A Vampire for Christmas

chapter ELEVEN

DELLA THOUGHT ABOUT CLOSING the diner early, but it was Christmas Eve and her friends were counting on her. So she’d showered, changed into another Christmas shirt and forced her lips to curve up in a smile she didn’t really feel.



No word from Eagan. Not last night and not all day. She kept telling herself that he’d gotten caught up in his case. Odd that she found him being an undercover cop harder to believe than that he was a vampire. By the time she and Daniel had reached Tenn at the end of the alley, half a dozen men all flashing badges and fangs had arrived.



One had stopped long enough to introduce himself as Eagan’s boss, Lieutenant Hughes. After making sure that she was all right, he’d warned her that Eagan might be tied up for a while and not to worry, that he’d come around. Then he’d winked at her and headed off down the alley. She wasn’t sure exactly what he’d meant.



Someone had driven Daniel home. Later, the teenager had called, all excited. His mother was moving them to a better apartment where she’d be managing the building in return for a salary and free rent. Della suspected Eagan was behind the family’s windfall, bless him. On the other hand, after taking a brief statement from her, she hadn’t heard another word from the police over what had happened in the alley.



That had been twenty-four hours ago.



Tenn was in the kitchen whistling an off-key rendition of one of her favorite Christmas carols. When he spotted her, he nodded and kept stirring the pot of vegetable soup she’d asked him to make for Christmas Day.



Have we been busy?”



Not bad. Enough to keep us from getting bored. Not enough to spoil my good mood.”



He studied her. “How about you? Have you recovered from yesterday?”



Mostly.” She ran her hands up and down her arms at the memory. “I never got around to thanking you for coming to rescue us. You have no idea how dangerous those guys were.”



Yeah, actually I do.” He set the spoon back down on the counter. “You seem to be handling the fact that your boyfriend is a vampire pretty well. Would it surprise you to learn that your fry cook gets all furry every full moon?”



She swallowed hard as she stared into his eyes, now more gold than caramel-brown. “Uh, all things considered, not all that much. I’m not sure Eagan would appreciate being called my boyfriend, though.”



Then he’s an idiot. Now get out of my kitchen. You’re in my way.”



She ignored the order long enough to give him a quick hug on her way by. “Your secret is safe with me.”



He squeezed her back. “I know. And you might try calling him. I’m betting he’ll come.”



When she pulled out her cell phone, Tenn took it from her. “Not that way. Talk to him the way you did in the alley.”



You could hear us?”



No, but that’s how vampires communicate with their, uh, well, damn. Just try it and see what happens.” She wasn’t so sure it was a good idea. One night of hot sex didn’t a commitment make, no matter how perfect it had been. Out in the dining room, she looked around for something to do. Harry was at his usual table talking with Lupe.



The old man waved her over. “There you are, young lady! We were getting worried about you. Come sit with us.”



Lupe scooted over to make room for her. “I can only stay a minute, then I should get busy.”



I hope you had no lasting effects from last night, Della. Thank goodness that young man of yours and his fellow detectives arrived when they did. I was just telling Lupe how he and Tenn were able to track you. I may have pointed them toward the alley, but I’m convinced they would have found you even without my help.”



Then Harry smiled at her. “Vampires and werewolves have such heightened senses, you know. Back in my prime, I would’ve given them a run for their money, but we fae are at a distinct disadvantage with so much metal around. Most of my abilities have faded away completely.”



Was she the only purely human in the room? Evidently, considering Lupe’s eyes were the same shade of burnished gold as Tenn’s. Her friend merely shrugged.



“I admit I was wrong about your Eagan.”



Della accepted two more hugs before moving on to greet the few remaining customers. When they were gone, she’d close up shop. She’d already handed out most of the gifts from under the tree. The remaining ones were for the friends she knew would be back tomorrow for soup and games.



And the one she’d put there for Eagan. She fingered the ribbon on the package. Maybe after she locked up, she’d give him a call. Just friend-to-friend, to make sure he was all right. After all, that’s what Christmas was all about: hope, friendship and love.



Her gargoyle ornament caught her attention, his eyes reflecting the twinkle of the lights and his dimpled smile showing off his big teeth to perfection. Like she’d always thought, nothing said Christmas like a smile and a flash of fangs. She just hadn’t realized how right on target she’d been for all these years.



For the first time all day, her own smile felt genuine, her heart lighter. Oh, yeah, she was definitely going to make that call.





AS MUCH AS EAGAN had wanted to destroy the two vampires who’d cornered Della and Daniel, he’d restrained himself. They were only little fish in a much-bigger pond. In exchange for their help tracking down the barracuda at the top of the food chain, he’d let them live. Bruised and battered, yeah, but they’d heal. Della would’ve been proud of him for his forbearance.



It didn’t help that no one had ever explained the rules to them, the ones that helped supernaturals survive in the human world. Whoever had turned them had callously sent them out on the streets to entice desperate teenagers with the promise of money for blood. The lieutenant was looking into placing the two with a friend of his to see if they could be redeemed. If not, well, at least they’d been given a second chance. It was up to them to do something with it.



The bottom line was that Eagan had been so caught up in the case, the rest of the night and most of the day had passed by before he’d had a chance to come up for air. Sometime during those long hours, he’d come to the realization that he didn’t want to go back to his condo alone.



No, the only place he wanted to be was decorated with checkered tablecloths, lace curtains, and had a dress code that mandated T-shirts with a holiday theme. Thank goodness the stores were still open because he definitely had some last-minute shopping to do.


“MERRY CHRISTMAS and good night! See you all tomorrow!”

Della waited until her friends were all out of sight before she stepped out onto the sidewalk herself. She closed her eyes and opened her thoughts.

“Eagan, please come back.”

A pair of warm hands settled on her shoulders. “I’m already here.”

Her heart did backflips in her chest. “It’s about time.”

Eagan slid his arms around her waist and pulled her against the hard planes of his chest. “Sorry, but the case took longer than I expected, and I hadn’t done my Christmas shopping yet. I didn’t want to be the only one here tomorrow without presents for everyone.”

She basked in his warmth along her back. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”



“I almost didn’t. I have to be honest with you, Della. Living with a vampire is hard enough, but my job only makes it that much worse. When I get tied up in a case, I can be gone for days at a time.”



He nuzzled her neck. “But then I realized the only present I wanted for Christmas was you. That is, if you’ll have me. Not sure how it happened, but I love you, Della.”



She let his truth settle deep inside her. “I love you, too, Eagan. And I don’t care how long you’re gone as long as you promise to always come back to me.”



He gently spun her around to face him and held out a small box. “Wild horses, werewolves and old elves couldn’t keep me away. Marry me?”



“Oh, yes.” She slipped the ring on her finger and then leaped into his arms. His kiss was everything she’d ever hoped for. More than a little breathless, she retreated a step. “We’d better take this inside.”



Then she blinked. “What are you wearing?”



Eagan grinned and held his coat open to give her a better look. It was a black T-shirt. The huge snowman on the front was sporting its own pair of particularly large canine teeth, which glowed in the dark. Underneath it said, The Holidays Are Fangtastic!



Her vampire looked darn cute and so proud of himself. “I’m glad you like it because I got you one just like it. Thought we could be a matched set tomorrow.”



“You bet. Now sweep me off my feet! I’m in the mood to do a little private celebrating before the others get here tomorrow.”



His eyes flashed black as he tossed her over his shoulder and bounded up the steps.



“I definitely like the way you think, lady, and I can’t wait to unwrap the best present I’ve ever had—you.”