He dropped onto the couch and listened to Emily move through the house. She paused in the doorway and the light floral fragrance she wore tickled his senses. Although she said nothing, he could tell she wanted to.
He glanced over his shoulder, one brow raised.
“I need a favor,” she said.
He stood, moving slower than usual. Pain seared his left side.
“Marcus, there’s blood on your shirt.” She lifted the hem of his shirt a few inches to peer at the wounds. She released the material and snapped her gaze up to his. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to touch you without asking. I wasn’t thinking.”
“You wanted something?” He stepped around her and into the hall.
“Oh, right. My car’s dead. Would you give me a ride to work?”
He moved toward the spare bedroom and paused at the door, hiding his smile. “Sure. Let me get another shirt first.
He pulled the t-shirt over his head then surveyed his shoulder in the mirror. He cursed Scott and his mouth full of sharp teeth. The shifter's jaws had gouged deep into the meat of his bicep and shoulder. The wound pulled each time he moved, and he’d had a hell of a time washing the dirt out. He dropped the ruined shirt, kicking it toward the closet.
Emily entered the bedroom behind him, a wash cloth and gauze in her hands. “Did Scott do that?”
Marcus didn’t answer. Instead, he selected another dark shirt from the closet.
Concern clouded her cute, freckled face. “Why hasn’t it healed?”
“There’s a chemical in shifter saliva that slows the healing process. It doesn’t change the genetic makeup, just hurts like hell.”
She stopped him from pulling the shirt on. Her warm hands guided him toward the bed. “Let me help you.”
Marcus sat on the edge of the mattress while Emily fussed over him. She wiped the blood away, being careful not to touch the actual wounds. When she finished, she placed gauze over them. Gentle fingertips smoothed the tape down. Her touch lingered on his skin for just a heartbeat.
“There, that should help until it heals.” Emily gathered the washcloth and gauze.
“Thank you.” He grasped her wrist, but let go when her eyes widened. Emily nodded then rushed from the room.
He inspected her handiwork in the mirror. She had done an exemplary job.
The crunch of gravel and the sound of a car door banging shut demanded his attention. He snatched the clean shirt off the end of the bed and headed toward the sound of raised voices.
A female's accusatory voice said, “Brenda called a few nights ago.”
“So?” Emily’s retort was defiant. A surge of respect went through him. She wasn’t going to let her sister step all over her.
The woman released a livid groan and strode into the living room. Denise Hahm hung back near the door, clearly uncomfortable with the volatile siblings.
Marcus stood poised in the shadowy hallway, just out of sight. Like Hahm, he was reluctant to wade through the family drama.
Liz grabbed Emily's arm and jerked her around to face her. “She said you had a houseguest.”
“I don’t need your approval. Besides, it’s not like you ever approve of what I do.”
Her sister looked distressed. “She said it's a vampire, Emily. Is that the new thrill? Are you hanging out with that crowd now? Did you meet him at that club Brenda works at?”
“We are not having this conversation.”
“Why didn’t you tell me Brenda left? You know I don’t like the idea of you staying out here by yourself.”
“I'm not alone,” Emily said in frustration. “I have a guest, remember?”
“Pack your things. I want you out of here tonight. You’re not safe, especially if you’re keeping company with one of those—those weirdos.”
“You’re not my mother.” Emily’s voice faltered on the last word, but she quickly hid it. “I’m not leaving.”
“I'm worried about you. You can’t stay out here with some guy you don’t even know.”
Emily crossed arms over her chest. “I have to go to work, Liz.”
Marcus rounded the corner, and the sister’s argument ended. He supposed seeing a shirtless guy in your kid sister’s house might be a surprise. Add the assumption that Emily was sleeping with him, and it could be a real shock to the system.
Hahm's face paled with recognition. “You’re—Oh my God. You're the John Doe, aren't you?”
Liz turned and stabbed a finger in Emily’s direction. “You’re sleeping with the dead guy? Jesus, sis, you’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel, aren’t you? You realize he’s just a pretty corpse, right? He’s a dead man!”
“Do I look dead to you?” Marcus stepped closer, his features twisted in a mock smile. He stood extra close to Emily and for once, she didn't seem to mind the invasion of her personal space. Liz’s eyes widened, and she took several anxious steps in reverse. Perhaps she was surprised the dead guy not only looked good, but could talk as well?
“Holy shit.” Hahm stared in awe. “I knew it.”
“You don’t believe in vampires.” Emily ignored Hahm's fascination.
“I didn't, I mean, I don't. But you’ve admitted there is some weird shit going on.” Liz tilted her chin in Marcus's direction. “Denise let me read your statement. She told me all about her theories too. I'm beginning to think maybe there's some truth to it.”
“You think I'm fruit loops, but you'll take her word for it?” There was no mistaking the hurt in Emily’s voice.
Liz glanced at Hahm. “Denise and I have been friends since college. I’ll admit, at first I thought she was full of it, but I came around.”
“It’s nice to know you’ll make the exception—just not for your sister.”
“He was clinically dead according to the guy driving the ambulance.” Liz gestured toward Marcus. “Now he's standing here, healthy as a horse. I don't know how to explain that.”
Emily’s personal life wasn’t any of Marcus's concern, but this was a chance to get on her good side. Slipping the shirt over his head, he pulled it down to cover his nakedness. He threw his arm around Emily’s shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. For good measure, he brushed a quick kiss atop her head. Caught up in the moment, she must have forgotten her fear of him. Since she wasn’t fighting him, he kissed her on the cheek. “Ready to go?”
She looked up at him, her brow furrowed. “Yeah, my sister and her friend were just leaving.”
Liz scrubbed a hand down her face. “Actually, I came to deliver a message.”
She untucked her shirt and opened the bottom four buttons. She lifted the fabric to reveal purple and blue ribs. “They were nice enough to leave my face untouched.”
Emily sucked in a lungful of air and stiffened. “Holy crap.”
“My legs and arms are covered too. They didn’t break any bones, but they said if I didn’t get you to agree to their terms, next time would be much worse next time.”
Emily’s fingers twisted the tiny heart charm round and round.
Hahm said, “Give me some names. Let me help you.”
Liz buttoned her shirt. “I was too busy getting my butt kicked to get their names and affiliations, but I did notice pentagram tattoos on their hands and wrists.”
Emily gave Marcus a meaningful glance. “One of the guys at the graveyard had a pentacle tattoo on his knuckle. Big black guy, he’s one of Starr’s coven.”
Marcus nodded. “I’ve had the displeasure of meeting him.”
Liz flinched at the witch’s name. “Yeah, they said if you don’t give Starr what she wants she’ll make life a living hell for not just you, but everyone you know.”
Emily followed her sister outside onto the porch. Liz grabbed her arm and leaned close. Marcus assumed she was trying to prevent him from hearing what she had to say. Denise left the porch to wait beside her car.
Marcus ran his fingertips down Emily's back and over the curve of her buttocks. He mostly did it to freak out her sister, but he
loved the pink flush that colored Emily's cheeks. Her fingers rose to fondle the necklace, and his groin twitched with the knowledge that he'd aroused her.
Liz didn’t speak until Marcus moved away. “What the hell are you mixed up in, Emily? Why don’t you just give Starr whatever she wants so she’ll leave you alone? And you never did explain what the John Doe is doing here.”
“His name is Marcus.” Emily cast a sneaky glance in his direction. “You won't believe any of this, but the witch wants to use my land for a ritual. He's here to guard me.” She opened her mouth to add something else, but fell silent instead.
“After talking with Denise, I'm a little more open to the unknown.” Her sister glared in Marcus's direction. “If vampires are real, what's so bad about a few less of them?”
Emily gasped in shock. “Liz!”
“And what the hell are you doing with that one? For the love of all that’s holy, tell me you aren’t sleeping with him.”
“That’s none of your business, Elizabeth Cross!” Clasping one of her sister’s hands, she struggled to find a smile. “Just be careful, okay? Marcus and his enforcers will stop Starr. It’s only a matter of time.”
“You’re going to get hurt, Emily. Just give her what she wants and walk away from this. Please?” Liz gave her a quick hug. “You’re making a big mistake getting involved. This isn't even your fight.”
Emily’s shoulders hunched. “I wasn’t given a choice. I'm screwed no matter which side I pick.”
Emily didn’t give her sister the chance to say anything more. She hurried to the Corvette and settled against the leather seat, looking pale and withdrawn.
Hahm gathered her courage and approached Marcus cautiously.
“So it's true? I'd like to ask some questions, learn a little more. Maybe we could help each other?”
The human detective might prove to be beneficial. Especially if he could lead her in the direction he wanted during investigations. One more friend in the police department couldn’t hurt. “Find out everything you can on Starr Carter. Maybe you’ll find something we didn’t. Be careful, she and her lackeys are very dangerous.”
Hahm nodded, a stern look of purpose on her face.
“I'll be in touch, Detective.”
The detective hurried to her own car where Liz was waiting. She looked like she'd just found out Santa Claus was real. Marcus got into the car and noticed Emily’s worried expression.
“She'll be okay, Freckles. I’ll have someone keep an eye on her.”
Emily’s gaze slid over him. “Liz won’t agree to that. You heard her. She thinks you’re the antichrist.”
He hooked a finger beneath her chin and forced her to look at him. “I’ll tell my guy to keep out of sight.”
She started to say something, but pursed her lips instead.
He thumbed away a tear that leaked from the corner of her eye. She licked her lips, and he fought the urge to taste them. Instead, he tore his hungry gaze from her mouth and put the car into gear.
Emily sat huddled on the seat, hands in her lap. “Thanks for the ice cream.”
Working for someone’s affection was a new concept to him. It was also a lot harder than he’d imagined it would be. He felt uneasy all of a sudden. Just when had he decided he wanted her affections?
“Did you go through my purse?” Emily sounded a bit miffed. “Some of my things were in the wrong place.”
Marcus allowed his hair to swing forward to obscure most of his face. “I was fixing the air conditioner and knocked it off the counter.”
“You got the window unit up and running?”
“Yeah, I was bored and it’ll be hot soon.”
Her green eyes stared at him through thick lashes. “Does the heat affect you?”
“Nope, but it affects you.”
She seemed to consider his reasoning, but didn’t reward him with an argument. He experienced some disappointment at her slight smile.
He wanted to work into the questioning, but since she didn’t play along he just dived in instead. “Who took you shopping today?”
Emily looked out the window. “It was just someone I met through work.”
He held back a curse and shifted gears. She was lying. Even if her voice hadn’t given it away, he sensed it. It had finally dawned on him whose scent had been around the house. Chad and Watts had been there. Why did Isabella send them and what purpose did they serve?
And why hadn’t Emily mentioned it? He’d just given her an opportunity to explain, and she hadn’t taken the chance. What was she hiding?
He stole a glance at her and caught her staring at him. He felt cloistered and cramped inside the car with her. It was an unfamiliar feeling. He usually was the one who made people feel uneasy. She looked as though she had something heavy weighing on her. Perhaps he’d read her wrong, and she felt like confessing. “Something on your mind?”
She looked a bit nervous, and her hand went to the damned necklace. He looked away. It was so easy to imagine his teeth sinking into the soft, fragrant flesh of her throat. “I picked up some leather curtains today.” Emily’s voice trailed off. She moved to touch the necklace again. She dropped her hands to her lap and twisted her fingers together instead.
“Oh? That sounds kind of fun and kinky.”
She looked at him through hooded eyes. “Sounds like something Corey would say.”
Indeed, it did. He actually found it somewhat pleasing, even rewarding, to agitate this creature. A slow smile formed, and he allowed his gaze to slide in her direction. “You were saying?”
“It’s probably a dumb idea on my part. I was going to invite you to stay in the spare room. With a little foil or cardboard on the window, the curtains will have no problem keeping the sun out.” The look on her face was a mix of apprehension and hope. She shifted uncomfortably in the seat. “Never mind. It’s a silly idea.”
The fact that she was still fiddling with that damned necklace made him suspicious. The whole thing smacked of deception and for the life of him, he couldn’t figure it out. It was just last night he’d been mindless with hunger and had attacked her. Already she was eager to forgive him and allow him to stay inside? No, something wasn’t right with the picture she was painting.
“I just thought you might be tired of waking up covered in dirt. Sleeping on a soft mattress would beat a bed of soil any day.” Emily reached out and laid her hand atop his. She looked unsure of herself and uncomfortable with what she had just proposed. Her touch remained tentative.
A warning niggled at the back of his brain. Should he trust this redheaded minx? A bed did sound inviting, and if he were in the house, surely he’d be capable of finding out what he needed to.
“The spare bedroom?” He met her gaze. She blushed and looked away before he could read anything in her eyes.
He pulled to a stop at the curb in front of the funeral home and glanced at her. “It would be more enticing if I could sleep in yours.”
“You don’t have to decide right this minute. Just think about it.”
Marcus touched the tip of his tongue to a fang and smiled. “I’ve given it a whole lot of thought, Freckles.”
Emily’s face burned scarlet. She quickly unclipped the seatbelt and looked out at the shop’s front window. “I have two bodies tonight. It shouldn’t take any longer than a couple hours. Do you want me to call you when I finish?”
Marcus scribbled his cell number on a scrap of paper and handed it to her, making sure to touch her fingers. “Put it on speed dial – just in case.”
Emily stuffed it into her purse and got out. He said her name and reached for her.
She leaned into the car. The top of her shirt gaped a little to allow a pleasing view of the top of her breasts.
He caressed her cheek. “See you soon.”
A hesitant smile formed on her shimmering pink lips. “Yeah, I’ll see you.”
Red Door was bustling tonight. Marcus spotted Corey moving in his direction through the smoke fill
ed room. People swayed and gyrated to the raucous rock music streaming through the loudspeakers. Those with a dark nature surveyed the establishment for the evening’s meal or entertainment.
A couple of shifters—one was a werewolf, the other a swine—had propped themselves on stools at the bar. While the wolf was tall and slender, the other was short and sturdy with an upturned nose that even looked like a snout. The werewolf tapped his scuffed cowboy boot to the beat. When he spotted them weaving through the mass of moving bodies, he leaned over to speak to his friend.
“Where’s Jai Li?” Marcus shouted over the blaring music. He wished the two sleaze ball shifters had agreed to meet somewhere else, someplace quieter.
Flashing strobe lights lit Corey’s face in a whitish-blue haze. “I don’t know. She went to check on Evan. He was a little nervous about waiting in the car.”
Marcus frowned. “What the hell is he doing here?”
“Well duh, he came to see you. He misses you.” Corey gave him a sidelong glance. A smile curved his lips. “And he was worried after what happened with the tainted blood.”
“We’ll discuss this later.” Marcus frowned, not liking the idea of Evan being anywhere near such a rough establishment.
The werewolf slid off his seat, and his piggy friend followed.
Marcus accepted their outstretched hands, shaking each in turn. “You didn’t run into any trouble, did you?”
The werewolf shook his head. “Nah, Starr’s people didn’t suspect a thing. They walked around downtown for a while, being extra careful I guess. It looks like they’ve set up shop in one of the abandoned buildings on the east side. They’ve been in and out over the last few days.”
“Which building? Did you get an address?”
“There’s no street numbers, but there’s an old beer sign hanging on the side of the building. Coors Light, I think. An old rusty fence is on one side, and old broken down pallets are on the other. You can’t miss it. I don’t think anyone’s living there, but they’re meeting every couple of days.”
Corey glanced out at the dance floor, drawing Marcus’s gaze as well. Jai Li was moving in their direction. Both the shifter and the werewolf stood a little straighter and took notice of her. The shifter made an attempt to adjust the torn sleeves of his plaid shirt. Marcus didn’t bother telling him that no amount of nitpicking would right such a fashion blunder.
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