Authors: Lina Gardiner
Jess exited her side and scoped out the streets. Not a vampire in sight.
Britt's mouth formed a hard line as he scanned the area. Jess needed a weapon to fight the vampire who had crushed the engine of their vehicle and disappeared. Problem was, now he had to explain how he'd gotten her blade. At this point, lying to her was not an option. He might have done some unsavory things, but he would never lie to her.
Luckily she was distracted by their attacker right now, but she'd be asking him for the details soon enough.
"So where is this guy?” How could he jump on their vehicle and incapacitate it with such speed? And where had he gone? It didn't make sense that he'd leave after he had stranded them.
Sounds of the city melded into oblivion as Britt focused on the fight ahead. “Come down here, coward,” he shouted. “Show yourself."
Jess held up a hand. “Whoa, Britt. I don't think this is a vampire you want to piss off. He's powerful. More powerful than any vamp I've encountered before, if his speed is any indicator.” She pulled out her cell phone and dialed.
"Who are you calling?"
"James."
Britt's heart lurched. She didn't think he could cut it? Damn it all, he'd proven himself over and over again. What did it take? Anger spiked and his lips curled back. He couldn't wait to get his hands on that damned vampire who was playing with them. He'd show Jess just what he was capable of.
She spoke quickly into the phone then clicked it shut. “He's on his way."
"Great,” Britt spat out. Even more determined to find the vampire, he turned slowly with the spike in his right hand while he monitored the surrounding rooftops.
Apparently Jess felt she needed James to fight this vampire. Britt wasn't a good enough vampire hunter enough for her.
"It doesn't make sense. Where is he?” she said.
"I think he's playing with us. This is reminiscent of the latest murders in the park. I'm beginning to think this may be the vampire we're looking for."
Jess stepped up beside Britt. She looked hesitant as she said, “I'm pretty sure I saw him back at the bridge, too."
It took a minute for the possibilities to sink into Britt's brain. When they did, he felt even more worried about what was going on with Jess. He continued to scan the dark shadows around them. Tall buildings circled them like towering chess pieces. He could be anywhere. “You think he had something to do with you being on that bridge, don't you?"
"If he didn't have something to do with it, it was a hell of a coincidence that he happened to be at the same place."
"He could've been following you."
"Do you believe he got that lucky?"
Britt peeled his attention from their surroundings and looked into Jess's eyes. They were wide and beautiful. Mirrors to her soul?
Maybe. But right now he could see another reflection mirrored in them as her gaze shifted fractionally. Someone was behind him.
He spun, arm tensed, stake out and ready to impale. He slammed the sharp tip of the hawthorn wood into the vampire directly behind them.
"Britt, wait!” Jess screamed.
Britt missed his mark, and his knees went weak when he saw who he'd nearly fatally impaled.
"Damn it, Britt. You could've killed me,” James shouted. The stake was buried into his flesh all right, but thank God it was only in his shoulder. James cursed when he pulled the stake out. He put pressure on a wound that looked nasty now, but would heal in a couple of hours.
"Jeez, James, I didn't expect it to be you. How the hell did you get here this fast?"
"Regent phoned me right after he phoned you. I've been having a devil of a time finding you. When Jess called me and told me where you were, I was just a couple of blocks over. I thought turning up quickly would be a bonus, especially if you were fighting a big, nasty killer vampire.” He looked around. “You already kill him?"
"No. He disappeared,” Jess said. “Jumped onto the hood of our vehicle, crushed it and left. He was so fast, I didn't even get a look at him."
They stared up at the obsidian glass windows glinting under the light of the half moon. Obviously no one believed it could be that simple. He had to be there—somewhere.
"That's a strange thing to do.” James said in his usual calm way.
"Goddamn it, James, if I'd killed you, Terry and the baby would be alone. I came way too close.” Britt exhaled shakily.
James grinned. “Don't worry. It was my mistake to misjudge your abilities. Next time I'll give you warning before I sneak up behind you."
At that, Britt couldn't help grinning. Compliments like that didn't come every day. James had given him the boost he sorely needed right now.
Jess plunked down on the curb and propped her elbows on her knees. “Somebody phone Regent and get him to come pick us up."
For a second Britt thought she'd said that for his benefit—the human who couldn't move at their speed. But then he saw her face. Pale and exhausted.
James's gaze met Britt's and they both frowned.
Jess sighed and wanted to run and hug her brother when he pulled up in his SUV and rolled down the window. “Hello, children.” He looked at the crunched vehicle sitting at the red light. “What about what's left of your car, are you going to leave it in the street?"
"I phoned the station. The police wrecker is coming to pick it up,” Britt said.
They climbed in, Jess in the front and James and Britt in the back.
"What happened?” Regent asked on the way to the Rectory.
"Britt found me just before I jumped off a bridge,” Jess said in a bland tone.
"Oh dear Lord. What do you mean jump off a bridge?"
"Not on purpose. I wasn't exactly thinking clearly at the time."
Regent sucked in a quick breath and his brow furrowed with worry. “Thank the Lord that Britt was able to find you on time,” he said.
Now that she knew what he'd done, she could hear the guilt in his voice. “I know about the implant, Regent, so don't worry. This time you both did the right thing. If I'm going to wander off without knowing what I'm doing, someone's got to keep track of me.” She sounded grateful but at the same time bitter.
"Jess, we..."
"Don't apologize, Regent,” Jess cut in. “You did what you had to do. What you've always done in order to protect me."
When they reached the church, they entered the Rectory and went straight to Regent's office. The house smelled different and Jess sniffed loudly. He looked at her. “Got it cleaned today."
"A definite improvement.” Jess felt comforted, as always, when Regent's faded blue eyes met hers. But she also knew this was an attempt to change the subject.
"If I hadn't agreed to implant that tracking device, who knows what might have happened to you tonight.” Regent ran a weary hand over his brow. “It was the hardest decision I've ever made."
"I think you had help making that decision, brother.” She cast a sideways glance at Britt. He appeared unruffled, as if he had no qualms about doing what he felt was right.
"Always knew Britt was the right man to be your protector,” Regent said.
"Her other protector,” James interceded. “She has two."
Both Regent and Jess turned to James. “That's very true,” Regent touched James’ shoulder in a fatherly manner. “You've been by Jess's sides for decades. None of us have forgotten that, my son."
James nodded tightly.
Suddenly, Jess felt another wave of dizziness and she put out one hand to steady herself against the wall. James had an arm around her waist instantly, and she leaned into him. She'd never had to rely on anyone before. This was getting to be a pain in the ass.
"You're ill again!” Regent cried. “Set her down on the couch.” He instantly grabbed the phone and started dialing.
Jess groaned. She hated being weak. “Who are you phoning?” she asked.
"Sampson, of course."
"No way. I don't need a doctor."
"You're joking, right? You've never had a moment of illness in fifty years, and now, in a few days time, you've been ill a half dozen times. Even you must realize this could be serious, Jess."
"It probably won't kill me."
"Don't be so sarcastic, dear. You have no idea what's going on. Something is very wrong."
James pressed closer to Jess, giving her a critical perusal.
"I'm fine James, you can go home to Terry and the baby."
He didn't move, and his severe expression didn't change.
"What? Are you my bodyguard now, too?” Jess snapped. Having three men hovering over her was more than she could take tonight.
"If that's what you want to call me."
Regent spoke quickly into the phone, then hung up and held up his hands in protest. “Don't fight children. Now, tell me exactly what happened tonight, Britt."
"I found Jess about to leap off the Brooklyn Bridge into the cold, dark water below."
"A little dramatic, Britt.” Jess crossed her arms over her chest and blew out a breath.
"If I hadn't gotten there on time you might have jumped,” he said.
Regent gasped. “Dear Lord in heaven, girl, what were you thinking? Is this about being a vampire? Can't you take it any more? Why didn't you tell me?"
Jess's heart nearly burst with sadness for her baby brother. She'd caused him so much pain in his lifetime. “No Regent, I'm not suicidal. You don't have to worry about that. Besides, no matter how unpleasant it would have been to end up in that water, we both know it wouldn't have been fatal."
"That's not the point, dear. If you're not suicidal, what were you thinking?"
Jess's lips thinned and she swallowed. If she didn't tell Regent, Britt would. He'd already proven that earlier. “I wasn't thinking. I have very little recollection of the last four hours."
"You can't be serious."
"Deadly."
Regent ran a hand through his gray hair, messing it up enough that a tuft remained standing on end. “This is no time for puns."
"Sorry, Rej. You know I can't help myself where you're involved.” She smiled at him and watched some of the worry lines fade away at her attempt to make a joke.
Probably for lack of anything else he could do for her, Regent went to work and prepared a poultice to wrap around her neck. “These herbs will soothe you and make you feel better."
She rolled her eyes. “I've had enough mollycoddling by the three of you for one night.” She motioned for all of them to disappear. Though a little weak, she stood. “If I promise to wear this for a while, will you all just leave me alone?” she asked, grabbing the poultice and heading for her bedroom in the basement. “James, it's nearly sunup, you'd better get going, too."
"If you need me, Jess, just phone,” James said.
"If you insist,” she gritted out just before shutting the basement door and breathing a sigh of relief at being alone at last.
Moments later, she heard Britt descending behind her. “You're a hard man to dissuade.” She pulled off the useless poultice and threw it on a side table outside her bedroom door.
"Jess, I'm sorry for what I did to you. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think it was necessary to keep you safe.” He took her arm, his thumb rubbing over the spot where he'd sliced her open and inserted the tracking chip.
"Piss off, Brittain.” She wrenched her arm from his grasp. “I've survived for fifty years without you looking after me. I'm quite capable of kicking ass all by myself."
"I know that's true. I want to make it up to you."
Only a brave man would make bodily contact at this juncture, yet he molded his hands to her shoulders then let one hand glide softly down her arm until his fingers entwined with hers. One quick tug and she was in his arms.
Unafraid, his lips pressed against hers hard enough to stop any half-hearted objection. Besides, his scent filled her nostrils, and she closed her eyes while he tasted her. As much as she wanted to protest, his expert mouth took her breath away and she got lost in the moment.
Though detrimental to her plans to drive Britt away, she allowed his advances. Their tongues made contact.
She'd never felt this close to humanity since she'd become a vampire. His lovemaking made her body react in ways that she'd previously thought impossible.
She shuddered against him, and moaned. Her hands moved up his neck and into his hair, while his lips caressed her face, her neck, and moved toward her cleavage. Sexy and tantalizing. A full night with Britt would be heaven.
Just as he started to slowly unbutton the trench coat she still wore, the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs stopped him.
He took a step away from her. “Damn it,” he said with a sigh. “We're always interrupted."
She pressed her hand on his chest and quietly pushed him farther away so she could regain her equilibrium. How could she make herself believe she didn't want this? She wanted more—much more.
"This can't happen, Britt. We're just torturing ourselves."
"I'm not giving up, Jess. You and I are meant for each other,” he whispered, moving closer again.
She turned away. Only if he wanted to die. And, even while his warm breath caressed the back of her neck, she was planning her next move to distance herself from him.
"Good night, Regent,” she said to her brother, who'd just reached the bottom step. With that, she entered her bedroom and closed the door, leaving the two men on the other side.
Britt's team was on patrol tonight. Even though he was the senior officer, he wished he had another experienced cop with them. After Jess had phoned James for backup last night he'd been severely dinged in the macho pride area. Why'd she make him team Captain if she didn't think he could cut it?
"How long do we have to be out here, sir?” Marshal Banes asked.
"As long as it takes, Banes,” Britt said a little more sharply than necessary. Taking out his wounded pride on the new recruits was not his style. He pasted on a professional exterior and became the tough cop they needed to emulate if they wanted to survive this job.
Mind you, they hadn't seen any vampires for hours. The night would most likely be a non-event. He would let his team of seven finish this street then they'd head back to the station. Maybe Jess would be in her office.