“Yes, Christian?”
“Are you sure this is going to work?”
“Of course not. But it’s the closest chance we have at getting rid of that snake.”
He walked past me and into the living room. He checked the ice bucket and made a face. “Someone needs to refill this.”
“Forget the damn ice and dinner. This is important.”
“Don’t you think I know that!”
He glared daggers at me. Sometimes I forgot how much he liked Hope. There was something special about Hope that changed him. She managed to do what no one else could. Not even his own siblings could motivate him this much.
“Wyatt, we have to be sure, because if you’re wrong and this gets screwed up we risk pissing Francesca off. She could do something to hurt Hope.”
“She’s already hurting Hope. It’s time we put a stop to that. I’m not going to let Hope live in fear. Are you okay with her living in fear, Chris?”
“Obviously not.”
“Then it’s settled. We lure her here for dinner and strike during the main course.”
“Are you sure we have enough hawthorne?”
“Christian. Relax. I’ve got this covered. You just leave the heavy lifting to me and make sure you stay by Hope’s side the entire time. I’m sure she’s nervous, and you’re good at comforting damsels in distress.”
I couldn’t help laughing at that. Hope was no damsel in distress. She’d probably smack Wyatt for saying it.
“Sorry I’m being cautious. You just have the tendency to jump the gun without thinking things through.”
“Not when Hope’s life is at stake.”
Wyatt went back to making sure everything was perfect for the night. I hung back and served myself a drink. It was weird seeing my brother be so up front about his feelings. He wasn’t one to wear his emotions on his sleeve. He really cared about Hope. So much that he wasn’t even hiding it anymore.
“You two are insufferable.”
I looked at Elizabeth. “What’s got you in such a bad mood?”
She walked over to me and took my drink. She took a sip. “The both of you are going to drive me insane.”
“What did I do?”
She finished my drink and went to make herself another. “You and Wyatt both fancy the same girl. How do you think this is going to end?”
I hadn’t really given it much thought. I was too preoccupied with making sure Hope was kept safe. I didn’t care that I wasn’t the only guy in her life. I liked that she had so many of us looking out for her.
But when the danger had passed, what was going to happen? Was this going to continue? Could Hope be with all of us? Or were some of us going to get hurt. And if that were the case, who was going to get hurt?
I wanted to be with Hope. But if I was being honest, I liked this new side of my brother. He would always be a vampire and have a cold exterior, but Hope warmed up something inside of him. Something I thought died long ago with him.
“Right now the main priority is keeping Hope safe.”
“Damn the consequences right?”
“What consequences?”
“Our family. I like Hope. A lot. But I don’t want our family torn apart over this silly love triangle.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because if Hope does have to choose one of us, I’ll do right by her and our family. I’ll bow out.”
She scoffed at my words. “Why on Earth would you do that?”
“Because I’m not going to force her to choose. I don’t want to create any more heartache for her. She has enough of that going on.”
She put her glass down and shook her head. “You’re both idiots. Hope should just choose the wolf.”
“Bite your tongue.”
“I thought you were friends with the canine.”
“Friends might be pushing it. But we do have a common goal. To protect Hope. I can make nice with him. Besides, there’s no true reason to have a grudge against him.”
“Aside from the obvious ones.”
Knight didn’t do anything wrong. He cared so much about Hope. I could tell it was genuine by the way that he looked at her. He loved her. Even if he hadn’t said it yet.
I couldn’t fault him for that. I think I loved her too.
Chapter 40: Hope
Tonight was dinner at Hale manor. I stopped at the diner to get a coffee. It was going to be a long night.
Things had to go perfectly or I was going to risk Christian and Wyatt’s lives. It was time I stopped hiding behind my friends. Tonight, I took control of my life and the awful predicament I was in.
When I arrived at the diner, I turned around to face Francesca. I knew I felt someone following me. “Hello Francesca.”
“Hope Sinclair. Aren’t we supposed to be having dinner together tonight?”
“We are. I’m just getting a coffee.”
She made a look of disgust. “I’m more of a tea girl myself.”
She didn’t strike me as a tea drinker. Tequila seemed more up her alley. “Want a tea?”
“No thank you. I should be going. I value punctuality. Would you like me to escort you?”
“No, thanks. I can escort myself just fine.”
She smiled. “Very well. I’ll see you there.”
Francesca walked away. She looked so elegant tonight. She was wearing a red dress and had a black fur coat over it. Her shoes looked like they cost more than my entire wardrobe. Maybe even Gemma’s combined.
It must be nice to be able to compel yourself whatever you want. Or to live long enough that you could acquire as much money as you could possibly ever need. Say what you will about vampires, but there were definitely perks.
I went into the diner and ordered my usual Americano. When I turned around to head out, Caleb was coming into the diner. He looked at me cautiously. He looked nervous and like he didn’t know if he should say anything.
“Hi Hope.”
“Hey.”
When he didn’t say anything else I pointed to the door. “I should be going.”
“Wait, Hope. I think we should talk.”
“We don’t have to.”
“I think we do.” His look softened as he stared down at me. “I won’t force you to talk to me, so if you don’t want to, I’ll understand. But I just need you to know that I want us to have a relationship. And that relationship can be whatever you decide you want it to be.”
I didn’t know what I wanted my relationship with Caleb to be yet. I wasn’t used to having a father. I was practically seventeen years old. It’s not like I needed him to be a parent to me. I had Gemma and honestly I raised myself. I knew how to survive on my own. That’s where I was headed before Kane found Gemma for me.
But this man was someone that my mother loved. Or at least cared enough about him to have sex with him and have me. I came from him and Mom. I was a part of him, and there was no denying that.
“I want that too. I just don’t know how to do that. I’m new to the whole having a dad thing.”
He smiled. “I think it’s just going to take time. Listen, I’m sorry about what happened. I was just trying to protect Hayden and I thought that it was one of the only vampires that are living here in Salem Point. If I had known they were protecting you from someone else out there, I never would have gone after them.”
His apology seemed sincere. I could only hope it was the truth. “They’ve kept me safe. They’ve risked their lives for me. The Hale’s are very important to me.”
“I know. You have my word, it won’t happen again. No werewolf from our pack will go after them. But I can’t make promises about the town council and the other pack. I don’t speak for them.”
Salem Point was a dangerous town for vampires. I had no idea why the Hale’s decided to settle down here, but a part of me was glad that they did.
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
“I just want you to be safe
, Hope. Even if that means working with vampires.”
That was a pretty big compromise. A werewolf working with a vampire seemed to be unheard of around here. It was a wonder that Knight and Christian hadn’t tried to kill each other already. Or at the very least Wyatt, who would be a much more understandable vampire for Knight to go after.
I would have stuck around and talked to Caleb some more. I had so many questions to ask him. But, I had to go.
“Maybe we can sit down sometime and talk,” I said. “I would now, it’s just I’m kind of supposed to be somewhere right now.”
“Do you want me to give you a ride?”
“I would, but it’s the Hale’s I’m going to and I’m not sure how they’d feel about you driving up to their home right now. It might be a bit too soon.”
“Got it. Hope, please be careful. I know they’re helping you, but they’re still vampires. Just don’t put all of your trust in them. Watch your back.”
I always watched my back. But I thought it was sweet that he was giving me the fatherly warning. “I will.”
“And I will hold you to that talk.”
I smiled. “See you around Caleb.”
“Bye Hope.”
I walked out of the diner and headed to the Hale’s. The truth was, I had no idea if I was going to see Caleb ever again.
Chapter 41: Hope
A man answered the door when I got to the Hale manor. Wyatt went all out on tonight’s dinner. The poor man. He was probably being compelled to be here. I hoped he wasn’t part of the actual dinner tonight.
“Hope.” Wyatt came from the next room, a huge smile on his face. “So glad you could make it.”
I furrowed my eyebrows. “You’re acting weird.”
He got closer to me, his smile tensing. He whispered into my ear. “Francesca is driving me insane and you are late!”
“Sorry. I ran into Caleb.”
“And how is the hairy beast?”
I made a face at him and took a deep breath. It was understandable why he was pissed at him, but he was my father and if I ended up making it out of tonight alive I did want to work on building a relationship with him. Wyatt was going to have to get along with Caleb if he wanted to stay a part of my life. I did want that too. Wyatt could be a major dick, but he was great through this all. I knew without a doubt I could depend on him.
He put his hands up. “He attacked me, Hope. Remember that.”
“I know and I don’t like that he was so nonchalantly going to kill you, Christian, and Elizabeth. But he’s still my dad.”
There was a far away look in his piercing blue eyes. His eyes were like a window into his soul. Even if on the outside he had the same stone cold look on his face, I could tell by looking into his eyes how much emotion he had. “Believe me, I get it.”
“I can take your coat miss.”
I handed my coat to the man dressed as a doorman and smiled. “Thanks.”
The man bowed and went off with my coat. My eyes darted to Wyatt’s. “Please tell me he isn’t being compelled to be here.”
“I cannot tell a lie, Hope.”
I rolled my eyes. “Wyatt.”
“Relax. I’ve just compelled him to make sure he provides excellent services. He’ll be well compensated monetarily.”
“I hope so. You should really try acting like a normal person for once and just hire someone without compelling them.”
He looked confused by my words. “But I’m not normal.”
“Trust me, I know.”
Elizabeth came into the foyer. She was dressed like she was ready to go out.
“Where are you going?” Wyatt asked.
“Out. I have no interest in sitting in the same room as the vulture that hurt my brother and is trying to kidnap my friend.” She smiled at me as she put her coat on.
Elizabeth was sweet. Don’t get me wrong, she could be vicious, I knew that. But I never saw that side of her. More importantly, she was loyal. I saw how much she cared about her brothers. It was a plus to have the vampire on my side.
“I was hoping to have your help, Elizabeth.”
“And I am helping. By leaving. I’ll only cause problems. I don’t bite my tongue when I have something to say. You should know that better than anyone.”
“Fine. But please, answer your phone if I call. You never know if you might be needed.” He gave her a serious look, to which she nodded.
“Good luck Hope,” she said to me as she excused herself and left.
I walked into the living room with Wyatt. Christian was talking with Francesca.
“We can begin with appetizers,” Wyatt said. “Hope is here. Finally.”
I glared at him as Francesca spoke. “Not quite. We’re waiting for one more person.”
“Who?” Christian asked.
The doorbell rang. “There she is now.”
“Who’s here Francesca?” Wyatt asked.
Jade walked into the living room.
My blood ran cold. She wasn’t supposed to be here tonight. This was bad. I had a plan for tonight and it did not involve Jade being here.
“Hello Jade,” Francesca said. “Glad you could make it.”
“I wasn’t aware you were joining us,” Wyatt said. “But glad you could come. The more the merrier.”
No! Not the more the merrier. I needed tonight to go perfectly. I didn’t need to have to worry about protecting Jade at the same time.
“I’ll let the maid know we can get started on appetizers.” Wyatt left the room.
Jade came over to me. “Hey.”
I smiled. “Hey. Glad you’re here.”
“Me too. I’m not underdressed am I?”
“No. You look great Jade.” She was wearing an olive green sweater dress with black long boots. Her long blonde hair was curled pristinely. She looked amazing. I felt terrible that the night was going to go so terribly.
“Thanks. Is anyone else coming?”
I had to refrain from laughing. I knew right away who she was asking about. Lexie. “No. No one else.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, this should still be fun. You and Francesca are here.”
She wasn’t going to think that in an hour.
* * *
We were sitting at the dining room table. Appetizers were awkward and tense. I could tell that Francesca was suspicious about what tonight was about. It was definitely out of left field for Wyatt to invite her to their home for dinner.
I didn’t think this plan was going to work anyway. It was a good thing I wasn’t planning on letting Wyatt go through with trying to capture Francesca.
Wyatt and Christian shared a look. It was happening now. I thought I had until after dinner, but apparently Wyatt couldn’t take much more of pretending to be nice to Francesca. It was kind of hard to watch. It wasn’t at all the Wyatt I came to know and...I wouldn’t say love. Like was more appropriate.
“I’m going to go see what’s taking Penny so long,” Wyatt said. He got up from the table and left the dining room.
Francesca watched him walk out. She knew. She totally knew that something was up.
I had to get this right, or none of this was going to go well.
Wyatt came back in at warp speed, a blade in hand. I focused all of my energy on him. I stood up and pointed my hand at him. I contorted my hand and snapped his neck. He fell to the floor, the blade falling out of his hand.
Before Christian could register what I’d just done, I did the same to him. He fell back in his chair, lifeless.
I felt horrified at what I’d just done to my friends. To the people who were risking everything to protect me. But it had to be done. This had to stop. I had to take responsibility for the problems my existence was causing everyone.
Jade got up and a terrified scream escaped her mouth. She looked at me in fear. “What the hell was that?”
Francesca was speechless. She looked at Christian and then down at Wyatt’s body. Her eyes darted back to me. “Well that was unexpected.”
/>
“I needed them out of the way.”
“For?”
“Are they dead?” Jade asked. She was on the verge of tears.
“Technically, but they’ve been dead a long time darling,” Francesca said.
“Sorry?”
“Compel her to calm down and forget this.” I hated that I was asking a vampire to compel my friend, but I needed Jade to be at peace before I left. I needed Jade to not remember any of this terrible ordeal. Including Francesca.
Francesca narrowed her eyes at me for a moment before getting up and going to Jade. She looked into her eyes. “Shh. Everything is going to be okay. Forget the events of tonight. You had a nice time with everyone. Wyatt was an ass though.”
“And compel her to go home and forget she knew you.”
She laughed. “I don’t think so little girl.”
“We leave tonight. I’ll leave with you. But I need assurance that Jade won’t be impacted by the compulsions. That she’ll go back to having a normal life.”
A normal life without me in it.
Francesca smiled. She looked back into Jade’s eyes and told her to forget she knew her and to go home.
Jade snapped out of the trance and smiled at me. “I’ll see you around Hope.”
I smiled sadly at her. I had no idea if I was ever going to see her again, but probably not. “Bye Jade.”
Jade left the house. When we heard the front door shut, Francesca turned to me. “Shall we then?”
“First I have to cast a spell to keep them in here for twenty four hours. It’s the only way we’ll get far enough away from them. They’re not going to let me go without a fight.”
I looked at Christian. I felt so guilty. My heart hurt. I did this to him. He would have been better off if he never met me. They both would be.
“I’m quite impressed, Hope Sinclair.” Francesca grinned from ear to ear. “That’s saying something coming from me.”
I wasn’t trying to impress her. I just wanted my friends and family to be safe.
Hopefully with me gone, they would be.
Chapter 42: Wyatt
I shot up and looked around. I was in the dining room. My head and neck were killing me.
Saving Hope: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance (Bloodmoon Series Book 2) Page 13