Blake's Pursuit (6 page)

Slowly he walked toward her, set the suitcase on the floor, and gently drew her into his arms. She didn’t protest, and for a long while he simply held her, feeling her body’s warmth caress him. The brave woman who’d fought against her attacker and verbally sparred with him earlier tonight, now felt fragile and vulnerable. And with it, his protector instinct surged.

He ran his hand over her hair. “Everything will be fine.”

“Thank you,” she murmured into his chest, and the vibrations of her voice made his entire body tingle and awaken a desire he knew he couldn’t act upon.

With regret, he released her from his embrace. “Let’s get you settled. You need to rest.”

8

She hadn’t told him the entire truth.

Yes, she was scared for her friend, but the reason she’d been shaking was because she was scared of her reaction to Blake. She’d never felt this kind of intense physical attraction to any man, particularly not to one she knew nothing about. There was absolutely no reason whatsoever for her to be drawn to Blake like a moth to the light, especially considering her trust issues.

As she followed him up the stairs into the house, she couldn’t help but admire his strong legs and flexing butt muscles. Damn, he filled out a pair of pants like nobody she’d ever seen. He was the epitome of strength and power. And he had a soft side, one she hadn’t expected. His embrace had been comforting and gentle. And just about as platonic as it could be. Which drove home another reality: the first man she was interested in since her last relationship two years ago, wasn’t interested in her.

Lilo stepped into the hallway as Blake flipped the light switch, illuminating a large entry hall with a mahogany staircase, a long hallway, and an open arch leading into the living room.

“Wow.” The word just slipped out.

Stunned, she let her eyes roam. She’d known that San Francisco was famous for its architecture, but she’d never actually been inside one of the gorgeous mansions portrayed in movies and on TV. The period detailing was intricate and beautiful. It lent the house instant warmth. This was a true home.

“You actually live here?”

Setting down her suitcase, he nodded and pointed to the living room. “Sorry, it still looks a little bare. But I only bought the place two months ago and I’m still waiting for a few more pieces of furniture to be delivered.”

“It’s beautiful. I suppose being a bodyguard pays well.” She wanted to slap her hand over her mouth, but it was too late. It wasn’t polite to talk about money, but she couldn’t imagine how a man of Blake’s age—he had to be in his early thirties—could afford a mansion like this.

“Well, my salary didn’t pay for this,” he said, suddenly looking at his shoes as if embarrassed. “I inherited a trust fund from my family.” He took an audible breath. “Well, how about I show you the guestroom?”

“Could I maybe get a glass of water first?” Her throat felt like sandpaper.

“Of course.” He motioned to the end of the hallway, when a sound from the front door made him spin around.

Alerted by his sudden reaction, her heart thundered, and she snapped her head in the same direction. A gasp escaped her throat.

A tall bald man stood in the open doorway, a pissed off look on his face, two bags in his hands.

Instinctively, Lilo grabbed Blake’s forearm.

“You were supposed to pick up the boys from my house,” the stranger growled and set down the luggage.

“Sorry, something came up,” Blake replied.

“Yeah, I can see that!” The man glared at her, before stepping aside to let two boys in their early teens enter the house. A young woman followed them.

The boys immediately sauntered toward the living room.

“Nicholas, Adam, didn’t I teach you better manners?” the dark-haired woman—who couldn’t possibly be their mother, not unless she’d had them when she was ten—called after them.

The younger boy looked over his shoulder. “Sorry!” Then he glanced at Blake. “Hey, Blake.”

“Hey, Adam,” Blake replied.

The older boy looked stopped, too, tipping his chin in Blake’s direction. “Hey, Blake, okay if we play Xbox?”

Blake grinned and winked at the bald man. “Only if your dad says it’s okay. Right, Zane?”

Zane rolled his eyes. “As if you care what my sons are allowed or not allowed to do. Every time they stay with you, they come home acting like they were raised by wolves.”

“You exaggerate.” Blake walked toward the woman and gave her a quick hug. “Hey, Portia.”

The woman looked past him. “Don’t you wanna introduce us to your
friend
?”

Suddenly all eyes were on Lilo, and she felt like she was on display.

Blake turned on his heel. “This is Lilo. Lilo, this is my colleague Zane and his wife Portia.” He pointed to the living room. “And their sons, Nicholas and Adam.”

Zane nodded and grunted a quick hello, while Portia smiled and said, “Nice to meet you, Lilo.”

Zane turned to Blake. “If you don’t have time to look after the boys, we’ll take them to New Orleans with us.”

“I said I’d take care of them. So I will.”

“Just saying,” Zane added, looking as if assessing her. Then he pulled up one side of his mouth into an almost-smile. “Though anybody would be a better influence on the boys than you.”

Portia shook her head and put her hand on her husband’s arm. “Don’t listen to him, Blake. He’s just pissed that Nicholas and Adam don’t want to come with us. He hates being separated from them.”

Zane shot his wife an angry glare. “Damn it, Portia!”

Instead of shrinking back from him, she stroked her hand over his cheek. Before her eyes, the intimidating man softened.

“They’ll be safe with Blake,” Portia murmured.

Lilo had never seen anything like it. Immediately, she understood their relationship. They were true partners, one incomplete without the other. This was what true love looked like. It existed. And it could last.

Zane nodded before severing the intimate contact with his wife. His eyes met Blake’s. “You’d better make sure of that, or I’m gonna crush you with my bare hands.”

“Get out of here, and have a great time in NOLA. Give my best to Cain and Faye,” Blake said.

“Nicholas, Adam!” Zane called out.

As if the boys knew that this was good-bye, they came running and flew into their father’s outstretched arms.

“You guys behave, okay? Or I’ll be back to drag you down to New Orleans by your ears.” Despite the threat, Zane’s voice was soft.

“Yes, Dad,” Nicholas said, and Adam echoed it.

The affectionate exchange made them appear younger, and Lilo realized that despite their obvious attempts at wanting to show their independence from their parents by not going on this trip with them, they were still kids who sought their parents’ approval and affection.

Portia bent down and kissed her sons. “Time to go.” She looked at Blake. “Thanks, Blake. And nice to meet you, Lilo. Don’t let the boys drive you crazy.”

Involuntarily, Lilo had to smile. She liked the young mother who seemed to have such power over her husband and such confidence in Blake. When the door closed behind them and the two boys were already running back into the living room, Lilo turned and found herself facing Blake.

“It’s nice of you to look after two young boys.”

Blake shrugged. “They’re really no trouble.”

She lifted an eyebrow, when she heard one of the boys yell.

“Give me that remote! It’s my turn!” It was the younger boy.

“I’m the man in the house when Dad’s not here, and you know it.”

Blake chuckled and winked at her. “Okay, maybe just a little trouble.”

“Blake?” came Nicholas’s voice from the living room.

“Yes?” he answered and walked toward the arch, looking into the room.

Lilo followed him.

“I’m going to stay in the guestroom with the turret. Adam can sleep in the room out front,” Nicholas announced in a determined voice.

“That’s not what we agreed!” Adam ground out and kicked his brother in the shin. “You said we were gonna play for it. And whoever wins the first game gets that room. You’re such a jerk sometimes.”

“Hey guys, sorry, but you’ll have to share the room out front,” Blake interrupted.

Both boys stared at Blake, their mouths gaping open. “Why?”

“Lilo is staying in the room with the turret.”

Nicholas jumped up. “What? I don’t wanna share with Adam. I need my own room. Can’t your girlfriend stay in your room? It’s not like you have to pretend for us.” The teenager puffed up his chest. “I know about these things.”

Lilo felt heat shoot into her cheeks. They thought she was Blake’s girlfriend? Just like Zane had probably thought so, too. His look had implied as much.

Next to her Blake ground out a low curse. “You’re sharing the room out front. No discussion.” Then he turned to look at her and said more quietly, “I’m sorry about that. They’re just boys. They don’t know any better.”

9

Blake closed the refrigerator and turned back to Nicholas and Adam who were both stuffing their faces with sandwiches. That was one thing about young hybrids: they were constantly eating. Not only human food, but also blood to keep up their vampire strength. It didn’t matter that it was two in the morning.

“And not another remark about Lilo and me. Is that clear?” he said, pinning Nicholas with his eyes.

The boy shrugged and managed to look sheepish. “How was I supposed to know she’s not your girlfriend?”

“That’s exactly the reason why you don’t make assumptions.”

“Is she pissed at us?” Adam interrupted.

Blake smiled at him. “I don’t think so.” Somewhat embarrassed maybe, but not upset. At least that much he’d gathered when he’d shown her to her room in silence. That had been nearly a half hour ago. “Now eat, and then you should go to bed.”

Nicholas protested instantly. “It’s school holidays. We’re allowed to stay up as long as we want.”

Blake tilted his head to the side.

“Honestly!” the fifteen-year-old hybrid insisted. “Even Dad lets us keep vampire hours when there’s no school.”

Adam kicked him under the table. “Shh! You’re not supposed to say vampire when there’s a human in the house.” He lifted his eyes and met Blake’s gaze, looking for approval. “Right, Blake?”

“That’s right, Adam. Your brother should know better.”

Nicholas shrugged, Blake’s scolding sliding off him like oil off a Teflon pan. “So the broad doesn’t know what you are, huh?”

“Broad?” Blake asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

Adam rolled his eyes, looking all grown-up, despite his tender age of thirteen. “Nikki’s been watching those old gangster movies. You know, Al Capone stuff.”

“You’re not supposed to call me Nikki! I’m too old for that.”

“Enough, guys. If you want to stay up, you’ll have to behave. And that means: nobody calls a woman a broad, the word vampire will not come out of either one of your mouths, and there will be no fighting. Do I make myself clear?”

Adam nodded wordlessly, while Nicholas said, “And Adam can’t call me Nikki.”

Blake sighed. There was just no winning an argument with a teenager. “Remind me why I volunteered to watch you two while your parents visit Cain and Faye.”

Adam’s face split into a wide grin. “’Cause you love us and we’re fun to hang out with?”

Blake threw his head back and laughed. “I guess I can’t argue with that. Now go play before I change my mind.”

He rose and was about to clear off the kitchen table when he heard a beep from the kitchen’s security monitor, and the corresponding sound of the front door opening. He glanced at the screen: Eddie was finally here.

He marched out into the hallway to greet his friend and colleague. As always, Eddie was dressed in his biker gear: leather, and more leather. With his sandy-blond hair and deep dimples, he looked like the kid from next door.

“Thanks for coming, Eddie.”

“What can I do?”

Blake ushered him into his office.

“Haven’t had time to unpack, huh?” Eddie asked, pointing at the boxes that were stacked up against one wall.

Blake grinned. “Maybe I’ll get Nicholas and Adam to give me a hand while they’re here.”

Eddie chuckled. “Yeah, good luck with that.” He sauntered to the desk. “Is that the laptop you wanted me to have a crack at?”

“Yes, it belongs to Hannah Bergdorf. Have at it.”

“Do I know her?”

“She works for Vüber and disappeared three days ago.”

Eddie nodded and slunk into the chair behind the desk. He pulled out a small electronic device from his pocket and connected it to the computer, then booted up the machine. While he waited, Eddie asked, “Did you check her last Vüber ride to see if a customer could be involved in her disappearance?”

“Finn sent me the info of her last ride, but I have the feeling that’s a dead end.”

“Why?”

“Her last ride was a Scanguards employee: Roxanne. I left a message for Roxanne to call me, but you know she’s solid. I’d trust her with my life.”

Eddie nodded and started typing on the keyboard. “Same here.” Then he fell silent, focusing on his task.

Blake walked to the window and stared out into the darkness. In five hours, the sun would come up, limiting him in his search for Hannah. While he didn’t need much sleep, he wouldn’t be able to explore every lead during the daytime. He would have to rely on others, mostly hybrids, whom the sun’s rays couldn’t hurt.

Fortunately, Blake’s house was outfitted with several special features, designed by Scanguards’ IT expert Thomas, which made it easier to hide his vampiric nature from Lilo. The windows were treated with special UV-impenetrable coating, making it possible for him to move around unimpeded, without the need for heavy, drawn curtains during the daytime. As long as Nicholas and Adam didn’t trip him up, his secret was safe.

“Hi.”

The quiet female voice made him turn. Lilo stood in the open door to his office, hesitating. He motioned her to approach, and walked toward her. “Come in, Lilo.” He pointed to Eddie. “This is my colleague Eddie.”

Eddie lifted his head for a moment and gave a quick nod of acknowledgement. “Hey.” Then he immersed himself in his work again.