After Sundown: Redemption (32 page)

She was in love with him. She knew that now. Finally admitted it to herself. It happened so quickly that she couldn’t trace the exact moment when it became a reality. Despite this, it was true. Now what was she going to do about it? She had just made the most incredible love with Christian and he left her without a word. She felt empty without him. Why couldn’t he have at least said goodbye?

Alyssa panicked. It was happening. She was becoming like her mother, needy and dependent. Revolving her thoughts and feelings completely around one man. Fear engulfed her. What was she going to do?

When Jonathan jumped on her bed and snuggled next to her, she absently petted him. His loud purring comforted her. She concentrated on the silky feel of his fur. Her thoughts grew less frantic.

“What am I going to do, Jonathan?”

The cat raised his head at the sound of her voice and stared into her eyes. He looked at her with complete understanding. His yellow eyes seemed to urge her to speak.

“I can’t, won’t be like my mother. I don’t want to live that way.” The desperation in her voice was obvious even to her. “But I do love him.”

As if sensing her distress, Jonathan stood up and meowed sharply. Placing his front paws on her chest, he settled down half on top of her, half off. He nuzzled her hand as she started to pet him again. He began purring and Alyssa could feel the soothing vibration of the sound against her chest. Her mind raced for a few minutes, but the calming sound of Jonathan’s purring soon lulled her to sleep. Her dreams were filled, fittingly enough, with a sexy vampire whose mocha-colored eyes made her melt into a puddle of desire.

Loud voices woke her up some time later. Alyssa bolted up in her bed as she heard her aunt yelling. Jonathan had to jump off her chest as she did so and he gave a loud meow of complaint. She gave him a quick pet in apology as she listened to the voices that came through the door loud and clear.

“Who are you and what have you done with my niece?”

“Your niece is safe,” She heard Jason growl back menacingly.

Alyssa scooted off the bed and strode towards her door. Opening it quickly she walked out and stopped in her tracks.

Aunt Joyce stood on tiptoes, hands on her hips, glaring up at Jason. Her face was screwed tight with anger. She seemed unconcerned with the gigantic size of the man in front of her, or the fact that his body language was far from friendly. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides and his body rigid as he loomed over her aunt.

Alyssa needed to diffuse this situation immediately.

“I’m okay, Aunt Joyce. Jason is a friend of Christian’s. He’s just keeping an eye on me, while Christian’s, um, away.”

“Hmph.” Joyce gave Jason one last glare, before she walked over to Alyssa. Her expression transformed from anger to worry in an instant.

“How are you, dear? How’s your head? You look a little frazzled.” Joyce placed her hand softly against Alyssa’s cheek.

Alyssa smiled.

“I’m fine. Last night was just a little, uh, hectic. I’ll make some coffee for us and tell you all about it.”

“I’m glad you’re okay, dear.”

Her aunt slid her hand from Alyssa’s cheek as her expression changed again, this time to irritation.

“I wish someone had told me what was going on. I got a call from Christian, requesting that I meet you here early this morning, but nothing about this man,” her aunt said glancing back at Jason. “Someone should have told me.”

The reproof in her voice was unmistakable.

“You’ll have to take that up with Christian. I had nothing to do with it,” Alyssa said with great relish. Christian could just face the music for leaving without saying goodbye to her, or explaining anything to her aunt.

Alyssa noticed Jason staring strangely at the two of them. It was as if they were some alien species he didn’t quite understand. When she walked towards him, his expression cleared. Arrogant boredom replaced his perplexed expression.

Alyssa held her hand out to him.

“Thank you for watching over me, Jason.”

Jason did not hold out his hand. He just stared blankly at her. Alyssa dropped her hand slowly, wondering what to do next.

“Would you like to have some coffee with us?” Alyssa finally asked.

Jason’s eyes widened at her words. He looked surprised by her offer. Then he seemed to get a hold of himself and cleared his throat loudly.

“Uh, no. I have to go now. Before it becomes full light.”

Without another word, he strode to the door, opened it and left.

Alyssa locked the door, then turned back to her aunt. They looked at each other in confusion. Then her aunt shrugged her shoulders and started making coffee.

“That was a strange man, Alyssa. There was something different about him.”

Alyssa nodded in agreement.

“Yes, very different.”

Alyssa said nothing more to her aunt about it. She knew she had just met another creature of the night, but she wasn’t sure what he was. He wasn’t a vampire. She was starting to learn what it felt like to have a vampire in her presence. And Jason didn’t give her the same sense. But he definitely didn’t have the same “feeling” as a human either.

As soon as the coffee was ready, her aunt poured each of them a cup. She and Aunt Joyce sat down at her small kitchen table.

“Okay. Tell me everything. What happened to you last night? And why did Christian leave a message asking me to come here so early this morning?” Her aunt asked.

Alyssa had to be careful. She couldn’t tell her aunt too much. She didn’t want to risk Christian’s life. She didn’t think her aunt would ever purposely try to hurt Christian. But if she learned the truth about him and Sundown Security Agency, there could be trouble. This was a situation most people didn’t encounter everyday of their lives and she wasn’t sure what her aunt would do if she found out that Christian was a vampire working for a security agency made up of preternatural creatures.

“I was attacked last night.” Alyssa wanted to leave Tom out of this as much as possible because Christian had erased his memory of last night’s events.

“What!” her aunt gasped.

“Luckily, you sent Christian to my office. By the way, we need to talk about that afterwards.”

“Talk about what?” Joyce tried to look innocent and failed.

“You inciting events to further your causes.”

Her aunt looked like she was about to protest. Alyssa held up her hand to stop her from talking.

“We will talk about this. I promise you. Later.”

Her aunt nodded sheepishly.

“So I was leaving my office and someone attacked me, um, on the way out.”

“Where was Tom?”

“He had to stay late to finish up a few things.”

“Why didn’t he walk you out?” her aunt gazed suspiciously at her.

“I didn’t feel the need. He was very busy and my car wasn’t too far away. So, even though he offered, I declined.” Alyssa felt miserable as the lies rolled off her tongue. She hated lying. To anyone, but especially to someone she cared about.

“That wasn’t very smart of you dear. Especially in light of everything that’s happened to you recently,” her aunt admonished.

“I know,” Alyssa agreed. What could she say? Her aunt was right.

“So I was walking to my car and I heard someone behind me. I didn’t stop to look back and see who it was. I just began running. The next thing I knew, I ran straight into Christian.”

“Then what happened?”

“Christian went after the guy. Unfortunately, before he could get to him, the man disappeared.”

“He just disappeared?”

“Yes. You know how Old Scottsdale is packed with buildings and cars. There are a lot of places to hide.”

Aunt Joyce nodded her head.

“After that, Christian took me to his house. We talked and, um, rested a bit, then he brought me home.” Her aunt gave her a dubious expression at that part of her explanation, but Alyssa chose to ignore it and continue.

“Then he told me he wanted to go back to where I had parked my car and check out the area. He wanted to look for evidence, I guess. But he refused to leave me alone. Since it was the middle of the night, he didn’t want to wake you up, so he called his friend Jason. He agreed to watch over me until you came over this morning.”

As the last word of her lies left her lips, Alyssa had to swallow the large lump of guilt that filled her throat. At least her aunt looked satisfied with her explanation.

“You have had quite a night,” her aunt said sipping her coffee.

Alyssa relaxed a little and took a sip of her own coffee.

“But I’d like to know a little bit more about the resting part at Christian’s home,” her aunt asked with a mischievous smile.

Alyssa choked on her coffee.

Chapter Sixteen

Amy didn’t stand a chance. She told Christian everything she knew. If there was one thing he had learned over the years, it was the art of seduction, with and without using his powers. Amy was starved for attention. Her boyfriend must be so busy helping Bazhena that he had little time for her.

He slowly backed Amy into a dark secluded corner, whispering promises into her ear as he ran his hands up and down her quivering body. Guilt and the image of Alyssa filled his head, but he struggled to ignore it. He had to rid the world of Bazhena before she could complete the legend. By the time he had Amy where he wanted her, he knew she was ready for him. He could have taken her there and then in the club and she would have welcomed it.

She began massaging him through his pants. She nipped his earlobe with her teeth, then whispered to him.

“Please, Christian. I’m ready. I’ve told you everything I know. Take me now and I’ll make it one of the most enjoyable rides you’ve ever had. And I want you to take me completely. You know what I mean. Let everything go. Sink your hardness and your teeth into me. Take your pleasure and my blood. I want it all. I can take it, baby. I know what you need. Do it and you won’t be sorry.”

Amy rubbed herself against his hardness. She kissed his neck and took small bites of his skin. The smell of Amy’s blood filled his senses. The sound of it rushing through her veins called to his vampire. His incisors elongated. Christian pulled away from Amy. The beast roared its outrage, but he had no trouble controlling it. He didn’t want this woman.

She moved close to him again. Tried to press her body against his. He set her away from him and held her there. Amy whimpered and struggled in his hold.

“Sorry, Amy. You’re a very beautiful woman and I appreciate all the information, but I don’t think it’s going to work between us. There’s someone else in my life.”

As Christian said those words aloud, he finally realized how true they were. Alyssa was now the most important thing in his life. He loved her. And didn’t want to live without her. They would have to find a way to make things work. He was not giving her up.

For a moment, Amy looked furious. Her eyes filled with rage. Then they cleared and became calm. She smiled serenely.

“I understand,” she said easily. “Will you at least walk me to my car? I’m suddenly feeling very tired.”

Christian nodded.

“Of course.”

He’d walk her to her car and then clear her mind again. Once he erased her memory, he would plant the idea into her head that she was sick of vampires and that she needed to find a nice normal guy. She would no longer have the urge to come to this club. Instead she would meet a mortal man and start a family. She was a beautiful woman and he was sure she would have no trouble finding a husband.

As they walked towards the exit, Christian spotted Eric. The dragon slayer was leaning negligently against a wall, watching the crowd around him with his usual cynical smirk. Women seemed to hover around the guy, but he ignored their attention as he scanned the crowd. He must have a quarry tonight.

They nodded at each other as their eyes met. Then Eric glanced at Amy and waggled his eyes suggestively at Christian. They gave each other a knowing look that only two males in their prime could share. Eric’s said, “You lucky dog” and Christian’s said, “Eat your heart out, pal”. Eric turned back to the crowd as Christian and Amy left the club.