In the Dark by Lila Rose

by Lila Rose

  How could you do that? I wanted to scream.

  “I wanted information. She knows where Gerald is. She has inside information. I did it to protect everyone I care for.” He glared and then sighed. “Now, it’s all for nothing. She’ll be heading straight to him and then he will come.”

  That just pissed me off. I needed to kick him so hard it would hurt for a week.

  “You prick. You overprotective little shit,” I snapped, my hands going to my hips as I glared down at him. “You stayed with her, you slept with her, you let her touch you, kiss you, all for what? What information did you get? You told me once you could never hurt me. Well, you have. Question is, was it all worth it? Please tell me it was worth it!” My chest heaved with my angry breath. I shouldn’t have lost it in front of everyone there, but the fire that burned within me wouldn’t let up until I’d had my say.

  He looked absolutely wrecked from every word I’d delivered. My heart hurt, because I was the cause of it. Yet, I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and stomp my foot because I was annoyed also.

  “I have nothing. I thought I was doing the right thing, Leila. I never wanted to hurt you. Please know that—”

  “Just shut up. Don’t you get it? You did hurt me. Every touch, every caress you shared with her, cut me deeper and deeper each time. And now I know you did it to protect me, us.” I shook my head. “I—we can take care of ourselves. We fight our own battles. You need to get some things straight and start asking for some help or you will never be the right ruler for your people.” I stopped once I saw Darik draw his dagger. “Darik, if you want to use that on me, then do it right now. I don’t give a shit. But if you’re not, then back the fuck off.” He shrugged and used it to pick out dirt from under his nails. I sighed, dropped my arms and calmed my voice before I continued, “Gerald will come and eat you up if you don’t get off your high horse and believe in everyone here. All of your people are willing to help, to fight alongside you. None of us want to see you injured. It would kill us all. But I’m afraid you will, if you continue like you are, workin’ alone, taking on everything alone.” I rubbed at my eyes to erase the few stray tears wanting to fall.

  Looking to the floor, I composed myself. “Your turn, Ty. Start explaining.” I glanced up to give Ty my full attention. I knew Isaac was still looking at me. His gaze burned. All of the other vampires stared openly at me too. I’d shocked them all with my outburst.

  Ty cleared his throat. “I’m not sure if I want to now. Will you chew my head off as well?”

  Snorting, I hid the smile wanting to come out. Instead, I turned my whole body to face him. “Depends on what you have to say.”

  He grinned and began. “Two years ago, I was approached by… some people. They asked me if I wanted to work for them. I s-said yes. They also approached my sister and the others here. An assignment came up, where I was told to keep an eye on you, Leila, so I did. I often wondered why they asked this of me, until tonight that was.” He removed his glasses and rubbed at his hazy eyes. He left the glasses off and continued, “This—us here, we’re a team who have special abilities. As you can see, I am blind, but I can also see, only shadowing outlines. I can run fast and I have excellent hearing. My sister can control minds and erase thoughts.” He gestured to Penny, who sat on the floor beside him. She pulled off her black balaclava and wow, she was beautiful with her long blonde hair, which was tied back. Her shining blue eyes were mesmerising.

  “Is your name really Penny?” I asked.

  “Yes.” She smiled.

  “Does your mother work two jobs?”

  “No. Not since we started these jobs. She no longer needs to work.”

  At least Ty hadn’t been lying about everything. Maybe stretching the truth, but not a lie; it counted in my books.

  Ty gestured to another, who stood behind him. “This here is Peter.” Peter pulled off his balaclava. He was short, with red hair and light green eyes. “He can talk to animals and is very strong.” Okay, impressive. “Over by the kitchen is Henry. His sister Steph is outside, no doubt. Henry is a pyrotechnic and Steph can read emotions and control metal.”

  I could understand why Steph would be outside with so many emotions flying around in the house. It would be hard for her. I wondered if she looked anything like her brother who had dark brown, shoulder-length hair and light brown eyes.

  Eagerness filled me as I turned my gaze to the last person to be introduced. The one I wanted to know. Ty smirked at my impatience. Isaac growled at it.

  “Last, we have Kalvin.” Ty chuckled.

  Kalvin took off his cover, and damn it, the sight of him made me gasp, sending a nice shiver down my spine. He was stunning. Absolutely eye boggling with short and messy, light brown hair and deep honey-coloured eyes. If I had to guess, he’d have to be a vampire to be that good-looking. “Kalvin here can—”

  “Boss, let me do it,” his deep throaty voice said, making me squirm a little. Ty nodded.

  Then Kalvin dropped his shields.

  We all felt what he was. My body stiffened. I had to gain control over myself, because right then, I wanted to run over to him purring and rub my whole body against his.

  “You’re… you’re a…”

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “I’m a werecat. Like you.”

  A sharp snapping noise broke what felt like the intimate gaze Kalvin and I had going on. I glanced over to see that Isaac had broken off the armrest on my couch.

  However, I didn’t care. I looked back to Kalvin and he smiled.

  Amazing. I’m not the only one. There are others.

  How could it be?

  How was he working for Ty?

  And just who was Ty working for?

  Reluctantly, I dragged my gaze from Kalvin to Ty. I asked, “What does this mean? Who do you work for and what do you want from me?”

  “We all work for a s-secret special force within the government.”

  Whoa, what the hell?

  “No!” Isaac bellowed. “She will not. Never,” he ordered, standing. All the vampires took fighting stances.

  “What?” I asked, obviously not understanding what Isaac already had.

  Ty smiled and said the words I wasn’t ready for. “We want you to come work with us.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  No one laughed or smiled, so I knew Ty’s request was a real one. They wanted me to work for a special branch in the government.

  Me.

  God, I wanted to laugh at the thought of it.

  “What does it entail?” I asked. Curiosity pushed the question forward.

  Isaac spun to me. “You can’t do this,” he growled. His hands fisted at his sides. His jaw clenched and his eyes showed determination. He wouldn’t allow me to join them. Little did he know he had no say over the matter, or over me at all.

  Ignoring him, I looked to Ty again, even though my eyes and body pleaded with me to take in Kalvin again.

  “I need more answers before I even contemplate it,” I said.

  “Of course. Our boss should be here any moment. He can tell you everything you need to know.”

  Nodding, I sighed, not sure I’d be able to honestly think of important questions. I was too exhausted.

  “Leila, please. You don’t even know anything about them, you can’t possibly.”

  “Isaac,” I said wearily. “You’re right. I don’t know anything about them, which is why I’ll find out everything I need to from their boss before I even consider it.”

  “They’re hunters, Leila. Hunters.”

  My eyes widened. Hunters hunted supernaturals to kill them. They saw us as pests.

  “Ty?”

  “It’s true. We are. Then again, we’re not. We don’t hunt anyone who doesn’t deserve it. Otherwise, Isaac and his family would be dead already.”

  The vampires hissed their complaint.

  Holding up a hand to silence them, I asked, “Was I supposed to be hunted?”

  “No. Never. Like I said, my te
am and I were here to watch you. Protect you.”

  “Who ordered you to do it?” I asked.

  “I did,” came from the kitchen.

  People parted and my eyes landed on… What the fuck?

  Uncle Jack.

  He gave me a smirk as he stalked forward. In my shocked state, he was able to take me into his arms and hug me before he whispered into my ear, “Glad you’re okay, kid.”

  Frozen in place, I struggled to comprehend everything I discovered. Uncle Jack was there. In a room full of paranormals, and he was the one who ordered Ty and his team to protect me.

  What the actual fuck?

  Pulling back, I looked up into his tired face. My heart beat irregularly, thumping hard and fast in my chest.

  “What, you’re, so you, you’re not an actual bounty hunter?” I shook my head.

  “Just a hunter. Like your dad used to be.”

  My dad had been one also. It explained so much, how he didn’t freak out when I shifted my first time. Why he would send my uncle to look out for me.

  My mind was about to overload with all the shock.

  “Leila,” was whispered behind my uncle. Glancing over his shoulder, I gasped.

  Stepping back, my hand went to my mouth. My eyes teared and my stomach twisted in nerves.

  Reaching out with my other hand, I cried out behind my fingers, “Dad?” Right before blackness swirled in my vision.

  “Catch her,” Jezanna yelled as everything blinked out.

  Darkness surrounds me. Every way I turn, I see nothing but black. My heart beats hard in my chest. My hands tremble along with my legs. I want to run, to scream, but I don’t.

  Because I know I’m waiting.

  It isn’t until I see two small red dots in the distance that I relax somewhat.

  “Yes,” I whisper. “That’s what I’m waiting for.”

  The dots drift closer and closer.

  And in a blink of an eye, which always makes me jump, they’re right in front of me, so close I can reach out and touch them… No, touch the face that belongs to those red eyes.

  I want to.

  I need to.

  Even though a small amount of fright fills me, I still know I’m safe.

  The red eyes study me.

  “You’re mine,” the voice growls…

  Sun shining in through the window warmed me. I stretched lazily, my body twinging, my muscles sore. Voices woke me more, my mind already knowing I’d want to listen in.

  “She’s been sleeping for the last twelve hours. Let me in to check on her,” Isaac demanded.

  “She’s fine. Exhausted from the fight and shocked from seeing her father,” Uncle Jack said.

  Dad. Springing from the bed, I tangled myself in the sheets, tripped and fell flat on my face. My dad was back. He was there in the living room. I hadn’t dreamed him up.

  My bedroom door came flying off its hinges and Isaac appeared, fangs out, hands up as if he were ready to kill someone.

  Fighting myself, I stayed where I was instead of reaching out to him.

  Looking up through my hair, I puffed out, “You really have to stop breaking my doors.”

  “Leila,” he whispered, a small smile ghosting his lips.

  “Get out!” Jack yelled. Glancing through Isaac’s legs, I watched my uncle slowly climbing to his feet. “If you throw me like that again, I’ll damage you.”

  Isaac threw my uncle to get to me. My body drummed with a tingling feeling. Why did he drive my senses wild still when he’d hurt me so much?

  It was like my body acknowledged something in Isaac I didn’t understand.

  If I did, it would be easier to detest him for what he’d done.

  Isaac slowly approached me, ignoring Jack who was still threatening him. He bent to help me up, but before he could touch me, I moved backwards and was on my feet.

  He let out a pained groan. Which was when I looked down at myself dressed in only panties and a camisole.

  “Jesus, kid,” Jack grumbled, covering his eyes and reaching out blindly to grab Isaac. Only he moved out of my uncle’s reach.

  “Leila, please let me talk to you,” Isaac asked.

  “Now’s not the bloody time,” Jack yelled.

  Isaac’s hand cupped my cheek as he stepped forward. I felt like backing up, but the grief in his eyes had me halting my movements.

  Behind him, Jack curled blindly with his hand, still trying to find Isaac, while cursing him as well.

  “Isaac—”

  “You’re right,” he started, stepping closer still, until his front pressed to mine. I raised a brow at him. My hands itched to touch him, but I left them hanging uselessly at my sides. “I do need to take charge, to work with the help around me so I can be a better person to lead my people how I should. I was blinded with worry to protect, when I should have asked for help from the ones I trust the most. All I wanted was your safety. If I lost you…” He shook his head. “She was never anything to me. You have to believe me. I may have touched her hand or even kissed her, but I never slept with her.”

  “Isaac, I don’t want to hear—”

  “Me either. Just get the hell out.” Jack lunged, but Isaac stepped us aside before Jack reached him.

  “You must know, Leila, I will fight for you. I will do everything in my power to gain your trust back. I will do anything to make you mine again.”

  Shaking my head, I groaned. “I can’t—”

  “That’s it.” Uncle Jack removed his hand covering his eyes. I quickly moved to pick up the sheet and wrapped it around me before Isaac sped to the door.

  He looked back to me. “I will prove myself to you, Leila,” he said and then disappeared from my view.

  “Fucking vampire,” Jack barked, his eyes also on the door as my dad stepped in.

  “Not sure I like him for you, sweetheart.” Dad smiled. My eyes stung as I held back my tears. My dad looked the same, except for a few grey hairs at the sides of his dark hair. His eyes were still the same, only sadder. He gave me a chin lift before adding, “Get dressed, honey, and then we’ll talk. Yeah?”

  Nodding, I waited for Jack and Dad to leave before moving to my drawers. I took a quick shower to wake me up more and to think over what Isaac had said.

  However, before anything could run through my head, a certain name popped into it.

  Kalvin.

  He was a werecat. He was like me and he was… mouth-watering. I wanted to talk to him, get to know him. To see if he knew his family, if they were still around. A blush rose to my cheeks at the thought of us in our cat form rolling, playing and enjoying each other. Only to slip back into our human form to finish the fun in a different way.

  No.

  The image fled my mind and another appeared. Of Isaac naked on top of me in bed. This picture was powerful. A fierce bolt of desire shot through me. Always for Isaac. I moaned, my hand running lower on my stomach as I pictured him entering me slowly.

  “Leila,” Jezanna called with an urgent tone. I shut off the shower, wrapped a towel around me and went over to open the bathroom door.

  “Is everything okay?”

  She blushed. “I’m not sure, um, what it is you’re doing, but you need to stop. Both Isaac and the werecat can…” She coughed. “Can feel your arousal and they’re ready to kill each other because they sense it’s over both of them.”

  Now it was my face to flush beet-red. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I slowly died of embarrassment.

  “Are you serious?”

  She giggled. “Quite.”

  “Oh, my God, Jezza. Get them out of the house. How in the hell did they know I was thinking of them both?” I whispered.

  She bit her bottom lip before answering, “It seems you somehow projected some thoughts into their minds.”

  “No,” I gasped, shaking my head. Slamming an extra shield into place in my mind, I prayed everything in there was locked tight. The only answer I had was because I’d passed out my shields weren’t working and
I’d let them slip after I’d woke. “Won’t happen again,” I said. I couldn’t be thinking of them that way anyway. I had enough to sort out with my uncle and dad.

  Stupid sexy men and crazy hormones.

  “Can you get rid of everyone? I want to talk to my uncle and dad alone.” She nodded. I reached out to grab her wrist. “I don’t want you to go though. Please, don’t ever think that.”

  “I’m always here for you.” She smiled.

  After she walked down the hall, I ran across it to my bedroom. My door wasn’t fixed, so I dressed quickly, pulling on my jeans and a tee. My temperature seemed to be running hotter than normal.

  By the time I walked down the hall and into the living room, there was no one there. Voices came from the kitchen, so I headed there and found my uncle, Dad, Jezanna and Jeremiah sitting around the table.

  Glancing to the back door, I saw it was fixed. I went to take a seat next to Jack when Dad suddenly stood.

  “Don’t I get a hug?” His arms went wide. For a second, I paused. I didn’t really know the man any longer. He didn’t know me. He’d left me.

  His smile faltered. He nodded to himself. “I understand,” he whispered. “I’ll regret the day for the rest of my life for leaving you, Leila,” he said to the floor.

  I hated he was hurting. I had to understand, like another man in my life, he’d left me to protect me in some way.

  No matter how much it had hurt.

  Taking the distance, I stepped in front of him and buried my face into his shoulder, my arms looping around his waist. He uttered a noise in the back of his throat as his arm wound around my shoulders. “You’ve grown so much and into such a beautiful woman,” he whispered.

  “Dad,” I choked.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. So very sorry for leaving you.”

  Pulling back, I offered him a small smile. “I wasn’t alone, not really. I had my boof-head, annoying uncle with me.”

  He chuckled.

  “Hey,” Jack snapped and then gave me a wink. “Come on, kid. Sit, we have so much to talk about.”

  Giving Dad one last squeeze, I went and sat next to Jeremiah. He bumped my shoulder with his, offering his support in his own way.