“Boss?” Nick speaks, alerting me of his presence.
I spin on my heels. “Change of plans.”
“His Majesty, yeah?”
“Yes. Alex has summoned me back. I must be there before sunup.”
Nick’s brows narrow. “What about, Kelly?”
I scratch the top of my head. “You and Tony will have to watch her tomorrow. Keep her safe. You stay with her when Tony follows Joe.”
“Boss. Shouldn’t we just pull her now and take her with us?”
“No. Not until I speak with Alex face to face. He has put me on the council.”
“You’re kidding right? Didn’t he say if you could prove Finn’s guilt, he wouldn’t make you sit on the council?”
“Yes.”
“But I thought...”
“Me too. He has taken my choice away. I can’t take her with me tonight. Maybe I can talk some sense into Alex. While I am, I need to know she’s safe. I’m still hoping I’ll be able to ease her into our world.”
“I don’t expect there’s anything easy about it.”
“Nick, promise me you will take care of her.”
“Yeah, boss. I’ve got this.”
“Tony.”
The young vampire is quick to jump. “Yes, Master?”
“I need you to pay attention to Finn tomorrow. Get everything you can on him and what he does with Joe tomorrow. This is very important, Tony. Don’t let me down.”
“I won’t.” He tries to ring confidence in his voice, but it isn’t there.
“Whatever Finn is up to, needs to stop. If you need to end him with the final death, do it. But make sure you have the evidence to prove cause. Do you understand?”
Tony’s eyes pop wide open. “Finn Bailey is a Master vampire, just like you. I won’t have the strength to overcome him, Master. How am I supposed to do that?”
“I’m confident you’ll figure it out, Tony.”
I did not have time to hold this kid’s hand. “Nick. He’s your progeny.”
“He is, Sire. I will take care of it.” Nick offers his acknowledgement of his responsibility to train him, the same way as I trained Nick.
I tip my wrist up and see that I only have two hours before sunup. “Keep in contact. I want you to check in every hour.”
“Got it, Boss.”
I nod at Nick. “Keep what’s mine safe.”
“Sure thing, Boss.” He tosses the keys to Tony. “Take the Boss back to the hotel and then get back here, got it?”
Tony grabs the keys out of the air. “Yeah, got it.”
We are then on our way back. I can only hope to talk some sense into my Sire.
Chapter 7
Kelly
I didn’t sleep well all night. I lay in bed this morning, staring at the ceiling, considering my options. Pulling myself out of bed, I drag my feet across the hallway to the bathroom for a shower. The hot water stings my skin, shocking me awake. Reveling in the heat, I stay in there until the hot water fades and cold water takes over. I pull my black t-shirt over my head and step into my favorite pair of jeans and lean over the counter to study myself in the mirror.
I thought for sure I would end up with a black eye. My fingers touch the side of my check, no bruises nor any swelling. Last night my eye felt like it had swollen shut. This morning it seems it never happened. I’m glad that it isn’t as bad as I had expected it to be. I wonder what kind of shape Joe is in this morning. It’s possible he recovered from our fight too. I throw my towel over the shower curtain and left the bathroom.
The apartment is quiet. Joe must still be asleep on the couch. I will brew some coffee right after I make my bed. The blinds are open in my room, and Joe sits on my bed with two cups of coffee.
“I thought you might want some coffee this morning.” Joe offers me a cup. “Take it.”
My eyes dart from the coffee mug back to my father, I hesitate but step forward to take the offered cup of coffee. “Thank you.”
Joe moves over and pats the open space on my bed. “Come here, Princess. Let’s talk.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m happy right here.” I lean my back against the wall. “What’s up?”
My father’s shoulders curl over his chest. “Princess.” His head is down, but he looks up at me through his long eyelashes. “I need to apologize. What happened last night,” his free hand moves across his face as if he is wiping it clean of something. “What I did was wrong. And I’m sorry.”
My brows narrow in confusion. “Wait, what?”
Joe’s jaw tightens. “I said I was sorry, Princess. I want to make it up to you. What do you say we take a little vacation? Just you and me.”
“Are you okay? I mean, did you hit your head or something when you fell?” I lean off the wall and set my coffee mug on the dresser.
“Why would you say that? Can’t your father apologize and do something nice for you?” He stands up and takes a step towards me.
A forced smile comes over my tight lips. “Yes. I’m sorry. And I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.” I don’t want to risk another confrontation with him. “That sounds… nice. Where are we going?”
“Honolulu.” It rolls off his tongue without hesitation.
My head tilts forward to make sure I hear him. “I’m sorry. Did you say Honolulu as in Hawaii?”
His eyes darken. He knows I don’t believe him.
My radar goes off, putting me on alert. Something is very wrong. “How is that possible? I mean that sounds great, Dad. But just last night you were asking me to give you any cash I had. Today we’re planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands. I don’t understand.”
Joe’s face reddened. “What’s not to understand? I took care of the money problem last night after you left me rolling on the floor.” He grabs my shoulder with his free hand and tilts his head down. “Pack your shit. We leave tonight. End of discussion.” His hand squeezes my shoulder hard, and then he turns away, leaving me alone in my room.
I close my bedroom door, not that it will keep him from coming back in. I just need some space from him to think through what just happened. Taking my cup of coffee from the dresser, I sit down at the foot of my bed.
This is out of character for Joe. First off, he’s never apologized for anything. Ever. And the first time he does, it’s a grand gesture by taking me to Hawaii. I turn my head and watch the leaves move on the tree outside my bedroom window. A small sparrow jumps from one branch to the next, looking for the right place to perch himself.
I need to leave, no question about it, and settle myself somewhere away from Joe. I can’t wait any longer to leave Joe’s messed up world. Waiting for my birthday is not an option any longer. He has done something, which doesn’t surprise me. I’m sure he has somehow justified whatever it was.
I will go on this vacation and use the opportunity to disappear during the trip. It’s the perfect way to run from my father, who is growing more unstable by the minute. I’ll get a head start and he will have no clue where to find me.
The Uber driver introduces himself to Joe. “Hi, I’m Jacob. Is everyone comfortable? It’s a little chilly outside. Would you like me to turn on the heater for you?”
I watch the tick of irritation pump to Joe’s temple. His left eyebrow twitches. “No, just drive the damn car.”
Jacob’s smile falters, “yeah, got it.” He then puts the car into gear and drives.
Sitting in the back seat, I take a deep breath and try to tell myself everything will be fine. But I know something has gone wrong and Joe is running, taking me with him.
It is easy to read the stress on his face. But there is something else there. Regret, maybe? He regrets whatever went wrong. I close my eyes and try to figure out what is going on with him. He’s backed into a corner.
“Dad?” I keep my voice low. “Dad, can we talk about this? I want to know what’s going on.”
He turns around from the front seat and looks back at me. His apology showing through his eyes. “Nothing to
talk about, Princess. What’s done is done. We gotta do this.”
“We have to do what? Go on vacation? Why?” I lean forward, “what’s happened, Dad?”
“Stop talking! We’re almost there. Just,” he huffs out a short breath. “Stop.”
I sit back in my seat. The sky is dark now. The lights seem to drown out the beauty of the sky’s natural lighting. I cannot see the stars in the sky because of the streetlights in this overly populated area. I stare out the window, wondering what it is Joe has done. Joe’s emotions vibrate in the air and cause my skin to pebble into goosebumps. This is bad.
As soon as I have an opportunity, I’m running.
Passing the main entrance to McCarren Airport, I watch Jacob turn off on Sunset Road. The street is a back entryway into a private area of the airport. I know I would not get any answers from Joe, so I wait, envisioning what is coming. Jacob approaches the gated entrance to the hangers for private chartered flights.
“Just stop here and let us out.” Joe unbuckles his seat belt and looks back at me, “Get your stuff.” He doesn’t risk another chance for me to ask questions and exits the car. I open the back door, lean down and grab my duffle and backpack from the back seat, then close the car door.
“I hope to see you again!” Jacob smiles and speaks to Joe. “If you wouldn’t mind, could you leave a positive Uber review for me? The more positive reviews I get, the better!”
“Get out of here.” Joe snaps.
“Have a good night.” Jacob’s smile falters as he turns the car around to head back in the direction he had come. I watch the taillights disappear as Jacob turns onto Sunset Road.
“What are we doing here? Dad, this is the wrong entrance for the airport.” Just as soon as the words left my mouth, car headlights blinding beams shine on me and Joe.
“Don’t move, Kelly. Wait here.” Joe raises his hands in the air and makes his way to the car that is blinding me from what is happening.
I can sense his trepidation. I have a knot forming in my stomach. Fear. Regret. “Dad? What’s going on?” I continue to shield my eyes from the blinding headlights.
A car engine rolls over and another set of headlights' beam at me. I cannot see beyond the headlights, but I hear footsteps heading to the second vehicle. A door opens and closes before the car shifts into gear and crawls forward. As the vehicle comes closer, I realize Joe is sitting in the back seat. He looks straight ahead and won’t face me as the car carries him away.
“Dad? DAD!” I chase the car. “Wait!” After the car makes it back to the main road, I stop running. “Dad, what did you do?”
There is still one car left. I turn to see two men standing in front of the car now, one holding my duffle bag and backpack. The taller of the two leans over and says something to the man with my gear and instructing him to put my things in the back of the remaining car.
My radar moves to Defconn Five. It’s cold tonight, but it’s not the weather that has my body shaking. It’s easy to figure out Joe has pulled me into whatever problem he needed to sort out.
“Hey, guys. I’m not sure why Dad took off like that, but I’m just gonna head back to the main terminal and see if I can find him.” I take a step backward, still facing the headlights.
“Kelly Kennedy, you need to come with us. Now.” A deep voice echoes across the asphalt. A huge man’s shadow cuts through the headlights and heads towards me. “My master is looking forward to you joining him this evening.”
My left foot takes another step back. “Master? Sounds kind of weird to me. Perhaps you can let your master know I’m busy tonight.” My right foot takes another quick step.
“I don’t think so.” He is now close enough for me to see his face. “Kelly, look at me.”
Just as our eyes meet, my mind becomes fuzzy. A shot rings out, and the giant falls forward in front of me.
“Shit!” I shake myself out of the fog, turn to make my way back to Sunset Road.
“I took care of Mason. He’s down. You take care of his buddy, Tony.” The calm voice sounds familiar, but I am not waiting around to find out who it is.
“Go find her. I’ve got this.” I hear a struggle, and someone groans as they hit the ground.
“Kelly, wait!” The familiar voice calls out to me.
I am almost to the street but see some old trash bins near a metal building that I could hide behind. Forcing my way behind the black trash bin, I slide into a dark spot. I hope whoever is after me would miss me and keep going.
Please don’t find me. Please don’t find me.
His footsteps slow down. “Kelly, honey. You need to come out. I know you’re back there.”
I hold my breath and squeeze my eyes shut.
No. No. No. No.
The footsteps come closer. “Listen. I’m not here to hurt you, Kitten. Those other guys would have hurt you. I’m on your side, okay? Come on out.”
His quiet voice makes me want to believe him, but I continue to hide. The energy in my body ramps up. The static floats through my body and raises my hair on end.
“Kitten?” His breath is on my cheek, and I open my eyes.
“Please, don’t hurt me!” Tears flow down my cheek, and my fear is taking over. The static electricity flowing through me and the moisture from my tears send a charge into the trash bin, moving it twenty feet away.
The dizziness causes me to lurch forward onto my knees. I grab my stomach to stop the nausea.
“Kitten. What the hell?” The man is now down on all fours next to me.
“Please.” I plead.
“Look at me, Kelly.”
I can’t fight this any longer. My body is shutting down and I have no strength left. I lift my face and look into a familiar face.
“Where do I know you from?” I whisper.
“Plenty of time for introductions, Kitten. I need you to look in my eyes, yeah?”
I do what he says. The fog I shook off earlier makes its way back. I want to move away from him, but I have no control over my body.
“Good girl.” He pushes himself up without breaking eye contact with me. “Take my hand, Kitten.”
I watch my hand lift on its own. I try to pull away, but I can’t. “What?”
The man wraps an arm around me as we make our way back to the black town car. “It’s okay, I promise. We’re here to protect you, not hurt you.”
“Protect me from who? Joe?” I cry. “At this point you should protect him instead. I will kill him when I find him.”
The knot in my stomach roils into a volcanic burn. Serious alarm bells. The big man continues to guide me back to his partner. I have no intention of going with these men, but my body has other plans. I have no control over myself.
“What have you done to me?” I will myself to pull away, but it is no use.
“Listen, Kitten. I don’t want to fight with you, you’re coming with us and that’s just the way it is.”
The man tries to console me by patting my shoulder.
“Wait.” I turn my head to the side enough to see his face in my peripheral. “I know you. You’re the guy from the coffee shop? What do you want with me?”
He leans down and whispers in my ear. “I promise you, Kitten no one will hurt you, yeah?”
“I guess I will have to take your word for it.”
The second man is already in the driver's seat by the time we make it to the car. My self-proclaimed bodyguard guides me into the rear seat, then follows me in and sits down next to me.
“What’s your name again?”
“My apologies, Kitten. I’m Nick.” He gestures toward the driver. “And this here is Tony.”
Tony gives me a chin up to acknowledge me. “Hi sweetheart.”
I need to figure out what the hell is going on and need a plan to get out of this. If Joe had stayed on the good side of the law, none of this would be happening.
“Nick, is it?”
Nick turns to look at me and nods.
“Does Joe owe you ca
sh? Is that what this is about?”
Nick’s face softens. “No, Kitten. He doesn’t owe me anything.” He reaches over and pats the side of my cheek. “But your poor excuse for a father owes money to someone.”
“He does. Why does this not surprise me?” The fog was fading, and some of my body control is returning.
I look out the window, but Nick catches my chin and turns my face to meet his eyes.
“Listen. I guarantee you. No one will harm you. Okay? You gotta trust me on this.” He continues to hold my chin in place, waiting for me to acknowledge him.
I see the sincerity coming from this hulking man and allow myself to relax a little. I nod. “Okay.” But if he thinks I will sit back and let this happen, he’s crazy. I will fight them, well if I can get control of my body again.
“Good.” He pats my cheek again. “Listen to me, Kelly. You are safer with us than you are with Joe right now.” Nick positions himself to face me.
I look him in the eyes. “I believe you, Nick. You won’t hurt me.” My body trembles. Just because my gut tells me these men are protecting me for the moment doesn’t guarantee it long term.
“Joe must have achieved something unbelievable this time if you are holding me as collateral. What will happen to me?”
Something flashes in Nick’s eyes, pity maybe. “What I can tell you Kitten is your ass wipe father has done something unspeakable.” and motions his hand between himself and Tony, the driver. The boss will explain everything to you.”
He leans down again to make eye contact. “We will treat you with care, understand?”
My brows knit together as I shake my head. “Not really, no. You keep telling me no one will hurt me. You’re here to protect me. Who are you trying to convince here? You or me? All I know is I have little choice here but to go along with it now do I?”
“No, Kitten. You don’t.” Nick’s definitive statement settles into me.
As much as my rational brain tells me to be on high alert and not believe a word these men are telling me, my gut tries to reassure me that they mean what they say. No one will harm me.
Paid in Full: Kelly Kennedy Series (Book One) Page 5