From the Darkness (Blackwood Vampires Book 1)

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From the Darkness (Blackwood Vampires Book 1) Page 9

by E. J. King


  Sure, it was possible it was just a coincidence. But that didn’t explain why he was staring right at me, watching my every move.

  “Hey, Hottie! I need beer.”

  I blinked hard and snapped back to reality. I had a job to do; Shades could wait. But the next time I had a break long enough to look around the bar, he was gone.

  It took longer than usual to clear out the bar and I was in a bad mood by the time I cashed in my tips. My haul was good, but it was late and I was exhausted. Boomer offered to walk me to my car. It was a nice offer, but I didn’t need anyone to protect me. I’d gotten pretty good at protecting myself over the years.

  The parking lot had been full when I arrived, so I’d had to park around the corner. Walking to my car, I sensed that I wasn’t alone. I whirled to face whomever, or whatever, might be following me. There was nothing behind me but an empty, dark street.

  “Paranoid,” I muttered to myself, turning back, then pulling up short when I saw that I wasn’t alone. “You.”

  Shades smirked, nearly imperceptibly in the dark. He was leaning against the side of my car with his arms crossed over his chest.

  “Me,” he said, his voice as deep as his laugh.

  “What do you want?” I asked, trying not to sound nervous. I wasn’t exactly afraid that he was going to hurt me, but I didn’t like not knowing his motives. “Why are you following me?”

  “I’m here to save you, Kaylie.”

  “You are going to save me?” I laughed, but hearing him say my name also made me shiver. “Creepy and funny. You are quite the catch.”

  He pushed away from the car, pulling up to his full height. It was the first time I had seen him standing and I was surprised that he was well over six-feet-tall.

  “You heard about the blond girl that was killed last night?”

  I nodded and swallowed hard. Just a couple of blocks away from where we stood, a college girl had been brutally attacked. “What of it?”

  “It was supposed to be you.” Shades took a step forward and every muscle in my body tensed.

  Could he be one of them? How had I not suspected that already? Especially since I had never seen him without his shades. “What do you want?” I repeated.

  “I need you to come with me, Kaylie.” He moved even closer.

  “Why would I ever do that?”

  He leaned close, so close that I caught whiff of his scent, spicy and intoxicating, and also familiar. “Because I was the one that saved you that night.”

  Ever since I had found myself in the arms of that stranger, being carried to safety after my family had been brutally murdered in front of me, I had wanted nothing more than to find that man and learn the truth about what happened that night.

  Shades knew the exact thing to say that would get me to listen.

  Even though I knew it was crazy to go anywhere with him, I got in my car and followed him as he drove toward the edge of town. He stopped in front of an all-night diner that boasted to have the best coffee in the area. I was skeptical.

  “You’re hungry?” I asked in disbelief as we stood in front of the neon diner sign.

  “I’m always hungry,” he replied dryly. “But I also didn’t suspect you would be willing to follow me into my motel room.”

  I nodded. “So at least you’re not a complete idiot.”

  “I make no promises.” He nodded toward the door. “Let’s go.”

  The diner was nearly empty, but Shades led us to the back and picked a booth in the corner. He slid into the mafia seat and reached for a menu.

  I sat across from him, not quite sure where to look.

  “Late night?” the waitress asked.

  “Is there any other kind?” Shades said, flashing a blinding smile. It occurred to me based on the waitress’s reaction that his smile had probably gotten him into a lot of women’s beds.

  “What can I get you?” she asked, playfully batting her lashes as she smiled at him.

  He handed her the menu. “Burger. Fries. Chocolate shake- extra thick.”

  I groaned internally as I watched her cheeks flush. She started to walk away without even glancing in my direction. “I’ll take a coffee!”

  “Oh. Of course,” she said, noticing me for the first time.

  “Wearing those shades inside makes you look like a complete tool,” I said, glaring at him as he stared at the waitress’s ass.

  He reluctantly turned to me. “Wearing that sneer makes you look like a complete bitch.”

  The door chimed behind us as another patron entered the diner. I was surprised when Shades waved a hand, flagging over the newcomer.

  “Well done, Rafe,” a man said. “You got her to come.”

  “I always do,” Shades replied with a wink.

  I threw up a little in my mouth. “Rafe? What kind of name is that?”

  The new arrival slid into the booth next to Shades and stuck out his hand. “Ethan Night.”

  I shook it hesitantly. “Kaylie Jones.”

  Ethan’s lips twitched. “You’ve met my brother?”

  “Not officially.” I took a good look at Ethan, appreciating his kind eyes and warm smile.

  He was light where his brother was dark- blond hair, fair skin, and pale blue eyes. The family resemblance could be seen in their strong jaws and inviting smiles.

  “James Rafferty,” Shades said with a sigh. “Most people call me Rafe.”

  “You’re brothers? But you have different last names?” It was hard not to feel a little inadequate sitting across from the attractive brothers. I was definitely the odd man out.

  “Same mother, different fathers,” Ethan explained smoothly. “Rafe is the older brother.”

  “Older, better- same thing.” Rafe was less abrasive with his brother around, something I was starting to appreciate.

  “It’s been really great getting to know your family history, but do you mind telling me what in the hell I’m doing here?”

  The waitress returned with my coffee and Rafe’s meal, which he started devouring instantly. Ethan ordered a coffee and waited for the waitress to leave before saying, “Rafe didn’t tell you?”

  “Rafe hasn’t done anything but flirt with the waitress and inhale half of his burger,” I snapped.

  Ethan chuckled. “You’re right, Rafe. She’s sassy.”

  “Okay, fine. I’ll just leave.” I put my hands on the table and started to slide out of the booth, but Ethan grabbed my arm.

  “Don’t. Please stay. I promise we’ll explain.”

  “I don’t even know you. Why would I trust you?” I said.

  Rafe pushed away his empty plate and said, “Because we’re Hunters.”

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