Lizzy Ford (27 page)

“Yep. I meant what I said. Ignore it if you can’t take it.”

She glanced at him. He was smiling faintly, but he seemed genuine.

“You scare the hell out of me,” she admitted. “In every way humanly possible.”

“That’s no secret. Try again.”

“Umm .. okay. Every day, I write in a journal. I have for the past five years, since I took over guardianship for the kids,” she said. “I hide them under my mattress, so they can’t find them.”

“Good one,” he said in approval. “Am I in there?”

She hesitated. “No.”

“You don’t want to remember me or whatever it is you’re going to do,” he guessed.

“Your turn.” He was right. She felt panic stir again. Why had she agreed to being confined with him for a drive up the coast? Had no part of her realized how dangerous that might be?

“I can’t read your mind,” he said.

“I know that,” she said. “Jule told me. Try again,” she added mockingly.

“You’re the only one I’ve ever met whose mind I couldn’t read.”

“Wow, really?” she asked, surprised. “How does that feel? Is it like suddenly being blind or deaf or something? Like you had a sense and then lost it?”

“It’s not a feeling of loss,” he said slowly. “It’s a challenge. Instead of going through the drive through every day to eat, it’s like hunting your prey down.”

“You are making this really awkward for me,” she said with a sigh. “You’ve GPS chipped me, killed six women, warned me about betraying you and now, you’re hunting me down like a people-burger.”

“How does that feel?” he asked in the same mocking tone she used.

“It’s definitely not helping your case of trying to get me into your bed!”

“I’m not so sure.”

“I am.”

“Just like you’ve sworn to quit every day this week so far,” he said, entertained. “Your turn.”

“Can I ask you something first?”

“Whatever.”

“If I’m the first person whose mind you can’t read, doesn’t it scare you that you can’t tell what I’m thinking?”

“I know human nature and can read body language, so I can tell certain things, more than humans, because of the heightened senses of a vampire. We’re more like animals that way.”

“I can see that,” she said dryly. “Pick a number between one and forty.”

“Twenty-two.”

“Four.” She laughed, unable to help it. The idea he was able to read minds was bizarre; the idea he couldn’t read her mind was so satisfying, she was proud of herself.

“That doesn’t count as a secret,” he objected.

“Hell, yes it does. No one else knew what I would say.”

“New rule, it has to be a real secret, none of this bullshit.”

“Whatever,” she replied. “Your turn.”

“Do you want to know how many men I’ve killed?”

“For the love of God, stop with the killing talk!” she replied, distressed. “I get the point. If I betray you, you track me down and kill me.”

“Turnabout is
fore
play,” he said. “Though it’s interesting that’s what you came away with.”

Jessi almost growled in frustration. He loved messing with her. She grappled with how to respond before finally saying,

“We both know how this ends.”

“I do. You don’t. I don’t need to read your mind to know you have no fucking clue what I’m capable of.”

“That terrifies me.”

“Good. Keep that in mind when you walk away and try to deal with your enemies without my help,” he said.

She shook her head. “I don’t even know if I believe all this Guardians and vampires insanity.”

“I’d be happy to remind you with a nip.”

“Jule said if I don’t stay with you, he’ll kidnap me,” she murmured. “Is that true?”

“Yeah.”

Jessi waited for more. Xander said nothing. His gaze was out the window, and he gave no sign he was deceiving her. Something was really wrong with all these people. Jonny, Xander, Jule, Gerry. It was like she’d taken a wrong turn in a theatre, walked into a movie and couldn’t find the door back to the theatre. Yet it made sense on a level that she didn’t quite understand.

“I’ve never had a rerun,” Xander said, back to the secrets game.

“Ah. So you have issues with your sexuality,” she said, grinning.

“Not at all. I can have anyone I want. Why settle for the same thing when I can have something new?”

“Because that’s not how a relationship works,” she said then added. “I guess that’s the point, right? You don’t want one?”

“Nope.”

“You are making the case for me not to sleep with you stronger and stronger.”

“Aren’t you curious?”

“I’m curious about zoo animals, but I’m not going to walk into the cage with a tiger.”

“You got in a car with one.”

“Damn animal tricked me.”

“You’re funny. Not many people can make me laugh.” Xander’s smile was small but present. “Next exit.”

She glanced towards the blocky sign as they passed it. They were entering the city of Buena Park. Her apartment was close. She prayed he was joking about GPS tracking. With her thoughts spinning from what she’d learned, she wasn’t sure what she’d do if his instructions took her to her home.  

“We’re going back?” she asked.

“I have an appearance.”

“Why did you erase the schedule? I didn’t bring anything Ingrid said I was supposed to when we go to appearances!”

“It’s no secret I like to watch you squirm,” he said. “You being pissed at me is a turn on.”

“So we’re going to pick out a girl,” she muttered. “You couldn’t wait until this evening at the after party.”

“Don’t need one.”

“You can’t go two nights without a woman.”

“I won’t, Ms. Thursday.”

She bit back her retort. There were too many curse words he might take as an invitation. There was no way in hell it was going to be her, not with all he’d revealed during their secrets game. She was edgy enough in the car with him. Sleeping with him then walking out? She had a feeling it would tear her apart and he would use that as leverage. If she had to choose between pissing off him or Jonny, she was completely fucked.

She was beginning to think that was the case anyway. Was there a way to protect the kids, even if she didn’t make it out of this situation?

“You’re the first man I’ve kissed in five years,” she said.

“I believe it,” he replied. “You didn’t do too bad.”

“Omigod.” Her face flamed red. She hadn’t thought about performance when cornered by a vampire.

“I once had the choice between absolute power and immortality,” he continued. “Guess which I chose.”

Her eyes slid to him. “You’re here, so I think immortality. But you seem like you’d rather have power.”

“Bingo. I chose power. My benefactor gave me immortality.”

“He knew you too well.”

Xander smiled.

“Where are we going?” she asked to take her mind off her growing sense of urgency.

“Mall.”

Jessi drove to the mall, relieved he hadn’t said her house. She parked in a back lot, far away from any other car, so no one dinged the doors of the sleek automobile. Grabbing her purse, she got out and joined him. Her eyes went over him appreciatively. He caught the look.

“One night won’t kill you,” he said.

“It just might,” she replied. “I’m not a one-night stand kind of girl.”

“Not even for whatever it is you want to steal from me?”

“With my luck, it’ll be the one thing you won’t give me,” she said, recalling his warning about trading
almost
anything if she slept with him.

“One way to find out.”

“Not interested.” She strode towards the mall, hating the reminder.

Xander kept up with her easily, the solid, warm body beside her affecting her senses in ways that made her angrier.

“Ashley asked me to meet her and some friends at the mall during their lunch hour,” he said.

“She
what
?” Jessi stopped.

“We’re almost late.”

“Xander, no! I don’t want you having anything to do with them.”

He was ignoring her. Jessi waited for him to turn, but he kept walking. Her eyes took in his broad shoulders, thick upper body and lean lower body. The two other people in the aisle walking to their cars from the mall stopped to stare.

She wanted to cry. The more Xander knew about her family, the worse this was all going to turn out. What the hell did she do? She had two days to steal a necklace from an inhuman creature capable of tracking her down after she did.

Quelling her panic, she trailed Xander. He didn’t wait for her, and she paused a few times along the way to the food court to argue with Ashley via texts about talking to Xander. It did no good; the girl was not only a teen, but one enamored by a celebrity who gave her the time of day.

Jessi sighed and put her phone away, at a loss as to what to do in any part of her life. If she survived Jonny and Xander this week, she’d be out a job come next week. She quit her old one to work for Xander – at Jonny’s direct order. She could waitress or bartend again, good gigs that could bring in tip money.

She could run back to her parents with the kids, too. It was the last resort, but it was something. Assuming she survived, it was an option. Her phone buzzed, and she pulled it free from her pocket as she walked.

“Hello.”

“Hey, it’s Jonny.”

Fear flew through her. “Hey.”

“I need you to make sure Xander is at home tonight.”

“He’s got an after party planned.”

“Do I really have to repeat myself, Jessi?” he demanded.

“Jonny, I can’t manage this guy.”

“Someone is going to pay him a visit. It’s important he’s there and you’re not.”

“Why?” Dread settled into her stomach. She paused at the edge of the food court and caught sight of Xander and the girls. Even seated, he was drawing a crowd.

“When it’s over, you should be able to grab the necklace and bring it to me.”

The sudden images of Jonny sending in a hit squad on Xander or blowing up his condo went through her mind. She could see the kid doing it, though she liked to think Xander was able to counter anything like that. Somehow. With magic vampire powers or something.

“I’ll do my best,” she said. “I can’t guarantee anything, Jonny. If you’ve been around him, you know he does whatever he wants.”

“I do know that.” There was a reserved note in Jonny’s voice that told her he had a history with the vampire. “If you can’t, call me by six.”

She almost sighed in relief. “Will do.”

He hung up.

Jessi’s eyes remained on her cousins. Both were there. Ashley’s face was glowing, and Jessi suspected her connection to Xander was helping her find friends at school. She hadn’t seen a smile on Ashley’s face like that since before the death of the cousins’ parents. Even Brandon was enthralled by the vampire, along with a handful of Ashley’s girlfriends and quite a few other women who had gathered around.

Xander caught her gaze. He lifted his chin in silent invitation. Jessi shook her head, occupied by trying to quell the frantic fear within her. She wasn’t able to pretend to be okay. Instead, she grabbed a coffee and sat across the food court, within view.

Thinking. Hard.

“Before I sit down, tell Xander Jenn comes in peace.” The woman’s voice held a husky edge.

Jessi looked up at the speaker, stunned by the tall brunette with a body Jessi would kill for. The woman was guarded, her tension clear, much like those sparring on the beach had been. She was dressed in leggings and a snug T-shirt, neither of which left much to the imagination. She watched Xander like a predator eyeing a newcomer on its turf.

“Are you one of the Guardian things?” Jessi asked, recognizing the strange aura that Jule had.

“Yes.”

She rolled her eyes but texted Xander the message. Without even looking in their direction, he replied instantly.

She was almost number seven.

“Okay, let me translate this,” Jessi said. “He says he’s happy to see you.”

Jenn sat with a smile that turned her from stunning to breathtaking. With large, brown eyes and dark hair, she was toned and tall, a model’s body with an extra layer of muscle. A well-worn, silver medallion with a symbol of the sun and moon, pierced by an arrow, was at her chest.

“You’re Jessi.”

“I am,” Jessi said.

“Jule sent me.”

“Great.”

“Just checking in,” Jenn said. “He was right.”

“About …”

“Your mind. My gift is the ability to manipulate minds. Yours is impossible,” Jenn said curiously. “Interesting. Bet Xander hates it. He’s a control freak.”

“He is, but he seems to find it entertaining,” Jessi said. “Like a mad scientist in a lab. He keeps poking at me to see what I’ll do.”

Jenn laughed in her low, husky voice. Jessi’s phone vibrated, and she saw another text from the vampire.

She will be number seven in about two minutes.

“I’m betting he wants me gone,” Jenn said. “We had a rather … contentious relationship.”

“I’m guessing you weren’t one of his one night stands.”

“No. I barely survived him as it was. We were competing entities, trying to influence someone. His mind control attempts against mine, and we had our own agendas. He let me live, only so I could watch him win.”

Jessi covered her face with her hands. “What the fuck have I gotten myself into?”

“What’s important is that you recognize you
are
into this thing. Once you are, there’s no going back,” Jenn said. “You’ve got some enemies that are going to give us a run for our money. If you need anything at all, a place to go, a friend, whatever. Call me. We’ve got a place in Texas where we can shelter you from anything, even Xander’s enemies. Even Xander, if you need it.” Jenn picked up Jessi’s phone as she spoke. Jessi watched her program a new contact into it.

“Texas,” Jessi murmured.

“It’s a blink away,” Jenn said with a smile. “Right now, Xander is getting ready to kick my ass. Nice to meet you. Hope to see you around. Feel free to call, text or visit.” She rose with alacrity and moved away.

Jessi watched her go then glanced at Xander. He was looking her direction, impossible to read. She almost flipped him off but stopped herself.