“No.” Nic’s gaze lingered on Evangeline. “Until I know we are safe, I will not leave Evangeline’s side. But I do not wish to expose her to any more vampires than necessary. For obvious reasons.”
As her stomach flipped, Evangeline looked from Nic to Sylvie. “Obvious…reasons? Am I supposed to just hide away from…everyone? For the rest of my life? As much as I hate the crowds, and moving vehicles scare the shit out of me…I didn’t escape the catacombs to be trapped by my own blood.”
Sylvie licked her lips, and Evangeline caught a glint of her fangs. “I can smell your blood from here, E. Most vamps probably won’t understand. They’ll just think you have some killer perfume. But damn.”
Evangeline fisted the light coral material of her sundress as she chewed on her lip again. If she didn’t stop, she was going to bite through the swollen flesh, but every day—hell, every hour—she got another reminder of just how different her life was now. And how much danger she was putting Nic in simply by existing.
“We picked the coffee shop to mask your scent,” Sylvie said. “And I’ll kill anyone who touches you.” She held open one side of her light gray jacket and showed Evangeline a pistol and a knife in a leather sheath. “Vampire super speed and the best training British Intelligence can buy. We’ll be fine. Thom’s older than I am, and I told him to take all precautions. For spooks like us, that means you feed before you leave.”
Nic pulled Evangeline to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. “I will not let anyone harm you, cara. I promise.”
She met his gaze, tried to let his certainty calm her racing heart. “I’m putting you in danger,” she whispered.
Sliding his fingers through her hair to cup the back of her head, Nic slanted his lips over hers. Gently, he teased the seam of her mouth until she yielded and melted against him. Their tongues swirled in a slow, sensual dance, and when she felt his fangs descend, arousal flooded her.
“You saved my life,” he said over their bond. “Never doubt my love for you. Or my commitment to keeping you safe.”
His erection jutted against her hip, and Evangeline’s core ached. Why couldn’t they just stay here all day and have a proper honeymoon? Regular people did that, didn’t they?
Sylvie cleared her throat. “I’d say ‘get a room,’ but…”
Nic drew back with a low growl, and Evangeline released a shaky breath. As she rested her cheek against his chest, she relished the feel of his strong, steady heartbeat.
With a sigh, she tried to straighten her shoulders. “We’re ready.”
20
As they walked hand-in-hand towards the Plaza di Centrale, Evangeline tried not to flinch with every group of people they passed. Three children raced around them, their parents shouting loudly in Italian, and she pressed closer to Nic, then craned her neck to see Sylvie and Bayard to make sure their bodyguards were still following at a discrete distance.
“Are you hungry?” Nic asked her as they stopped in front of a small bakery to let the family pass on the narrow sidewalk.
“We only left the hotel ten minutes ago.” Even though food held no appeal, she eyed the various pastries. So many foods she’d never heard of. Words she couldn’t pronounce. And trays that looked more like art than food. At least any food she’d seen prior to escaping the catacombs.
“I will always worry about you,” he whispered, reading her mind—and her emotions—easily as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “We will have a snack at the café after we meet with Sylvie’s contact.”
Though she didn’t think an hour would make much difference, Evangeline forced a smile. “Sure. And more espresso?”
Nic laughed, and the rich sound soothed her nerves. “You have become accustomed to espresso as quickly as a native Italian, cara. I am so proud. Also, guilty.”
“Guilty? Don’t feel guilty. Espresso is delicious.” Somehow, this small bit of what she thought might be normal conversation lightened the stress threatening to crush her. “I can live on espresso for at least three or four days.”
She felt the moment he processed her words. Nic’s worry slammed into her, and she kicked herself for trying to make a joke about her lack of appetite. “If the café has those little almond cookies, I could go for some.”
“Amaretti? They will. I am certain.”
As they started off again, Evangeline caught a glimpse of Sylvie and Bayard reflected in the bakery window. The two chatted like lovers, his arm around her shoulders, and a wide smile on her face. But Sylvie’s eyes held no warmth as she scanned the street in front of them.
Turning a corner, Evangeline pressed her hand to Nic’s chest. “Oh my God.”
“What?” he asked, tensing and balling his free hand into a fist, ready to fight any threat.
“It’s beautiful.”
A fountain with statues of naked men sending water cascading into a shallow pool sat in the center of the square, and Evangeline’s gaze roamed over the exquisite details as tourists snapped photos and threw coins into the pale green water.
Nic rested his hand at the small of her back and, with a nod towards Sylvie and Bayard, guided her across the square. “This is the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi,” he said. “The fountain of four rivers. The Nile in Africa, the Danube, which runs through ten countries, the Ganges, and Rio de la Plata in South America. It was built in 1651.”
Evangeline did the math, a little shocked she’d so easily accepted Nic’s long lifespan. “You were in Italy then.”
“Si. I saw the fountain installed.” Nic cast a gaze at the flowing water, and Evangeline read the longing and affection in his eyes. “Many of the fountains in Rome are homages to past popes or their patrons.”
“And how many did you have a hand in?” Evangeline stepped between him and the Fontana and linked their fingers.
“More than I can count.”
“Liar.” Levering up on her toes, Evangeline draped her arms around his neck and kissed him. When his hands cupped her ass, she shuddered. “You remember everything,” she whispered. “How many?”
“Thirty-seven.” His quiet response reached her mind as he dragged his fangs along the bonding mark on the left side of her neck. “You know me, Evangeline. Better than anyone.”
They stayed locked together, Evangeline’s head resting on Nic’s shoulder, his warm breath tickling her ear, until a small group of tourists with their guide gathered at the fountain and a petite woman in a blue suit jacket held a microphone to her lips and started speaking rapidly in Italian.
Nic urged Evangeline over to the edge of the fountain, glanced at his watch, and then leaned back against the basin. “I have missed Italy.”
The emotion in his voice lent a rough edge to his words, and Evangeline brushed her hand over the edge of the stone, the smooth marble warm in the morning sun. “These carvings are stunning. I can’t believe it’s just…out in the open like this. Henry used to talk about the vandalism he saw everywhere in Seattle. Of course, he blamed it all on vampires.”
“Italy is filled with public art. This piazza has three fountains.” Nic gently turned her in a circle, pointing north, then south. “If, by some miracle, we believe we are safe here for a few days, I will show you some of Rome’s beauty.”
“I’d like that. Pretend…at least for a little while, that we’re normal.” She ached to be normal. To be safe. To feel settled in her own skin. Even her dress felt foreign to her. The air against her bare legs, the sandals on her feet—comfortable, but also odd. The hem of her light sweater fluttered gently in the breeze. She’d caught sight of her reflection in one of the store windows earlier and hadn’t recognized the woman staring back at her.
Nic squeezed her hand as they headed out of the square. “We will never be normal, cara. Not in the way you wish, I am afraid. But we can have some semblance of a normal life. Once we know more about what your father did to us. And find a way to guarantee that the Conclave will not come after us again.”
With a sigh, Evangeline nodded. “
I know.”
Two hours later, after moving close to two million dollars into an untraceable account one of his unused aliases could access, Nic relaxed slightly. If they had to run—even tonight—they would have enough money to last until he could set up new investments that would provide a steady source of income.
Throughout the dealings with the bank manager, he’d spoken to Evangeline’s mind, explaining as much of the process as he could without arousing suspicion.
“Tomorrow,” he said with his arm around Evangeline’s shoulders, “we will visit two more banks. After that, we will secure transportation for the next part of our journey.”
“Where are we going?” Peering up at him when they stopped at a traffic light, she chewed on her lower lip, fear churning in her eyes.
A bus sped by, careening too close to the curb, and Nic yanked her back, pulling her against him as he swore loudly at the driver. “Che due coglioni!”
“Fuck me. That arsehole could have killed you both,” Sylvie spat from a few feet away. “You okay?”
Evangeline opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Her entire body shook, and Nic half-carried her into a narrow alley between two old buildings. Sunlight slashed high above their heads, but at street level, the chill of the spring morning lingered. “N-Nic,” Evangeline stammered. “C-can’t breathe.”
“Shhh.” He brushed his fingers over one of her bonding marks, then touched his lips to another. Her panic surged over their bond, and Nic struggled to keep his own emotions in check as he rubbed her back.
Sylvie took one of Evangeline’s wrists and checked her pulse. “You’re okay, luv. Not a scratch on you.”
When she released a shaky breath, Nic drew back. “Better?” Her nod calmed the rage he carried at the bus driver’s recklessness.
“I don’t like cars. Or buses. Or trucks. Or trains.” Evangeline struggled out of his embrace and bent to rest her hands on her knees. A few wheezing breaths later, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and met Sylvie’s gaze. “Can you give us a minute?”
“I’m not letting the two of you out of my sight. Sorry,” Sylvie said. “But I can do my best not to listen.” She joined Bayard at the entrance to the alley.
“What is it?” Nic tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You are worrying me, cara?”
“Where are we going? When we run.”
Ah. So her panic had more than one source. Kicking himself for not understanding, despite their bond, Nic bent so his forehead touched hers. “South America. I have property there in another name that cannot be traced to me. We will have a home, Evangeline. Together. A semblance of a normal life.”
“You can’t promise a normal life. Not anymore.”
No, he couldn’t. Regret twisted his stomach, and he sighed. “We will be safe. I can promise you that.”
Could he? As she nodded, Nic’s worry flared. Who was he if he could not protect his life mate? What good were his immense strength, his speed, his eight hundred and twenty-three years of life if he lost Evangeline?
She held his hand, her fingers chilled, and Nic led her back to the busy street. With a quick glance at Sylvie, he wondered if she’d be willing to extend her assignment as Evangeline’s bodyguard indefinitely.
21
Only a few patrons lingered outside the pasticceria this time of the morning. Sylvie ducked inside, and while Bayard kept watch, Nic and Evangeline pressed together like newlyweds outside the shop.
Nic’s fingers danced over Evangeline’s back, under her sweater, and his heart threatened to burst as she laughed. “Are you ticklish, cara?”
“I guess so.” She shied away as he skated more delicate touches over her waist. “We’re supposed to be pretending to make out.”
“I cannot pretend with you, Evangeline. Every moment I am near you, I want more. When we get back to the hotel, I plan on worshipping every inch of your beautiful body.” Nic pressed a kiss to her jaw. “Every curve.” Another kiss to the tip of her nose.
“Come on,” Sylvie said, suddenly next to them. “Thom’s inside. We’re good to go.”
Taking a deep breath to clear his head, Nic scanned the inside of the shop as they entered arm-in-arm. “Stay by my side, Evangeline.”
“You don’t need to keep reminding me.” Her words in his head carried a rough edge, and she held herself stiffly as they wove their way to the back of the pasticceria. The scent of coffee filled the small space. Sylvie and Bayard had made a smart choice. Though Nic could still smell his Evangeline, only their bond—and his age and strength—allowed him to do so.
“I am sorry, cara. I know I am overprotective.”
“That is a massive understatement.” Evangeline cast him a quick glance as they approached the table closest to the back door, ire churning behind her contact lenses. Nic ached to run, or punch something and release some of the stress currently strangling him.
“Thom.” Sylvie nodded to the man sitting alone with a single cup of espresso in front of him, then gestured to Nic and Evangeline. “Sal and Regina.”
“If Thom is as good as you say he is,” Nic said, “he knows who we are.”
The vampire across the table cracked a smile, showing off crooked teeth and thin lips. A lock of his jet-black hair tumbled towards his eyebrow, and when he stood, the top of his head barely reached Nic’s chin. “I do. Sit. Let’s get this over with. You’re not the only ones who don’t want to be seen.”
Sylvie stood against the wall where she could keep an eye on the back door and the front of the shop, pulling out her phone and pretending to play a game. Though she kept her head bowed, her eyes never stopped moving, and the comms device in her ear glinted when she adjusted her position for a better vantage point.
Nic withdrew the small data drive from his suit pocket, dropped a napkin on top of it, and slid it across the table. Thom palmed all that stood between them and a life on the run. “What do you need and when do you need it?”
“Break the 512-bit AES encryption securing this data. Give us access to every file on this drive. And then forget you saw any of it. And us. As quickly as you can. Lives depend on this. Our lives. And others.” Nic reached under the table and rested his hand on Evangeline’s thigh, trying to offer her some reassurance that he believed this plan would work. In reality, for the first time in his vampire life, Nic had no idea what he was doing. Even his long years as Longo’s prisoner hadn’t left him with this much uncertainty. He’d known Longo would kill him. This…this was so much worse. If he lost Evangeline…
Thom raised a brow. “You know this level of encryption’s no joke, right?” His faintly German accent thickened. “There are maybe five people in the world who can hack this without months and months of work. Lucky for you, I’m one of them. But this is going to cost you.”
“Name your price.” Nic didn’t blink. The vampire across the table from him was at least three hundred years younger than he was, but his cocky attitude had disappeared the second Nic told him what they needed.
“Seventy. Wired to the account on this card. Half now. Half when I deliver.”
Nic pulled out his phone. In under a minute, he’d wired thirty-five thousand euro to Thom’s account. When Thom’s phone dinged, a brief moment of shock played over the vampire’s face.
“We do not have time for a protracted negotiation. Sylvie says you are the best in the world. We need the best.” He tucked the business card into his pocket and stood, offering his hand to help Evangeline to her feet. “When can we expect to hear from you?”
“Five days.”
Nodding, Nic rested his palm at the small of Evangeline’s back, relishing in the warmth of her skin through the thin material of her dress. “Leave out the rear. We’ll go through the main door.”
Thom tucked the drive into his pocket. “I’ll be in touch when the job’s done.”
Nic led Evangeline to the front counter, ordering two espressos and half a dozen amaretti cookies. Her forced smile when she accepted the cookies worri
ed him, but until they were safely back in their hotel room, he would let her have her secrets.
Sylvie wandered around the cafe, a tourist perusing the various stovetop espresso pots, demitasse cups, and boxes of hard candies. To the average observer, her movements would appear casual, but even knowing her for less than three days, Nic caught the tense set of her shoulders.
Sliding a hip onto a stool when Nic leaned his back against the coffee bar, Evangeline nibbled one of the amaretti. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to hang around here?”
“We will only stay long enough to enjoy our espresso. Delaying our exit by a few minutes will put some distance between us and Thom.” Nic shared her worry, but he trusted Sylvie and Bayard, both of whom had blessed this plan. “Bayard is right outside. We are safe here for the moment.”
She nodded, but he could tell she did not believe him. “Evangeline.” Nic slid a hand to her waist, needing to strengthen the connection between them. When she met his gaze, the power of their bond hit him square in the chest. Dio, he loved her. Craved her. Needed her. “I would never risk your life unnecessarily.”
“I know we have to do this,” she said quietly. “But I can’t help feeling like we’re never going to escape him. He’s dead, and he’s still ruining our lives.” A tear glistened at the corner of her eye, and Nic dashed the tiny droplet away with his thumb as he cupped her cheek.
“I promise, cara. As soon as we leave Italy, we will have time to be only for one another.”
As Evangeline leaned into his touch, Nic hoped he would not have to break that promise.
The midday crowds clogged the streets, and Nic struggled not to simply lift Evangeline into his arms and carry her back to the hotel. She kept a death grip on his hand as they wove amid the throngs. “Relax, tesoro. None of these people know who we are.”
“And how many are vampires?”
As they’d made their way back from the cafe, he’d kept watch, searching out the odd look, the flare of nostrils that might indicate a passing vampire had scented Evangeline’s blood. He’d seen nothing out of place.
Revelations in Blood Page 12
