Rivals: Episode Two Read online

  I ran up to the massive front desk where a concierge—who looked more like a Hollister model—greeted me with a confused smile. “Welcome to the Fountainbleau, sir. Was there anything wrong?” He brushed a piece of sun-colored blonde hair and cocked his head. I could sense the security guard’s eyes pinned on me from the corner where he stood.

  “I, uhm.” Fuck. I didn’t think of a cover story.

  “His sister, my wife, was organizing a surprise party for me,” Xavier said, standing next to me now. I noticed the concierge’s attention was suddenly hyper-focused on the vampire. “She knows how badly I’ve wanted to spend a few days here and so she came a few hours before to prepare the room.”

  I nod, unable to believe how quickly Xavier was spinning this bullshit. And his wife? The fuck was that about.

  “Well, Gaige here told me everything once his sister stopped answering his calls. She’s epileptic, see, and we’re worried she may have had a seizure and hurt herself. Can you tell us where Kimberly Nolan is staying so we can make sure she’s ok?”

  I looked to the concierge, my eyes narrowing. There was no way this guy was going to fall for it.

  “Oh yeah, of course. Here let me pull it up for you.” And sure enough, he dropped his head to look at the computer screen in front of him. He typed away furiously at the keyboard as though he were going to be the one to save Kimberly himself. I look to my side and see Xavier staring straight ahead. I could have sworn a corner of his mouth lifted in a smile, but it could have just been my imagination. I doubt this jackass ever actually smiled.

  “She’s in room 305.”

  “Thank you,” Xavier said, sounding sincere.

  “Of course,” the concierge said. “Anything else I can do for you, sir?” I noticed the kid wasn’t breaking eye contact with Xavier. In fact, he almost looked lost in his gaze. “That’s ok.” It wasn’t until Xavier turned and started walking towards the elevators that the kid stepped back and shook his head, as though dusting off the cobwebs.

  “You did something back there,” I said, reaching Xavier as the elevator door dinged open.

  “I wasn’t going to risk him not believing me, so yes, I added some charm to the conversation. Humans have a thing with believing anything vampires say.”

  “Is that how you got Kimberly to fall for you?”

  The jab did not go unnoticed. A muscle in Xavier’s jaw tightened and strained. “I wouldn’t expect an animal to understand the emotions that run between me and Kimberly.”

  My fists balled up. I wanted to knock him out. The bear inside of me rattled me like a wire cage, urging me to swing a fist and clock Xavier right in the head. Who was he to call me an animal? What I felt for Kimberly was so powerful, so instinctual, that I expected only an animal could feel it. The truest form of passion, before it was spoiled by all the bullshit that society added to love and happiness. But, instead of punching him and knocking his lights out, I took a deep breath and remembered why we were here. It wasn’t to fight each other or measure our dicks and see who’s was biggest. This was about saving Kimberly, and to do that, it looked like we were going to have to start working together.

  ___________________________

  More by M.G.

  Seasons One - Rivals

  Episode One

  Episode Two

  Episode Three

  Season Two - Rivals

  T.B.W.

  Season One - Deep

  T.B.W.

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