Chapter 11
Chad stood in the middle of a small dark nasty smelling room wondering for the hundredth time if he had truly lost his mind. Memories of the night at the hospital haunted him. No he hadn't lost his mind, revenge had overtaken it. The need for revenge was strong filling his every second making him sick with hate.
“You got the money?” A raspy voice echoed from a dark corner of the room.
Chad tossed the envelope on the table next to him. “It's all there. Count it if you want.”
Long pale fingers reached out from the darkness tapping the envelope with one long pointed fingernail. “You sure about this human? Usually it is you bringing me treats to feed my hunger. Their blood is so sweet and tangy.”
No, he wasn't f*cking sure about this Chad thought, but straightened up. Too much depended on this transaction and he'd be damn if he backed out now. He had some paybacks to dish out and this was his only option. “Yeah, I'm sure so let's do this before I change my mind.” The envelope disappeared into the darkness.
“There ain't no going back.” The voice deepened.
“No shit.” Chad watched the thing behind the voice come into the shadowy light and knew he was totally screwed. Red eyes glowed from the darkness as a figure moved toward him. God this was crazy, but if he didn't take care of that bitch and her bloodsucking hero he was as good as dead anyway. This was the only way. Not a praying man, he sent one up anyway hoping the big guy would hear his one last request to survive what was to come.
“Any last requests human?”
“Yeah, make it quick.” Chad stepped back his eyes growing wide as he got the first look at the thing behind the voice. “Oh God.”
“Don't think God's gonna help you now.” The evil laugh echoed through the dark room.
Chad screamed as he was attacked. His last thought was of the bitch and her lover dying by his hand. Soon, very soon. The screams stopped and the only sound in the dark room was the sloppy grotesque sounds of Chads blood being sucked from his body.
Nicole was the next player up to bat. The charity softball game looked to be a hit, no pun intended, and she loved it. All proceeds went to the shelters in the county to help with cost.
It had been two days since Damon had left her in Jared's care in which she beat Jared in their war on Call of Duty. She didn't ask where Damon went or why, but she would trust him to feed like he was suppose to and he looked better since that night so she knew he had fed, totally confident that it wasn't from Alice. She had tried to get Damon, Jared and Duncan to play, but they refused saying they would be there to support.
“Get your head out of your butt Callahan...you're up.” Mitch yelled from third base where he wore the coach's shirt proudly and let's say a little too seriously. It was, after all, a fun charity game. Yeah, right. In Mitch's eyes this was the World Series of all World Series. She had warned Mitch and the others that all curse words would be a dollar if caught since so many kids attended the game. It was kind of funny to watch Mitch's frustration at not being able to say what he wanted. Catching Damon's eye in the stands she smiled when he winked. Jared stood whooping and whistling for her. God, how embarrassing. She shook her head with a grin.
Sid had volunteered to ump for them seeing that no one would argue too much with the badass vamp. These games, even for charity got a little heated. They, the Cincy Cyclones, were going against the Newtown Tigers. Rivals for years at these charities, but all in good fun. Nicole took her place and readied herself to bat more nervous than ever because she could feel Damon's eyes on her. What that man could do to her with just his eyes alone was unnerving. She glanced over at Mitch who was doing all kinds of weird stuff with his hands and hat. She had no clue, and neither did he, what the signs meant, but he said it would throw off the other team....yeah, right.
“Strike.” Sid yelled as the ball came sailing by her.
Okay, now that looked like a ball to her. Eying Sid for a second she then focused on the pitcher.
“Got a problem with that call?” Sid ask from behind his ump mask.
“Would it matter if I did?” She countered.
“Nope.” He chuckled liking his power position.
“You need me to slow that down a little bit Callahan?” Jim Blevins, the other teams pitcher snorted loudly.
“Give me what you got Blevins.” Nicole called back. She had played high school and college softball along with summer leagues so he had nothing on the girls who pitched to her before. Far from it. This time she made contact dropping the ball behind second base. Making it to first she glanced at Mitch who stood at his coaching spot with his arms spread wide.
“Lay off the candy Callahan and you probably could have made it to second.” Mitch hollered then focused on Pam who was up and started his signs again.
Pam kept jumping out of the batter’s box afraid of getting hit, but earned a walk. Pam pranced her way to first as Nicole headed to second. Next up was Eddie who hit to center field sending Nicole running and rounding third with Mitch whipping his arms around for her to go home. Seeing the catcher stooping she knew the ball was coming so she slid feet first just as the catcher got the ball.
“Out!” Sid who had thrown his mask off yelled. Boo's and yells were shouted from the stands. Mitch was storming to home plate yelling.
“Would hate to be you right now.” Nicole chuckled knowing his call was right on. She was out and that's why she wasn't in his face right now vampire or not.
“Get back to your base coach.” Sid pointed at Mitch who was pointing his hat at Sid yelling. “Go, before I throw you out.” Sid wasn't taking any of Mitch's crap.
After their three outs Mitch was giving them their positions leaving Nicole for last. “Callahan, go to center field.”
“No.” Damon, who came up behind her, answered before she could head out. “I can't protect her out there.”
“Damon I'll be fine.” Nicole sighed. “No one is going to do anything with this many people around.”
Damon eyed Mitch, not budging. “First base.” Mitch nodded.
“I don't play bases.” Nicole refused not wanting to sound like a baby, but wanting to play where she knew she could do good. She hated playing bases and sucked at it.
“For shit sake.” Mitch grumbled. “Take short stop and send Eddie to center.”
Both Nicole and Mitch looked at Damon who was staring at where short stop would be. When he nodded Nicole grabbed her glove and headed out on the field. Damon headed around the dugout toward short stop where he would be close. Jared was close behind him.
Damon stood on the sidelines his senses on full alert. He knew it was a matter of time before a hit was made. The longer it took the more alert he became because he knew it was coming. These people didn't give up until they got what they wanted and they wanted Nicole dead. Exactly who wanted her dead was still a mystery.
After getting the lay of everything Damon relaxed enough to watch the game. He was surprised at how good a player Nicole actually was. He really shouldn't be surprised. He watched as she played her position good heartedly taunting the other team and laughing when they taunted back at her. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a sloppy ponytail, her ball cap pulled low over her eyes. She was one of the shortest players on the field, but she played with no fear driving for balls, throwing people out all the while being the most beautiful woman inside and out he had ever known. The thought of someone wanting to hurt her sent anger surging through his body.
Cheering the last out Nicole started to head to their dugout as she looked over at Damon and stopped, her hands still together in a clap. It was as if her whole body stopped except for her heart which beat a hard frantic tempo in her chest. His stare was so intense it made her shiver and her legs feel like rubber. Her feet started toward him until Pam slapped her arm around her shoulders leading her toward the dugout talking a mile a minute. Peeking over Pam's shoulder Damon walked along slightly behind them outside of the field, but his eyes never left her. “Wow...” Nichole whispered looking away her body having all kind of needy feelings running rampant.
“Wow what?” Pam chuckled looking closely at Nicole. “Why are you so flushed? You getting too hot?”
“Yeah, too hot.” Nicole giggled shaking her head. Damn that vamp was going to cause her to have a freakin heat stroke.
The game continued, but Nicole was too busy watching Damon. He hadn't looked at her much since and she willed him to do again. The feeling was outrageous. She knew she wasn't one of those women who needed a man to make her life better, but man, it had felt good and she would like to have that feeling just one more time...dammit.
“Strike!” Sid yelled from behind home plate.
Nicole glared back at him. Crap, she was batting and staring at Damon. What the hell was she doing?
“What?” Sid flipped his mask up glaring back at her. “You want a do over?”
“What in blue blazes are you waiting for Callahan?” Mitch yelled in his annoying coach voice. “Hit the little white ball.”
Glaring at the catcher when he chuckled she got in her ready stance and concentrated on the pitcher. She swung and missed.
“Strike two!” Sid yelled.
“How'd ya like that one Callahan? If you need a more girlie throw I can do that for ya.” He demonstrated by taking a slow step forward like he was going to toss it nice and slow underhand.
“Crap.” Nicole hissed under her breath. A-hole out there was not going to strike her out. “Come on, stop taunting like a girl and throw the ball.” Nicole grinned as Jim's face flushed in anger. Nicole watched the ball all the way in and swung as hard as she could. The bat and ball connected almost taking Blevins head off. Dropping the bat she took off to first then rounded to go to second, but stopped seeing Blevins screaming and yelling heading right for her.
“You did that on purpose.” Jim bellowed as the benches cleared players yelling over each other.
“Jim, you know that's not true.” Nicole chuckled backing away knowing that Jim was just kidding. “Cause if I would have done that on purpose I would have hit ya.” Nicole glanced over to see Jared holding back Damon. She gave him a thumbs up letting him know she was okay. They always ended the games with a bench clearing so both teams got thrown out and no one was really a winner. It was after all a charity event not a regular season game which she played on through the summer.
Soon everyone was laughing walking off the field while the spectators cheered and headed toward the food. Nicole had lost sight of Damon, but saw Jared waiting for her.
“Nice game.” He grinned. “Thought you were going to behead the big guy for a minute.”
Nicole chuckled shaking her head. “Nah, Blevins isn't a bad guy. Just talks a lot of smack and I wanted to take him down a peg or two, not kill him.”
“He went to cool down.” Jared answered the question she hadn't ask, but wanted to badly. “Thought he was going to kill that guy when he charged you yelling.”
“Sorry, I should have warned you guys about the way we end the games. It was a big hit the first time it happened for real when the benches cleared so we all decided to end them all that way having both teams thrown out so no winners.” Nicole waved to a couple of people who walked by. Then she spotted him standing alone. Without saying anything she headed toward him.
“What are you doing over here?” Nicole smiled adjusting her heavy ball bag up on her shoulder.
Without saying a word Damon lifted the bag off her shoulder and slung it up on his. “How much longer?”
“It's going to be a while yet.” Nicole glanced behind her watching the hungry mob attack the food tables. “You hungry? I'm starving.”
Damon glanced at the crowd with a frown. “Not really.”
Feeling disappointment Nicole sighed. “I can't leave Damon, but if you want to then I'm sure Jared and Sid will stay.
Shaking his head, he nudged her toward the crowd. “Come on.” Damon grumbled. “Just don't blame me if I accidentally kill that pitcher.”
Nicole laughed with a cock of her shaped eyebrow. “Accidentally?” Shaking her head at his serious expression she laughed again. “Jim wasn't going to hurt me Damon. I could probably take him with all those fancy moves you've taught me. It was all a show for the crowd and to end the game on an even keel.”
This time Damon's eyebrow cock up into his runaway bangs. “Fancy moves?” Damon frowned. “I teach sensible killing moves to keep you alive, not fancy.”
Rolling her eyes Nicole chuckled grabbing his arm. “Come on before all the food is gone. I'm starving.”
“For as little as you are you sure do eat a lot.” Damon teased.
“You ain't seen nothing yet buddy.” Nicole liked this teasing banter they had going on.
Damon smiled down at her before following her toward the food. The rest of the night was spent talking and eating. Nicole was happy to see that Duncan had brought Steve who was now talking to a girl his age and seemed to be charming her. Yeah, she knew how the poor girl felt. Damon was doing the same thing to her. He was polite to everyone, even Jim who he talked motorcycles talk with.
Nicole heard her phone ringing in her baseball bag and dug for it. Glancing at the number she didn't recognize she flipped it open. “Hello.” When no one replied she pressed her palm against her free ear cutting out most of the noise around her and walked a few steps away. “Hello.”
“So you think you're safe?” The deep voice on the other end hissed.
“Who is this?” Nicole replied, a wicked chill skimming up her spine as she took a step toward Damon
“Do not take another step.” The voice demanded. “Before I kill you I have decided to make you suffer.”
Oh God, he was here somewhere. Damon was still talking, but had turned his body toward her instead of her being at his back. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. “Who is this?” She whispered knowing she wouldn't get an answer, but she did and it was one she would never forget.
“Your worst nightmare.” He rasped with a chuckle. “I will give you five seconds to save your boss.”
Nicole gasped looking desperately for Mitch. “What?” Her voice shook not understanding until she saw the red dot on Mitch's forehead. “Oh God no!”
“One.” The man counted out.
With no thought to anything but Mitch Nicole took off running knocking people out of her way. She heard Damon yelling for her as heavy footsteps pounded behind her. Reaching Mitch she heard the sound a gun shot just as she jumped at Mitch tackling him to the ground. The wooden fence splintering where his head had been. Screams and panic sent people running. A heavy weight landed on top of Nicole.
“Are you hit?” Damon ran his hands frantically over her body checking. “Goddammit Nicole, are you hit?”
It took her a minute to get her bearings. “No.” Nicole shook her head. “I'm fine. Are you okay Mitch?”
“I'm fine.” Shaken, Mitch looked up at the fence which had a huge hole where he had been standing. “What the hell is going on?”
Sighing in relief Nicole scrambled for her phone that had fallen out of her hand landing a few feet away. Shaking so badly she could hardly get it to her ear. “What do you want?” She screamed into the phone.
“For you to suffer.” The voice responded, but before he cut off the connection he added. “Next time I won't miss Nicole.” Damon knelt beside her taking the phone.
Jared rushed up. “Whoever it was is gone.” Jared told Damon as he glanced at the fence, then at Nicole. “You okay?”
For the first time since this whole thing started at Club Zero Nicole wasn't okay. “No.” Her body started to shake from the horror of what had just happened. “No, I'm not okay. This isn't okay. Nothing is okay.” She rambled, standing up on wobbly legs.
Tossing the phone to Jared, Damon steadied Nicole. “Give this to Sid to see if he can find out where that number came from.”
“I need my phone.” Nicole said panicked. “You can't take my phone.”
“I'll give it right back.” Jared replied jogging toward Sid.
Nodding Nicole glanced over at Mitch who was sitting down at a picnic table looking haggard and shaken. Walking over, Nicole sat next to him. “I'm so sorry Mitch.”
“What do you have to be sorry for?” Mitch grumbled then tried to grin. “Unless you're sorry you saved my ornery ass.” He tried to make light of the situation, but it didn't work. There was nothing light or funny about it at all.
“No, I'm sorry you got dragged into this.” Nicole looked away wondering how her orderly life had shifted to total chaos.
“How did you know?” Mitch turned his full attention on her.
“I got a phone call and he ask me if I thought I was really safe. Then he said he wanted to make me suffer before he killed me.” Nicole felt Damon's hand on her shoulder. She swallowed hard, her eyes conveying the horror she had felt, still felt. “He told me I had five seconds to save you. I saw you standing there and then noticed a red dot on your forehead and well....you know the rest.”
Mitch's eyes widened a bit then he reached over and hugged her. “Thank you.” He pulled back, his eyes soft and moist for a second before turning back to normal. “But don't think that gives you any brownie points Callahan.”
Nicole smiled sadly. “Didn't think any such thing boss.”
After talking to the police Damon hurried Nicole to the car tucking her into the passenger seat. The ride to her apartment was silent. Each of them absorbed in their own thoughts. The only connection was Damon reaching over taking her cold hand into his.
Once at her apartment Nicole pulled out her keys to unlock her door, but as Damon went to unlock it, the door creaked open like in a spooky horror flick. Before Nicole knew what was happening Damon had her pressed into the wall, his back pressed up against her. “Stay put.” He ordered as he pushed the door open wider, his body still blocking hers from any danger.
Peeking around his broad back Nicole got the first look into her apartment and cried out. “Oh my God.” Her apartment was torn apart.
Damon reached around behind him shielding her body with his as he stepped into her small apartment. Closing his eyes he felt with his mind and senses to see if the person who was responsible was still in the apartment. It took only a second to realize they were alone.
Feeling Damon relax slightly she pushed herself around him to see the damage and wished she would have stayed put as he had ordered. Everything was destroyed and strewn all over the floor. Reaching down she picked up the book Pam let her borrow setting it on her kitchen counter. “Why?” Nicole ask, feeling lost.
Damon watched her closely. He knew she was on the edge and was just waiting for her to plunge over. A lesser woman would have collapsed under the shit Nicole had been thrust into over the past week. Week hell, just today. First Mitch and now this.
Dread so strong burned in her chest as she looked over to where Ren and Stimpy made their home and cried out. “Nooooo.” She ran to the shattered bowl searching for her turtles. People had dogs, cats, birds, but Nicole had her turtles that she loved. Seeing Ren on his back laying still under the table their rocky home sat on, she knelt down ignoring the broken glass digging into her hands and knees. Carefully picking him up she prayed he was okay. Turning him over bile pushed to the back of her throat at the words crudely carved into his shell....SUFFER... “Ren, come on...come out.” She taped on the shell which both turtles responded to, but this time instead of his head poking out the turtles long neck flopped forward, the head gone.
Hearing the keening noise coming from Nicole's throat Damon reached down and pulled her up taking the turtle from her. When he caught this f*cking guy he was going to show the bastard what suffer meant. Pulling her into his arms he pressed her head into his chest reaching for his phone. “Jared get over to Nicole's fast, bring Sid and Patrick.” He clicked the phone closed seeing the other turtle laying a few feet away with the word BITCH carved into its shell. Yeah, the bastard was gonna pay.