PS01 - Tall, Dark & Lonely (28 page)

he added. “And you snore. Not a delicate snore either mind you.”

“I do not!” Her face colored with indignation.

He sighed heavily as if the knowledge pained him. “Oh, but you do. I’ve even heard Jill talk about it. Did you know that’s the

main reason she was happy about her room. Actually, she and Joshua thanked your Grandmother for putting you at the other end

of the house, something about finally getting a decent night’s sleep. They compared your snore to a chainsaw. I can see why

they’d say that.”

“You’re lying!”

He chuckled as he attached his holster and badge to his belt. “No, ‘fraid not, sweetheart. Also, you pout when you’re hungry.

Your cute little bottom lip sticks up and you get a frown between your brows right there.” He touched the spot with his finger.

She swatted his hand away. “I do not!”

“When you think no one’s around and you’re drinking soda.” She didn’t think it was possible, but she felt the blush on her face

deepen. “You hold little burping contests.”

“How-“

He tapped his ear. “I can hear everything and I can tune things out if I choose.”

She dropped her gaze. “One of my mother’s old boyfriends taught me how when I was little as a way to relax. It helps with my

stress just to focus on doing something silly and stupid.”

“You’re quite good at it,” he commented.

“Ephraim!”

“I’m serious. I used to know some sailors that you could easily put to shame.”

“Stop it!” She suppressed a giggle. She should be mad, she really should.

“Also, you cheat when you play Horse with Joshua. It’s sad really.” He winked at her.

“How did you know?”

“I’ve seen you. You distract him and then take a step or two forward closer to the basket.”

She sighed, “I can’t stand his victory dance when he wins. It’s rather annoying.”

He allowed that. “It doesn’t hurt that you’re also a sore loser.”

“I am not!”

“Yes, you are. Everyone says so. I think everyone suspects you cheat at other games as well, but they don’t say anything.

Mostly because you’re so a horrible cheat and you lose anyway.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “Should we go over your shortcomings then?”

“Sure, I have a minute before I have to handle your blackmailer. Let’s see.” He looked at her small make-up mirror and ran his

hands through his hair. “I’m arrogant, I’m annoying, I have a hell of a temper that would make the devil quiver, I get extremely

cranky when I’m hungry, I hog the covers to keep you in my arms at night, I take too many showers and for far too long, I hog

the hot water, I get jealous easily when it comes to other men and you.”

“Really?” Her smile was small, unsure and cute as hell.

All humor left his face. He looked at her through intensely possessive eyes. “Oh yes, Madison, you have no idea. I want to tear

apart every man that looks at you. I hate it when some other man earns one of your adorable smiles that reaches your eyes, or

gets to be there to make you feel better. I hate it, but I accept it. If I didn’t it would drive me to distraction.”

“You’re also a bit possessive,” she added with a wry grin.

“That I am. I’m sorry if it bothers you, but I do love you, Madison. I’m not some controlling asshole that expects to keep you to

myself and I would never hurt you or control you. I just want to keep you safe. I know I step on your toes sometimes. I’ll try to

work on that, but not with assholes like Trevor. That I will not tolerate.”

She took in a deep breath. “It’s okay. I know you only did this to help me. I’m not a complete idiot. I realize I was in over my

head. It’s just that I’m so used to taking care of my problems. I don’t like having to depend on anyone.”

He pulled her into his arms. “That’s because no one’s ever been dependable in your life. In time I hope you’ll realize that I am

that person, Madison. I’m the man who will always be there for you and I will never consciously hurt you. I do love you,

Madison, more than you’ll ever know.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I know. I’m just stubborn.”

His chuckle rumbled through his chest. “I know, baby. Now, I have to go take care of a little matter.”

Madison pulled back from his arms and looked him over. She didn’t realize until this moment that he was wearing his shirt and

tie along with his badge and gun. “Are you going to work?”

“No, sweetheart, I have the weekend off. I’m doing this for him.” He gestured to his clothes.

She looked in the direction of his room. “Speaking of which, can I ask what the hell happened? Where have you been? How

did you pull this off and most importantly why is he in there having sex in your room, in this house?”

He looked at his watch. “I suppose I can answer your questions. Quickly though and no interruptions. I really need to get in

there. Paula is charging me by the hour you know.”

“How much?” She was curious about how much a transvestite prostitute charged. Who wouldn’t be?

He winced. “Two hundred an hour. Actually, he is charging me an extra five hundred dollars, because Trevor’s an asshole.”

“He always was,” she agreed on a sigh.

“To answer your questions, and quickly mind you. I went home first. I haven’t taken a vacation in three years and I wanted to

see my home.”

“You went to England? “

He pressed a finger to her lips. “No, interruptions, remember? Yes, I haven’t been since the war. I had some thinking to do and

I always did my best thinking at two in the morning walking along Hyde Park.”

“We have parks here too you know.”

He shot her a wry look. “I know, Madison. I needed to go.”

“You were thinking of leaving for good weren’t you?”

He nodded, reluctantly.

“Why?”

“The way I feel about you scares me.” He held up his hand. “I love you, Madison. I know you don’t understand. That’s fine, but

please let’s not argue about it.”

“Okay.”

“I couldn’t stay away, Madison. It took only a minute to know that. The rest of the time I used for negotiations.”

“Neg-“

He held up a hand to stop her. “I negotiated with a very powerful group that’s been after me for the last hundred and twenty

years. A group called Sentinels. Before you ask, they are god’s natural defense against vampires.”

“Ten Sentinels are born every ten years. They are marked at birth for their position in life. They’re not exactly human. They’re

stronger, more difficult to kill and can heal quicker. They live longer as well and they will look young until they stop fighting

and retire.”

“Like Buffy the Vampire Slayer?”

He laughed and shook his head ruefully. “I guess you could call them slayers. They also have another very unique quality.”

“What?”

“Well, they have to be born as a twin. A human soul has to bring them to earth as a guardian. Most of the twins die. It’s very

difficult to share a womb with a Sentinel. The special thing is they are born with their soul mates already in line. Five males

and five females are born. It’s a gift. True love from god to keep them dedicated.”

“How do they-“

“They know when they find their mates because their marks will change to red, once they’re a mated pair it turns black. It’s

along the same lines as a marriage. Before you ask the mark is a crescent moon with a tiny cross just below the navel and it’s

originally a light brown color. Most won’t know what they are until another Sentinel finds them and takes them in to train or…”

his voice drifted off.

“A vampire finds them. They give off a scent like humans do, right?”

“Right.”

“Why did you contact them?” She kept her voice casual, but inside she was trembling. Was he leaving?

He took her hands into his and led her to the bed. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. “Madison, surely you realize that I

don’t age. In a few years I won’t be able to explain why I’m not aging. As it is I look like I’m in my mid twenties. I can only

keep it up for a few more years.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m done. I’m done pretending. I’m done starting a life only to end it in five years. I want my own life now. I need it, Madison.

I don’t want to hide what I am anymore. I don’t want to keep running for the rest of my life. With the Sentinels I can have the

life I want. I will be given the status of a Sentinel in terms of pay, privileges and resources. I can’t change who I am. I’m a

Pyte. They need me almost as much as I need them.”

“So, you’re leaving the country then?” She choked back a sob.

“No, I’m allowed to choose which area I want to protect. That’s what they do. That’s what I should have been doing all these

years. I’ve just been so damn stubborn.”

“But you do protect people! You’re a good detective!”

“Shh, no, baby. I’ve been playing. I do what any human with training and instinct can do. I’ve been neglecting my calling. I

need to help. I need to stop what I can. It’s an ongoing war and people are being massacred. I need to do this, Madison.”

“So, what now?”

He kissed her chin. “This isn’t the end for us, Madison. I’ll just be doing something different soon. Something I’m meant to do.”

“How soon?”

“Soon, it won’t affect us I promise, baby. There will be a few changes. I’ve decided that along with doing this I should take

more responsibility in my life.”

“Meaning what?”

“For starters I negotiated with Chris’s mother over the phone.” Her breathing stopped. “I’ve adopted him, baby. He needs a

man to take care of him. He needs a real home and support.”

“We’re giving him that,” she said through clenched teeth. “I’m taking care of him, Ephraim. You didn’t have to do this!”

His grip tightened around her, keeping her from jumping off his lap. “Yes, I did. I think it would be a good idea that you and

your family continue to treat him like one of your own.”

She wiped away a tear. “Why did you do this, Ephraim?”

“Shh, baby, I had to. Don’t you see that? I have to protect him now. He knows about me and what’s out there. It will be okay I

promise you.”

“There’s something you’re not telling me.”

He didn’t deny it. He pressed a simple kiss to her cheek. “Everything will be fine. Now, would you like to know about our

little friend in there?”

He was changing the subject and she knew it. She would allow it, for now. Mostly because she could hear Trevor moaning

again and wanted him out of the house.

“I decided that the best way to deal with him would be blackmail and a few threats in case that didn’t work. I went to New

Mexico and told him that I was your boyfriend and that you were struggling. I told him I was willing to pay him a large lump

sum if he came here and signed over Joshua. He’s in a bit of a rush to buy a yacht. That’s why he’s been blackmailing you and

that was why he accepted the monthly payments. Seems his wife won’t let him buy one so he’s been doing a crime here and

there to save up.”

“That asshole.”

“It took two days of putting up with his bullshit to get him to come out here. I hired a transvestite to flirt with him and promise

him a night of fun. He thinks she just wanted a free trip to New Hampshire. He’s been teasing Trevor and offering him nothing

but kisses for the last two days. Trevor came willingly.”

“The reason we’re doing it here is because I was able to set up the equipment here without worry. There’s privacy. He didn’t

want his wife to find out that he was with a woman at a hotel. Apparently she calls the front desk whenever he’s out of town.

She hunts him down. He’s also a bit whipped and tells her exactly where he stays out of fear of her wrath.”

She nodded. “So, that’s why they’re in my room soiling my sheets which by the way I am burning and buying new ones

tomorrow.”

Madison bit her lip nervously. “What is it, Madison?” He kissed her lower lip.

“Since you’re in the mood to shop and you’ve taken it upon yourself to adopt Chris you should know that he desperately needs

new clothes. They’re too small as well as ripped and stained.”

His lips tugged up into a lopsided grin. “That’s all? That’s fine. I could use some clothes as well. We’ll hit the mall tomorrow

under your direction of course.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean he still needs a mother or a big sister or whatever you’ve been to him. I don’t want that to stop because you bring out

the best in troublesome men.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I just took over the legal and financial responsibilities.”

“And do you consider yourself one of those troublesome men, sir?” she asked in a teasing tone.

He kissed her more deeply. “God, yes.”

She felt him stirring to life beneath her. She wiggled on top of him, testing it out. He groaned. “Baby, no. I need to end this.”

She wiggled again.

He sucked in a deep breath. “You don’t play fair.”

“Never said I did. If I recall correctly you said that I cheat.”

“You do.” He chuckled.

He picked her up in his arms and stood up. She smiled, thinking she won. “I’ll be right back.” He gave her a loud kiss on the

forehead and dropped her on the bed. She bounced a few times before she jumped to her feet to follow him.

Chapter 18

“Come in!” a woman’s voice said the same time a man said, “Go fuck off.”

Ephraim opened the door to his dark bedroom. He could see everything clearly of course.

Trevor lay on his bed with his hands cuffed over his head. Paula, as he liked to call himself, was between the man’s legs,

licking his balls while gently pulling on his flaccid cock. It seems Trevor couldn’t get it up again.