Her lashes fluttered at my question, as if she was trying to understand what I’d just said. There was something wrong with her cognitive functions; she was slower to think and was void of personality, almost as if she was stuck in some sort of robotic and depressed state.
“Katelynn, time’s up!” the redheaded Russian screamed at her. The lazy bitch had not moved from the wall, and it looked like she’d been on her phone the entire time. Great babysitting there.
Katelynn ground to a halt, all obedient-like.
Time to break out the big guns. The very thing I would have used on a daily basis if I had ever been a mom. Bribery. “Tell me your room number and I will bring you a present. A stuffed toy.” My heart started to hammer as footsteps sounded behind me. There was more movement, and I heard Ryder’s deep tones as he moved to intercept the redhead.
“They have me on the forty-ninth floor. Room sixteen. I like unicorns.” Her innocent voice shredded my heart.
Room 4916. Gotcha.
“Then I’ll bring a unicorn. Just don’t tell anyone or I can’t see you again.”
A small smile graced her mouth. “Okay.”
She turned and went to her Russian nanny, who was both conversing with my enforcer and glaring at me. I didn’t care. My eyes were glued to Katelynn as devastation at letting her go rocked through me. I just wanted to grab her up, hug her tight and keep her safe. Dammit!
Okay, I needed to focus on what I could do. She said she liked unicorns and she was going to get one. Or at least the blood of one. I might not be able to save her today, but it would not be long before I could.
After they went through the double doors, Ryder took a few long strides to stand before me. He took my face in his hands. “Sometimes I wonder if falling in love with you will be the death of me.”
My breath hitched at his use of the L word. That was a definite declaration, or a roundabout one anyway. Before I could reply, his lips fell on mine and we were locked in a kiss.
This wasn’t the first time we had kissed since our night together, but it was the first where heightened emotions and our fiery attraction merged into one cataclysmic event. I lost all sense of time, worry, fear, and regret. I lived in that moment with Ryder, and if I could have prolonged it forever I’d be signing on the dotted line. Unfortunately, as was the norm of late, all good things had to come to an end.
We mutually pulled apart, both of us a little out of breath, and a lot silver-eyed, I was sure.
I leaned in closer to him, which somehow was still not close enough. “Geeze, I’m so sweaty from that run. I really need a shower but I’m afraid of getting attacked.” My words were light, like I was just making idle conversation, but I was eye-screwing the hell out of him and he knew it.
Ryder’s laughter was so rare that it made it that much more enjoyable to hear; that low rumble warmed my belly. “Why, Charlie Anne, there’s no way I could leave a lady to shower alone in these sort of dangerous times. In fact I’m going to have to insist on this protective shower duty becoming a daily occurrence.”
I grinned, losing all sense of chill as our lips met again, but only briefly this time. It was not a good idea right now, our need out of control, to be kissing in any sort of hardcore fashion. Our bodies were too impatient to be together, so we’d hold back the lust until we got to that shower. It was moments like these that I wished ash had magic powers too. Instant transportation would be very useful right about now.
The next day I was in my living room playing cards with Ryder as Sam sat quietly on the couch, flipping through a magazine. We’d just come back from the rooftop, arguing about when was the right time for me to cure the girl. Ryder wanted to wait until we were ready to run, but I was afraid they would “transfer” her, or whatever bullshit they pretended to do to get rid of the children.
“Boom! Full house!” I slammed my cards down, showing off the three aces and two kings.
Ryder’s face was carved from stone, no smile, no hint of defeat.
“Shit,” I groaned, knowing he must have a better hand than me to be keeping that mask of calm.
Ryder placed his cards down and smiled. “Straight flush.”
I fake pouted. “Cheater.”
Before he could retort, a loud bang-bang-bang came at my door. Sam was up and across the room with his gun drawn in seconds.
“Who is it?” Ryder demanded from behind Sam, his own gun held in a strong grip.
“Oh God, Charlie, I’m so sorry.” The male voice came through clearly, familiar and sounding desperate.
“Blake?” I pushed past my guards and wrenched opened the door.
The vampire’s eyes were red-rimmed, blood crusted around his mouth. His hands were shaking almost uncontrollably.
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
My voice could have cut glass then. “What did you do?” This motherfucker better not mention my best friend.