Shadowing the Beast by Beyond the Page Publishing

Author:Beyond the Page Publishing
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: vampire, honor, sexy, chicago, revenge, rescue, turning humans

• • •

A few minutes later, when they stepped inside the posh foyer of the restaurant Giorgio had named, Julie saw a place not unlike every other establishment in the neighborhood. Well-dressed diners enjoyed wine from an impressive cellar while ordering from leather-bound menus she imagined bore steep prices—if any at all. Subtly sensual music flowed around them, the sounds muted so as not to interfere with intimate conversation. When Stefan asked for Gus, a hostess scurried off to find him, apparently unsurprised at the request.

A small, dark-haired man in a tuxedo strode toward them, a broad smile on his round, pleasant face. “Gus Rubio at your service. How may I help you today, my friends?”

“Giorgio ce li dice serv refreshments speciali per i vampires.”

Though her Italian was rusty, Julie was pretty sure Stefan said Giorgio had mentioned the place served special refreshments for vampires. Feeling very much out of place and more than a little afraid, she laid her hand on Stefan’s muscular forearm, concentrating on the conversation to translate as much as she could of the rapid Italian they spoke. From what she managed to decipher, she knew Stefan had introduced himself and identified his clan, and that Gus had shown great pleasure in meeting what he apparently considered an important guest.

Si. Segualo, i miei amici. Good. Gus had declared them friends and asked them to follow him somewhere. He lowered his voice, speaking now in unaccented English. “Come this way. I have a table for you among our very special guests.”

Gus escorted them through the public rooms, leading the way through a swinging door to what she assumed led to the establishment’s kitchen. It wasn’t that at all, but a second lounge, just as luxuriously appointed, similar to the public area. Soft blues music wafted through the room from ceiling-mounted speakers, sensual sounds that surrounded and encompassed them. Muted strobe lights bathed the room in tones of red, purple, blue and green. A few couples swayed on a raised hardwood dance floor while others sat at small round tables or in darkened corner booths, apparently intent on enjoying their drinks and engaging in quiet conversation.

“Vampires?” All of the occupants looked perfectly normal to Julie, rather like an assortment of prosperous businesspeople out for a night on the town. Not a single one had blood-red lips, white-white skin, long red talons or a widow’s peak. Not all of them even sported the raven-hued locks she’d associated with vampires, even since she’d accepted Stefan’s tale.

“Every one of them, except for a few mortal companions like you, miss.” Gus smiled broadly, revealing his own needle-sharp fangs as he shifted his gaze to Stefan. “It’s a real honor to have one of the d’Argent clan visiting with us. You just let us know if you or the pretty lady need anything.”

“I imagine Julie would like a more conventional drink than what you serve back here.” Stefan squeezed her hand. “Julie?”

This was too much. Not at all the dark, scary place she’d imagined.

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