Love Game Chapter 1

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CHAPTER 1

Danica

“IT’S COLD AS BALLS OUT HERE!” Danica stepped onto the tarmac, drawing her peacoat close to her frame as an icy wind whipped around the car and blew through her hair. She eyed the car door with a lifted eyebrow. She’d much rather jump back inside where it was warm and toasty over returning to university.

Too bad her brothers were already scrambling behind her.

“Evan, I’m telling you we’re in the wrong place. Dani, wait, get back in the car,” Julius said in a flurry from inside. He tried to pry his seatbelt off, but fumbled with the mechanism.

“We’re in the right place.” Evan paid their older brother no mind as he jumped out of the driver’s seat.

“We have to go to the lounge in the terminal before the plane arrives. Come on, I don’t want Dani to miss her flight. I have to get back to my mate. She’ll wake soon.” Julius stared pointedly at the watch on his wrist.

Like he can read it. She rolled her eyes. Julius hadn’t the faintest clue of how to read an analog watch.

He’d mimicked his mate, having seen her do it when he dragged ass to go any place that didn’t involve a bed. Well, at least she found one reason to return to her mundane studies. She’d no longer have to be around their mate-fest anymore. Yuck, really.

“Chill out, Erica will still be there. Not that I’d blame her if she wasn’t. She’s way too good for you, you know,” Dani quipped.

“Drop dead.” Julius’s lips flattened into a line when he finally emerged from the car. She fought a snicker.

“Ooh, I think you’ve touched a nerve,” Evan grinned, fiddling behind the trunk.

She scrunched her nose in agreement, watching Julius rake a pale hand through his dark hair. “He knows when someone’s out of his league.”

“No, I don’t want to get stuck at the airport while you try to wrangle another plane. I’ll leave you here alone. I’m not kidding.”

“What’s your rush? It’s not even dawn yet. Erica won’t wake until the sun is well within the sky,” she assured him, glancing at the horizon. Streaks of blues and oranges blossomed at the edge of the airfield, but the sun still hid.

“Is it a crime to want to be with my mate when she wakes up? Maybe with a little hot breakfast?”

Evan paused to stare at their brother in disbelief. “That’s actually thoughtful of you.”

She had to agree.

“Very sweet,” she nodded. “Now, grab me a paper bag so I can hurl in it.”

“You wait until you find your mate,” he grumbled.

“Don’t put that in my path!”

The last thing she needed was to get caught up in a mating situation. She glanced sideways at Julius, who bounced on his toes and looked at the watch he couldn’t read again. Mating made vampires do crazy things.

He’d faced a warehouse full of shifters for his mate. Dumbass. Not that he shouldn’t have saved her—of course, he should’ve—but going off alone was the dumbest thing he’d ever done. Good thing he lived through it, or Dani would’ve figured out a way to resurrect his dead body so she could kill him herself.

If that was the trouble a mate would bring, she didn’t need one. She had enough to deal with already, chiefly a mission to bring a steady blood supply back to her kingdom, and issues of her own. Her eyes darted to Evan. She needed to be careful of her thoughts around him.

Why? Do you have something to hide? He fiddled with the trunk as he pushed his thought into her mind.

Yeah, my own business. What the hell are you doing?

Trying to get this damned thing open.

Danica huffed, then crossed the few feet it took to grab the keys dangling from her brother’s pinky and pushed the button.

“Ah, that’s what that symbol means,” he said, scrunching his brow. “Can I push it again to make it go back down?”

“Not for this car.”

Evan pushed the key fob anyway, then waited for the trunk to have a reaction. He frowned when the trunk didn’t move. When would they realize she knew more about the human realm than either of them combined?

“Well, that’s stupid. Why do humans create things that only half work?”

“You got a car without that feature. Don’t blame them for your inadequacies.”

“Are you sure we’re in the right place? I don’t see anyone,” Julius cut into their spat impatiently, flipping up the collar of his thick black peacoat.

“This is the right place, dear brother. That’s my ride over there.” Danica motioned to a small plane debarking from a hangar and moving its way toward them. Julius’s forehead crinkled in surprise.

“Weren’t you on me about being inconspicuous as the King demanded?”

“This is!”

“I believe a private jet is the definition of conspicuous.”

“Semi-private,” she corrected, then explained that she’d have to share the plane with a few other passengers.

“Then why not take a regular plane? We do it all the time.”

“Can’t. I’m being forced,” she said. Her brothers tossed her twin disbelieving looks. “What? Don’t look at me like that, ask Damian! It’s his orders.” Their skepticism grew. She groaned. “I’m the socialite, remember? That means I don’t fly commercial.”

Each of them had their roles while in the human realm. While her brothers got to be businessmen, she had to play a socialite turned university student while she secured a permanent blood source for their kingdom. And part of that meant no commercial flights.

Truthfully, taking a semi-private jet was hardly a hardship.

“You’re taking this role a bit too seriously,” Evan said, leaning inside of the trunk.

“No, I can’t afford to screw this up like you have.”

“Excuse me?” Julius whipped around, offense lining his emerald eyes.

She waved him off. He knew he’d failed to get the two investments their brother needed to buy blood for their kingdom. Sure, the dragon’s bar would be a cash cow, but having one investment was risky. Just as she opened her mouth to point it out, Evan’s head popped up from the trunk.

“Uh, Dani, where are your bags? I thought you said they were in the car.”

“No, I said I took care of them. They’re being shipped. I couldn’t very well lug those heavy things around.”

“You realize they aren’t heavy to us.”

She groaned in frustration. “Socialite, remember?”

“You never cease to amaze me,” Julius scoffed playfully.

“You’re just jealous because I’m better at my persona than you are at yours.”

“Better at being a spoiled socialite? That’s barely a stretch for a vampire princess,” Evan chuckled.

Her eyes narrowed into slits. “Take that back or you won’t be my favorite brother anymore.”

“I think I’ll live.”

Several cars pulled up beside them and waited for the flight crew to open the plane. Five so far. Not bad. Five humans in cramped quarters were doable.

“Wait a moment, how is he your favorite?” Julius cut into her thoughts. “Evan lies.”

“No, I don’t.”

“He’s more honest than you are. Plus, he wouldn’t have sent me across town when his mate’s life was in danger.”

“You will never let me live that down, will you?”

“Did you or did you not almost get yourself killed?” she asked rhetorically.

More cars pulled into the lot. A lot more humans than she’d originally thought would be on her flight. Ten, to be exact. Ten thudding hearts to contend with for a six-hour flight. Not good. She could already hear their heartbeats grow stronger as more crowded in. Her throat became suddenly too dry to swallow.

There’s blood in the car. Evan pushed into her mind.

Thanks to the all gods, she sighed in relief. At least one of them had enough smarts to come prepared. She’d forgotten to feed that morning and it was imperative she satisfy her thirst before boarding. Otherwise, her control would slip.

It’ll get better with time. Evan’s reassuring thoughts invaded her own. Yeah, sure. She’d heard that song and dance from every single one of her siblings.

That was easy for them to say. They weren’t the surprise child who had to learn everything fifty years behind everyone else. To them, controlling their carnal urges was easy. How long it would take for her control to center was anyone’s guess. For now, regular feedings seemed to calm her thirst.

“It’s in the box in the back,” Evan pointed at the car.

Opening the back door, she reached into the box on the floor. There were a ton of black packages, but none of the clear ones she’d kept at the hotel.

“Evan, where’s the blood?”

“That’s it,” Evan said, leaning against the car, nodding at the packages in her hands.

“No, the real blood.”

“Hmph,” Julius’s voice turned sing song. “Are you sure Evan’s your favorite?”

“That’s not funny Jules,” she cut him a ferocious glare, then looked over her shoulder at her lanky brother who’d better have an explanation. “I can’t drink this.”

“Why not?” Evan stared at the black bag of synthetic blood in her hands. The question was simple, but from the gleam in his eyes, she could tell he tried to read her thoughts. Not going to happen. She shut them down. Evan bit the inside of his cheek.

What’s wrong?

Nothing. Nosey ass.

Then why are you avoiding your thoughts?

Because they’re mine and I can do whatever I want with them.

Why don’t you want the blood?

Because it’s disgusting. That’s all.

Evan’s unnaturally azure eyes bore into the side of her face in concern. I worry about you.

Yeah, well, he didn’t need to. She wasn’t a baby anymore.

He let out a reluctant sigh of frustration, then pulled out his phone. “I’ll make sure Asher is there when you land with provisions. Take another bag just in case.”

She groaned. “I won’t lose control. I don’t need my babysitter to pick me up.”

“He’s your guard.”

“Same thing,” she made a face. Besides, he’d gone ahead to run security checks and take a well-deserved break to visit his mate. He hadn’t seen her in months. Being a warrior turned personal bodyguard didn’t allow him much free time. She didn’t want to disturb him.

Evan said something about that being Asher’s job, but she ignored him and turned to Julius.

“Tell Erica I will miss her dearly. Promise me you’ll convince her to come to the castle when we’re all done.”

“I am not throwing her to those wolves.”

She frowned. “Not wolves. Our people.”

“We’re permanent here. I’m surprised you’re in a rush to get back to the castle.

“I’m not. But I’ll have to return once this mission is done. Mother will insist… for the games,” she groaned. Both of her brothers shuddered. Yeah, no one loved the courting games. Being married off to the highest bidder was last on her priority list. But vampires had their traditions. Maybe she should get herself mated while she was in the human realm on mission, that way she wouldn’t have to marry someone she didn’t love.

She shook herself of that thought. Mates made a vampire crazy. And crazy wouldn’t help her complete this mission with flying colors to solidify her place amongst the distinguished royals.

Several passengers in the gathering area shifted as the flight crew opened the plane. Her grip tightened on her purse.

“Looks like it’s time for me to go.”

“Have a safe flight,” Evan wrapped her into a hug. Are you sure you can handle it? We can charter another flight.

I’m fine. She let a calm smile play on her lips, returning his hug. “Don’t miss me too much.”

“I, for one, won’t,” Julius chuckled when she gave him a scathing look. “Kidding. Come here, you.”

Julius pulled her into a bear hug.

“Ow! You’re going to squeeze me to pieces. I’m going to miss you too. Now let me down. I can’t feel my arms.”

With a chuckle, Julius let her go. “When’s your next break? I’d to be prepared for when you come barging in where you’re not welcomed.”

“Fuck off, you love it.” The boarding line quickly diminished. She needed to get going. “Time for me to go.”

Pulling her sunglasses from her purse, she slid them onto her face just in case her eyes went vampire on her. Having them pool to black would scare the hell out of the humans on board. And that was not her definition of a good time. Neither was being on a crowded flight for the next six hours with nothing but nasty ass synth blood to keep her satiated.

“Make sure you drink it. It’ll help,” Evan said, glancing down at the black bag clutched so tight in her hands it threatened to burst over her fingers. She quickly put it into her purse.

Gritting her teeth, she nodded and bid her last goodbyes, then went to join the line. All the while, keeping her thoughts clear of everything except the smell of fresh air instead of the sweet smell of the passengers.

The flight attendant grabbed her ticket with a smile.

“Welcome Miss Craul,” the woman brightened instantly. “My name is Stacy. I’ll be your flight attendant this morning. If there’s anything you require, please let me know.”

Your vein, she thought with equal cheerfulness, but instead, gave the astute woman a slight smile and made her way up the stairs with one last look over her shoulder.

When she saw that Evan and Julius were pulling away from the tarmac, she let her shoulders slump. How the hell was she going to survive this flight without blood?

Her body didn’t tolerate synth blood the way theirs did. Whenever she drank more than a mouthful without actual blood in equal measure, it came back up on her. She would’ve mentioned it sooner, but everyone else had taken their rations so well.

Then, once again, she’d be the odd man out. The baby.

A lot of good that did her now.

Now, she’d be stuck in an airplane with the most delicious smelling humans alive with nothing but her self-control stopping her from tearing the entire place apart.

Pushing those thoughts from her mind, she forced herself to her seat. It was only six hours. Once the cabin became saturated, she’d become nose blind to the scent of blood and be fine.

She could do this.

SHE COULDN’T DO THIS.

Not while they sat idle past their planned departure time with the door open. Trying to go nose blind was ridiculously hard when fresh air reset her olfactory nerve every few minutes. To spite her, another gust of wind whirled through the cabin.

You’ve got to be kidding me. She checked the time. 6:18. They should’ve been airborne at 6. She held in an exasperated sigh.

Didn’t they realize they could be in mortal danger with a teetering vampire on their flight? She looked for the flight crew who should’ve been preparing them for take off.

Stacy distributed extra blankets while her colleague, a tall, skinny, overly cheerful man whose red tie was a bit crooked, handed out breakfast cocktails and snacks.

She needed the flight crew to hurry. The least they could do was pretend they were the premiere avionics company they touted to be on their website and close the door. In another wave, the scent of human blood assaulted her nose.

Her vampire rose to the surface and attempted to take over.

Not today, Satan.

There was not a gods’ chance in hell she was going to allow her vampire out. If she did, mayhem and murder would spew all over the jetliner. She fought with her base instincts until the antsy feeling of wanting to open a vein disappeared.

She must’ve looked like a madwoman clenching her entire body into a vice grip every few minutes, but no one seemed to notice. And by some miracle, no one sat in the seat facing her.

Thanks to the all gods.

At least she wouldn’t have direct temptation staring at her the entire flight. Keeping a voracious vampire at bay with a walking blood bank sitting in front of her would be nearly impossible.

It was bad enough, her nerves jostled inside her. She took a deep breath, saturating her senses, and refocused her attention.

Dani rummaged in her purse, but that wasn’t enough of a distraction. What she needed was a place of Zen. Every picture of tranquility she’d seen included a person basking in the sun with a serene look on their face. She couldn’t do much about the sun since it was coming up behind an increasingly overcast sky, but she could do everything else while she tried to ignore the buffet.

Especially the businessman in the back. Short sandy hair and a racing pulse that made her lick her lips. She needed to ignore the loud thudding of his heart, and not focus on how it would be easy to flirt with him, to convince him to join the mile-high club while she opened a vein. Just a tiny one. He’d heal before he’d stopped shaking from his orgasm.

Now, that was Zen. She could get what she needed and, with any luck, maybe she wouldn’t kill anyone. The odds of a kill significantly diminished if she satiated the cravings now, she decided. If they got any worse, she’d want more and more blood. Now, a few mouthfuls would tide her over.

She shifted in her seat to get a better look at him. His seat partner had taken a restroom break. Perfect.

Dani rose from her seat.

“Miss Craul, did you need something?”

What?

She whipped to the voice, her bones locking stiff in realization. Oh fuck. She’d been seconds away from losing it. She breathed through the tension.

“Um…”

“Are you okay, Miss Craul?” Stacy asked, concern peppering her round face.

“Yes,” she said, but the words came out like she’d swallowed a knife.

“The captain’s ordering everyone to take their seats. Our last passenger has arrived, so we’ll be taking off shortly. If you need something immediately, I can…”

Stacy’s voice trailed into the eons while her vampire went stalk still, frozen like a caveman encased in ice.

At the entrance, a deep cologne wrapped around her and weaved its way into her consciousness, blasting any sane thoughts to pieces. Its earthy notes made her close her eyes to revel in it. Sandy Hair paled next to the sheer delightful sweetness that emanated now. Forget about focusing on anything else.

The blood sung to her in a deep rhythm that pulsed from the owner’s veins to her ears.

The dryness in her mouth intensified. She wanted to taste him. No, she needed to taste him.

Her threadbare control vanished. There was no stopping her fangs this time.

Or the vampire inside her clawing to get out.

Author’s Note:

I originally wrote this scene, and it was 2 chapters instead of 1 but my editor and beta readers told me I could cut it to make the book shorter. (They were right! This dumps us right into the action). If you’re interested, head over to Love Game’s bonus content section to read the original 2 chapters.