Russian Roulette (Helena Hawthorn Series #1)

Chapter 3c - Lucious

Lucious arrived at the private estate belonging to one of his oldest friends. He paused at the three-storey Victorian mansion Alexander had converted into a nightclub sometime in the mid-nineteenth century. A red neon sign above the entrance had curving letters moulded into the words 'Russian Roulette' irradiating the place like a Christmas tree in this dark hour.

He approached the beginning of the queue where a bouncer guarded the main door to the club. "I'm here to see Alexander."

The man whose nametag read 'Dean' sized him up with one look. "And, you are?"

"Expected. Be a good fellow and step aside."

With his patience wearing thin, Lucious released the hold on his mental shields. He let his energy leak out and tightened it around the bouncer. An extra century of being alive gave a vampire more power over the young.

Dean sensed the intrusion and took an uncertain step back. He beckoned for Lucious to pass. "I hope you're not here to cause trouble."

Lucious ignored him and ambled inside. Things hadn't changed much since the last visit. The plum-coloured reception room seemed darker with sparsely spaced low-wattage bulbs embedded in the ceiling. The loud boom of rock music guided him to where Tanya, Alexander's sole childe, sat with a fashion magazine on her lap.

Without looking up, she pointed at the price list on the wall.

"Tanya, where is he?"

She dropped her copy of Vogue at the sound of his voice and bounced out of her seat. Without warning, she launched herself at him, trapping him in a tight embrace.

"I have missed you. You have not called in forever," she whispered into his ear.

Lucious peeled her arms off and moved out of her reach. "I'm sorry, I've been busy."

Flicking her blonde hair back, she pouted. "That is what they all say."

When he didn't offer anything, she sighed and gestured to the hallway on her left. "He should be in his office. You know the way."

He started for the door, and she grasped his arm. The palm of her hand pressed onto his chest and her long nails dug in through the leather of his jacket. Yet, he felt nothing when she flirted with him. No matter how many years had passed, he had accumulated no romantic feelings for her.

"Come see me after you're done or if you need anything." She winked.

Lucious wanted to shake her off and head over to Alexander. Fighting that urge, he gave her a light peck on a cheek.

"Will do, luv," he whispered back.

"You're such a tease," she said, retreating to her desk.

Lucious took this chance to find Alexander's office. He followed a long dimly lit corridor cluttered with posters of bands he had no interest in. Once he reached the steel door at the end of the windowless path, he stopped.

Raising his hand, he knocked once. The sound reverberated through the thick metal. Upon hearing an invitation, he entered the room and groaned in annoyance at Alexander's intimate scene playing out.

Alexander was notorious for having multiple partners in bed. Today was no different. A lean, pale man rested between two just as naked women on a king-sized bed.

With a groan, Lucious diverted his attention to the interior of the office. The ebony desk was overflowing with paperwork, more posters, and balance sheets. Black marble tiles gleamed beneath his booted feet. They contrasted against the ivory furniture in the room. Those were the only two shades Alexander approved of—something that existed outside the standard colour range, like vampires among humans.