Wicked Sunset (Sunset Vampire Series, Book 4) Read online

  Wicked Sunset

  Book #4 in the Sunset Vampire Series

  by Jaz Primo

  RUTHERFORD LITERARY GROUP

  http://www.rutherfordliterary.com

  Novels by Jaz Primo

  The Sunset Vampire Series

  Sunrise at Sunset

  A Bloody London Sunset

  Summit at Sunset

  Wicked Sunset

  * Sunset Rising

  * Additional Titles Forthcoming

  * * *

  The Logan Bringer Urban Fantasy Series

  Bringer of Fire

  * Bringer Unleashed

  * Additional Titles Forthcoming

  * * *

  Gwen Reaper

  (A Young Adult Paranormal Romance)

  Winner of the Paranormal Romance Guild’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Young Adult Novel of 2012!

  * * *

  Published by Rutherford Literary Group

  All Rights Reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content. Any trademarks mentioned herein are not authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks used are specifically in a descriptive capacity.

  Published by:

  Rutherford Literary Group

  1205 S. Air Depot, PMB #135

  Midwest City, Oklahoma 73110-4807

  Cover art by Sharon Legg,

  Sharon Legg Digital Art

  Edited by Lea Ellen Borg,

  Night Owl Editing Services

  Copyright 2013 by John Primo

  ISBN-13: 9780988569003 (E-Book)

  ISBN-13: 9780988569010 (Paperback)

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  Printed in the U.S.A.

  DEDICATION

  This book is dedicated to the beta men in the world, who have strong and heroic hearts, majestic souls, and dedication to the women they love that’s just as mighty as, or stronger than, any alpha men (who typically play at being heroes until it’s time to do dishes, help with the laundry, give the children a bath, take out the trash, etc.). And for all the amazing alpha women in the world who love their beta men; strong women who recognize and cherish the valued daily commitment to thoughtful and supportive acts of love that honor them.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  As ever, my love and thanks to my wife, Lori, who tirelessly supports and encourages my literary journey. My special thanks to our long-lived cat that steadfastly interrupts hours of typing to remind me of the need for infrequent breaks; albeit for attention and treats for her, of course.

  Thank you to my gifted and talented editor, Lea Ellen, whose mastery of prose and grammar and keen attention to detail has helped make me become a better author. Special thanks to my cover artist, Sharon, who has captured, and visually reflected, the spirit and emotion of the Sunset Vampire Series.

  A heartfelt shout-out to my supportive friends and family for their wonderful and valued support and encouragement. And my sincere thanks to my beta readers, who are a constant source of thoughtful and valuable feedback for my novels.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Novels by Jaz Primo

  Copyrights Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Part I - Atlanta

  Chapter 1 - Caleb

  Chapter 2 - Caleb

  Chapter 3 - Caleb

  Chapter 4 - Caleb

  Chapter 5 - Caleb

  Chapter 6 - Katrina

  Chapter 7 - Caleb

  Chapter 8 - Katrina

  Chapter 9 - Katrina

  Chapter 10 - Caleb

  Chapter 11 - Katrina

  Chapter 12 - Katrina

  Chapter 13 - Caleb

  Chapter 14 - Katrina

  Chapter 15 - Caleb

  Chapter 16 - Katrina

  Chapter 17 - Caleb

  Chapter 18 - Katrina

  Chapter 19 - Caleb

  Chapter 20 - Caleb

  Chapter 21 - Caleb

  Part II - New Haven

  Chapter 22 - Caleb

  Chapter 23 - Caleb

  Chapter 24 - Caleb

  Chapter 25 - Caleb

  Part III - London and Back

  Chapter 26 - Caleb

  Chapter 27 - Caleb

  Chapter 28 - Caleb

  Chapter 29 - Caleb

  Chapter 30 - Caleb

  Chapter 31 - Caleb

  Chapter 32 - Caleb

  About the Author

  Promo Novel - Gwen Reaper

  Promo Novel - Bringer of Fire

  Promo Novel - Sunrise at Sunset

  Promo Novel - A Bloody London Sunset

  Promo Novel - Summit at Sunset

  A Request from Jaz Primo - Wicked Sunset

  Part I

  Atlanta

  Chapter 1

  Caleb

  Just as gravity perpetually held the moon in orbit, my heart was upheld by the sheer power of love.

  My daily thoughts were focused upon not only the lovely vision, but the mesmerizing presence, of one woman; the most dangerous and beautiful vampire in the world.

  * * *

  A summer’s day in downtown Atlanta was hotter than hell; the nights were merely purgatory.

  Strolling through the evening streets, I looked up at the tall woman beside me who could easily pass for an Amazon stolen from ancient lore.

  Her long red hair cascaded about her shoulders like a beautiful mantle and she carried herself with a poise suggesting royal bearing, though she’d scoff if I ever told her that.

  Her name was Katrina “Kat” Rawlings; a vampire.

  She’s my vampire.

  I held her hand as we proceeded down the sidewalk amidst a veritable fog of humidity.

  She gazed down at me, her sharp emerald eyes piercing into mine in striking fashion. “Looking forward to the concert, my love?” she asked.

  “Yep, I’m ready to rock.”

  It’d only been a week since we returned home from the near-fatal vampire conference in Slovenia; scarcely time for us to unpack, really. And yet we were already fully engaged in new ventures.

  That evening, our destination was a rock concert at the Philips Arena.

  A passing car blaring Beastie Boys’ “Make Some Noise” momentarily distracted me.

  Kat tightened her grip on my hand to refocus my attention. “There’s still time to cancel if you don’t feel up to it,” she said. “You have a lingering concussion, after all.”

  My concussion was the lovely parting gift I’d acquired back in Slovenia in the act of saving the lives of people, and a number of vampires, who I cared deeply about—including the woman beside me.

  Kat’s the love of my life. How could I have done any less?

  “I feel fine,” I replied.

  “You look more than fine to me,” she said.

  Her intense gaze pierced through me, seizing me where I stood, and I felt the electric charge of desire permeating the space between us. Since the first moment I’d set eyes on her, she’d affected me in a chemical, almost feral, manner.
>
  I felt inexorably drawn to her.

  My pulse quickened as a carnal appetite grew inside me. The edges of her mouth edged upward in that I-read-your-body-and-know-what-you’re-feeling manner. It was yet another of her innate vampire-related abilities that made me feel nearly naked, like some open book for her to consume.

  I’m hers to consume; utterly and without reservation.

  For as many times as she’d partaken in my blood, it felt as though she’d likewise injected her very essence into my bloodstream.

  Kat was my only true craving.

  She was all I wanted in life.

  She guided us alongside the nearest building and towered before me. Grasping my chin between her fingertips, she titled my head upward and pressed her soft lips against mine in a passionate kiss.

  And just like that, it felt as if the world around me ceased to exist. All that mattered was Kat and me.

  “I want—”

  She kissed me again.

  “You want what?” she muttered against my lips, eliciting a tickling sensation.

  I grinned. “You.”

  “I can arrange that,” she whispered.

  She kissed me deeply and I felt my breath practically being drawn from my lungs.

  Heaven on Earth.

  Then a fleeting pang of guilt washed over me.

  “Paige and Ethan,” I said. “They’re waiting.”

  “I could text them to go ahead without us. Then it would be just you and me at home for the entire night.”

  Honestly, at that moment, I was half-tempted to give in to that idea.

  “That’d be rude, given how Paige has been going on about Angelical Tears since she heard their tour was stopping here,” I said. “Heck, it’s like she’s a part-time promoter for them or something.”

  Angelical Tears was a modern Goth-metal-alternative rock group that my dear friend, almost a sister, Paige Turner, had brought to my attention.

  After listening to some sample tracks, I had to admit the group had a unique sound. They’d recently come into their own and had begun a nationwide tour, and I was looking forward to hearing them.

  Kat nodded her head. “Paige has been rather insistent lately, hasn’t she?”

  “So, how about a rain check on some quality kissing until post-concert?” I asked.

  “I’ll seriously consider it,” she said coquettishly.

  She kissed me.

  “Maybe just one for the road,” she said.

  “Hey, you lip-lockers!” called a familiar voice from across the street. “Hurry up or we’ll miss the warm-up group!”

  “Speak of the devil,” Kat said.

  We proceeded to the Philips Arena, and the building was at near-capacity level.

  Angelical Tears sounded great, and the audience loved them. Their songs varied from pounding hard rock and visceral lyrics to sweeping romantic tracks that spoke of heartfelt passion, and on occasion, lamenting.

  The lead singer was a beautiful young woman who had a powerful angelic-sounding voice. Additionally, her inclusion of Russian lyrics in some of the songs was exotic and visceral sounding.

  The band played guitars and drums like extensions of their own bodies, pouring raw, heated emotion into their performance. Combined with synthesizers, their sound was both unique and enthralling.

  It was no wonder they attracted such a large fan base.

  They seemed liked an epic band that was destined for greatness.

  During the concert, something odd caught my attention. Despite their obvious Goth elements, the lead singer and the bass player had other familiar qualities.

  I wrapped my arm around Kat’s waist and spoke into her ear. “Hey, two of them look kind of like vampires, don’t you think?”

  She merely nodded, but Paige tapped me on the shoulder and gave me an exaggerated wink.

  “No wonder you love them,” I said.

  She merely smiled, swaying in time to the music.

  After the concert, which included two curtain calls, Paige led us past a group of fans along a rope barricade to the area leading back stage.

  “Paige Turner and company,” she said to a muscular man holding an electronic tablet.

  He motioned with a nod for us to proceed.

  “You know the band?” I asked.

  “Hey, I know people,” she said.

  “And I bet they usually end up a pint shy of blood for that,” I said.

  “Oh, hush, snark-face,” she said.

  Soon, we were standing backstage talking with the band. Paige introduced us to Julia, the vampire lead singer, and her vampire mate, Glenn, the bass player.

  “Great concert,” I said. “Julia, your voice is amazing, and Glenn, you rocked that bass.”

  They were both very kind and gracious. I quickly felt comfortable around them, so it made asking my next question so much easier.

  “Aren’t you afraid of all the attention?” I asked. “I mean, people are going to notice your lack of aging eventually.”

  “No problem,” Glenn said. “It’ll take a long time before those things became an issue. Lots of bands like ours wear makeup, which helps.”

  “That’s all it takes, a little makeup?” I asked.

  “Dude, look at KISS,” he said.

  Julia frowned at him. “Really, Glenn, KISS? That’s who came to mind first?”

  He shrugged. “It is what it is. Hey, how about a beer?”

  “Don’t forget, honey, we’re signing for fans in twenty minutes,” Julia said.

  He grinned. “Just one. Maybe two, tops.”

  I chuckled and followed him to a nearby cooler where we drank beers and talked about their nationwide tour.

  I had a blast, and even Katrina seemed to enjoy herself. Without a doubt, Julia and Glenn had earned my vampire stamp of approval.

  And they even signed our concert T-shirts.

  * * *

  By the time we’d finished visiting with Glenn and Julia, the crowd had thinned out significantly. Kat and I held hands while Ethan and Paige walked arm and arm behind us during the walk to the parking garage.

  “Angelical Tears was great,” Ethan said. “I have a feeling they’re going places.”

  “Yeah, the next city,” Paige piped up. “They are on a nationwide tour, after all.”

  I heard a growl and a squeal, and glanced over my shoulder to see Ethan trapping Paige in his arms and wriggling his face against her neck.

  She squealed again. “Hey, no fangs!”

  “Glenn and Julia seem really wonderful,” Kat said.

  “Yeah. And Julia’s voice has amazing range, not to mention she’s a beautiful woman,” I said. “And it was nice of them to sign our T-shirts.”

  “Hey, vampires make great singers,” Paige said, as she and Ethan quickly fell into step behind us again. “And, kiddo, don’t forget that one of those shirts is mine.”

  “You know, if they make it really big, they’re going to have to be careful being in the limelight,” Ethan said. “Entertainers receive a lot of scrutiny from the media.”

  “Well, as vampires, at least they can devour the paparazzi,” Paige said wryly.

  Kat and I both glanced over our shoulders at her.

  “What? It’s only paparazzi; they’re not like real people, right? Who’d care, really?” she countered.

  Kat and I looked at each other and simultaneously shrugged as Ethan chuckled.

  Standing in the parking garage elevator, I regretted that the evening had passed so quickly.

  Isn’t life just like that? The good times are so fleeting.

  “Which floor?” I asked.

  “We’re on three,” Paige said. “And it’s a level, not a floor.”

  “It doesn’t matter. There’s a floor on each level,” I said. “You know, that stuff made of concrete.”

  She gave me a look. “Whatever, college boy.”

  “Paige, maybe you and Ethan would like to come over for drinks?” Kat asked.

  “Nah,
me and my old man are heading straight home for some hot sex-capades,” she said.

  Ethan appeared quite pleased while Kat and I merely stared at her.

  “What?” she asked. “We’re all adults here, right?”

  “Uh, maybe a little TMI,” Kat said.

  “I’m just sayin’,” Paige said. “Hey, it’s not like I said, ‘we’re heading home so he can bend me over and stuff me with his---”

  “Paige,” Kat interrupted.

  She stuck her tongue out at Kat.

  I couldn’t help but laugh.

  When the doors to the third level opened, only a sparse number of vehicles remained.

  “Here you are,” I said. “Kat and I are on the next floor.”

  “Level,” Paige corrected.

  “Whatever,” I said.

  Kat and I said our goodbyes to them and proceeded up to the next level.

  Floor?

  I looked at Kat.

  “In a hotel or office building, it’s called a floor,” I said. “Why does a parking garage make it a level?”

  “Please don’t start,” she said.

  I shrugged.

  “I had a blast tonight,” I said as the elevator doors opened.

  There were only sporadic vehicles parked on our—elevation—so I easily spotted Kat’s Audi.

  We scarcely walked twenty feet when the elevator doors opened behind us. We both turned to see Paige exiting.

  “Hey, gimme’ my concert T-shirt,” she said.

  As I reached into the bag I was carrying, strange popping noises sounded and two distinct holes appeared in the door of the car beside us.

  “Wha—?” I said.

  “Gun!” Kat yelled, pulling me down onto the concrete.

  “Crap!” Paige yelled from behind us.

  Chapter 2