Craig's Heart

by N. J. Walters

  “What time do you want us to be there?” His sister’s question was like a balm to his senses. He knew they’d be there to support him.

  “We’re heading out soon. I’d say we’ll be there within the hour.”

  “We’ll be there.” Chrissten paused. “I love you, little brother.”

  “Love you too.” He hung up the phone. He knew Evie was standing just behind him. He stood and tucked the phone away. “We need to get some weapons.”

  “Is everything okay?” Evie asked.

  “No, but it will be.” He wouldn’t let it be any other way. He held out his hand. “Come on. Damek left me the key for downstairs. We can get what we need before we head out.”

  Chrissten slowly set her phone down on the bedside table.

  “Everything will be okay, baby.” Hank’s strong arms came around her and he pulled her back down onto the bed beside him.

  “I’m so worried about him. He’s all alone.”

  “No, no he’s not.” The flat tone of Hank’s voice made her really pay attention. “I know what it’s like to be truly alone. To not know what you are or if there are any others like you out there. He’s got us and Quinn and Bethany and, most importantly, he’s got Damek. That vampire treats him like a little brother. Always has. He’ll protect Craig and help him get through this.”

  “I know you’re right.” Chrissten gently caressed her husband’s face. “I’m sorry you were so alone.”

  The corners of Hank’s mouth turned upward. He still didn’t smile much, but when he did it made her heart sing. “It was worth it because it brought me to you.”

  He eased her closer and never took his eyes off her as he kissed her. She sighed and lost herself in her love for him. They’d already made love and she’d hoped to again, but that didn’t seem likely now. She broke the kiss. “We have to meet him and Evie at Haven in less than an hour.”

  Hank rolled until she was under him. “I can do a lot in an hour.”

  She laughed and playfully pushed at his shoulder. “We don’t have an hour.”

  “A half hour then.” He caught her hands in his and raised them over her head, pinning her to the mattress.

  She sighed and tried to look put out. “Okay, if you have to.”

  “I do.” He nibbled on the corner of her lips. “I really do.”

  Chrissten laughed and kissed him back.

  Damek drew out his phone and hit one of the three programmed numbers. It was answered on the second ring. “Hello, husband. Where are you?”

  As always, the sound of Sonia’s voice soothed the demons inside him. “I’m about to search one of the last properties on the list.”

  “Anything yet?” He heard the sound of papers turning and knew Sonia was deep into research.

  “No, but I’m hopeful.” More than that, he had a feeling of dread, like something was about to happen. “I want Jerome to take you to New York. You should go stay with your parents until this situation is dealt with.” He’d miss her but he’d feel a hell of a lot better knowing she was safe.

  He’d been invulnerable for centuries, but now he had something, someone important in his life and that made him vulnerable. He still hadn’t come to grips with that. If he had his way, Sonia would never leave his side.

  He smiled at the thought of what she’d say if he told her that. She’d smile, pat him on the head and tell him everything was going to be all right. She was one of the few people on the planet who didn’t walk in fear of him.

  “I’m not going to New York. I’m staying here with you.” He could tell she was ready to do battle.

  “Then at least go home. The apartment is protected and there are weapons there.”

  She sighed. “Very well. If it will make you happy.”

  “It will.” And it was what he’d wanted in the first place. He’d known in his heart she’d never leave him to go stay with her parents. But he was learning how best to deal with his independent mate and figured if he started out totally unreasonable then she’d eventually agree to what he’d wanted in the first place.

  “I’m on to you, you know,” she told him. He could tell by the sounds that she was packing up her belongings.

  “Oh?” Despite his question, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know what she meant.

  “As if you’d let me go to New York without you.” Even though she was trying to sound stern, he could hear the smile in her voice.

  “What is that saying you use? Ah, yes. Busted.” She laughed as he intended. “I want you safe, Sonia. And make no mistake, I’ll do whatever it takes to make certain no harm comes to you. You are the only thing standing between me and my demons. If any harm were to come to you—” He broke off, unable to finish the statement. He knew if anything happened to her he was capable of razing the entire city in his grief.

  “I’ll be fine. You just make sure you take care of yourself. Don’t underestimate this other vampire, Damek. Remember what you always tell me. No two vampires are the same and all have different skills. Just because he’s younger than you doesn’t mean he isn’t powerful.”

  “I remember,” he promised. “Now call Jerome and head home.”

  “I’m on my way. Love you.” She ended the call.

  Damek tucked his phone inside his coat. “I love you too,” he whispered. He set off down the street, keeping to the shadows. He detected several other humans outside the house he was interested in.

  “Well, well, what do we have here?” Damek sped through the darkness, stopping right behind one of the men.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Evie felt like a modern-day Van Helsing with a wooden stake strapped to her back beneath her shirt and a knife concealed beneath her coat. Craig was carrying even more weapons than she was. He had several long, sharp knives in protective sheaths strapped to his thighs beneath the long, black leather duster Damek had given him and two smaller blades tucked into his boots.

  She glanced at Craig and decided he looked like a badass even with his boy-next-door good looks. There was an aura of menace about him that hadn’t been there when she’d first met him.

  He’d changed. They both had.

  He reached out and caught her hand in his. “What are you thinking?”

  Craig was probably one of the few men in the universe who actually wanted to talk. It was a little disconcerting at times. “I still have moments when all this seems surreal, like a movie. I keep expecting a director is going to yell cut at any moment, or I’ll wake up and realize all this was nothing more than a dream.”

  He kissed the back of her hand. He was always doing that. Little touches and kisses that left her feeling unsettled. She simply wasn’t used to being touched so much by another person. But she was quickly growing used to it from Craig.

  “It’s real. It will take all of us a while to adjust, but we will.” His assurance certainly helped ease the butterflies in her stomach. They didn’t disappear totally, but she no longer felt like she might toss her cookies.

  Both their bodies were still adjusting to becoming vampires. She had no idea how long that would take and really didn’t feel like asking Damek. She knew Damek didn’t trust her and she did everything she could to remain under his radar as much as possible. Even now, when he was nowhere around, she could almost feel his eyes watching her.

  A shiver trickled down her spine and the fine hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Evie stopped and slowly turned around in a complete circle, searching the streets and shadows. Even though it was late, there were people around, some walking, some in cars and taxis.

  “What is it?” Beside her, Craig tensed, his eyes scanning their surroundings.

  “I don’t know.” She absently slid her hand beneath her coat to the long blade that rode against her hip. “Probably nothing.” She moved her hand away. “I’m just nervous about going back to Haven.” That’s probably all it was.

  “There’s nothing to be nervous about. I’m with you.” They started walking and she could see Haven in t
he distance.

  He might be confident of his welcome, but she sure as heck wasn’t. Those people would always look at her and blame her for changing Craig’s life, for tampering with his destiny. And they’d be right. She had.

  But there was no going back for either of them.

  Vladimir had started all this and the ripples of his action were still being felt and would be for a long time. Evie wondered where he was and what he was doing. Was he changing another unsuspecting woman while she casually walked down the street with Craig?

  “We should be out looking for Vladimir, not socializing.” She dug in her heels and stopped. “This is wrong. He’s been killing innocent people, feeding on their blood while I’ve been hiding.”

  “Evie.” Craig eased her into the shadow of a building. Immediately, she scanned the nearby area, sensing nothing but a cat and several people partying in an apartment on the back of the building next to them. “There was nothing we could do, nothing we can do until we find him. Walking around the city searching for him does nothing but expose both of us. We have to get strong and learn how to use our newfound strengths before we face him. Anything less is suicide. And I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to die yet.”

  She raised her hand and touched his cheek. Craig was strong and powerful, but there was a layer of compassion and common sense beneath it. While she might do something rash, he would always have a plan, probably several. If she was going to defeat her enemy, she needed to think more like Craig.

  He covered her hand with his, his blue eyes brighter than a summer sky.

  “I know you’re right,” she began.

  “But that doesn’t make the waiting any easier,” he finished.

  Evie gave a small laugh. “Yeah.”

  “Once things are settled with the Haven pack, we’ll move into the apartment below Damek’s and start strategizing. We’ll train and work and get stronger. Then we’ll go hunting,” Craig promised. “Damek will find Vladimir and then we’ll have the advantage.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Evie couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Craig was being too confident. It all seemed too easy. Vladimir was cunning and ruthless. She could testify to that. He’d taunted her for several weeks, like a cat with a mouse, making her feel helpless and afraid in her own home. He’d stripped away her sense of security before destroying her life. No, she wouldn’t underestimate the vampire for one moment.

  “Let’s go.” Craig eased them out of the shadows and propelled them both down the sidewalk. “They’re waiting for us.”

  Evie wished she shared his sense of excitement. She could sense his growing anticipation, and with each step closer they came to Haven the tenser she grew. But no way was she letting Craig face down those people on his own.

  He wouldn’t be alone, a small voice in the back of her head reminded her. His family would be there. He didn’t really need her.

  But she owed it to him to protect him. She had his back.

  She really didn’t see how any kind of relationship could work between them in the long run. Even if they defeated Vladimir and she survived, she would always be the one who’d turned Craig’s life upside down. His family would never accept what she’d done to him, and she couldn’t blame them for that.

  Craig was special. She knew that, had sensed it the first time she’d laid eyes on him. It had momentarily cut through her bloodlust until she’d lost it and taken him to the point of no return. Now that she knew him better, she knew just how special he was.

  She loved him. That was both her saving grace and her punishment.

  For once in her life, someone else was more important. She’d spent her entire life looking out for herself, mostly out of necessity. But now Craig’s safety and happiness was more important than her own, and not just because she owed him.

  No, she’d done the supremely stupid thing of falling in love with him.

  And because she did love him, she’d protect him with her life. And, if they both survived Vladimir’s wrath, she’d set him free to have the life he deserved without the shadows of the past, of her, separating him from his family and friends.

  Maybe it could work between them, the little voice whispered. Maybe his friends and family would accept her. Maybe Craig could love her back.

  But that voice was drowned out by the one she’d heard for years, the one that screamed loudest in her ears. That voice reminded her that she wasn’t good enough for Craig. That he was smarter than she was. That he had a family who loved him where she had no one.

  No, better to leave when this was done rather than risk her heart any more than she already had. The longer she stayed the more it would hurt when it was time for her to leave. Craig would always have a piece of her, but it was worth it to have this time with him.

  “Are you ready?”

  While she’d been lost in her own thoughts, they’d reached Haven. She looked up at Craig and swallowed the lump in her throat when she saw the concern in his gaze. No one in her entire life, no one, had ever worried about her like he did.

  “I’m ready.” She grabbed the door handle and pulled it open. She’d already scanned the room, a talent that was becoming as natural as breathing. There were no humans inside, just half-breed and full-blooded werewolves. She stepped inside and Craig followed.

  The door shut heavily behind them.

  From two blocks down the road, a man watched the couple enter the small bar. He noted the name before removing his phone from his pocket. He called the one and only number programmed into his phone. It rang until it went to voicemail.

  The man frowned but left a message. “She’s here. At Haven.” He gave the address. “And there is another with her. He is vampire as well.” He’d seen the way the male had looked at the woman. Seen his eyes flash red for a brief moment.

  He ended the call and moved a little closer to the club. It was his job to watch and wait. And until he received further orders, that’s exactly what he planned to do.

  Craig followed Evie into Haven, wishing he knew what was going through her mind. He sensed that her emotions had run the gamut from sad to fearful to determined. He knew she was worried and had a right to be. He was a little nervous himself even though he was doing his best to pretend otherwise.

  Quinn, Chrissten, Hank and Bethany were sitting at a table near the door. They all rose when he and Evie walked in. He nodded but kept his attention on the two people who mattered most right now. Meredith stood in the center of the room with Isaiah beside her. Behind them, the rest of their pack waited for their alphas to make the first move.

  Craig took a step toward them. “Hey, Meredith.”

  The older woman took a step toward him and then suddenly she was practically running. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. Not that the others couldn’t hear. They were all paranormal creatures with preternatural senses. “I reacted badly. We all did.”

  He smiled down at her. “Totally understandable.”

  Meredith shook her head. “No, it isn’t. But there’s nothing to be done about that now. All we can do is move forward.”

  Craig felt the shift in power and knew Isaiah was moving toward him. He released Meredith and stared at the alpha werewolf who’d helped Craig reunite his family all those years ago, who’d offered all of them a home and a pack to belong to.

  The alpha male towered over Craig, but whereas he’d once been human and weaker, now he was vampire and much stronger. But physical strength wasn’t everything. He respected Isaiah very much. The werewolf would hate him for saying it or even thinking it for that matter, but Craig thought he was a lot like Damek.

  Both of them were dominant males, ready to do whatever it took to protect their mates and families.

  Craig glanced at Evie, standing so proudly beside him, the scowl on her face daring anyone to say a cross word to him. Love swelled in his heart and practically robbed him of breath.

  Suddenly, the pounding of he
artbeats filled his ears and echoed in his veins. Hunger poured through him, a raging beast demanding to be fed and appeased.

  Evie grabbed his hand and squeezed tight. The contact allowed him to gain control of the bloodlust once again. This time it was quicker, but it was still difficult. He built a cage in his mind and shoved the beast inside. He’d feed it later when it was safe to do so.

  The scene before him was a frozen tableau with no one moving, barely breathing. Everyone had felt the surge of power. Evie had immediately reached out to him, helping calm and center him. Craig half expected the males to jump in front of their females, but they hadn’t. All were waiting to see how he could handle himself. They were offering him their gift of trust. He blinked several times and then offered his hand to Isaiah.

  The big male took it and then pulled him into a bear hug. “You are doing well, my friend. Control is not easy to master.”

  Craig gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I know that well.” He took a step back and pulled Evie closer to his side. “You all remember Evie.”

  “Welcome to Haven.” Meredith took Evie’s hand and led her to a table. Evie glanced over her shoulder and Craig could read the panic in her eyes. He was behind her in a blink of an eye, his hand on her arm.

  Meredith’s eyes widened. “You’re very fast.”

  Craig shrugged. “I’m still figuring out what I can and can’t do. It’s a steep learning curve.”

  Behind him, Quinn laughed. “Sparring with you is going to be fun now that I no longer have to hold back to keep from crushing you into the mat.”

  His brother’s good-natured taunt made Craig smile. “No, now it’s you who need to be worried I’ll crush you.”

  Hank snorted. “We’ll see about that.”

  That easily and quickly, the tension broke and the crisis passed. All the others came over to hug him and shake hands or nod at Evie. She wasn’t totally accepted yet, but Craig knew that would come in time.

  They all sat and Craig did his best to answer all their questions, with Evie filling in the blanks whenever she could. This was what he wanted, his woman by his side and his family around him. Life was good.