A Job From Hell (26 page)

Kieran lifted his hands, his smile widening. "What?" He sniffed the air and moaned. "Are you having a Fangsgiving Day dinner without me again? Somebody's messy. You know, they came up with this marvel ous invention in this century. It's cal ed a paper napkin. Ever heard of it?"

Kieran wasn't going to drop it. Not until he got bored. I sighed and decided to get it over with. "Okay, say it."

"No idea what you're talking about." Kieran raised his eyebrows in mock confusion.

"That I'm a fool for putting myself through this because of a girl."

Kieran laughed, eyes glinting with self-satisfaction. "You're going about it the wrong way, bro. Girls wil trip over themselves to get a bad guy.

The way you're proceeding, she won't fal for you in a mil ion years. If you bite her and she turns, the Lore court wil kil you, but she'l have her bad boy. If you don't bite her, you'l end up running around in those stained shirts for the rest of your existence."

I looked down at the stains, and sighed. I had been too frantic yet again, even though I knew drinking frozen blood would never quel my thirst.

"Crap. It's probably on the carpet too. Where's Clare? She's a miracle worker when it comes to removing tough stains."

"Great way to impress your future brother-in-law, by the way," Kieran continued. "You look like you took a blood bath. The only thing missing is the axe. Would Dal as real y let his little sister date a crazed murderer who hacks bodies in the basement? You need to change that shirt pronto.

And oh, you're welcome. I just saved you from making a complete and utter fool of yourself, but don't mention it."

I curled my lips into a fake smile. "Thanks. It's so nice to know you've got my back."

Kieran regarded me cool y. "A hobby might help ease al that hunger. Have you ever considered fixing cars, or woodworking, or maybe a DIY

project around the house?"

"You're getting a big laugh out of this, aren't you?"

Kieran shrugged. "There's nothing on TV. I real y hope you don't change her. If you do it's a sure death sentence, and I won't stand by and watch."

I smirked. "Just do me a favour and get Amber's brother out of the house before I have his blood stains on my shirt, too."

Kieran crossed his arms over his chest, grinning. "Yeah, kil ing him might not help you earn any brownie points with her. So, what's with the bad mood? Not yourself today?"

"Not real y." I stared at the floor and the whirled up dust particles shimmering in the artificial light.

"I doubt you'l ever be, bro, and that's because she has you wrapped around her little finger." Kieran winked, his laughter ringing through the hal as he headed downstairs.

I returned to my room to change. I'd be the one having the last laugh when Kieran found his mate, but until then I reckoned I'd continue to be the laughing stock.

Clare wasn't in the library. I dropped on the sofa and waited for my brother to give me the al clear. Half an hour later, Kieran hadn't returned from the living room, and the scent of Amber's brother stil hung heavy in the air. How could I talk to Amber, make her want me and agree to her turning if things went wrong, if Kieran didn't hurry up a bit?

A vein throbbing in my right temple, I stood and took a few tentative steps down the hal . Voices carried over; the scent seemed a hundred times stronger here. Then I heard Kieran's laughter, and I realised my stupid brother was probably having the time of his life—on my expense. Fighting the sudden pang of hunger, I clenched my hands and entered the living room.

***

Amber sat next to Kieran, laughing at something he said. My gaze was drawn to the dark blond guy to her right. Dal as, Amber's brother, looked like the tanned version of her, but his heartbeat was less frantic. The poor guy probably had no idea he was talking to a kil ing machine that could snap his neck in an instant.

Kieran noticed my entrance first and jumped up, putting himself between Dal as and me. For the first time in years, my brother didn't have a cracking comment up his sleeve. My back was slick from sweat as I forced air into my lungs. I pushed Kieran aside with more force than intended and held out my hand. Amber glanced up at me, startled, as though she didn't expect me to join the party. Wel , as far as I remembered it was stil my house. If she didn't feel comfortable introducing me to her family, she shouldn't have cal ed them over to visit.

Amber pointed at me. "Dal as, this is my boss, Aidan McAl ister. Aidan, this is my brother Dal as."

Dal as seemed oblivious to the tension in the room as he shook my hand with unnatural vigour. "You're the guy who managed to turn our Amber into a household goddess. Mum and Dad wil never believe it."

I frowned. So, Dal as stil thought Amber was just the housekeeper. She hadn't told her brother we were on the verge of dating? I shot her an irritated glance. "I don't know about the household goddess part. Let's face it. Amber's no Kim Woodburn or Aggie MacKenzie, that's for sure."

She scowled. "If you want a five-star menu that you're not going to eat anyway because you eat out most nights, why don't you just hire a cook?"

"I sense trouble in paradise." Kieran's smile was back in place as he said to Dal as, "Come on. I'l show you the house while they sort out their lovers' spat? Could take a while."

"Did you say lovers' spat?" Dal as raised his brows. Kieran dragged him out the door.

"What's wrong with you? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the coffin?" Amber placed her hands on her hips, her gaze throwing daggers.

"Your brother couldn't keep his mouth shut to save his life. I'l tel Dal as when I'm good and ready. He had no right to spil the beans. And as for you

—"

I laughed, interrupting her. "Inviting your brother over wasn't the brightest idea, especial y not when you're hel -bent on keeping us a big secret." I grabbed her shoulders, ready to shake that arrogance out of her. Clare was right, Cameron wasn't forgotten yet, or why else would she not make our dating official?

Amber pushed my hands aside. "I didn't invite him. He came to visit because, with al the drama, I forgot to reply to his last message and he was worried." I knew she was lying from her racing heart. But I let her continue. "Do you real y think I'd put my brother's life at risk by introducing him to a bunch of vampires looking for their next dinner?"

A bunch of vampires? Was that al I was to her? I cringed, ignoring my anger. "That's okay. It's not like I want to meet the in-laws any time soon.

We al know I only hired you because you're hot."

Standing, she inched closer, barely reaching my chin as she glared up at me. "Since you keep mentioning my cooking and cleaning skil s, is there something you're trying to tel me?"

Until now I had been the one to do the chasing. Kieran was right, I was going at it the wrong way. Time to play it cool. "Let's put it this way—" I took a deep breath, considering my words "—we fancy the pants off each other, but I'd rather not meet your family."

Her jaw dropped; her expression hardened. She looked like she fought hard not to slap me. I sounded like my brother, but as much as I wanted to hug her tight and admit my lie, I couldn't. Judging from her dating history, she didn't fal for good guys. "Why would I even want a guy with over five hundred years of emotional baggage?"

I snorted. "Like you have room to talk."

"I didn't spend hundreds of years with Cameron," Amber said.

"You can't move forward with your life. It's the same thing."

She glared at me. "Why don't you go out on the town and look for some fresh necks to bite? I'l be sure to have the bartender spike your Blood Light with garlic."

"My what?"

"Bud light. A beer?" She waved her hand in my face. "Ah, never mind. Guess at your age, keeping up with the youth is a tough task. I don't see the point in being here much longer. Let's just get the darn book so I can be on my way."

"Sure. Whatever suits you, babe." I winced at her hurt expression, which disappeared immediately behind a cold mask.

"I'm not your babe. Never wil be." Keeping her head high, she dropped onto the sofa and turned away from me. "I'm so tired of playing house with you. Don't even say another word to me until you figure out how to get the book."

I regarded her profile for a moment. Al the makeup in her face couldn't hide the signs of exhaustion. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glinting with moisture. Clearly, her ego was hurt. I could only hope Kieran's tactic wouldn't backfire. Sitting down beside her, I draped an arm over her shoulders, drawing her closer. She stiffened, but didn't pul away.

"Do you have any plans tomorrow evening?" I whispered in her ear.

Amber drew in a sharp breath, her heartbeat spiking again. "What? I'm not so sure a housekeeper should be seen with a guy of your stature."

I cocked an eyebrow. "I thought you quit."

"I did. But you wouldn't let me leave, if I remember correctly. So, technical y, I'm stil being paid."

Hiding my smile, I said, "We're getting the book tomorrow night—if you don't have any other plans."

She turned to face me, brows furrowed. "As a matter of fact, I do. Yeah, big ones. I'm washing my hair. But I'l make an exception because the sooner I get rid of you, the better."

I knew she didn't mean it, but the words stung nonetheless. The door swung open and Cassandra walked in. Her gaze moved between Amber and me, then to my hand on Amber's thigh. "Get a room, guys."

"I don't think so," Amber said. "You couldn't pay me to get a room with him because he's rude, pushy, selfish, disrespectful and obnoxious. Shal I go on?"

Cass shook her head. "Nope. We got the message, loud and clear. Why, I could've told you that, mate, and saved you the heartache. The last thing you want is obnoxious offspring."

"That's not even an option." Amber sighed.

Cass inched closer, as usual not able to keep her mouth shut. "Let me give you some great advice. Aidan's the finest piece of vampire meat you've ever met. But never invite a vampire into your heart, sil y girl." She glanced at me, nostrils flaring, eyes sparkling like she enjoyed every bit of the chaos she created.

"Go away, Cass," I said, irritated, wishing I could just throw her butt right out the door.

"I want to get a mil ion miles away from this moron." Amber sat up and pushed my hand aside. "But for now, the next room wil have to do. I'l get Clare while I'm there."

Cass watched Amber walk out, then turned to me, eyes glinting again. "What's cracking?"

Half the time I didn't understand a word she said, and the other half she annoyed the hel out of me. "Mind your own business, Cass," I said, taking in another one of her strange attires: a colourful, baggy dress that looked like it was cut out of a tablecloth, and combat boots.

But Cass didn't seem to know when to back off. "Amber's showing you the cold shoulder, huh? Been there, done that. Nothing a little strip can't solve."

"You're suggesting I take off my clothes?" I shot her an amused look, waiting for her to start laughing. Her face remained dead serious.

"Obviously, getting naked won't do the trick." Cass rol ed her eyes. "Keep it subtle, you know—" she waved a hand about "—a bare shoulder here, a naked pin there. You know the dril s."

I laughed. "How do you propose I show my legs unless I run around the house naked and risk prosecution for indecent exposure in front of my employees?"

"Show a bit more fantasy, mate. I can't do al the work for you." She tapped her fingers against her painted lips. "What about a kilt? You could get away with it since we're in Scotland and al . I've heard girls are suckers for guys in skirts."

"Why're you here, Cass?" I asked, not quite able to shake off the frightening image of hundreds of hairy legs in short skirts and dresses. I shivered, focusing on how widened Cass's eyes suddenly seemed. She was about to lie. First Amber, now she. What was wrong with me that people just couldn't tel me the truth?

Cass smoothed a hand over her reddish hair to gain a few more second. "I was worried about Amber. Had to check you guys got her back okay."

I narrowed my gaze. "Since when do you care?"

"Hey, don't be like that. I real y like her. We're two pals who share secrets, like sisters," Cass said.

"I'm sure Thrain fil ed you in."

Her voice rose a notch. "Nope. He was too busy." She regarded me, al wide-eyed innocence. "You never thanked me. Without my help you wouldn't have Amber back. Though, she doesn't seem too happy about it."

"If I thank you, wil you be on your merry way?"

She held up her palms, eyes glinting. "Can't make any promises, mate."

I laughed. Getting rid of her was harder than breaking into a military base. "Thank you, Cass. I truly appreciate everything you did for us. You should trade your horns for angel wings."

She snorted. "And you thought you couldn't trust me."

The door opened again. "We'l be talking later. Don't think I'l forget," I whispered.

Cass shrugged, but I could see the relief in her face as she jumped up and grabbed Amber in a hug. Cass's gaze locked on Dal as who stood in the open door, hands in his pockets, unsure what to do. "Who's the hottie?" Cass whispered. "He's such a hunk."

"More like a chap in tacky bottoms." Amber motioned Dal as to step nearer. "This is my brother, Dal as. Dal as, this is Cass."

Dal as cleared his throat, eyes sparkling almost as bright as Cass's, but Cass spoke first. "I'm fuming you kept him from me. What a waste."

"Are you on your way to a Hal oween party?" Dal as grinned and pointed at her tiny horns peeking from beneath her hair.

"Oh, this little number." Cass laughed and grabbed his arm, pul ing him down on the sofa. "I'm on my way to a charity event run by the Devils in Danger Foundation. It's al about saving the Tasmanian Devil. If we don't act, they'l go extinct."

"Sounds like a worthy cause," Dal as said, seemingly impressed.

Looking away, I rubbed my neck. Whatever Cass was doing in my house, it probably wouldn't help my quest with Amber one bit. Clare walked in, and I leaned back, switching off the drivel as I went through my plan one more time. I wasn't keen on meeting the Shadows, not after the stunt they pul ed on me. But to return my mate safely from her imminent trip, I had to use al the help I could get.