Craig's Heart (21 page)

She shuddered. “What am I going to do with you?”

He almost gave her an answer. He wanted her to love him. But some semblance of common sense or wisdom held him back at the last second. “Whatever you want,” he quipped. “Just remember, I’m not going anywhere.”

She shook her head and eased off his lap. Her pussy sucked at his still-hard dick one final time and he could swear he saw stars. They both groaned and he let his head fall back against the sofa. He was on edge but content—a strange combination.

He wondered what time it was and as soon as the question was formed in his head he knew the answer. “If we’re going to Haven tonight, we should get going.”

“Are you going to call your family and tell them we’ll be there?” Evie reached for her shredded underwear, picked them up and dangled them in front of him. “Really?”

He shrugged. “I couldn’t help myself.” And he couldn’t. Not when it came to Evie. Maybe in a hundred years or so.

Craig paused. He would be around to see her in a hundred years. He’d always thought his siblings would outlive him. Now he had the potential to live long after they were gone. It was unsettling to say the least.

“What’s wrong?” Evie slipped on her bra and sweater. The sweater was so long it came down to the tops of her thighs.

He thought about not telling her, but wanted there to be honesty between them. “It occurred to me that I’ll outlive my family, which is weird, because I always thought they’d outlive me. Werewolves live hundreds of years, even half-breeds.”

Evie sat on the coffee table in front of him. “You’ll live a long time and do great things, I have no doubt.”

“So will you.”

Evie shook her head. “I don’t think I’m cut out to live forever, or for hundreds of years.”

“Of course you are. Think of the artwork you can create, the places you can go, the things you can do.” Craig was beginning to panic at the finality in Evie’s voice.

“That’s not likely with Vladimir looking for me. I don’t think he’ll be too forgiving of me running out on him.”

Craig’s fangs erupted and he roared. Evie jumped back, her fangs automatically dropping, her eyes blazing red. Both of them stared and then Craig shook his head and wrestled for control. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

Evie sighed and rubbed her eyes. “Neither did I.” She grabbed her jeans. “Call your family.” He watched as she padded down the hallway to their bedroom.
Theirs
. That’s how he thought of it. He didn’t think in terms of himself anymore, but of them.

Knowing there was little he could do to change Evie’s mind until Vladimir was dealt with, Craig decided to stop trying. He’d use actions, not words to show her he was committed to their relationship.

He hauled his jeans up over his hips and zipped them. His sweater was on the floor so he grabbed it, shook it out and pulled it on. He could hear water running in the bathroom and knew Evie was cleaning up.

One thing about being a vampire, there was no need for contraceptives. He could no longer get a woman pregnant. That much he did know.

He’d never thought much about having kids of his own, a family. Frankly, he’d never thought he’d marry or have a serious relationship. His need to protect his siblings’ secret had always taken precedent. Now that was no longer an issue. Evie knew everything. For the first time since he’d discovered his brother and sister were different, he finally believed he could actually have a life of his own.

It was liberating and scary at the same time. He’d always been so focused on them and what they needed that he’d never really considered what he wanted.

He grabbed his phone and pressed his sister’s name on his contact list, not wanting to think about the situation any longer. He knew vampires weren’t supposed to get headaches, but his head wasn’t listening.

“Hey, Craig.” Chrissten’s voice soothed the voices in his head. Family was what was important. Evie and family. “I was just thinking about you.”

“Hey.” He struggled to make normal conversation. “Are you going to be at Haven tonight?”

“We can be. Why?”

“Meredith called and apologized for last night. She also asked us to come by.”

“What time do you want us to be there?” His sister’s question was like a balm to his senses. He knew they’d be there to support him.

“We’re heading out soon. I’d say we’ll be there within the hour.”

“We’ll be there.” Chrissten paused. “I love you, little brother.”

“Love you too.” He hung up the phone. He knew Evie was standing just behind him. He stood and tucked the phone away. “We need to get some weapons.”

“Is everything okay?” Evie asked.

“No, but it will be.” He wouldn’t let it be any other way. He held out his hand. “Come on. Damek left me the key for downstairs. We can get what we need before we head out.”

Chrissten slowly set her phone down on the bedside table.

“Everything will be okay, baby.” Hank’s strong arms came around her and he pulled her back down onto the bed beside him.

“I’m so worried about him. He’s all alone.”

“No, no he’s not.” The flat tone of Hank’s voice made her really pay attention. “I know what it’s like to be truly alone. To not know what you are or if there are any others like you out there. He’s got us and Quinn and Bethany and, most importantly, he’s got Damek. That vampire treats him like a little brother. Always has. He’ll protect Craig and help him get through this.”

“I know you’re right.” Chrissten gently caressed her husband’s face. “I’m sorry you were so alone.”

The corners of Hank’s mouth turned upward. He still didn’t smile much, but when he did it made her heart sing. “It was worth it because it brought me to you.”

He eased her closer and never took his eyes off her as he kissed her. She sighed and lost herself in her love for him. They’d already made love and she’d hoped to again, but that didn’t seem likely now. She broke the kiss. “We have to meet him and Evie at Haven in less than an hour.”

Hank rolled until she was under him. “I can do a lot in an hour.”

She laughed and playfully pushed at his shoulder. “We don’t have an hour.”

“A half hour then.” He caught her hands in his and raised them over her head, pinning her to the mattress.

She sighed and tried to look put out. “Okay, if you have to.”

“I do.” He nibbled on the corner of her lips. “I really do.”

Chrissten laughed and kissed him back.

Damek drew out his phone and hit one of the three programmed numbers. It was answered on the second ring. “Hello, husband. Where are you?”

As always, the sound of Sonia’s voice soothed the demons inside him. “I’m about to search one of the last properties on the list.”

“Anything yet?” He heard the sound of papers turning and knew Sonia was deep into research.

“No, but I’m hopeful.” More than that, he had a feeling of dread, like something was about to happen. “I want Jerome to take you to New York. You should go stay with your parents until this situation is dealt with.” He’d miss her but he’d feel a hell of a lot better knowing she was safe.

He’d been invulnerable for centuries, but now he had something, someone important in his life and that made him vulnerable. He still hadn’t come to grips with that. If he had his way, Sonia would never leave his side.

He smiled at the thought of what she’d say if he told her that. She’d smile, pat him on the head and tell him everything was going to be all right. She was one of the few people on the planet who didn’t walk in fear of him.

“I’m not going to New York. I’m staying here with you.” He could tell she was ready to do battle.

“Then at least go home. The apartment is protected and there are weapons there.”

She sighed. “Very well. If it will make you happy.”

“It will.” And it was what he’d wanted in the first place. He’d known in his heart she’d never leave him to go stay with her parents. But he was learning how best to deal with his independent mate and figured if he started out totally unreasonable then she’d eventually agree to what he’d wanted in the first place.

“I’m on to you, you know,” she told him. He could tell by the sounds that she was packing up her belongings.

“Oh?” Despite his question, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know what she meant.

“As if you’d let me go to New York without you.” Even though she was trying to sound stern, he could hear the smile in her voice.

“What is that saying you use? Ah, yes. Busted.” She laughed as he intended. “I want you safe, Sonia. And make no mistake, I’ll do whatever it takes to make certain no harm comes to you. You are the only thing standing between me and my demons. If any harm were to come to you—” He broke off, unable to finish the statement. He knew if anything happened to her he was capable of razing the entire city in his grief.

“I’ll be fine. You just make sure you take care of yourself. Don’t underestimate this other vampire, Damek. Remember what you always tell me. No two vampires are the same and all have different skills. Just because he’s younger than you doesn’t mean he isn’t powerful.”

“I remember,” he promised. “Now call Jerome and head home.”

“I’m on my way. Love you.” She ended the call.

Damek tucked his phone inside his coat. “I love you too,” he whispered. He set off down the street, keeping to the shadows. He detected several other humans outside the house he was interested in.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” Damek sped through the darkness, stopping right behind one of the men.

Chapter Fourteen

Evie felt like a modern-day Van Helsing with a wooden stake strapped to her back beneath her shirt and a knife concealed beneath her coat. Craig was carrying even more weapons than she was. He had several long, sharp knives in protective sheaths strapped to his thighs beneath the long, black leather duster Damek had given him and two smaller blades tucked into his boots.

She glanced at Craig and decided he looked like a badass even with his boy-next-door good looks. There was an aura of menace about him that hadn’t been there when she’d first met him.

He’d changed. They both had.

He reached out and caught her hand in his. “What are you thinking?”

Craig was probably one of the few men in the universe who actually wanted to talk. It was a little disconcerting at times. “I still have moments when all this seems surreal, like a movie. I keep expecting a director is going to yell cut at any moment, or I’ll wake up and realize all this was nothing more than a dream.”

He kissed the back of her hand. He was always doing that. Little touches and kisses that left her feeling unsettled. She simply wasn’t used to being touched so much by another person. But she was quickly growing used to it from Craig.

“It’s real. It will take all of us a while to adjust, but we will.” His assurance certainly helped ease the butterflies in her stomach. They didn’t disappear totally, but she no longer felt like she might toss her cookies.

Both their bodies were still adjusting to becoming vampires. She had no idea how long that would take and really didn’t feel like asking Damek. She knew Damek didn’t trust her and she did everything she could to remain under his radar as much as possible. Even now, when he was nowhere around, she could almost feel his eyes watching her.

A shiver trickled down her spine and the fine hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Evie stopped and slowly turned around in a complete circle, searching the streets and shadows. Even though it was late, there were people around, some walking, some in cars and taxis.

“What is it?” Beside her, Craig tensed, his eyes scanning their surroundings.

“I don’t know.” She absently slid her hand beneath her coat to the long blade that rode against her hip. “Probably nothing.” She moved her hand away. “I’m just nervous about going back to Haven.” That’s probably all it was.

“There’s nothing to be nervous about. I’m with you.” They started walking and she could see Haven in the distance.

He might be confident of his welcome, but she sure as heck wasn’t. Those people would always look at her and blame her for changing Craig’s life, for tampering with his destiny. And they’d be right. She had.

But there was no going back for either of them.

Vladimir had started all this and the ripples of his action were still being felt and would be for a long time. Evie wondered where he was and what he was doing. Was he changing another unsuspecting woman while she casually walked down the street with Craig?

“We should be out looking for Vladimir, not socializing.” She dug in her heels and stopped. “This is wrong. He’s been killing innocent people, feeding on their blood while I’ve been hiding.”

“Evie.” Craig eased her into the shadow of a building. Immediately, she scanned the nearby area, sensing nothing but a cat and several people partying in an apartment on the back of the building next to them. “There was nothing we could do, nothing we can do until we find him. Walking around the city searching for him does nothing but expose both of us. We have to get strong and learn how to use our newfound strengths before we face him. Anything less is suicide. And I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to die yet.”