Craig's Heart (14 page)

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t leave you.” In those last four words, Craig laid her fears out bare for them both to see. She’d been left her entire life, never important enough to anyone else for them to stay or to ask her to stay.

She started to turn away, but he wouldn’t let her. He didn’t try to kiss her and there was nothing sexual in the way he pulled her against his chest and simply held her.

“I’ve got you,” he promised.

Never in her life had someone put themselves between her and danger. Never had anyone put her first. Not until Craig. And what had she done for him? She’d turned his life upside down, changed him into a vampire and put his life in danger.

“I know what you’re thinking and you can stop it right now.”

Horrified, she stared up at him. “You can read my thoughts?” She desperately tried to build walls in her mind to keep him out.

“I don’t know if I can or not. I’m not trying. That would be rude.” He cupped her face and softly kissed her lips. “But, sweetheart, I don’t need to read your mind to know what you’re thinking. It’s written all over your expressive face.”

She frowned, not liking that idea at all.

She’d always been tough and independent, taking care of herself and depending on no one. She’d left home at eighteen with her meager savings in her pocket and set out to an unknown city with a dream. And she’d made it happen on her own.

But Craig had gotten under her skin, not by pushing. That she could have resisted. He had a way of simply putting her wants and needs ahead of his own. It still baffled her that he wanted to do things for her, take care of her. It was foreign and yet enticing at the same time.

She couldn’t afford to be weak. She needed to be strong in order to defeat Vladimir.

“If you know what I’m thinking then you know I’m right.” She eased away and wandered around the room, touching the books and knickknacks in the bookshelves. She was starting to go a little stir-crazy being shut up in the apartment. She was used to being out and about every single day, not having to curtail her activities because some crazy vampire was looking for her.

What about her career? She couldn’t afford to let things slide much longer or she wouldn’t have a life to go back to even if she was still alive when this was over.

Evie froze and swore under her breath. This is what Craig had done to her. She’d been prepared to die, had almost wanted it. But now she wanted a future. Maybe one that included him.

It was nothing but a dream. That’s all it would ever be.

“I know you think you’re right, but you’re not,” Craig told her.

In spite of herself, Evie laughed. “That made sense. I think,” she teased.

Craig smiled and she got lost in his eyes and the strong, handsome planes of his face. She shook herself out of the sensual web that threatened to entangle her. “So what’s our next move?” Better to make plans than to think about things that probably wouldn’t happen anyway. Even if they both survived the coming storm and Craig wanted to have some kind of relationship, there was still the not so small matter of his family to deal with.

“I need to keep researching. Damek will check as many properties as he can tonight.” Craig wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into the sheltering curve of his body. “Don’t worry, Evie. We’ll find Vladimir Drake.”

“You should call your family,” she blurted out. “They’ll be worried about you.” She’d seen the way they’d looked at Craig and knew they loved him in spite of what he’d become.

“You’re probably right.” He sat on the sofa and pulled her down next to him. She moved away and curled up on the end. She needed to put some distance between them. He might not think it was necessary, but it was to her peace of mind.

He frowned but drew out his phone and made the call. Evie didn’t even pretend not to eavesdrop. It was answered on the first ring. “Craig?” It was his sister’s voice and Evie could hear the concern in it.

“Hey, Chris.” Craig leaned back and closed his eyes. “How are you doing?”

His sister laughed. “That should be my question.”

“I’m doing okay. Getting a handle on things.” Evie’s chest hurt and she absently rubbed it. He needed to spend time with his family whether he knew it or not. It was hurting him to be away from them.

She didn’t know how she knew this, but it felt right. She was picking up on his emotions even if she couldn’t read his thoughts. Concentrating, she tried to hear what he was thinking, but it was like hitting a steel wall.

Craig glanced her way as though he’d felt her attempted intrusion. Slightly ashamed, she glanced down at her lap, but that didn’t stop her from listening to his conversation. She wanted to know as much about him as she could.

“How is Quinn taking things?” There was a strain in Craig’s voice that made Evie frown.

“Quinn is just angry he wasn’t there to keep this from happening. You know him. He feels responsible for us.” Chrissten sighed. “I want to see you. I don’t like you being away from us at a time like this.”

Evie found herself liking the other woman more.

“I’m perfectly safe with Damek.”

“I know that.” His sister sounded exasperated with him. “But we’re your family.”

Craig didn’t respond other than to close his eyes. Evie knew he wanted to be with them too but didn’t quite trust himself yet. Once again, he was putting other people’s needs ahead of his own.

“Have you told Meredith and the others?”

“No. We didn’t know what you wanted us to do?”

“That can’t be easy on Hank considering he still works at Haven.”

“What do you want us to do?” Chrissten asked. “Whatever you need, we’ll do it.”

Craig sat forward and rubbed his free hand over his face. His body was tense and Evie couldn’t take it any longer. She scooted over next to him and placed her hand on his back. He tensed and then immediately relaxed, sighing softly. She blinked, unable to believe one tiny touch could make such a difference, but the proof was in front of her. There was no denying Craig was a lot more relaxed. Come to think of it, so was she.

“I need you to be careful. There are vampire hunters in town.” Craig thought a moment and then seemed to come to a decision. “I’m going to talk to Meredith and Isaiah myself. They need to know what’s going on so they can take steps to protect themselves and the pack.”

“Are you sure?” Chrissten asked.

“Yes. I’ll take care of it. Listen, I’ve got to go. Damek is checking out some stuff tonight. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”

“Call any time you want. I’m here for you, little brother. I love you.” Evie could hear the emotion in Chrissten’s voice and it made her own throat tighten.

“I love you too. Tell Hank I said hey and give my love to Quinn and Bethany.”

“I will,” she promised.

Craig ended the call and tucked his phone away. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each knuckle before turning it over and placing a kiss in the center of her palm.

For some reason, Evie felt like crying.

He looked at her then and she sensed all his pain and frustration, all the love he had for his family and the determination he had that they would end this and come out the winners.

She wished she had his faith, because at that moment, Evie Pelowski knew one thing for sure—she was in love with Craig Lawton.

She hadn’t meant for it to happen. Had fought against it. But it had happened anyway. The heart didn’t run on logic, but emotions.

Craig was more important to her than anything, even her need for vengeance. But as long as Vladimir was out there, Craig wouldn’t be safe. Determination filled Evie. She would see her maker dead no matter what she had to do to accomplish it. Craig would go home to his family and friends. That was a promise she would keep.

He couldn’t know the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts spinning in her brain. And for that she was thankful.

Craig stood and smiled down at her. “Want to go out?”

She frowned at him. “Damek locked the door when he left.” The vampire was very careful when it came to security.

Craig rubbed his hands together and walked toward the door. “This is as good a time as any to test our new vampire abilities. Let’s find out if either of us is any good with locks.”

There was something in his tone that reminded her of a kid about to get into something he knew he probably shouldn’t. She could tell he was looking forward to the challenge.

“Do you think that’s wise?” The last thing Evie wanted to do was anger their host. She didn’t mind so much for herself, but she didn’t want to see the friendship between the two men damaged in any way. She followed Craig to the door and watched as he studied the palm plate just beside the thick steel door.

He shrugged. “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”

Evie didn’t answer him. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

Chapter Nine

Craig knew something important had happened back at Damek’s place, but he wasn’t quite sure what. There was a subtle difference in the way Evie was acting. She’d tried to pull away from him earlier tonight even though he’d smelled her arousal. He could sense she was thinking. A lot. Somewhere along the line, it seemed as though she’d come to some decision. Craig wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing or not. Only time would tell.

Of course, what he was doing probably wasn’t a good thing either, but Craig knew going to Haven and talking to his friends in person was something he had to do. He owed it to Meredith, Isaiah and the others to warn them of the trouble that had arrived in their city. But most of all, they deserved to hear from him about the radical change in his life.

They were his friends. Family really. And his stomach was in knots wondering if they would accept or shun him.

The way things were going, all his friends might not be talking to him by the end of the night. Damek was certainly going to be pissed with him for leaving the apartment, but Craig had to do what he thought was right. And finding out one of his new vampire skills was the ability to open locks, electronic and old-fashioned, was a bonus.

“We’ll stop at my place first, if that’s okay?” He kept all his senses open, staying aware of everyone and everything around them. It was a cold night, but he didn’t feel the chill of the air like he used to and was quite comfortable with his leather jacket open.

Evie, on the other hand, was hunched over, almost shivering. He knew it was more nerves than the night air.

“Sure.” Her eyes darted here and there, and he knew she was searching for Vladimir Drake in every shadow. And, like him, she was concentrating on not becoming overwhelmed by all the outside stimulus. It might be late, but the city was still alive with people and sounds.

“You’ll have to forgive the dust in the place. I was going to call in the cleaning service but…” He shrugged when she looked at him. “When I’m working I forget about things like cleaning and laundry and food.”

One corner of her mouth tilted upward and he felt as though he’d won a huge victory. He stopped in front of an older brick building. “What do you think?”

She studied the plate glass window in front of them. “This is a gallery.” She looked up at him, questions in her eyes.

“My sister and Bethany own the place.” He took her hand and pulled her to the door next to the gallery. He pulled out his keys and unlocked it.

“You live above?” she asked as he pulled her inside and ushered her up the stairs.

“Yeah. We each have our own apartments.” Neither one of them made a sound as they made their way to the top floor. “Actually my family owns the building.”

She came to a sudden halt. “You own the building?” There was tension in her voice and he wondered at it.

“Yeah. Is that a problem?”

Is that a problem?
Evie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Craig owned a building with his brother and sister. His sister ran an art gallery, one that had made huge waves in the local art scene over the past few years. She was very familiar with the Artistic Endeavor, had even been to a showing here earlier this year.

She lived in the same tiny studio apartment she’d lived in since she moved to the city. The chances of her owning her own home, let alone an entire building were next to nil. She lived hand to mouth, finding the necessary money each month to pay the rent and buy art supplies. Some months there wasn’t a lot left over for food, but she was okay with that as long as she was painting.

He was way out of her league.

“What exactly do you do for a living?” She’d told him about her art, but she’d never asked him what he did.

Craig unlocked the door and ushered her into his apartment. The scent of fresh lemons permeated the air. Evie looked around the living space. It was comfortable, yet all the furniture and finishes were high-end. The kitchen had new granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. She half-expected the sofa to be leather, but it was a dark brown fabric of some kind. Two leather club chairs were angled around a wooden coffee table. A large flat-screen television sat in the center of an entertainment unit that took up most of one wall.

“Well, what do you think?” He removed his leather jacket and hung it on a hook by the door. Then he held out his hand and waited until she handed him her coat.