4 Vamp Versus Vamp (20 page)

Drexel was waiting right outside the door. “Come on,” I sighed.

Felipe intersected my stomp towards freedom. “It seems you’re already in need of a new phone. Do I need to invest in stock with Blackberry?”

I rolled my eyes. “No, Felipe.”

He chuckled. “Good. Here is your new phone. All your contacts have been imported in from our servers. Yes, we always back up whatever information you put into the phone to our servers. So no, what do they call them? Sexts?”

I laughed. “Aren’t you cute? I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m not into the whole voyeurism thing.”

“Very well. Drexel will be reporting to us regularly. If we don’t get an update, then we will send in the troops.”

I leaned close. “And what if I want private time with Kellan?” I whispered. I partly wanted to make him as uncomfortable as I was with a shadow.

“Then you will do it with a voyeur,” he smirked, not even batting a lash.

I pursed my lips. “You’re no fun.”

“Life isn’t all fun and games, Alexa. On the contrary, though, I have enjoyed a bit of both in my time.” He turned to walk away but stopped. “Do try not to get yourself in trouble again. You’re costing us quite a bit in resources.”

“I never asked you to help.”

He looked directly at me. “When there is a nuclear bomb on the loose and up for grabs by the dirtiest vamps in our midst, then it is our job to protect it at all costs. The last thing we need is it falling into the wrong hands.” He fled to a side office, leaving me standing there. I knew he was implying that I was the nuclear bomb; I knew they were trying to prevent a disaster, but they shouldn’t do it by making me feel dependent.

“Let’s go get you a shower and a fresh set of clothes. Afterward, we can return to your friend’s house for her unveiling tonight.” Drexel’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I stared up at him. Kindness and understanding met me. I found myself nodding and allowing him to steer me towards an exit.

Chapter 19

Part of the arrangement with Drexel was riding in an army-issued vehicle complete with many of the security features that were in my now-destroyed Mercedes. Drexel was quiet the entire drive to my house. Not to my surprise, he didn’t need directions to my home, either.

“Stay in the car and allow me to check things out first. If I’m not back in under a minute, then leave.” He waited until I nodded before he got out of the car.

My pulse kicked up speed as I impatiently waited for his return. He had one thing right. I wanted to shower and change as soon as possible. I hated being a grungy mess. I wasn’t afraid of getting dirty, but I felt uncomfortable staying dirty. I could never last as an agent anywhere remote.

Forty-eight seconds later, Drexel returned. “Come along.”

He escorted me through the front door. I raced beyond him and went right upstairs to my room. He easily followed behind me.

“I’ll wait here,” he said, peeking through my bedroom window.

I watched him for a moment, waiting to see if my body reacted to him being outside the room I’d be naked and vulnerable in. When nothing flared, I went to the closet for some clothes. I grabbed a pair of dark-wash skinny jeans and my black army-issued combat boots; I wasn’t taking any chances this time. I tucked a fresh bra, undies, and black socks into my jeans between the folds. I’d always felt self-conscious about others seeing my undergarments. I snagged Kellan’s black T-shirt, ironically with the U.S. Army’s logo on the left side, and headed for the bathroom. “I won’t be long.”

“Take your time,” he said, not even bothering to see that I went into the bathroom.

I stood under the showerhead, allowing the hot water to trickle down my body, begging for it to ease my stiff muscles and aching back. Showers had always relaxed me, but I couldn’t relax today. My mind was lost on a million topics of concern; my body was pinned beneath a thousand worries, frantic for release and retribution. I didn’t know how and I didn’t know when, but my grandfather would have his day.

I stepped out of the shower, quickly dried off, and got dressed. Kellan’s shirt was big on me, so I tucked the front of it into the front of my jeans. It was my compromise. I wanted comfort but needed to be dressed for anything. I threw my hair into a tight knot at the top of my head.

My ring reflected a glimmer of light from overhead onto the foggy mirror. I studied my ring, thinking back to when Kellan and I had first met. Things had changed so much in such a short amount of time. For any human, our relationship would have been far too quick and irrational, but, as I’d learned, it wasn’t uncommon for a vamp. It was just more proof of how different the human world was from the vamp world. How different my life was now compared to then.

Drexel knocked gently on the bathroom door. “Are you okay?”

I opened the door. “I’m fine.” My voice was low and calm.

He analyzed me, his eyes traveling up and down me. His lips lifted at the corners; amusement brightened his eyes. “Nice outfit.”

I cocked my head. “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

He straightened immediately, the military training of his past surfacing as he erased all emotion from his face. “Ask away.”

“Are…” I bit my lower lip, trying to think of how not to offend him. “Are you gay?”

His eyes slightly narrowed. It would have been unrecognizable to even the most highly trained human. “Why does it matter?” His tone was a harsh bark, terse.

I threw up my hands. “It doesn’t. It was a stupid question that you don’t have to answer.”

I grabbed my dirty clothes off the bathroom counter and headed into the closet to toss them in my hamper. When I returned, Drexel was still standing in the same spot. His jaw was clenching, his eyes were squished shut, and he was running his fingers along his palms. I’d clearly upset him.

I carefully approached him, placing a hand on his bicep. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I guess Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell
should be carried over into the vamp army, too.” I tried to lighten the mood, but only stuttered into worse territory. I sighed. “I’m sorry, Drexel. I should have just let it go. It’s not important.”

That’s when I saw it, the single red tear that slipped down his cheek. I walked around him, facing him. I used my thumb to wipe away the stray droplet. He opened his eyes, more tears sitting in the wells of his eyes.

I smiled softly at him. “It doesn’t matter.”

He chuckled lightly. “I’m supposed to be the tough guy here.”

“From what I can tell, you’ve been strong your whole life. Everyone deserves a moment of weakness.”

“I’m a disgrace to the marines of my human years. The CIA is more liberal, but the upper executives are all hardcore Republicans with the belief that I’m a living abomination. The vamp army has adopted the same idea as the U.S. human Army, yet when
you’re surrounded by men originating decades and centuries ago in a time when the mention of it was taboo
, I’m not accepted. I’m not acceptable. You must swear on your life not to tell a soul.”

My heart broke for him. I couldn’t imagine living all of eternity forever forced to hide
who
I truly was, forced to pretend I didn’t desire who I actually did. I placed a hand on his cheek. “Your secret is safe with me.”

He nodded. I watched as he hid all that had been unveiled moments ago. In mere seconds his face was an unreadable mask. “Let’s go.”

When we pulled up to Mel’s house, the first thing I noticed was an unmarked car parked across the street from her house.

“Friend or foe?” I asked.

“Friend. Bladang.”

Drexel led me to the front door. Before I could knock, the door flung open and I was in Gabi’s arms. “O.M.G. You scared the bejesus out of me,
chica
! Don’t you dare do that again.
”
She squeezed me tighter to emphasize her point.

I hugged her before gently disentangling myself. “I’m okay, really. A little sore, that’s all.” Most of my wounds had healed. At the house I’d checked my back. It had been bad, but the bruises were already fading to a yellowish-brown color.

“Oh.” She promptly released me, as if only now realizing that I’d sustained injuries.

Drexel shut the door behind us.

Gabi’s eyes traveled from me to him. “Who’s the bear?”

“Be nice,” I snapped. “He’s my personal bodyguard.”

“I thought Kellan was your bodyguard?”

“Yeah, well, he’s too busy discussing offensive tactics with Auggy and Kalel.”

“I don’t know how I feel about him and Kalel being all buddy-buddy now.” Gabi tugged me by my hand into the living room and plopped down on the sofa, dragging me with her. Drexel remained standing, but planted himself right beside the couch.

“Kellan’s needed a few new friends. No offense to Craig; he’s great. I just think it’s about time Kellan had more than one person to turn to.”

“I can relate.” Gabi nodded her head towards the kitchen. Jack poked his head out at that precise moment.

“I heard that, my dear,” he chimed in.

“I know.” She smiled.

“What happened while I was gone?”

“Nothing really. We saw a few vampeens nosing around in the backyard, but they disappeared pretty quickly.”

“Good.” I stood up. Drexel took a step to the side to allow me to pass. “I’m going to go downstairs for a bit.”

“Sure.”

Drexel followed me down to the basement. Mr. Hartford and Craig were quietly pacing around the coffin. I noticed several weapons tucked into their pants and a bulge in their pockets. They weren’t taking any chances, not that I blamed them.

“Hey,” I waved. They both looked up.

“Hello, Lexi. Hello, Drexel,” Mr. Hartford greeted us.

Craig eyed Drexel suspiciously. After a few moments, he finally said, “Hey.”

“How is she? Does she seem okay?”

“We can’t open the Dracula chamber to check.” Craig motioned to the small windows near the ceiling in two places. They weren’t large, but they were letting in quite a bit of sunlight, which was a no-no during one’s transformation.

“Oh, yeah.” I sucked my lower lip between my teeth, staring down at the bright pink box. “I’m sure she’s okay. I mean
,
the coffin didn’t hit the floor.”

“She was jostled about pretty badly, though.” Steven’s forehead creased as he stopped his pacing.

“If she was hurt, she’d heal like a vamp, though, right?”

“It depends on how far into her transformation she was, how much of her cells had been reprogrammed already.” Mr. Hartford placed a hand on top of the casket.

I came up beside him, setting my hand atop his. “She’ll be fine. She’s a fighter.”

“I can’t argue that one,” he said with pride.

We all settled into an amicable silence for the next several hours. The sun was just about to set when Aunt Claire came downstairs.

“Hey, how is everything going?”

“Not sure yet,” Mr. Hartford answered.

“Just a few more hours till you see that everything is fine.” She turned to me. “I made an appointment for you and Kellan to see the condo tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. If you like it, then we’ll put in an offer. If not, we’ll keep looking,” she assured me.

“Thanks.”

“Of course. I’ll be upstairs if anyone needs me.” She waved and headed back up to the main level.

Another hour passed before Kellan got there. I excused myself to go see him with Drexel in tow. He’d just stepped into the living room when I arrived.

“How did everything go?”

“Good.” He opened his arms to welcome me in. I snuggled into his chest, allowing him to wrap me into him. “
You look very sexy in my shirt.
”

I smiled against his hard
pecs
. “
Thanks.
”

“
What did I miss?
”

“
I’m more concerned about what I missed.
”

“
I’ll pull you in when the time’s right. For now, I’m asking you to trust me.
”

I peered up at him. “
I trust you. I just don’t trust them.
”

“
Auggy and Kalel have your best interests in mind, too.
”

“
Not the same way you do.
”

He nodded his head in agreement. “
Claire told me about the appointment tomorrow. She said you had the specs on the property.
”

I scrunched my features. “
I left it in my other pants. Sorry. I already know it’s the one, though.
”

“
How?
”

I swallowed the serum threatening to rise in the back of my throat. “
Because it’s the one Jack showed us in his vision in Puerto Rico
.”

Kellan stiffened in my arms. “
Then we shouldn’t get it.
”