ShadowsofNight (11 page)

“Have you located her, Davis?” Cain asked his
second-in-command over a concealed headset.

“Maybe. The infrared indicates two heat sources in the back
of the residence, upper level. Based on size, I’d say one male, one female.”

“Any good point of entrance?

“Affirmative, there’s a back door near the kitchen on the
northeast corner of the residence.”

“Stay upwind and no chatter. We’ll rendezvous in twenty.”

“Roger that, Sir.”

Cain flipped off his tiny microphone and drew his weapon,
inching his way along the side of the large manor. There were tall trees beyond
the gravel path, across from where he stood. Some of his team hid there, ready
to take out any threat on the ground. He knew these bastards were fast and
could easily overpower a human. Guns didn’t kill vampires, but loss of blood might
slow them down. And a direct hit by a wooden arrow to the heart was fatal, so
he made sure his best sharpshooters were properly positioned. Better safe than
sorry.

He glanced above his head and noticed the windows on the
upper levels were covered, making it impossible to see what was happening
inside. All he could do was pray Emma hadn’t been turned into one of those
things. He’d kill the bastard, slowly and painfully, if he’d touched her.

He was still angry with his superiors for overriding his
authority and sending her into this nightmare with no backup.

Damn woman, thinking she could take on these freaking nightcrawlers
by herself. I knew this was a bad idea. Now look what’s happened. Hang on, Em,
the cavalry has arrived, baby.

Anxiety rode him. Not knowing what condition he’d find her
in pissed him off even more. He hoped for the best. Had to, because she counted
on him to do his job and get her the hell out of there. That was what he’d expect
his team to do if it were him.

Though, this was also personal. He hadn’t meant it to become
that way, but he had feelings for her, despite the fact she worked for him.

Cain adjusted his night-vision goggles to see his
surroundings a little better, since vampires had the advantage in the dark. He
spotted a couple guards patrolling the property and he quickly flipped on his
headset and alerted the sharpshooters to take them out using crossbows.

She should’ve never taken the assignment, not with her
history.
What’s done is done.
Need to get her out safely and stop
thinking about it.

Then he’d take down that fucking bastard Voss and deliver
him to his superiors.

He sprawled out flat on his belly when he saw three more
guards approaching. “More vampires coming around back of the manor. Take them
out,” he whispered into his mic. Cain’s snipers swiftly killed all three
without incident. He quickly rose and made his way toward the back of the main
structure, where Davis and his men were waiting.

“Bogies are down, Sir. Do you want us to open the door?”

“Yes, open it now,” Cain said to his lieutenant. Davis knelt
and used a tool to quickly drill through the lock.

“On my count, are you ready? One, two, three…” Cain kicked in
the door.

* * * * *

Christian leaned his head against the bathroom wall and
closed his eyes, trying to get a grip on his emotions. He took a few deep
breaths, hoping they would calm him. He didn’t want to say goodbye to Emma. But
what choice did he have? She didn’t want this life and he couldn’t resist his
instincts, so there wasn’t another choice. If she stayed with him, he’d end up
taking her life. He had to let her go, regardless of their strong connection.

Who’d have thought a human would be his fated mate when he’d
made a point to stay the hell away from them after he’d turned?
This sucks.
Figures though.

Christian opened his eyes and walked over to the sink to
wash his face. When he finished, he pulled a black turtleneck over his head,
threw his jeans on and grabbed his boots. He sat down on the toilet and was
about to put them on when a noise outside the bathroom window caught his
attention. He leaned back and cautiously peered through the blinds.

Christian spotted the silhouette of a large male dressed in
black fatigues hiding near some bushes.

Who the hell is that?

He quickly turned off the bathroom lights and peered out
once more. Whoever it was, they didn’t belong here. He opened the window
slightly and listened. The sound of footsteps caught his attention. He sniffed
the air and smelled the male below him.

Humans—they’ve come for Emma. Shit.

Christian gave a low curse and traced into the living room
just off the kitchen, where he heard the faint sound of drilling coming from
the door near the pantry. He knew it would probably take a few minutes because
of the security measures he had in place. His guards, he assumed, must have
been neutralized already, which told him these guys were definitely professionals;
more than likely Emma’s team.

He looked around a corner just as the door crashed open and
saw several large males enter through the kitchen, also dressed in black
fatigues, with night-vision goggles on their heads. Christian took a deep
breath, forcing himself to stay calm. Indecision raged inside him, whether to
fight these men or trace with Emma to safety.

Wait—hadn’t he decided to give her back to them?

No. Can’t do it.

Get her out of here, it is.

* * * * *

“We’ve got company,” Christian said as he appeared in the bedroom.

“Who?” Emma got up from the bed.

“It’s probably your team. I can’t be sure. They’re dressed
in black fatigues. We should go.” He reached for her.

“Are they human?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.” He pressed his lips together. She could tell he wasn’t
happy to admit it, but at least he didn’t lie.

“Shit, it’s Cain. Let me go talk to him. I’ll smooth things
over.”

“No…” He grabbed her arm.

“It’s fine. They won’t harm me.” She bit her lip. “You
should go while you still can. I’ll stall them. Go, I’ll be okay.”

“It’s too late.” Christian sniffed the air. He turned and
she knew without a doubt he was preparing to fight.

She grabbed his hand. “Please don’t fight them.”

He glanced at her and nodded before forcing Emma behind him
just as her team entered the room.

“Give her to me, asshole, before my snipers turn you into a
big pile of ash,” Cain barked. “Do it now!”

Christian looked at him but didn’t move. “Make me,
asshole
.”

“Don’t shoot anyone, Cain! I mean it,” Emma blurted, quickly
stepping around Christian, sure Cain would do it just because he’d challenged
his authority.

Cain didn’t appear pleased. “Em, step toward me.”

“No, not until I have your word.”

“I won’t shoot if he cooperates. However, if he tries
anything, I won’t hesitate to dust his ass.”

“You have to let me go now,” she whispered to Christian. He
clenched his fists and gave a slight nod. “Cain, Mr. Voss didn’t harm me. I
just want you to know that before things get too crazy. This is all a
misunderstanding. He thought he was protecting me.” She walked toward him.

“He kidnapped you from your home in the middle of the night.”

“He didn’t know I was an agent until
you guys
broke
into my house and blew my cover. He took me from the residence to protect me.
Now he knows I’m not Barkley’s daughter and the gig is up. But let’s get one
thing straight—the target did
not
harm me. I’m still human.”

“I’m glad he didn’t take your life but it doesn’t matter. My
orders are to bring him in,” Cain said.

Emma tried to think of a way to get Christian out of this
mess. Maybe once her superiors had a chance to interview Christian, they’d
understand he wasn’t a threat.

Yeah. Who am I kidding? He’ll become their next lab
experiment.

“Sir, then may I be permitted to accompany the prisoner to
headquarters? I’d like to be present when he’s interviewed.” She decided it was
best to appease Cain if she had any hope of not being separated from Christian.
She knew he could disappear at will. Why he hadn’t yet confused her.

“Very well, Agent Hayes, but not with him. You’ll accompany
me
to headquarters.” She couldn’t help but notice Cain’s gaze travel down her
body.

Jerk.
“Thank you, Sir.” Emma kept her tone impassive
but a low rumble sounded in Christian’s chest. Apparently he had noticed Cain’s
perusal too.
Damn. Not good.

“It sounds like our hostage is displeased.” Cain glanced
over at Christian. “You fared much better than the vamps guarding this place.
The only reason you’re still sharing air with the rest of us is because Emma
wasn’t harmed, asshole, but if you try anything funny it will be my pleasure to
end you.”

“Then I suppose you’re in charge…for now.” Christian’s tone
was mocking.

“We’ll see about that. Get him out of here,” Cain ordered.

“Where are you taking him?” Emma tried to remain calm.

“Level One Headquarters. The Network commander wants to
interrogate the bloodsucker himself. He also wants a word with you first before
he gets started.”

“Okay. I should probably change before I meet with the
Commander. I’m not properly dressed.” Emma glanced down at the sweats and
flimsy t-shirt. But letting Christian out of her sight was probably a bad idea.
She didn’t trust Cain.

“Here, take my jacket.” Cain handed it to her.

“Thanks.” It would have to do. She slipped it on and
followed him outside. Emma watched as Christian was loaded into a van with
several sharpshooters trained on him, then she and Cain climbed into a black
SUV.

“No rest for the weary in this line a work, is there?” Cain
grinned as he pulled out behind the cargo van.

She looked out the window into the darkness. “There never
is.”

“I’m relieved to have you back in one piece. Thought for
sure I wasn’t going to find you the way I’d left you.”

“Nothing bad happened to me, so you can stop with all that.
None of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t blown my cover in the first place,
Sir.”

“Quit calling me ‘Sir’. We’re alone. It’s Cain. Something
tripped the window, Em, so we came to investigate and found that bastard inside
your room. What did you expect?” He gave her a look that told her he wasn’t buying
her story.

“It was my stupid cat, not Mr. Voss.”
Quick save. Damn, I’m
good on my toes.

“Really? Then what
was
he doing in your room?” His
expression turned hard, jealousy clearly present in his eyes.

“We had a late dinner and I left my purse in his car. When
he realized it, he brought it to me. We were actually discussing an overseas
client and he was about to leave when my cat knocked over a plant while coming
through the window. I ran upstairs to investigate and Mr. Voss followed.
Probably concerned it was an intruder. We had just finished cleaning up the
mess when you stormed in.”

“That’s funny, we didn’t find anything out of place.”

“If I were in trouble, didn’t you think I could handle
myself?”

“I’m not into guessing. Those measures are in place for your
safety. There are no exceptions to the rules.”

“I understand your point. But you could’ve called my cell to
check on me first before going in. I’d just started to gain his trust.” She
hoped it was enough to stop his suspicion. Cain was smart and not easily
fooled.

He shook his head. “I haven’t figured out why you’re
protecting him. It doesn’t make sense to me, especially with your past.”

“Why would I lie?” she asked, feigning innocence.

“Do you honestly think I’m buying your line of bullshit?” He
turned to look at her.

“Whatever, Cain. Watch the road.” She crossed her arms over
her chest. “I’m not going to sit here and argue with you. The guy didn’t do
anything wrong.”
Shit, now what? If I can’t fool Cain, how am I going to
fool the rest of them?

“He’s not some ‘guy’, Em. He’s a fucking vampire, or did you
forget that part? Besides, it’s out of both our hands now anyway, so let’s drop
it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It doesn’t matter. You’ve done your job, let’s leave it at
that. Glad you’re safe.” He squeezed her thigh before looking back at the road.

She ignored his touch, focusing her attention on the scenery
screaming past as they drove toward headquarters. A long stretch passed in
silence, allowing her time to think. Worry and fear consumed her, leaving her
cold and empty inside. Christian was in big trouble and she didn’t know how to
fix it.

“Do you know what’s going to happen to him?” She kept her
focus on the road ahead and didn’t make eye contact.

“Why do you care what happens to
it
?” She sensed his gaze
on her.

“He’s not an ‘it’. Do you think they’ll let him go?” She
regretted asking as soon as the words came out.

“Since when did you start giving a shit about what happens
to a target, especially considering what that one is?”

“I was just curious.”
I need to shut up before I make
matters worse for him.

“He didn’t try to have sex with you, did he?” he growled,
seizing her jaw to make her look at him.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Let go!” She pulled away,
giving him a glare. “Not very
professional
, Sir.”

“If I find out that bastard touched you, I’ll make sure he’s
really
dead this time. There will be no reanimation for that
motherfucker,” he snarled.

“Give it a rest, Cain.” An icy shiver ran down her spine.
She knew he’d make good on his threat without hesitation.

“We’ll see.” Suspicion danced in his eyes.

“You’re such an ass sometimes, you know that?” She tried to
keep up the bravado, hoping to throw him off. But it was clear to her now that Cain
would order her to undergo a physical. Butterflies danced in her stomach and
knotted her insides with dread.
Shit, I have to get away.