Gypsy Designs Ch. 13

"I think we can both attest to the fact that your ass isn't huge, but just a handful," Lucien laughed loudly, when she gasped, her cheeks turning bright red. Caydn swallowed his laugh sensing she'd smack him if he agreed.

He knew immediately what was in the box when Lucien turned around, holding it out to Gypsy. Glancing at him, he saw the silver eyes flash with mischief, hoping this wasn't going to back fire on either of them.

"It's nothing special, well I guess you could say it's not extravagant, but it is special, to some people," Lucien said sitting in the chair in front of the desk after handing the box to Gypsy.

She turned and looked at Caydn who fought to contain his laughter, his brown eyes burning as they seemed to touch her body suddenly.

Lifting the top off the box, she closed her eyes quickly, seeing the thin rubber flogger from Lucien's dungeon.

"I thought it had been discarded absently, when I saw it lying on the floor. But after I picked it up and all I could smell was you," he said watching Gypsy's face turning darker red. "I thought it might be something Caydn had forgotten to steal from me, for his own collection," he laughed.

Caydn's body hardened instantly when her mind filled with images of the night they'd spent in Lucien's room. Meeting Lucien's eyes, he saw her projected thoughts were having the same effect on him, especially when she dug deeper to the nights all three of them were there.

Seeing her devilish grin, when she glanced over her shoulder at him, he held his breathe sensing she was up to something.

She sat the box on Caydn's desk, picking the flogger up, running it through her fingers slowly. Looking at Lucien she saw he was watching her hands, flipping her wrist, she laughed when his eyes moved to meet hers.

"You know there was a chance, had I listened to your advice and let my self go that night," she said quietly, her voice sounding like warm velvet. "I might've had the nerve to try out some of those things you've got hanging on the wall, while I had you strapped to that table," she laughed, hearing echoing, duel growls in her mind.

"Especially, after Caydn's now showed me what they can do and how much fun they can be," she smiled sweetly at each of them, tucking the flogger back in the box. She turned and walked into Caydn's bedroom, closing the door behind her.

She leaned against the door, taking a deep breath, shocked at her self for the bold words that seemed to just come out of her mouth. Smiling she felt the shock she'd left both men in, and the state of arousal. Her mental connection was rock solid with Caydn, while the deep friendship and now blood bond with Lucien allowed her easy access to his thoughts.

"That woman will be the death of you," Lucien chuckled, shifting in his seat to adjust the now swollen length pinned in his jeans. Laughing he saw Caydn do the same, before reaching for a stack of papers, glaring at the bedroom door every so often.

***************

Looking around the large ball room, she realized she only recognized a handful of people, most were those she'd arrived with. Shaking her head when the waiter offered her a glass of champagne, she leaned back, glancing up at Caydn, who'd chuckled.

"I'm not going to make an ass out of myself," she said with a grin, "at least not anymore this month," she laughed.

Claire met Victor's eyes the two of them standing silently, watching Gypsy and Caydn from the small bar. Caydn had flashed his fangs on more than a few occasions, when overly zealous men had stepped toward Gypsy.

Stepping from the bar to join them, Victor handed her the sparking soda she'd requested. "Does this mean you're not going to be as entertaining, as on our last outing?" he asked, laughing when she blushed.

Caydn ground his teeth together feeling the rush of heat, radiate from her whenever she blushed. Glaring at Victor, he knew immediately the man knew exactly what he'd been doing.

"Gypsy would you like to walk around, and possibly meet some more potential clients?" Caydn asked her, taking her arm.

She nodded, glancing around the room, she shrugged. "You know I've been looking since we got here, for someone Luc would refer to as 'the hairball', I have to tell you I haven't seen anyone yet," she said with a sigh.

"Well if you'd like, I'd be pleased to introduce myself. I'm the only one Lucinda seems to have such a high regard for to give a pet name," a tall dark haired gentleman with golden eyes said from directly behind her.

Gypsy felt like she'd stuck her foot in her mouth and swallowed, without chewing, when she realized what she'd done. "Please excuse me," she started saying only to be cut off, when the gentleman waved her apology away with a loud laugh.

"Dominic, how've you been?" Caydn said shaking the man's hand firmly. "It's been awhile since I've been here, you've done some amazing work and changes in the place," he said conversationally, giving Gypsy time to catch her breath.

The tall man laughed, nodding before reaching to shake hands with Victor and grab Claire's hand in an elegant very European kiss on her hand. "Nice to know I'm always remembered fondly by your daughter Claire," he chuckled. "She's either decided not to show herself, or she's hiding know how much I love a scavenger hunt."

"You can scavenge all you want, but as for the hunting beware that your prey doesn't bite first," Luc hissed as she walked up behind Dominic silently. "Gypsy I think you were asking about the 'hairball', this would be him," she said flatly, daring Dominic or anyone to say anything about her manners, or lack of.

Gypsy watched Lucinda and the man as they stood nose to nose, they're eyes locked, sparks flying mentally between the two. Squeezing Caydn's hand, she saw him look at her as she fought not to laugh.

Caydn turned suddenly; Lucien stepping in the door meeting his eyes. "Dominic it seems you've attracted a large gathering of malcontents, who've decided to usurp your party," Caydn said pulling Gypsy closer to his side.

Dominic sighed, "I've been getting threats, and some well placed bricks thrown through some of the windows of my businesses," he explained. "After coming to town, I was made aware of some rather unsavory business practices taking place at a few establishments I acquired. With that I shut the places down until everything could be gone over and revamped."

"The decision I don't think was very popular among the employees," Victor said, seeing Cameron walking their way.

"Dominic, I think we'll be leaving since we've been dealing with some less than savory also," Cameron said firmly, leaving little room for objections. "This might give those we're working to defeat, perfect cover for them to play their deceitful games," he said as an explanation.

Dominic nodded his understanding, "If you're going to be in town and attending some of the social events I know Caydn and Christian will be at, I'll see you then," he said with a heavy sigh, waving to one of his men. "I hate to run off, but I need to handle this before it gets out of control."

Gypsy followed the group to the foyer where they gathered their coats from the cloak room. "We're leaving because of Barton?" she asked, glancing at Caydn when he held her coat for her.

"We're leaving because it's simply a dangerous situation, with not only you being here, but also Sophie and Claire, and even Megan," he said quietly, leaning down, brushing a kiss over her cheek.

Lucien took the lead, opening the door, standing back as everyone filed out. He ground his teeth together dangerously when he saw the malcontents had found their way around the house to the side entrance also.

Gypsy gasped seeing the rough looking crowd gathered along the steps, and surrounding the limos and cars parked along the winding drive. She met the eyes of a young man who seemed beyond furious. Hesitating for a minute, while the car doors were opened, she watched in awe as what looked to be an overly large tomato was suddenly launched her way.

"All of you rich bastards flaunt what you have, and what you can buy while we've lost everything and don't even have a dollar to eat," The young man screamed angrily, after throwing his vegetable missile at Gypsy.

She found herself almost thrown into the back seat of a waiting limousine. Rubbing her hands down the front of her coat, she looked at the sticky red that came off on her fingers.

"I wonder if that guy thought I'd killed the sheep, that gave the wool for my coat," she said laughing, trying to lighten the situation. She grabbed Caydn's arm when he pulled back as if he wasn't getting in. "Its okay, I'm not hurt but I think my coats going to need some turpentine, this is paint not tomato," she said quickly.

Christian pushed Caydn into the car, before he and Megan followed. "Lucien went off on a wild goose chase after the kid that threw it," he said with a laugh, settling back for the ride.

Megan looked at the coat Gypsy was wearing, biting her to lip to keep from laughing, she rolled her eyes. "I guess we can call you a killer of sheep now," she laughed. "I don't think turpentine or anything's going to be able to save that," she frowned.

Caydn stared at both women, "Who cares about the damn coat?" he snapped. "Who knew that little bastard wasn't sent by Damon or Barton, to hit her with something none of us could sense?" he asked angrily.

***************

Sophie came down stairs carrying a trash bag with Gypsy's coat in it. "Has Lucien come back yet, with that little no good ass in tow?" she snapped.

Lucinda laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe the skinny little punk got the best of Lucien, and he's moaning and groaning somewhere right now," she said lounging back at the counter, watching Sophie toss the trash bag in the can.

"I think you'll all be happy to know that the young 'man' had no association with your goon's Gypsy," Cameron said walking into the crowded kitchen behind her.

"And Lucinda that's not at all nice to say about your brother," he said staring at her. "I think you'll enjoy knowing, Lucien's found himself with more of a handful than he'd anticipated," he laughed, not elaborating.

Gypsy stepped over beside Caydn, leaning against him when he'd pulled her close. "I really wish he'd stop sneaking up on me or popping in," she muttered loudly, grinning when everyone but Cameron laughed.

Vince glanced around the room when the gate buzzer sounded. Walking over he pressed the intercom button. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"Dominic Parrish to see Caydn Vaughn," the voice said clearly. "I want to discuss what took place earlier, if you'd please tell him."

Caydn nodded when Vince looked back at him. "I wonder what he wants to discuss?" he said standing, motioning for Gypsy to take his seat.

Stepping to the side door, he waited for Dominic's sedan to stop beneath the large archway. Seeing three of Dominic's men step from the car looking around carefully, before opening the door for him to get out, Caydn bit back his growl.

"When's it been needed for you to bring security, when visiting?" Caydn asked when Dominic stepped from the car, the bite in his voice obvious.

Dominic chuckled, motioning for his men to remain with the car. "I'm sure you of all people, with what I've been hearing is a large gathering of some of the more powerful and prestigious, can understand the need for such things during trying times," he said casually, waiting patiently for Caydn to step back allowing him inside.

Gypsy glanced around as everyone seemed to be rather stiff. "Isn't it a little cold to leave his mean outside?" she asked. "Couldn't they at least come in and go in the other room with Michael?"

Lucinda slid off the stool she'd been sitting on, her face reflecting the obvious annoyance she felt at Dominic's appearance. "Hair balls like that bunch never feel the cold Gypsy, no need to worry about them," she said, turning walking out of the room.

"Cameron I have to say, your daughter's as lovely as ever, her attitude though leaves a lot to be desired," he laughed as did Cameron. "I was told that this beautiful young woman. Was hit by something thrown by one of the crowd, I wanted to personally make sure that there wasn't any damage done," he said stepping toward Gypsy, only to stop when Caydn rudely stepped in front of him.

Dominic bowed his head, with a nod and knowing smile. "I see I must've missed the announcement at some time during my battles with my financial crisis," he said smiling at Caydn.

"Parrish my study now if you don't mind," Caydn said harshly, grabbing the tall man by the arm, all but dragging him from the room.

Gypsy sat watching everything taking place, her mouth held in a silent gasp, never having seen Caydn treat a guest like that before. Turning to look at Victor, he stifled a laugh when he saw her stare, shrugging his shoulders he looked down at his coffee.

***************

Dominic watched the man who stalked across the room, after slamming the door, harder than needed when they'd entered his study.

"If I've said or done anything out of the way, let me assure you, you have my sincerest apology," Dominic said, taking the chair, Caydn motioned to absently.

Shrugging his suit coat off and tossing it across the arm of an over stuffed chair, Caydn walked to the bar, pouring a large bourbon, tossing it back before even turning to offer his guest one.

"It wasn't anything you've done," he said handing the glass across the desk. "It seems I've found myself in a situation. I'm not sure how it happened and I've yet to discover how to rectify, or should I say explain it," Caydn said running his hand through his hair, tugging sharply at the leather tie holding its length contained.

Dominic took a drink, hiding his smile behind his glass for a moment. "She doesn't have the slightest idea the two of you have bonded, does she?" he asked bluntly, honesty his policy.

Sitting down in his chair, he leaned his head back, closing his eyes. "Not a clue, hell I don't even know if she has any idea what it means," he said opening his eyes to stare at the smiling man across from him. "I have yet to see any reason for that damn shit eating smile you've got plastered all over your face," Caydn snapped. "You're the one whose been running around the past few years, acting like a love struck pup after a bitch in heat when it comes to Luc. So I suggest you wipe it off your face."

"You really know how to deal out the low blows, when you've found yourself in a mess don't you?" Dominic asked raising his glass in a silent toast. "If what I've heard is right, you're also having trouble with her mother's family wanting to kill her?" he asked quietly.

Caydn growled deep in his throat. "I didn't think such trivial matters would be of interest to were's," he glanced at him.

Leaning forward placing his glass on the desk, Dominic met his eyes. "When one of the men involved, has been reported, dealing in sorcery then I think it becomes a matter for everyone to take notice of."

Caydn sat up straight just as Cameron barged into the study. "Have you heard anything about this but neglected to mention it?" he asked Cameron sharply.

Turning abruptly to face Dominic, Cameron seemed to swell in size. Anger and mistrust vibrating from his entire body. "If you knew this why didn't you tell me yourself?" Cameron demanded.

Holding his hand up, Dominic shook his head. "Calm down Vamp," he snarled through clenched teeth. "It seems I placed the needed call sooner than you did. I told Nathan to call you, as soon as he and I hung up. So I can assure you neither of us have known this long," he said smoothly, his eyes still holding a dangerous glint while staring at the larger man.

"Stop the shit both of you," Caydn snapped, getting the attention of both men. "Is this something we need to worry about?" he asked, his concern for Gypsy, first and foremost.

Cameron took a deep breath, taking the over stuffed chair Caydn had previously thrown his jacket over. "Between Lucien and myself no, it's not too large of an issue. Alone it would be more difficult," he said confidently.

"Now, we need to address when you're going to tell the girl what's taken place," Cameron said, seeing Dominic nod his agreement. "This isn't something you can keep hidden from her. You need to understand the first time the two of you are separated she's going to experience severe anxiety and panic, all with no idea why or how to over come it."

Caydn ran his hand over his face, wishing he didn't have to discuss this with these two; he had no more of an idea how it happened now, than he did when he'd realized they'd bonded unintentionally. "I've thought about talking to Claire, and getting her thoughts on it. I do know Claire spent all day with her and has begun opening doors to some of the things obsessing her thoughts about her past," he explained. "I just don't know how to tell her, without her," he started to say, stopping when the door to his office opened.

"How to tell her what? Better yet, why don't you just tell me instead of worrying about it?" Gypsy said leaning against the door frame, looking from one man to the next until she finally met Caydn's eyes.

She felt her stomach knotting tightly, all thoughts had stopped, blocks thrown and cemented into place as soon as she'd touched the door. They weren't telling her something and from their reactions it was of grave importance.

"I know I haven't been the most stable recently, but I'm going to take advantage of Claire being here," she said slowly, turning, when she sensed her walk up behind her. Taking Claire's hand, she returned the squeeze the older woman had given her.

"Caydn I think you're going to have to just do it," she said softly. "This isn't the time for any dishonesty, nor is it going to get any easier, waiting and putting the inevitable off."

Caydn stood up, pushing his chair back. "If all of you would excuse us," he said looking from Cameron to Dominic, who both nodded in understanding.

"No," Gypsy said quickly, feeling her hands beginning to tremble, her fear increasing rapidly. "If you can't say it in front of everyone, I don't want to hear it," she said, her words so quick they threatened to overwhelm themselves.

Looking toward Claire, who'd moved closer to Gypsy, her arm going around her waist, appearing to be casual, Caydn knew it was to offer support and calming.

"First let me tell you, this isn't something I intended to happen, not at this time anyway," Caydn said with a resigned sigh. "The night we spent in Lucien's room, you mentioned before our shower, you'd started to smell like me as I had you," he said slowly, his eyes locked on her face. Her amber eyes dominating her face, as she listened.

"When this happens, it's like the two people sharing pieces of themselves with one another," he said hesitantly, still watching her closely.

"Oh for the love of midnight," Cameron snapped. "What it means is the two of you have bonded, nothing unusual about it, other than it's normally done with intent and not absently," he said with a huff, leaning back in his chair, he returned Caydn's angry glare.

Gypsy took a deep breath, that's all? All the drama and anxiety over them being bonded. "What exactly does that mean?" she turned to look at Claire quickly. "Bonded, you mean we're stuck together, like glued or something?" she said her voice rising with each word.

She spun on her heel to stare at Caydn, her mouth falling open as things began striking her brain as if a hail storm of information.

"You married me, or what ever you want to call it in your vamp style life?" she staring at him. "Oh and on top of all of it, 'it isn't something you intended'? Nice now it looks like I'm stuck with someone who didn't 'intend' for something to happen," she snapped, her face flushed.