by RK Close
“What can we do about Adam? Should we search for him? What could possibly happen to a powerful vampire?” I’m dismayed at the notion that Adam isn’t invincible.
“You can do nothing but keep your phone close in case he calls you. I will start a search in the streets. I’ve managed to make a considerable number of contacts in my short time here. We may need you to call in a favor from the wolves if I’m unsuccessful,” he says, heading for the front door.
“I can’t just sit here waiting for him to show up or call. I need to do something!” I exclaim.
Jacob moves before I can even comprehend what he’s up to. Suddenly, he’s holding my arms and staring into my eyes.
“Sam, I cannot search for Adam and protect you at the same time. Help me by staying put. I’ll send Dayna over to stay with you. If anything should happen to you, Adam will never forgive me. Stay here. I’ll keep you informed with any news,” he says, waiting for me to agree. I nod reluctantly, and he releases my arms, taking a step back.
“I don’t need Dayna here to babysit me,” I say.
“No, you don’t. I need you to protect her since I don’t know what we are dealing with. Between the attempt on your life and Adam missing, she will be an easy target. Dayna will be safer with you.” Before I can respond, he’s gone, and the only thing I hear is the light click of the front door.
I feel like a jerk for not considering Dayna’s safety. She’s connected to Jacob, and that does make her a target if we are being singled out. Hell, she was a target for no other reason than being my friend. Jacob’s right, she’ll be safer here.
I’m afraid for Adam. The night Zac put a sword through Adam’s chest keeps running through my mind. Watching the light go out of his eyes, felt as awful as the day I was told my parents were in an accident and hadn’t survived. That kind of pain burns your soul from the inside out and leaves you feeling empty, hollow, and numb. I never want to feel that kind of pain again. Adam must be alive.
***
I wake to the smell of bacon and coffee. This must be heaven. Grabbing a robe, I make my way to the kitchen. Standing in front of the stove, Adam wears nothing but faded jeans. Yep! I’m in heaven. There is nothing better than a sexy half-dressed man cooking me breakfast. Oh, and coffee. Let’s not forget the coffee.
Adam looks in my direction as he’s moving eggs around the skillet. He gives me a knowing smile. I help myself to a cup of liquid gold.
“You’re up early,” he says, continuing his work.
I fight the urge to put my lips on his back. I sit at the bar, warm cup in my hand, and enjoy the view instead.
“I think it was the delicious smells filling my home this morning. It lured me out of bed,” I say, then take a sip. “By the way, where were you? Jacob was worried and so was I. You shouldn’t do that to us.”
“It’s all a misunderstanding. That’s why you get breakfast this morning. I’m making it up to you,” Adam says with a devilish grin.
The memory of him drinking my blood comes to my mind, and I’m swept away by strong feelings. I almost drop the coffee cup, so I carefully set it down. When I look up, Adam’s eyes are soft glowing flames, and I realize how badly I want him. Stepping off the stool, I move around the counter as he moves to meet me. We collide midway.
He lifts and I jump until my legs wrap around his waist and his arms envelope me in a tight embrace. Our hands are tangled in each other’s hair as our lips devour one another.
Breathlessly, I ask, “Have you had breakfast?”
His answer is an animal-like sound deep within his chest that sends a shock through me. My head flies back to offer him my neck. His lips move all over before I feel the familiar sting of excruciating pain that makes me cry out.
It’s quickly replaced with the most exquisite sensation starting in the core of my being and spreads throughout until it feels as though I’ll explode from the sheer pleasure. Nothing else exists but this very moment and him. Only Adam.
I feel like I’m floating through the universe until I realize I’m alone. And the phone is ringing.
The phone is ringing. Oh, crap. It was a dream.
I practically fall out of bed trying to reach it. “Hello!”
“Hey, sorry to call so early. I just wanted to let you know that I slept at Jacob’s last night because it was late when I arrived and I didn’t want to wake you. Hope that’s okay. I figured you’d call if you were worried,” Dayna says.
There’s silence as I try to process what she’s saying.
“Hello? Are you still there?” Dayna asks.
“Yeah, I’m here. Sorry, I was just a little groggy. I must have fallen asleep waiting for you. I’m sorry. Glad you’re at Jacob’s. Is he there?” I ask, rubbing my face. A lot of protection I was.
“He is now. He was out all night. He just got home, and I’m rushing out the door for work. I just wanted to touch base with you before I left. Anything you need? Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay over for a few days?” she asks.
“No, it’s fine! Did Jacob find any sign of Adam?”
“No, I’m afraid not,” she says.
“I’m glad you’ll be here. I’m worried about Adam, and I’ll be happy to have you to talk to. What time will you get off tonight?”
“I’ve got an event that I can’t miss, so I won’t get to your place until after eight. Once I know everything is going smoothly, I should be able to slip out and leave it to my assistant,” she says.
“Okay. Call me, and I’ll pick you up from work.”
“That’s okay. Jacob says he’s picking me up. We’ll talk more tonight. And don’t worry, Sam. Adam will be okay. Jacob will find him. I’m sure it’s just a big misunderstanding. Talk soon,” she says before hanging up.
Just a misunderstanding…
Her words bring my dream to mind.
I can’t just sit here and do nothing. I know that I told Jacob I’d sit tight, but damn it! I’m a PI for heaven’s sake. There’s pavement that needs to be pounded, and I’m just the girl to do it.
28
Day Two
Rúla Búla draws a big lunch crowd, but it’s a different atmosphere from the happy hour crowd or the club crowd that shows up later. There’s a mixture of business attire and college casual here today. Sean’s behind the bar but doesn’t notice me right away.
Taking a seat in the corner, I wait to catch his eye. Sitting back, I study the people around me. There was a time, not too long ago, when I used to just see people. Now everyone could be something—more. It’s a whole new way of looking at the world.
A tall, thin waitress with a nose ring comes over and takes my order for an ice tea and some pub fries. As soon as she turns to leave, I spot Deirdre at the exact moment she notices me. She’s in the middle of clearing a table on the other side of the room. My presence here must have caught her off-guard because she’s got that deer-in-the-headlights look. By this point she must think I’m stalking her family.
My cheeks feel warm because I don’t know if she’s aware of the photos. I’m betting that Colin wants to shelter his daughter from the ugly truth.
I give her a weak smile and wave. Hope rises in me when she smiles back, before hurrying off with a tub full of dirty dishes.
When I look at the bar again, I see that Sean has spotted me. He says something to the other bartender. Wiping his hands on a towel, Sean walks toward me. Gone is his killer-smile, and it hits me hard, how much I miss it.
Without asking, he takes the seat opposite from me and leans back, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You’re spending a significant amount of time with my family these days,” he says, in his light Irish brogue. “Whose life would you like to ruin today, Sam?”
I try to ignore his barb, even though his comment stings. There’s no time to argue with him.
“I need your help. Adam is missing, and I need to know if you’ve heard anything.”
His demeanor changes from tolerant to one of irritation
.
“Keeping up with your vampire is not my job. And why would I know anything? You two having issues already?” Sean asks with a smug look.
I fight the urge to slap him for his insensitive comment. By the look on his face, he realizes that he’s upset me. Sean’s face softens, and he looks away.
“Adam’s in trouble. He wouldn’t have gone away without telling anyone. He’s not like that. All I wanted was a little help, Sean. You run with an impressive crowd—they tend to know things that the rest of us don’t. I just thought maybe you heard something,” I say, standing to leave. I begin to pull out my wallet to leave money for my order.
Sean grabs my arm. “Sit down, please. I’m sorry.”
I look at him a moment, before sitting. A waitress brings my tea and fries.
Once she leaves, I ask, “This isn’t some message your pack is trying to send me, is it? Because I really didn’t appreciate being attacked by a you-know-what last night.”
I snatch a fry and shove it in my mouth before looking back at Sean.
His face is one of shock. His mouth hangs open as he blinks at me several times. After a moment, he leans forward in his chair and speaks in a low voice.
“Are you referring to the furry or cold sort?”
From the look on his face, I can tell he’s sincere.
“One of your kind, but I don’t know which pack. Is anyone from your family gunning for Adam or me? And would you know if they were?”
“Nobody from the Mojave pack would dare touch you. We’ve already heard about the protection from the Luna pack, so to cross that would mean war. We’re already on the verge, and everyone is trying to avoid that at all costs. Besides, my father would not allow anyone to go after you without first speaking to me. He’s not happy about it, but he knows we’re friends. I’m not your enemy, Sam.” He reaches over and places his hand on mine.
My heart swells a little hearing him say that we’re still friends. The thought that we might not be has pulled at my heart since I took this case. Giving him a smile, I look away quickly so that my relief doesn’t start pouring out of my eyes.
“Thank you,” I say, looking out the window.
“Where you hurt during the attack?” Sean asks.
“Just a cut on my ankle. I used a dagger to defend myself. It worked.”
He studies my face as if he’s searching for the truth.
“A dagger is no match for my kind.”
“It’s a special blade—not just any old kitchen knife.” I give him a sly smile.
I don’t volunteer that I wasn’t certain it would work on a werewolf. Maybe I got a lucky strike, and it went off to lick its wounds. The thought causes me to shiver. Sean notices and gives me a questioning look.
“Magic, huh? You never cease to amaze me, Sam. Better keep your magic dagger secret. Not a lot of those floating around. Someone might want to take it from you.” Sean stands up.
I give him a suspicious look, and he laughs at me. “Not me, Sam. I feel better knowing you can defend yourself.” I believe him. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything about your vamp. I can ask around.”
“Thank you, Sean. That means a lot to me.”
Sean heads back to the bar, and I don’t see Deirdre before I finish my fries and leave. I walk out onto Mill Avenue, enjoying the warm sunshine that keeps the slight chill at bay.
Where could Adam be? My stomach is tight with worry and the pub fries I just had, don’t help.
Making my way down the street to a coffee shop, I find an isolated table in the corner. Next on my list is a call to Genevieve Taylor. I need to know how far this pack protection thing will go, and if it’s been revoked.
When I dial her number, it goes straight to voicemail, so I leave a message for her to call me back. I mention that I have no new news, so I don’t get her hopes up. It’s hard enough to think straight with Adam missing. I’m finding it difficult to concentrate on anything but him.
I order a coffee and take it to the corner chair. I’m staring at the steam rising from my drink when my phone vibrates on the table, shocking me out of my depressed daze. I don’t recognize the number and my heart starts beating faster.
“This is Samantha Chase,” I say, a little too breathlessly.
“Ms. Chase, why are you calling, if you have no information for me?”
There’s no hiding the disappointment I feel when I realize it’s only Genevieve calling from a different number.
“Hello, Genevieve. Am I still under protection from the Luna Pack.”
There’s silence on the line, and I start to wonder if we’ve been disconnected.
“Why would you ask that?” she questions.
“Because I was attacked by one of your kind last night.”
“One of my kind? Are you referring to the Luna Pack? Or my species in general?” Sarcasm drips from every word.
“A werewolf. I was attacked by one last night. I’m not certain which pack it was from. You guys don’t wear dog tags, and you all look alike to me,” I say, rudely.
It gets old quickly, being made to feel inferior to someone, over and over. I should be treading more carefully, but why change my habits this late in the game?
“I would be very careful if I were you, Ms. Chase. Flinging insults won’t make you any safer, but it could get you killed. I’m quite surprised to hear you were attacked. No one from the Luna Pack would dare harm you against my orders. But you may have an enemy from the Mojave pack. Perhaps you are making some headway in my daughter’s case, and someone wants you stopped. Are you making progress, Ms. Chase?”
Letting her know that Adam is missing could bring me more trouble.
“I’m following some leads, but nothing so far.”
I’m going to have a one-way ticket to hell with all these lies. If I tell her I’m not working the case because my boyfriend is missing, she may decide there’s no reason for me to live.
“Good day, Ms. Chase.”
“Goodbye, Genevieve.”
I go back to staring at my coffee and trying to think of any other options I have.
A thought occurs to me, and I grab my coffee and bag to head for the door. I turn in the direction of Moonshine Whiskey.
In the spirit of leaving no stone unturned, I walk into the bar that Cian manages. Moonshine is a country bar and restaurant, but the customers here now are what’s left of the business lunch crowd. Looking around the bar, I don’t spot Cian. I approach the bar and wait to get the bartender’s attention.
“What can I get you, Beautiful?” he asks with a real country accent. Maybe Texas.
Why do bartenders and baristas never stop moving? If there was ever a profession that thinks fast on their feet and are good at multitasking, its bartenders and baristas. Most of us can’t live without one or the other.
“Is Cian here?” I ask.
“Cian’s not in until eight. Want to come back then, or would you like to leave him a message?” He’s already grabbing a pen and a napkin.
“Can you tell him that Sam is looking for him?” He hands me the napkin and pen to write my number on.
“Sure thing.”
I leave Moonshine, sipping on my coffee and wondering if Cian will call me.
For a private investigator, I’m not having much success. I can’t find my client’s daughter or my boyfriend.
I’m lost in his world and maybe hers. I don’t know enough about vampires to begin looking for him. If he were a mortal man, I’d be calling the jail, hospitals, or morgue.
The morgue.
My eyes start to sting with the thought. But there wouldn’t be a body, would there? I saw what was left of Zac. A gray pile of ash—nothing more. I refuse to think of Adam as a pile of ash. Ever.
I’ve held off calling Russell because I’m not sure what to ask him. I’m desperate, so when I reach my car, I make the call. I’m surprised when he answers.
“Sam! How are you? Everything okay?”
“Everything is fine, Ru
ss. I just wanted to say hi and of course, ask for a little favor.” I fish the keys out of my bag while holding the cell phone between my shoulder and cheek.
“Another favor? So soon? I may have to start charging you my usual rate. No more family discount for you, young lady,” he teases.
And it dawns on me, with being attacked and Adam missing, I never got around to watching the surveillance footage that Russell acquired for me. That’s now on the top of my priority list.
Russell mistakes my silence for hurt and begins apologizing. “I’m only teasing, Sam. You know I’d do anything for you. It’s no trouble at all. What do you need from me? I’m happy to help.”
“No, I’m not upset. I just got distracted.”
“Oh good, I was worried that I got carried away with my teasing. What’s up?”
Again, I hesitate. “Well, I was just wondering if you could let me know if you hear any reports that stand out or are…unusual. You know, not your typical call,” I say, waiting for the fifty questions.
“What sort of unusual are we talking about?”
“I don’t know, just anything. You’d know if you heard about it,” I say, wishing I hadn’t asked him in the first place.
“Well, I’ll ask around, but I could use a little more information to be of any use. Those animal attacks are strange. The coroner is having a difficult time identifying what animal is attacking people. They’re leaning toward a wolf or bear, but neither of those makes sense here.”
“Yes, that sort of strange. Or something else.”
Silence.
“Okay, I’ll let you know if I hear of any odd reports or calls around town. Are you sure you’re all right? You’d tell me if you were in trouble, right?”
I hear the concern in his voice.
“It’s all good. I promise. It’s just a touchy sort of case that I’m working on. You know I trust you completely, but I want to respect my client’s privacy. You understand. Right?” I’m getting way too good at lying and it doesn’t sit well with me—especially when I’m lying to Russell.
