Read Dalton, Tymber - Brimstone Blues [Brimstone Vampires 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) for Free Online

reached out and touched her hand, met her gaze. “Taz, I know you’re hurting. I wish you would open up to us, let us help you.”
    Her eyes blurred. She refused to cry. She’d had enough of that over the past several days. More than enough to last her a lifetime, thank you very much. She stroked Rafe’s ring with her thumb. It was a small comfort.
    “I appreciate it, Albert. I really do. Right now, the best thing for me is work. I know we’re going to London, but I need to do this to calm my nerves. Besides, it’s Thursday, so it’s a short work week. It’s what I need right now.”
    His eyes searched her face, then he released her hand. “Please remember we’re here for you to lean on should you need us. All right?”
    “Thank you.” A thought crossed her mind, and she laughed.
    “What?”
    “Remember out in LA when you hired me, and the girl came in and took my blood and I joked about ‘staff vampires?’”
    “Yes?”
    “You looked like you saw a ghost.”
    “Your comment did startle me until I realized what you meant.”
    She smiled. “You also welcomed me to the ‘family.’”
    “Yes, I did.”
    “I didn’t know you really meant to the family.”
    “Well, you technically are of the family, even before you and Matthias finally admitted your feelings for each other. You’re a fellow Clan member.”
    A horrifying thought struck her. “Matthias and I aren’t kissing cousins or anything, are we?”
    Albert laughed, then toned it down a notch so as not to draw attention. “No, dear. His origins are the Western European Clan, yours were the Eastern. Well, at least your mother was. Even if your father was of the line, the closest you could possibly be are very distant cousins many times removed. Matthias knows his family lineage.”
    “I thought he was in charge of North America?”
    “He is. Because he came over first, and is the oldest here, he’s head of the Clan here. Rafael was…” Albert let the sentence drift, perhaps fearing her reaction. He collected his thoughts and continued. “It’s simply a label for who is where. Technically, the only ‘true’ members of the North American Clan are those born here. Like yourself, they are all descended from elsewhere. Same with the South American Clan.”
    “Oh. That makes sense.”
    Albert nodded and glanced at his watch. “I don’t wish to cut this short, but I have a conference call I must attend to.”
    Before he could stand, she reached for his hand. “Albert,” she softly asked, “when are we having Rafe’s funeral?”
    He froze, not wanting to meet her eyes. He quietly replied, “We are still awaiting the return of his ashes. Then you and Matthias can decide.”
    “Did he leave any instructions?”
    “Not written. Years ago, he told us he wanted to be cremated, but nothing beyond that. Matthias must go to Rafael’s condo and retrieve his effects and paperwork.”

    * * * *

    Back in her office, Taz tried to focus. Why had she asked about the funeral? She’d done so well all morning, throwing herself into her work. At least now she knew what happened to Rafe’s body after the Stooges, what she’d dubbed the three-man security team working for Matthias at Yellowstone, recovered him.
    A thought occurred to her. She went online and searched, ordering what she wanted after nearly an hour of looking for just the right one. Yes, she should be working, but this was more important. She wasn’t sure what, if anything, Matthias would say about it.
    She didn’t care. It was for her, not him.
    “That’s sweet, Taz.”
    She shivered and looked around, even though she was alone in her office. That voice would drive her mad if it didn’t stop. That, and the feeling of someone constantly looking over her shoulder.
    She stroked Rafe’s ring.

Chapter Six

    When Taz returned home late that afternoon, Matthias’ car was in the garage, but he wasn’t in his study or their bedroom. She made her way back to the kitchen. Before she could