where to start let alone if right now was the time. Jarred punched in the code and opened the door to a small ish room that was line with a leather booth wrapped around the whole room in black. The walls for a sparkling white and black and the back wall and front wall were covered with mirrors.
"Can't believe we're bringing your sister here" Rickey snorted.
"Why what's wrong? You don't want her to know your filthy other secrets?" Jarred chuckled plopping down on the booth.
"What secrets?" I looked at them now even more concerned then earlier.
Were they both hiding secrets now?
"It was a joke. . . he just has a bunch of girls he used to screw running around here, so do I so" Jarred shrugged spreading his arms out and Jarred sat down next to him.
"So uh, what was with the joke downstairs?"
I plopped down beside them as they got comfortable.
"You mean Jax?" Rickey looked at me.
I nodded.
"I mean, Jarred does own and run the place so I'm not sure I understand what you mean. . ."
I blinked.
He what? How did I not know about this?
Before I could answer the door opened and Joshua walked in shutting the door behind him.
"You guys really thought you were going to start without me?" he shook his head laughing as he took off his jacket.
"Did you say he owns and runs?" I raised my brow at Rickey.
"I uh, didn't exactly tell her that. . ." Jarred muttered giving Rickey a look.
"Why would we bring her fucking here then?" Rickey snapped.
"Yikes I came when the fun was about to start huh?" Joshua grinned sitting at the far corner.
Jarred sighed.
"Yes, I own and run this club. . . the drugs and everything between in it" he laid his head back rubbing his forehead.
I shook my head.
"In my defense, I told you I would keep you and my brother out of it- which I have, this is slightly different" he pointed out.
He did always say he didn't want us involved for a multitude of reasons. I was still a little ticked off though. The door opened again and A girl about maybe five foot two ran in and hopped on his lap with a grin as she leaned in to whisper in his ear. Little did she know I could still hear.
"I knew it was actually you when they told me, you've been away for a while" she nuzzled against him.
He smiled.
"I know, but I'm back- for tonight anyway"
She pulled away and looked around the room and I looked at her different outfit compared to the girls downstairs. She had a super short mini skirt on that was black and a halographic-like bra with a pair of tall heeled boots.
"You even brought Joshua- who's this girl? I thought you were with his brother?" she nodded to Rickey as she made herself comfortable on Jarred lap.
I was really hoping we were getting drinks soon because my head was flooded with questions the longer we were sitting here.
"How many times do we need to answer this question. . . jesus we aren't sharing her- this is his sister and my fiance for fucks sake" Rickey groaned annoyed.
I'm sorry, I know this is a lot.
He grumbled in my thoughts.
I guess, I'm a little surprised. Is this Lilly?
I responded back as Joshua, Lilly and Jarred discussed what drinks they wanted brought up.
Yes.
"Lily, do me a special favor will you? Find me something that'll make me forget tonight will you?" Jarred purred as he played with her hair looking into her eyes.
"Of course, anything for you" she purred back.
I wasn't sure if I was more uncomfortable that this girl was very clearly into him or that I knew he had a boyfriend and I wasn't sure the nature of their connections. It surely wasn't my place though.
"We're really getting high? That's why we came here?" Rickey shook his head as Lilly got up and walked out of the room.
"You make it sound like we never do this, listen I don't think you or me want to be in that house right now, and honestly this is the second coziest place- so are you gonna bitch and sit this out or are you joining? I don't give a Merda, but if you're going to complain the whole time you can get your own room" Jarred rolled his eyes.
I personally never partook in such activities, but I wasn't dumb I knew they both did them. To what extent I wasn't too sure, I never really thought to ask. I could easily sit here while they did whatever it is they wanted to do.
"Guess I know who's sitting this one out" Joshua huffed breaking his silence from the corner.
"Why do you say that?" I looked over to Joshua.
"These two always go at it when they call each other out, it's why they make such a good team."
He shrugged.
"First things first- who's all carrying?" Joshua looked at them both raising a brow.
They both rolled their eyes.
"You know we both are, come on now"
Rickey sighed pulling out a glock he apparently all this time had shoved in the back of his pants and laid it on the table.
"Don't freak, it's easier this way for us to keep up appearance as human instead of using our extra strength and everything."
Jarred raised his hands while he looked at me.
"This is fucking crazy. . . you really brought me to a drug den?!" I scolded them all.
Jarred frowned.
"When you say it like that it sounds so much worse. . ."
Are you going to be okay if I do, do some of the drugs she brings up?
Rickey's voice rang through my thoughts again.
It doesn't bother me, but if you meant feelings wise I have no idea. . .
I responded.
I didn't surprisingly enough, I never had experienced such a thing so I didn't know what would exactly happen. Lily eventually came back with a tray filled with a few bottles of liquor and champagne and a big white package and placed it on the table in front of us.
"This, is why you're my favorite"
Jarred chuckled reaching forward opening the package, from the small information I knew about such things I knew it was coke. A large amount at that.
"We can go if you feel uncomfortable. . ." Rickey whispered to me
"I'm fine, trust me I've walked in on him enough" I leaned into Rickey's side now putting my head on his shoulder.
Joshua handed us glasses filled with absinthe.
"To the Kings and Queen, and to a night we hopefully make into a blur" he said as he raised his glass.
"Forget more like" Jarred muttered before taking a big gulp of liquid.
I knew he was in pain somewhat, but he wasn't willing to show it just yet. . . And that was okay. I leaned back after taking my drink and watched as they turned up the loud music and started doing their lines of coke. Joshua sat in the corner patiently and engaged here and there but mostly we talked to each other minus the small interruptions of Rickey pulling at me to be against him more. It seemed Rickey was also not ready to let things go yet because he was more touchy than normal and being what he told me about him being so scared he had lost me I figured this had something to do with it. Hour had passed before Jarred finally yelled to get our attention.
"Alright Rickey, I need you to go down and check in on our sales and everything, Joshua man the door from the outside Lilly I need a moment alone with my sister"
"Book keeping? Right now dude?" Rickey looked Jarred confused.
"Did I fucking stutter? Go"
Rickey rolled his eyes slipping away from me and muttered something under his breath as he walked out and Lilly and Joshua quickly followed behind.
"So uh, what's up?" I asked awkwardly.
"How are you feeling?" he looked at me.
I shrugged.
"Little hazy, but pretty alright why?"
"I. . . I need to tell you something"
He turned down the music a bit.
"You know. . . I should have known that Jason was hiding something from us. . ."
"Jarred. . ." I tried to stop him from blamig himself and he shook his head.
"You know I asked him once, why he chose to run away with you. He being the little jerk he is- was asked if I tried to run when Zadicus came for Vera and I. . ."
He sighed looking down at his hands into the glass of now whiskey and took a big gulp.
"I told him no. . . and he said then I already knew why, because he loved you with every fiber in his human and vampire body. . ."
He chuckled leaning his head back and I stayed quiet just listening.
"Maybe I gave him the stupid idea, I don't know I just feel like I should have known you know?"
"I do. . ." I whispered softly.
"I'd do anything to trade places with him Luna, you have no idea it fucking kills me I let him down twice- I lost him twice" He let out a shaky breath now.
I scooted over to him and held his hand and looked at him.
"You know he'd be proud of you right now. . . I know I am" I gave him a smile.
He smiled.
"Even though I brought you to a drug house tonight?" he laughed.
I nodded.
"Even though you brought me to a drug house yes, honestly- it's kind of impressive we didn't know about this"
He grinned with a flash of confidence coming back into his eyes.
"Well, I did make you both a promise after all" he reminded.
"You did, you did but a little warning, I suppose would have been nice?"
"We said normal appearances, it is odd for you to be here- but it isn't for me" he grabbed a cigarette and brought it to his mouth lighting it.
"I will say you do seem quite. . . comfortable here" I gestured to the room.
He laughed.
"Well, I did decorate it myself- but also I do enjoy it's company that it offers, Lilly has been here a few years she's probably my favorite if I were to be honest"
"Sooo, does Jeff like know about her?" I uncomfortably shifted in my seat.
"Oh you mean the way she acts with me? Yeah he knows, sometimes he's even here so we're fine sorry I didn't mean to put you on the spot with that I forget not everyone knows"
I shrugged.
"It's not really my business, but you know I had to ask anyway- is this why you sent them all out?"
He shrugged taking a drag of his cigarette.
"I didn't exactly want to spill my heart out with a bunch of people. . ."
He got up and walked to the door and banged three times and stepped away sitting back on the seat.
"They'll be back soon enough"
Joshua opened the door and stepped in.
"You two good?" he looked over at us before coming over to the table grabbing a bottle.
"Peachy" Jarred quickly responded.
"You gonna ask Lilly out this time or sit in the fuckin corner?" Jarred quipped.
"Dude shut up. . . we had a fling" he rolled his eyes.
"How are you feeling?" Joshua changed the subject looking at me.
"I uh, a little numb and fuzzy, but okay" I was feeling fine at the start of Jarred and I conversation.
Now however, I was starting to feel a little weird.
"Huh, I'm a little surprised the blood bond can work that way- maybe you can shift your control?" Joshua suggested.
I don't wanna be in control with him though. . .
I thought to myself.
"Maybe."
I shrugged.
The door flew open and Rickey marched in and grabbed me picking me up into his arms grinning and sat down on the booth.
"I am back, Love"
"Numbers?" Jarred cut in on Rickey's little moment.
"We're in the positives- in fact we're on the higher end for just a weekday" Rickey looked up at me as he ran his hair through my hair.
You know. . . I can feel you right now.
Rickey's thoughts whispered to me, I felt my cheeks turn red.
I can't help it, I feel fuzzy. . . I don't know if it's the alcohol or you. . .
He gave me a eskimo kiss and just grinned closing his eyes.
"Hello, earth to Rickey, you doing anymore or what?" Jarred yelled suddenly breaking us out of each other's head.
"I'll take a blunt" Rickey shrugged leaning back pulling me against him as I sat on his lap.
☾☾☾
"Jarred I gotta get her home. . ." Rickey murmured as I nuzzled my face into his neck.
Hours had gone by and Jarred and Rickey had pretty much gone neck to neck with doing huge amounts of drugs while I just drank and Joshua had some alcohol and casual drag of some sort of weed.
"Are you really dipping out on me?!" Jarred laughed at Rickey.
Rickey scolded him.
"I have to take care of her, and you should be too- you stay here and we'll go"
"Matthew is outside waiting in a car, I'll stay with Jarred" Joshua cut in.
Rickey nodded as I put my hands on his shoulders and dragged my hands down his arm muscles.
"Come on doll, see you at home guys" Rickey smiled down at me and scooped me up into his arms and carried me out of the room.
"Why do you have to feel like velvet now. . . I can't stop touching you" I whined looking up at him.
He shook his head laughing.
"Can you walk? Or you wanna go out the back?"
I wrapped my arms around his neck and I felt the same warm tingling feeling of electricity shoot through my finger tips and I shivered.
"Out the back it is"
He shook his head and placed a kiss on my forehead.
☾☾☾
Somehow we had ended up at home in Rickey's room again. I could remember patches of us giggling in the car and grabbing at each other. Mostly him pulling my hands off of him as I kept talking about how great he fucking felt. It kept spilling out of my mouth. Or maybe I wasn't blocking him out of my head.
"Do you want me to change your clothes, Love?"
"Mmm, you can help me take them off like you normally do" I purred sitting up on the bed on my knees crawling over to the edge looking at him.
His eyes started to turn darker as he looked down at me.
"I can't tell who's feeding off of who's energy right now- and I- I'm so confused"
He admitted.
I kicked off my heels somewhere on the floor and laid back down on the bed curling up.
He sighed taking off his clothes and got on the bed beside me and stroked my hair.
"I'm sorry I'm the reason you feel like this babe. . . had I known. . ." he said softly.
I moved my head so it was on his chest and I rubbed my head against him feeling how warm he was. God he was really just so perfect feeling. . . like warm velvet, was that even a thing?
"Why are you apologizing? I'm way older than you- me getting a little contact high or whatever isn't that big of a deal."
He shook his head.
"I know that, but I also know you're- we're going through some things and like you said we may handle it a bit different. . ."
"You wanna know what I was thinking about?"
He swept the hair from my face watching me.
"I was thinking about how there might be a slim chance- maybe more I'm not sure, that I could shift my feelings more than yours, but that would mean I'd be in control. . . and we both know how I love it so much more when you are"
He grinned.
"Is that why you were feeling all hot and bothered? Nearly gave me a hard on you know"
I giggled.
"I'm sorry, but yes because you and I both know it's how we normally let things go. . . and I, I don't know. . . am I suddenly not good enough?"
His eyes widened as he shook his head sitting up more. The lights were off in the room, but I could still make out his face as if they were on but just much more dim. He looked so worried suddenly. . .
"No, no like I said, I just know we may not be in the best mental space right now. . . I love every inch of you okay? It's just I know I have swept us and our problems always so many times under the rug because we wanted to have sex to deal with it."
I looked down at my arms and sighed. He was right, I could deny that. I couldn't even be mad at him. . .
"Wanna see something?" I looked back up at him and he nodded.
I moved my hand across the skin of my arm over my tattoos and made them disappear.
"You always amaze me. . . there's always something more perfect about you that I didn't know"
I laughed having my head fall back onto him.
"I know you're not used to me being so firm. . . I just don't want us to do something we'd regret you know?" he ran his hand through my hair slowly.
"I know. . . I'm not mad at you just. . . everything is fuzzy feeling- I feel good, if anything I might be calming down now, but I just. . . I don't know Zadicus is asleep I can't do anything- even plan my own husband's funeral"
"Is that what this is really about?. . ." he asked me softly.
I shook my head then shrugged.
"I know why he asked Jarred to do it, I just feel useless I guess- I'm not used to it, and I don't feel in control of much which is even more bizarre" I admitted.
"We'll get through it"
He pulled me tighter against him.
☾☾☾
A week had passed since we sent out the invitations about Jason's funeral. I couldn't believe this was actually still happening, but I had to get over it quickly. . . I was attending meetings again with Jarred, and Eric and Cassie were still present until at least after the funeral.
"So we all understand that we are to be here at sundown correct?" Jarred cleared his throat.
"Yes, Sir."
Everyone spoke in unison.
"Then you are dismissed."
Jarred leaned back in his chair as everyone stood up to leave.
"May I have a word with you both? actually Rickey as well if that's okay my Queen"
Eric spoke up as he bowed his head down slightly.
Everyone stopped for a moment.
"You all don't need to be present" Eric added.
They took that as their quick cue to get out of the room.
Alexander poked his head out of the door sending Joshua for Rickey.
"What is this about?" I asked growing impatient.
Rickey walked in raising his brow as he came over to sit next to me.
"I thought I wasn't joining in yet?"
"This is something different, so go on Eric- Cassie."
Jarred pressed you could tell he too was getting impatient.
"Well. . . I understand that when the plans were made all those years ago in case of. . . such horrible circumstances things were different"
"What do you mean? what about the plans?"
"Well. . . Zadicus is MIA and cannot be on the thrown I'm sure after this, unless of course for some reason you wish to do that. . . However Jarred was to be Jason's fill in for other reasons and or if there were something to happen to Jason and or Zadicus. . ."
He trailed off biting his lip as he paused.
"Now with Jarred's extra activities, I wonder if this would be a suitable thing. . . as I said these plans were made so long ago how could we have known and as for well. . ." Eric looked over at Rickey.
"He is after all so much younger isn't he? They work together as it is. . . so my question is-"
"Are you threatening my family?" I snapped.
"No I-"
"You are correct in things are different then when we first wrote them Eric but we will be still going with the plan, besides what other idea would you have?" Alexander interrupted.
"All I'm saying is what the public is probably going to say and ask. . . Jarred has done well with his time here I cannot deny, but does he have what it fully takes? And does Rickey?" Eric continued.
There was a sudden click of what sounded like a gun- but it was on my side.
"Believe it or not Eric. . . my job makes me even more qualified for the position" Jarred said calmly and I looked over at him.
Was he. . . holding a gun to him underneath the table right now?
Eric laughed.
"Yes, but I and everyone including yourself can't be killed really with such things you may as well be bringing a knife"
Jarred suddenly got a wicked grin as his eyes shifted to black.
"You would normally be right however, these bullets have Luna's blood in them so believe me they pack a different kind of bite."
"I think we can agree that there was some lack in confidence that is now resolved correct?" Alexander cut in again trying to bring things down.
"Listen Eric. . . Cassie, even though you haven't said a word- if you have decided to change sides after all these years then I have no problem replacing you or anyone else who stands in my way of bringing that piece of garbage to justice" I growled my words.
"The public will do and say whatever the fuck they want anyway, it doesn't matter if she marries either or them, or even you after the King's passing. Let alone the witch hunt now for Lord Zadicus."
Joshua added.
"We will go with whatever plan suits the situation best, I will do what is asked of me. If that means that I am not King that is absolutely fine with me."
Rickey finally spoke.
"I have nothing to prove to either of you, but you are right about one thing. . . I do always have Jarred's back and of course Luna's. . . so really either way it's not a bad fit now is it?"
I was surprised how calm he was being. He could have lashed out, swore even, but he didn't.
"Well, my apologies for making you all so upset. . . we will take our leave and see you tomorrow at the funeral."
Eric stood up bowing his head and Cassie did the same quickly bowing his head.
Their two guards opened the door and followed them out.
"This is stupid. . ." Rickey grumbled shifting his seat and putting his gun back that I hadn't even noticed he had out.
"I told you something was bound to happen, this isn't even the worst" Jarred shook his head putting his away.
"I must admit it is funny that you two are quick to pull your guns out" I raised my brow at them.
Jarred shrugged crossing his arms.
"We deal with humans don't forget, but also it doesn't hurt to have a trick up my sleeve"
"Mmm, yes about that please do tell how you managed to get her blood?"
Alexander asked stepping forward to the table.
Jarred simply rolled his eyes.
"I stole it from a fridge, back when Jason was alive of course so none of you knew."
Joshua shook his head opening his mouth to speak.
"Don't lecture him- he's not wrong it does give him an edge for situations I'll allow it but please next time tell me. . ."
I glared at him.
"Alexander. . . be honest with me, or Jarred. . . how bad is tomorrow going to be?" Rickey changed the subject.
"I'm not sure I understand your question? It's a funeral" Alexander looked at Rickey confused.
Rickey shook his head.
"I mean how bad is Luna going to be judged because of us."
Rickey spoke bluntly.
"Fuck them, they've had shit to say all these years anyway some people just can't be happy. The only true royal bloods anyway are Luna and Zadicus we now have proof of that and guess what? They surely aren't ruling together- the fact that he was starting to control Italy was an olive branch we thought- maybe it was he's not awake for anyone to question still"
Joshua shook his head.
"Hell we don't even know why he's still out of it and Luna and Rickey are both awake"
"Maybe the fucker is dead. . ." Jarred grumbled.
"You know that's not the case, you see the security cameras" Alexander reminded him.
"Yeah, but I can fucking hope" Jarred quipped.
"Well he better wake up soon we need a lot of answers" Rickey sighed.
"Do you feel, hear anything?" Jarred asked me.
I shook my head.
"It's kind of numb now, I feel pulls here or there now. . . I don't think it's from breaking my blood promise though . . . I think it's whatever is happening to him down there. . ."
"Is that what happened?" Rickey asked.
I nodded.
"I've never broken one. . . they do kill you if you break them, so I died- so many damn times. . ." I winced at the thoughts of the void.
"Delilah's was so quick. . . I had no idea" Rickey said quietly.
"They say the longer the promise the worse it is."
Jarred added.
"Wait, is possible. . . that Zadicus is taking the brunt of your blood promise?"
Joshua came to the table looking at us all.
ns 15.158.61.42da2
