Waiting in the Wings

Epilogue

New York, One Week Later

“So you like it?” Richard raised his arm as his bride twirled on their walk through the main doors of the Casere building. He maintained offices on several floors and allowed other vampires leases for apartments or businesses. The top three floors belonged to him and Kristina—their New York palace.

“I haven’t decided. I want it to have that cozy, yet exotic, dark, yet colorful atmosphere—more speakeasy than the girls are easy.” She skipped along beside him, her black boots clicking on the marble floor.

“We have plenty of properties to look at, and if you can’t find the one you like, we’ll build one.” He grinned.

She sprinted ahead and pressed the elevator button and beckoned him closer with a crook of her finger. He bent his head to hers—their mouths meshing together in a sweet kiss—and sighed. The trip home from the Arcana Royale was wildly uneventful, just the two of them making love every chance they could, and Kristina feeding more than she had since he’d turned her, but she glowed with vitality.

Her reunion with Pandora turned into squeals of laughter and shopping—which he was more than happy to indulge. Malcolm brought him up to speed on matters of business and helped him identify two lieutenants to shoulder the day-to-day burdens, freeing his time to spend with Kristina. He also instituted a no working after midnight rule. If his bride wanted to go somewhere, they went.

“Does it seem weird to feel like newlyweds again?” she murmured against his ear.

“Not at all. I am definitely the happy groom. We can even get married again if you like—invite anyone you want.”

The corner of her mouth quirked upwards and she slid a sideways glance at him. “I take it a Las Vegas chapel is out of the question?” The teasing glint in her eyes promised she wasn’t serious, but he nodded gravely nonetheless.

“Not even a remote possibility—I would rather live in sin.” The doors opened to their penthouse, and she danced out ahead of him. He followed, hands in his pockets and enjoying the whimsical joy she exuded.

“Speaking of sin…no more meetings tonight?”

“Just the quick check in with the boys, and then I’m all yours.”

“Perfect.” She made a show of looking at her watch. “My next performance begins in exactly thirty minutes. Don’t be late, or I’ll get started without you.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She sashayed up the stairs, and his body tensed. Her last show had left him unable to walk for a day. One could only hope the encore left him similarly incapacitated.

Activating the security system, he stepped back into the elevator and rode it down to his private offices. The rooms were dark, and only a handful of his most trusted guards led by Anton and David remained in attendance, both of whom straightened as he exited the elevator.

“Is it here?” he asked.

“Arrived an hour ago, sir.” David set off ahead of him while Anton flanked him.

Even in the privacy of the building they maintained a discreet watch over him. A dozen others had drifted with him and Kristina on the streets earlier, but maintained a greater distance to give the princess the private time she craved.

A large trunk sat squarely in the middle of his office. Half-dozen vampires ranged around the bolted monstrosity. He walked around to the front and studied the seals. They were intact.

“Open it.”

The men took turns hauling off the chains and freeing the locks. When the lid flipped open, Richard smiled down at the bound and gagged Andrew. He was pale, but hardly emaciated. A week of incarceration hadn’t even begun to desiccate him.

“Good evening. Welcome to New York. I owe you for about fifty years of hospitality.” His smile grew. “I truly hope you enjoy your stay. I know I will.”

Yes.

All was right with his world.