Take On Me (Cursed Kin Series Book 3) Read online

“You know I won’t.”

  “I know – and thank you.”

  “That’s what friends are here for.”

  “You are my best friend and I’m so glad I ever met you.”

  “Me too.”

  “You ready, Mrs. Stallings?”

  “That sounds so odd,” Vanessa admitted, feeling a bit nauseous at the idea. How will she ever get through the next few hours? How was she going to handle her wedding night? Russ was expecting a virgin – and frankly, she was going to have to live in the memory of what had happened for her to lie there complacently. The thought of Russ touching her intimately made her skin crawl.

  “Get used to it sweetie,” Holly said with a knowing smile. “Russ will never go with you using your name over his.” Holly linked arms with Vanessa and walked towards the door. Vanessa knew her arms were trembling as she tried to be brave. Opening it, Holly stepped out into the sun confidently while Vanessa hung back.

  Vanessa felt like she was walking to the executioner. If she did this, married Russ – a part of her would wither and die on the inside. If she didn’t marry Russ, what would happen? Would she be disowned? Ostracized? Humiliated and rejected?

  “Oh God, what am I doing?” Vanessa wondered aloud to herself as the music rose to a crescendo announcing that the bride was coming down the aisle. She wished that she had a thick veil to hide behind. Her mother-in-law picked out a pillbox hat instead with a small sprig of pearls dangling on her face awkwardly.

  Thank goodness for instincts because Vanessa wasn’t sure how her feet managed to carry her to the front. She stared at the priest because she was absolutely certain that if she looked anywhere else, she would vomit. Her heart was hammering in her chest and she could hear roaring in her ears.

  Mistake! This is a mistake!

  Don’t do this! Run away!

  Blinking slowly and uncomprehendingly, she saw that the priest’s lips were moving but nothing was clicking upstairs in her brain. Could she be having a stroke? They were talking, right? Suddenly, everything came into focus as she caught the priest’s next words and her heart sank.

  “I know pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride!”

  Horrified, Vanessa felt Russ grab her shoulders under the cluster of beads and pearls. He turned her towards him and landed what was supposed to be a kiss. His wet mouth landed on hers openly and he jabbed his tongue into hers. She jerked away at the intrusion and swallowed hard as bile surged forward. She was going to puke!

  What was she going to do?

  * * *

  The next hour went by in a blur of camera flashes and well wishes. She didn’t want to think about what was coming for her tonight. Vanessa knew there was no way she could sleep with Russ.

  Absolutely no way.

  There was a massive difference between love, lust, friendship and being acquaintances… and Vanessa knew now she wasn’t in love. She lusted after another man. She barely tolerated Russ right now- so that didn’t qualify as friendship, and she sure didn’t want to make any more acquaintances tonight. She wanted to hole up somewhere and hide away from the world.

  Her black hair was twisted into a crown just like Princess Leia at the top of her head. The gaudy dress was baggy in places on her. She felt like she was the star in some freak-show or pathetic comedy – and only she knew the truth.

  “Would you at least try to look happy, ‘Nessa?” Russ whispered in her ear. She could smell his breath and it wasn’t the sweet hops of a dark beer he’d just enjoyed at the bar. No, the scent was off and bothered her to no end. Russ was a clean-freak but there was a distinct difference between the two men. Her stranger from the bar tasted like sunlight and ocean breezes – like nirvana had been sprinkled on her tongue.

  “I think we need to talk,” Vanessa admitted and glanced up like a deer in headlights. Frozen, she couldn’t move because she thought she saw her guy from the bar here! She didn’t want anyone to know. She didn’t want anyone to say something – much less him.

  “Hey, glad I shagged you – but congrats on your nuptials, lass,” she pictured him saying in that thick accent. Would he recognize her or did he do things like that all the time? She was filled with doubts and regrets, unable to say a word. Her tongue felt like it was stuck in her throat and she could barely breathe. His blue gaze met hers as he looked sadly over his shoulder and walked out the door.

  “No,” Vanessa whispered. She stuck her hand out in front of her as if to stop him. The door was already closing and his dark head was gone. “No, this is all wrong.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “This. All of this. I need Holly- and I need some fresh air. Now!”

  “You need to settle down and gather yourself, Mrs. Stallings,” Russ said flatly with a tight smile. “If you need some air, I will take you out on the verandah.”

  “I need to go out that door,” Vanessa pointed, numbly wondering if it was her imagination or if he was actually here. Just seeing him made her feel like someone or something had caressed her very soul.

  “The verandah is this way.”

  “I’m going that way.”

  “This is not how marriages work. The wife cleaves to the husband,” Russ said tightly and leaned down towards her. “If you think I don’t know about your little escapade – you are sadly mistaken. My cousin, Sulina, told me all about your little romp at the bar. I will marry you for your father’s sake and to protect your good name, but if you think I will raise another man’s brat? Wrong. Now get your act together.”

  “Release me,” Vanessa hissed. She leaned in towards Russ, like an animal scenting its prey. “Hear me now: if you ever think I will cleave to you – you are stupider than I ever realized. You just taught me a lesson. My act is far from together- but I will work on it… alone. Enjoy your fucking party, Russ.”

  She jerked her arm from his and ignored the pain his fingertips caused as they had dug into her skin. Pushing through the crowds, she heard her name yelled several times and the music came to a screeching halt.

  Vanessa knew that she had made her decision and her choice. She burst through the doors, kicked off the gaudy heels and ran doggedly towards the limo that had just pulled up. This was wrong- all wrong. This marriage, the way she felt, her lifestyle, and how people kept pushing her around. Her choice was easier than she ever thought possible.

  She chose herself.

  4

  July 2017

  The last month had been quite an experience. Vanessa had made her choice and obviously it was the right one. Annulling her marriage to Russ had brought about several other separations she had not fully expected. Vanessa had been disowned by her parents and ostracized by friends of the family… as well as cousins, aunts, and uncles.

  She had always known that her father had hated her career and reminded her each time she saw him. She was supposed to be taking on the family business. Each time he did this, she felt like a failure or a let-down. Her black hair was a reminder that she was the black sheep of the family.

  Now she felt like she had a black stain on her soul.

  They treated her like she was tainted for making her own choices and living her own life. Her credit cards were cut off and her car had been repossessed by the company. She had a courtesy call from her father’s receptionist that the tow truck was on the way to collect her vehicle. Vanessa had no idea that her father had bought her car with company funds but thanked the woman profusely for giving her enough time to run downstairs with a tote bag. She had another phone call from her landlord to sign a different lease because her apartment was in her father’s name. All of this caused her to simply pack up her things and move to a cheaper location, closer to work.

  Two could play this game.

  If ties were going to be cut, then so would communication. Apparently they thought just alike because her cell phone was shut off two days later. Vanessa was served her papers at work, much to her chagrin.

  World War three was in process, and Russ was volleying grenades
at her left and right. She knew that her father’s lawyers were being used to draw up papers. Vanessa had called Glen, their attorney who’d gotten her first speeding ticket dismissed, and begged him to please be impartial.

  “Glen, I can’t explain but I need to file for an annulment.”

  “Miss Vanessa, you know your father will…”

  “Glen, I have no one to turn to. Please? I will make payments. Russ and my parents are going to go for blood. They aren’t happy at all with me right now and I just… I can’t…”

  “Miss Vanessa, let me see what I can do,” Glen told her softly over the phone and then switched tactics immediately. His tone of voice got extremely terse and it took her a moment to process what had happened. Someone had walked into his office unexpectedly and he was trying to silently tell her that.

  “Yes. Of course, you can always go after the pharmaceutical companies. I will get on it right away and reach out when I have something. Is there a number I should call?”

  Vanessa rattled off the phone number to her work and thanked him softly before ending the call. If her father or Russ was there, it wasn’t good. Thankfully, Glen understood this and she got a brief call the next day simply stating that he would do what he could. When Vanessa was served her papers, she breathed a sigh of relief.

  The annulment was simple.

  Russ Stallings would keep everything he owned and Vanessa would not petition for anything. It also said that Vanessa would pay for the attorney’s fees due to her jilting her husband due to her ‘flagrant infidelity’. A small yellow sticky note was on the front of the packet that brought tears to her eyes.

  Total bill due is $5.00 – Glen

  Take care of yourself, kiddo

  Wiping her eyes, she hugged the manila envelope and papers to her chest. Things would be okay somehow. She had a roof over her head, a stable job, and would find a way to move on. Today would start day one of Vanessa’s new life- a life that she chose to lead and make decisions for regardless of the outcome. Whatever came, she would simply deal with it and be all the happier for it.

  That night was the first time she had truly slept in weeks.

  5

  October 2017

  “Fi- I need you to head to the airport. Your flight is in thirty minutes,” Brion ordered in the phone as Fiacha looked at his older brother’s tanned façade on the iPhone screen he held in his hand. God, the man could be bossy and arrogant sometimes.

  “Hello to you too,” Fiacha snapped and rolled his eyes. “Have you ever seen traffic on Highway 121 to get to DFW Airport? It will take me over an hour to get there, not to mention… why exactly am I flying somewhere?”

  “Conn’s got someone special…”

  “Daphne. Yes. We chatted on the phone about a week ago.”

  “She’s in danger.”

  “From Conn?”

  “I don’t think so. Maybe she is?”

  “You don’t know? I thought you knew everything?”

  “I know that if you don’t get on the road you’ll miss your flight. Head to the Love Field Airport instead. It’s going to end up being closer for you. Go to the United kiosk.”

  “Chicago,” Fiacha said with a heavy sigh. Traffic here, traffic there… He was blindly going into a dangerous situation. “Can you at least brief me on what I am doing or looking for? Don’t just say ‘Daphne’ like that answers everything- details are important.”

  “I know they are- but I just don’t have them. Something is blocking my view and that has me worried. I’m actually getting on a flight myself and will be landing about thirty minutes behind you.”

  “You are coming from L.A.? Should I wait for you and we can ride together?”

  “No, time is of the essence. I can feel it in my bones. I will meet you at their apartment.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  “That is what family is for,” Brion muttered. “We are all each other has and we need to do what we can to keep our loved ones happy.”

  “Aye. That we do.”

  * * *

  Fiacha stood awkwardly looking up the stairs of the apartment building. This wasn’t his brother’s place. According to Brion, this was Daphne’s home. He felt all kinds of foolish running up to a woman he didn’t know and telling her she was in danger- especially if he didn’t know what from. Taking the stairs, he stopped for a brief second to catch his breath and knocked on the door.

  “Apartment 1901, right?” Fiacha whispered into the phone, tugging at his collar.

  “That’s right. Knock again,” Brion ordered and then Fiacha heard him hollering. “Stupid driver! Use the damn turn signal! It’s the stick that makes the lights go blinky-blinky, idiot! Can no one drive anymore?”

  Just before Fiacha could comment or laugh, he felt his stomach drop into his shoes as the door opened tentatively. The woman he’d seen on FaceTime from Conn’s phone a week or so ago was standing there. She had long black hair, with very fine features that made her look almost like a cameo model. Elegant, Old-World, and strangely enough… dressed in a haggard barmaid’s dress? He shook his head for a moment and stared before remembering the date.

  It was Halloween.

  “What the heck?” Daphne blurted out crassly and he saw the flare of recognition in her eyes as she looked at him.

  “You’re in danger,” Fiacha announced quickly, hearing Brion’s voice harping in his ear. The phone was crackling and he heard honking in the background, causing him to jerk it away from his head for just a second.

  “Go! You need to help her get out of there!” Brion parroted and started yelling again. His brother had some serious road rage issues.

  “Are you talking to me or the phone?”

  “You,” Fiacha said, distractedly. “Brion said you are in danger and you need to hide. I’m here to help you.”

  “I’m probably in danger from you guys. I am not the town snack you know,” Daphne smarted off at him and started to shut the door. Fiacha quickly put his foot in the way and she had the gall to start kicking it so the door would shut. Didn’t she understand?

  “Don’t do that. I’m serious. He’s never wrong and you are one of us now. If Conn knew I let you…”

  “Oh yeah? – and where is Conn?” Daphne snapped. “Am I in danger from him? Has he bothered to show up again?”

  “Look, I am the closest in proximity to you – so I volunteered to come.”

  “And I am beyond weirded out that you know where I live…” Daphne said slowly. He saw her reaching for something beside the doorway that she was currently trying to block from him entering.

  “That would be Brion again. He knows a lot and it comes in glimpses. Talk to him, please,” Fiacha said matter-of-factly, holding out the phone. Conn’s chosen woman was a lot sassier than he ever realized or imagined.

  “Stranger-danger. I gotcha,” she snapped. “Can you be a little more specific?”

  “Let Fiacha take you into hiding,” Brion ordered and Fiacha could see her face flushing red. A temperamental tic along her jawline told him that this would not be easy to talk her into. Was she just stubborn and ornery- or was there something else going on and it was just bad timing?

  “I’m good. I’ll lock…” Daphne was cut off abruptly.

  “Go! It’s getting closer and I can’t see it,” Brion ordered hotly and Fiacha felt himself break out in a cold sweat. The last time Brion had warned them about something, he’d actually found Fiacha in a ditch at Gettysburg. He’d felt almost an odd surge down in his bones and glanced up to see his brother jump down in a Confederate general’s uniform. Fiacha had snapped his hand up to salute before he’d realized it was Brion. His brother reached out, muttered something about ‘stupid kids’ and drug him by the earlobe out of the trench to a horse that was waiting. No one questioned the unknown general- including Fiacha. He had the strangest way of knowing when something was going to happen. His brother, Niall, called it the Sight.

  Fiacha reached out his hand to grab her arm and Daphn
e jerked a knife upwards to protect herself. He jumped backwards and gaped at the woman in shock. Didn’t she believe him? How could he tell her that Brion had saved them all over the years, travelling miles upon miles, when needed.

  “Too late,” Brion said and ended the call.

  Fiacha and Daphne both looked at each other with a moment’s shared sheer panic as he suddenly heard footsteps on the stairs leading up to her upper apartment. Whatever was coming… it was now here. Fiacha slammed into the doorway bodily, pushing Daphne backwards.

  “I’m going to protect you no matter what,” Fiacha exclaimed, and started to shut the door behind him only to have it stopped abruptly. A black, patent heel stuck into the doorframe. Daphne just gaped at him and looked past his shoulder towards the opening of the door.

  “Knock, knock.”

  “Shite!” Fiacha whispered and looked over his shoulder at Daphne in absolute horror and terror. He recognized that voice. It had haunted his nightmares for years.

  Cairene.

  His stepmother that had cursed them all. His life had been hellish since she’d waved her hands and cast a spell on the family. Niall said she cursed them. That didn’t seem like a harsh enough description to Fiacha. She had decimated his family and destroyed his psyche. How could you make an untrained boy into a hunter, a killer? He grew faint at the sight of blood and always had. A skinned knee would make him woozy….and she’d turned him into a vampire.

  Abandoning them all and separating them in order to save their lives.

  “Trick or treat, my loves… I prefer the treat part of the holiday!”

  Something crackled loudly and Fiacha jerked his hands off the door. The knob had gotten red hot and sizzled against his palms. The moment he’d released the door, Cairene walked into the apartment. She was dressed in a witch’s costume, complete with a cheap nylon hat that was bent at the tip. Her face was adorned with glitter. The irony was not lost on him.