Tempted (dark protectors )

by Rebecca Zanetti

  A throat cleared, and Andrew stood in front of her table. “Sarah. How are you feeling?”

  Surprise pressed her back in the chair, and she plastered on the fakest smile she could create. “Damn pissed at you. We both know what happened, Andrew.”

  He tilted his perfectly coiffed head. Cool blue eyes narrowed and he sighed. “Yes, we do. Apparently you’re still confused.”

  So. He’d lie to the end. Sorrow at what could’ve been, at the relationship she might’ve had with him, slid through her. She was done feeling sorry for him. He’d chosen evil and was responsible for the decision. “I don’t remember our mother much, but something tells me you’re just like her.”

  The insult sent a dark red spiraling across his tanned face. “No matter what is decided here today, you’ll never teach again. Nobody will allow a possible psychopath near their kids.”

  He’d pitched a direct hit, and a damn good one. The time in the psychiatric hospital might be used against her in the future. Andrew had always known how to hurt her.

  His gaze moved behind her, and he took a step back.

  She didn’t turn. A creak of the wood promised Max had stood to his full height. She’d bet his expression was anything but kind.

  “Return to your seat, Drew. We’re done.” Sarah used the nickname he’d always hated.

  Andrew swallowed loudly. “You’ve made your bed.” He turned on his heel and stomped back to the blonde.

  The wooden bench creaked in protest behind her. Max had sat back down.

  Jase eyed her. “Your brother’s an asshole.”

  Sarah forced a smile. “Half brother, and yeah, he is.”

  Teaching fulfilled a need in her, and she was good at it. She loved her students and loved the glee they showed when learning something new. Fury heated her stomach at the thought that she’d never teach again.

  A side door opened and a uniformed bailiff stalked inside. “All rise.”

  Everyone stood, and a judge dressed in the customary black robe strode inside and took his seat. “Sit. Everyone sit.”

  Steel-gray hair was slicked back from a weathered face sporting deep laugh lines near his mouth. He wore wire-rimmed glasses on his narrow nose. Intelligence shone in his faded blue eyes as he scanned the room. “So. Family fight here, huh?”

  Nobody spoke, but Sarah found herself nodding.

  The judge narrowed his focus to her. “Are you crazy, young lady?”

  “No, sir.” The anger receded as she focused. Her smile was genuine. The man knew how to get to the point.

  The blond attorney stood. “Melanie Melcome for the Petitioner, your honor.”

  “I know who you are, Ms. Melcome.” The judge squinted at Jase. “You, however, I do not know.”

  Jase stood. “Jason Belamny for Miss Pringle.”

  “I know your name, young man.” The judge grabbed a file, tapping it. “I’ve read your documents, which were very well written. I researched you. You graduated top in your class from Harvard and work in southern Washington. Yet here you are in Seattle.”

  Charm oozed from Jase. “I’m a country lawyer working on land use planning and contracts, judge. But Miss Pringle needed help, and we’re old friends. So I came to help.”

  Wow. He sounded so sincere Sarah almost believed him. She’d taken a look at his fake credentials earlier. The vampires had some expert forgers.

  The judge nodded. “Very well. Let’s get this hearing started.” He cleared his throat. “Ms. Melcome, I assume the testimony of your client and the psychiatrist will follow the brief you filed? That Miss Pringle has suffered a mental breakdown and should be found incompetent, for the good of the company?”

  “Yes, your Honor.” Melanie nodded.

  “And Mr. Belamny? Your position is clearly laid out in your briefs?”

  “Yes, sir.” Jase frowned. Apparently the judge was not going to follow usual procedure.

  The judge nodded. “Then I see no reason to waste time on opening statements or anyone testifying to what’s already in affidavits and briefs. Let’s get to it. Mr. Belamny, why don’t you call your client to the stand? Let’s talk about mental competency.”

  Jase leaned over. “This is unusual, but judges have discretion. Take the stand, Sarah.”

  Chapter 8

  Sarah stood on shaking legs to walk the distance to the witness stand. The leather squeaked as she settled in the chair. Joy cascaded through her so powerfully she caught her breath. The last person to sit had adopted a baby boy after years of trying. The new mother’s elation wiped out any other sensation left in the chair.

  Her shoulders relaxed, and Sarah folded her hands in her lap. The bailiff swore her in.

  Jase stood, smoothing down his silk tie. “Miss Pringle, why were you sent to Brancrest?”

  Sarah leaned toward the microphone. “I was sent there so my brother could steal my stock and sell our company.”

  “Objection.” Melanie stood.

  Jase flashed a smooth smile. “On what grounds?”

  Melanie pursed her lips, then tilted her head. “The witness isn’t qualified to speak as to my client’s motivation. She’s not in his head.”

  “Sustained,” the judge said. “Rephrase, Mr. Belamny.”

  Jase nodded. “Sarah, we’re here because you saw the murder of a friend of yours and insisted a white-faced creature—you called him a vampire—killed her. Do you remember that night?”

  Her stomach sank. “Yes, I do.”

  “Do you still believe vampires killed your friend?”

  She took a deep breath. “No. Vampires did not kill Lila.”

  “Why have you changed your mind?” Jase asked.

  “Therapy at Brancrest. I learned that after a traumatic event, your brain might make things up. Like scary monsters.” All the truth. Dr. Robard had repeatedly tried to teach her that. Plus, now she knew real vampires. They were good, while Kurjans weren’t.

  Jase nodded. “Yet you ran away from Brancrest.”

  She turned her focus to the judge. “I just wanted to go home.”

  He nodded, understanding filling his eyes.

  “Tender the witness.” Jase returned to his seat.

  Melanie stood, her heels clicking sharply as she strode to stand in front of her table. “So who killed Lila?”

  “I don’t know,” Sarah whispered.

  “Can you describe him?”

  Nausea swirled in Sarah’s stomach. She could describe him. White-faced, purple eyes, sharp canines. A strong pull yanked her attention to Max. He locked eyes with her, giving her confidence, reminding her to think of the bigger picture. She needed to stay strong. “No. I can’t describe him. The night is still a blur, and the doctor said my memory may always be fuzzy.”

  Melanie reached for a manila file, opening the front flap. “When you escaped last week, you created a website geared toward finding the white-faced vampires.” She glanced up, sharp eyes hardening. “Last week, Miss Pringle.”

  Panic ripped down Sarah’s spine. Even then, Max’s strength reached for her. She swallowed. “I learned at Brancrest that writing can heal. I thought if I wrote a horror novel, then maybe I could let go of that horrible night.” Still the truth ... though not all of it. She tried to keep her face serious. Heat began to climb through her cheeks.

  Melanie took a step toward her. “Did a human kill Lila?”

  Sarah met the attorney’s gaze. “No. Only something evil could’ve ripped Lila’s head off. No humanity existed in the person who did that.”

  Melanie studied her. “Did the killer look like, I don’t know, like a zombie?”

  Jase stood. “Asked and answered. My client has related the events of that night to the best of her ability. As well as she can now. Enough.”

  The judge nodded. “I agree. Miss Pringle, step down, please.”

  Sarah sighed in relief and took slow steps to get to Jase and sit down. He remained standing. “Now, your honor, we’d like for Dr. Robard, Sarah’s psychiatrist,
to testify regarding her recuperation.”

  The door opened, and Dr. Robard limped inside. He appeared decades older than he had the previous day.

  Robard testified regarding traumatic events, and more important, how Sarah’s brain had processed the terrible evening the best it could. Sweat rolled down his face, and his eyes darted around the courtroom. He concluded she was no longer under any illusions.

  Melanie stood to cross-examine him. Her smile served to visibly relax the doctor. “Now, doctor, I know it’s difficult testifying about a patient.”

  “Yes.” The doctor’s shoulders went back. A slight blush rose across his face.

  Good grief. Was the man flirting? Sarah stiffened.

  “But we really must get to the truth, don’t you think?” Melanie tapped red nails against the file, waiting until the doctor nodded before continuing. She pivoted and pointed to Conn near the door. “Do you know that man?”

  “Objection.” Jase stood and smoothed down his tie.

  “On what grounds?” Melanie threw Jase’s words back at him.

  His smile was full of charm. “Relevance.”

  “Oh, I think the two hulking men in the courtroom who escorted the poor doctor here are very relevant to his testimony, Mr. Belamny.” Fire flashed through the attorney’s eyes. She focused on the judge. “Goes to credibility, Judge.”

  “Credibility?” Surprise coated Jase’s words. “We’ve established the doctor’s credentials. He’s qualified.”

  “Sure he is.” Melanie cast the doctor a sympathetic glance. “But if he is feeling threatened, then we must explore the veracity of his testimony, now mustn’t we?”

  The judge frowned, glancing at Conn and then at Max. “Objection overruled. You may continue, Ms. Melcome.”

  Jase sat back down.

  Melanie tilted her head to the side. “Who’s the titan at the door, doctor?”

  The doctor cleared his throat. “I, ah, his name is Conn. The man behind you is Max.”

  “I see.” Melanie paused, turned and studied both men, then pivoted to face the doctor. “They look dangerous.”

  “Objection.” Jase lazily stretched to his feet. “Ms. Melcome is testifying, your Honor.”

  “Sustained.” The judge nevertheless studied Max.

  “My apologies.” Melanie eyed Jase. “Are you feeling threatened, doctor?”

  “No.” The flush on the doctor’s face deepened. “Nobody has threatened me.”

  Melanie frowned in clear disbelief. “These men escorted you here today, didn’t they?”

  “Yes. They’re friends of Miss Pringle.” The doctor leaned forward, his gaze earnest. “I’m testifying as to the truth here today. Miss Pringle is not crazy and has made a full recovery.” He sat back with a sigh.

  Lines cut into the judge’s forehead when he frowned, narrowing his eyes at Jase.

  Melanie shook her head and continued with cross, trying to shake the doctor’s testimony, but he held firm—shaky but firm.

  When he stood down, Conn escorted him from the courthouse.

  Quiet settled through the room. The judge read the briefs again.

  Sarah fidgeted. “What happens to Dr. Robard now?” she whispered.

  Jase stared hard at the judge. “We’ll threaten him, have him sign a nondisclosure, threaten him again, and send him home.”

  “Promise me you’ll ask him to fire nurse Whitcome.”

  “I promise.” Jase shuffled the files in front of him. “You need to be ready to run for it if the judge rules against us.”

  “You think he will?” Sarah’s hands began to tremble.

  “It’s possible. That lawyer did a good job showing how Conn and Max may have coerced the doctor’s testimony. Especially considering his testimony contradicts your blog.”

  Fear slid down Sarah’s spine. She pressed the balls of her feet down in the pretty shoes, stabilizing herself in case she needed to move quickly.

  The judge banged down his gavel, startling everyone. “Based on the testimony herein, I deny the petitioner’s request to have Miss Pringle declared incompetent. Everyone go home.” He stood.

  “All rise,” the bailiff bellowed.

  Everybody stood up, and the judge swept through the side door.

  Relief relaxed Sarah’s feet. She turned and hugged Jase. “Thank you.”

  Her gaze caught her brother’s furious grimace. Even so, a glimmer of triumph curled his upper lip. Unease whispered through her. She released Jase and slipped over to Andrew’s table. “You know I’m not crazy, Drew.”

  He stood. “Sure you are. But it’s okay. You know I always believe in Plan B.”

  She frowned, reaching casually for a pen he’d twirled throughout the hearing. Anger, conceit, and arrogance vibrated from the pen, along with images. Her heel caught, and she stumbled back into strong arms.

  Max turned her. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  She nodded, blindly following him to the hallway, where she tugged him to a stop.

  “What?” he growled.

  “The pen.” Images swirled so fast in her brain her skull ached. “Andrew obtained the access codes and layout of the Mercury lab from a security analyst he’s been seeing. The woman knew enough to get to the information, but she didn’t understand the medical jargon. They’re prepared in case they lost the hearing—this was to keep us busy. The Kurjans are hitting the lab as soon as darkness falls.”

  Max tapped his ear communicator. “We need another force outside Pringle Pharmaceuticals—breach imminent.”

  Jase shoved a piece of paper in her hands. “Sign this.”

  She twisted Andrew’s pen. Selling the company would be a huge relief. Her grandpa had always told her to sell if she wanted, that her happiness was more important than any company—and the vampires would use it for good. Then she gasped at the offer on the paper. “This is too much money.” Way too much money.

  Max clasped her biceps. “Only sell if you want, Sarah. If you want to keep the company, we can work something out.”

  Jase frowned. “Max—”

  “No.” Max’s eyes hardened. “We’re not forcing her. If she wants to keep the company, she keeps the company.”

  Certainty, trust, faith—all centered deep inside her. Max would go against his people to protect her. She signed the paper. “Good luck with it.” She tilted her head. “I saw enough images from the pen that I can get you to the information you want. I know where the data is being hidden.” As did the Kurjans.

  “No.” Max grasped her elbow, tugging her through the courthouse to the soft sunshine outside. Thank goodness it was sunny. They hustled across the street to the packed parking lot, Jase barking orders into a cell phone.

  The first shot hit Max square in the chest.

  The next punctured Jase’s neck.

  Sarah screamed, reaching for Max.

  A van door opened and men wearing black masks jumped out, firing point-blank at both vampires. Max went down, even then trying to shove Sarah behind him. She slammed her palms against his chest, trying to stem the blood flowing from his wounds.

  One man grabbed Sarah by the hair, throwing her into the van. She kicked with the heels and clawed with her short nails, trying to get back to Max. Oh God. How many times had he been shot?

  They hadn’t considered the Kurjans—or Andrew—would send humans. The doors slid shut, and something pierced her neck.

  Everything went black.

  The scent of bleach tickled Sarah’s nose. Her head ached and cold permeated her nose and cheekbones. She felt chilly, hard tiles and opened her eyes. The floor. She was lying on a floor. What had they injected into her neck?

  Small dirt particles coated her palms when she flattened her hands out. Gathering courage, she pushed to a seated position to look around. Andrew sat on a desk, his leg swinging. “Hello, bitch.”

  She surveyed the small office. Industrial tiles, no windows, a solid steel door, and one metal desk with posters of ACHIEVEMENT and GOA
LS behind it. “You brought me to the Mercury lab.” Memories slammed inside her head. Max. “Where’s Max? Is he okay?”

  Andrew grabbed a letter opener to twirl in his hands. “Max? I assume he’s one of the hulks escorting you?”

  Sarah gave a short nod.

  “Max is most certainly dead.”

  A sob rose in her throat. She shook her fuzzy head to clear the thoughts. Max was a vampire. Two hundred years was a long time to live, he could probably handle a few bullets. “How can you do this, Andrew? I’m your sister.”

  “Half sister.” He flipped the letter opener in the air, catching the sharp point in his other hand. “In fact, truth be told, I doubt good old Grandpappy was even related to you. Mom was quite the whore.”

  Sarah kept her face placid. Angering Andrew wouldn’t help her get out of the lab.

  The door slid open.

  Her biggest nightmare stomped inside.

  Fear overcame the headache. Giving a small cry, Sarah bounded up, rushing around the desk.

  Andrew laughed. “Sarah, I believe you’ve already met Erik.”

  The freak smiled yellowed fangs. “Yes. You moved rather quickly last time, didn’t you? Impressive feat with the elevator. Loved the website, too.” He glanced at Andrew. “Dusk has finally fallen. We’ll be able to leave soon.”

  She clutched both hands until they went numb. “Andrew, you can’t sell the stock to these monsters.”

  “Oh, Sarah.” Andrew stood and shoved a stack of papers in front of her. “You’re selling the stock. I’m making a shitload of money. For the stock, and well, you.”

  “Me?” she gasped.

  Erik sniffed the air. His eyes morphed from purple to red. “Yes, I was right. You are a potential mate. Good. You’ll be coming with me.” Then he frowned and a low snarl escaped his wide chest. “Whoever your future mate is, he won’t appreciate that you have fucked a vampire.”

  Holy crap. The bastard smelled Max on her?

  Andrew grimaced. “Like mother, like daughter, I suppose.” He shrugged. “Sign the papers, Sarah. Or Erik will persuade you.”

  The papers didn’t matter. She’d already sold to Jase.

  “Oh.” Andrew grabbed a folded piece of paper from inside his jacket. “Here’s the one you signed earlier. My men grabbed it from the second guy we killed. The shot through the neck did the trick.” He ripped the paper into small pieces, throwing them at Sarah.