Angel slightly lowered his head. “I am sorry, Sire, but I had no choice.”
“There is always a choice, Angelo.”
Slowly lifting his head, Angel locked gazes with the elder. “Not when it comes to my family.”
“You do not think that you and I are capable of protecting your family?”
“Against Gina, yes. But these Seekers are not vampire, Vlad. They have the ability to walk in the light of day. They know where I reside.”
“Pack up your family and bring them to the jet. We will leave for my home as soon as it is safe to do so.”
“Okay, but Nita is already here. She will stay until the sun sets on the morrow.”
A muscle ticked along Vlad’s jaw. “And what is to stop her from killing us of all in our sleep?”
The sound of a soft, feminine voice rang out across the parking lot, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Because, Vlad the Impaler, Angelo Dimitrov, saved my life a long time ago, and I do not repay my debts with blood.”
One of the sexiest women Shon had ever laid eyes on sashayed toward them, wearing tight jeans and a black tank top. Her boots slapped against the pavement in complete confidence, bringing her closer without hesitation.
Her ink-black hair appeared to be pulled back into a ponytail, and her face was devoid of makeup. Dark lashes framed beautiful, amber-colored eyes matched only by the fullness of her bow-shaped mouth.
She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, pinning Vlad with a determined look. Shon could have sworn the amber of her eyes brightened for a second.
“Either we get this over with right here and now, or we go inside and talk it out. Your choice. I’m hungry, sleepy, and not in the mood to be intimidated.”
“Have fun with that.” Shon laughed, sailing over the side of the railing and dropping next to his bike. He inserted the key into the ignition and kick-started the machine to life. No doubt waking all the condo residents, he mused, shooting out of the parking lot toward the main road.
Turning the bike in the direction of Laura’s house, Shon opened the throttle, exceeding the speed limit and running every red light he came to. He didn’t care. Laura’s safety was all that mattered at that point. He would apologize for his earlier behavior once he had her back at the condo with him, where she belonged.
* * * *
Laura’s car was nowhere to be seen as Shon pulled into her drive. The lights were off and no fresh tracks covered his earlier ones from their trip to gather her clothes.
“Fuck,” he barked, glancing at his watch. He had less than two hours to find her before the sun came up, or he’d be toast.
Chapter Eleven
Laura opened the door to the hotel room she’d rented, flipping on lights as she hurried inside. She tossed her bag onto the king-size bed and trailed off to the bathroom.
Red, puffy eyes stared back at her from the gold-trimmed mirror hanging above the sink.
“You look like shit,” she muttered to her reflection before turning on the faucet and splashing cool water on her face.
Fresh tears of anger stung her eyes as she replayed the scene with Shon in Angel’s condo.
He had seduced her, only to humiliate her. But why? she asked herself for the hundredth time. Because of the flowers he’d supposedly sent years ago that she’d never received? What if he hadn’t stopped when he did?
Laura switched off the water and stumbled toward the bed in exhaustion. A few hours of sleep would hopefully clear her mind of the embarrassing episode that had taken place at the condo.
Retrieving her cell phone, she crawled under the covers, wondering what she’d say to Kalli about her absence.
Laura was smart enough to realize she couldn’t return to work with the threat of another Seeker in town. But where could she go besides back to Shon that would guarantee her safety?
With a quick dial to Kalli’s office, Laura pressed the phone to her ear and spoke as clearly as her tired brain would allow. “Kalli? It’s Laura. I know this is a bad time to do this, but I have no choice. I have a family emergency that requires my presence. I’m taking some leave time for about a week. I’m terribly sorry if I’ve put you in a bind. Call you when I return.” She ended the call.
Laura hated like hell lying to Kalli, but the alternative was out of the question. She couldn’t very well tell her about the vampires or the Seeker. Kalli would think Laura had lost her mind.
Placing the phone on the nightstand, Laura chewed on her bottom lip in consternation. Where could she go where no one would think to look for her?
Her parents had recently purchased a cabin on Lake Hatchineha, about a forty-five-minute drive from Lakeland.
Laura decided she would grab some groceries and head out to the cabin when she awoke. No one besides her parents knew of the private getaway. Not even Ember.
Her cell phone buzzed from its position on the nightstand. Laura blew out a breath and snatched it up. Pressing the message icon on the screen, she opened a message from Ember. Where are you? Please tell me you’re safe. I’m worried sick. Why did you leave?
Laura typed out a quick reply. Please don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I’ll be back as soon as the danger has passed. I love you.
Seconds later, the phone began to ring, flashing Shon’s name on the caller ID.
Laura pressed the end button before powering off the phone altogether.
Why wouldn’t he leave her alone? she wondered, tossing the cell to the center of the bed and rolling onto her side.
It wasn’t as if he cared about her or her feelings. He’d proven that point only an hour ago when he’d nearly brought her to orgasm, only to leave her in a heap of desire and humiliation.
Closing her eyes, Laura’s mind drifted back to graduation day. Shon had been seated next to her in the gym, looking and smelling good enough to eat.
Laura would never forget the look in his eyes as his hand covered hers moments before her name had been called to receive her diploma. “Laura? I…”
She’d always wondered what he’d almost said, but was too afraid to ask him. The time had come and gone, lost in a moment of cheers and congratulations.
* * * *
Laura arrived at the cabin before lunch the following day. Equipped with food, drinks, and alcohol, she unlocked the door and pushed it wide.
The musty smell of a place unlived in reached her nose the moment she stepped inside.
Setting the bags on the kitchen counter, she moved around the cozy little room to open the windows before switching on her cell to check for messages.
She opened Shon’s first. We need to talk. You don’t have to tell me where you are, but we do need to talk.
The next was from her mother. Hi, honey. Several people have called looking for you. Please call me and let me know you’re okay. Love you.
Scrolling passed several others, Laura opened Kalli’s. I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever it is, you know I’m here if you need me. Don’t worry about Jonas. He’ll be fine.
Skipping the rest of her messages, Laura called her mother.
Irene picked up on the third ring. “Hello?”
“Hi, Mom, it’s me.”
“Laura, honey. Are you all right? Ember is looking for you. And Kalli called, said you had a family emergency and needed to take some time off.”
“What did you tell her?” Laura dared to ask.
“I told her that Aunt Mabel was sick and we were headed to Georgia to see about her.”
Laura nearly laughed in relief. “Aunt Mabel’s been dead for years, Mom.”
“I know that, dear. I figured you had a good reason for telling Kalli that you had an emergency. I gave you one. That’s all.”
“Thank you, Mom. You’re the best.”
There was a brief pause. “Is everything okay?”
Laura rubbed at her scratchy eyes. “Everything is fine. I’ve just been under a lot of stress at work lately and needed to get away for a while. I appreciate y
ou covering for me.”
“There’s a voicemail on the phone from that Shon Wells. I swear that young man hasn’t the sense God gave a mule.”
“What did he say?”
“He was looking for you. At four in the morning, dear? I mean, really. He’s lucky I’m a hard sleeper else I would have given him an earful.”
A thought struck Laura. “Mom? Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, sweetheart. Anything.”
“Do you remember my sophomore prom?”
“How could I forget? You looked so beautiful in that lavender gown.”
Laura inwardly smiled at her mother’s reminiscent tone. “Do you by any chance recall my date that night?”
“Wiley Jackson. Of course I remember him. His parents were president of our homeowner’s association. Shame you didn’t marry that boy.”
“Marry him? He was far too spoiled for my taste.”
“I preferred him over that other boy that had been sniffing around.”
Laura stilled. Hoping her suspicions would be unfounded. “What other boy?”
“That Wells kid. The one whose mother went to the sanitarium.”
“Mom!” Laura scolded, shocked that her mother would say such a thing. “That had nothing to do with who Shon was as a person.”
“Well, the apple never falls far from the tree, honey.”
Taking a deep breath for patience, Laura confronted Irene. “Did Shon send me flowers the week of the prom with an invitation to accompany him?”
Irene was quiet so long Laura thought maybe she’d hung up. “I got rid of them.”
Laura’s heart sank. Years had passed with Shon believing she’d shunned him. It had probably taken every dime he could scrounge up to buy those flowers. “You had no right.”
“I had every right,” Irene murmured softly. “You are my only daughter. I would give up everything I have to see that you are taken care of. I couldn’t allow you to get mixed up in that family, sweetie. You deserved better than that.”
“You think we are better than the Wells family? You should be ashamed.”
“I didn’t say that. I only meant—”
“I know what you meant,” Laura interrupted. “And it disappoints me that you of all people would say something like that.”
“Honey…”
“I have to go now. I love you.” Laura hung up without waiting for her mother’s response.
Dropping heavily into a chair, Laura leaned her head back against the cushion and thought of all the years that had passed since prom. How many more times had her mother interfered, thrown away letters, and conveniently misplaced messages?
Damn…
Chapter Twelve
“You’re leaving too?” Ember blurted as Shon passed her in the hall with a black duffle bag in hand.
“I have to find Laura before Gina or the Seeker does. It’s my fault that she’s out there unprotected.”
Ember grabbed on to his arm, forcing him to face her. “What did you do?”
“It doesn’t matter what I did. It only matters that I find her before it’s too late.”
“You could lead Gina right to her. Have you considered that?”
“Of course I’ve considered it. I’ve thought of little else since I awoke. Now kindly let me go. We are wasting valuable time.”
“Stick a sock in it,” a feminine voice hissed from the living room.
Shon raised an eyebrow. “The shifter?”
“Yes,” Ember snapped, glancing down the hall. “She and Vlad have been going at it since he crawled out of bed tonight.”
Shon’s lips twitched. “They’re like two stray cats, fighting over the same rat.”
“Tell me about it. I don’t know if I’ll be able to stand much more of it.”
“Maybe you won’t have to. Send Nita next door to sleep while Vlad’s awake. They can trade places when the sun rises.”
Ember nodded. “Good idea. Call or text me the second you find Laura.”
“Will do,” he agreed, bending to drop a kiss on top of her head. “See you soon.”
Heading down the hall, Shon stopped at the edge of the living room to watch the fireworks between Nita and Vlad.
Strange that Vlad hadn’t killed the shifter yet, Shon mused, noticing the deadly gleam in the elder vampire’s eyes. Strange indeed.
“You kids behave,” he murmured, turning toward the door.
Vlad got to his feet. “A word before you go?”
“Sure thing.” Shon opened the door and stepped out onto the deck.
Vlad followed him out. “You must make haste in locating Gina. She must not be left to roam free.”
Shon rested a booted foot on the top step of the stairs and faced Vlad. “And what are we going to do with her once we find her? Angel and I can’t kill her, and you refuse to. What’s the point in looking for her?”
Vlad was suddenly in his face. Shon hadn’t seen him move. “I regret not taking her life when I last had her in my possession. But I will not make that mistake again.”
“Why did you let her live?”
“Because she is an elder from the House of Ezreth. There are so few of us left, young Shon. We are damn near extinct as it is.”
Shon studied Vlad’s face for a long moment. “When Ezreth’s bloodline does eventually become diluted, there will be no vampires left but you.”
A shadow passed through the elder vampire’s eyes. “You understand the need to preserve the bloodline.”
“Yes,” Shon agreed. “And maybe you should consider more children to keep that line alive.”
“Perhaps. But I fear that my mating days are over.”
That surprised Shon. “You can no longer father children?”
“Technically, yes. But I evolved beyond the desire to mate, many years ago.”
Shon stood in stunned silence. It took him a second to find his voice. “You mean to tell me that you haven’t had sex in years?”
“Many years, young Shon. Many years.” Vlad laid a hand on Shon’s shoulder. “Go fetch your Laura and bring her home. We must begin our search for Gina before it is too late.”
Shon opened his mouth to respond, but Vlad was no longer there.
“You really need to teach me how to do that,” Shon called over his shoulder on his way down the stairs.
Jumping on his bike, Shon sped toward the parkway without bothering with the helmet. Laws of the land be damned. He needed all his senses at their strongest, not restrained beneath padded headgear and thick plastic.
His cell vibrated in his T-shirt pocket. He fished it out, relaxing in relief as Laura’s number showed on the display along with an address.
On my way, he sent back before returning the cell phone to his pocket and opening the throttle to his bike.
Forty-five-minutes later, Shon pulled into the drive of a small log cabin perched on a hill next to a lake.
He switched off the bike and blurred his way to the front door to knock.
Relief poured through him as the door swung open. “I should turn you over my knee,” he growled, stepping over the threshold without waiting for an invitation.
“By all means, come in.”
Shon spun to face her. “Can the sarcasm. You have everyone worried about you.”
Laura appeared contrite. With a heavy sigh, she shut the door and took a small step toward him. “I’m sorry. I’ll call Em and let her know I’m okay. But I wanted to talk to you first.”
“I’m listening.”
She gestured toward the small sitting room. “Can we at least sit down?”
Without responding, Shon strode off in the direction of the sofa. He dropped his tall frame onto the cushions and pinned her with an impatient stare. Damn her for scaring him the way she had. “What would you like to discuss?”
Laura bypassed the chair and took a seat on the sofa next to him. “I spoke to my mother this morning.”
“About?” he prompted, tilting his head, indicating she shoul
d continue.
“You.”
That got his attention. “What about me?”
Laura lowered her gaze. “I never received your flowers, or messages, letters…nothing.”
Shon’s heart began to pound. “What are you saying?”
“Mom admitted to keeping them from me.” She glanced up but dropped her gaze once again. “She. I mean. She—”
“Didn’t think I was good enough,” he finished for her.
Laura nodded, but kept her head down. “I’m so sorry, Shon. I swear, I had no idea. Had I known…” Her voice trailed off.
Shon rested a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him. What he saw in her eyes nearly doubled him over. “Had you known? Finish your sentence.”
A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. “I would have chosen you.”
“What did you say?”
She lifted her chin, staring him in the eyes. “I would have chosen you.”
“Laura…” Shon jerked her forward, crushing her against his chest. His lips slanted across hers, and he buried a hand in her hair, holding her still for his hungry mouth.
Laura moaned, gripping his shoulders, and kissing him back with a hunger that matched his own.
Shon wasn’t sure how long he tasted her, devoured her, inhaled her before he realized his fangs had descended.
He pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. He could barely form words. “I need to slow down.”
“Don’t stop,” she whispered, her breathing as labored as his. “I don’t care what you are, who you are, or what you’re capable of. Just please don’t stop.”
“Aww, how sweet,” Gina Calimari’s tinkering voice purred from the middle of the room.
Shon was instantly on his feet, blocking Laura from Gina’s view. “How did you find me?”
Gina studied her long, red nails. “Quite easily. Your blood flows through my veins. I will always find you, my dear, sweet Shon.”
“Get out,” Shon growled, crowding Laura against the back of the couch.
“Now, now,” Gina scolded. “Is that any way to greet your maker?”
“You’re not my maker, Cruella. You merely sped up the process of my change.”
Shon (The Seeker Series Book 2) Page 5
