He couldn’t imagine what she felt. He only knew that it took a tremendous amount of strength to hold up under the kind of pressure Lydia faced on a daily basis, and he’d just taken her innocence in the midst of it all.
Gazing at his reflection in the mirror, Roman swore to make the next time better for her. And there would be a next time. Of that, he was certain.
He finished dressing, left his apartment, and headed for the security hub on the first floor. Simon was still out there somewhere, watching and waiting for the chance to get his filthy hands on Lydia Hughes. Roman would see him in hell first.
“Any movement tonight?” he asked, entering the hub and taking a seat next to Sawyer Jareau, a three-hundred-year-old werewolf from New Orleans.
The two men had met during Roman’s weeklong visit to the infamous French Quarters nearly twenty years before when Sawyer had nearly lost his life to a local Warlock bent on revenge. The wolf would have been dead and buried long ago if not for Roman’s quick intervention.
“Nothing on the screens, but I can feel them out there.”
Roman could sense the outside presence of a few creatures also, yet they were far enough from the walls of his compound to be considered an immediate threat. “Let’s hope they are smarter than the ones I ran into tonight.”
Sawyer jerked his chin toward a screen in the upper corner of his console. “What are we going to do about her?”
“Her name is Ivy. She’s one of Svetlana’s creations.”
A growl came from the large wolf seated next to him. “She’s just a child.”
Roman ran a hand down his face and leaned back in his chair. “Svetlana will kill her if we let her go.”
“I know. But we can’t keep her locked up forever.”
“Max seems to think she’s harmless,” Roman offered, watching the screen as the young vampire paced her cell.
“Is that common sense speaking or his hormones?”
Roman grinned. “Isn’t it impossible for both to share the same space?”
“I reckon,” Sawyer replied without taking his gaze from the monitor.
Glancing at Sawyer’s expressionless profile, Roman couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen the guy smile—or if he ever had, for that matter. Sawyer was unusually quiet and uptight, but he got the job done without mishap, and Roman trusted him with his life.
“I’ll speak to Madison about her tonight,” Roman offered. “She’ll know if the kid is salvageable or not.”
With a slight nod, Sawyer went back to scanning a log sheet he’d obviously been working on earlier.
Roman stood and clapped him on the shoulder. “Buzz me if you sense anything out of the ordinary.”
A soft noise in the back of his throat was the guy’s only response.
* * * *
Lydia quickly changed out of her clothes and brushed some semblance of shine back into her hair. The storm had finally let up which meant that Jeanie would be arriving soon.
Though it would be nice to have Jacie’s nurse at the compound for the night, how was Lydia going to explain their reason for not going home afterward? I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
She sat on the foot of her bed, wincing at the tenderness between her thighs. She’d just given herself to Roman Castillo without a second thought, and she wouldn’t change it for the world.
Her eyes slid shut as she recalled the fullness of him inside her…moving, stretching, and caressing. Butterflies took flight in her stomach, remembering his mouth on her, his unseen tongue pleasuring her. In all her life, she’d never imagined anything could be so incredible.
“Miss Hughes?” Jeanie’s muffled voice interrupted her trip down memory lane.
Lydia quickly sat up and smoothed her shirt. “Come in.”
The door opened, and Jeanie entered the room. “Sorry I’m late. The drive was slow-moving due to the snow still falling.”
“I thought the storm had passed,” Lydia responded, getting to her feet.
“It has, but my little car isn’t the fastest-moving vehicle I’ve ever owned.”
Lydia laughed. “At least you have a car.”
“True that. Where is my Jacie?”
“She’s hanging with Max and Madison in the game room right now. She’ll be down shortly.”
Jeanie reached for her scarf. “May I?”
“Yes, of course. How rude of me.” Lydia moved forward and grabbed the other woman’s bag. “I’ll just put your things in your room.”
Jeanie followed close behind. “This place is amazing, Lydia. You really picked a good one.”
Lydia set the bag down on top of the big purple bed. “Roman and I are just friends, Jeanie. Nothing more. We have only known each other for a couple of days.” Although it felt like weeks to Lydia, she thought, turning to face the brunette.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything. You’re not the sort to hook up with a guy you barely know. But if you don’t want him, I’ll take him.” She grinned, glancing at the bed. “Is this where I’ll sleep?”
Jealousy was like a kick to the gut, but Lydia somehow managed to push it back. “Yes, and if you need anything, push that button next to the bed. It rings housekeeping. The fridge is fully stocked, and the bathroom has pretty much everything you could need.”
“This is great, thanks. I’ll just get settled and freshen up. Let me know when Jacie returns?”
“Absolutely. Take your time.” Lydia stole back to her room with a sinking feeling in her stomach. What must Roman think of her? She’d slept with the man after knowing him for two days. And if Jeanie thought to get her hands on him, she’d better think again. Roman was definitely off limits as far as she was concerned.
Chapter Fifteen
Lydia spent the morning readying Jacie for her day. After feeding her breakfast, administering meds, and giving her a bath, she dressed her daughter warm for her outing with Jeanie and Max.
“Max said he would take me swimming tonight, Mama.”
“Did he now? It’s awfully cold, baby,” Lydia pointed out while securing Jacie’s boots on her feet.
“Please? He said the water’s warm, and I won’t get sick because he would drive the truck back there and leave the heater running for me.”
Lydia’s heart ached for her daughter’s lost childhood. But with Jacie’s lack of immune system, the risks were extremely high of her getting sick. “We shall see.”
A knock sounded, and Jacie slid from the bed with a quickness that surprised Lydia. The little girl raced to the door and yanked it open. “Hey, Max!”
Hi there, Jacie Lou. Are you about ready to go?”
“My name’s not Lou,” she demanded with a giggle.
“It is too. Your mom’s just been keeping it from everyone so they won’t become jealous and name all their kids Lou.”
The sound of Jacie’s laughter filled the room, warming Lydia to her soul. “Have you spoken to Jeanie this morning?”
Max gave a quick nod. “She’s having breakfast with Madison. We’re going to stop by and get her on our way outside.”
Lydia sent him a warm smile. “You guys have a good time and don’t forget to check in. Lunch should be ready at noon.”
“Will do.” He grasped Jacie’s hand. “Come on, Lou. I have much to show you.”
“You made a rhyme.” Jacie laughed, looking over her shoulder. “Bye, Mama. I love you.”
“I love you too, Lou.”
More laughter could be heard echoing down the hall as the duo trekked off toward their first outside adventure.
Closing the door, Lydia wandered back to the table to finish her breakfast. She wouldn’t see Roman again until the sun went down, or maybe she’d see him at the dinner table that evening, where he would sip on wine and not touch his plate. She wondered if vampires couldn’t eat or just preferred not to.
She blew out a breath and propped her chin on her hand. She’d missed him last night. Hell, she missed him still. He’d somehow ma
naged in two days to turn her good sense into the same thing he’d turned her body into…mush.
After taking a shower, dressing in jeans, boots, and a long beige sweater, Lydia pulled her hair back into a ponytail and hastened to the security hub. Dozens of questions plagued her mind, and she knew just the person to give her answers. Madison.
Lydia came to a stop in front of the security hub. The door opened as she was about to knock.
“Can I help you?” A tall man with shoulder-length, sandy-blond hair leaned against the doorjamb. His size alone would intimidate most men, but it was his eyes that scared Lydia. They had a hard, deadly appearance that forced her back a step without conscious thought.
“I’ll come back later.” She turned to go.
“Let her in, Sawyer,” Madison called out from somewhere inside the hub.
He opened the door wider but didn’t step back. She had to inch past him sideways.
“Don’t mind him. He’s not as mean as he looks.” Madison pulled a chair up close to hers. “Sit.”
Lydia took a seat next to the gorgeous redhead and attempted a smile. “Thank you.”
“Most welcome. What can I do for you this morning?”
“Well.” She glanced over at Sawyer before meeting Madison’s gaze. “I was hoping I could talk with you in private.”
“Of course.” Madison stood. “Come on, we’ll grab a coffee.”
Neither woman spoke as they made their way to the kitchen at the end of the hall. Madison held the door for Lydia. “Cream and sugar?”
“Cream only, please.”
Lydia watched as Madison moved around the rather large kitchen with a grace that accentuated her athletic frame. The woman appeared to belong more in a gym than a kitchen, with her yoga pants and tank top accenting her beautifully toned body.
Madison handed her a cup of coffee. “What’s on your mind?”
What indeed? “I won’t keep you. I know you’re really busy.”
The redhead glanced at her watch. “It’s still early yet. I can take a break. Talk to me.”
Lydia hesitated, unsure of what to say next. How was she supposed to broach the subject of Roman with this woman? What if she were his lover? Lydia suddenly felt nauseous. “I’m not sure how to ask this.”
“You want to know if I’m sleeping with the boss.” It wasn’t a question.
“Of course not! I mean… Are you?” Heat flew up her neck and into her face, but she didn’t back down. She couldn’t.
Madison laughed. “No, I’m not.”
Embarrassment nearly stole Lydia’s breath. She wanted to run and never have to see Madison again. Ah, but another part of her wanted to slump to the floor in relief. “I’m sorry. I—”
“Love him. I know.”
Did she love him? She wasn’t sure. Whatever she felt for him kept her restless at night, consumed her mind every waking moment, and reduced her brain to mush. “I haven’t known him but a couple of days.”
“Your feelings are very transparent. But if it’s any consolation, so are Roman’s.”
Lydia’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that he cares for you also.”
“Did he tell you that?”
“He didn’t have to.”
Lydia sat on one of the chairs next to a small round table. “How come you…” She couldn’t seem to finish the question.
“How come I’m not with Mr. Castillo?”
Unable to make eye contact, Lydia nodded and took a sip of her coffee.
“Several reasons, I suppose. He’s my boss, for one. He’s my friend, and last but not least, he’s a vampire.”
That surprised Lydia into meeting her gaze. “You don’t like vampires?”
Madison sat also. “Some, I do. For instance, Roman is a good man, but he has to feed just like the others. They all have to drink blood to survive.”
Lydia had wondered about Roman’s diet. “They don’t eat food at all?”
“They can eat, but they don’t have to. They can survive off blood and prefer it over food, but they cannot live off food alone. They need blood to survive.”
“So the stories about being undead are not true?”
“No. They are true. I said they can eat, not that they have to,” Madison corrected, taking a sip of her own coffee.
“But I’ve heard Roman’s heart beat.”
“And it will continue to beat as long as he has blood in his veins, but bury him underground, let that blood dry up, and his heart will stop. Dig him up hundreds of years later, feed him some blood, and ta-da! He’s good as new.”
Lydia felt sick. “And when I’m eighty years old, he will look exactly as he does today.”
Madison reached across the table and covered Lydia’s hand with hers. “I can’t tell you what to do. And I have no idea what I would do in your situation. Either you love him for as long as you have, or you walk away.”
A thought suddenly entered Lydia’s mind. “Can humans be turned? Or is that a myth?”
The look on Madison’s face would be comical at any other time. “You would want to become one of them?”
Lydia thought about that for a moment. “Not me…”
Madison released her hand. “They can’t turn children, Lydia.”
“They can’t or they won’t?”
“It’s against their laws. The one thing they hold sacred.”
“But why?”
Madison stood. “Once you become one of them, you stop aging. A child would grow mentally, yet physically stay the same. To never mature, never have a family of their own, to fall in love and not have it returned would be torturous.”
Lydia rose to her feet also. “At least she would be alive.”
“Would she? That wouldn’t be living, Lydia; it would be merely existing.”
Not trusting her voice, Lydia fled the room without another word. A migraine had formed behind her eyes, and Roman had thrown away her only hope of escape.
She hurried down the hallway toward her room. Some Ibuprofen and a nap would have to do.
* * * *
Lydia awoke to a painful throbbing in the back of her head. She rolled to her back, massaging her temples with her fingertips in hopes of a reprieve.
It had to be afternoon, she decided, glancing at the barred window across the room. The sun was up high, and bright rays trickled through the edges of the blinds.
She snatched up her cell phone from the bedside table and dialed Jeanie’s number.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Jeanie, it’s Lydia. I’m sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could do me a favor?”
“Anything,” came the quick response.
“I know this is going to sound crazy, but would you mind running to my house and looking in the kitchen trash for my migraine pills?”
There was a long pause. “Um, sure thing. May I ask why they are in the garbage?”
“They fell in when I was gathering Jacie’s meds, and I forgot to get them out before I left.” Lydia hated lying to Jeanie, but the alternative would be worse.
“Okay, Miss Hughes. I’ll go do that now.” She ended the call.
Lydia dialed the security hub next. Madison picked up on the third ring. “Security.”
“Hi, it’s Lydia. I’m sorry for running off. I just got a little emotional.”
“No need to apologize. I completely understand.”
“Thank you. Listen... Jeanie has to run some errands for me. Would you mind watching for her return so she’s not accosted by the scary-looking guard I met this morning?”
“Absolutely. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s to do with medications. Nothing to be concerned about.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am. Talk to you later.” Lydia hung up and turned onto her side. She would sleep until Jeanie returned with her pills.
* * * *
Flames everywhere. The cries of many could be heard over th
e roar of the fire as lives were snuffed out one by one.
“Run, Ione!” a woman shouted in the distance. “Run and don’t look back.”
A blade pierced the woman’s chest, silencing her plea. She looked up with blood in her eyes. “Ione…”
Lydia jerked awake, her heart keeping time with the pulse pounding in her temples.
It was just a dream, she told herself, pinching the bridge of her nose. Just a dream.
She glanced at the window. Dark would be arriving soon and with it so would Jacie.
“Come to me.” Roman’s voice echoed inside her mind.
Lydia shook off the remnants of her nightmare and stood, anxiety tightening her gut. Something was wrong.
Picking up her cell, she dialed Jeanie’s number only to be sent straight to voicemail. Lydia snagged a pen and paper from the drawer of the nightstand and scribbled a note. Be back soon. Leave the pills in the cabinet above the fridge. I have my cell if you need me.
She set the note on the bedside table and hurried to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
“Lydia…”
“Roman,” she answered aloud. “I’m coming.” Was he in trouble? she wondered as she quickly left the room and made her way to the elevator. The loud ding was an unwelcome sound to her lingering headache as the doors slid open and she stepped inside.
The elevator came to an abrupt stop, and Lydia exited on the ground floor, jogging the short distance to Roman’s room. The big silver door opened automatically to allow her entrance.
“I’m here,” she announced, coming to stop next to his bed. The sight of him lying there, not moving, invited in a month’s worth of anxiety to her poor, overworked brain.
“Remove your clothes,” the voice inside her head demanded.
Lydia sucked in a breath. She wasn’t sure whether to be angry or relieved. “I thought—” An unseen hand coasted up her thigh, and all thought fled.
His eyes suddenly cracked open. “I need to see your beautiful body, Lydia. Take off the clothes.”
Desire slammed into her hard enough her knees went weak and her hands shook as she unzipped her jeans and slid them off.
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