by Mary Abshire
"What's with the hat?" I asked.
"It's holding the bandage," Jeremy said. "The gash was too big, so I had Justin sew it together."
I cringed at the thought of his friend using regular string to close Jeremy’s wounds. Better him doing it than me. I probably would've puked.
"You shouldn't have let me sleep so long." I combed my hair with my fingers.
"Honey, you needed the sleep," Jeremy said.
I arched a brow at him. Did he just call me honey again? "And did you take a nap?" His weary eyes still had a touch of red to them.
"I've been busy making arrangements."
"Jer—"
"I'm fine." He leaned back and rested his arms on the tall armrests. "Let's go over the plan."
Frowning, I looked away from him. An exhausted demon could lead to mistakes. Given we had to deal with vampires, we couldn't afford any slipups.
"I'm estimating ten vampires will be walking around during the game given the size of the crowd," Jeremy said. "There may be an extra one as a driver."
"That's a lot," I said.
Jeremy nodded. "That's why I've been busy making calls. I've got at least twenty people confirmed, mostly werewolves, who will be working with us."
"The wolves don't mind?" Justin asked.
"No. My friend Ryan actually asked them to help us. I think well be fine."
Impressed, I grinned. I'd met Ryan in Phoenix almost six years ago when I agreed to help Alan. Besides being longtime friends with Jeremy, Ryan worked for Alan. The last time I'd seen Ryan was a little over four years ago in Alaska when he and Alan helped me with a problem. Ryan had always been kind to me. I missed the werewolf.
"So we have enough manpower. And weapons," Jeremy said. "Everyone will be carrying either a knife or gun."
"She can use one of my hand blades," Justin said. "I have some weapons stashed in the basement."
"Good. A small blade is easier to carry than a gun," Jeremy said.
"Since there will be so many vampires, how are we supposed to get to one?" I asked.
"I'm getting to that," Jeremy said. "I've arranged for you to share a suite above the arena. It's a celebrity one with one-way glass, so you can watch the game but nobody can see into the suite."
"That's good," I said.
"With two minutes to go in the second period, you'll need to walk around. The suites are on a private level, so you should go down a floor."
"But they'll be looking for me," I said.
"I'm hoping they are," Jeremy said.
I crossed my arms. "I'm bait again. Right?"
He gave a nod. "We want a couple of them to find you. I suspect they'll probably threaten you, or they might say they'll kill someone."
"They can't," Justin said.
"It's a bluff," Jeremy said. "They'd expose themselves if they killed someone from the crowd. The worst they could do to you is break your arm without attracting attention. I suspect they want you to walk out with them, so they wouldn't break your neck or a leg."
"Do you think their plan is to force me out of the arena?" I asked.
"Somehow they have to get you to leave with them," Jeremy said. "I would guess a couple will escort you to an exit where a vehicle is waiting."
"But I can make a scene."
He grinned. "That's exactly what you need to do. Yell. Scream. Say one of them is an ex-boyfriend who used to beat you. Make up shit to get people to stop and look. Grab someone and ask them to call security. There are plenty of cameras on and some of the werewolves will be posing as guards. They're going to be waiting for you. After you've screamed a while and got enough attention, they'll come to your aid."
"If two or three vampires are escorting me, there better be plenty of guards on alert."
"There will be. Once they arrive, a few will escort you back to the suite. The vamps will follow, hopefully. We want them to know where you're staying."
"Are the pretend guards staying with me?" I asked.
"No, but they'll be keeping an eye on things and will have a real human guard outside the door. By the time you get back to the suite, several friends of mine will be waiting inside. And they will have convinced whoever was sharing the suite with you to have left."
"Demon friends?" I asked.
"Yes. I suspect the vamps will want to get into your suite once they know where you are."
"Human guards can help them with that," I scoffed.
"Exactly. The vamps get inside peacefully and meet my friends."
"But they won't destroy them until after we question the vamps, right?" I asked.
"You'll have to interrogate them. Justin and I will be playing."
I worked through the details of his plan again. Everything made sense and seemed to work. The vampires didn't want exposure to themselves, so they wouldn't do something stupid to attract attention. They wanted me and I wanted them. To get what I wanted, I'd have to lure them into a trap. In a public setting, they couldn't do much. I had the advantage and I was going to take it.
"It sounds as if you've covered all bases," I said.
Jeremy leaned forward. "Under no circumstances are you to leave the arena. They can use humans against us. Humans will have to follow their commands, but they can't control a mass of them."
"That's why I have to make a big scene," I said.
"The bigger the better," Jeremy said.
"What happens to the vamps after I question them?" I asked.
Jeremy reclined in his chair. "The bodies will be disposed of after the game. Everyone should remain in the suite until I can get there."
"Is there a plan B?" I asked. His scheme sounded well thought out, but in case of a problem, I wanted to make sure there was another option.
"There are two werewolves in the security booth. They will be paying extra attention to the cameras and you. They'll use walkie-talkies to share coded information. If the suite can't be used or the guards can't take you to it, then they will take you to a private, secured room in the basement or possibly hold you in the security booth. I don't like the idea of the latter, but as long as they communicate with my friends, then everything should work out."
"How many humans are in the security booth?" I asked.
"At least ten, maybe as much as fifteen. I hate to think of what could happen if vampires got in there. I'm not sure if they could control that many humans at once. If they can't, then the people in there probably won't make it out alive. If the vamps can control them…"
"I'll have a big problem," I said.
"There are holding rooms in the basement and a few small ones at the top, near security. So the guards have options before taking you into the booth. They just need to make sure my friends have time to get to the right place before you."
"I'm guessing your friends have a way of restraining the vamps," I said.
He grinned widely. "Don't worry, they have talents that will impress you."
I inhaled a long breath. The back-up plan was sketchy, but it could work. One way or another, I'd find a way to detain a few bloodsuckers and get information from them.
"Before the bodies are destroyed, I want their souls," I said.
Since Drake had left and I went into hiding, I hadn't sent a soul to Hell in over three years. I longed to send an evil spirit to the underworld, especially if said soul belonged to a vampire.
"I think that is an excellent idea," Jeremy said. "Let the bloodsuckers spend eternity in Hell."
Chapter Eight
Jeremy parked my Mercedes on the surface lot in a different spot from the one he used for his now extinct SUV. A cool wind tossed my hair in front of my face as we walked toward the entrance to the arena. I held the strands back and enjoyed the temperature of the air. After I'd showered, I changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a thin black-and-white striped blouse with long sleeves. I disliked wearing the vest again, but the pockets were easy to access in an emergency. My attire was too light for the below freezing climate, but next to Jeremy's overheate
d body, the clothes kept me from sweating. For whatever reason, the demon radiated far more heat than I'd ever known him to before.
"You've got the knife with you?" Jeremy asked, carrying his bag on the other side of him.
"Yes, for the umpteenth time, I have it."
The switchblade was smaller than the last one I’d had, but the blade was just as sharp and had an easy trigger. I tucked the weapon into the right pocket of my vest.
Jeremy grabbed hold of my arm and brought me to a stop. He still had the baseball cap on backwards. "Remember, do not leave the arena."
"I won't," I said. "I understand why."
He didn't need to explain to me that if I left, it would be nearly impossible for him to find me timely enough. He was going to be occupied for the next couple of hours. Although he trusted his friends and the werewolves to protect me, I knew he wanted to be at my side instead of them. What I wasn't sure about was if his reasoning was out of his feelings for me, or the bargain we'd made so I would give him children.
"After tonight, I won't let you out of my sight," he said, confirming my prior thoughts more.
"How's your head?" I asked.
He continued walking toward the entrance. "It's sore, but I'll be fine."
The guard outside opened the door for us. Jeremy gave him a nod, then led the way into the arena.
"I know you're worried about me, but don't. Just try to take it easy tonight," I said.
He strode past the door with the logo, then turned the corner in the opposite direction I'd gone earlier. Stopping at a set of elevators, he pushed the call button.
"You have a head injury and you don't know how serious it is," I said. "You had Justin stitch you up."
The doors parted, then we stepped inside the wide elevator. Jeremy hit the control for the top floor.
"When we get up there, the guard will give you a pass," Jeremy said.
"Did you hear anything I said?" I asked, slightly irritated by him ignoring the importance of his wound.
"Yes, but we have to move on."
The doors opened to a floor with a security checkpoint. Instantly, the tiny hairs on my arms and neck started to twitch. Two uniformed men stood near a tall, walk-through scanner. A woman dressed in identical attire sat behind a small rectangular table with a laptop, a metal case, and a hand-held scanner. If I had to guess which one was a werewolf, I would wager on the larger male guard.
Jeremy gave the beefy man a nod as he stopped at the table. "She's a guest for one of the suites. Last name, Ward. First name, Jessie."
He looked over his shoulder at me and grinned. I rolled my eyes, not impressed with him using his last name as my surname.
The female officer found my name on the laptop. "Jessie Ward. Suite 13." She opened the briefcase, then withdrew a plastic card attached to a lanyard with the Penguins logo. "Here's your badge."
I took the card from her. "Thanks."
"Come on," Jeremy said.
He walked through the metal detector first. I held my breath as I followed him. The blade was in my pocket and I knew it would signal the alarm. One step past the machine and the light above came on, with a loud buzz to boot. I stopped past the checkpoint.
The big guard waved his arm. "Go on. I'm sure that pretty woman of yours hasn't any weapons on her. Hell, she's not even carrying a purse." He winked at me.
"Thank you, buddy," Jeremy said before he turned to me. "Let's go, Mrs. Ward."
Glaring, I followed him along a wide hallway. A few large concession stands and a bar were on the left. None of them appeared to offer the cheap kind of food such as hot dogs, nachos, pizza, or hamburgers one would typically get at a game. I glanced at the menus as we passed by. Vendors offered everything from Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, and gourmet American food.
I stepped up my pace to walk next to Jeremy. "Did you tell all of them we were—"
"Yes, it makes all of this easier. And I like the idea."
"Well enjoy the fantasy because it won't happen in reality."
He grinned. "A man can dream, and I'm the type of man who believes dreams can come true."
I pressed my lips shut, preventing myself from saying something hurtful. He could dream all he wanted and I'd never marry him. But if the fantasy helped him and kept his spirits up, then let him take delight in the idea.
Jeremy stopped in front of a door with the number thirteen. A small device was attached to the handle. Jeremy faced me. "Insert your card."
I did as he instructed, thinking the reader was similar to that of a hotel's. A green bar alerted me to my access. I pushed the handle.
Jeremy entered the suite first. I stayed close behind him, but quickly realized we were alone. There was a mini bar in the corner, a sofa with two chairs, and a wide-screen television. But it was the entire front wall made of glass that captured my attention. The view of the ice rink was spectacular. A thin, tall table with a set of six high chairs blocked part of the view, but not much.
"One-way glass. The vampires can't see you," Jeremy said.
"This is nice." I stared out the window.
Jeremy came to stand next to me. "Stay here until there's two minutes left in the second period."
"I know. We went over this in the car."
"Do you have your phone with you?"
I withdrew my cell from my left pocket and showed it to him.
"If anything seems odd, send me a message. I'll check it during the break."
I faced him and gazed into his tired eyes. "Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself."
A grin formed on his face. "I can handle everything."
"I hope so, because I need you."
"When have I failed you?" he asked with a hint of annoyance in his tone.
"Never."
"And I never will. We have a deal and I will fulfill it."
"Is that what keeps you going? Knowing that when you do finish your part, I will have to live up to mine?"
He lowered his gaze, then turned. I hadn't meant for the words to sound mean, but they had come out that way. His head injury and lack of sleep worried me, whereas he didn't seem to think anything about either. If he wasn't well, then he needed to take a break even if only to get a little bit of rest.
"Jer." I grabbed his elbow to get his attention. "I just want to make sure you’re fit for this. We can't afford any mistakes."
He gave me a twisted grin. "Oh, I'm fit. Take off your clothes and I'll show you how much. I guarantee I'll have you knocked up. That should prove how fit I am."
"You're such an ass," I mocked. "You know what I mean." It irritated me how he could add humor to a serious matter. But a small part of me also silently chuckled.
"Yes, my beautiful wife." He extended his arms and half bowed. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready." He headed for the door.
"Jeremy," I called out.
He stopped with his free hand on the handle, then looked at me.
"Be careful."
"For you, I will do my best." Then he left.
* * *
The door clicked, then someone pushed it open. I rose from my seat that faced the ice rink, then headed to meet the company I was to share the room with.
A tall young man with short brown hair entered the room. He had a brace on one of his legs and leaned on a crutch. The Penguins hockey jersey he was wearing led me to believe he was a player.
"Hi, my name is Adam," he said as he offered his free hand.
"I'm Jessie. I'm a friend of Jeremy Ward," I said as I accepted his greeting. "Is there anyone else coming to join you?"
"No." He hobbled with his crutch toward the window. "Shawn and Sergi decided to stay home and watch the game."
I silently cheered. If he was the only one sharing the suite with me, then Jeremy's friends shouldn't have much trouble asking him to leave later.
"Are you here alone?" he asked as he tugged a seat from underneath the high table.
"Yes." I returned to my chair.
"
Jeremy's a good guy and a damn good fighter."
I grinned. "Good description." And accurate.
The clocks above the rink counted down the seconds. The once empty arena was now filled. Players skated on the ice. I had yet to see Jeremy, but I’d found Justin earlier.
"This will be a tough game. We need to win," Adam said.
The buzzer sounded, then the players started leaving the ice.
Adam reached for the rectangular device on the table. "Mind if I turn this on?"
"Go ahead. I was afraid to touch it. This is my first time in a fancy suite. I don't want to break anything."
He softly laughed as he pushed a button. "If you did, the team would fix it."
Local announcers came through the speaker on the table and the ones mounted near the television on the wall behind us. Music started playing, then the lights in the arena went off. I rubbed my hands together underneath the table. Let the game begin.
The first twenty-minute period was dull. Jeremy skated for maybe two minutes. The Rangers made one goal, but the Penguins had taken nearly twice as many shots. Adam was a good sport and hadn't cursed, unlike me, but I chose words that weren't too damning. We chatted a bit, but mostly during intermission. Talking helped keep my nerves in check because as each minute passed leading to the second period, I was getting antsy.
"Here we go," Adam said as the buzzer sounded for the end of intermission.
The alarm gave rise my anxiety. I bobbed my leg under the table. When the clock reached the two-minute warning, I had to leave.
Not even five minutes into the second period and the players were getting rough. Jeremy left the bench and was on the rink.
"Watch, they'll be a fight in the next ten minutes," Adam said.
I swallowed hard, hoping he was wrong.
Jeremy flew along the ice and crashed into a few players. One tried to retaliate and hit him, but Jeremy dodged the Ranger. After a few minutes, Jeremy skated off the ice. Shortly following his departure, the opposing team scored a goal.
Adam slammed his hand onto the table and I jumped. "Sorry," he said.
