Hell's Belle by Karen Greco Read Free Book Online Page B

in the fire, but I could hear screams. I wasn't sure if it was the mild concussion giving me nightmares or if he was getting into my head. Some of the older vamps could do that, and it was one of the abilities that freaked me right out. In case it was the latter, I pretty much stayed up all night.
    "Once the gang arrives, you go home," Babe said firmly. "You need time with them, and you need time to rest. You could've have taken tonight off, you know."
    I knew, but I hated leaving her alone at the bar at night. Babe was a tough broad, but the neighborhood was a little rough around the edges, and she wasn't as young as she used to be.
    "Promise you'll close up early if it's dead," I said, giving her a look.
    "Yes, Boss." Babe grinned.
    I didn't believe her. "I'll ask Dr. O to hang around and keep an eye on you then."
    The door to Babe's flung open. I squinted at the motley crew who stood at the threshold.
    An older gentleman with a tweedy coat and a professorial air strode into the bar. At his heels was a tall man with pale skin and long black hair that accentuated cerulean-blue eyes. With his long black leather coat, he looked like a rock star. That was Frankie.
    I vaulted the bar and landed in front of them, Babe not far behind me.
    "Nina," Dr. O said, pulling me to him and holding me tightly.
    The tweed of his jacket was a little itchy, but the hug felt really good.
    "You look lovely,” Dr. O continued. “Being home has done some good, I see."
    Babe turned in time to catch a kiss from Dr. O and their embrace lingered for a moment before she turned to hug Frankie.
    With the greetings out of the way, we moved to the empty tables away from the bar.
    Frankie slid his arm around my waist as we walked, a faint accent hinted at his European background. "What the hell is going on here?"
    Frankie looked no older than me, but he was probably close to 500 years old and one of the most dangerous vamps I had ever come across. He was also a talented tinkerer and built my custom motorcycle. And he was one of my best friends.
    "Where's Darcy?" I asked him, realizing that my other best friend was missing.
    "That time of the month," Frankie smiled slyly.
    That sucked. Darcy was our tactical support and resident computer genius. I was waiting for months for her to wire up my new Blood Ops home base here in Providence, and hook up my loft with some sweet electronics. But she was also a banshee, putting her out of commission for a few days a month so she could go somewhere safe to wail to her heart’s content. Descended from the Tuatha De'Dannan, a race of Irish fairies, the myth is that banshees are the omen of death for one family. In truth it’s the sound of the banshee’s wail that kills a person who is suffering some sort of heartbreak. And in Darcy’s case, it’s usually men. Darcy finds the heartsick men and wails for them. It’s a nasty business for her, particularly since the Blood Ops base was so close to Las Vegas. Hearts were breaking all over that city at any given time.
    Knowing that they would be joining me here in Providence, I had a room next to Frankie's apartment built out for this purpose. Of course, I wasn't going to tell Frankie about it until it was too late. He'd piss and moan about having to listen to her shrieks, even though I had the rooms soundproofed. He’d claim vampire hearing, but that’s sort of a load of bullshit. I spared no expense on the soundproofing. My dad was a 700-year-old vampire who amassed quite a fortune over the centuries. I was his sole heir. I could afford to build it right.
    "Do you guys know a Marcello?" I asked as we settled down at a round table, not far from where Marcello attacked.
    "Why?" Frankie asked. He looked like he was about to jump out of his skin.
    "So you do know him," I said. I felt a small wave of relief. "He was the one who attacked me last night, right here. Spoke the ancient language to me. He knows what I am, and more importantly, who I am. But I know nothing about