Access Granted (10 page)

Chapter Seventeen

Walking around the scrap booking section of the department store, Sabrina searched for new materials for the teddy bear scrapbook she already had inside of her shopping cart. Instead of going home after work, she decided at the last minute to drive here hoping some time alone would help her figure out what was going on with her. She couldn’t get over the excellent time she’d had with Zander at lunch, but it also scared the hell out of her.

How could she have such conflicting feelings for him all of the time? One minute she wanted him as far away from her as possible and then in the next second all she could think about was kissing him for the rest of the day.

What in the hell was happening to her
?

Sabrina moved down the aisle and only stopped to grab a few stickers and tossed them inside of her cart with the other items already there. Ever since Zander came into her life, she hadn’t looked at another man or even thought about dating anyone seriously.

The only reason she went out with Brent was to show Zander that he couldn’t run her life. She was a grown woman which meant she could do anything she wanted to without Zander Irizarry showing up out of nowhere and barking out orders to her.

Sabrina didn’t know which Zander was worse: him trying to be the boss of her or him expecting her to do every single word that came out of his mouth no matter how stupid it seemed to her. She had only met his brother Jax once at Alpha Male Inc., but he had the same commanding presence about him.

His brother came off as little more untouchable than Zander and she still didn’t understand how he won over the energetic Coco and got her to marry him since they came across as polar opposites from each other.

Anytime she saw Coco singing on television or getting interviewed there was always this huge smile on her face with Jax standing a few feet behind her looking somber yet dangerous.

Could she allow herself to fall head over heels in love with Zander? Is that what he wanted from her? She just wasn’t ready to go down that road with him. No matter how hard he pursued her she wasn’t interested in loving someone who might not be around for long. It always seemed like every man she cared about in her life ended up dying on her first her father and then Avery. Why would Zander be any different?

The mere thought of losing another person she cared so deeply for scared the hell out of her. She couldn’t allow Zander to make her more than his good friend. What the two of them had was good...no, it was better than good. It was great. Nothing he could tell her would be able to change her mind on this.

Sabrina pushed her cart further down the aisle wondering what Zander’s reaction would be to her decision. Having lunch with him today had been a bad move on her part. She’d given him a glimmer of hope for something that never would be.

Why couldn’t he just understand what they shared with each other now was more perfect than any romantic relationship could be between them?

Whenever she needed a shoulder to cry on Zander showed up without giving it a second thought. His communication and affection towards her anytime her days were too difficult outweighed all of her other desires at the moment.

Without a doubt, Sabrina knew no matter what her feelings were at that precise moment she could always share them with Zander, but she wished he would confide more of his problems to her.

There had to be days something was weighing heavily on his mind, yet he never voiced the words to her. Over time she had learned things about him that he probably hadn’t even realized like when he was nervous about meeting a new client. He would pull on his left ear or when he was upset with Jax he would cross his arms over his chest and this scary frown would come on his face. When would it dawn on him that she possessed the same qualities to help him when he needed it?

Yes, she didn’t want a romantic relationship with him, but she could still be the best damn friend he ever had in his life.

Sighing, Sabrina pushed her worries about Zander out of her mind. One thing was for certain, he wasn’t ever going to leave her side. The bond the two of them shared was too tight for that ever to occur. Zander was a constant in her life and that wouldn’t ever change no matter how mad he got at her.

Chapter Eighteen

Shit! He was running late. Zander took a quick glance at the watch on his wrist. He had to get out of here pretty soon or he wouldn’t have enough time to get everything ready for his date with Sabrina.

Sure, she didn’t know he was coming over to her house, but he was positive she wouldn’t turn down his offer for dinner and a movie. She loved doing those things with him as a friend so why was there any reason for her to turn him down tonight?

Everything he did now towards Sabrina was to find more of a way to plant himself more firmly into her heart. He already had one strike against him because of his friendship with Avery. Instead of being a stepping stone to help his chance at winning over his mate, the closeness he shared with her older brother was more like a huge rock in the middle of the road blocking off their ultimate happiness.

Nothing shy of just kidnapping Sabrina and taking her away from all of this was going to get her to see things his way, but he wasn’t to that point yet. At least, he hoped he wasn’t.

The most important point of a vampire finding his
Unique
woman was her complete acceptance of him and what he was. He couldn’t force Sabrina into being with him. Her love of him and nothing else would be the reason she gave him permission to turn her.

Sadly, Sabrina wasn’t at that point yet when it came to them. However, with everything in him Zander believed she would come around and realize her hidden feelings for him.

He wondered what was taking Jax so long. Wandering over to the window in the family room, he glanced outside and spotted the German Shepherd his brother had given Sahara chasing a squirrel in the back yard.

Jax, where are you? I need to leave or I’m going to be late for my date with Sabrina.

Give me a few more minutes. I’m coming,”
Jax said, touching his mind.
I have something for you to look at. It’s important. I wouldn’t have called you if it wasn’t.

Alright, I can give twenty more minutes but can’t stay any longer.

Fine,”
Jax snapped.
I need to grab everything from the bedroom and I’ll be right down there.

Okay, I’ll be waiting for you,
Zander answered.

He wondered why his brother called him over here so suddenly. He had just left Alpha Male Inc. and was on his way to Sabrina’s house when he got the phone call. He knew something was going on when he heard the panic in his brother’s voice. Jax wasn’t the type to allow his emotions to get the better of him. Instantly, he got concerned that Sahara’s stalker was back.

Everything had been pretty quiet since the wedding, but his brother was still on high alert that the psycho was still out there planning his next move. If something had happened with his sister-in-law, he would be there at his brother’s side to get rid of the asshole by any means necessary.

Zander wasn’t going to allow anyone to harm Jax’s mate. Sahara coming into his brother’s life had taken
too
long for anything to destroy their happiness now.

“Here I am.”

Spinning around away from the window, Zander found Jax standing behind him holding a broken security camera in his hand.

“Who in the hell did that to my equipment?” he asked. Walking across the room, Zander took the camera out of Jax’s hands frowning when several broken pieces fell on the floor.

“I don’t know when it got smashed apart.  I was checking the grounds as I usually do and yesterday it was fine. However, when I checked it today I found it completely off the hinge and tossed to the side. I know that SOB did it,” Jax snapped his green eyes flashing. “I know when I get my hands on him he’s a dead man. There’s no way in hell I’m going to allow that sick bastard to get his hands on my mate.”

“Jax, calm down,” Zander cut in. “I need you level headed to answer my questions.”

He pushed the thoughts of Sabrina out of his head for the moment. He couldn’t leave with his brother this wired up because there was no telling what he would do.

Acting first and thinking second was Jax’s motto. A hard glare was flung in his direction, but Zander didn’t back down. Nothing was going to be solved or worked out if both of them lost their tempers. Patiently, he waited while the dark haze left Jax’s eyes and the normal green color returned.

”Damn, I hate to admit when you’re right, but you are. I can’t lose it like that and have a clear head to protect Sahara,” Jax said.

Zander nodded his head in agreement. “Where exactly did you find this camera, by the outer fence?”

“Like I told you; When I checked the property yesterday it was fine, and everything looked good. However, when I did my walk through this morning after breakfast the camera was completely destroyed tossed over the fence inside the yard. Someone had to get pretty close to do it. I swear when I find out there will be hell to pay.”

“Where were the extra security guards you hired? Why weren’t they walking the area?” He still wasn’t sure how someone got close enough to the house to destroy the camera. Question after question raced through his head, but Zander wasn’t going to bring them up yet since his brother already had a plate full. He had probably already kicked himself a thousand more times than he ever could.

“They were changing shifts when it could have occurred. I’ve told them more than once to make sure an extra man is always walking the grounds when they are switching guards. However, my demands never happen which means I need to find another company to work with after this.”

Jax stormed away from him and looked out of the window into the back yard like he had been doing a few minutes ago.

Zander understood his brother’s fears about something happening to Sahara like it had Colleen because of her stalker. Yet, he had to understand she wasn’t the same woman that he first met. She was a vampire now. Along with her new found gift came heightened strength and a sense of alertness, traits she wasn’t blessed with when she was a human female. So Jax had to stop being so overly protective and show her how to use her new skills better. There might be a time his brother wouldn’t be at Sahara’s side to fight off her stalker and she would have to do it all by herself.

“Jax, don’t fire the guards. Let me have a talk with them. But, I want to run something by you first. Have you thought about showing Sahara what all of her powers can do? I mean, she’s a smart woman and if you introduce her to a few basic things I bet she will catch right on to them. Yeah, you hired a trainer to show her a few basic moves before you got married but she needs more than that now.”

Jax turned and glared at him. “Have you lost your mind? I can’t train my wife to defend herself against her stalker. “I’m here to do that. I won’t put her in the line of danger for no good reason.”

Stubborn as a mule
, Zander thought.

Jax only saw a situation his way and no one else was about to get through the block in his head. “Why aren’t you giving Sahara any credit? She could handle it if you only gave her a fighting chance.

“You won’t do it out of fear for her but your own fear could lead to something worse for your mate. It’s highly unlikely she will end up like Colleen. She isn’t going to die and sooner you understand that fact maybe you will be able to help her instead of holding her back.”

Zander didn’t have time to move before Jax was across the room and directly in front of his face. Gone were his brother’s emerald green eyes to be replaced by two black empty pools filled with anger.

“Don’t ever imply Sahara will end up dead like Colleen. I will rip the man harassing her apart piece by piece before I allow him to take away what took me hundreds of years to find.” His tone sparked with rage.

“Why don’t you leave? I think you should be spending more of your time with Sabrina instead of staying here giving me your piss ass advice. The last time I heard about your mate, she was dividing her time between two men and neither one of them were you little brother.”

“Shut the fuck up!” Zander snapped, stepping closer to his brother until not an inch separated them. “If I remember correctly, you called me over here for help. It wasn’t the other way around.”

“I’m guessing it should have been since the last time I checked I was the only Irizarry male with his mate at his side,” Jax tossed back.

Flinging the broken camera across the room into the chair, Zander grabbed Jax by his shirt. “You better stop while you’re ahead. I don’t want to hurt you. You know I have always held my temper better than you. However; if you continue to insult Sabrina or my lack of relationship with her, I won’t hold back from giving you what you’re asking for.”

Jax’s hand knocked his hold loose. “Come on and try it. I don’t think you’re man enough to do it. Remember, I still have some years on you.”

“I bet I could  take you.” Eyes flashing, Zander’s hand shot out trying to grab his brother’s shirt again, but before he could make contact an unexpected voice stopped him.

“Zander, Jax. What is wrong with the two of you? What in the hell are you doing?”

Spinning his head to the open doorway, he found an irate Sahara standing there next to an equally surprised Raya.

“Nothing is wrong,” Zander lied, taking a step back from Jax who was still giving him the evil eye. “We were only having a brotherly conversation.” He didn’t want to get his sister-in-law involved in the real reason he was fighting with her husband. He wouldn’t let her know how Jax didn’t trust her enough to protect herself.

Pushing her sunglasses on top of her head, Sahara came further into the room with her friend directly behind her. “Don’t you dare lie to me Zander,” she said. “You do remember that I do have the ability to read your mind now?”

Grinning, he bent down and kissed Sahara on her soft cheek. “I know you do and that’s why I’m going to leave. If you want to know the truth, why don’t you ask your husband?”

He walked around Sahara and picked up the broken equipment. Before leaving, Zander stopped in front of Raya who hadn’t taken her eyes off him since she walked into the room.

“Hello, Raya. How are you doing?”

“Pretty good,” she responded with a smile.  “How are things with you?”

Every time he met Raya she was always up front and friendly. She also added stability to Sahara’s life which she needed more than anything at this moment.

“I’m great. Well, I better go. Please keep your girlfriend out of trouble.”

“I’ll try, but you know how much she loves to get her way,” she told him before walking away over towards Sahara and Jax.

Smiling to himself, Zander decided he better hurry up and leave before something else happened. He wasn’t ready to get dragged back into a conversation. He had better things to do tonight with his time and staying here wasn’t one of them.

Taking another glance across the room, he tried not to laugh as Sahara drilled Jax about the fight she walked in on. Good, maybe his brother would finally see what he had in his mate’s abilities to defend herself.

As he made his way for the door, Zander thought about what excuse he would use for bringing dinner to Sabrina’s house uninvited. Whatever he told her, it better be something good because she might ask him to leave if it wasn’t.

Outside he went to his car, unlocked the trunk and placed the broken camera inside. Something wet hit him on the arm. A second later, another raindrop hit him as he slammed the trunk shut and rushed to the driver’s side. He barely got inside before the rain pounded down. Damn it. Now, what was he going to do? His plans just got rained out.