Fratelli: The Awakening (The Vampire Cartel #1)

57. Lucio’s Surrender

Chapter 57

Lucio’s Surrender

T he Canyon, Arizona

April 16, 2018

(5 Days Before Death)

Lucio closed his eyes and let his senses expand. He could feel the safety and serenity that surrounded them. His brothers and enemies were far away, unable to detect her presence or sense her distress. It was the golden hour in the Grand Canyon, a time when the world seemed to hold its breath in awe, and the sun dimmed into night. It was a time when he felt the burden of his curse the worst.

The air outside had cooled to a perfect temperature, and a gentle breeze whispered through the sparse vegetation. The sky was a breathtaking canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples, casting a magical glow over the rocky landscape. Lucio wanted her to experience this beauty. To see the world in all its wonder before he shared his story and revealed the darker truths that lay ahead for her.

“Dolly, look at me,” he lifted her chin.

She stared up at him with a blurred, teary gaze.

“Let’s go outside, get some air, start again. Okay?” he asked.

She nodded her agreement.

Lucio led Dolly out of the igloo-shaped dome with his arm around her shoulder. The cool air inside gave way to the natural warmth of the desert evening. As they stepped onto the rocky terrain, Dolly felt an immediate connection to the earth beneath her feet. The wind swirled dust up from the canyon depths. The endless expanse of cliffs and valleys painted in the vibrant hues of sunset was mesmerizing. It was like walking into a painting and touching a dream. She let go of Lucio and stepped responsibly closer to the edge. She felt exhilarated as her senses took in everything from the earthy smell to the decay of dried-up vegetation.

Dolly breathed in the air’s purity, washed away the remnants of fear and anxiety that had taken her. The grandeur of the canyon, untouched by time, made her feel small yet powerful, a part of something much larger than herself.

“This is incredible,” she whispered, her voice barely heard over the soft murmur and drift of the wind.

Lucio watched her with a gentle smile. “I thought you might like it. Nature has a way of healing us, of reminding us of the beauty that still exists in the world. No matter who we are.”

They walked closer to the edge, the ground beneath them solid and reassuring. Dolly felt the tension in her shoulders ease, her muscles relaxed thanks to the tranquility. She glanced up at Lucio and wondered about his strange relationship with the sun. The typically intense features of his face became less harsh. His black hair gleamed. There was temptation added to her attraction to him. It crept all over her.

For a moment, they stood in silence and took in the breathtaking view. The Colorado River snaked its way through the canyon floor far below, its waters reflected the world above. Birds called to each other, their songs a melodic counterpoint to the whisper in the wind.

Dolly felt a sense of peace she hadn’t known in years, a cleansing of her soul as she stood there, connected to the ancient beauty around her. It was as if the canyon itself offered her a fresh start, a chance to rebuild and rediscover herself amidst the splendor of nature.

Lucio gently took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “Out here, it’s just us. No threats, no past, just the present moment.”

“What if I jumped?” Dolly asked. She stared down at the bottom of the canyon.

“Then I’d catch you,” he said.

“You would. Wouldn’t you?”

“Yes.”

When the silence between them turned awkward, he looked away. “We should go inside the tent. There are chairs we can bring out and a cooler for us with snacks and drinks. We can watch the sunset—and the stars.”

“Aren’t you hot? I mean, uncomfortable with the sun?”

He pointed to the sun setting. “It’s not as bad now. Dawn and the mornings are the worst.”

“Oh?”

Lucio dropped her hand and walked away. Dolly went after him. She forced him to look at her. Although she was still afraid of so many things, she didn’t want to be. She again pulled him in closer. Lucio turned and was face to face with Dolly. His eyes reflected the myriad colors of the sunset. He reached out and tenderly cupped the side of her face, his touch as light as a feather, yet filled with the strength of his repressed emotions. Dolly felt that familiar heart flutter she experienced when he picked her up into his arms after she scraped her knee in his New Orleans home.

Lucio was slow to move, but then he leaned in and closed the distance between them. His lips brushed hers with a tenderness that resolved her doubts. The kiss was gentle at first, a tentative exploration, as they both savored the sensation of being so close, so connected. But even in the tenderness, she felt his edge when her tongue glazed over his fanged teeth. Dolly suffered a deep shiver.

As the kiss deepened, Lucio’s arms encircled her, and she was drawn closer, lifted into his embrace. In a natural movement, her legs wrapped around his waist. She melted inside, protected by his brawny arms. There she felt the steady beat of her heart against the empty chamber of his own. There was no rush, no urgency—only a profound sense of belonging that flowed between them.

Dolly’s fingers became tangled in Lucio’s hair, as they gripped the strands and held his head to seal their kiss. His hands moved to her back. They held her as if she were the most precious being in the world. Lucio walked. She felt the movement, but she didn’t care where. If he stepped off the edge of the cliff and ended it for them both, she’d gladly go. She was so tired of the hurt and anger between them.

When they entered the tent and their lips parted, their foreheads rested against each other, and both breathed softly, eyes still closed as they held onto the magic between them. Dolly opened her eyes and saw Lucio look at her with the same intensity that made her heart swell when they first met. She lowered her thighs and eased down his tall frame to her feet. Later, she would marvel at the Mediterranean craftsmanship that went into making the tent. It was like out of Aladdin’s Arabian Nights.

Dolly pulled her white shirt up and out of the tuck into her designer jeans. She unbuttoned the garment and undressed for him. Lucio looked away. She could understand the reaction, especially after their conversation. He felt uncertain about her and everything with her that was regarding intimacy. When she eased her jeans down her hips and kicked out of her heels to pull them off, his gaze returned.

“I don’t think we should. I haven’t fed. Your first time… with me… shouldn’t be like this. I’m not sure if I can… be with you and not want to do so.”

“No fear here,” she said and pulled down her thong. “Feed on me. You have before.”

Lucio dropped his head and shook it. Dolly went to him in nothing but her bra. She pushed up his chin so she could see his face.

“It’s not a trick. I’m not being fickle. I want to try, Lucio. Show me this dragon Darlene loves. It’s who you are. If I can’t handle it, I want to know,” Dolly said.

She touched his jaw. His eyes lowered to hers and she saw the flame of desire there. She wondered how physically Darlene could have sex with him. Was it painful to have sex with a vampire if he was eating you at the same time?

“I won’t eat you. Unless you want me to,” he smiled, having read her mind.

She smiled in return. “Well, a couple of licks and nips never harmed no one. The way I see it now, the night is going to be heaven or hell. There is nothing that Darlene will have to hold over me anymore.” She put her thong in his hand.

“Well? What’s it going to be, vampire?”Dolly smiled, recalling that was Darlene’s pet name of choice for him.

Lucio picked her up into his arms and carried her to the bed of the softest silk she’d ever seen. The drapery around the bed started from the center ceiling of the tent and then spread out in colors of red, purple, and gold. Dolly surveyed her surroundings and removed her bra. Lucio undressed for her, and she remembered how much she liked the Dragon on his chest. The intricate tattoo was even more menacing now that she understood its meaning.

“What does Fratelli mean?” Dolly asked. The word Fratelli was tattooed across his back shoulder blades, and she didn’t quite understand the design underneath that covered his back.

“Brotherhood,” he replied.

“Oh, do all of you that are vampires have these markings?” she asked.

“The brothers do,” he answered. “My father’s is different. The consiglieri are different. It’s tribal in a way.”

“Are you going to tell me about this family that you’re protecting me from?” Dolly asked.

He eased into the bed and over her. He kissed her bare belly and nipples. As her thighs parted, he gazed up into her eyes.

“Yes. Eventually,” Lucio said.