SIW: Adam & Bronwille Ch. 11

"I hope they are. Sadly, we can't speak for this one. So far, all the vamps he's made knew nothing about our ways, they were totally in the dark and they were all the baddest of the baddest. Not a huge waste to mankind when we terminated them." Gabriella cringed at the use of her own words.

Much against popular belief, they weren't the hunting kind, at least not her coven. She had done her best to keep her numbers of fledglings low, but she taught them well. They trained them how to hunt, first animals then to pick out the criminals, a kind known to rear their ugly head in each era they lived in. There would always be thieves, rapists, killers, always easy victims for them to feed on. For the rest, they always upheld a normal household with very loyal staff, most positions going down the family line.

Both of them have always upheld the honesty that came with being a vampire. It didn't happen often, rather very rarely, that one of their fledglings went astray. In those moments it became clear to them all why Gabriella always had said to use titanium AND silver. The silver was enough to bind any vampire, locking him up tight. The titanium on the other hand made sure they couldn't use their other powers.

This little bit of knowledge was as good as lost to the modern day vampire because most of them had lost or ignored their true powers and just depended on speed and force to get their meals. This was an oversight Gabriella and John made sure never to forget. It would probably give them the upper hand on most vampires. Sadly Derrick was not most.

John hugged her even closer and brushed his lips over hers.

"I'm not sure how tonight will go but know that it ends. He's our child, he fooled us, the people that gave him everything and now we'll take it all back. Like you, I'm not looking forward to it and would really love to take up Merlin on his offer to simply deal with him. Something tells me it wouldn't even cost him much more than a snap with his fingers."

"I agree, my Prince. We've done wrong with embracing him as our child and it's up to use to undo our wrongdoings. As uneasy as it makes me feel, I couldn't live with myself if I'm this weak. He's done enough vile things for me to be able to push my feelings aside when the time is there. For now, I just need some reassurance that we're doing the right thing," she said, sounding a bit unsure.

"Oh my beautiful Queen, don't ever doubt yourself. We're in this boat together. He betrayed us after fooling us. He's killed, lied, raped, and whatever more you could possibly come up with. He's our responsibility and we'll take care of it, tonight. Tomorrow we'll mourn the loss of our child but tonight we take care of a villain."

He held her away from him just a little bit and saw the pinkish dew threatening to escape her eyes. Softly he brushed away her near tears before he gently kissed her eyelids. Gabriella felt that shudder that he always managed to create and it made her feel stronger, a lot stronger.

"We'll get through tonight and we'll deal with tomorrow tomorrow," she said decidedly.

"There is my beautiful Queen again," he said proudly.

"Just let us get away from this cell. We can wait up front until Merlin 'calls in' and comes over with the rest. I can't stand being around this one for much longer or I might steal Adam's revenge."

"I can't blame you, sweetheart. Come," he said, holding out his hand.

Together they walked away after making sure the door was well and truly locked with titanium locks.

+ + + +

Dave grew antsy. For almost half an hour they'd been waiting now. The only tidbit of good news they had was Merlin "telling" them that Rupert was safely tucked away; the downside of it was that Ed was out cold.

That news didn't really surprise Adam, however, he was glad Merlin stepped in in time. He would have hated going at it with Ed for stealing his revenge. But he understood, so he was OK with how things went, so far.

With a single word here and there, Adam tried to keep his Alpha in check. He was glad that they hadn't told him details of what Sue went through. Dave only knew they had found her here and that she was addicted to the vampire blood, that addiction now taken care of by Merlin. As time went by, Adam could see that Dave was putting things together and what the possibilities of things being done to and by Sue and that wasn't helping their case. He needed Dave sane.

"Dave, you know I'd never overstep my boundaries but you have to get it together, for Sue's sake. I know how your mind works and right now I don't think I want to know even what you're imagining. Just get a grip on it so we can get these two out of here. After that by all means, rip Chasey apart. He's the one you want," Adam tried talking a bit of reasoning into his friend and Alpha.

A low growl was the reply Adam got and he sighed heavily.

"Once we're out of here you can read my mind, well part of it. You'll understand than why we didn't tell you from the start. Trust me that we'll get this all taken care of, the lot of them. We just can't show anything now or they'll know something is up and this charade has been for nothing. Then it's back to square one, I don't want that!"

Adam wasn't 100% happy with how he tried to get Dave in check but he also didn't feel comfortable not telling him everything about Sue. Dave must have an idea that things for her haven't been easy. Adam and the rest warning him was enough of a giveaway for that. Now he had a hard job making sure Dave wasn't going overboard. Deep down he regretted a little bit that he asked him to come and help but now Dave had found his mate.

"I know Adam, I know! I should be better at this, I'm an Alpha for crying out loud but seeing what is happening just here on the dance floor. Well, it's not helping much to keep me calm knowing my Sue has been part of that. How can these youngsters be so gullible?" Dave replied with a growl in his voice.

"If you'd check them out you'll probably find out that most if not all are addicted to something and here they provided it. Some come back willingly others they force to stay addicted. Sadly, Sue fell into this last category. You've met Rosie. Despite this all, she still wanted her baby safe."

"Well, I'm glad she, no they, are no longer part of this! They're mine to care for now!"

"I know Dave, just a bit longer. Focus. You're normally so good at putting everything in mental boxes, lock these feelings away until we get these two out of here than its party time."

"I'll try, no promises," came Dave's strained answer.

Both went back to looking at the crowd when suddenly all alarm bells went off for Adam. The too familiar feeling when Chasey approaches. Dave noticed the change in him and tried following his gaze, landing on a tall handsome vampire. When looking more closely he saw the look was just that, a look. He saw the darkness beneath all the layers and the vicious intent was too visible in the eyes.

"Sorry for the wait, my friends. We had some unexpected business to take care of. It's good to see you again, Adam," Chasey said, stepping up and patting him on the shoulder. He turned to Dave next, "This must be your Alpha? Nice to make your acquaintance. I'm Chasey DiSarbonne, manager of this joint and soon your next best friend."

Dave looked at Adam, who shrugged bored, than back as Chasey. "Yes I'm the Alpha but I think I can make up my own mind on who my friends are. I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to talk business. So, shall we? Or did I come in vain?" Dave wasn't even trying to hide his loathing at this weasely attempt to get in his good graces.

"Right down to business, I like that. If you would follow me, the boss is waiting in his office," he said, sounding so full of himself.

"Please," Dave gestured, "lead the way."

As they followed him, Dave couldn't help but have disgust on his face when he looked at Adam and silently pointed at the vamp in front of them.

Adam knew what Dave meant by the gesture and he full heartedly agreed. "It's almost settled," he whispered, the double meaning clear for him and Dave, Chasey oblivious to them at all.

Once they had left the, by now, crowed dance floor, they walked through an almost black passageway. If it wasn't for their above average eyesight, they wouldn't have seen the door at the end, which Chasey unlocked and kept open for them.

Inside was a pristine desk with nothing but a pile of papers on top of it. Behind it sat an average looking man, dull brown hair, a face that didn't stand out. He looked like one of those thirteen in a dozen kind of people, you see them but don't really remember them. That lasted until you looked into his eyes, but really looked.

Knowing what this talk was about he didn't try to hide what he was and his eyes were pure black orbs with a red rim. The eyes made him dangerous, very dangerous.

It dawned on Adam and Dave how desperate John and Gabriella were to eliminate him. He just oozed evil incarnate to them both, a feeling that made both their wolves growl inside, their anger rising to a dangerous level. Suddenly, both of them felt calm, their wolves still growling and pacing but not so urgent. Both Adam and Dave felt a mental connection click into place.

Thanks, my friend both of them thought.

With their wolves a bit more at ease, they came in further, looking at the vamp that could only be Derrick straight in the eyes. Not in a provocative way but more showing him they wouldn't back away from him. Telling him silently he could stop his little vampire show.

"Please, take a seat," Derrick said, his eyes now a dull brown. The message had gotten across. "Nice to meet you. If Chasey here is right, it seems we're in good company and a promising future."

With Dave present, Adam took the backseat and let him do the talking.

"A promising future, that's for sure," Dave said, his words having a totally different meaning. Nonetheless, he smiled and played a long. "How much time do you have to sort all of this? When my Beta called and informed me of this little place I was intrigued at how you could appear so legal, yet the little things I saw thus far are far from legal. Care to explain?"

"You know what they say, if I tell you, I'd have to shoot you," Derrick said, trying to make a joke.

"It's easy for me, I'm in or out. I know it all or I walk. I'd love to have another income for my pack, but if you prefer a pissing contest first... piss away. I'm not competing, I'm walking," Dave said as bored as he could muster.

"Oh I like you already. You don't take shit from anyone."

"You got that right. So how do we start up this venture?" Dave said, not wanting to waste much precious time.

Derrick just watched them both, fingers slowly tapping the pile of papers in front of him. He waited and waited, as if he wanted them to get impatient.

"Adam, let's go, this one has wasted enough of our time. If he wants to play with the kiddies, that is up to him. We're big boys already. We're past the playing stage already, let alone the grandstanding this one is trying to pull off," Dave said bored beyond belief.

Adam stood and waited for his Alpha to rise as well.

"Stop!" Derrick said with false friendliness.

"And why should we? You kept us waiting, you think you can play us, you think you have the last say. It's all you, you, you. You sound like a broken record already and we're not even in business yet. I am surprised you even managed to set up this at all," Dave said derisively, waving his hand around. "So tell me, pretty please, why we should stay? I'm not seeing much reason to."

"I get your point and I kindly ask forgiveness for my bold and childish actions but I simply wanted to test how you would react. I'm not disappointed. You look like you're no longer interested, bored even-"

"Oh I am exactly that. It's easy. You start talking right this instant or I'm walking. I don't play games, never. I plan, I go in, sort things and move on. The only reason I was here was because Adam convinced me this was something for us. I'm clearly mistaken here," Dave interrupted Derrick.

"No no, you're not. Please, Adam, sit down again," Derrick addressed the still waiting man. Turning back to Dave he went on, "No more staling or games." Derrick grabbed the pile of papers in front of him and walked around the desk to hand them over to Dave. "Here you can read how everything is set up legally. Go through them first and see if you can do something like that or close to it."

There was this gleam in Derrick's eyes that couldn't hide that they acted and reacted the way he wanted. He didn't mind putting on a bit of a show to see what kind of people he was dealing with. Patiently, he waited for Dave to go over the papers.

Dave accepted the papers and made grand gestures pretending to go over them. Due to Merlin's little mind trick, they already knew what was in them and he knew that on the surface it all looked legit. He wanted to find out how the lesser legit things were sorted. Seeing that they made sure they weren't people to mess with, he just stalled a bit.

Adam, who hadn't listened to Derrick, was still standing next to him. With elaborate gestures he motioned his friend to sit down again before looking up at Derrick.

"This is the legit side of things, that's piss easy. How you go about the rest? That's the core of everything here, isn't it? That's what we want in our area. I thought playtime was over; all or nothing, remember?" Dave taunted him.

Derrick walked around his desk again and fumbled a bit with a few hidden buttons. Suddenly, behind him part of the wall glided open and a safe became visible.

He turned around again and looked surprised. He scanned the room visibly than closed his eyes, tilted his head and probably tried scanning for something on another level. He could swear he felt something but couldn't pin point what it was.

Dave cleared his throat, "Is anything wrong?"

"Wrong? I don't know. I hope not. I suddenly had a feeling there is something more in this room then just us. There can't be more, there is only one way in and out and I saw each of you entering," Derrick replied. "Maybe I'm just imagining things, but I would have sworn I felt someone step beside me."

"It's just us. So, what you were going to show us?" Dave diverted Derrick's attention back to the safe. Dave had to applaud the way it was worked in. Upon closer inspection he saw the walls consisted of similar black panels from floor to ceiling and behind such a panel was the hidden safe. He waited as Derrick punched in a code and a crème de la crème eye scanner appeared.

Paranoid much? he couldn't help but share with Adam, giving him a blank look at the same time.

He can be as paranoid as he wants to be, it's almost over anyways. Just keep winging it, you're doing ace. I'm sure Merlin is on top of things and is already nosing around in that little vault Adam replied.

I sure am. Just surprised a bit he felt me at all. He actually made me work a bit harder at staying hidden and undetectable, Merlin cut in. Not much to see in here but a huge pile of papers, two handguns -- loaded and with the safety off, made them useless already -- and a few sacks filled with gems. Don't think he trusts technology that much. Anyways, let them do most of the talking, get them together and I'll step in. He's actually starting to get on my nerves. Can't blame John and Gabriella for being furious about this one's betrayal, he should get an Oscar for his performance Merlin chipped in.

Get the gems, we'll find some good use of them Dave insisted.

Consider it done once he closes it again. And you're doing a damn fine job. If I wasn't in the loop, I'd be scared of you too. Knowing there is more to Derrick than he shows, do be careful, stop pushing things but just go along for now.

Will do, Merlin. Let's wrap this up shall we? were Dave's last mental words for the moment.

They watched as Derrick turned around with another pile of papers, neatly organized and with some sticky notes visible here and there. He walked back around his desk as he waded through the papers.

"Here is the first part. These are the positions that need taking care of to make sure that once you start up legally, you stay off the grid. Get a few officials on your payroll, a cop or two won't be so bad either, the higher their rank the better. There is also a list of people we control in some way or another," Derrick explained.

Carefully, Dave started reading. He was surprised at the level of some people, how high up this all went. The shit is literally gonna hit the fan with this one, Adam. John and Gabriella will have a lot to clean up.

"You certainly made sure you are near impossible to touch legally, nice job." Dave cringed inwardly having to applaud Derrick for all that he did.

"It took time and a lot of persuading, a little accident here or there, nothing we couldn't handle or get rid of," Derrick agreed.

"We can take care of this stage too. What more is there to it? We can supply a wide variety of wildlife; we got a lot of forest on our grounds. I also have a building in mind that would suit a similar lay-out as you have here," Dave explained.

Derrick went through his papers again and gave another bundle to Dave. "Here you find the basic lay-out we use here. You see what is available on each floor and who's in charge." He pulled out another parcel and handed that out to Chasey, who had to come from across the room to accept it. "In there is our list of contacts to get hold of the more 'exotic' variety. I hope you understand we won't be sharing that now but we'll make it available to you. Just call Chasey with what you require and he'll make sure it gets delivered in a timely fashion. As the trust grows over time you'll get access to that list and maybe build some contacts in your area."

Inwardly, Dave knew the moment was getting closer the second Chasey had come nearer to them.

"So, what we basically do now is get a building where we think it would fit in best, open it legally as a new club down town and get some people hooked to broaden our menu for the more important visitors?" Dave inquired.

"Something like that. We'll loan you a few of our people to help you set things up, though I'm sure you got a lot of capable people , but mine are just that little bit better. Yours listen to you because you're their Alpha. They may not like the things you order them to do. Mine, on the other hand, tend to enjoy what I tell them to do. All my vampires have a criminal record in some way. Once they cross over, that past disappears without a trace." Derrick was talking rather vividly now as if he wanted to boast about what he had achieved. Now that he was on a roll, he grabbed more papers from the bundle he was holding.

"They disappear but I still have one last copy. You never know when you have to put them straight and this is handy to keep them in line," Derrick smugly said. "Here have a look through them, Chasey, and see which ones you think would be suited enough not to bring too much attention to them when they go away for a while."

As Derrick handed over the papers a light flickering appeared around him and Chasey. The next second they were gone.

Dave relaxed instantly, so did Adam. Both were relieved this part went smoothly. Merlin was quick and smart as both saw the papers were all left behind. They gathered them together. Once they looked at some of them, it became clear how much Derrick hated new technology. They didn't know why and they also didn't care much about the reason why. They were happy enough it gave them the best means possible to break up the gang and organization.

They would have to talk to John and Gabriella first to see how they would be able to help. Right now they had to do some damage control to cover for the fact Derrick and Chasey were gone, at least until closing time. After that they planned for the club never to open its doors again for the public. From John they had gotten architectural plans of the building with marks all over them telling them where additions were build and fortifications made.