by Taylor Dawn
“And?” his eyebrows shot up and a hopeful expression littered his face.
“Maybe I do need a change of scenery.” She shrugged, then stared into her mug.
“Then come with me. If you don’t like it there, you can always come back to Vegas.” He sat back in the booth a bit. “Listen, I’ve got a place to stay for us. Mason offered me a cabin he doesn’t use anymore. You can stay with me.”
“That might end up being weird.”
“Gia, I have zero expectations when it comes to you and I. I know I overstepped at that party and I was wrong for that. I admit I have a thing for you, always have. But you’re in love with that vamp and there’s nothing I can do about that.”
“So, if I go with you, you would promise to put the thoughts of us out of your mind?”
“Absolutely. Cross my heart, hope to die.” He smiled an all-American boy smile.
“I’ll have to wait until I testify for Layton before I leave.”
“When’s that?” Micah lifted his mug to his lips and took a drink.
“Tomorrow night. I got the call while I was at work today. After I testify I can pack a few things and be ready.”
“Does this mean you are coming with me to Blue Creek?”
“Yes.”
Gia knew she was probably making a huge mistake but she couldn’t help but play into the fantasy of a quiet country life. Zach would be fine on his own in Vegas and she had the chance to relax a bit. Yes, she was madly in love with Layton but moving to Blue Creek was something she needed to do for herself. She rarely took time to do what she wanted and this was her chance. Once she testified that Layton was innocent, he could go back to his club and maybe things would be somewhat normal once more. At least she hoped so.
Three
WITH HIS HEAD HUNG LOW, Layton waited for his turn in front of the judge. Proceedings for vampire offenses were swift and the usual punishment was none other than the eradication of the guilty. He wasn’t guilty, though. But even with the chance of death facing him, Layton couldn’t help but hold out hope that Gia would testify on his behalf. During his time on the earth, he learned of many things that could hurt a person. None of it could compare to the thought of losing Gia. As bitter as he was the night she walked into his office, he knew she was the only person who could make him feel even an inkling of love again. But with that love came the fierce need to shelter and protect her—something Gia hated. She was a strong woman who didn’t let anything stand in her way. Layton admired that about her. She was his equal in every way except for one—the fact that she was half human.
“Next case on the docket, the state of Nevada vs. Mr. Layton D. Kyle,” his head snapped up as his case was called.
With his wrists still secured with silver cuffs, Layton stood from his chair and approached the judge. He looked up at the elderly man dressed in the traditional black robe and half wondered what kind of a man he was. A just and true individual? Or a vengeance-seeking political whore like most of the judges?
“I see you’ve opted to represent yourself, is that correct Mr. Kyle?” the aged man asked.
“Yes, that is correct,” Layton replied. Time was running out and Gia wasn’t among the people in the courtroom. He couldn’t blame her. After all, who would want to save someone whose soul was damned to hell?
“Excuse me, I’m running late.” Layton looked up to see his beautiful Gia entering through a side door.
“And who are you?” the judge asked her.
“I’m here to testify on behalf of Mr. Kyle.” She hadn’t yet looked at him and he wondered why.
“Very well. Let’s get on with it.”
Once Gia was sworn in, Layton waited for her to speak. It was always a surreal moment when he heard her voice. To have such a melodic and articulate sound enter his ears was a thing of beauty.
“When the police showed up to my home, I gave them my statement. I had originally assumed that Mr. Kyle killed my father but after seeing the coroner’s findings, I am sure that he didn’t. I know it sounds like I’m being wishy-washy about this but I assure you that I am telling the truth tonight.” She took a breath. “Vampires are seen as horrible killers who are on this Earth to cause chaos and death but I know that to be false. I’ve met some of them and I can tell you that they are really no different than you or I. So, I’m asking you to please let him go free. He did nothing wrong.”
“It’s a rarity that I have a human show up to speak on the behalf of a vampire. I must say that it’s quite refreshing.” The judge stated. “I believe you, Miss Pendleton. You don’t seem as if you are being forced to give such a testimony.”
“I’m not at all.” She said.
“By the order of this court and the state of Nevada, case dismissed.”
Layton stood in shock as the bailiff removed the cuffs from his wrists. He’d expected some type of argument as to why he should die, or at the very least, questions for Gia. But none of that happened.
“You’re free to go,” the bailiff stepped back.
“Thank you,” he said just before turning to see Gia. When he did, she was gone. Her abrupt departure led him to believe something was amiss and he intended to find out immediately.
***
Gia undid the lock on her bicycle and tossed it in her purse. The night air was cool and dry—perfect for a leisurely ride back home. She had packing to do and the quicker she did it, the better. Her plan was to leave town with Micah before Layton had a chance to stop her.
“Is there something you’d like to tell me?” Layton’s voice came out of the dark, startling her.
She let out a shriek and stepped back a few feet. When he walked from the shadows, she could see a stoic expression across his unshaven face. “No.”
“You may think I don’t know when you’re keeping secrets from me, but I do, Gia.” He grabbed the handlebars of her bike so she couldn’t move it.
“Let go,” she gave a quick jerk but his strength was too much.
“We need to talk about what I asked you the other night,” he stated.
Gia’s nerves began to tremble and her resolve to put distance between her and the vamp was crumbling. She shook her head, “I can’t. I’m sorry,” she ducked her chin.
“Why?”
“You know the answer to that question.”
“I want a better answer than just the fact that I am a vampire and you are…what you are. I deserve that.”
“What kind of life would that be? You would sleep while I’m awake and vice versa. We would never see each other, Layton. I don’t want to live like that.” She wiped at the tears dripping from her eyes.
“I love you and that should be enough to build any sort of life.”
“I’m leaving,” she looked up into his bright aqua eyes.
“Excuse me?”
“I need time away from Vegas. Micah offered me a place to stay in Blue Creek.”
“No. I will not let you leave with him and I will not let you anywhere near that town.”
“You don’t have a choice in the matter.” She laughed.
“Are we going to play that game?”
“What are you talking about?” she crossed her arms over her chest.
“We still have a contract.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, I’m not. Trust me, I didn’t develop a sense of humor in jail.”
“You would force me to stay here with you?”
“Yes.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you pal,” Gia spun around to see Micah walking up with his hands shoved in his jean pockets. “You okay?” he asked her.
“I’m fine.”
“Walk away, dog,” Layton warned.
“And what are you gonna do if I don’t? Rip my throat out like you did Hank’s?” Micah taunted. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“Let’s just leave,” she tugged on her friends’ shirt.
“No.” he shrugged her off. “You can’t protect her.”
“And you can?” Layton asked.
“Yeah, we can. Our numbers are far greater than yours, buddy.”
“What in the hell are you talking about?” Gia stood there with confusion blanketing her entire being.
“If you take her back there, they will tear her to shreds.” There was extreme worry on Layton’s face.
“No, they won’t. I made a deal with them and they have promised sanctuary for her. She’s not safe here, especially with that loose cannon of a sister you have.”
“Can someone please tell me what the fuck is going on?” Gia tried to get their attention but both men ignored her.
“If you try to leave with her, I will show you pain like you’ve never felt before.” Anger dripped from Layton’s voice.
“Bring it on, tough guy,” Micah stood toe to toe with the vamp.
Gia finally reached her limit of the testosterone show. She stepped between them and placed her palms on Micah’s chest. “I think you need to go home before something bad happens to you,” she warned.
“You’re probably right.” He replied. “See you in the morning.”
Gia had agreed to leave during the daylight hours so as not to be followed. But before she left, Layton had to be dealt with. “Let’s go somewhere and talk,” she suggested as she turned back to Layton.
He’d relaxed slightly but she could tell he was still on edge. “We’ll go to Desire.”
Letting out a deep sigh, she kept her aggravation with his location choice to herself. A sex club was the last place she wanted to go with a man who managed to trip her lust trigger every time she thought about him. There had been several times she’d lain in bed, wishing he were over her, touching and teasing his way across every inch of her body. She couldn’t let that happen though. The rules of their encounter would be simple…tie up loose ends and say goodbye.
Four
“CAN I GET YOU SOMETHING to drink?” Layton sat behind his desk and asked.
“No, I’m fine.” Gia’s eyes darted around the room, almost refusing to land on his.
“I don’t want to strong-arm you into staying.” He leaned back in his chair and waited.
“It sure as fuck doesn’t seem like it. You basically told me since I signed a contract with you, I’m not free to do what I please.” He watched her stand from her chair, pacing the space in an uncomfortable manner. “This isn’t the middle ages. You can’t treat a human being like this,” she tossed her hands in the air.
“You’re not human.”
“Fuck you!” she stormed around his desk, reared her hand back and proceeded to slap him across the face.
Before she made contact, Layton grasped her wrist and stood, “Marry me,” he growled.
“You sure do pick the most inopportune times to propose. Someone needs to teach you a thing or two about romance.” She let her hand go limp in his cool grasp.
“Don’t ever be ashamed of what you are. There is nothing wrong with it.” He brushed past her. “Come with me.” Grabbing the doorknob, he gave it a twist and pulled the door open. “Please.” He added while motioning her out the door.
“Wow, it looks like someone learned manners while he was locked up. Kudos to our justice system.”
“Keep it up and I will demonstrate just how well-mannered I can be.” With any other person, the sass would have angered him. But with Gia, it only worked him up to wanting her more. She was an irresistible taste that he just couldn’t cleanse himself of.
“Where are we going?” she stopped down a long hallway.
“In here.” Layton pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked a door. He then pushed it open, letting her step inside the darkened area. When the light flickered on, Gia peered around the room and gasped.
***
“Is it bad that I expected some sort of torture room?” she stepped further into the space, glancing at what the room contained.
“Oh, I have one of those too,” Layton moved around her with a devilish smirk on his gorgeous face.
“What is all of this?” she ran her fingers over an antiquated piece of luggage. The worn leather showed numerous cracks and crevices that it had garnered with much use.
“All of this is what is left of my former life…my life as a human.”
The room was filled with shelves of things that would make any antique dealer faint in awe. Clothing from an era gone by hung on a rack, just rotting away from its lack of wear.
“Is this really your stuff from before?” She asked while picking up a shaving brush, bristles falling to the shelf from dry-rot.
“I should probably toss everything out,” Layton said as he glanced around the room, almost pining for his days as a human.
Gia could see the disappointment on his face and she couldn’t help but feel for him. “No, you shouldn’t. This is who you are.”
“It’s who I was.”
Looking around once more, she turned back to him and said, “If you want me to be proud of what I am, then you need to accept who you were and who you are now.”
“I don’t think it’s that simple.” He admitted.
“Maybe not, but you can’t expect me to be happy if you aren’t. Layton, I love you so much that it hurts inside.” Tears began pooling in her eyes and her hands shook with some sort of adrenaline rush that made her feel edgy.
He stepped closer, leaning his head toward hers, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “Don’t let me lose you.”
“I won’t.”
Silence stretched for a few minutes until he suddenly pulled her into his arms. At first, it was a loving gesture but soon she felt a need that only he could quell.
Five
“LAYTON, I NEED to feel you. All of you,” she stepped back, grabbing the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head. The baby blue bra she wore stunned against the backdrop of her porcelain skin causing it to glow. “I missed you so much,” she said while unbuttoning and unzipping her jeans. “Tell me you want me.” He watched her hook her fingers in the sides of her pants and push them down her creamy thighs. When they were to the floor, she stepped from them and stood upright.
“I want you,” he rasped. As she stood looking like a forbidden temptress, Gia smoothed a hand down her stomach, his mouth watering when she reached the top of her bare mound. “Fuck,” he shook his head. There were a number of things on the earth that he could resist, but she wasn’t one of them. It was as if they shared a bond deeper than love and emotion. He would eventually persuade her to marry him, then she would be by his side for the rest of her life. As for him, he wouldn’t think about losing her until that time came. She was susceptible to death, unlike him and the day would come when he would watch her wither away. For so long he focused on the past and future, but for now, the present was the only thing in his sights. Gia, was the only thing in the world that mattered and he would do anything to show her how much she meant to him.
***
A hurried sensation plagued Gia as she waited for Layton to take over. It was as if he waged an internal battle in his mind that caught his attention. She needed him to be there with her because in her mind, it would be the last time she was with him. She was serious about leaving Las Vegas and going with Micah to Blue Creek. It wasn’t a ‘fuck you’ to Layton either. It was more so to get away so that she could forget the pain of losing her dad. It wasn’t long before her strength faded and Gia began feeling the hollow hole right through her heart. She wanted to be able to grab her phone and give him a call or to stop by his house and chat over a cup of coffee. Neither would happen. The only thing she had was a voicemail he’d left on her cell phone a few weeks before his murder. It would have to do.
“You’re somewhere else,” Layton said as he placed a finger under her chin.
When she looked up, she said, “I am.”
“Does being here bother you?” he motioned to the room they occupied.
“Not at all. It’s just that everything is weighing down on me like I’m carrying another person around.�
�� She admitted.
“Anything I can do to help?” his hands smoothed down her bare shoulders.
“Can you bring my dad back?” her half smile soon morphed into a gloomy expression.
“If I could, I would do that for you. I would do anything you wanted me to as long as I could see a smile on your face when I woke at dusk.”
“You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because they make me fall more in love with you.”
Layton pulled her to his chest and placed his chin on the top of her head. “Then marry me.”
“So, we’re back to this again?”
“I don’t like taking no for an answer.”
“That’s abundantly clear.” She pulled away and laughed, the sexual energy she’d felt earlier fading in a quick manner.
Layton stepped forward and pulled her hands into his. “I understand your reservations about entering into marriage with me but every relationship contains flaws. I am what I am and I cannot apologize for that. Life with me wouldn’t be a sugar-coated road to paradise, Gia, but I can love you unconditionally.”
“I believe you but I need time, Layton.” She tugged her warm hands from his cooler ones. “Can you give me that?”
He seemed to be considering her for a half a minute then replied, “I’m not going anywhere. Take the time you need and when you’re ready to give me an answer, I’ll be right here.”
Layton’s statement elated and frightened Gia. She honestly didn’t know what the heck she wanted at that point. So many emotions were swamping her and she couldn’t make sense of any of them. Either way, she was sticking to her plan of going to Blue Creek for a while. The glittering lights of Vegas were just way too much to handle.
Six
“DO YOU HAVE EVERYTHING you need?” Micah began loading Gia’s suitcases in the extended cab of his truck.
“I think so,” Gia said as she mentally ticked things off her travel list. “Wait, I’ll be right back.” She turned and made her way back into her house. It was strange to leave everything behind with the plan of moving for a while. She wasn’t sure how long she would be in Blue Creek but her suitcases were filled with enough clothes and shoes to last for quite some time.
