“Don’t quetter with the lion, Lex. Damn snarl just might nip your brain.” He kissed my forehead and rose up. “Take care of you both, mate.” He shook Kellan’s hand.
“Thanks. Be safe.”
“See you later, Lexi. Stay safe,” Jack said. He and Craig headed back towards his Corvette, which was parked up the road.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him coming towards us. I’d seen his large build in the last twenty-four hours, much to my chagrin.
“I’ll be escorting you back to headquarters in the air,” Drexel announced as he reached us.
I sat up, wincing. My body ached. I was already beginning to heal, but my back hurt the most where they’d kicked me. It was no doubt bruised.
“I’ll carry you.” Kellan slid his arms around me.
“I’m fine, babe. Really.”
He didn’t listen. He secured his grip under my arms and lifted me into a standing position. He was just about to bend down and pull me up into his arms when Drexel cut in.
“It’s my head if you’re further injured,” he stated the moment I opened my mouth to speak. His tone held authority and reason. I couldn’t argue.
The flight back to headquarters was quiet, and somehow peaceful. Kellan stroked my skin in a soothing motion the entire trip. No one spoke, yet there wasn’t any lingering tension in the silence.
Chapter 18
We landed on the rooftop of the Vamp Army Headquarters. Security was waiting for us and immediately ushered us inside the building and down twenty flights of stairs before accessing an elevator with a hand pad. The elevator took us down the rest of the way and dropped us off directly into the back office area.
“Hello, Lexi,” Dr. H greeted me, inspecting me as I got closer.
“I’m fine, Doc. Thanks,” I said as I bypassed him.
“Lexi, get checked out. That’s an order. Kellan, come with me and tell me what the hell happened out there.” Auggy was in full-swing power mode, issuing orders right and left as he led a still shirtless Kellan to a conference room. Auggy entered, followed by Kellan, but Auggy came back around him to the door. He looked pointedly at me. “Jackson, to the doctor, now,” he barked before shutting the door.
I huffed. “I’m fine, geesh.”
“Let’s just do a quick checkup for formality’s sake,” Dr. H suggested.
“Oh, alright,” I sighed.
He led me down a back hall to the in-house medical ward. It only consisted of a few rooms and a small operating room with basic surgical equipment in the event of an emergency. It was consistent with the theme of the rest of the space, though with its lack of color and style.
Lifting his hand, he motioned for me to enter one of the rooms. I went in. Dr. H stepped inside, along with Drexel, before closing the door.
“Have a seat.” He pointed to the exam table. “I can tell the damage is entirely in your upper body by the way you’re moving.”
I frowned. “I didn’t think it was obvious.”
“I’m a doctor. I was trained to pick up on these things.” He bent down to study the scraped skin visible through my ripped jeans. The way I’d hit the pavement and skidded, I lost a bit of fabric and shredded a lot more. My jeans were ruined. “You’re healing okay from what I can see so far, but given the number of injuries you’ve sustained over the last week, it wouldn’t hurt to increase your blood intake over the next couple of days.”
He grabbed a legal pad and a pen from a cabinet above the sink in the corner. He immediately began to scribble notes before returning his focus to me. “I can see bits of a shirt beneath your sweater, so please remove it so I may check your upper body.”
Every move hurt as I removed the tattered oversized sweater.
Drexel’s breath hitched. My eyes shot in his direction. He clenched his jaw; his eyes traveled from my back to meet my gaze. “That had to hurt,” he stated.
I shrugged my shoulders, trying to pretend it wasn’t that bad and that moving my shoulders just now hadn’t sent pain shooting down my back. It felt like a stampede of elephants had danced on my back.
“Brave girl.” Drexel’s lips curled up.
I smiled. Something about the buff soldier comforted me. He was tough on the outside, but his heart was tangible.
“Do you want something for the pain?” Dr. H asked. He lifted the back of my tank top to inspect my skin directly.
“I’m good, thanks.”
“Alexa, I can clearly see three footprints on your back. The bruises are already purple and black. That was a tough blow, to bruise you to this degree.” Why was he so persistent?
“I’ll be fine, really. I’ll go drink some blood and be healed in no time.”
Dr. H frowned. “Do try to take better care of yourself, Lexi. While I appreciate the business, I’d rather not have an influx of visits from the same patient in a short amount of time.”
“Duly noted.” I yanked down my tank, flinching in my haste. “Am I free to go?”
“Yes. Call me if you need anything,” he advised, as always.
“Sure.” I leapt off the table, tossed my sweater in the trash, and immediately headed for the door.
Drexel opened the door for me, waiting as I passed him.
Back in the main sector of the army back office, I focused on my target: the conference room Kellan was in. Drexel stepped in front of my path.
“Don’t even think about it,” I blared.
“Tell him I tried.” He winked, allowing me to pass.
I barged into the room.
Four men faced me immediately: Kellan, Auggy, Kalel, and a new face I wasn’t familiar with. They were all huddled together at the end of the conference table; their heads had been down in discussion. I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t know what you all are up to, but I have a key piece of information that might help.”
Auggy sat back in his chair arrogantly. “I’m listening.”
“Don’t be such a ninny.”
“A what?” He shot up, his hands in fists at his side.
“Fine. Don’t be such a prude. I did something that actually might be useful, if you would listen.”
“What did you do, Leka?” Kalel was wary.
“I conveniently slipped my cell phone battery into the seat cushions of the car.” They all stared at me, as if I ought to have more for them. “You can go track him now.”
“I don’t take orders, I give them.” Auggy sat down in his chair. “Fargo, access Jackson A’s tracking device labeled CB32.”
I opened and closed my mouth several times in succession. “You have more of them on me, don’t you?”
Before he could reply, Felipe, Laurence, and Al barged in. No one looked happy. Al eyed me, then Kellan. When Auggy abruptly stood, he dropped his eyes.
“I’ll be back.” Auggy stomped out of the room on unusually heavy feet.
“Guess the mission with your dad didn’t go well.” I sighed. I didn’t want this to divide the High Authorities. Their unity was key in our society, as leaders of the vamp army.
Kellan and Kalel openly stared at me, their faces slowly turning into a deep frown.
“We should have cut them off. Created a blockade, forced them to stop the car so this wouldn’t have happened,” Kalel stated.
“It would have gotten worse. They would have used her as leverage with a gun to her head. Who’s to say they wouldn’t have shot her and taken off when we gave them a clearing?” Kellan replied.
“You both know I’m not deaf, right?” I threw my hand on my hip, wincing at the quick action.
“They wouldn’t have gotten a clearing. We had backup from all sides.” Kalel ignored my question.
“This is Cesar we’re talking about. The man has tricks up every sleeve. He can stop his own heart from beating, for crying out loud.”
“Perhaps.” Kalel created a steeple with his hands in front of him. He sighed. “Perhaps you’re right. He probably would have used Leka for leverage and created a clearing for himself. He knows
her value.”
“As much as I hate to say it, it looks like we’ll have to face him on his grounds.”
“You know the odds of that are slim to none. We’d be walking into a trap.”
“Or perhaps we could set a trap.”
The way these two were going back and forth, it was as if they were connected in some way. I hadn’t seen this sort of banter from them before. It was a new bond that left me a little uneasy, particularly considering what they were bonded over.
“Too many angles to cover. We’d have to go in the old-fashioned way with guns blazing, prepared to face anyone and anything.”
“How many men you think we would need?”
“To be safe, depending on the size of his compound and the guards we’ve seen entering and exiting over the course of lying low for a week, probably at least a hundred.”
“Do we have those numbers to allot to something like this?”
Kalel’s brows drew together. “I’m not a fan of a massive manslaughter, nor do I enjoy putting my men directly in harm’s way. I would only allow my best to go, and only at their choosing. In the end, though, I think we’d have enough vampires with a motive to kill Cesar to join us.”
“We need at least half to be vampeens. We need them to go in first. A guard hears a heart and they don’t look twice. If they don’t hear a heart beating with the footsteps, they’re dead.”
“Not necessarily.” I finally decided to jump in. They both looked up at me expectantly. “If the vampires held a needle, the same kind Cesar used to actually stop his heart, then they could probably get by.”
“You forget about smell because you don’t have it. Vampires and vampeens smell distinctly different.” Kalel pursed his lips.
“How does anyone sneak up on you, then? If you can smell them for miles out, then how do the assassins get close without being detected?” I countered.
“Good one, babe.” Kellan beamed. “It’s black market stuff, but I’m sure you or the army could get your hands on some hunting spray, good for masking odor,” he said, facing Kalel again.
“On average it lasts a couple hours. We’d have to go straight to the manufacturer and bargain. We’ll need a lot of them if we’re going to scope out the place first.”
“Where’s Augustine?” Fargo asked, peeking his head into the conference room.
“With the High Authorities,” Kalel stated, immediately turning back to Kellan. “Auggy said they have a science and technology center that’s been working to invent a uniform that would mask the scent of a vamp.”
Kellan thought about it for a minute. “If they can pull it off, that’d be perfect. What compounds are they lacing in the fibers of the fabric?”
Kalel smiled. “Not sure, but the fact that you thought of it so quickly makes me a little proud.”
Kellan punched Kalel’s arm playfully. “Please. Half the shit you talk about I already know.”
“I guess I shouldn’t go after your girl anytime soon. You might know my plays before I can make them.”
Kellan smirked, a devilish glint in his emerald eyes. “You go after her, and I’ll have your entire empire collapsing before you can even kiss her.”
The men stared at each other for a minute. Kalel abruptly burst into laughter. “I’ll pass the message along to my brother.”
Auggy barged back into the room, papers in hand. “Good job, Lexi. The tracking device is still working unnoticed. Here’s the info.” He passed a sheet to each of the guys. “Kalel, I’ll send some of my vampeens to your downtown office in a few hours. Kellan, Fargo will give you a key to our weapons room on-site. Take what you need now. The rest I’ll have delivered.”
“Wait. What do you mean, ‘now’?” I stepped up to the table. All three men looked at me, but quickly went back to discussing their strategy as if I wasn’t even there. “Hello?” I raised my voice.
“Lexi, Drexel is your new personal bodyguard. He goes everywhere with you. Don’t even think about slipping away from him. He’s well-trained; over twenty years in the vamp army and seven as an enforcer before that. He was a marine for over ten years as a human; afterward he worked for the CIA for three years and then went private for another five before he was bit. He’s good at what he does, and he can smell a rat a mile away, so don’t pull anything. Coincidentally, he was a prisoner of war for two years and is immune to electric shocks. Are we clear?” Auggy had a single brow raised in my direction, and his lips were mashed into a straight line.
I swallowed, looking to Kellan for backup. The moment I saw the curl of his lips, I knew I wouldn’t get it.
“It’s for your own good, babe.”
“He’s right, Leka. You need protection. You’re too willing to accept a bargain with the devil to save your friends. Drexel won’t let you make that mistake.”
I huffed. “Thanks,” I bit out, heading for the door. I was glad that Kellan had stepped up, stepped in, and found a place he thrived in. I just wished it wasn’t one that involved violence. And the fact that I had a twenty-four/seven babysitter now wasn’t exactly thrilling.
Drexel was waiting right outside the door. “Come on,” I sighed.
Felipe intersected my stomp towards freedom. “It seems you’re already in need of a new phone. Do I need to invest in stock with Blackberry?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, Felipe.”
He chuckled. “Good. Here is your new phone. All your contacts have been imported in from our servers. Yes, we always back up whatever information you put into the phone to our servers. So no, what do they call them? Sexts?”
I laughed. “Aren’t you cute? I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m not into the whole voyeurism thing.”
“Very well. Drexel will be reporting to us regularly. If we don’t get an update, then we will send in the troops.”
I leaned close. “And what if I want private time with Kellan?” I whispered. I partly wanted to make him as uncomfortable as I was with a shadow.
“Then you will do it with a voyeur,” he smirked, not even batting a lash.
I pursed my lips. “You’re no fun.”
“Life isn’t all fun and games, Alexa. On the contrary, though, I have enjoyed a bit of both in my time.” He turned to walk away but stopped. “Do try not to get yourself in trouble again. You’re costing us quite a bit in resources.”
“I never asked you to help.”
He looked directly at me. “When there is a nuclear bomb on the loose and up for grabs by the dirtiest vamps in our midst, then it is our job to protect it at all costs. The last thing we need is it falling into the wrong hands.” He fled to a side office, leaving me standing there. I knew he was implying that I was the nuclear bomb; I knew they were trying to prevent a disaster, but they shouldn’t do it by making me feel dependent.
“Let’s go get you a shower and a fresh set of clothes. Afterward, we can return to your friend’s house for her unveiling tonight.” Drexel’s voice cut through my thoughts.
I stared up at him. Kindness and understanding met me. I found myself nodding and allowing him to steer me towards an exit.
Chapter 19
Part of the arrangement with Drexel was riding in an army-issued vehicle complete with many of the security features that were in my now-destroyed Mercedes. Drexel was quiet the entire drive to my house. Not to my surprise, he didn’t need directions to my home, either.
“Stay in the car and allow me to check things out first. If I’m not back in under a minute, then leave.” He waited until I nodded before he got out of the car.
My pulse kicked up speed as I impatiently waited for his return. He had one thing right. I wanted to shower and change as soon as possible. I hated being a grungy mess. I wasn’t afraid of getting dirty, but I felt uncomfortable staying dirty. I could never last as an agent anywhere remote.
Forty-eight seconds later, Drexel returned. “Come along.”
He escorted me through the front door. I raced beyond him and went right upstairs to my room. He easil
y followed behind me.
“I’ll wait here,” he said, peeking through my bedroom window.
I watched him for a moment, waiting to see if my body reacted to him being outside the room I’d be naked and vulnerable in. When nothing flared, I went to the closet for some clothes. I grabbed a pair of dark-wash skinny jeans and my black army-issued combat boots; I wasn’t taking any chances this time. I tucked a fresh bra, undies, and black socks into my jeans between the folds. I’d always felt self-conscious about others seeing my undergarments. I snagged Kellan’s black T-shirt, ironically with the U.S. Army’s logo on the left side, and headed for the bathroom. “I won’t be long.”
“Take your time,” he said, not even bothering to see that I went into the bathroom.
I stood under the showerhead, allowing the hot water to trickle down my body, begging for it to ease my stiff muscles and aching back. Showers had always relaxed me, but I couldn’t relax today. My mind was lost on a million topics of concern; my body was pinned beneath a thousand worries, frantic for release and retribution. I didn’t know how and I didn’t know when, but my grandfather would have his day.
I stepped out of the shower, quickly dried off, and got dressed. Kellan’s shirt was big on me, so I tucked the front of it into the front of my jeans. It was my compromise. I wanted comfort but needed to be dressed for anything. I threw my hair into a tight knot at the top of my head.
My ring reflected a glimmer of light from overhead onto the foggy mirror. I studied my ring, thinking back to when Kellan and I had first met. Things had changed so much in such a short amount of time. For any human, our relationship would have been far too quick and irrational, but, as I’d learned, it wasn’t uncommon for a vamp. It was just more proof of how different the human world was from the vamp world. How different my life was now compared to then.
Drexel knocked gently on the bathroom door. “Are you okay?”
I opened the door. “I’m fine.” My voice was low and calm.
He analyzed me, his eyes traveling up and down me. His lips lifted at the corners; amusement brightened his eyes. “Nice outfit.”
4 Vamp Versus Vamp Page 14
