3 Hit the Road Jack (8 page)

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Lock her up and don’t release her til after I leave.”

“Don’t you dare put your grimey paws on my girl,” Craig bit out between Kai and Mel.

“Mel, you can’t be serious. I won’t let you risk yourself like that.”

“It’s my choice,” she defiantly declared.

“Does your dad know?”

“Yes. He said he knew you would protect me.”

“Wow. No pressure.” I looked around, but no one offered me an answer. I finally turned to Kellan behind me on the stairs still. He shrugged his shoulders.
What the hell?!
No one was willing to step in and back me? “I don’t like this one bit. Do you know how devastated I would be or how guilty I would feel if anything happened to you?”

“Do you know how I would feel if anything happened to you and I didn’t try to help? Do you even know how much guilt I carry around still for what my mom did?” She sighed. “Look, we have nothing to worry about; nothing’s going to happen.” She skipped off towards another suitcase.

Butterflies danced around my stomach as an uncomfortable feeling settled in. This was one time I wished vamps could vomit. Mel was making this much more complicated. As much as she was going to
hate me, I was going to have to leave her and Craig behind somewhere, and I knew he was coming. He wouldn’t leave her in this situation. I didn’t know what kind of view she had of the vamp world, but it was definitely skewed.

“Who’s taking care of Ruby?”

“Kyle. Paid him ten bucks up front and promised him twenty more if he did well, which basically means she’s still alive, not missing any chunks of hair though color was exempt, and had a little food and water in her dish.”

“What about school?”

“My dad’s a vamp. He got me the time off no problem. I’ll have to catch up later, but you can help me.”

“I’m so not a fan of your dad anymore. I really can’t believe he let you go.” I was lost in disbelief.

“Auggy thought it was a good idea too,” she shrugged.

My eyes flew open, fists bunched faster than the speed of light as serum gushed into my mouth. “What?!”

“My dad mentioned it to him since he’s running the whole mission. He thought it was a good idea
.
He s
aid it would keep you focused if my life was on the line too.”

My breathing was shallow, heart racing as if it was still in a human body. “Get her out of here now,” I calmly ordered.

“Our flight leaves in two hours. We have to go,” Al cut in.

“I’m doing this because I l
ove you
,” I said to Mel before heading out to the car quickly. I was about to lose it any second
.
I couldn’t believe Auggy would stoop so low. Clearly he and the High Authorities had no regard for human life anymore. All they could do was sit on their high horses and flick orders at the ants not caring who survived.
The second I saw him again, he was in for it; he could send me to a concentration camp if he wanted to, but he could not and would
not decide the fate of the ones I loved.

By the time Kellan and Al were there
,
my vision was watered over. I couldn't believe she made me do that. I cou
l
dn't
believe
Auggy set that up; he was definitely on my
shit
list
now
.

"You did the right thing," Al said placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"He's right. I'm proud of you,"
 
Kellan projected.
 
"That wasn't easy, but you did what you had to to protect her. She knows that."

"Thanks." I stopped and looked around suddenly realizing William was missing. "Where's -"

"He said he'll meet us there," Kellan cut in having read my thoughts. I didn't even bother asking how he was getting there.

Somehow we were able to skip security and receive a bag of weapons for carry-on. Come to think of it though, the vamp army probably glamoured a few leaders somewhere along the line. Usually
 
I would be opposed to this entirely, but in
this case, I was relieved that
we weren't walking in with only my necklace.

I looked down at my ticket as we boarded the plane. "Why are we in first class?"

"It's the best way to fly," he said. I swung around to Kalel and the rest of the gang behind him.

"Where... How... What?" I couldn't believe they were here.

"You didn't think we'd let you face
Jack
alone did you chica?" Gabi smiled. "Move your
ass
Kai. I want to get comfortable before the plane takes off.

Kai looked directly at me. "I'll always have your back." My heart pounded in my chest as
 
I gazed back into his big brown eyes.

Kellan cleared his throat. I shook my head, breaking my focus. "Thanks everyone, but if any of you get hurt or killed, I will never forgive you, and I give you permission to haunt me."

"Don't encourage the lot," Will said as he went to the seat behind me.

"Ooh, great cackling Casper! Who could skitter at such a gelato of a gapper?" Craig exclaimed, racing onto the plane right as they were getting ready to close the door. I gasped, choking at the sight of him.

"Where is she?" I asked. He stopped beside me and Kellan.

"I locked her up and called her dad to get the code from Art."

"She's going to kill you."

"As long as she doesn't get killed I'll take whatever lashing she lacquers on me."

I cocked my head, looking at the blond Australian surfer who'd just saved my best friend's life at the risk of his own happiness. "Thanks." I tried to control the tears that quickly gathered.
 
"He loves her."
 
I looked at Kellan, lost in awe.

"And I love you."
 
He kissed me softly, pulling me into him.

Chapter 7

Two stops and nearly twenty-four hours later with the time change, we arrived at San Sebastian Airport. A black van picked us up; apparently they were prepared for us.

“I’m branching off on my own. I won’t be far if you need me,” Al stated. I was caught off guard by his announcement, despite what Auggy had ordered.

“Take care Dad,” Kellan said, clapping his dad on the back. Al looked at his son, respect in his eyes despite the concern on his face.

“You too. Take care of her,” he lifted his chin towards me.

“Always.”

“Be careful Al,” I hugged him briefly. I felt a tug at my heart. He wasn’t my father, but he’d stepped in and played an important guiding role in my life over the last couple months. He waved at the others before heading to a taxi a few cars down. I returned my attention to our transportation.

“Hello. I am Matteo, and I will be your driver while you are here,” he introduced, his accent
slightly marring his English. He was young; tan skin, jet black hair and dark brown eyes
that
stared directly at me as he spoke. I shifted uncomfortably at the attention as nearly every male around me bristled.

“We’ll be renting cars after this,” Kai bit out.

Matteo glanced at Kai before returning to me. I slid behind Kellan who instantly straightened himself at my need for protection. I couldn’t fathom what was so interesting about me. I looked down at my VS capri sweats and white tee sticking out below my pink American Eagle hoodie. I was completely covered with no make-up and my hair
up in some sort of mess I was sure. I didn’t find anything attractive about me or on me.

I jumped as Kellan burst out in the native tongue, a biting tone echoing around us in the airport exit corridors. I heard the trunk doors open out. I peeked around to find Matteo averting his eyes as his head hung.

“What the heck did you say to him?”
I projected the demand.

“I told him to stop staring at you and do his job.”

“You didn’t have to be rude about it.”

“He was being rude to you. You don’t ogle people.”

“Ogle? Never heard you say that before.”
I couldn’t hide my amusement. He raised a questioning brow in my direction at the smile on my face.
“You’re cute you know that?”

“And you’re beautiful, but mine. And I don’t like people ogling my stuff.”

“Can you two stop the head chat and get in the van?” Kalel asked, standing impatiently by the open back door. Just as I was about to walk past him, Kalel touched my arm. “Be careful what you think around here. Being together doesn’t protect what you project. You projected part of your thoughts just now.”

“What’s the difference between thinking and projecting?”

“Projecting typically involves a conversation. You’re projecting what you want
to
him,”
he lifted his chin
towards Kellan, “To pick up on an open frequ
ency
.
”

“You’re in the capital of your kind. We’re outsiders here. The French quarter is vampire territory. Because of that you need to be cautious of how you interact with us. It is still widely frowned upon here,” Will
advise
d
, notebook in hand
.

“Basically, you’re the only thing standing between them kicking our asses,” Rafi jumped in.

“Even the embassy?” I checked.

“Especially there. That embassy was established by the original family.”

We drove in silence to the hotel, which was far from fancy, yet still quaint and comfy. It felt homey. Matteo cleared his throat at the door to mine and Kellan's room. I looked to him; he was fidgeting in the door frame.

"The embassy has requested a meeting with you." He passed a quick glance at Kellan before adding, "Alone."

"Why?"

"I do not know the reason. I am only the..." he stopped, peering off at nothing, as if he was trying to find the right word. "Uh, message. I only bring the message."

"You're only the messenger," I offered the phrase.

"Si," he smiled sheepishly.

"She doesn't go anywhere alone," Kellan barked. I put a calming hand on his chest as I turned to face him. He stared over me at Matteo.
 
"I don't trust him."

"What do you think he's going to do?"

"Does it matter?"

"Woah! What's wrong? You've been on edge this entire trip. We both knew it wasn't going to be a vacation. You knew the itinerary, so what's up?"
 
He finally gave me his attention.

"It's hitting me. We're here now and it's all hitting me at once. We have no backup except the ones we brought; we have no one else to trust, and I'm even leery of them sometimes."

"Even Craig?"
 
I cocked a brow.

"Not him, but all the others."
 
He brushed his hand out, flicking it suggestively.

"Kellan, they chose to come. If they wanted, they could have slapped a tracker on us, sold ou
r
location to the enemy and left us defenseless, but they didn't and won't. They're going above and beyond risking themselves for us, for me, and truthfully, I feel better knowing they're here
to
back us. It means there's less of a chance I'll lose you."
 
Tears began to gather despite trying to hold them off. I'd acted foolish with my relationship, dismissed Kellan and his feelings, hurt the one I loved over the one I liked. I couldn't picture my life forever with Kai like I could with Kellan. I d
id
n't know what I'd do without him.

He
drie
d my cheeks with his thumbs.
 
"Don't cry babe. We agreed, no more tears. You're right. This is something we'd have to face eventually and I'd rather do it with back up. And for the record, I let you go off with Kai. I knew I had to step back, no matter how much it hurt me, so you could decide for yourself who you wanted."

"I forgot you could read what I didn't project."
 
I smiled as he wiped away my last stray tear.
 
"Which reminds me, I can't possibly look cute right now."

"I didn't
 
think
 
cut
e
, I thought -"

"I know!" I yelled, breaking out in laughter. "I replaced the word."

"Can't handle the thought of yourself being -"

"Kellan!" I smacked his upper arm.

"Uh, everything is good, yes?" Matteo checked. I faced him, my face flushing. I'd completely forgotten about him.

"Yes, sorry. I will go with you alone." I turned to Kellan, waiting for his protest.

"I don't like it, but yes, you can go alone." His expre
ss
ion
was full of concern and worry even as he contemplated the answer he’d just given
. "Promise me you'll be safe."