Sweetwater: The Kihn (The Sweet Series) (27 page)

I have a sudden desire to relax and just fall into those eyes, greener than I’ve ever seen them. Eyes full of sinful promise. With effort, I close mine and let my head clear. I glance down and see my finger is no longer bleeding, although my breathing is shallow and fast. This might be a result of his nearness, his tight hold on me, or my fright. More than likely it’s a direct result of the sexual desire he arouses in me.

“I knew your blood would taste sweet,” he murmurs in a husky voice. My gaze flashes to his, see
ing passion smoldering there. I relax against him with my face tilted up, wanting him to kiss me. Instead, he releases me long enough to put his hands on my shoulders, putting me at arm’s length.
What?
Why is he pulling away from me?

“Where’s your first-aid kit?” he asks somewhat gruffly.

“What?” I ask as he steps further from me. “You—you don’t need to trouble yourself.”

“Sofie, don’t be stubborn,” he admonishes as he starts opening cabinet doors.

“So now I’m not only stupid, I’m stubborn too,” I say with no little grumpiness. I’m starting to think more clearly since he’s placed some distance between us.

He flashes a grin as he opens the pantry. “You also have a bit of a temper,” he replies with laughter in his voice.

Yeah, he knows what buttons to push. Well, at least I’m no longer pining for a kiss. “Let me get this straight. I’m an ill-tempered, stubborn idiot,” I rail. I so want to kick him in the leg!

He sets the first-aid kit on the table and quickly pulls me against his hard body. He grasps my ponytail, jerking my head back as he puts his mouth on mine. He hungrily kisses me until I’m breathless and dazed again. He releases me, and by the time my senses come to me, he has my finger wrapped in a bandage.

As he returns the first aid kit to the pantry, he speaks in his velvety-soft voice. “I was not at home tonight when you saw… Teresa going into my house. Furthermore, I have not spoken with her as she insinuated to Max, but I will be finding out who let her into my home.

“I planned to tell you I was going out of town for a couple of days, but you ran off before I had the chance the other night, and you wouldn’t answer the phone when I called.” That earns me a raised eyebrow. “If you had, you would have known Teresa was lying about speaking to me.” He leans against the pantry door with his arms crossed over his chest.

He looks good. My need to keep him is strong. “Did you bring my coat?” I ask hoarsely. I’m still sitting in the chair he pushed me into while he doctored my finger.

He gives me a slow, sexy, suggestive smile. “No. You have to come to my house to retrieve it.”

Great!
Not only am I unable to wear a perfectly good pair of Converse, but he now has my coat and, no doubt, my flashlight.

He comes closer and pulls me from the chair. “I have to go. I only stopped in for a few minutes and decided I’d take the time to see you before I left again.” Wrapping his hand around my wrist, he pulls me along as he moves down the hallway. “When I stopped in at the Shotgun Shack, your little friend let me have it.”

In all probability, Diane.

“She called me a son of a bitch.”

Yep, Diane.

“I hope my mother didn’t hear her.” He shakes his head. “She told me you saw Teresa go in my house.”

Without warning, Lucas pushes me against the wall and takes my lips with a hunger I can’t resist. My arms wind around his neck, and I bury my hands in his hair. I’ve wanted to do this from the moment he arrived. His tongue finds mine before stroking the flesh of my inner cheek. It’s almost more than I can bear, and I push my lower body against his. He bends his knees and grinds his erection against me as I moan. My robe slips off my shoulders, and he pushes it down my arms until it pools around our feet.

Grasping my waist, Lucas lifts me up against the wall until my face is slightly higher than his. He looks up into my eyes before he nuzzles my breasts. My breathing is loud and shaky. He bites one of my extended nipples through my tank top, and I cry out hoarsely.

Bringing his mouth to my shoulder, he trails hot kisses along the column of my throat, stopping at the pulse point and sucking lightly. I moan at the exquisite sensation. His lips continue to my mouth, and I take his bottom lip between my teeth, biting a little harder than I mean to. Lucas grunts and jerks. He licks his lip, tasting the drop of blood on the surface and a look of surprise passes across his face. He gives me a steady look before bringing his mouth back to mine, kissing me deeply and pushing me hard against the wall with his body, holding me there. I taste the blood from his lip in my mouth.

He pulls back enough to let me slide down the length of him. As he looks into my face, I see the expression of wonder turning to complete satisfaction on his face.

“We’ve shared blood,” he finally states. “Now you belong to me.” He buries his lips in mine, taking my bottom lip between his teeth, pulling gently. When he releases my lip, he leans back, his eyes intense as he peers into mine. “A blood bond can never be broken.” His face breaks into one of his megawatt smiles. “This pleases me,” he states with smug satisfaction.

We stand there looking at each other for a few moments as my breathing returns to normal. Then he bends down and kisses me on the forehead. “You are so sweet. You have no idea how important you are to me.” He smiles down into my eyes, making my breath catch. “I have to leave, please stay safe while I’m gone.” His eyes are alight with humor as they search mine. At least he’s not
ordering
me to stay out of trouble. “Will you think of me?”

“Yes.” My voice comes out sounding breathy.

He places his hand against the side of my face and strokes my bottom lip with his thumb. “What I’d like to do to this mouth.”

Oh!
My belly clenches in reaction to his words. His lips replace his thumb, and he kisses me sweetly before stepping to the door. I’m lightheaded and dizzy from his kisses.

“Sweet dreams,” he says with a wicked grin. After closing the door, I hear him laughing out on the porch as if he’s laughing at a private joke.

I pick up my robe and hold it against my throbbing nipple. I pray he isn’t leading me on.

I finish the brownies and clean up the kitchen. As I lay in my bed, snuggled down under the covers, I can smell Lucas on me. What am I going to do? I want him with an intensity that bewilders me. My resolve to stay away from him is long forgotten. I can’t resist him; the instant he touches me, I’m putty in his hands, which alarms me. Because underneath my desire for him, my wanting to keep him, I know there’s something—something to be frightened of.

A hand strokes my shoulder and my heart lurches in fear.

“Shhh. Sofie, my sweet.” Lucas breathes his warm breath into my ear. He lies at my back, and I relax against him. “You’re safe. I won’t let anything hurt you.”

“How can you stop them?” I ask. My voice sounds young and vulnerable.

“They wouldn’t dare harm you,” he growls. “You belong to me now.”

I snuggle into him, and his arms wrap around me, his hand smoothing the hair off my forehead, soothing me until I drift back to sleep.

Chapter Sixteen

M
y first thought when I wake the next morning is of Lucas. I turn onto my side, facing the window, and clutch my spare pillow against me. I remember Lucas telling me he was leaving but not when he’d be back.

I roll out of bed and head for the shower. I almost don’t want to wash his scent off and groan with the knowledge that I’m a goner. While I’m in the shower, I remember the dream.

An hour later, I’m picking up Diane and Em
ma Rae for a day of shopping in Springfield. After dropping off my brownies at Lucy’s, we’re on our way to the big city.

I called Maryanne earlier in the week to ask her to join us, but the woman who answered said Maryanne was out of town.

At our first stop, a bookstore, I notice something odd. Two different people nod to me as if they know me. A couple of stores later, an elderly gentleman bows his head in passing. A young couple we meet on the sidewalk make eye contact and give a quick smile. After walking past, I turn and catch them looking back at me.

The restaurant where we eat lunch is crowded and busy. A different waiter than ours inclines his head toward me. I notice him watching us as we eat, and he tips his head again.

“What’s that all about?” Diane asks. “You don’t know him, do you?”

“No, I don’t.” But I do know his attention makes me uncomfortable.

At home, I sort my purchases. The house is quiet and clean, and all the laundry is washed and sorted. I don’t have to fix supper since Jake is taking Diane out to eat. Emma Rae has a date with Andy, and I decide I’ll head over to the Shotgun Shack.

I take my time in the shower and don my robe when I get out. I search through the fridge for something to munch on and find some meatloaf Lucy sent home with me. I fix a sandwich and stare out the kitchen window while I eat. The sky looks ominous. I heard talk about snow at Murphy’s the day before, and I recall Brit Zelt’s remark about a large storm.

Will Lucas be back by then and where has he gone? I carry the rest of my sandwich to the front door, but Wolf doesn’t come when I call him. Is he with Lucas?
Okay.
This has to stop.

I dress in a pair of jeans, a white cami, and a black cardigan. It isn’t until I reach in the closet for my coat that I decide to retrieve it from his house as Lucas suggested. Of course, he meant for me to come when he’s home. As I’m about to leave, my cell rings.

“Sofie,” Sam says with relief in his voice.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“You busy? What are you doing tonight?”

“I’m not busy. I was going to come see you. Are you home?” I tease.

“No, and that’s the problem. I’m running late to pick up Rose. Would you drive over and get her? I’ll owe you plenty.”

“No problem, cuz. You don’t owe me anything.”

“Thanks, I’ll call Rose. See you in a few.”

Rose is waiting on her front porch as I pull up. “Hey, how are you?” I ask as she slides into the Jeep.

“I’m good.” She smiles brightly. “It’s great to see you.”

“You too. I’ve missed you.” Whatever problem she and Sam had, they’ve obviously worked through it. I’m glad because they seem good together. “Do you mind riding with me out to Lucas’ place? I left my coat there, and I need to pick it up.”

“Not at all.”

When we pull up to the already open gates, a guard I don’t recognize motions us through without bothering to come out of his cozy, warm building. We drive on up the hill, and as the house comes into view, there are two unfamiliar cars in the driveway. As we walk up the front porch steps, I know we’re being watched.

Before I get the chance to knock, the door opens. A man I’ve never seen before stands there. He is incredibly thin with a severely scarred complexion.

I glance around. “Is—is Max here?”

The stranger swings the door wide. “Please, won’t you come in?”

I glance at Rose as we both step in. The door shuts with an ominous click behind us, which makes me glance back nervously.

“My name is Lee. Please come.” He motions with his hand for us to precede him.

Who is this guy?
“I-Is Max here?” I ask again, confused.

“He is not. We are friends of Santiago’s. Come, I know Cardwell will want to meet you.” He looks at me as he speaks.

We step into the living room, and I want to turn right around and run out. There are four other men besides Lee. Two are sitting on the couch, but they stand when we enter. Their eyes are intent on us, or I should say me.
They are staring at me.
They look—well—rough. Rough as in mean.

Another man stands by Lucas’ music system. He is burly too, with the same hard demeanor. He zeroes his attention in on me too. He is the first to speak. “Cardwell.”

The man standing at the window, looking out across the lawn, turns to face us.

Rose gasps, moves closer to me, and grabs my arm. It takes all my resolve not to respond the same way.

He has stringy, shoulder-length black hair. His eyebrows have grown together above the bridge of his nose, which is long and pointed. His cheeks are hollow, sunken, giving his thin face an emaciated and haggard look. He emanates pure evil. His eyes are the most frightening thing about him. They are dark, maybe black, but something is odd about them, something unclear from across the room.

I curse myself for that thought when he immediately stands in front of us. Rose pulls back, but I can’t seem to move. I look into his frightening eyes, and see a blood-red ring around his pupils; it appears as if the pupils… quiver.

“What is your name?” he demands, his voice unnerving. I feel as if it’s actually grating across my skin.

“Sofie,” I choke. He studies me for a moment, making my skin crawl, before turning his attention to Rose. “Leave her alone!” I cry a
s he circles us.

Rose squeezes up tight against me as his hand comes out to touch her.

“Don’t touch her!” I practically yell, knocking his hand away.

He’s suddenly in my face. A long, drawn out, inhuman hiss emits from his throat. Rose whimpers and grips my arm as she squeezes closer. My breath rushes in and out as if I’ve just run a marathon. He smiles as if he’s enjoying our fear.

I’m not sure what comes over me. Maybe it is the knowledge that Rose and I are on our own here. I spit my words into his face. “Get away from us!”

His eyes widen for a split second before his lips pull back, baring his teeth.

“Cardwell!” The big man who spoke earlier is immediately beside us, grabbing the spewing monster’s upraised arm. Cardwell turns his fury on the much larger man, who seems unintimidated. His voice is raspy and harsh. “I have no intention of running from Santiago for eternity because of your arrogance! Cease with this!”

For a moment it looks as if Cardwell is about to do something none of us will like, then he appears to regain control. He steps back.

A sudden racket at the back of the house has me praying. The answer to that prayer comes in the form of Andy and Cal. The front door bursts open and two more of Lucas’ men come into the living room.

“Back away,” Andy speaks in a deadly calm voice.

“This is no concern of yours,” the man called Cardwell states.

“Since Santiago asked me to check on Sofie’s safety, I’d say it is my business.”

What?

I decide to inch toward Andy, pulling Rose along. I couldn’t leave her behind even if I wanted to. She has a death grip on my arm. Neither Cardwell nor the other men show any sign of moving.

As Andy moves us toward Cal, Max arrives. He stands in front of me, gazing into my face. “Are you both okay?” he asks, genuinely concerned.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Andrew,” Max says without taking his eyes from mine, “escort Cardwell and his… men to the gates. Make it understood they are not allowed back in.”

“Now wait a minute!” Cardwell cries angrily. His voice grates across my skin once more. Rose and I cringe. “I’m here to speak with Santiago.”

I see the rage on Max’s face before he moves. He is instantly in the other man’s space, in his face. I hope to never see that look directed at me. Cardwell steps back.

“You came here uninvited, and you have insulted Santiago,” Max says in a dangerous voice.

“No! I would never do that!” I hear the fear in Cardwell’s voice.

“You spoke to this woman, did you not?” Cardwell looks terrified. I see him swallow convulsively. “Go now.” Max dismisses him. “You want to speak with Santiago? I’m sure you will get your chance—later.”

I see the wild fear in Cardwell’s eyes. His men have already left through the front door. Cardwell backs out of the room, and he is gone. Lucas’ men follow him. I think Rose is going to collapse before I can get her to the couch. We’re both shaking.

Max is instantly on his cell phone. “Dominic? Yes, please.” He glances over at us. “She’s okay. They are a little shaken, but they are both unharmed.” Max looks at me again. “Miss Sofie, did any of those men touch you or—your friend?”

“Rose. Her name’s Rose.”

I see a smile cross his lips. “Were either you or Miss Rose touched?”

“No.”

He relays the information to—I guess he is speaking with Lucas. Or maybe it’s Dominic.

“Let’s go,” I say. Rose agrees, eager to leave.

Max has finished his call, and he walks with us to the door. He hands me my coat from a closet in the foyer. “My apologies to you both for your fright. Lucas told me to tell you he will speak with you later.”

“Thank you, Max, for getting here when you did,” I tell him, which makes him smile. We hurry to the Jeep and lock our doors as soon as we’re inside. We drive through the gates without a word and head for the Shotgun Shack.

How did Lucas know I was even at his house? It doesn’t make sense. Maybe the guard at the gate called him when we first arrived. I glance over at Rose, and she looks at me. Neither of us say anything. I’m sure we’re wearing the same expression. I park, shut off the engine, and we just sit.

“For now, I think it might be a good idea if we don’t tell anyone what happened,” I say.

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” she readily agrees.

A truck pulls up beside us, and I look over to see that it’s Taylor. He’s been out of town for a few days. He waits for us at the door, holding a bag I’m sure contains the bottle of tequila he always brings. He never drinks the cheap stuff, either. Rose proceeds through the door, but Taylor sticks out his hand to stop me. His intent regard is unsettling.

“What?” I ask.

“Well, I have to say—I’m not really surprised.”

“About what?” He shakes his head and motions for me to go in. “I don’t understand. What are you talking about?” I ask, in confusion.

He simply shakes his head again. Sam and Sawyer, along with Terry Joe and Logan, are inside at the bar.

“Got any limes, Sofie?” Taylor asks as he removes not one, but two bottles from the sack he brought.

“If I slice some, can I have a shot?” I ask.

“That’s why I brought a couple of bottles. I figured you girls might need a drink or two,” Taylor says for my ears only.

I look at him with surprise. His expression lets me know he’s aware of what happened at Lucas’ house. He pours the three of us a shot and slides the bottle over to Sam. Sam picks up the bottle, looks at the label, and peers at Taylor with lifted brow.

Taylor shrugs. “It’s from Santiago’s stash.”

“Did you pick out the most expensive?” Sam asks jokingly.

Taylor snorts. “Hardly.”

I wonder at their exchange when Sawyer walks up. “Sawyer, don’t you have a date tonight?” I ask.

“Yeah, Arilla should be here anytime.” The ones of us who know Arilla give Sawyer dubious looks.

“It’s gonna be a wild night,” Sam states warily as he pours us all another round.

I want to get Taylor alone and find out what he knows and how he learned about what happened so quickly. When I get my chance, I wait, hoping he’ll bring the subject up. He doesn’t.

“How did you hear about what happened?” I ask quietly, keeping an eye on the others.

“I was with Lucas,” he says simply.

“When Max called Lucas?” He smiles slightly. “Do you know Cardwell?”

Taylor makes a rude sound. “Cardwell is scum. He’s overstepped himself for years.”

“He claimed he was there waiting to speak with Lucas.”

Taylor smiles, again
with no comment. At my thoughtful look, he laughs and says, “You need to talk to Lucas.”

Well that’s obvious, but the thing is, why hasn’t Lucas tried to get in touch with me? “I don’t know where Lucas is.” I glance over at the others where Sawyer is whooping it up and then back at Taylor.

“Max called Lucas, and I heard him say Dominic. Dominic is Lucas’ friend who owns that bar, the supernatural bar, right?” Taylor gives me a puzzling smile.

Lucas saved me from that scum Cardwell, but why hasn’t he called me? I bite my lip to control my sudden emotions. Because… he’s with someone else.

Taylor must see something in my face that gives me away because he reaches over and touches my hand. “Sofie—”

Whatever Taylor is about to say is interrupted by a blood-curdling scream from outside the Shotgun Shack.

Every one of us stops what w
e’re doing, frozen. Then we all move at once, rushing to the door. Right outside, between Terry Joe’s truck and Sawyer’s Jeep, Arilla Kane is on the ground on her hands and knees.

Sawyer and Logan reach her first and kneel beside her. Blood runs along one side of her face from a cut at the corner of her eyebrow. I hurry back inside and return with a roll of paper towels. I drop to my knees beside her, tear off a couple of towels, and dab at the blood.

Arilla is crying and babbling incoherently. Sawyer tries to soothe her, but she won’t calm down. She is hysterical, grabbing my arm, trying desperately to get me to understand her.

“Arilla... take a deep breath... stop crying for a moment,” I say, trying to get through to her. She grabs my other arm and pulls me closer. “Guys?”

Arilla has risen to her knees and she keeps repeating the same thing while she maintains her death grip on my arms. Sawyer is standing now, talking to Sam and Taylor, and looking down at Arilla. They seem unsure what to do.

“Guys!” I say more forcefully.

“Sofie?” Sawyer squats down by Arilla and me.

I look into his face. “She’s telling me... the monsters took Sheena.”