by Emma Shade
“Nobody can force me,” she said, arms crossed in defiance. “You can’t make me do anything I don’t want to do.”
Sam and I chomped on our donuts and sipped on coffee, watching the scene. I wasn’t sure who would win the argument, but either way, I was staying until it played out.
“Are you challenging me?” Alistair growled. “Because, trust me, I’ll drag you out of here with any means necessary.”
“Whatever, Alistair. You think you’re so big and bad? I’d like to see you try,” she dared, and stormed towards the door.
“Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Alistair said.
In a blur, he bent at the waist and caught her before Paige made it into the hall. He seized her hips and tossed her over his shoulder.
“Let me go, you stupid son of a bitch! You can’t do this!” she barked, flailing her feet.
As she screeched and pulverized his back, he turned towards Sam and I. “We’re leaving soon. Jamison, Ashton, and Blake will stop by to pick you up in ten minutes.” Pointing towards Paige’s ass, he instructed, “Pack her shit too.”
And then they were gone, Paige cussing and shouting the whole way down the hall. The elevator or stairs cut them off, I’m not sure which, and after Sam and I giggled about Alistair and Paige, we started packing our belongings.
“Sam, do you think this is the smart thing to do? Leave like this?” I asked, tossing my shoes in a bag.
“Honey, I think whatever will keep you alive the longest is the best thing to do. If that means ditching Las Vegas, then yes, I agree.”
“I guess,” I said, tossing Sam Paige’s phone charger.
He snatched the charger, and paused to look at me. “I know what you’re thinking. But as long as you’ve been sticking to what I told you, then you’re good to go.”
“About that...” I hedged, and kept my eyes on my duffle bag, jostling items around to make more room.
He gave an exasperated sigh, and asked, “You haven’t been doing anything I told you to, have you?”
“Well, I was at first. Then everything happened with the Enforcers. But I haven’t spent much time with Ashton or Blake, to be honest. Although Ashton saw right through me during lunch that day.”
“I wondered if he would. But...” Sam began, but the door opening stopped the words in his throat.
Speak of the devil. Ashton strolled in, dressed in dark jeans, a black Armani T-shirt, and sandals. Blake followed, wearing ripped jeans, a blue V-neck shirt with skulls, and sneakers. Jamison, dressed in a suit and tie, most likely a very lavish brand, wandered in after the other two men. Three polar opposites. Different in every way possible.
I sighed and pushed past the men in the room to pack up our toiletries. Luckily we hadn’t unpacked much of it. Just enough to shower late last night.
“Where’s Paige,” Blake asked, propped up against the doorway of the bathroom.
“You didn’t hear her all over Las Vegas?” I chuckled. “Alistair carted her off over his shoulder. She wasn’t too happy about it.”
“I wish I would’ve seen it,” he admitted, beaming at me.
I zipped up my loofah and face wash into a plastic bag and spun to face him. I was still mad as hell at him. I whispered, “Why did you lie to me?”
The smile slowly fell off his face. Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t know. It was stupid.”
“Ya think?” I replied, and snatched Paige’s bag off the vanity. Pitching in her shampoo and conditioner, I said, “You were the one person who’d always been honest with me. Even Sam had lied in a way. But you were a straight shooter. Always told me the truth, no matter how much it might hurt. That’s what I loved about you.”
“I’m sorry, Lily. I wish I could take it back, but I can’t. Don’t be mad at me,” he pleaded.
“Blake,” I sighed, “the one thing that held us together, besides our attraction, was that you never lied. And come to find out, you were dishonest from the beginning. What makes you so different than Ashton now? You don’t have a leg to stand one when it comes to whatever relationship we could have had. What can you offer me that Ashton can’t? Nothing.”
Blake’s face paled. “You don’t mean that.”
“Blake,” I said, coming forward to place a hand on his cheek, “I mean every single word of it. Do you promise that there’s nothing else you’re lying about? I can’t take any more deception.”
Swallowing, Blake placed his hand over mine. “I promise that if there’s anything else, you’ll be the first to know.”
I nodded, and even though he hadn’t actually answered me, it was all I’d get for now. But, he kept something hidden. I was sure of it. The regret and guilt behind his eyes said as much. Blake Moore had skeletons in his closet clear up to his eyeballs, and once that door opened, they’d topple down faster than an avalanche. I was just worried he’d get buried in the process. Or me for that matter.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
As promised, we traveled to the airport within a few minutes after packing. The sleek, black limo carried Ashton, Blake, Jamison, and Sam. And, of course, me.
The ride was quiet for the most part. Blake, wallowing in self-pity, stared out the dark tinted windows. Ashton, eyes always on me, watched every move with scrutiny. Jamison tapped on his cell phone, oblivious to the rest of us. Sam, though, turned up the stereo and belted out his rendition of “Counting Stars” by One Republic from the radio.
Jamison put his phone away and joined in with Sam. Both of them sang in tune, and a smile blossomed on my face.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Sam reached up and opened the sunroof of the limo. He stood on the leather seat and stuck his head out.
I grabbed his leg. “Sam! What are you doing?”
Ashton ordered, “Get your head back inside this limo before you get decapitated.”
Keeping his hands on the edge of the sunroof, he peeked back into the cab of the vehicle. He said, “Ashton, quit being a fuddy duddy. Lily, get your fine ass up here and enjoy life for a minute!”
Glancing at me, Ashton said, “Don’t you dare.”
That was all it took to make my decision. I stood up and popped my head out of the sunroof. Ashton wrapping his hand around my leg. The wind muffled Ashton’s and Blake’s disapproving comments and the warnings of hanging out a sunroof.
Sam popped back up and we squeezed close together, waiving at people on the sidewalk.
Sam, smiling ear to ear, hollered over the roaring wind, “See? This is fun!”
I laughed, grinning back him. Tossing my arm over his shoulder, I shouted, “Yep! You always know how to have a good time, Sam.”
Placing a kiss on my cheek, he said, “You know we’ll be dancing when we get back to Revive, right?”
“Well, duh! Why wouldn’t we?”
“Well, you know Ashton and Blake....” Sam started, but disappeared into the cabin of the limo with an oomph.
“Sam?” I called out and stared down in the limo, only to see Ashton staring back up at me.
He pointed up at me and then gestured to the floor, indicating he wanted me back inside the cab. Party pooper. Slinking down though the sunroof, I plopped in the buttery, smooth leather with a huff. Sam reflected his frustration as well.
With a wink, Blake said, “Well, we all know who the stickler of the group is.”
“Hey,” Ashton snapped, “forgive me if I don’t want them to be injured.”
Shaking his head, Blake replied, “You act like Lily and Sam are your children who just learned to crawl. Hovering over them to make sure they don’t get hurt. But, hey, if you want to crawl so far up their asses that neither of them can breathe, be my guest. When Lily can’t stand you anymore, then I’ll have the advantage.”
“Yeah, Ashton,” Sam piped in. “I understand the reasons behind your actions, but I don’t feel like chasing Lily all over creation again. Besides, spending the last two months with your bitching all the time got old fast.”
Ashton gr
owled, rumbling deep in his throat. “Well before we cast stones at my perfectionist nature, why don’t we hash out all of our misgivings? Hmm? Sam, you took off without bearing in mind that you might kill an innocent bystander. Along with the inexperience that you could’ve exposed what you were, you also boarded a normal airlines with your luggage stacked with bags of blood. And, Blake, let’s not forget your sister and her involvement with the Enforcers. Keeping everyone, including Lily, the woman you supposedly love, in the dark. Sure, they’re stationary for now, but it could’ve been so much worse back in the hotel.
“And you, Lily,” Ashton said, glowering at me, “left everyone behind. Not looking back at what any of us could offer you. Friendship, understanding, and most of all, love. It’s as if you didn’t want it. That you were too good for us. How do you think that makes me feel?”
I gaped at him, tears forming on my lashes. I blinked them away, and tossed back, “You know what I was thinking? How I felt? These two men who supposedly would’ve given anything to possess my heart, left me alone when I needed them the most. You, Ashton, flat out lied about changing Sam.” I held up a hand to stop Sam’s protest. “Yeah, you made a ‘deal’ with Sam, blah, blah, blah. That’s a fucking crap excuse if I ever heard one. I was lead to believe my best friend was dying, when the simple truth would’ve changed everything.
“And, Blake,” I jabbed a finger at Blake, “you shut down at the hospital. You flat out lied to all of us about your sister and the people out to kill me. All you had to do was tell me what was going on, and I would’ve understood.”
Sam whooped at my girly rant, his face beaming at me. But he his face fell when I turned on him. “Sam, you, of all people, know what I experienced with Conrad Steele and how I felt when I discovered I was this mystical vampire/conjurer freak. Yet, my best friend couldn’t tell me of his plan to be changed into a vampire. I know this was not a last minute decision. Hell, there wasn’t time for any last minute decisions. Only I find out months after I think you’re dead, that you had an arrangement with Ashton to be changed. A white lie is still a lie, Sam.
“None of you are perfect, nor am I. From here on out, I expect some damn respect and nobody, and I mean nobody, is going to tell me how to live my life. I can’t do it any longer. I can’t be a puppet on a string anymore. Got it?”
Sam blinked a few times, most likely from shock. Or, for all I knew, he was blinking back tears. Ashton and Blake gaped at me. I hadn’t cared.
Jamison, most likely thankful he didn’t get the brunt of my anger, shrugged, and said, “You know, I don’t mean to intrude on this pointin’ fingers business, but I wanted to let ya’ll l know I’m hear if you need me. I’ll gladly let my second in command take over while I help you in Indiana. It sounds like ya’ll are going to need it.”
“Thanks, Jamison,” I replied. “You don’t have to do that for us. You’re going to have enough on your hands with everything going on in Las Vegas.”
The limo turned directly on to the tarmac and headed towards a private jet. Jamison cocked his head. He muttered, “Yeah, Paige is in a pissed off mood anyway. I’d rather avoid that. But the offer still stands. I’m just a phone call away.”
“Thank you, Jamison. It means the world to me.” Ashton admitted.
We loaded out of the limo and onto the tarmac, and instantly heard Paige’s raised voice coming from the plane.
Ashton gave Jamison one of those manly hugs, a quick arm around the shoulders and a pat or two on the back.
After he was done with Ashton, I smiled at him and wrapped my arms around Jamison’s waist. He was tall enough that my when he squeezed me in return, my cheek squashed against his chest.
Pulling back, he whispered, “Take care of yourself, darlin’. I don’t want to hear about anymore ruckus when it comes to you.”
I laughed and drew away. “You’re the biggest ruckus starter ever. Thank you for taking us under your wing and keeping an eye on us while we were here.” I popped him on the arm. “Even though you lied too.”
He grimaced at Paige’s swear words screaming from the aircraft. “Even though I hate to say it, take care of Paige too. She needs to let people in and stop bein’ so darn bitter all the time. And, of course, don’t give Ashton that much of a hard time. He means well.”
I nodded, giving him one more hug before strolling towards the plane behind Blake and Ashton. I’d miss Jamison and his southern accent. Not in a romantic way, but in a good friend way. Sure, he was hot, but I had enough men trouble to throw another one in the mix.
Sighing in resignation, I boarded the plane and took a seat across next to Sam. I purposely sat where Ashton and Blake couldn’t see me.
The jet’s cabin was huge with soft, buttery leather seats. Four seats faced each other with a large, elegant table in the middle. The cabin was opulent, no detail left untouched. Leather, sleek lines, and chrome.
Alistair and Paige sat across from us. Paige worked her jaw, grinding her teeth together. Alistair sat beside her with his phone in his hand, not even acknowledging Paige’s tantrum. It was as if she’d remained quiet the entire time.
After we secured our seatbelts, Sam leaned over, placing his head on my shoulder, and murmured, “I’m sorry about everything. I never wanted to hurt you.”
I rested my head on his. “I know. I’m sorry I said some mean things.”
“Nah, I deserved it. I, of all people, should’ve told you. It’s what a best friend should do. It just took you blowing a fuse for me to see it,” Sam said, poking my arm.
“I forgive you, Sam. You couldn’t very well tell me when you had all those pipes and tubes poking out of you. Besides, you’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”
He gasped, “You know what heading back to Indiana means?”
“What?” I asked. I propped my head up and he met me face to face.
With a mock whisper, he teased, “It means you can get laid again.”
“Sam!” I gasped, and smacked him on the arm.
“What?” he questioned, waggling his eyebrows. “You aren’t going to allow another man to touch you again? I don’t think so. Once you’re alone with Ashton, your panties are going to fall faster than singles in a strip club.”
Even though Sam was speaking softly, vampires had an astonishing range of hearing. Alistair’s smirk and Ashton’s chuckle from across the plane said as much. My face turned beat red and I hid my face in my hands.
Muffled against my palms, I breathed, “Sam, they can hear everything we’re saying.”
Sam giggled. “I didn’t think about that. So much of this vampire stuff to learn. Oh well, not like it’s a big surprise or anything.”
“Yes, it is,” I countered. “What happened to remain strong and coldhearted?”
“Eh,” he said, flapping his hand in the air. “I knew it wouldn’t last long anyway. You’re not coldhearted and I was surprised you were able to hold out as long as you did.”
I frowned. “So whose lesson was it for, then? Me?”
He shrugged, waggling his eyebrows again.
I huffed and crossed my arms.
The airplane elevated and the engines rumbled as we flew into the air. My ears popping as we rose higher and higher, I shut my eyes and rested my head on the back of the leather seat. In a few short hours, I’d be back in the city I left everything behind. Unsure what my future held, I allowed the reverberation of the jet lull me to sleep.
Standing inside Revive, Blake and Ashton stood in front of me. I crumpled my brows in confusion, unsure why the mood in the room was crestfallen.
And then like a scattered satellite signal, the vision scrambled. Arms enveloped me in a tight hug. Tears blossomed on my lashes as sorrow wretched my soul. Everything was shadowed, my eyesight unable to focus on the person who held me or my surroundings. The strong arms slipped away and I reached for them, attempting to figure out who it was. But they were gone and my garbled vision faded as I woke.
Nothing gave away my decis
ion. Nothing showed what happened other than the blurry end result. My premonitions were always blatantly candid and unchanging. This premonition was unlike any I ever experienced. It was as though fate hadn’t known the full story. And that scared the living shit out of me.
*****
I woke with a gasp of air, the plane making its decent.
Sam jerked beside me, wide eyed gaze scrutinizing my reaction. Paige, on the other hand, knew I’d experienced something in my sleep. Her eyebrow rose and she looked expectantly at me.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, “I had a nightmare.”
“When did you start having nightmares?” Sam asked. “You usually only have premonitions when you sleep.
“Um...well, uh...I started having weird dreams after you died,” I hedged. Which was a lie, sort of. Sure, I had a couple nightmares after I left, which replayed the moment of Con’s sword sinking into Sam, but nothing after that. Actually, now that I thought about it, I hadn’t had many dreams since my arrival in Las Vegas.
Sam’s eyes narrowed, as though he didn’t believe my fabricated story. And then I recalled he could read minds. Shit. Curling his finger, Sam motioned for me to lean closer.
Barely audible, he breathed, “I saw it.”
My eyed widened, and I wheezed, “What?”
Sam tapped his head, positioned his palms together, and pretended to sleep on them.
No way. He saw my dream. The blood drained from my face, my cheeks going cold. Pointing at Sam, I took my fingers, zipped my lips, and locked them with an imaginary key, flinging the fake key over my shoulder.
He bobbed his head in agreement and performed the same gesture with his lips. Except for his ended with a blown kiss instead of a key toss.
When the tires bounced on the runway as we landed, Alistair’s pinched eyes caught mine. He seemed angered that Sam and I kept something from the rest of the group. But yet, he hadn’t voiced his opinion on the matter. Which meant, he understood that I wasn’t ready, or he had something he was hiding as well. Knowing Alistair, I was betting on the latter.
Seatbelts rattled as we unclicked them while the jet taxied the runway.
