46. Light

Genre: Paranormal romance, drama

Type: Series
Characters: Krisis, Jacqueline.
Prompt:009. Light

Word Count: 721 +

Warning: coarse language

Rating:  M- (coarse language, adult situations, nudity. N.B-Applies to the whole series)

Summary: The blackmail game.

009. Light

________

Bridgeport, present day

He couldn’t believe he’d caved. He was back in Bridgeport, without Leigh. She had been very understanding when he explained his latest spat with Jacqueline, and she’d insisted he should go. She was still in Shang Simla for a few more days for Michaela’s school project, and he hoped by the time she came home this nonsense with Jacqueline would be sorted.

He pushed through his front door, and quickly disabled the alarm system.

“Hello Krisis.” Jacqueline’s voice startled him when he turned on the light in his living room, and found her draped on his sofa. She’d let herself in. Back when they were still business partners, she came and left as she pleased. He should have changed the locks and the security code.

“I knew you’d come to your senses,” she purred as she circled him, draping her long arms around him.

She’d grown considerably since he saw her last. His gaze settled on her tummy. His child. Why didn’t he feel any connection with it? Why did he feel so hollow every time he thought of it?

“Say what you want to say and leave,” he gently pushed her away, even though every fiber in his body screamed at him to beat her senseless. He had no doubt she’d hold her own, she was an ancient vampire after all, and five times stronger than him…But she was a woman, carrying his child. And he’d never laid a hand on a woman before, no matter how vile she was.

“This nonsense with Leigh has to stop. End it Krisis.” She didn’t beat around the bush. He’d known all along it would get to this. Her jealousy, her possessiveness would lead to ultimatums.

Fuck that shit. He wasn’t caving. Not anymore.

“You’re out of your mind. I’m not ending shit with Leigh. I love her. I agreed to be in your life for the baby’s sake, so don’t push me Jacqueline!” His voice was icy when he spoke up at last. He casually made his way to the kitchen, and began brewing fresh coffee.

“Well then maybe this will make you reconsider.” She slid the folder on the dining table, and he swiftly stopped it before it would drop to the floor.

There was a sharp intake of breath, followed by a loud animal-like howl. Jacqueline’s lips curled into a slow, vicious smile when she saw the light die in his eyes. She had him where she wanted him now.

“You bitch!” He screamed at her. “You took pictures?”

“It’s standard. As the attending physician it was my job to document everything, especially since she was a victim of abuse. Those wounds and bite marks will make for riveting headlines, don’t you think? And imagine when a sudden mysterious source suddenly comes forward to shed some light into that arson case, and Vladimir's death…What do you think the council will do?” She carried on and on, hitting him hard with painful truths.

He really shouldn’t have gotten her involved. But she was the only vampire doctor he knew who wouldn’t ask questions, plus they were business partners. He should have remembered business partners always stash things away for collateral…

“If I go down for this, you’re coming with me. You helped conceal Vladimir’s murder, so you are just as guilty as I am. Do you understand?” He grabbed her roughly and held her up against the stove, the last shreds of his self-control gone now. “And if these pictures of Leigh end up in the newspapers, Jacqueline, I will kill you. I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again!” He added quietly, meaning every word.

She nodded, for the first time since they learned she was pregnant, he saw something very close to fear in her eyes. The smugness was gone now.

“And I’ll be holding on to this,” he jerked his head to the folder on the table. He didn't doubt for a second she had copies. He just hoped she'd take his warning seriously. He would kill her, no questions asked, if Leigh's photos made morning's news.

He listened to rapid footsteps as she let herself out of his place, and he hated her all over again.

J.D. had said he should learn to like her? How? She’d just tried blackmailing him, using their unborn child, and Leigh’s pictures as leverage. How the fuck would he learn to like someone who did such things?

God he hated her…Every bit of her. And to think she was the mother of his child? Shit!