by Jaime Reed
“No thanks. I’ll probably throw it up anyway.”
“All right, I’ll be back in a minute.” He squeezed my shoulder, then made his way down the hall.
I let Caleb’s words sink in. He had nailed it right on the head. Memories, good and bad, drifted in a sea of “what ifs” with no sight of land.
The voice of a man talking to the nurse at the desk came in and out of my audible range. When he said my mom’s name, I leapt up from my seat. Nearing the desk, I looked him up and down, trying to figure out how he knew Mom.
His age played up mature sophistication, and his casual, expensive suit was as cosmopolitan as he was. His large hands raked through his short, salt-and-pepper hair. When I reached the desk, he looked in my direction. The second he locked eyes on me, his expression changed. Deep blue eyes peered behind tinted specs and assessed the lines and bends of my features. Donning a confident smile, he approached me. “You must be Samara.”
The sound of my name on his lips made my insides tingle. The feeling only got worse when he took my hand. “My name is Nathan Ross. Julie told me so much about you.”
I hesitated a moment, willing the fluttering in my stomach to stop. “How do you know my mother?”
“Your mother and I have been corresponding for about a week now. We went out for drinks tonight when she collapsed. I was the one who brought her here. I left a while ago to get some air, but I had to come back and check on her.”
“You’re my mom’s date?” I gave him another once-over. Mom had good taste. The guy looked as though he had stepped out of Gentleman’s Quarterly. And that voice. It was an R & B slow jam waiting to happen.
“This kind lady informed me that your mother had an issue with her heart, and she’s currently stabilized.” He gave the blushing nurse a smile.
I glared at the woman behind the desk. I’d had to go through a retina scan and full cavity search to get my mother’s room number, and this dude had details on the medical procedure. But then again, he could steal Pentagon secrets with that smile alone.
His warm hand rested on my shoulder. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
“Thanks. I appreciate you sticking around.”
“No problem—” was all he could say before Caleb’s voice rang behind me.
I heard his footsteps approach as he called my name, but it took me a moment to understand why he’d asked Mr. Ross why he was there.
And why on earth Caleb called him “Dad.”
23
“I asked you a question. What are you doing here?”
Caleb stepped between us and pushed me behind him. “Did you have something to do with this?”
Mr. Ross shoved his hands in his pockets. “Good to see you too, son.”
“Did you hurt Ms. Marshall?”
Mr. Ross blinked in surprise. “Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know, you tell me.” His tone, brusque and uneven, ground out each syllable as though speaking with proper inflection would invoke an unholy curse. Every muscle in Caleb’s body tightened against me.
“I’m simply checking on a friend,” Mr. Ross explained in complete innocence.
“A friend, huh? How exactly do you know Samara’s mom? Did you draw her to you?”
“You know how women are around me. I couldn’t help it even if I tried, and Julie and I happened to be at the right place at the right time. I’m sure you know how these things work. Speaking of which ...” Mr. Ross looked around Caleb’s blockade to face me. “Samara, how do you know my son? Has he bewitched you with his charm?”
When I tried to step around Caleb, he trapped me behind the solid wall of his back. The tense undertone of the exchange revealed that Mr. Ross’s looks had deceived more than just me. There was some serious evil afoot, which proved reason enough to keep my distance.
“You stay away from her,” Caleb ordered. “And stay away from her mother.”
“Am I bothering you, Samara?” Mr. Ross asked, ignoring his son’s warning.
Finding my voice, I managed to choke out, “No, but your demon is.”
My words, driven by hate, hit their mark, leaving Mr. Ross stunned. He removed his tinted glasses and revealed that familiar shade of purple that I knew too well. His stare moved from my face to Caleb’s in an attitude of defiance. “You two are closer than I thought. No wonder you’ve been preoccupied.”
“Why are you really in Virginia? How did you find me?” Caleb demanded.
“You make it seem like a crime to keep tabs on my youngest child. It wasn’t easy to track you, I’ll give you that. You really know how to shut yourself down. Not very healthy, son. You can’t deny who you are. You are a part of a whole, and you must return to the source at some point. I told you if you didn’t come to me, I would come to you. I’m sure Haden told you that when he came here.”
Caleb stiffened. “What did you do to him?”
“Well, what do you know? You still care about your family. Haden’s someplace safe, taking a nice long nap.” When Caleb prepared to lunge, he added, “Oh, don’t worry, he’s fine, but I couldn’t let him tell you I was here. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Caleb closed in on his father, their faces barely an inch apart. “I’m only gonna say this one more time. Leave, and keep away from Sam and her mother.”
“If you insist, I won’t go near them, but I can’t guarantee they will stay away from me.”
Backing away, Mr. Ross gave me a wink, doling out that same devilish grin that was Caleb’s trademark. He owned the same expressions, the same penetrating stare. It was like a peek into Caleb’s future.
The stiffness in his right leg gave him a slight limp, but had little effect on his determined stride. In fact, it made it more dangerous. I turned to Caleb, who leaned against the wall, taking long, therapeutic breaths. “What the hell just happened?”
“The shit hit the fan,” he replied with eyes closed.
“What is your dad doing here?”
“I didn’t expect him either. I wasn’t ready for this.” He lifted his head to the ceiling. “I need to find Haden. If he’s still in town, I need to see if he’s all right.”
“Would your father really kill his own son?” I asked.
“Kill, no. Hurt, yes. We’re all connected, an extension of dad’s spirit, and it won’t destroy itself. We can sense each other’s presence.”
“Then why didn’t you know he was in town? Couldn’t you feel him nearby?”
“No. I’ve severed the ties and kept my distance for too long.”
I took a step back, quickly losing my balance and what was left of my patience. The traffic in my head stood in gridlock and my nerve endings crackled with the need to inflict harm. Pushing out a long-suffering breath, I said, “I think you should go.”
Blazing light shot from his eyes as they met mine. “You know I can’t leave you alone now.”
“I’m fine. I have my family here.”
He didn’t seem convinced. “Is that what you want?”
“No. What I want is the truth from you—all of it. No riddles, no subtle innuendos, no ominous pauses. I’ve respected your privacy and given you time to open up, but this shit is leaking into my world, and I’ll be damned if my mom gets killed over what you’re not telling me.” Lowering my voice, I continued. “I know you weren’t directly involved, but I’ll only take it out on you. So please, just go.”
He sucked in air through his teeth. It made a hissing sound in reaction to some invisible sting. Whether it was my words, the sight of his estranged father, or the totality of the evening, I wasn’t sure, but he seemed to age before my eyes. When the worst of it was over, he pushed off the wall. “All right, I need to call my brothers and Nadine.”
I tilted my head. “Nadine?”
“Yeah. I’m gonna need all the help I can get now.” Holding my shoulders, he stared into my eyes. “Do me a huge favor. Stay with your dad. Go home with him, keep him nearby, and don’t go to your house alone, okay? Te
ll one of the nurses what’s going on and that they’re not to allow any unauthorized visitors near your mother’s room.”
Was he serious? “They won’t even let me in.”
His brows furrowed in thought. “If they put security on the floor, it should scare him off. I’ll call the police, not that they can do anything.”
My chest throbbed from my heart trying to punch its way free. “You’re scaring me.”
“Good. Then you’ll do what I say. Please?” His face was a mask of determination, refusing to take no for an answer.
“Will you call me if anything happens?”
He nodded and tucked his hand under my chin. “Be careful.” He walked away and whipped out his cell phone, rushing by Dad before he could stop him.
When Dad reached my side, he asked, “Where’s the fire?”
“Family emergency. He couldn’t help it.”
He harrumphed. “You sure he wasn’t ducking out on me?”
“No. Something came up.” Moving back to the sitting area, I sat next to Dad and tucked my head in his chest. My whole body trembled as the tears stained my cheeks, each drop bleeding the life from me. Strong arms wrapped around me and rocked me back and forth.
“It’s all right, baby girl. Everything will be all right,” he assured, rubbing my back in slow circles.
Dad was a great lawyer. He had a way with people and could talk his way out of anything. Such conviction and gentle persuasion almost made me believe his words.
Almost.
24
Work proved to be a useful distraction.
The rapid activity kept me going for several hours. Through the drink orders and café chatter, I stayed in tune with my cell phone, anticipating the slightest vibration from my pocket. Dad checked into a hotel until Monday and promised to alert me on any updates.
Nadine watched me from the corner of her eye, waiting for that nervous breakdown right around the bend. Caleb must have told her the news, because she kept asking me if I was all right.
When Mia and Dougie showed up during my break, I lost it. Mia was the only one to ever see me do the Nasty Cry, so I didn’t mind using her shirt as a handkerchief. I sat in the backseat of her car with my head on her lap.
“I like Ms. M., I really do.” Mia brushed my hair with her hand. “She’s way cooler than my mom.”
“Your mom lets you do whatever you want.” I sniffed.
“Because she doesn’t care. She gives me things so I can get out of her hair. ‘Go to the mall, Mia,’ or, ‘Take my credit card and go get something nice, on me.’ You know, my first ‘woman talk’ was with your mom.”
I lifted my head. “The ones with the sock puppets?”
“Yeah. That’s why I always came over to your house. Your mom actually worried about me.”
Dougie squeezed my shoulder. “I liked your mom too. She was weird, but she was pretty.”
Mia’s hands flew over my ears. “Stop using past tense, Dougie! She ain’t dead. She’s just hospitalized.”
Dougie lowered his head. “Sorry.”
“It’s cool.” I sat up and eyed the clock on the dashboard. “My break’s almost up. I’ll see you guys later.”
After serving hugs all around, I climbed out and put my suit of armor back on. Nadine’s eyes tracked me as soon as I entered the building.
“You going to talk to Caleb?”
Brushing past her, I reached for my apron. “I’m not in the mood.”
“He worries about you. And you need to know what’s going on as soon as possible.”
I turned to her. “What’s going on with his dad? I’ve never seen Caleb get so defensive. If anything, I should be the one freaking out. It’s my mom he hurt, not his.”
“Maybe you should talk to Caleb.”
“You may need to wait in line, my dear.” A voice called from the counter. Nadine and I jumped at the same time. Mr. Ross propped his hip against the counter, wearing a smile that personified conquest. “Good afternoon, Samara. How is your mother?”
“Like you care,” I sneered.
Nadine pushed me behind her. “State your business and leave, Mr. Ross.”
“Petrovsky, I remember when you were this tall.” He measured to his mid-thigh and smiled. “What a beautiful woman you’ve become. Just like your mother.”
“What do you want?” Nadine asked again, her tone dripping with venom.
A hint of fear flashed in his eyes, breaking down his reserved disposition for a second. “Now Nadine, we don’t want to cause a scene. I’m just remarking on how beautiful you are, especially when angry.” Casting a sly glance to the customers, Mr. Ross said, “You’re positively ... glowing.” His eyes grew wide to underline his meaning.
Taking the hint, Nadine gasped and snapped her eyes shut.
Smiling in triumph, he continued. “Now that the pleasantries are over, have either of you ladies seen my son? I have a few issues to address with him.”
“I’m sure you can contact him by phone,” Nadine said, her voice trembling from anger.
“He’s not exactly returning my calls, so I decided to see him in person.” He looked around Nadine to lock eyes on me. “Samara, come here, sweetheart.”
I approached the object of my scorn without question, without resistance, and without a bit of back talk. Though fully aware of my actions, and of the string of what I was sure was Polish cursing behind me, it didn’t even occur to me to refuse. When I reached the counter, he brushed a curl away from my face and caressed my cheek. He looked so much like Caleb; it scared me.
“No wonder my son is possessive of you,” he said with a secretive smile, as if amused at some joke that only he knew about. “We have a lot to discuss, you and I, but right now, would you be so kind as to tell me where I can locate my son?”
My stomach clenched in tight spasms, as if trying to regurgitate the words.
“Get away from her,” a voice growled behind him, shattering my enchantment. Mr. Ross turned to see Caleb in full attack mode.
Backing away from the counter, Mr. Ross lifted his hands in surrender. “There’s no need for that. I simply want to talk to you.”
Caleb nudged his head toward the exit. “Outside.”
As Mr. Ross limped ahead, Caleb looked at Nadine with narrowed eyes and mouthed the words, Watch her.
Nadine nodded and pulled me inside the back kitchen before I could object. Her hands gripped my shoulders and she hunched down, making direct eye contact. Her limbs trembled as sweat broke from her forehead and upper lip. The intensity of her gaze startled me.
“Look at me!” Nadine commanded, shaking my arms. “Look at me, Sam. What do you see?”
“I see your face—more than what I would like to right now.”
“Close your eyes.” When I hesitated, she shook me again. I shut my eyes, and she asked, “What do you see?”
“Darkness. Nadine, what’s going—”
“You don’t see Mr. Ross’s face, his eyes, any image at all?”
“No.”
Pushing out a breath, she released me. “Good.”
I opened my eyes and saw her slumped against the dishwasher. Her muscles locked as she gripped the metal surface. I’d never seen her so spooked out before, which only shot my panic level to an all-new high. “What was that about?”
“Mr. Ross is very strong Cambion, and he knows how to use his power.”
“You think he used it on me?” I asked.
She sucked in a breath of air in an attempt to regain composure. “I know he did. I needed to know how much.”
That didn’t make any sense. “Caleb said I was immune to the draw.”
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and readjusted her bun. “Caleb’s draw, yes, because he is still young. His father is older and stronger. He can turn the enticement on and off in a flash. No woman can oppose him when he lays on the charm. Even I am affected to extent. He is too strong, in fact. This means only one thing.” She trailed off as some great insig
ht struck her.
“What?”
“I told you, it is not good to consume entire life. You become more demon than human, but you also gain power. Mr. Ross is on the brink and he wants more. Could you not sense his hunger?”
“Not really.” It wasn’t a lie; I was just too preoccupied by my own hunger to notice.
She nodded. “Your willfulness and purity counteract the draw, making your resistance high. Your reaction is not severe as most; you’re still able to complete a thought on your own.”
I shrunk back. Did everyone know about my lack of a sex life? Was it on a billboard somewhere? I guess if it served as a blockade against the forces of darkness, I’d have it tattooed on my forehead.
“I had a bit of a pull toward him, Nadine,” I confessed.
She snorted. “That is expected. He gave heavy signals just now. Any other woman would have leaped over counter and taken him right there.”
I couldn’t wrap my mind around that. There was no way I would jump stupid or degrade myself for the sake of gratification. But then again, I still owned my free will ... for now.
“Why would he want to mess with me or my mom?” I asked. “We haven’t done anything to him.”
Nadine inched to the swinging doors and peeked outside. “Doesn’t matter. It will affect you anyway. And now you know what he is, he might come after you.”
“Why?”
She remained on edge, her eyes shifting to every moving creature in the café. “If he sees you as threat, he will hurt you.”
I joined her side by the door. “What about Caleb? I’m his son’s girlfriend.”
“That will not stop him if you’re an obstacle. And as you can tell, he’s not above hurting those close to him.”
The finality in her tone made my ire skyrocket. Mr. Ross may have had everyone else scared, but he had messed with the wrong chick. I didn’t do powerless and wasn’t about to sit by and let tragedy happen to me. Regardless of blood ties, if things had to come to blows, then Caleb’s dad was going to end up missing.
Nadine held the door for me. “We got more customers. Caleb will explain everything later, all right?”
