Lavos

by Laurann Dohner

A noise behind her made her startle and turn her head. The double doors opened and a few men stepped outside of the lodge. They weren’t Lavos but they looked badass. Were all the men in town muscular and large? It seemed that way, since all of Lavos’s pack she’d seen so far fit that exact description.

  One of them jogged down the steps and headed into the woods behind the lodge. The other one withdrew his phone, dialed, and then held it up to his ear. His voice didn’t carry to her but he seemed to be amused by whoever he spoke to.

  The guy strolled toward the side of the building, still talking on his phone. He disappeared around the corner.

  Jadee looked down the hill. Digger had closed the hood on her RV and carried his toolbox inside his garage.

  “Shit.” Time wasn’t on her side.

  The doors opened behind her again. She knew the sound now. She peered around the tree trunk…

  And relief flooded her as Lavos stepped out.

  He talked to someone inside, his body turned sideways. She drank in his profile. He wore a nice T-shirt and faded jeans. He looked really good. He even wore the biker boots still.

  Close the door so I can step out and you can see me, she thought his way. Come on. Stop talking so I can let you know I’m here.

  He closed the door and took a few steps down the stairs. Jadee sucked in a deep breath and almost moved when the door opened again. A tall, beautiful dark-haired woman wearing a green formal dress exited.

  “Wait!”

  Lavos spun, giving Jadee his back. The woman stopped at the top of the stairs. Her mouth moved but Jadee had no idea what she said. She wished she could hear them. Lavos stayed at the bottom of the steps.

  Jadee glanced down the hill. Digger had left his garage and walked toward the gas station. He would go in there and they’d know she had escaped.

  Panic hit. They’d hunt for her.

  She twisted her head, irritated that the woman and Lavos still yakked away as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

  The woman gripped the railing of the stairs and gracefully made her way down each step. Jadee didn’t miss the way she seemed to be looking at Lavos as if he were a meat stick she wanted to eat. She proved Jadee’s theory by stopping one step up so her and Lavos were the same height. The bitch put her hands on the tops of his shoulders and leaned in. Her dress was so low cut her boobs almost spilled out.

  Jealousy struck but Jadee pushed it back. She had bigger worries—like the fact that Digger was now inside the store and they’d probably noticed she wasn’t still inside that storage room.

  She looked down in time to see the back door being thrown open and Volti rushing outside.

  The jig is up. Damn. She watched Digger join Volti behind the store. The clerk crouched, bracing his hand on the ground. He was either sniffing it or looking for footprints. His head snapped up and he seemed to be staring right in her direction.

  Jadee ducked fast, hoping he hadn’t spotted her. There was a lot of vegetation between him and her. She turned her head, looking at the lodge.

  Lavos had backed away from the woman. He turned in Jadee’s direction and advanced with long-legged strides. The woman called out loud enough for her words to carry.

  “When is a good time, Lavos?”

  He paused and glanced back. “Later. I have to make rounds.”

  He faced Jadee’s way and started walking again. The woman grabbed her skirt and hiked it up a few inches, rushing after him. She got in front of Lavos, released her skirt and put both of her hands on his chest to prevent him from getting around her.

  “You don’t need to play hard to get to hold my interest. I think we’re a perfect match.” The woman sounded angry. “I don’t enjoy games.”

  Jadee leaned up a little, hoping to catch a glimpse of where Digger and Volti were. She spotted them coming up the hill. They’d reach her within minutes. She didn’t have any time left.

  She just straightened and stepped out.

  The woman’s back was to her and Lavos’s focus was on the woman, so he didn’t spot Jadee. She waved her arms, and he must have seen the motion because his gaze lifted. His surprise was evident when they made eye contact. His mouth fell open.

  The woman started to turn but Lavos suddenly gripped her arms.

  “Later. We got an alert and I’m on duty. You need to go inside. You don’t want the enemy to see you.” He spoke loudly.

  Jadee got the message. She ducked behind the tree and stared down the hill. She caught a glimpse of Digger and took a seat on the ground. They were coming right at her, moving way faster than she had. And it was a steep hill.

  Lavos’s boots crunched on the ground as he drew closer. She held still but lifted her chin when he entered the woods and stepped right in front of her.

  “What in the hell?”

  He looked good. Angry but as handsome as ever. “Hi.” She lifted her hand to give him a tiny wave.

  He crouched, spreading his thighs on both sides of her and bracing his hands on the tree above her head. “Are you insane? How did you get here? How were you able to get past the enforcers?”

  “I think two of them are coming after me right now. I mean that literally. Digger and Volti are almost here.”

  A deep snarl tore from him and he twisted his head. He sniffed the air. “I smell them.” He focused on her. “Don’t say a word. Not one. I’ll handle this. Don’t move either.”

  “Okay.”

  He rose to his full height and turned, planting his booted feet right in front of her bent knees. She leaned a little to the right to see around him.

  Volti arrived first, with Digger right on his heels.

  “We have a problem,” Volti growled.

  “I’m aware.” Lavos’s tone sounded calmer.

  “It’s that human from the campsite.” Digger sounded a little out of breath. “You found her.”

  “Yes. I did. Return to your posts. I’ll handle this.”

  “I put her to sleep but she woke and took off. Something is wrong with her.”

  “Digger.” Lavos paused. “Listen to me. I want you to drive her motor home out to my place. I see it from here. Then I want both of you to keep damn quiet about her being here.”

  “Did you hear me? She woke and took off!” Digger seemed worked up.

  “I implanted orders in her. She was to find me if she had any information about the Vampires who want to start a war.”

  “You didn’t tell me that.” Volti stepped to the side, frowning at Jadee. “She’s human.”

  “A smart one who is very receptive to taking orders.” Lavos inched back, putting his body closer to hers. “She’s our spy. We have other clans here, though, and I don’t want them to know about her.”

  “Does Lorn know about this?” Volti scowled at Lavos.

  “Of course. It was his idea. I need to get the information from her but I don’t want anyone alarmed that there’s a human in town. And I don’t have time to argue with the two of you. I’m issuing you orders. Hide any trace that she was here and keep your mouths shut. Drive her motor home to my house and hide it around back. Lorn is busy right now so I’m handling this on my own. Go!”

  Both men took off fast. Jadee relaxed. Lavos held still, seeming to watch them until they were far down the hill. He turned, then glared down at her. “Do you have any idea what kind of shit storm this could start? What are you doing here? What possessed you to find me? How did you find me? Do you have a death wish?”

  “That’s a lot of questions.”

  He crouched and leaned forward, bracing his hands on the tree again. It put their faces about a foot apart. “I told you how dangerous it would be if anyone figured out you were immune to our eyes.”

  Speaking of, she stared into his. They were still as beautiful as she remembered. “Is that woman your girlfriend or something?”

  She couldn’t believe that popped out of her mouth. She sealed her lips.

  He blinked a few times. “No. Do you know what? Be quiet.” He
glanced around the area. “The meet and greet is officially about to begin soon. That means everyone will be heading this way. I need to get you out of here. Roll in the dirt.”

  “What?”

  He stood, backing away. “To cover your scent. You reek of human. Roll in the dirt. Just do it. We don’t have much time. You can clean up once I have you inside my house. Roll, Jadee—do you want to survive or not?”

  “Great.” She was close to the ground already, at least. She leaned forward and flattened onto her belly. She rolled, squeezing her eyes closed. The earth was loose and dry. The strong smell of it filled her nose.

  “A few more times,” he ordered. “You need to be coated to hide your scent.”

  She rolled again and wiggled against the ground, then stopped and sat up. “I feel like that old cartoon character who throws off grime when he walks.”

  Lavos grinned and offered her a hand. “You can have a hot shower soon.”

  She gripped it and he pulled her to her feet. He was strong, and that smile of his made her belly quiver. He was just too good-looking. “That’s not how I imagined it would be if you ever asked me to get down and dirty.”

  His eyes lit up, glowing. “Don’t flirt with a predator, Jadee. I bite.” He released her hand and suddenly bent, snagging her around her knees with one arm.

  She gasped when he lifted her right off her feet and her world turned upside down. He wrapped his other arm around the back of her thighs.

  “Be quiet and still. I’m going to move fast to avoid everyone.”

  He lunged into the woods. She made no protests but she did wonder about that bite reference he’d mentioned. Would he actually bite her? It didn’t sound as scary as it might have once. Lavos was extremely hot. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t fantasized about him nibbling on her a few times since they’d met.

  Lavos paused and sniffed the air. He scented some of his clan nearby. He turned left, skirting one of the trails that would lead to the lodge. He could still faintly smell Jadee but he had her slung over his shoulder. The dirt smell was stronger, tickling his nose almost into a sneeze.

  What in the hell is she doing here? He had a hundred questions but couldn’t ask them until he got her safely inside his house. Lorn would shit a brick when he found out Jadee had entered their territory. The timing couldn’t have been worse. They were supposed to be showing the other clans that they were strong and able to hold their own clan together. It would be bad if anyone found out not only had they allowed Jadee to keep her memories, but she’d hunted down where they lived.

  Jadee kept silent. He was grateful for that. Humans weren’t known for following orders well unless they were being made to. He reached his land and relaxed a little. He’d taken the long way to get there and come around the back. Her motor home and trailered car had already been parked behind his house. He marched to the back door of his home and entered, slamming and locking it behind him. He kept her over his shoulder. He took the stairs two at a time and didn’t stop until he entered the master bathroom. He supported her back and bent, depositing her gently on his counter.

  She took in his bathroom and smiled. “Nice.”

  He had no idea what to say to her first. Dirt covered her but she was still as appealing as hell. “Why did you come here, Jadee?”

  “I’m in trouble. I didn’t know where else to go.”

  That suddenly made him feel more concern than irritation over her bad timing. “What kind of trouble?”

  “Can I shower first? It’s kind of a long story.” She touched her jeans and grimaced. “I stink.”

  “Yes. I have to make a call.” He’d have to tell Lorn he wasn’t returning to the lodge, and why. He backed up. “Do it fast. I’ll be waiting in the bedroom.” He entered his room and closed the door between them. He used his cell phone to contact his brother.

  “Where are you?” Lorn didn’t sound happy.

  “Can you be heard?”

  “Yes.”

  “Walk away and find some privacy.”

  “Of course.” His voice grew a little distant, as if he’d lowered the phone away from his mouth. “Excuse me. I have to take this call.” Long seconds ticked by and Lorn sighed into the phone. “Okay. I’m in the bathroom and no one else is in here. Is there a problem?”

  Lavos closed his eyes, dreading his next words. “I’ll handle it. It’s just that I won’t be at the feast later.”

  “You have to be here,” Lorn growled. “I need you.”

  “Don’t blow your top—but Jadee is in my bathroom.”

  Lorn said nothing.

  Lavos winced. “I’ll figure out how she found us and why she’s here. She just said she’s in trouble. That’s why I need to stay here. No one can see her.”

  “I knew it was a mistake to let her go,” Lorn said.

  “Saving her wasn’t a mistake. I know you don’t mean that. You’re just under a lot of stress right now. I’ll handle this. Make my excuses to your guests.”

  “And tell them what? My lead enforcer has better things to do than spend time with them?” Lorn growled. “Do you know how the rest of our clan is going to react when they find out you’re harboring a human inside your home? There’ll be more challenges for leadership. Decker made them hate humans too much. They’ll believe I’m weak.”

  “I supported you being with Kira.”

  “I love Kira, and she’s not exactly weak now, is she? She was also raised in this clan. You barely know Jadee.”

  “They haven’t bitched too much about Veso and Glen.”

  “He’s not my lead enforcer and brother.”

  Lavos reached up and fisted his hair. He knew Lorn made valid points. “Look, she’s in trouble. I like her. She found us and she’s here. I’m not going to send her on her way until I find out what the hell is going on. I can come for the feast but that means I leave her here alone. Is that okay with you?” He released his hair and let his hand drop to his side.

  “No! What if she goes outside? What if someone sees her? What if she strolls right in here and introduces herself to everyone? She obviously doesn’t have much common sense if she came back after she was given her freedom.”

  “I’ll explain things to her.”

  “You did that once, yet she’s here.” Lorn calmed. “Okay. I’ll tell them there was a Vampire sighting near one of our borders last night and we just heard about it. That will excuse you from the feast since I’d send you to check that out. Just deal with her and get her on her way by morning. Am I clear?”

  “Very.”

  “And Lavos?”

  “What?”

  “Fuck her and get it over with. Your fascination with her isn’t healthy for either of us.” Lorn ended the call.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lavos paced the bedroom until the water shut off in the other room. He waited for her to come out. Jadee didn’t belong in their territory. He and Lorn were cool with humans but the rest of the clan wouldn’t be okay with their leader’s brother taking a human mate. They would see it as a weakness and a reason to challenge. Old-school thinking wasn’t going to easily change.

  The door opened and Jadee stepped out wearing just a towel around her middle. He swallowed hard, trying but failing not to stare at the tops of her breasts or those shapely legs of hers. For a short woman, she had a great body.

  “I didn’t want to put my dirty clothes back on.”

  “I should have remembered to give you something.” He knew he should offer her clothes to wear but his boots seemed glued to the floor. He’d wanted Jadee naked in his bed, and it was just across the room. It would be easy to snatch that towel away and carry her there.

  She kept hold of the towel with one hand and leaned against the doorjamb. “How mad at me are you?”

  “Not very. I’m more surprised than anything.”

  “I bet. Should I start at the beginning or just get to the point?”

  “You said you were in trouble.” He locked gazes with her to avoid gett
ing turned-on more by ogling her body. “Why?”

  “A Vampire attacked me.”

  His gaze lowered to her neck. He didn’t see any wounds there. He took a step closer, alarmed.

  “I killed him. I mean, I would have just let him bite me so he thought his eyes were working, but…my blood wasn’t the only thing he wanted.”

  He glanced down her body. “He wanted sex?” He couldn’t blame the Vampire. She was very attractive. But it also pissed him off. She was too good for one of those damn bloodbags. Then her other statement registered. “You killed him?”

  “Yes.”

  “How did you do that?” He drew even closer, wanting to pull her into his arms. The thought of her fighting off a Vampire chilled his blood. She could have been killed. She was too small to be a fighter. Humans rarely survived facing off against a Vamp.

  “I think the ice pick I shoved into his nuts gave me the advantage.”

  His leg automatically twitched, wanting to protect his own. “Ouch.”

  “He ordered me to get down on my knees and blow him. He let them hang out in the breeze. I just aimed for the closest body part. They were a bigger target than his dick. It was sad. I could almost understand why he felt the need to mind warp women so they wouldn’t laugh when he unzipped. I’ve seen bigger ones when I changed diapers.”

  Lavos would have laughed but he saw the haunted look in her eyes. He also noticed how tired she looked for the first time. She’d been traumatized by the ordeal she spoke of, probably tormented by nightmares when she slept.

  “Come here.” He opened his arms.

  She did, to his surprise. He pulled her into a hug. She was damp and smelled like him, since she’d used his shampoo and conditioner. He lowered his chin until it rested on top of her head, not minding the wet strands. She could have been killed.

  “He exploded on me, just not the way he meant to. How can one body make so much ash?”

  He closed his eyes and held her tighter when she shivered. He doubted she was cold; it was more from the trauma she must have suffered. “How did you kill him?”

  “Fire axe to the throat. I thought I’d have to chop at him a bit but one swing did it.” She shuddered in his arms. “His head came off and boom—ash explosion.”