Blackjack (A Tale Of Vegas Vampires)

Chapter 4

Author's Notes: Ouch, that took a while. I reworked this chapter immensely, that's why, and it's the longest.

If it feels too long, I will cut it in two parts.

Do enjoy!

x.x.x.

Roberto had had trouble sleeping during the day. He had been switching between an insane amount of wet dreams featuring Amethyst, going from vanilla to nasty in two point five seconds, and moments of chest pain so intense he had almost thrown up the blood he had taken before bed. He hadn't felt this bad since his divorce and even then it hadn't been this intense. Was he dying? Maybe. Maybe this was a real heartache. He saw the time on his phone and dreaded the upcoming evening.

He still got out of bed, haunted by the look that had gone over Amethyst's face. The way she had looked at him when he had told her about his vampirism was not one of fear—at least, it wasn't what he recalled—but one of betrayal. It was as though he had lied to her. He hadn't. And that was what hurt the most; she had recoiled from him knowing probably his biggest secret. Granted she had never believed him once before he showed her, but it still wasn't a reason to look so hurt. Somehow he would've preferred her fear. He could teach her not to be scared, but he couldn't teach her not to feel betrayed.

He already missed her. Amethyst was a woman he had met one night randomly and he already missed her like a lover. He had shown her his emotional weakness, weakness he didn't even know he had, and she had shared her pain, pain he knew she had been holding for a long time. That kind of bonding didn't happen randomly or with anyone, no matter how many bottles of wine one chugged.

Roberto went to the bathroom to shower. Water didn't soothe him like it always did. It just felt painful, like little prickles on his skin. He was imagining Amethyst with him, feeling her wrap her soft skin around him, her naked body hitting his. Nothing sexual at all was going on. Just him, her, and water. He put his hand over his heart.

"Be still my beating heart…" he murmured. "She's not coming back."

x.x.x.

Roberto arrived at the Ava first, both of his bodyguards at his side. They stood alone in the hallway. The office Carrick had chosen to meet the sisters was a small one, more for cozy meetings, clearly to make them feel comfortable. He had requested they meet tonight to clarify things, and frankly, Roberto was surprised the women had said yes and showed up. It wouldn't have surprised him if they had left quietly and never came back.

Roberto could hear music of all genres coming from inside, going from industrial trash metal to gospel every five minutes. They had managed to get into the sound system and play whatever made them comfortable. He could also hear them talking, having a conversation. He listened to Amethyst's voice instead of the subject of discussion. She had a beautiful voice, soft and tender. If he tried hard enough, he could imagine himself listening to her talk about even the dumbest things, as long as there was that soft voice to accompany them.

He killed his cigarette on the carpet on purpose when Ethan arrived. Even though his rival frowned, he didn't pay attention to him and turned his attention towards his wife, Seamus Fox and his own wife, and a group of security guards that looked armed to the teeth. That was slightly amusing; did they still fear Donatelli that much? He wasn't dumb enough to attack them and he knew they weren't stupid enough to do the same.

Ignoring the president as he spoke with his close friends, Roberto focused on the door. He managed to hear a piece of the women's conversation inside the office. It was clearer because the music had stopped permanently.