The Vampire's Kiss (12 page)

She stared at him, her gaze direct, searching. She was his mate. This woman with the emerald eyes and sad mouth. She was his. And he would protect her with his life.

He withdrew slowly from her body, hating the separation from her warmth, but knowing that she needed time to rest. He had plans for her. And he had to make certain that she kept her strength. After all, it was going to be a long night.

“I SPOKE TO HER today.” Jack didn’t bother to identify himself. He knew that his employer would recognize his voice.

“And what did Ms. Daniels have to say?” The voice was cultured, slightly accented.

Jack had never been able to pinpoint the accent. Sometimes it sounded English. Sometimes French. He could never be certain. “She didn’t believe me, said William wasn’t the killer.”

“But he is.” His employer’s tone never changed. He spoke calmly, politely. “She must be made to see that. William Dark is a killer.”

Jack took a deep breath. He knew his boss wasn’t going to like this next bit of news, but he had to tell him. “She went to William.”

Silence.

Jack glanced quickly around his small hotel room. It was a floor below Savannah’s. All the furniture was the same. Small, sagging bed. Old color television that only picked up five channels. Scratched dresser and desk.

He was really getting tired of staying in places like this. Getting tired of chasing people that didn’t want to be caught.

“I didn’t hear you, Jack. Tell me again. What did Ms. Daniels do?”

Jack sighed and ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “She went to him. I followed her. She left a little after dusk and took a cab up to his place.” She’d also taken a small duffel bag, so he knew that she planned to stay the night with William. She planned to stay, even though Jack had warned her away. “Dammit! I thought she’d have more sense. I thought she’d understand. That bastard killed her brother.”

“Some people just don’t know what’s good for them.”

That was the truth. Savannah Daniels had put her life in danger, but she didn’t seem to care. She’d stood before him, stubbornly declaring William’s innocence. She’d ignored Jack’s evidence, trusting completely in a man he knew to be a killer.

“Do you want me to keep following her?” Jack asked, trying to rub out the tension in his neck.

“Actually, I think I’ll handle Ms. Daniels from now on.”

Jack frowned. He suddenly went on high alert. Handle her? What did he mean by that? “What are you talking about?”

“No need for you to worry, Jack. I’ll keep an eye on Ms. Daniels from now on.”

For some reason, those calm words sent a chill skating down Jack’s spine. “But I’m here. In Tyler. I can keep an eye out, make certain she’s safe—”

“Your job’s finished, Jack. Go back home. Go back to that cute little school teacher that’s waiting on you.”

Jack’s fingers tightened around the receiver. How had he known about Kelly?

His employer continued talking, his voice as smooth as silk. “Don’t worry, Jack. I promise you, I’ll take special care of Ms. Daniels.”

The line went dead, and Jack suddenly realized that he had just a made a terrible, terrible mistake.

A mistake that might just cost an innocent woman her life.

Chapter Eight

William is my only hope, my last salvation.

—Entry from the diary of Henry de Montfort,

December 2, 1068

WILLIAM TOOK Savannah back upstairs just before dawn. He cradled her gently against his chest, holding her like the precious gift that she was. And he thought of the passion they’d shared . . .

He’d held her through the night. He’d heard her sweet moans, felt the clenching of her muscles that signaled her climax. He’d held her, heard her choked cry when she’d come beneath him. Heard her cry his name. He’d made love to her countless times. And every moment, he’d had to fight the beast inside, to fight the urge to take more of her precious blood. But she wasn’t ready for the final exchange yet. He would have to wait.

He stared down at her sleeping face. She was so beautiful. She had no idea of the power that she already wielded. She could get him to do anything she wanted with but a crook of her slender finger.

He knew it was dangerous to let her get so close. She would make him weak, vulnerable. And he couldn’t afford to be vulnerable, not with Geoffrey hunting.

He placed her gently onto her bed, pulling the covers over her naked body. She didn’t stir. He’d worn her out. He knew he should have restrained himself, but his need, his desire for her, had been too strong. And each time he’d reached for her, she’d met him with equal passion.

He stroked her cheek. She was his weakness. He knew that, and he would have to guard her well.

He kissed her lips, a light, whisper touch. He wouldn’t let Geoffrey touch her, not even in her dreams. He would stand guard for her, making certain that her sleep was peaceful.

After all, she was his mate.
His.

He walked slowly down the stairs and into the great room, almost as if he’d been drawn there. He stood at the threshold, staring at Henry’s diary. He moved silently across the room and lifted his hands to pick up the diary, but then he stopped. He couldn’t do it. Not yet. He couldn’t read Henry’s words, see his brother’s last thoughts.

He was responsible for his brother’s death. His brother’s blood would always be on his hands.

He clenched his fists. No, his hands couldn’t touch the diary. Couldn’t open its precious pages. Not yet. He closed his eyes and saw his brother’s face.

Forgive me, Henry.

SAVANNAH AWOKE, alone. She squinted, her eyes slowly adjusting to the sunlight that streamed through the glass doors of the balcony.

She glanced around the expansive room, recognizing the furnishings. She knew this room. She’d been there yesterday. William had brought her there after he’d taken her blood in that horrible alley.

William.

She stretched slowly, feeling small aches all over her body.

She’d never known that lovemaking would feel that way. So intense. So consuming. She’d expected to enjoy being with William, but she hadn’t expected for the pleasure to literally overwhelm her.

She blushed as she remembered the things they’d done. The things she’d done. And she knew that she couldn’t wait to see him again. To once more feel the magic of his touch. It wasn’t about the bargain. It was about him.

Death had surrounded her for so long, and he made her feel alive.

She sat up, wondering what time it was. She knew William was down below, resting in his room. He’d told that he would rise at sunset.

How many more hours until sunset? How much longer until she saw him again?

Her clothes were neatly folded on the settee at the end of the bed. William must have brought them, perhaps when he’d carried her upstairs. She slipped on her jeans and her rumpled pullover and walked toward the balcony. With a soft push, she opened the doors and let in the sunlight and the crisp mountain air. The scent of pine tickled her nose.

She looked up, trying to gauge the sun’s location. It was already starting to sink into the western sky. In another hour or two, it would be dusk.

And William would rise.

She couldn’t believe that she’d slept so long. She usually rose early, especially since she’d started having the dreams. Turning from the balcony, she stepped back into her room. It was such a beautiful day, and she knew she wouldn’t see many more sunlit days. Soon, she would only see the night, so she’d better enjoy the light while she still could.

Her shoes were arranged on the floor beside the settee. She hurriedly put them on, then combed her hair and secured her mane in a loose bun at the back of her head.

She walked back out onto the balcony. The forest stood before her, the pine trees swaying gently. She moved toward them eagerly, a slight bounce in her step.

Birds chirped a soft melody. A light, happy melody. Her lips curved faintly as she caught sight of a cardinal soaring near the treetops. At that moment, she realized that something was missing. For the first time in over five months, she hadn’t awoken with her usual headache. Instead, she felt strong, refreshed.

Alive.

She smiled, contented. She felt good. For the first time in so very long, she felt good.

She walked along an old trail, strolling easily through the woods. She wondered how long the trees had been there. Some of them were old and twisted. Stretching high into the sky.

It was so beautiful on the mountain. So peaceful. So—

A twig snapped, the sound echoing like a shot. She spun around, her hand rising instinctively to her throat. She couldn’t see anyone. “Is someone there?”

The forest was eerily still. Even the birds were silent.

Savannah frowned. Maybe it had been an animal. A raccoon. Then again, maybe it had been something else.
Someone else.

She took a step back, her eyes scanning the thatch of woods. She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was there, watching her.

Her heart pounded. She retreated another step and stumbled into something. Into
someone
. A hand grabbed her shoulder, and she spun around, kicking out with her right foot. He grunted, his arms shooting out to catch her body in a tight grip.

She opened her mouth to scream, and his hand slammed down over her lips, silencing her before she could even make a sound.

“I’m not here to hurt you,” he whispered, his voice fierce. “I came to help.”

Savannah blinked, staring up in shock at the man before her.

Jack Donovan stared down at her, his jaw clenched. “I promise I’m here to help you.”

She shoved his hand away from her mouth. “Sure you are.” Her gaze was full of suspicion as she studied him.

He took a deep breath. “Look, lady, I think you’re in serious danger.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. She really wasn’t in the mood to listen to him attack William again. “I told you William wasn’t involved. He didn’t kill anyone!”

Jack didn’t respond.

Savannah glared at him. He’d followed her into the woods, terrified her, and now he was still blaming William for the murders—even though she’d told him that William was innocent. She pushed past him, heading back to the house. She wouldn’t listen to any more of his lies.

“Wait!” He hurried to catch up to her. “Dammit, would you just stop?”

She kept going.

He grabbed her elbow. “Please, stop and listen to me.”

She jerked her arm free. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say. Why don’t you just go back to town?” And get the hell away from her.

“I can’t leave you here.”

She glanced back over her shoulder, a sneer curving her lips. “Sure you can. Just get back into your car, crank it up, and drive down the mountain. I’ll be fine.”

“No! You don’t understand—” He ran an agitated hand through his hair. “I’m trying to help you!” There was an almost desperate edge to his words

It was the desperation that stopped her. She turned back to stare at him, her eyes narrowed. “William isn’t the killer, Mr. Donovan. I told you that already. I’m not in any danger from him.”

“It’s not William that I’m worried about,” Jack said.

“What?”

Jack looked around the woods, his gaze darting frantically to the left and right. The setting sun sent dark shadows drifting through the forest. “Look, can we go inside? We really need to talk.”

Savannah hesitated.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he promised. “I only want to help.”

“What about your client?”

A muscle flexed in his jaw. “I’m not working for him anymore.”

Savannah’s brows snapped together. “Then what are you doing here?”

“I told you, I’m here to help you.”

“Why?”

His lips thinned into a small line. “Because I think I’ve just arranged your murder.”

WILLIAM COULD FEEL her. Something was wrong. She was afraid.

He lay perfectly still on the bed. Not a single muscle moved. Yet his mind raged.

Something had happened. Savannah was in danger.

The evil was growing closer once more.

SAVANNAH LOCKED the balcony door behind Jack. “Okay. We’re inside. Now say that again.”

He exhaled heavily and dropped into a nearby chair. “I’ve screwed up.”

“How?” He was starting to scare her, and she didn’t like to be scared. She clenched her hands. “What have you done?”

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Remember when I told you that my client’s brother had been killed?”

“Yes.” His words still echoed in her mind.
All of the blood was drained from his body.
Her neck tingled.

“I called a buddy of mine on the Panama City force. He gave me the victim’s name. Peter Gilbert.” Savannah paced, listening intently to his words as he continued, “That matched up with what I’d been told. My buddy confirmed the victim had one brother, a man named Jonathan.”

“And Jonathan was your client?”

“Jonathan Gilbert was the name my client gave me,” Jack replied carefully.

Savannah stopped pacing. “The name that he gave you? Are you telling me that wasn’t his real name?”

He shook his head wearily. “No. It wasn’t his real name. I spoke to the real Jonathan Gilbert late last night. He didn’t know me. He had no idea that I was even working on his brother’s case.”

Savannah felt icy tendrils close over her heart. “If you weren’t working for Jonathan, then, who, exactly, was your client? Who hired you to follow me?”