Filthy Rich Vampire Husbands (Filthy Rich 2)

“We deserve for it to be painful. We’ve been bad.”

“You haven’t seen my bad yet. Wait until you’re turned, then you, me, and the guys, are going to the playroom, and I’m going to do all sorts of naughty things to you.”

My thighs clenched together at the thought but at the same time my heart lurched with fear. I was heading to a medical facility in two days time to be turned. I had made the decision to get it done because I wanted to have the same strength and stamina as my boyfriends. Flynn had voiced his reservations that it was still very early days in the relationship, but we’d talked it over and agreed that we were all in, that no one could see the future

. The truth was I was struggling to keep up with them as a human/succubus blend.

Leonie’s footsteps echoed as she walked back in with a tray, placing the drinks on the coffee table in the center of the placement of the two couches. She perched on the edge of the opposite couch looking uncomfortable and on edge.

Then it became apparent that it wasn’t so much nerves making her agitated but anger.

“So, please, let’s hear it then. How you went to investigate and expose the FRAP boys and now here you are in front of me sat beside one of them, having declared you are in love with all four of them I believe.” She shook her head. “I mean it’s insulting enough they got away with everything, but for you to shack up with them… it takes a lot to make me speechless but believe me, you got me.” She wafted a hand around indicating the room. “And now here I am, cleaning, fetching, and carrying, for two rich folk and you’ve landed four billionaires. I’m not sure what I did in a previous life but it must have been heinous. Guess I must have really screwed up bad.”

I’d heard enough.

“Well, I wasn’t searching for love. Maybe that’s where you’re going wrong? I wasn’t looking for a billionaire to be my meal ticket. I was just living my life and it found me.”

Leonie moved to sit on the couch opposite, her arms folded over herself. I figured by the look on her face that we weren’t going to be welcome much longer if we didn’t get on with our apology.

“Anyhow, we’re here because Smith needs to explain some things and to apologize properly, if that’s okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I can’t wait to hear it.” Sarcasm fueled her tone.

Smith shuffled on the couch, reached over for his soda and after taking a pull on it he looked directly at Leonie.

He cleared his throat. “Before you came to town, the four of us: me, Jayden, Carter, and Flynn. We decided we wanted to share a woman. To love one woman between us.”

Leonie’s eyes widened.

“I know. It seems stupid, outrageous even, but if you know Flynn’s background…” She nodded. “His relationship with Rose almost destroyed our friendship as she wouldn’t allow him to spend time with the rest of us. She wanted us out of the picture and Flynn all to herself. It’s not how we roll, how we’ve ever rolled, and it caused difficulties.

"Jayden had an idea about sharing one woman and so we began looking for one. But we messed up. With you we messed up. Carter should have introduced himself as the billionaire he was. We should have got to know you before we seduced you. And I…” he faltered. “I was in the depths of an alcohol problem and shouldn’t have been in a relationship at all. I should have been in a facility. It’s where I ended up after that night.”

Leonie swallowed, as the night in question arose.

“I’m not an alcoholic, but I have an intolerance.” Smith’s voice lowered. “I also struggle with life sometimes. I find it hard to deal with who I am. The alcohol became a crutch for me, a coping mechanism. The guys had decided that they were going to ask if you’d consider a relationship with us, but I didn’t want that.” He stared at her and I saw his lip tremble slightly. “I didn’t feel the connection I wanted to feel. It was nothing against you. I could see you were a lovely person. But the guys weren’t listening to my opinion so I did the only thing I do well. I fucked everything up.

"I posted up the photos of you and Flynn having sex when I walked into the gallery. The others were already seated inside waiting for you. They didn’t know what I’d done. Then I humiliated you further when you came through to see us.”

Smith had declared Leonie a six out of ten in the bedroom.

Smith leaned over, his wrists resting on his knees and he looked directly at Leonie. “There’s no excuse for my behavior. I’m so damn sorry. And the money we gave you was an added insult. I don’t know what any of us were thinking that night. We’d had the idea for one woman but our execution of it was appalling. And to then give you money. Well, you must have felt like a hooker. Leonie, I really am so very sorry.”

There were tears in her eyes as she looked back at him. “So why not come apologize then for what you did if you were so sorry?”

I took over at that point.

“Smith tried to kill himself after you left. There in the gallery. He was taken to hospital and then rehab.”

Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh.”

“This is all on me, Leonie. I was a mess and in my selfish state I ruined your life in Carbon Beach.” Smith added.

“I found this out during my investigation for the magazine. The men are all so complex and every one has their reasons for how they are. It’s just that at the time they met you, everything piled up into one big drama. I’m sorry that in discovering the truth I hurt you, Leonie. That you didn’t get the closure you were seeking, but I’m not sorry about my relationship. I love all four of them.”

Leonie sat up straight and sighed. “I was so damn angry when I read the press reports, thinking you’d betrayed me. But if you truly have deep feelings for them, then I wish you all luck. You should leave now.”

Smith raised a hand. “Leonie, we’ve been discussing the situation and we want to offer you an opportunity. You must understand, this is not an attempt to buy you off and just shut you down in any way. It’s Serena’s idea, and well, I’m deferring to her when it's about women because as my past history shows it’s not my best subject. Women’s anatomy, yes. Their brains, hell, no.”