Christmas Bite: A Golden Vampires of Tuscany Novella Read online

  Nothing was going to dampen her desire for the perfect wedding, or how she was going to demonstrate her love for this man.

  The service moved her to tears. By candlelight, he removed her veil and tenderly tucked his fingers beneath her jawline, placing a blood-stained kiss there that she would remember the rest of her days.

  The audience was so quiet. The mixture of mortals, dark, and Golden vamps dotted the pews and shed tears together, some with hands entwined.

  As they made their exit, he lifted her like he’d done several times in secret, carried her down the aisle. She felt like she was the prize of his life.

  As the weeks turned to Christmas, her mother stopped correcting her when she touched his lips in front of the family, and when she smiled at his strong embrace. The marriage between them was turning into something more than an arrangement, and everyone knew it.

  She began to believe in miracles.

  Afterword

  CARMINE MONTELEONE WAITED at the little espresso stand and watched mortals rush children to school as well as scurry to their employers. Mixed in with them were a scattering of pigeons, harvesting crumbs along the cobblestone streets and walkways, dodging pedestrians and cars.

  The traveler was larger than he’d imagined, and the gash running diagonally across his face was an unpleasant sight. He was unaccustomed to seeing disfigurement, especially on the face. But mortals could not help their lot in life. Their flesh did not heal fully, replenish itself, nor was it free from the aging process.

  The rest of him looked healthy. Carmine would even say glowing. He’d been told of this mortal’s appetites, which probably contributed to his robust build and sharp eyes. He was the most dangerous mortal he’d ever met.

  “Espresso?” he asked, trying to appear casual.

  “Nah.”

  As the young waitress arrived he ordered a Campari soda over ice. Carmine never understood the fascination with watered down sweet drinks, though this wasn’t as sweet as some that mortals craved. The fruit didn’t taste real, but then he was not a big fan of the food anyway. He preferred aged heavy spirits that took centuries to ripen in casks as old as he was. But he hid his second disgust of the day.

  “I take it your trip was uneventful?” he asked the big man. That’s when he noticed his deformed ear, like part of it had been bitten or torn off with teeth that definitely were not mortal.

  “Delightful, as a matter of fact. You ever travel on those beautiful planes? They do everything for you except suck your cock. I slept like a baby.”

  Carmine nodded. He’d never ridden in a plane. When he was a child, before his turning, they hadn’t been invented yet.

  “What’s it like for you?”

  Carmine wasn’t sure what the question was. “Excuse me?”

  “Flying. Or are you lot all about tracing, moving across the globe in seconds or minutes without enjoying any of it? Not like you don’t have the time to spare.”

  The elder Monteleone returned a brittle smile. “It isn’t the flying. It’s putting my life in the hands of the mortal flying the plane.”

  “Ah.” When his drink was served, he guzzled it halfway down, spilling several pinkish drops on his tunic. “Well, perhaps that will change. I can see your dark brethren becoming pilots.”

  Carmine could imagine the scene. Pilot and co-pilot who were dark coven vamps, taking turns harvesting the four hundred or so unlucky passengers. It would be messy, he thought.

  “You could always trace,” the traveler said.

  “Not from a pressurized environment. I might turn up melded into a window or an engine blade.”

  “That’s funny. I like your sense of humor, Monteleone. You think on your feet.”

  Carmine had been merely telling the truth.

  “Have you found the girls?” the big man asked.

  “Disappeared into thin air. No one has seen any of them.”

  “Well, there will be time enough for that. After. It will take years to extract my revenge.”

  Carmine decided to change the subject because he wasn’t liking the string of disgusting things he’d been imagining so early in the morning. He’d been in a good mood when he left his villa. Now he felt as wet and helpless as the pigeons at his feet who couldn’t find enough food.

  “So what’s next, Salaman?”

  “You get me the book.”

  “But like I’ve been telling you, I’m not sure where it is.”

  The mortal leaned across the table and was not smiling. “I’ve traveled a fair distance and foregone some more pleasurable pastimes to come here. I expect that you will fulfill your end of the bargain. Otherwise, we have nothing to discuss.”

  Carmine nearly peed his pants. Although Salaman’s promise of riches was a motivating factor for him, his primary motive was to secure the safety of his family, especially his wife and three children and their offspring. He’d grown tired waiting for the Monteleone heads to come up with a foolproof plan to assure everyone’s safety. And while most of his relatives were wealthy, his lineage had squandered their wealth, making poor investments. He’d married into his wife’s money. So, even though he was a Monteleone, his wife controlled what money they had.

  He had to beg for every Euro of spending money.

  “I will find it,” he said at last, his voice changing an octave.

  “And tell me again why you are certain of this?” the traveler demanded.

  “Because I’ve asked Marcus three times, and all three times, I’m sure he’s lied to me. He tells me they are working on some leads but won’t tell me what they are. He’s an honest man, and honest men don’t make very good liars.”

  “We agree on that. That’s why I chose you.”

  Carmine squirmed in his seat, re-crossed his trousers, and took another sip of coffee. His hand shook as he brought the little white porcelain teacup down onto the saucer with a rattle.

  Hoping to deflect another unpleasant image, Carmine blurted out, “Have you heard the news about the female you seek?”

  Salaman finished his drink. His expression was a challenge. “Humor me.”

  Carmine was going to enjoy the next few seconds, which might be the only happy ones he’d ever have with this man again. He slowly emptied his little espresso cup and smiled.

  “She’s taken a husband.” He savored the look of shock on the traveler’s face.

  “And she’s—”

  “Yes, yes. No fear there. It’s a marriage of convenience. It is not a fating, and she’s supposed to still be a virgin. She’s married him for protection and nothing more, although there are rumors of—”

  Salaman grabbed Carmine by the collar and yanked him across the table, oblivious to the passers-by, who shied away and whispered amongst themselves.

  “Tell me the name of this unfortunate gentleman who is about to find himself disemboweled.”

  Carmine removed Salaman’s hands like they were dirty rags, straightened up his jacket and shirt underneath, and sat tall. “You know this man.”

  “Who, dammit?” the traveler demanded, pounding the table and sending silverware to the sidewalk.

  “Lionel Jett.”

  Watch for Midnight Bite, a full-length novel, Book 4 in the Golden Vampires of Tuscany Series, to be released in the Summer of 2019. Be sure to follow Sharon on Book Bub, Amazon and sign up for her newsletter so you won’t miss this stunning new climax to the Golden Vampire saga.

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  About the Author

  Sharon Hamilton

  NYT and USA Today best-selling author Sharon Hamilton’s award-winning Navy SEAL Brotherhood series have been a fan favorite from the day the first one was released. They’ve earned her the coveted Amazon author ranking of #1 in Romantic Suspense, Military Romance and Contemporary Romance categories, as well as in Gothic Romance for her Vampires of Tuscan
y and Guardian Angels. Her characters follow a sometimes rocky road to redemption through passion and true love.

  Now that he’s out of the Navy, Sharon can share with her readers that her son spent a decade as a Navy SEAL, and he’s the inspiration for her books.

  Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you’ve read about before, since they don’t go to ground and can walk around in the full light of the sun.

  Her Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won’t find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.

  She lives in Sonoma County, California with her husband and her Doberman, Tucker. A lifelong organic gardener, when she’s not writing, she’s getting verra verra dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmers Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers. She and her husband plan to cure their wanderlust (or make it worse) by traveling in their Diesel Class A Pusher, Romance Rider. Starting with this book, all her writing will be done on the road.

  She loves hearing from her fans:

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  sharonhamiltonauthor.com

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  Life is one fool thing after another.

  Love is two fool things after each other.

  Series Overview

  SEAL BROTHERHOOD SERIES OVERVIEW

  Accidental SEAL (Book #1)

  Fallen SEAL Legacy (Book #2)

  SEAL Under Covers (Book #3)

  SEAL The Deal (Book #4)

  Cruisin’ For A SEAL (Book #5)

  SEAL My Destiny (Book #6)

  SEAL Of My Heart (Book #7)

  Fredo’s Dream (Book 8)

  SEAL My Love (Book #9)

  SEAL Brotherhood Box Set 1 (Accidental SEAL & Prequel)

  SEAL Brotherhood Box Set 2 (Fallen SEAL & Prequel)

  Ultimate SEAL Collection Vol. 1 (Books 1-4 + 2 Prequels)

  Ultimate SEAL Collection Vol. 2 (Books 5-7)

  SILVER SEALS OVERVIEW

  SEAL Love’s Legacy

  SLEEPER SEALS SERIES OVERVIEW

  Bachelor SEAL

  NEW STAND ALONES

  SEAL’s Goal: The Beautiful Game

  Love Me Tender, Love You Hard

  BONE FROG BROTHERHOOD SERIES OVERVIEW

  New Year’s SEAL Dream (Book #1)

  SEALed At The Altar (Book #2)

  BAD BOYS OF SEAL TEAM 3 SERIES OVERVIEW

  SEAL’s Promise (Book #1)

  SEAL My Home (Book #2)

  SEAL’s Code (Book #3)

  Big Bad Boys Bundle (Books 1-3)

  BAND OF BACHELORS SERIES OVERVIEW

  Lucas (Book #1) Available Only in Audio or Bundle

  Alex (Book #2)

  Jake (Book #3)

  Jake 2 (Book #4)

  Big Band of Bachelors Bundle

  NASHVILLE SEALS SERIES OVERVIEW

  Nashville SEAL (Book #1)

  Nashville SEAL: Jameson (Books 1 2)

  TRUE BLUE SEALS SERIES OVERVIEW

  True Navy Blue (prequel to Zak)

  Zak (Includes novella above)

  PARADISE SERIES OVERVIEW

  Paradise: In Search of Love

  NOVELLAS OVERVIEW

  SEAL You In My Dreams (Magnolias and Moonshine)

  SEAL Of Time (Trident Legacy)

  FALL FROM GRACE SERIES OVERVIEW (PARANORMAL)

  Gideon: Heavenly Fall

  GOLDEN VAMPIRES OF TUSCANY SERIES OVERVIEW (PARANORMAL)

  Honeymoon Bite (Book #1)

  Mortal Bite (Book #2)

  THE GUARDIANS SERIES OVERVIEW (PARANORMAL)

  Heavenly Lover (Book #1)

  Underworld Lover (Book #2)

  Underworld Queen (Book #3)

  AUDIOBOOKS

  Sharon Hamilton’s books are available as audiobooks narrated by J.D. Hart.

  Reviews

  PRAISE FOR THE

  SEAL BROTHERHOOD SERIES

  “Fans of Navy SEAL romance, I found a new author to feed your addiction. Finely written and loaded delicious with moments, Sharon Hamilton’s storytelling satisfies like a thick bar of chocolate.” —Marliss Melton, bestselling author of the Team Twelve Navy SEALs series

  “Sharon Hamilton does an EXCELLENT job of fitting all the characters into a brotherhood of SEALS that may not be real but sure makes you feel that you have entered the circle and security of their world. The stories intertwine with each book before…and each book after and THAT is what makes Sharon Hamilton’s SEAL Brotherhood Series so very interesting. You won’t want to put down ANY of her books and they will keep you reading into the night when you should be sleeping. Start with this book…and you will not want to stop until you’ve read the whole series and then…you will be waiting for Sharon to write the next one.” (5 Star Review)

  “Kyle and Christy explode all over the pages in this first book, [Accidental SEAL], in a whole new series of SEALs. If the twist and turns don’t get your heart jumping, then maybe the suspense will. This is a must read for those that are looking for love and adventure with a little sloppy love thrown in for good measure.” (5 Star Review)

  PRAISE FOR THE

  BAD BOYS OF SEAL TEAM 3 SERIES

  “I love reading this series! Once you start these books, you can hardly put them down. The mix of romance and suspense keeps you turning the pages one right after another! Can’t wait until the next book!” (5 Star Review)

  “I love all of Sharon’s Seal books, but [SEAL’s Code] may just be her best to date. Danny and Luci’s journey is filled with a wonderful insight into the Native American life. It is a love story that will fill you with warmth and contentment. You will enjoy Danny’s journey to become a SEAL and his reasons for it. Good job Sharon!” (5 Star Review)

  PRAISE FOR THE

  BAND OF BACHELORS SERIES

  “[Lucas] was the first book in the Band of Bachelors series and it was a phenomenal start. I loved how we got to see the other SEALs we all love and we got a look at Lucas and Marcy. They had an instant attraction, and their love was very intense. This book had it all, suspense, steamy romance, humor, everything you want in a riveting, outstanding read. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.” (5 Star Review)

  PRAISE FOR THE

  TRUE BLUE SEALS SERIES

  “Keep the tissues box nearby as you read True Blue SEALs: Zak by Sharon Hamilton. I imagine more than I wish to that the circumstances surrounding Zak and Amy are all too real for returning military personnel and their families. Ms. Hamilton has put us right in the middle of struggles and successes that these two high school sweethearts endure. I have read sev
eral of Sharon Hamilton’s military romances but will say this is the most emotionally intense of the ones that I have read. This is a well-written, realistic story with authentic characters that will have you rooting for them and proud of those who serve to keep us safe. This is an author who writes amazing stories that you love and cry with the characters. Fans of Jessica Scott and Marliss Melton will want to add Sharon Hamilton to their list of realistic military romance writers.” (5 Star Review)

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Sharon Hamilton’s Book List

  About the Book

  Copyright Page

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Afterword

  About the Author

  Series Overview

  Reviews