Let the Night Begin (4 page)

She wasn't so certain, damn her. Did she truly think him so loathsome? “Answer me.” She straightened her shoulders, as though bracing for an attack. “If I say no, will you stop?”

Apparently she thought even less of him than he suspected. “Of course.” Pride made him add. “But you won't ask me to stop and we both know
it.” This was as much true for him as for her. She wasn't afraid of him, not really. She couldn't be.

Her eyes narrowed. “You haven't lost any of your arrogance when it comes to your prowess.”

He shrugged, not about to rise to the bait and ask whether or not she'd had better over the years. “Do we have an agreement?”

She met his gaze with one the color of steeped tea—but without any of the warmth. “We do.”

G
od help her, she was playing a dangerous game.

Olivia's fingers shook as she lifted the brandy to her lips. Reign was watching her, much like a hawk watching a snake—with a mixture of predatory interest and obvious suspicion.

She should not have come to this house. She should have made him come to her hotel where the balance of power would have been tipped more favorably for her. This room was too much
him
for her to think clearly. The rich fabrics and dark colors made him stand out all the more. His scent filled the air. His mere presence enveloped her, made her cagey and eager to escape before she did something rash and confessed everything.

“You agreed very readily.” Was it just her guilt, or was there accusation in his tone? What, no satisfaction?

She met his cool gaze and forced herself to hold it. All she had to do was remember what he had
done to her. How it had felt. “You would have preferred I rail against you a bit longer?”

He shrugged—a careless lift of broad shoulders. “I thought you might.”

“To what end? I want you to help me. You want to have sex with me in exchange for that help. If I'd said no then you would have refused to help me and I cannot afford to play games where James's safety is concerned.”

Any satisfaction she took from the flash of contrition in his eyes was short-lived when he said, “I cannot decide if you are the most honorable woman I have ever known, or the most manipulative.”

“Pick whichever you find the least attractive.” That would be safer. This…
situation
did not need to be made any more complicated. For the two of them, sex had never been something easily dismissed. Their emotions ran too high, were too easily engaged when their bodies were joined. It was a terrible gamble for both of them to enter into this idiotic bargain. If she could keep as much emotional distance between them as possible, she just might survive sharing his bed, and get back her son.

Nephew. James wasn't hers.

Reign laughed, but there was little humor in it. “I've missed your bluntness, Olivia.”

“I haven't missed you at all.”

Arrogance curved his lips. “You're a liar as well.”

That was too close to the truth for comfort, and his smug expression rubbed her nerves raw. She rose to her feet. “It is time that I took my leave.”

“So soon?” Mockery added bite to the amusement in his tone.

“Not soon enough, I fear.”

For a moment, Olivia thought he might try to persuade her to stay, bully her into his bed, but he didn't. He just watched her with far too keen pale eyes.

“I will need two nights to put my affairs in order.”

“So long?” She couldn't keep the irritation from her tone. Had she not explained the severity of the situation adequately enough? Did he not understand that she needed to get to Scotland?

“Not nearly long enough, but it will do. We will leave Wednesday evening. That will put us in Edinburgh by Thursday. Meanwhile, I'll send word of my arrival so some of my acquaintances will extend invitations to any events. Will that do?”

She nodded, unable to speak she was so surprised by his sudden sincerity. The kidnappers would not be leaving word for her until Sunday, and as much as she'd like to be there sooner, there would be very little they could do before that. Not to mention that leaving now would only put her in Reign's company for more time than she was comfortable with. In the meantime, James would be fine. She had to believe that. “Yes.”

She blinked and he was suddenly there in front of her. She hadn't seen, hadn't heard him move—a sobering reminder of his superior abilities. Humans were no match for her, but this man—this vampire—might prove to be too much for her to withstand. Olivia stiffened, prepared for whatever strike he might make.

The lines in Reign's tanned brow deepened. “I'm not going to hurt you, Liv.”

As though that meant anything. “You've told me that before.”

His expression darkened, making his eyes all the more unnerving. That couldn't be pain in his gaze; Reign didn't know the meaning of regret. “I lost control.”

“Oh yes, I know.” It was almost painful to hold his gaze, but she did anyway. “I was the one you lost control on.” In her mind came the memories of how it felt, the burning as he tore into her. The pain. The fear.

“You were the last person I ever wanted to hurt.”

He looked so sincere she could slap him. How dare he apologize now after all this time? If he hadn't wanted to hurt her he wouldn't have, and if he had regretted doing so he would have come after her—regardless that she had tried to kill him. “I'm sorry to hear that, because you did. We can't ever go back, Reign. Please don't assume for a moment that my coming to you means more than it does.”

“I wouldn't be stupid enough to assume anything where you are concerned,” he replied gruffly. “I'll have my carriage take you to your lodgings.”

“I'll fly.”

“You'll risk being seen.”

But then at least he wouldn't have the address of her hotel and know exactly where to find her. “I'll be careful.”

“Take my carriage. I don't want to risk anyone seeing you fly from my home.”

“And you want to know where to find me.”

“I could follow you by air as well, Liv. Take the carriage.”

He was right, of course. And she had no other excuse. “Fine. But only because it's not worth arguing with you.”

”I find that amazing,” he drawled. “Wednesday evening. Be here at precisely six.”

“Or what?” she asked with a hint of a smile. “You'll leave without me?”

The look he shot her could have frozen a house fire. She swore there were shards of ice in the smoky depths of his gaze. “I'll consider our arrangement null and void.”

He meant it. Olivia felt the chill of his words right down to her toes. “I'll be here.” With the arrangements finalized, there was no reason for her to linger any longer.

“Reign?” She said as she stopped at the thresh
old, turning her head to look at him over her shoulder.

“What?”

Somehow she managed a smile, even though a tendril of guilt wrapped itself around her stomach. “Thank you.”

 

She was being followed.

Olivia peered out the back window of Reign's luxurious carriage, her sharp gaze purposefully studying every shape, every vehicle and silhouette underneath the murky streetlights. That hack, had it been with her since Belgrave Square? And what of that man on horseback? Was that Reign, or just her imagination? Trying to scent him out would do no good amongst all the odors of London. Their kiss earlier insured that his smell clung to her like an expensive perfume, confusing her senses and pulling at her heart. She would have to bathe once she returned to the hotel.

And scrub herself raw. Perhaps she'd burn her clothes. Grinding her teeth, Olivia drew a deep breath. She would not become a hysterical fool just because a man's scent threatened to choke her.

Regardless of the fact that she could smell him, why would Reign follow her when his man would easily divulge her destination? Perhaps her husband thought her a murderess now and feared for his driver's safety.

Or perhaps he feared for hers.

That was a romantic thought she had no business entertaining. Reign was no more in love with her than she was with him. Too much had happened between them, too much bitter time had passed. Regardless of anything she might still feel for him, or feel for him again, there was nothing that could change the fact that it wasn't going to last. This time she was going to betray him, and anything that might be left between them would never survive it.

Turning around, she leaned back against the padded velvet seat and closed her eyes. What matter did it make if someone was following her? They wouldn't be for long. And unless it was another vampire, or a small army of men, there was little anyone could do to harm her.

Indeed, her strength and agility were two great perks of vampirism. Never again would she know the fear of a lone female walking at night. She would not fear sickness or injury. She wasn't physically intimidated by man or nature. Never again would a human man, or several of them, inspire her to quicken her pace as her heart pounded in her chest. Only one man incited such a reaction in her and he wasn't human.

How could she react so strongly to him given all he had stolen from her? Had their short time together been that amazing that her body could forget so easily? Had the pleasure outweighed the pain? Even now, that same thing that had hurt
her so badly came to her veiled in erotic images of their bodies entwined, yielding and clinging to each other like sea to sand.

Their first night together was as sharp and clear in her mind as her own hand—perhaps more so. The memory of his touch brought a flush to her skin, a tremor to her spine. She had never experienced anything like it. And Reign had held her in his arms afterward and confessed the same.

“Pathetic.” Saying it aloud made it all the more real. It was sexual attraction and nothing more. It had been too long since she'd wanted a man and too long since she'd had one. She had always thought Reign to be a physically perfect specimen of maleness, so it only made sense that her body would react to that.

In fact, there was no reason why she shouldn't enjoy herself since she'd already made the devil's bargain by agreeing to sleep with him while they were in Scotland. It was a small price to pay for James's return, and if it made Reign malleable, then all the better. Sometimes sex was the most powerful weapon a woman could have, aside from her intellect.

What did the kidnappers want with him anyway? She didn't want to know. She had to stay cold, stay removed. James was her first priority. Reign could take care of himself. All that mattered was getting her boy back.

Nothing but trouble. That's all James had ever been, she thought with a smile. How many times had she gone up to his school to collect him after some matter of mischief? Curiosity, it seemed, was the root of all his trouble. Impulsiveness too. Hadn't he at the age of twelve—after learning Olivia's secret—decided that he wanted to be a vampire as well when he grew up? Eternity seemed a grand adventure at that age, and what boy wouldn't want to be stronger and faster than his peers? James never thought any decision all the way through.

And he always knew his aunt Olivia would save him. That was why he hadn't told her about Scotland. He considered himself old enough that he didn't need permission, and unfortunately that was closer to the truth than not. He hadn't seen a reason to inform her because he knew if he needed her, she'd come.

“Oh, Jamie,” Olivia whispered in the darkness of the carriage. “What have you gotten yourself into this time?”

She was saved the burden of speculating when the carriage rolled to a stop in front of her lodgings. She had chosen the newly rebuilt Claridge's Hotel for a number of reasons. Located on Brook Street, it was in a fashionable part of town and close to almost any place she would desire to visit. Its red brick façade was pleasing to the eye and inside it was outfitted with every modern convenience including lifts, electricity and en suite bathrooms.
Olivia liked traveling in luxury—it made traveling so much more enjoyable. Plus, the drapes in the windows were heavy enough that when paired with the black velvet she always brought with her, they kept the murderous sun from creeping in and killing her while she slept.

Most importantly, the staff at Claridge's respected the privacy of their guests, and no one seemed the least bit concerned that she stayed in her suite all day, not leaving until the sun went down.

The footman opened the carriage door for her and lowered the step. Olivia accepted his hand as she exited, taking a brief moment to gaze around for any suspicious characters. She saw many and none. Anyone could be an enemy, but no one person stood out or made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

The man on horseback was nowhere to be seen, and yet the sensation of being watched lingered. She glanced around, but her vision, despite its enhanced keenness, saw nothing. If it was Reign, he wouldn't allow himself to be seen so easily.

Olivia didn't dally outside. She thanked the driver and hurried into the sanctuary of the hotel lobby. There was a small crowd inside, their warmth and scent immediately overwhelming her senses. It happened this way sometimes, when she wasn't prepared. The smell of blood, the gentle thumping of all those hearts…it hit her with
a shudder of pleasure. It wasn't unlike the feeling she would have as a child when cook would make breakfast on Sunday morning or bake cookies on a fall afternoon.

But just as she was in danger of exposing her fangs to the entire lobby she caught a whiff of sharp sweat and her hunger died a quick death. It was like walking into a bakery and smelling fish. She gagged and looked around for the source of the stink, but couldn't narrow it down. No one there looked dirty, they just smelled it.

Did this offensive odor belong to the ghost who seemed to be following her? She couldn't see him, but she could certainly feel and smell his presence. Or maybe she was trying to solve a puzzle that didn't exist. Perhaps there were simply people amongst the upper classes who clung to the archaic belief that regular bathing was dangerous or, at the very least, unnecessary.

The lift opened and Olivia ran into it, eager to escape the suspicions and sensations making her edgy. An older couple joined her. They smiled at her before chatting to each other in German as the gate slid shut. The lift operator watched her out of the corner of his eye. He was a handsome young man with dark hair and light eyes. He reminded her of Reign, and the clean scent of his skin, coupled with his obvious physical interest in her whet her appetite. He was fortunate then that they were not alone, else she might have given in
to her hunger and taken him right there. And he would let her. They always let her.