A Body to Die For

by Kimberly Raye

  She pulled on her clothes and headed back to town to confront Matt Keller.

  If her instincts were right about him, Cruz and Molly wouldn’t be far away.

  “I’M SORRY.”

  Her soft, desperate voice echoed in Garret’s head as he gunned the engine on his motorcycle and hit the dirt trail that led across the North pasture.

  A rut caught the front tire, and the handlebars shook with the force of it. The custom chopper wasn’t made for this and he damn well knew it, but he couldn’t stop himself. He tightened his grip and opened the bike up as fast as it would go. He had to outrun the voice. The past.

  The truth.

  She was sorry.

  He knew it as surely as he knew the sun would rise in a few hours. The knowledge sat deep down in his bones. His heart.

  She hadn’t wanted to turn him anymore than she’d wanted to turn all the others in her past. He’d seen their faces when he’d drank from her—faces that haunted her dreams and refused her any peace—and he’d felt her remorse.

  The bike jumped, startling him as much as the regret now swimming inside of him. Her regret.

  For ruining so many lives. For betraying him.

  She hadn’t meant to.

  Rather, she’d saved him because she hadn’t been able to bear losing him. And then she’d turned her back on him because she hadn’t been able to bear his hatred should he discover the truth.

  Because she loved him.

  Then and now.

  Always.

  The realization sent a burst of pure happiness through him, followed by a rush of dread. He gunned the engine faster, pushing the bike as fast and as far as it would go. Because maybe, just maybe if he burned up the engine he could escape the inevitable that beat at his temples.

  Viv was the vampire. The one he and Jake and Dillon had been searching for all these months. The key to his humanity. The answer to his desperate prayers.

  The Ancient One.

  And she had to die.

  It was the only way to free all of them. To free himself. He was tired of being a slave to the beast inside. He wanted to be normal again. To laugh. To love. To be whole.

  He slammed on the brakes and skidded to a stop. The transmission screamed as he swerved the bike in a one-eighty and shifted into gear. And then he did what he should have done in the first place—he headed for town.

  It was time to reclaim his humanity.

  “WHERE ARE THEY?” Viv demanded when Sheriff Matt Keller hauled open the motel room door after her second knock.

  “Do you know what time it is?” He wiped at his tired-looking face and glared at her.

  “Cruz and Molly. You know them, right?” She pushed her way into his room and kicked the door shut. Her gaze sliced through the darkness, touching every corner as if she expected the duo of vampires to pop out at her.

  Or rather, she hoped. Then it would all be over and the pain twisting at her heart would end.

  “You led them to me in Washington, and you’re leading them to me now,” she told him. “Where are they? Just tell me, and I’ll go to them. I’m tired of waiting. I want this over with.”

  He flipped on a nearby light. The small bulb pushed back the shadows to reveal a worn duffel bag sitting next to the bed. His badge and gun lay on the nightstand next to a half empty bottle of soda. He eyed her. “Have you been drinking?”

  “I know you know where they are. Tell me.”

  “I don’t have a friggin’ clue what you’re talking about, lady, but I’ll make sure to add ‘crazy’ to the other list of offenses on your rap sheet.”

  “I know you didn’t come here just to get my notes on the Butcher. You’re working for Cruz and Molly. What are you? A blood slave?” That would explain why she hadn’t been able to read him. If he were feeding one of the vampires, they would have control over him. They could block his thoughts. They could wipe his mind clean until he was little more than a zombie.

  But they couldn’t make his eyes glow.

  She watched as the green depths magnified, growing brighter and more intense.

  “What are you?” she asked again. As much as she was hoping for the blood slave explanation, she had a gut feeling she wasn’t even close.

  “I should be asking you that question.” He stepped closer then. “I know you’re not human. I can feel it.” His tall body loomed over her, backing her up a few steps.

  Insane, right? She was a big, bad vampire.

  But Matt Keller seemed just as dangerous. Strength rolled off him, along with a feral air that stalled her heartbeat and made her wonder if he didn’t intend to save Cruz and Molly the trouble and kill her himself.

  “You’re like me, aren’t you?” he demanded. Before she could respond, he continued, “You are. You have to be. You’re too strong to be human. Too different.” His gaze grew brighter, hotter and his mouth opened. She saw the teeth then. Not just a pair of fangs, but two full rows of them. A growl vibrated up his throat. A wildness lit his eyes and carved his expression. Reality dawned.

  “You’re a werewolf?” It had been hard enough accepting the truth of what she’d become, and she’d lived every painful moment of the change. Denial pumped through her. There had to be another explanation. “I don’t believe this. There’s no such thing.”

  His lips pulled back and he growled, a strange, inhuman sound that slid into her ears and chased away all doubt.

  “Oh, my God.”

  “God didn’t have anything to do with it.” His expression relaxed, and the savage air that had gripped him seemed to ease. The muscles in his face shifted, his bones pushing and pulling until the familiar face of Sheriff Matt Keller stared back at her. “It’s genetic, at least that’s what my father told me. And it’s rare.”

  “I hate to break this to you, but I don’t howl at the full moon.” When he gave her a sharp look, she added, “Not that your instincts were wrong. I’m not human, but I’m not a werewolf, either. I’m a vampire.”

  He looked at her as if she’d just confessed to giving birth to the three-headed alien in Oregon. “There’s no such thing.”

  This from the Wolf Man? “Listen, buddy, if werewolves can exist, so can vampires.”

  “Werewolves don’t exist. Just one. Me.” He looked so alone in that next instant that she could actually understand why he’d come all the way from Washington. “I’m all that’s left since my folks died. That’s why I was so determined to find you. I thought maybe…Finally…” He shook his head and eyed her. “You’re sure you’re not a werewolf?”

  “Trust me.” To prove her point, she flashed him her fangs. She went on to tell him the short version of her life story—namely that she was being hunted by two vamps determined to destroy her. She finished with “That’s why I barged in just now. I thought you knew them. I’m really sorry.” She glanced at the rumpled sheets. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “I couldn’t sleep anyway.” He eyed the open window. Beyond, the moon hung huge and round, and his eyes glowed for a split-second. “It’s two days until the moon is at its fullest. I’m supposed to mate then. At least, I think I am. But then, I’ve never actually done it because there are no female werewolves around. Which means I end up with a human female.” He shook his head. “It’s not the same. Not that I actually know, I just feel it. I keep thinking there ought to be more excitement to it. More oomph…” He let his voice trail off as if he’d already said too much. “I don’t mean to dump all of this on you. I just don’t get a chance to talk about it much. Don’t sweat the barging in. I never really sleep much, especially this time of the month. I’ve tried pills, warm milk, the works, but nothing helps.”

  “Do you really howl at the moon?”

  “Do you really suck blood?”

  “Point made.” She grinned and he grinned and despite the fact that he was a werewolf and she was a vampire, she actually felt a sort of camaraderie. Not the same connection she felt with Garret, of course. That was deeper, more profound. />
  But this…This was nice.

  Suddenly, she could understand why Garret was so anxious to find and kill the vampire that turned him.

  He wasn’t just doing it for himself.

  He was doing it for his friends.

  At least, he wanted to. But he wouldn’t get the chance because Cruz and Molly were about to beat him to it.

  She knew it the moment the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Awareness raced down her spine. Every muscle in her body went tight. The door crashed open behind her.

  Viv whirled in time to see Cruz lunging for her, a stake in his hand and murder on his mind.

  20

  VIV DIDN’T MOVE as the vampire lunged. Instead, she closed her eyes and braced herself for the pain.

  But instead of feeling the sharp stab of the stake, she felt Matt Keller’s hand on her arm.

  “Run,” he told her as he shoved her out of the way. The stake caught him in the shoulder, and a loud howl filled the room.

  His eyes glowed, and he reached for Cruz, his hands going for the vampire’s throat. Before his fingers could make contact, Molly flew into the room.

  “No!” Viv cried, but the female vampire had already caught Keller and jerked him backwards. Her fangs sank into his neck.

  She lunged to her feet and rushed forward, but Cruz caught her by the hair.

  “You’re going to die this time,” he spat as he yanked her around and shoved her back up against the wall.

  Her head smashed into the sheetrock. Pain split open her skull, and her gut clenched. Anger rolled through her, along with the need for survival.

  Live, the beast chanted. Fight. Destroy.

  “Do it,” she ground out. It was too late to save Keller, but it wasn’t too late to save everyone else. “Just go ahead and do it.”

  He raised the stake high into the air and she closed her eyes.

  “No!” Garret’s voice pushed past the frantic beat of her heart. Her eyes snapped open in time to see him catch the stake mid-air.

  Cruz turned on him, his gaze flashing red fury as he lunged at Garret.

  Viv moved forward to help, but Molly tackled her. She hit the wall again, and chunks of plaster flew. Blood dripped from the woman’s mouth and streamed down her neck as she gripped Viv by the collar and threw her against the opposite wall.

  Her vision blurred from the impact, but a loud wail yanked her back to the present.

  Viv scrambled to her feet just as Garret sank the stake into the crazed vampire’s chest.

  Cruz stumbled backwards, a surprised look on his face. He teetered and then he collapsed.

  “Molly.” The name tumbled from his lips and then his body went deathly still.

  “Baby?” Molly crumbled to the floor next to Cruz and touched his face. “Come on. Open your eyes,” she begged. “Don’t do this to me. It’s you and me. Together. Forever. Remember?” She shook her head frantically as she touched his chest. Her hand closed around the stake. “Forever.” She pulled the stake free.

  Just when Viv thought she meant to turn it on herself, she whirled. She flew at Viv, but Garret caught her.

  He anchored one hand around her waist and reached for the stake with his other. He was an older vampire and, therefore, stronger. She soon went slack in his grasp.

  “I’m only going to say this once.” He tossed her to the ground and held up the stake. “You can end up like your friend there, or you can get the hell out. It’s your choice, and you’d better make it fast. Before I change my mind.”

  “Kiss my ass.” Molly lunged at him, in full attack mode.

  Viv tackled her, sending her sideways. They both crashed into the door. She grabbed Molly’s hair and hung on, fighting to keep her down and away from Garret.

  She didn’t have to fight long. One minute she was staring up at Molly, holding her at arm’s length, and the next, the woman went rigid.

  Molly gasped, and blood spurted from her mouth as she pitched forward. Viv rolled out from under her, and that’s when she saw the sharp piece of the wooden doorframe that protruded from between her shoulder blades.

  Garret stood just inches away, his eyes blazing with a protective light and something else. Something that stalled her heartbeat.

  “Are you okay?”

  “You saved me,” she said accusingly. “Why?”

  Because I love you.

  That’s what his gaze said, but she didn’t just want to see it. She needed to hear it.

  Before she could open her mouth again, a groan carried from the far corner. She turned just as Matt Keller staggered to his feet. Blood still gushed from his neck, and he looked dangerously pale, but already the wound had started to close.

  “Don’t tell me. Werewolves have rejuvenating capabilities.”

  “You know it.” He staggered back a few steps and collapsed on the edge of the bed.

  “Maybe you should lie down.” Viv reached him in the blink of an eye and urged him back down. She checked the wound, and sure enough, the skin had already started to knit back together. “I know how this goes for vampires. A little sleep, and we’re fine.”

  He nodded. “Sleep is good.”

  “Do you need anything?”

  “Just some peace and quiet.”

  Viv nodded and turned to Garret. “We’d better get them out of here.” She motioned to Molly and Cruz. They were still intact, but come sunup, their bodies would start to disintegrate.

  Garret nodded, and they spent the next half hour moving the bodies out to his barn. Once they finished, she turned on him.

  She’d waited long enough for the truth.

  “You never answered my question. Why did you face off with Cruz? You should have been helping him.”

  “I won’t let you die.”

  “You don’t get to make that decision. My father beat you to it.”

  “No, he didn’t.” He shook his head. “He took your humanity, but he didn’t take your soul, Viv. You’re still a good person. You weren’t trying to hurt Cruz and Molly. You helped them. You did what they asked of you.”

  “You never asked.”

  “I would have. If I had known what you were, I would have. For the chance to be with you again, to touch you, to kiss you, to talk to you, I would have begged.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “That I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

  “Because I was a vampire.”

  “I loved you then—I love you now—in spite of the fact that you’re a vampire. And I won’t let you sacrifice yourself. You didn’t set out to hurt anyone. You did what you thought was right.”

  “But—”

  “There is no but.” Certainty gleamed in his eyes, along with a brilliant light that filled her with a burst of warmth. Because he did love her, and he meant every word he said.

  “You gave them all a chance to right their wrongs,” he went on. “A chance to live. To love. If they didn’t want that, if the hunger led them down the wrong path, that’s their problem. You don’t owe anyone.”

  But Garret did.

  Jake. Dillon. While he hadn’t initially attacked them on purpose, they were his friends. They’d been his friends even though he’d doomed them. They’d stood by him, waiting patiently, searching for the Ancient One.

  For Viv.

  He wouldn’t give her up.

  At the same time, he couldn’t let his friends down. He’d been content as a vampire until he’d gotten to know Jake. Jake had forced him to remember the man he’d once been, to miss his humanity, because Jake missed his.

  Garret saw the truth when he looked at Jake and Nikki. They wanted so much to be together. To be normal. And they were depending on Garret to make it happen.

  But Garret couldn’t sacrifice the woman he loved—he wouldn’t. Tonight had proved as much. They were bonded now. She was his, now and always, and he would defend her until the last dying beat of his heart.

  No, he wouldn’t sacrifice Viv so that his friends could walk
in the sunlight.

  He wouldn’t have to.

  He’d been the one to take Jake’s humanity from him, and he could give it back.

  “No.” Viv shook her head. “You’re not going to—”

  He pressed a fingertip to her lips. “No more talk. I need to be inside of you tonight.”

  Their last night.

  Because Garret was through living with the guilt and the regret. He owed Jake, and it was time to ante up.

  He scooped Viv into his arms and headed for the main house.

  21

  HE CARRIED HER into the house and down the steps into the basement.

  His room. She knew it as she stared at the large area with its open rafters and king-size bed.

  He dropped her to her feet, flipped on a light switch and then turned back to her. His gaze burned with an intensity that made her body tremble.

  She knew what he was going to do.

  Not because she read it in his thoughts. Despite the fact that they were bonded, she still couldn’t see inside his head because he’d put up a mental wall to shut her out.

  No, she felt the truth in the urgent way he touched her, kissed her, as if he wanted to brand this moment into his memory.

  She forced her mouth from his. “You can’t—” she started, but then he kissed her again, silencing her words.

  She slid her arms around him and held him tight, refusing to let go. Not now as he made love to her, and not afterward.

  Not ever.

  She drew a ragged breath when he tore his mouth from hers to leave a fiery trail down the length of her neck to the hollow between her breasts. Then he released her, his hands going to the buttons of her blouse, his movements urgent as if they had not a moment to spare.

  He pushed the edges open and unhooked her bra, baring her aching breasts. Dipping his head, he closed his mouth over one swollen nipple and greedily sucked the sensitive flesh.

  She matched his urgency with her own as her hands found the waistband of his jeans. She heard the groan that rumbled from his throat as she trailed her fingers over the bulge of the material. Impatiently she tugged at the zipper and dipped her hands inside.