by Alice Brown
Kevin looked up from his desk and growled. “I want that bastard staked and baked!”
“Exactly which bastard are you referring to?” Marshall replied calmly, with a smirk on his face.
“Shawn Harper,” Kevin growled out in reply.
“Last thing I heard we were waiting until his human wife was safely out of the way before we went after him. Has something changed?” Marshall continued as he calmly sat back in his office chair and folded his arms over his chest.
Kevin’s cell phone rang, preventing him from replying. He quickly glanced at the caller ID as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He wondered what could have possibly gone wrong in this short of a time.
“Erica,” Kevin breathed into the phone. It hit him how much he really just wanted to hear her voice.
“Kevin, yes, it’s me. Did you truly mean what you said earlier today about helping me?” Erica asked, a little uncertainly.
“Tell me what I can do to help,” Kevin replied smoothly, sitting up in his desk chair and automatically grabbing for a pen.
“How do you feel about a houseguest for a few days? I need a place to hide, just until I can get things under control and feel secure to be on my own.” Kevin was rendered speechless momentarily. It seemed he had been waiting for this day to come forever. Now that it had arrived, he prayed that he would truly have a chance with this young woman.
“Erica, you are more than welcome to stay with me. Do you need help getting to me? Where are you? Where is Shawn? Did he hurt you again?” Kevin, in his excitement, started questioning her in rapid-fire fashion.
She giggled a bit nervously. “I’m fine, and I am at my house right now. Shawn is gone, and probably will be until later tonight. I am going to gather a few things and make a run for it. Can I meet you at your house in an hour?”
“I will be waiting for you,” Kevin replied. “If you have any problems, call me immediately, and I’ll come and get you.”
* * * *
Erica closed her eyes as she grew silent for a moment. If she ran into problems, there wasn’t a soul in the world that would be able to help her. She quietly whispered a tortured thank you to Kevin, and promised she would meet him at his house in one hour.
As she headed to the front door of her house, she felt her knees trembling and threatening to give out, but she could also feel the adrenaline starting to pump through her veins. A small smile stole at the corners of her lips. She was finally taking back control of her life. She only hoped that God was smiling down on her and would keep Shawn away until she had made an escape. She was well aware he could show up at any given moment.
She unlocked the front door with shaky fingers and walked inside. Now that the decision had been made, she wanted to get out of this house just as quickly as possible. She quickly found an overnight bag and threw a couple of changes of clothes in it, then went to the bathroom and threw in a few necessities. What she was going to do after a few days, she knew not. She would deal with that, when the time came. Right now, she just wanted to get out while it seemed safe.
It took her only a short time to gather what was needed. She quickly glanced out the window, before heading out the front door, to verify the driveway was still clear. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and peered outside. All she had to do now was make it to her car, and out to the main road.
As she carefully slid into the drivers’ side of her car, the enormity of what she was doing hit her squarely in the gut. Her heart was racing uncontrollably, and as she started feeling a bit lightheaded, she realized she had been holding her breath since walking out the door. She released her lungs, and silently willed herself to calm down as she started her car. Her mind refused to listen though, as insecurities seemed to plague her. Yes, she was taking control of her life, but she was also putting another family’s lives in danger. Would Shawn try to destroy them if he found her? Did she have any other options? She certainly couldn’t see any. No, she was smart enough to know if she didn’t get away soon, it would be too late.
She put the car into drive and pulled out of the driveway. She tried hard not to consider the consequences if she wasn’t successful. She floored the gas pedal, in a hurry to put as many miles as possible between her old home and the new life she was starting.
Chapter Two
Kevin stared down at his phone, hardly believing the conversation he just finished having with Erica. He could only surmise that she was in enough agony and pain, had seen an opportunity to make a run for it, and decided to do so. This is precisely what he had been waiting and hoping for. As he hung up the phone, he quickly glanced up to Marshall, who was now standing in front of his desk.
“Well, is it game on?” Marshall asked eagerly.
Kevin smiled briefly, as he stood up from his chair and grabbed his keys. “Put everyone on alert. I’ll let you know the second she is at my house, and then yes, it is most definitely ‘game on.’”
“Damn, we have been waiting for this moment for a while. I’m glad to see it has finally arrived. I take it she is staying at your place?” Marshall inquired, as he gave his boss a grin.
Kevin shot a dark look back at him. “I can’t think of a safer place to put her while we take care of this little problem.”
“Are you planning on wiping her memory?” Marshall pressed.
Kevin spun around to face his second-in-command with a hard glare. “I have no intentions of wiping her mind, and neither will anyone else!” he roared. Kevin hadn’t told a soul that Erica was his mate yet. He wanted to get her to safety, have some time to gain her trust, before she was faced with everything from his world.
Marshall held up his hands in defense. “Hey, I’m just saying, you know the rules. If a vamp and a human split, the human’s mind has to be wiped of the memory of us. Of course,” he added with a bit of a grin, “that wouldn’t be necessary if she were to get with another of our kind.”
Kevin refused to give Marshall the satisfaction of acknowledgment. He strolled to the door, calling over his shoulder, “You’re in charge of this mission, Marshall. I am sure I’ll have my hands full getting Erica settled most of this afternoon. I’ll call you later for an update. Call me if you need me.” Kevin felt confident leaving the team in Marshall’s capable hands. He also felt confident that with Erica safely out of harm’s way, Shawn Harper would pay dearly for his actions against his young wife! As he jumped on his Harley and headed home, he thought about what Marshall had just pointed out. Yes, he knew the laws of their kind, hell, he enforced them every day of his life, but Marshall had a point. Even though he truly believed Erica was his mate, he would have to get her to fall in love with him in order to get around wiping her memory. He only hoped he would be given the time he knew he would need to get her to come around.
Erica caught Kevin pacing up and down the driveway as she pulled in. By the time she had stopped the car and cut the engine, Kevin was at the driver’s door holding it open for her. She stepped out of the car, and in his excitement to finally have her safe, he snatched her up for a tight hug. Her small strangled cry stopped him cold. He immediately released her and stepped back, berating himself for not remembering her injuries. The look of pain in her eyes caused his chest to hurt.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you. Are you okay?” he asked cautiously.
“Yes,” she quickly replied. A little too quick for Kevin’s liking. “It’s just…” She glanced down and bit her bottom lip as she gently lifted the side of her shirt, revealing the dark purplish-black bruises standing out against the creaminess of her skin on her ribs. A low hiss escaped between his lips, as his hands clenched into tight fists on either side of him. He wrestled with his temper for the next minute and a half. It would do no good for Erica to become frightened of him. Although he concentrated on taking a few deep breaths to rein in said temper, he knew if he ever had the opportunity to get his hands on Shawn, that man had better pray the devil would go easy on him. Kevin would see him destroyed, one way or
another. Erica deserved a much better life so much more of a better life than what she had been dealing with.
“I’m so sorry,” he stammered, his eyes glued to those ugly dark markings marring her soft flesh.
“It’s okay,” Erica whispered trying to force a smile as she quickly lowered the shirt back down. Besides, her ribs were far from the only thing hurting her. Her knees were becoming wobbly as exhaustion suddenly took over her body. She found herself leaning forward just a little to rest her forehead on Kevin’s chest for support. Her eyes started to sting, a sure sign that tears were on their way. She berated herself mentally. Surely Kevin wouldn’t want a weeping woman clinging to him while standing in the middle of his driveway! He had been nice enough to give her a place to hide and crash, not knowing the danger he was putting both himself and his family in. The least she could do was suck up her discomfort, at least until she was alone.
As Kevin placed his hand on the back of her head as she rested against his shoulder, all of her thoughts were open to him. He could have roared at her for thinking that she had to endure her pain silently. And what was she thinking, telling him it was okay that he had inadvertently hurt her by squeezing her too hard? Had she been abused so much that she just thought that was the way things were? How dare she think so low of herself and hold herself in such low esteem! Didn’t she know how special she was? Knowing that if he opened his mouth, everything would come out wrong, he kept silent and stroked her hair.
Even as he held her against him, he felt her swaying slightly, and he realized they were still standing in the open on his driveway. Remembering that Shawn’s whereabouts were still in question, he gently moved his hand down to the small of her back to lead her to the house.
“Let’s get you inside, and I’ll introduce you to my family,” Kevin stated, as he gave her a light smile in an attempt to help her feel comfortable.
As they walked up the sidewalk to the house, Kevin kept his arm wrapped protectively around her, and Erica felt an unexplained calmness sweep over her. Her natural instinct was to fight it, but she was too exhausted, and simply did not have the strength. She found herself giving in and allowed herself the warmth it provided.
As they neared the house, Erica found herself gawking. The house reminded her of an apartment building, simply based on its size. Never having been exposed to anything quite so large, she suddenly felt small and intimidated. She threw a nervous glance to Kevin, who gave her a confident smile as he continued propelling her towards the door. Now this is different, she mused. She had known Kevin for months and he never acted as if he came from money.
They entered the front door, and Kevin dropped his arm from around her. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.” He gave her a quick smile before turning on his heel and disappearing down the hallway. Erica stood in the now-vacant foyer, looking and feeling like a lost puppy dog.
Kevin went to search out his parents. There hadn’t been time to explain everything to them before Erica arrived. Even though for all practical purposes, everyone in the house had their own living quarters, he felt it would be good manners to let his parents know he would be having someone stay with him. Also, the fact that there would be a human wandering around the house. This was something all other family members would want to be aware of, not that they wouldn’t be able to smell her a mile away.
Kevin headed straight to his father’s office, certain he would find both of his parents there. He took a moment to reflect upon the two individuals he owed his life to. Even though everyone in the house was a vampire, and therefore, of no blood relation to one another, it seemed to have very little impact on this family at all. The outside story had been that Charles and Rosetta had been unable to conceive children, and therefore adopted Kevin and his three sisters. Truly, for two vampires, conception is impossible. Charles had found each of the siblings shortly after they had been turned, their very lives turned upside down, and brought each of them into his and Rosetta’s loving family. Under the couple’s loving care, Kevin and his three sisters learned to adapt to their new way of life and flourish. Each sibling owed Charles and Rosetta so very much, and would do anything in the world for the two vampires they considered their parents.
Kevin entered his father’s office and found both Charles and Rosetta. They were already knowledgeable on nearly all the problems with Erica. Kevin just needed to bring them up to date.
He walked over and placed a dutiful kiss on Rosetta’s cheek. “I wanted to inform both of you that Erica is here. I am inviting her to stay in my guest room.” He was a bit uncertain as to how they were going to handle the news of a human residing under the same roof alongside them on a constant basis.
Charles was the first to speak. He sat back in his office chair, and took a moment, as if he was digesting the information Kevin had just handed him, or contemplating his response. “I assume she has finally left Shawn.”
“Yes, she has, and I have plans in place to deal with the problem. I am going to get her settled, and then I need to get her some medical care. She went through another attack last night, and I am fairly sure she has some damaged ribs at least,”
“How bad was this one?” Charles inquired.
“I did a quick sift through her memories, last night was pretty bad. His temper seems to be escalating the more time she spends with him.”
Charles held out his hand. “May I?” he requested. Kevin walked over to him and lightly touched his hand. He purposely lowered his guard to allow Charles access to his thoughts and memories. A few seconds later he felt the usual shuffling, as Charles went through his memories that he had pulled from Erica just a few short hours ago and had stored in his own memory bank. Ten seconds later, Charles broke contact with a hiss.
“Bastard,” Charles growled. “I hope you are documenting everything well.”
“You can rest assured of that. Marshall is in charge of the mission until I return to the office,” Kevin replied.
“Does she know about us, yet?” This came from Rosetta. She was sitting across from Charles, and had looked to be writing a letter when Kevin came into the room. Her question had not come out harsh. Indeed, Kevin didn’t think it possible for Rosetta to do or say anything harsh.
“No, I can’t tell her right now. Once you see her, and see how scared she is, you will understand the need for me to keep that from her, at least, for the time being. She has some real trust issues. I am hoping a little time will help.”
“And how long do you plan to keep your little secret from her?” Charles asked. “Keeping secrets is a good way to doom a budding relationship, son.” As Kevin shot a surprised look at Charles, he was aware that his elder had many years of experience to draw upon, and normally, Kevin would take any advice offered. This was one of those rare exceptions.
“A relationship?” Kevin repeated, with a look of denial on his face. “Who said I was pursuing a relationship?”
“Come now, son,” Rosetta’s calm voice answered. “Why are you attempting to fool us? I have watched you fret over this girl for quite some time now. I am aware she is like a wounded doe right now, and I have always loved your compassion. However, mark my words, you will fall for her. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out she is your mate. Your interest in her goes far beyond friendship.”
Charles glanced over at his son. “Are you planning on wiping her memory?”
“Hell no, I’m not wiping her memory, and neither is anyone else!” Kevin’s temper exploded as he spun around to face the challenge. “Why can’t everyone just back off a little and give this woman a chance to get her life back together?”
“Son, I asked the question, to hear your response,” Charles calmly replied. “You just told me what I wanted to know. I agree with your mother, whether or not you are willing to admit it, you already have feelings for her. You have my blessing, by the way. I am looking forward to meeting this special woman, when she has had the chance to get settled, of course.” Charles immediately turned around in his chair
and started typing on the keyboard sitting in front of him, clearly closing the subject.
Kevin simply stared at his father for a long moment. He wasn’t about to argue with the man. Obviously, Charles had already figured out he was in love with Erica. And it seemed that Rosetta was suspicious of her being his mate. She was, and Kevin well knew it, but he didn’t feel comfortable stating that to them at this point.
* * * *
Erica stood in the doorway, statue still. “Hi,” a kind, high-pitched voice broke into Erica’s thoughts, causing her to glance to her right towards the voice. A young woman with beautiful long blonde hair was fast approaching her. She wore a bright smile, and Erica felt compelled to smile in return. The young woman looked to be between eighteen and twenty-two years of age, and was certainly gorgeous enough to be a model.
“You must be Erica. I’m Kevin’s sister, Jennifer,” the young woman stated pleasantly. It was impossible to ignore the natural beauty that shined through this young woman. Along with her long blonde hair, Jennifer had the deepest blue eyes Erica had ever seen. On second thought, Erica quickly decided that Jennifer was beyond looking like a model, and felt certain most models would give their eyeteeth to have this girl’s looks.
Kevin suddenly appeared around the corner, and reached over to rumple his sister’s hair as he passed. “I see you met my noisy sister.” Jennifer stuck her tongue out at him in return, and it quickly became apparent these two enjoyed teasing each other.
“Come, I’ll show you my pad,” Kevin stated, as he reached down to pick up Erica’s duffle bag she had placed on the floor. He straightened with bag in hand, and held out his other for her to place hers into. Ignoring his sister as if she wasn’t even there, he turned and led the way upstairs, and then down a long hallway.
Erica took note of her surroundings as they walked down the hallway. She felt like she was in a hotel. The hallway they were walking down was long and carpeted in light beige. The walls displayed an inset lighting system which gave the hallway a soft glow. They passed numerous doors, all closed, on both sides. Erica found herself wondering if this monstrosity of a house had been a hotel at some point in time and someone had converted it into a home. It was certainly large enough to be a hotel, in her opinion. Kevin led the way silently until they came to the door at the end of the hall. He opened the door and stood aside for her to enter. Erica made it to the doorway, and stopped dead in her tracks as she quickly took in what would now be her temporary new home. She was facing a large living room, and she quickly noted a small hallway and several doors off to the right. She assumed they lead to the bedroom areas. Off to the left was a small kitchen. Kevin had his very own apartment within this huge house! It was cute and cozy and surprisingly very well kept up and clean, especially considering a bachelor lived here. The living room was nicely furnished with a leather couch and love seat, and tastefully decorated. Her eyes scanned over the fireplace, with a large flat screen television hanging above the mantel.
