Never Let Me Go Read online

  Contents

  Cover Page

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  EPILOGUE

  About the Author

  More Books from B.A. Stretke:

  NEVER

  LET

  ME GO

  Pittsburgh Vampires Vol. 10

  B.A. STRETKE

  Copyright © 2019 by B.A. Stretke

  Published by Superiorland Publishing

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person (living or dead), place, or event is purely coincidence.

  CHAPTER ONE

  "Benny Lakatos." He heard his name called and hurried to the desk to get his package. Staff mail was delivered to the Coven through the back entrance near the supply room. Packages didn't go into your personal box but rather were kept behind the counter and the mail personnel distributed packages once a day from three thirty to five thirty every day. If you miss it, your package stays locked up until tomorrow.

  He'd ordered a pair of wireless earbuds for his phone, and he couldn't wait to give them a try. He wasn't a tech nerd apart from needing the most current cell phone. He was obsessed with cell phones and was saving for the latest model to be released in the Fall. He knew everything about cell phone technology and was the go-to guy if anyone at the Coven had problems with their phones.

  Easton Sans, the Coven's tech guru, was teaching him how to build his own cell phone and it was exciting to learn about the absolute inner workings. But nothing could compare with the sleek, balanced beauty of a new phone, fresh off the line, and packaged beautifully upon arrival. Damn, he loved cell phones.

  He headed back to his room to play with his new earbuds when Victor, a co-worker, stopped him and began to talk very fast. "I have a previous engagement tonight, and I agreed to cover for James forgetting I had a previous engagement. Now I'm scheduled to work, and I have other responsibilities, and I don't know what I'm going to do." It always took Victor an eternity to get to the point. "Will you cover for me covering for James tonight, Benny, please?"

  "Sure," Benny told him, he could use the extra pay and tips. Benny had recently been promoted from kitchen help to waitstaff, and he was enjoying the pay raise, the tips, and the snappy uniforms. Working the floor of the Imperial Club was quite the experience, and Benny loved every minute of it.

  He loved being a member of the Hadden Coven, a place of opportunity. Even as a wolf shifter he was treated with respect and acceptance. Some people still had issues, but Master Hadden had purged most of the serious bullshit out of the place after it came to his attention that bullies were making life miserable for some members. This was a good place, and Benny was thankful to be here.

  "Thank you, Benny, you're a lifesaver," Victor said as he hurried down the hall to his own room. Benny was pretty sure Victor had a date because the cute little vampire tended to get a lot of action.

  Victor was a small slight little vampire who appealed to a fair number of the guards around here, but he never kept a guy very long. Benny wasn’t sure if it was Victor’s fault or if it went part and parcel with the type of guy he was attracted to.

  Benny continued on to his room excited to check out the quality of his new earbuds. He had a couple of hours before he'd have to get ready for work. James had been scheduled for seven thirty to closing, so he had plenty of time.

  …

  Nikolas Hadden Master of the Hadden Coven of Pittsburgh sat at the bar of the Imperial Club the exclusive night club owned and operated by the Coven and waited for his beloved to join him. Walker was on the phone with his best friend Stanley.

  Stanley and his beloved Detective Iker Dawson were meeting them downtown for dinner at eight. Josef, his Second, came up and sat with him while he waited.

  “Is everything prepared for Master DuCane’s men?” He asked Josef.

  "A room is prepared, and staff has been alerted. Do I understand correctly that they are assassins for the Coven DuCane?" Josef glanced at Nik with a raised brow, his concern clear.

  "Yes, they are, they are also a bonded pair. Beloved assassins here under our roof for three days." Nik did not bother to hide his own misgivings. "Apparently, they were on assignment in Europe for the past six months, and Master DuCane would like them to have a few days of fun and relaxation before heading home."

  "Relaxation for them maybe, not for us." Josef bit out his comment, and Nik smiled.

  "It's a favor for Master DuCane, and you can never have enough of those in the bank." Nik gave him a wink. "Besides these two are old world vampires. Diego Castilla has been with Coven DuCane for centuries, and his beloved Kingston Nash was originally part of the Lancaster Coven in Essex. I'm sure they possess a high level of class, sophistication, and manners."

  “Classy, sophisticated assassins doesn’t make the word assassins go down any easier.” Josef smiled.

  "Keep an eye on them, Josef," Nik stated and smiled as Walker joined him at the bar.

  "I will," Josef answered.

  …

  Kingston Nash and his beloved Diego Castilla completed their mission in France and were notified by their handler, Steven Minch, that Master Louis DuCane wanted them to take a few days off. It was arranged for them to spend three days at the Imperial Club in Pittsburgh as the guest of the Hadden Coven.

  "I've heard good things about this club," Diego commented as their car approached the building. "They have sound security measures in place and are diligent in screening their guests. We should enjoy ourselves here. For a new Coven, it’s doing very well for itself. Master Hadden has built a nice empire for himself here in Pittsburgh.” He smiled and gave Kingston a light kiss on the cheek.

  “Yes, it will be nice to loosen up and have a good time now that our mission is complete. Although I was surprised when Steven told us about this arrangement.” Kingston took Diego’s hand as they got out of the car and followed one of the guards, who introduced himself as Lando, to the elevators. They would be met on the second floor and given a tour and introduced to the Coven Second, Josef McQueen.

  "Seems like a nice place and yes it was surprising, but we did good work in France, and now we are being rewarded," Diego commented as the elevator moved upwards.

  “We’re getting the long looks as usual.” Kingston glanced around taking the measure of the space he was in. It was just a habit.

  “We have a reputation.”

  “Often exaggerated.”

  “Yes, but a reputation none the less.” Diego gave him a sympathetic look and squeezed his hand. “At least I sense no fear from the men we’ve met so far. That says a lot about the type of men serving Master Hadden.”

  "Nikolas Hadden is a powerful Vampire. He went head to head with Master DuCane and held his own, and not many are capable of that. It just goes to reason that such a man would surround himself with other worthy men." Kingston had a deep underlying respect for Nikolas Hadden and looked forward to hopefully meeting him.

  The elevator opened and a bright looking blond vampire with a clipboard and a lovely smile met them. Kingston thought about returning the gesture, but he hadn't smiled in so long he doubted he’d be able to manage without it looking like a grimace, so he simply nodded at the man.

  Diego smiled and took the man’s hand which let Kingston step back and observe the room for a moment. It was the roles that they played. All looked as it should or as expected until something fleeting at the corner of his eye caught his attention.

  It was brief, but it brought on a reaction. Not noticeable or overt, just a subtle flare of recognition, he glanced around the room again, but it was gone. Staff, customers, and coven members were present here in the main room of the Imperial Club and no one looked familiar. Kingston studied the room thoroughly as Diego conversed with the young vampire.

  The feeling of recognition stayed with Kingston as the young vampire named Andrew explained the perks being extended to them and gave them a room number and a key. Diego took Kingston’s hand and they followed Andrew to a lovely table along the back wall on the balcony. Kingston continued to search the room, but nothing stood out. His instincts were telling him to pay attention, so he did.

  "Joseph McQueen will meet with you shortly, but in the meantime, please enjoy what the Club has to offer." With that statement, Andrew stepped back, and a waiter stepped forward to take their order.

  "Thank you, Andrew," Diego told him and with a smile Andrew melted into the crowd. They placed their order and sat back and took in the room once again. Diego looked over at Kingston with a question in his expression. He obviously had picked up on Kingston's reactions earlier.

  "I saw something," Kingston explained and looked around again. "It snagged my attention, but It was so quick that I didn't get a good look." Their drinks arrived, and they settled in, both giving the room serious consideration. “It was a person, a profile, just a quick glance but it affected me.”

  “Trouble?”

  Kingston turned to regard him silently for a moment before a
nswering. "No, it's something else." Josef arrived before he could say more. They stood, and introductions were made. Josef McQueen was a man to be reckoned with, powerful and confident, the perfect qualities for a Second in command. Everyone's mettle was tested, and pleasantries were extended.

  Diego recognized the care in which each word was uttered. There would be no misunderstandings between them. They were welcomed but also warned. The careful watchfulness that surrounded them made for some subtle tension in the air, but it was the price you paid when your reputation preceded you.

  He noticed Kingston kept surveying the room looking for the elusive profile. Diego trusted Kingston's instincts, so his preoccupation was concerning. The chances of a situation existing here at the Hadden Coven was unlikely, but the cause of Kingston's concern needed to be discovered before they would truly relax.

  …

  Benny rushed from one side of the main floor to the other as the room filled, and everyone wanted something. He’d worked the main floor before but never on a Friday night. He’d heard it was a busy time, but he’d not expected a crowd like this. He primarily worked the balcony, but the tips were much better on the main floor.

  The balcony was for the special guest and VIP's, but they tended on the cheap side. The main floor was still members and guests only, but for some reason, they were freer with their cash. Maybe they were trying to impress and buy their way to the balcony. He planned to check with Andrew to see if he would keep him in mind for any future openings on the main floor.

  He noticed the two serious looking vampires walk in with Andrew and he actually gasped. They were something else, not the run of the mill vampire that Benny was used to. They even made Josef look mediocre, and Benny had always thought Josef to be absolutely drop dead gorgeous and the epitome of manly beauty.

  One was nearly as tall as Josef and was a beefy blond with serious ice blue eyes. The other was an inch or two shorter and dark and menacing in a ‘spank me please' sort of way. Well, now he had two new actors for his heated daydreams. He kept working but also kept stealing appreciative glances at the two stunning looking men.

  Someone told him they were from the DuCane Coven and were staying for a few days. Also, they were a mated pair. But that didn't stop Benny from appreciating their good looks, and he hoped he had the opportunity to watch them from afar often. The thought made him smile because if either of those guys ever actually looked at him, he would probably piss his pants and run away.

  He would have to get serious because they were not the type to welcome being stared at. The bartender told him they were coven assassins and those are not the kind of guys you want to irritate.

  Benny watched as Andrew led them up to the balcony level and then they disappeared. Perhaps he would have the chance to wait on them before they left. Something about them appealed to him, and it wasn't just their gorgeousness. Maybe it was the threat of danger that seemed to hang in the air around them. Benny smiled to himself again and quickly got back to work. He didn't have time to be daydreaming right now. He needed to hustle some more tips.

  …

  Diego noticed that Kingston kept scanning the room and suddenly he felt a prickling in the air. Perhaps it was what Kingston had experienced. He looked at his fingertips and rubbed them together as he lifted his gaze to connect with Kingston's.

  "You feel it too," Kingston said, and Diego nodded and then glanced around the room.

  "He's here?" Diego asked, and it was Kingston who nodded ever so slightly while keeping his eyes on Diego. "I believe it's why Master DuCane instructed us to stop here."

  They both stood and walked to the gilded rail that ran the length of the balcony. They looked below at the main floor and quickly studied every individual and every movement. After a few minutes they headed for the staircase, it was time to investigate the main room thoroughly. This was the room Kingston had initially felt the disturbance in his calm. As soon as they reached the first floor, they split up, carefully covering the area and missing nothing.

  Kingston knew what he felt, and he knew the source was here somewhere. It may be staff, or it may be a guest, but he knew that it was not a human because the energy he felt was paranormal. The scent now tickled his senses light and barely there, but Kingston was a fine-tuned predator, and nothing escaped his scrutiny or his pursuit.

  He saw Diego across the room studying several small groups at the bar, sliding among them barely noticed. The scent was getting lighter and wafting away leaving him to believe the person may have left the room.

  …

  Much to his chagrin, Benny was now standing outside an exclusive apartment on the fourth-floor room 441. He was on-call to the occupants inside for the rest of his shift. It was a service offered to special guests to have a waiter standing outside your door in the event you needed something. He’d been there over an hour already and all they needed so far were a pair of toenail clippers and a sewing needle. Benny did not even want to know what that was all about.

  It wasn't a job many wanted, even though it paid extra. It still didn't match what could be made on the main floor on a Friday night. Unfortunately, Benny was the new guy on the floor, so he was the first one pulled for this duty. The worse part of it was the total mind crippling boredom. Thankfully the entire fourth floor was soundproofed, so he didn't have to listen to what was going on inside or in any of the other rooms for that matter.

  He checked his watch and saw that it was only just past mid-night he still had two and a half hours before his shift ended. This was turning into a very long night. He heard someone coming and wondered if it was another couple making use of the rooms or one of the overnight guests.

  He'd been told that the entire East wing of the fourth floor was booked up. He idly wondered if another waiter would be assigned to a room up here, it didn't matter though. Even if another waiter was assigned to a room, they weren't allowed to talk while on room duty. Silent, attentive and invisible was the code for service personnel on this wing.

  He saw two men as they rounded the corner and recognized them immediately. They were the men from Coven DuCane. The aura they gave off had Benny's heart rate escalating and his breath catching. Damn these guys were scary even when they were just walking. Benny forced his eyes away and focused on the wall in front of him. No staring, that was another part of the code up here but, damn their black suits fit them like an expensive glove. It was so hard not to look.

  …

  Kingston signaled to Diego to meet by the pillars on the left side of the room. It was a subdued area and had a vantage point that gave them an unobstructed view of the room. "I still feel it, but it's so faint that I think he may have left or moved to another part of the building." Kingston had a strong sense that he was still there, somewhere.

  “If he works here, if he’s a coven member, he may have gone to his room or elsewhere, but he will return.” Diego always the optimist gave the positive spin. “We will find him.” He added with a smile that said everything that Kingston was feeling.

  “We’ll find him.” Kingston looked around the room one last time. “It’s late, let’s go to our room and discuss this further in private.” He noticed Diego look around the room again and up at the balcony. They’d waited many years for this, and the sudden excited anticipation was getting to both of them.

  Diego checked the key he was given. "It's on the fourth floor of the East wing, room number 443." He said, and Kingston hit the button on the elevator for the fourth floor, and the doors slid shut.

  They remained silent throughout the lift both concentrating on the scent and the imprints they’d picked up and wondering where it would take them. When they stepped out of the elevator and rounded the corner leading to their room, they were hit with a most unexpected and miraculous discovery. The soul-stirring aroma that surrounded them and filled their senses had both men stopping in their tracks.

  They stared at the young man at the end of the hall standing straight and tall as if awaiting his next order. They looked at one another and were both thinking the same thing, this was their beloved. This was the man they'd dreamed of and had waited so long to meet, and he was standing right in front of them. A magnificent little wolf, what a beautiful gift. He was absolutely breathtaking just as they knew he would be.