Love, Lust, and Danger

  Pittsburgh Vampires Vol. 22

  B.A. Stretke

  Superiorland Publishing

  Copyright © 2024 B.A. Stretke

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  ISBN-13: 9781234567890

  ISBN-10: 1477123456

  Cover design by: Art Painter

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

  Printed in the United States of America

  Dedicated to my wonderful fans who keep this series going with their love and support. Thank you all!

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  About The Author

  PROLOGUE

  The Compere Coven in Philadelphia was no more, although they tried to survive the degradation of their Master, and his followers made it impossible. The damage was too deep and shameful to ever be forgotten; it left a mark on everyone, and in the end, the membership and associations could not be saved.

  Enzo Blackstock was one of the first to leave after seeing his friend murdered by their Master, who then attempted to kill him and several members of the Hadden Coven as he tried to rein in the power of the darkest among us. Compere had struck a deal with one of the most horrid creatures of the underworld, and for all the death and destruction he spread, the only thing he secured in the end was his own death.

  Enzo petitioned the Hadden Coven for membership, and with the help of Noori, a Commander in the Hadden Coven, he secured a place and position under Master Nikolas Hadden. He and Noori had fought side by side against Compere and the sorcerer and forged a friendship that day that remained honest and steadfast.

  He worked under Noori for the first few years, patrolling the streets of Pittsburgh, flushing out all remnants of the dark one's influence in the city, and putting a stop to the growing threat of magics. Noori's beloved Marek, a Cyprian Knight, was an expert at sniffing out the occult and had the ability to destroy dark energy. Along with his First, Thayer, also a Cyprian Knight, who came to this realm with him, they managed to put serious harm on the communities of occult and witchcraft.

  Master Hadden's goal was to completely flush out the dark negativity of the magics from the city and the surrounding area. Pittsburgh was in the grip of some of the darkest players, but with time and diligence, the Master had beat back the dark energy and restored light and joy to this city, his city. The threat of magics, the kindred, sorcerers, and the occult were still a concern, but Noori's team and the Cyprians continued to patrol, preventing any faction from developing a foothold in the city.

  A year ago, Enzo decided to take a step back from the supernatural and applied to join the team working at the capital in Harrisburg. He wanted the opportunity to learn the process and mechanism for dealing with the politics that surrounded the business and interests of the Hadden Coven.

  It was complex, fast-paced, and most often infuriating, but he loved it. Getting away from the magics and the memories of destruction did him good. He sometimes was bombarded by thoughts of his old Master and his descent into pure madness, but over the years, they had lessened, and the pain had muted.

  He stayed away from Philadelphia for the most part, not wanting to meet any former coven members who happened to remain in the area or be reminded of his previous life. He was a member of the Hadden Coven and proud of it, and that's where he kept his thoughts and his loyalty.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Enzo Blackstock was tasked by his leader, Dmitry Duskin, with preparing and presenting the quarterly report to Master Hadden at the Hadden Center. Dmitry had been handling the Master's business in the State House for decades now, and Enzo could not have asked for a better teacher when it came to people handling and negotiation. He hadn't been back to Pittsburgh since last summer, having gotten caught up in the land deal surrounding the old monastery in downtown Pittsburgh.

  Master Hadden purchased the property, which was substantial, with the intention of turning the area into a lovely park. The city fathers did not want to give up the prime real estate to be used as a park, and it took a fair amount of deal-making on the state level to bring the project about. Master Hadden always got what he wanted, and he wanted that land purified and protected. The land could not be touched or used for anything other than a park for public use for the next one hundred years.

  Enzo had just gotten out of his car in the basement garage when Commander Noori called out to him. "Enzo, I heard you were going to be paying us a visit." He commented with a smile as he approached him. "How long are you staying?" Enzo gave him a quick side hug, and then they started toward the elevator.

  "I'm here for the week." He said as the elevator doors closed, he hit the button for the 22nd floor, and Noori hit the 24th floor. Enzo was staying in one of the guest suites, whereas Noori and his beloved resided on the upper floor that afforded larger quarters.

  The accommodation provided at the Hadden Coven was absolutely regal in design and left his apartment in Harrisburg decidedly wanting, but he preferred his assignment in Harrisburg. He found it to be satisfying and very much removed from the terrors of the Compere Coven and the magics that were forever finding their way into Pittsburgh.

  "Have dinner with me tonight." Noori posed and then added. "Marek and Thayer are training some new recruits and have taken them to a nether realm for special training. They will be gone for a few days and are out of range for contact, so I've been feeling a little lonesome. Thayer took his beloved with him, but I have responsibilities here."

  "I'd love to join you for dinner," Enzo responded, eager to spend some time with his good friend. "Are you still having issues with the magics?" He wasn't sure if he wanted to know. Having been away from the influence and threat of magics for the past while had been refreshing, but they were a real problem in Pittsburgh, and he needed to stay informed.

  "Witchcraft has sprung up in a few areas, mostly the lowlands. It isn't of great concern, but as you know, if you don't deal with it, they get stronger, and soon enough, you're dealing with hard-core magics and sorcerers. It always grows if given even the slightest footing." Noori was one of the best on the street, putting these people down, but Enzo could see a hint of frustration edging his words.

  "The Master still seethes over the fact that he had a magic living and working here at the Center. He trusted Nathan, and his betrayal cut deep."

  "I never knew Nathan, but I heard he had been well regarded, and the news that he had become one of the dark ones was quite traumatic for the entire coven." Enzo felt for those who had given him their trust. "Having him get away and not face consequences must be difficult for everyone."

  "He did a lot of damage before he was discovered, and it has taken a long time to rectify, but there are good people here, and Master Hadden is dedicated to our complete recovery. No magic will ever get the best of the Hadden Coven." Noori swore, and Enzo agreed wholeheartedly.

  Foster Rhodes was a new hire at the Sienna Restaurant located in the Hadden Center. It was expensive and somewhat exclusive, catering to business types and elites within the city. Foster had several years of restaurant experience, having worked at several locations around Pittsburgh. The Sienna was a goal of his after hearing about the pay level and the tip opportunities from a friend who had worked there in the past.

  He started a week ago, and so far, it was everything he'd expected. The staff was skilled and professional, the food was excellent, and the clientele was select. At twenty-three years old, Foster felt that his life was on track. He had a decent savings account and had recently started investing.

  Foster grew up in care homes, having been orphaned at the age of four when his parents were killed in a plane crash. There were no relatives or people able to take over his care, so he was placed with the state. He had no complaints, though, because all his placements had been good.

  His caregivers were decent, honorable people who taught him how to live and how to take care of himself. At eighteen, he inherited the trust left to him by his parents. It wasn't a lot, but it helped him get started living life on his own. He had a small apartment and a car, and now that he had the job at the Sienna, he would consider taking some classes at the community college. A two-year degree in business or finance might open more doors for him in the future. It was a starting point, at least.

  Foster was working till close tonight, which would give him the opportunity to learn prep, clean up, and closing of the restaurant. He helped clear the glassware from the bar and remembered the man he had seen seated there earlier in the evening. It was just a quick glimpse, but he left an impression.

  Foster had never felt such instant lust and overwhelming desire as he did when the man turned, and he got a good look at his face. He was built like a brick wall and had
the face of a handsome warrior, attractive but also dark, calculating, and cunning. He was a man that no one ever fucked with, and he always got what he wanted.

  He was Foster's dream man, and he was seated not more than ten feet from him. Foster toyed with the idea of making an excuse to get closer, but he was called by Lenard, one of the bartenders, to bring out more glasses, and by the time he returned, the gorgeous man had gone.

  It was nine o'clock, and they were closing early tonight to perform some specific repairs in the kitchen. The restaurant was usually open until eleven. He helped sanitize the tables and chairs and was asked to clean the bathrooms and take out the trash.

  "Tomorrow night, you can assist with the kitchen cleanup." Charles, the manager, told him. "On your first night shift, you always pull the bathrooms, but after that, we take turns." Foster had no problem cleaning the bathrooms as long as he had gloves. Foster smiled and headed to the men's room first since, based on experience, they tended to need more cleaning than the ladies' room.

  He pushed the door open with his mop and bucket and was in the process of propping it open when he saw two people on the far side of the room near the paper towels, and the scene struck him as strange. The woman being held against the wall looked to be in ecstasy, but the man holding her was simply kissing her throat. Her reaction was out of proportion to the action taking place. The lights were out, and the room was lit only by the light coming in through the open door.

  "Excuse me." He said and was about to turn away to give them time to comport themselves when the man turned to face him, and what he saw chilled him to the bone. The man was part of Hadden Center security. He remembered seeing him before, and the woman was one of the waitresses, but he couldn't remember her name.

  The man's eyes were bright red and glowed in the subdued light of the bathroom. His face was sharp and angular in an unnatural way, but the worst was his teeth and the blood dripping from his lips. What in the hell was happening exploded across Foster's mind, and he immediately turned and ran.

  Panic gripped him, the kind of panic that sharpens your awareness and makes your every move perfect because you know for certain that your life depends upon your ability to escape. He remembered there was an exit off the back and headed in that direction. He could hear the man following, but Foster did not think; he only reacted and rushed out the door.

  He found himself in another hallway and just kept running, turning when he noticed another door and slammed it open with the force of his body. The room was dark and large; there were things, chairs, and such piled up, so it registered as storage, but there was someone there. Damn, he needed to get out of there.

  "Stop, who are you?" The person rushed him, but Foster dodged and went for the double doors with the light shining beneath. He was pretty sure it would lead to the lobby, where he could disappear into the crowd. The Hadden Center was popular and busy on a Friday evening, and he hoped there would be enough people to cover his escape.

  The man was yelling some gibberish at him, and for a moment, he felt a heaviness descend upon him. He steeled himself, brought his focus back to the double doors, and forced his tunnel vision to block out everything except those doors. He'd always been a good runner, and it was paying off for him now as he burst through the doors and out into the lobby.

  He paused for a moment and looked around; he realized everyone was fixated on him. Well, not everyone, but everyone who looked like they worked for Center Security. They were trying to surround him, and Foster couldn't let that happen. The minute they were able to surround him, they would then move in on him, and he would have no avenue for escape. Panic was still energizing him, and he managed to maintain a clear head and logical thinking.

  The tall one near the door was his best option. With people coming and going, it would give him cover. He moved quickly, and once he was close enough, he put on the speed and slid past one who nearly grabbed him and avoided the others as he darted out the doors surrounded by a crowd of locals. Once outside, he ran, and he didn't stop. Once he'd cleared the plaza and was on the street, he ducked into a shop that was in the process of closing for the night.

  "I'm sorry, sir, we're closing. You'll have to come back tomorrow." The clerk told him.

  “I think I’m being followed.” He said and then asked. “May I use your back door?”

  "Yes, of course." The clerk signaled for her co-worker to lock the front door, and she led Foster to the back. "Do you want me to call the police?" She offered.

  "No, I'm not far from home. I'll be okay." He told her. She nodded but still looked unsure about the cops. He exited into a dark alley and headed north. He was born and raised in this town, and he knew it like the back of his hand.

  His car was parked several blocks down in a lot that was secure but also cheaper than anything close to the financial district. Once he had his car, he could get out of town for a few days and see how things settled. Maybe he would stop by his apartment first and gather anything important. Nikolas Hadden was a powerful man with a long reach, and there was a possibility that he might have to stay gone for a long time.

  It shocked him to think that others were involved in what he'd witnessed, and he wondered what it all meant. The guards and security all came after him when they should have gone after the guy drinking the lady's blood. Whatever was going on in that bathroom, it was clearly not an isolated incident, and that thought scared the hell out of him.

  Foster approached the parking lot and could see his car but could also see the two men in dark suits standing nearby. They pretended to be looking at their phones, but they were keeping an eye on their perimeter. They were Center Security. He could tell by their look and their dress and the way they behaved with each other. How in the hell did they find his car so fast?

  He slunk back behind a large truck and just took a few deep breaths. He kept an awareness of his surroundings and noted every sound and sensation. He stayed there for several minutes until he had a bad feeling that washed over him. He knew it was time to go. He trusted his gut, for it had never abandoned him, and right now, his gut was telling him to leave and to do it quickly.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Enzo met Josef McQueen, the Master’s second, and together, they headed up to Master Hadden's office. "Have you noticed any magics influence in Harrisburg?" He asked as they made their way down the long hall and then added. "There were problems of that nature at the capital a few years ago, but Master Hadden was able to put it down."

  “I heard about that incident from Dmitry, and I’m pleased to say that I have not encountered any magics during my time there. They seem to prefer Pittsburgh.” Enzo remarked. They reached the doors, and Josef entered with Enzo following. The Master's assistant announced them, and soon, they were all seated.

  "I want to congratulate you on your excellent work getting the agreements we needed to turn that plot of land downtown into something positive, something that will ward off the dark interests." Master Hadden told him, and Enzo could feel his pride swelling from the praise.

  Master Compere, even before his descent into hell, never gave praise or even acceptance to any who served him. Master Hadden was the most powerful leader he'd ever worked for, and yet he was also the most connected and kindest to his people. Being kind did not detract from his strength but rather enhanced it.

  Enzo completed his quarterly report on the issues being dealt with on the state level. He ended by thanking Master Hadden for giving him the opportunity to work for the Coven on the governmental level.

  "I would like for you to be present when the Cyprians finish the consecration of the property and the park is opened to the public." Master Hadden requested.

  "Thank you, sir. It would be an honor." They talked for a while longer, and then Enzo was dismissed, but Josef was asked to stay. Enzo was glad to have the meeting over and to have the rest of the evening to himself. He was meeting Noori for dinner in an hour. Noori wasn't a coffee drinker, and he was craving a cup, so he headed to the Sienna for an expresso.