THE AUCTION

Renae POV

Jules takes off before Tara can close the door good or finish screaming. Jules wants the hell out of here and does not want any trouble from Tara's soon to be ex-husband. Jules does not need any trouble from anyone right and we both know it. One time I am glad he is a fast driver. Tara is sweating all over my back seat. She is panicked and I cannot say I blame her the soon to be ex-husband is a psychopath.

“What the hell is going on with you?” I ask her.

“That fucking bastard is driving me insane! He better leave while we are gone or I might kill him when we get back!” she yells. She throws her bag on the floorboard of the back seat and lays back in a huff.

Jules keeps his eyes on the road trying to put distance between us and the house. If Jake starts a fight with him over Tara, it could get ugly fast. Jules is calm and non- confrontational. He knows his temper and tries to keep it in check these days. A vampire ousted from the authority cannot afford any issues. Jules has never told me why he was dismissed, and I will never ask. If he decides to tell me, I will listen; it is none of my business until then.

“Why was Jake such a dick? Is he that sour over the divorce?” I ask Tara

Tara huffs and puffs. There goes my nap. I only needed a short nap before we get to New Orleans. That is not going to happen now.

“Well, Jake is being Jake and Jake is a damn dickhead. The damn fucker. We are no longer married. He needs to get the hell out of my house. I told him I wanted him gone by the time we got back. Then he lost it. He is furious I am leaving for the weekend. He cut the power to the house and is having a hissy fit. When he heard you pull up, he was full-on crazy. So I ran out the back as fast as I could. Fuck him,” she says.

“Jake is the most dramatic man I have ever met in my life. He needs to get over himself and get a new life away from here and away from you,” I say.

She lies back in the seat. “Don't I know it? Maybe he will meet up with some whore while we are gone, or fall down the stairs and break his neck," she says, and then smiles.

I let her be for a moment. I know the last thing she needs is me hounding her for all the information. I am sure a lot more happened. We are talking about Jake. The man is a drama queen. I have never met a man like him ever, but. she will spill it all tonight after we have a few drinks.

Tara and I both lie back and sleep for the rest of the ride. I want to be fresh and ready when we make it to Frenchman's house. I am so excited about seeing the city again and seeing the bars again. Even though the town is run mainly by vampires now, I do not care. I love New Orleans, and I need it right now. Even if I have to deal with the ex-husband I know it will be a good time. I have my friends and there is plenty of booze to help us numb the pain of our every day life back here.

When I wake up, Jules is turning off the bridge and making his way past the dome. This is just the sight I wanted to see. We are here and I am ready. He is taking the long way, which is fine with me. I do not mind at all and I know why he is doing it. I know he doesn't want to drive in certain areas until the authority knows he is here and why he is here. I will make that call when we get settled. I do not need any trouble with them either. They still think they run my life.

Jules makes the right on Royale and drives slowly through the traffic. My eyes are still sleepy, but the sounds of the jazz coming to me are bringing me alive and makes me smile. Tara is still passed out in the backseat of the car. She is snoring so loud that I am surprised I was able to sleep during the ride over here. I will let her sleep until we get to Frenchman's.

Jules pulls into the house. He goes around back to park in the garage. I did not tell Frenchman he was coming. They are old friends, and it should be okay. I hope so anyway. Vampires are a moody bunch and you never know how they will react to something. I am not in the mood for authority business today or any day if I am honest about it. Jules parks the car on the street in front of Frenchman's house. Tara comes alive and begins to collect her things, yawning and stretching as she grabs her things.

"You did not tell me you were bringing the riff raft with you, my love," Frenchman says jokingly as he walks toward the car.

The two men embrace, but it seems off to me. They are speaking to one another in Romanian. Most of the authorities speak in Romanian. I have never had an interest in the language. The ex-husband tried to teach it to me on numerous occasions, but I just could not figure it out. I figured whatever was being said was none of my business anyway. I gather my things. Tara and I head into the cottage to get ready and start the party while the two vampires discuss whatever it is that vampires discuss.

Tara sets her things down. "So why is Jules with us? Is there something going on between the two of you and I thought you were still hung up on your ex? Spill it, what is the tea?" she asks.

"His brother is in some trouble or some thing that is none of my business. He needed a ride and I needed a driver," I respond.

Tara rolls her eyes at me, mostly at the thought of vampires and their business. "Authority business, ugh. It makes me cringe. I do not want even to know," she says.

"Me either. But Jules is a good guy, so he will do his thing, and we will do ours. Whatever is going on then he can handle it and we handle the french quarter," I tell her.

We both begin unpacking our things and laying our stuff out on the bed. "This place has not changed any has it. I wonder if he will ever change or redecorate. Does vampires decorate or just wait for things to come back into style? I mean seriously," she remarks.

"No, I do not think they know how. They just wait around to see if someone will do it for them. What do you want to do first?" I ask.

Tara smiles. "Let us get drunk and find something nice to look at. Something with a heartbeat and warm, not a vampire," she says.

"Sounds like a plan. Hopefully, there are some humans left in New Orleans," I say.

We spend the next twenty minutes getting dressed. Jules is still talking to Frenchman. I am once again am glad I have no idea what is happening or going on with the vampires. Maybe I should call Lester. Or at least send him a text. Or maybe I will mind my business.

I take out my phone and scroll to his information. I hit his contact info and send him a text.

*FYI, I am in town with Tara and Jules. Hope you are well*

I do not expect a quick reply, but he responds almost immediately.

*see you soon Look for me*

That is strange. I was not expecting Lester to want to see me at all. Maybe he meant Jules. Who cares? I am here to have fun and not be involved with the damn vampires. Lester, please do not ruin this for me. I need this right now.

Tara and I decide to go out the front and leave Jules behind. He can find us later after he talks with Frenchman about his missing brother. Jules may not want to venture out into the city. The authority presence here might not be suitable for him. His presence might not be suitable for any of us.

As we walk out the front and toward the street, I can still hear them talking. I hope his brother is okay. Jamie is a sweet man. I only met him once, but he was delightful. He is just as sexy as Jules.

"Be careful in the quarter, ladies," Frenchman yells at us.

"We will. I will call if we need you," I holler back.

"I need a drink. Let's hit the liquor store first, or do we want a frozen daiquiri? or a fishbowl? or all of them?" I ask Tara.

"I was thinking more along the line of a big ass fishbowl and a hot dog," she says.

"Let us do both and a hot dog. Then we will hit the liquor store and the bar," I suggest.

As we continue down the street toward the sounds of music, I feel like someone is watching us.

"Damn," I say.

"What is it? Are you okay?" she asks.

I turn around. "Hello Lester," I say with much-intended sarcasm.

My damn ex-husband is already in my face to interrogate me about why I am here and what is going on with Jules. I have not been here a damn hour. I mean, could he not let me get drunk first before he finds me.

"You look lovely as ever, my love. You look delicious," he says as he reaches for me.

I embrace him with many reservations. What in the hell does he want? I only let him know I was here because of Jules. I really need alcohol if this is a vampire issue. I do not want to deal with vampires right now.

"And you look like you are intruding on my vacation. Remember we are divorced," I say.

Lester smiles. When Lester smiles at me, I feel like Satan himself is about to ask me for a favor.

"I need to speak with you, privately," he says boldly.

I throw my hands up. "Well, that is just fine, Lester, but we are getting a drink first so just follow along. I have to be drunk to talk to you and you know it," I say in the most smart ass way I can manage to project on him.

"Fine, We can take my car. I have a driver right here waiting for us," he says.

Tara and I reluctantly get in the car. As we enter the car, I notice the person sitting in the front seat is Jamie. What the hell is going on? Why is Jamie with my ex husband? Why the hell does he need to talk to me about vampire shit? I sink down in my seat. I have a feeling this is about to take a turn that I am not ready for today. I really need a bottle instead of a drink.