A Mate for Griffin

by Charlene Hartnady

  She shook her head. “I know it…thanks.” Her and Paige often went out on a Friday nights. Since drinking and driving was a no-no, they always used Sweetwater Grab a Cab service. They knew the number and most of the drivers.

  Sarah picked up the phone, dialed and ordered her cab, having to give her location several times to the astonished operator. Then she read through the document in front of her. It essentially said that she was leaving of her own choice and that she held the vampires harmless if any incident occurred to her after leaving their territory. A shiver raced up her spine.

  She was just being silly. The vampires were being overcautious. What were the chances of the same thing happening to her as Jenna? Being kidnapped was not high up on her list of fun things to do. The odds were greatly in her favor of it not happening. Besides, Alex had left for a short while and she had been fine. No attempts had been made to take or to harm her.

  She sucked in a deep breath and signed on the dotted line.

  Within five minutes, a black SUV parked at the gate, its engine idled. A vampire exited the vehicle and made his way to the guard house. He was dressed all in black including a thick, leather vest. “I’m Brynn.” He gave her a tight smile. “I’m in charge of your security detail.”

  “Hello. I’m Sarah. Sorry, I hope you weren’t sleeping.”

  He smiled again. This time it held real humor. “I need to work my shift regardless of my assignment or duty so, no, I was not sleeping.” He paused for a moment “You happen to be my next assignment.”

  She swallowed thickly. It was just a safety measure. There was nothing to be afraid of.

  As if he read her mind, he stood taller. “It’s just a precaution but please understand that it is necessary. We will tail you for the next three days and might extend that to five or more as required and ordered.”

  Sarah nodded. “Okay…I guess.” Five days or more. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that.

  “Please do not attempt to lose us. We will remain as inconspicuous as possible and will try not to interfere with your life. Pretend that we are not even there.”

  Looking like a navy seal on steroids? Like a football linebacker only much bigger? And dressed from head to toe in black leather, toting what looked like long swords, sheathed at their backs?

  Inconspicuous?

  Hardly!

  Instead of saying anything, Sarah nodded. “I understand and no I won’t try and lose you.” As if she could.

  “Thank you.” The big guy seemed to sniff the air. He cocked his head. “Your mode of transport will be arriving soon. We will stay about a hundred yards behind you. Although you won’t always be able to see us, please know that we are there. Oh and, your cellphone will be delivered to you tomorrow.”

  Sarah had forgotten about her cellphone. She’d turned it in to Allison the day of her arrival. She nodded. “That would be great, thanks.”

  “You will also be paid for your services by the end of business tomorrow.”

  Receiving money somehow made her feel like a whore or something. The last thing she wanted was payment. This had never been about money to her. It had been about finding the right person to share her life with. Was forever too much to ask for? Sarah swallowed down the emotions that welled up inside her and blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. She didn’t trust her voice so she didn’t say anything, she gave a quick nod of the head.

  “Let’s go then.” Brynn picked up her bag.

  “Good luck.” The guard at the desk smiled.

  “Thank you.” She mumbled as she followed Brynn. The gate opened and the SUV followed behind them just as the cab pulled up.

  The trunk popped open just as the driver’s side door opened. “Good evening, Sarah.” A grey head of hair appeared first and then a familiar smiling face.

  Sarah smiled. “Hi, Mick. How are you?”

  His smile widened. “I was just thinking how boring things have been lately. No one has puked in my cab for the longest time. Aside from that one time deal, there have been no high speed chases. I’m bored…or at least I was until your call came in.”

  Sarah had to laugh. “Glad I could help out.”

  Brynn shut the trunk and winked at her. He moved over to her side of the vehicle, clearly planning on seeing her safely inside of it. The big guard closed her door after she climbed in.

  Even though she sat in the back, she could still make out Mick’s eyes. They were wide and bright. “Wow! So that’s what real vampires look like in the flesh.”

  Sarah nodded.

  “Big sons of bitches aren’t they?” He followed Brynn’s movements until the vampire ducked into the waiting SUV and out of sight.

  “Yes they are, Mick.” Sarah clicked her seatbelt into the slot.

  He pulled out from the curb. “I take it that you didn’t have too much fun if you’re leaving at this time of night.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. Mick was one of the drivers that always insisted she sit in the back. He also liked to talk. The sitting in the back, she was grateful for right now but the talking part…not so much.

  She shrugged. “It wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t for me.”

  “I’m not entirely convinced that radically different cultures should mix. There are too many fundamental differences.” They drove at an average speed over the gravel road. The seatbelt pulled tight over the bumps but for the most part the road seemed to be in very good condition. Nonetheless, this was going to be a long trip. A regular sedan vehicle did not have the capabilities of the 4x4 SUV’s of the vampires.

  “Love spans across all cultures. It should be enough.” she said, wishing that things had been different. Maybe if she had met Griffin first.

  He smiled. “You would think so but sadly that is not always the case. What if the man believed that it was okay to have many wives? Would you be able to accept that?”

  She had to smile. “No way! If the guy really loved me then maybe he would be willing to forget about having anyone else.”

  Mick nodded. “Maybe, but I think that it would be rare. He would be willing to forgo others but only for so long. So, what are they like?”

  Sarah didn’t answer right away. “They’re really nice, Mick. I can’t say too much though since I signed a contract.”

  “Really nice…” He shook his head. “That huge guy didn’t strike me as nice and your leaving at this hour is telling.” His eyes flashed to hers in the rearview. His look was filled with concern.

  “It’s not what you think. They are really nice. It’s complicated.”

  “You joined The Program in the hope of finding love?” He held her gaze in the mirror until she nodded. She sighed quietly as his stare turned back to the road. “Love should not be complicated. Either you love someone or you don’t. If you do, then go after it. Be open and honest about it. If the person loves you in return, then they will soon come to their senses and if they don’t then it never was real to begin with.” he sighed. “My Annabelle didn’t realize that she loved me at first but thankfully, she very soon realized it. We had a good life together.” He smiled. “It would have been our thirty fifth year anniversary next week. I miss her every day.”

  “I know you do, Mick, and I’m so sorry for your loss.” Sarah leaned forward and gave his shoulder a squeeze.

  Mick and his late wife had never had children. His wife had passed a few years previously. Mick had ended up taking a couple of months off. Sarah had never seen anyone so distraught. She had visited him a few times and even had the kids make him a card. She’d watched him age before her eyes. His shoulders had hunched and his hair had gone from salt and pepper to fully grey. His light wrinkles had become deep grooves. He often said that he buried his heart with his Annabelle.

  The older man sighed, as he pushed his glasses more firmly onto his face. “It seems as—” There was a loud bang behind them and a bright orange flash. So bright that it was blinding.

  “For the love of…” Mick muttered. The vehicle swerved as he pushed on
the brake.

  Sarah turned back. The SUV was lying on its side. It resembled a fireball. Smoke plumed from the wreckage.

  Her heart leapt. “Drive, Mick. Drive!” This didn’t look good. A vehicle didn’t just fall onto its side for nothing.

  His eyes were wide, his mouth gaped. Then he sucked in a deep breath as he realized what she was saying and exactly what that meant.

  He swung back in his seat and put the car in gear but it was too late. A large van pulled up in front of them, in a spray of dust and gravel. Three people leapt out of the van.

  “Reverse!” She screamed, but Mick was too slow.

  One of the men yanked the driver’s side door open. There was a loud bang and a bright flash. The acrid smell of gunpowder filled the air. Something wet sprayed on her as Mick slumped forward. The back door was yanked open and she was pulled out.

  This wasn’t happening.

  It wasn’t.

  It was. It was. Oh lord! She kicked out at the guy who had her, managing to nail him in the shin and then in the thigh with a meaty thud. He grunted. “Quit it, bitch!” he yelled, before elbowing her in the face.

  Pain exploded. Sarah slumped forward but the guy caught her and roughly slung her over his shoulder. She felt dizzy and disorientated. Smoke filled her lungs and she coughed. Her head bounced against the guys back and the ground below moved. She had to grit her teeth to stop herself from vomiting. Stuff that! So what if she vomited all over this asshole? She tried to jerk free and pounded his back with her fists. She kicked and thrashed.

  His hands bit into her as he held her tighter. “Stop it!” The guy growled. It wasn’t rough or deep. His voice was normal, so not a vampire or one of the other non-human creatures. He was just a man. A bad man. Mick was probably dead. She fought harder, screaming as loud as she could. Tears streamed down her face.

  She was pulled from his shoulder by at least two pairs of hands and roughly slung into the back of the van. Sarah heard a loud crack and realized that it was her head hitting the metal floor. Then everything went black.

  Chapter 12

  His phone blared. Who the hell was calling him at this time of night?

  Maybe it was Sarah.

  Griffin sat upright. He grimaced. It felt like Lance may have cracked one of his ribs. Bastard. He grabbed the still ringing device. “Yeah,” he growled.

  “Are you aware that your female is about to leave vampire territory?” A rough voice that could belong to any number of males.

  His blood drained as he realized what the person had said. “Who is this?”

  There was a chuckle on the other end of the line. “Titan. I’m going to take that as a no. I just helped her carry her bag to the entrance. She’s calling a cab as we speak.”

  “Don’t let her leave. Stop her, Titan.”

  “Calm down. I am not permitted to do any of those things. Human females can leave at any time they wish. We cannot hold them prisoner or it would be seen as kidnapping. We’re not allowed to intervene in any way whatsoever.”

  “Fuck that,” Griffin growled. “Keep her there for a few minutes. Delay her. I need to talk to her.”

  Another chuckle. “She’s leaving to get away from you. Whatever you did must have been bad. I am not permitted to delay her. I suggest that you get your ass over there. I assigned an escort so she will be well protected.”

  “I didn’t do anything.” Griffin ran a hand through his hair, he could hear the frustration he felt etched into every word. “She’s not leaving because of me. It’s complicated,” he added.

  “Brynn is in charge of her detail just in case they leave before you get there.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” Another chuckle sounded as the male ended the call.

  Fuck Titan. Fuck! He leapt from the bed and yanked his closet open. In less than a minute he was dressed and walking out the door.

  Griffin’s own vehicle was in the garage below the castle. It would take too much time to get it so instead of heading in that direction, he walked out the front entrance and jumped into the closest SUV in the lot. The keys were in the ignition.

  At least something was going his way tonight. He put his hand on the keys but didn’t turn them. Maybe Sarah’s leaving was for the best.

  Fuck that!

  He turned the key and listened as the engine fired to life. Griffin would talk to Lance in the morning. He needed to make sure that the male’s intentions were honorable. If Griffin was satisfied that he had good intentions then all would be well. He waited for a feeling of calm to descend but nothing happened. If anything, he felt worse at the prospect.

  Worse.

  Why would he feel worse at the prospect of Lance having good intentions about Sarah? It had made him mad earlier when she had tried to stop him. No please don’t…she’d begged him not to lay into Lance. Then she had tried to throw herself between them. If Jade hadn’t intervened, she would’ve done it. Sarah had been trying to protect Lance this time and it didn’t sit well with him. None of it did.

  Griffin didn’t know what it meant. He wished to god that he did. It was confusing as hell. He finally put the vehicle into reverse and pulled out of the lot. He would talk Sarah into staying and they could discuss it in the morning. She would sleep in his fucking room tonight. In his bed where he could watch her. Calm finally came at the prospect of having the female in his bed. Not being able to have her would be hell. Smelling her sweet scent would taunt the hell out of him, but he would deal.

  Hopefully, Eleanor would allow him a drink come sun up or he was screwed. He hadn’t had a chance to see her in days. He could slip out and see Eleanor and then he and Sarah could discuss it. At that point he’d be able to think clearly.

  Fuck! He watched the gate close and an SUV disappear behind a cab as he pulled up to the gate. Griffin pushed down on the brake and muttered a curse. He depressed a button and opened his window. “Let me out!” he yelled.

  “You don’t have permission to leave.” One of the guards stepped up to the door.

  “I don’t give a fuck. Open it!” he growled.

  The male shook his head. “No can do. I would be in big trouble.”

  “You’ll be in bigger trouble if you don’t do what I say and right fucking now.” Griffin knew that he was being a dick but he couldn’t find it in himself to care.

  The guard visibly paled but to his credit he shook his head. “Please don’t do this. I can’t just open the gate.”

  “That is my female out there.” Griffin pointed in the direction of the fast retreating vehicles as they disappeared in a cloud of dust. “She is mine,” he added on a deeper growl, suddenly realizing how true the words were. “Fuck,” he whispered. At least it made sense. He didn’t want to hand her over to Lance because he wanted her for himself, because he considered her to be his.

  Fuck!

  “I understand your anguish and your concern,” the male said. “Your female has an escort and will be fine until morning though. You can leave at first light. She will be quite safe.”

  Griffin turned to face the male. “Open the gate or I will drive through it. I’m sure that you have heard stories about how protective males are about their mates. How crazy they become when their mates are kept from them. I am about to open up a can of crazy.”

  The male swallowed hard. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I can’t.”

  Griffin threw open his door and the male shrank back. He didn’t want to hit him but he would if he had to. “Last fucking chance. Open it or bleed. It’s now or later. Now is a guaranteed beating, you might get away with letting me out. In fact, you probably would considering my current mindset. So lashings later are not a given.”

  The male nodded. “Fine. I have a mate so I understand. I will open the gate.”

  “Thank you.” Griffin jumped back into the still running vehicle and floored it as the gate opened wide enough. He didn’t bother with lights.

  Griffin sped as fast as the terrain would allow.
It wouldn’t help them if he ended up smeared across the dirt. He pulled out his cellphone, cursing himself for not charging it earlier. Only five percent remained. He shrugged. It was enough to get a call through to Brynn. He didn’t plan on fucking around. Get his female and get back inside the walls. Done fucking deal.

  “Yeah,” the male growled.

  “It’s Griffin.”

  “Hey…I take it that you were informed that your female left vampire territory.”

  “Yeah, Titan told me.” He couldn’t keep the growl from his voice.

  “I have her in my sights right now and will protect her with my life. I take it that you are displeased at her leaving?” He could hear that the male was smiling. Griffin liked the male. In many ways he reminded him of himself. Determined, strong, willing to go the extra mile to get ahead. The male was definite elite material.

  “I’m fucking ecstatic.” Griffin kept his voice even. “So much so that I’m on your tail. About a minute behind you.”

  “What?” A growl. “You left without permission?”

  “You fucking heard me. I’m going to overtake you and will be retrieving my female. I would appreciate it if you didn’t interfere.”

  The male barked out a laugh. “Remind me never to fall in—” There was a bone-shattering bang followed by a deafening scream. Then there was a crunching of metal against metal and the phone went dead.

  What the fuck?

  “Brynn!” Griffin yelled. “Brynn!” he screamed. Griffin floored it. He could see the light from the flames ahead. As he drew closer he saw the headlights of another vehicle. It seemed to come out of nowhere.

  The vehicle, looked like a van but he was still too far away to tell. It skidded to a halt in front of the sedan, which he assumed must be the cab. There was a flash inside the cab and then a gunshot rang through the air. Fucking hell!

  It stopped his heart and turned his blood cold. Sarah. His first instinct was to drive right in. To run in full fucking throttle. And he probably would have done so if he hadn’t seen them. Three fuckers. One of them was holding something. There was a scream. It was Sarah. She was alive but the fuckers were armed. They had shot whoever was driving the cab. The males that had done this were organized and had access to explosives. They were dangerous. Going in half cocked would get Sarah killed. It was a given. He had to force himself to remain inside his vehicle. To go against every instinct inside of him.