She heard movement from the deck of Bloody Hell. The men were doing something up there.
Ivy climbed onto the ladder at the stern and went up far enough so that she could see what was going on and still keep an eye on Heather.
Holt appeared, backing out of the stairway that led up from the lower cabin.
Instantly, Ivy felt heat crawling through her lower regions as she watched the muscles of his ass tighten in the early morning light. His pants hugged him like a lover, accentuating every chiseled plane of his backside and powerful thighs as he leaned over, still backing toward her. He was dragging something in front of him. He pulled in out of the stairway and onto the deck, then stood, stretching to his full height.
Ivy gasped, then bit her lip. He was magnificent. Holt’s shoulders were wide and straight, his black shirt hugging him all the way down his muscled back to his slim waist. His ass was round and filled out, begging to be squeezed.
Ivy couldn’t believe that even after all she had been through just the sight of him—from behind, no less—could make her cream her jeans.
God, she wanted him.
And God—she truly like him, too.
Holt broke his statuesque stanch and moved toward the stairway, disappearing below.
Her eyes flicked to the bundle that Holt had deposited on the deck. Like a cold spear of ice, it struck her when realization hit her. It was the headless body of one of the vampires. Ivy shivered, the heat she had felt at the sight of her man dissipating.
My man, she thought. Interesting.
Just as she began to climb back down the ladder to the smaller boat, she heard something sizzle.
Ivy frowned. It sounded like bacon in a frying pan, turned on high heat. She caught a whiff of an odd odor. Ivy glanced down at Heather. Mercifully, Heather looked as if she had fallen asleep.
Curiosity egging her on, Ivy climbed back up to see what was happening on the deck. She popped her head above the stern just as Colin flung another body onto the deck. The sizzling sound increased. The odor became rancid. Ivy covered her nose with her hand, grimacing.
The sound and the stench were coming from the bodies. They were literally frying in the morning sun.
This I do not need to see, Ivy thought, climbing back down into the dinghy.
She checked on Heather, bending over to snug the blanket around Heather’s shoulders. She moaned and shifted but didn’t wake.
Ivy sighed. She eased down into one of the seats and laid her head back. She’d just wait here. Let the men clean up their mess. Crossing her arms over her chest, she closed her eyes and contemplated the way she felt about Holt.
The way she thought of him as ‘her man’.
* * * *
Holt tossed the head onto the pile of sizzling, congealing vampire remains. It was the last of them. With a nod, he was now satisfied. There was a slight breeze. He knew that after frying in the sunlight, the vampires would be nothing more than ash. The breeze would blow them off the boat, into the water. Gone.
He, Colin and Rogue had gathered every foul piece of flesh from the massacre and deposited it all in a pile. The pure light of morning was now taking care of the evidence, turning it first to a lump, then to ash. They had opened all of the blinds in the main cabin and let the sun in. The bloodstains had steamed and evaporated quickly in the purifying light.
Now there were only two things left to do: get Ramsey into the dinghy and get everyone back to shore and away from this place. Holt was a bit concerned about the man, Jerry, who had left just as the battle had begun. He may have gone back to the marina and reported it as a murder. Although—if they even believed the man—Holt was sure that someone would have come to check the validity of the tale by now. Holt didn’t want to take the chance that eventually someone would show up.
Better to be gone.
“Let’s go,” Holt said, nodding to Coin and Rogue. “You two pack it up. I’ll get Ramsey.”
Colin and Rogue took the tools of their trade and headed toward the stern.
Holt made his way back down to the cabin where they had left Ramsey tied and gagged.
The guy did not look happy.
“I know that you do not realize what sort of hornet’s nest you allowed yourself to become involved in,” Holt said, pulling Ramsey to his feet, “but you’ll soon see the error of your ways.” Holt bent at the waist and hefted Ramsey over his shoulder.
Ramsey mumbled and tried to struggle but Holt held him fast. He made his way up the stairs and out onto the deck. When he got to the stern, he stood Ramsey back on his feet. “I’m going to lower you into the boat. Don’t struggle or I’m just going to have to knock you out. Got it?”
Ramsey’s eyes flashed with hatred but he nodded.
Holt grabbed him under the arms and lowered him over the side. Colin and Rogue waited below, guiding him into the boat.
Finally, Holt dropped down into the dinghy. “Untie us,” he said to Colin, then started up the engine. Then they started skimming through the water at a fast pace.
Ivy came up behind him, laying her hand on his shoulder. Holt felt an immediate snap of electricity course through his body at her touch. “How are we going to get him off this boat?” she asked, jerking her thumb toward the prisoner.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said.
Ivy snaked her arms around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder.
There was nothing better than the feeling of the woman you were in love with draping her arms around you, he thought. It was a feeling that he’d never get used to, never get bored with and most definitely wanted more of. He did love her. The fire in her claimed his heart.
The water was calm, no sign of last night’s storm, and they made good time. As they neared the marina, Holt scanned the docks, looking for a spot they could slip into without too much fanfare. He spotted a place alongside a large fishing boat and slowed, turning toward it.
“Rogue,” he said, glancing back. “Knock him out.” He nodded toward Ramsey.
Ivy stood. “What’s your plan?”
Holt slowed the boat even more. The sound of a fist connecting with a jaw smacked behind them.
“Knock him out. Untie and ungag him. Drag him between two of us and if anybody stops us—it was one hell of a party last night.” Holt guided the boat to a rickety looking dock, tucking it in close to the deserted fishing boat.
“What are you going to ‘do’ with him?”
Holt looked up at Ivy, shutting off the motor. “Study him.”
Twenty minutes later, all of them were back at the hotel. Holt had helped Ivy with Heather while Colin and Rogue carried, pushed and pulled Ramsey between them. No one had stopped them. The streets had been deserted.
Holt directed them to the Lincoln and deposited Heather in the front, Ramsey in the back. “Rogue, tie him back up but don’t gag him. Tie him good.” He turned to Colin. “Get our gear and check us out.” Then, he turned to Ivy. His heart skipped a beat. Her big brown eyes were large and questioning. “Where’s you car?” he asked.
Ivy glanced behind her. “Parked on the main street. Why?”
“Rogue can follow us in it. We need to get back to the Unkindness.” He nodded to the Lincoln. “Get in.”
Ivy’s brows drew down. “And what exactly is the ‘Unkindness’?” She looked ready for battle. Again.
Holt groaned.
*
Ivy wanted to go with Holt, wanted to be taken care of by him for just a little while. But there was Heather to consider. Heather needed medical attention. And psychological attention too. And what was this ‘Unkindness’ he was talking about? It sounded suspiciously like a cult of some sort. Ivy knew all about cults. She had rescued enough teenagers from them over the past few years. She sure didn’t want to join one. So no, she wasn’t going until he did some explaining and could guarantee help for Heather. No matter how damn sexy he was.
“Can’t we talk about this in the car?” Holt’s eyes were almost pleading.
Holt raised an eyebrow. “And what are you going to tell the doctor? Oh hey Doc, my sister has been bitten by a vampire. Can you fix her up?”
Ivy sighed. He had a point there.
Holt laid his hand on her shoulder, and then slowly stroked it down her arm. Ivy tingled where he touched, not to mention other places. Dang, she thought, this guy has some major seductive powers.
“Listen,” he said, “I’ll explain everything to you. About everything we do. If you’ll just get in the car.”
Ivy bit her lip. “What about Heather?”
Holt urged her toward the car door. “We know how to deal with vampire venom.”
Ivy stiffened. Venom?
“Ivy, this is my life. I’ve been doing this for years. Believe me, I can make sure she’ll be okay.”
Ivy stared up into his dark eyes. “You’d better be telling me the truth, Holt Raven.”
“Good grief,” Rogue said from the side of the car, “You two act like you’ve been married for twenty years. Shouldn’t we be getting the hell out of Dodge?”
Ivy snorted. “All right.” What could happen?
Ivy knew that she’d sound insane if she took Heather to a hospital and told them that she’d been bitten by vampires. The bite wound that Ivy could see on Heather’s neck was obviously made by some sort of animal, unless she told them that Heather was trying to live out a fantasy and allowed women who were Sanguinarian to sample her.
But even that could get them both locked up for evaluation. Heather was not herself and would probably ramble on if she were asked any questions.
Decision made, Ivy dug her keys out and handed them to Rogue with a warning that if anything happened to her car—he was paying for it.
Another twenty minutes later and they were driving down the dirty sand road, out of town and on their way to where?
“Where is this Unkindness?” Ivy leaned against the door, Heather in the front seat between them and sound asleep on Ivy’s shoulder. Colin was in the back, scrunched against the door himself while Ramsey, still out cold, was tied up and lying hogtied on the seat.
Holt sped down the road, kicking up dust, eyes trained on what was in front of him.
“The Unkindness is located in southern Ohio. We have a compound there that serves as our headquarters.”
Ivy watched his face. She was pretty good at reading people but she wished she could see his eyes. “Go on.”
“The Unkindness of Ravens was formed generations ago. A Raven daughter was taken and turned by a Clutch of vampires. The family pulled together and swore retaliation.” Holt glanced at her. “The Horde of vampires is broken up into small groups—Clutches. We search them out and destroy them.”
Ivy let that information simmer for a moment while she looked out the window, watching the trees fly by.
“How many vampires are left?” she asked, not sure if she really wanted to know.
“Their numbers are dwindling but there are still too many.”
Ivy nodded. She turned back to look at him. “Why ‘Unkindness’?”
Holt sighed. “You are too full of questions.”
Ivy shrugged. Heather stirred. Ivy stroked her hair, soothing her. “I’m an investigator. That’s what I do. I ask questions. Now, answer me.”
“It’s simple. A flock of ravens…” he pointed to his own chest, “…is called an unkindness.”
“Ah,” Ivy said.
Colin leaned forward next to Ivy’s ear. “You know, not many people are invited to Ravencrest, the compound Holt told you about.”
“So … I’m special?” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
Holt answered. “Yes. You are special.”
Ivy looked over at him. He looked so stern and serious, his large hands expertly gripping the steering wheel.
A calm came over her.
I have got to know more about this man, she thought, the calmness turning to a soothing heat.
Much more.
*
Colin was uncomfortable in the back seat, Ramsey pushing up against him. But, such was life, he thought. His life, anyway. Things had changed drastically since he’d become one of the hunters of the Unkindness. He looked forward to the excitement, the drama, of hunting vampires, but another part of him was questioning.
One day, he hoped to find someone to settle down with. A woman who could spend the rest of her life with him and also indulge in the side of him that craved the excitement. That would be a mix. A woman who he could take care of, but also one who could be exciting and dramatic when it came to certain things.
Colin’s eyes traveled to Heather. Her blonde head leaned against Ivy’s shoulder, sleeping. His heart felt a little twinge. Heather was someone he felt the need to take care of. She seemed like a wounded child, needing comfort. But after what she’d been through, Colin was leery of approaching her too strongly. Maybe when they returned to Ravencrest. After she was healed. Maybe he could be a shoulder she could lean on.
Maybe…
Chapter Ten
Holt pulled the Lincoln into the underground garage and cut the engine. He looked over at the two women beside him. They were sound asleep, arms draped around each other. As he let his eyes take in the softness of Ivy’s restful expression, he realized that there was no way he was going to let this woman go.
His home was going to be her home.
Now … to convince her of that.
He opened the driver’s door and stepped out into the cavernous garage.
John, Eric and Drake were there to greet him.
“I’ve brought company,” he said.
*
Drake was more than glad to see Holt. He grasped Holt’s forearm. “Good to have you back, Bud.”
“Good to be back.” Holt squeezed his arm.
Drake looked past him toward the Lincoln. “You brought company, eh?” He saw the two women asleep in the front seat. “Which one?”
Holt frowned. “What do you mean?”
Drake grinned at him. “Which one tripped your trigger?”
Holt ‘humphed’. He didn’t answer but turned to John instead. “I’ve brought one that needs medical attention. And another one for Lydia to study.”
John nodded. “Let’s get them under control then. Lydia is waiting.”
Drake watched Holt, noticing the way that he looked back toward the car. One of the women, Drake was guessing the dark-haired one, had somehow gotten under Holt’s armor. Otherwise, Holt would have never considered bringing them back to the Unkindness. Drake smiled. This was going to be fun to watch.
*
Ivy awoke with a start. The car had stopped moving. She jerked up in the seat, blinking. Where the hell were they?
Heather awoke beside her. “Ivy?”
Ivy slid her arm around Heather’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m here.” Ivy squinted through the windshield of the Lincoln. Holt was standing a few feet in front of the car talking quietly with three of the most drop-dead gorgeous men she had ever seen in her life. If she didn’t have a ‘thing’ for Holt, she would have thought she’d hit the jackpot.
Movement over by a door caught her eye. Colin and Rogue were in the process of manhandling Ramsey through the door and Ramsey was not happy about it. He began cursing, his shouts echoing in the building.
Heather cuddled closer to her, obviously scared. “Shh,” Ivy said, “He can’t hurt you now.”
Ivy wasn’t going to sit here all day. She waited with Ramsey was inside then opened the car door. “Hey!”
Four handsome heads turned in her direction.
“Is that what you call hospitality?”
Later, Ivy paced in a brightly lit hallway, chewing a fingernail.
*
“Stop that,” Holt said. He was leaning nonchalantly against the wall, watching her.
>
“Don’t order me around Holt.” Ivy shot him a look. What was taking so long? She wondered. They had been checking Heather over for a good half-hour now. A nice blonde woman who had introduced herself as Lydia Cross had told Ivy that Heather would be looked after and as soon as they had assessed her wounds, Lydia would come and tell her their plan of action.
“You’re just nervous,” Holt said, catching her arm as she paced by. “Heather will be fine. You’ll see.” He drew her into his arms.
Ivy rested her cheek against his chest, his heat calming her inside. He stroked her back, leaving tingling trails where his fingertips traced. Ivy felt passion begin to simmer. Then she felt guilty.
She struggled out of his arms and retreated to lean against the wall across from him. Their eyes locked and held. His held a controlled fire, a promise of things to come. Pleasurable things. How could she feel like this—so wanton with need—when her sister was in a room, being checked over to see how much vampire venom had made it into her blood?
A door opened.
Ivy pushed off the wall. It was the one named John, the one with the long hair and black as night eyes.
His mouth curled up in a small smile. “Your sister will be perfectly fine. We are going to give her a blood transfusion, just to be on the safe side, but her bites were not too deep. There weren’t as many as we first thought.” John tilted his head. “They were only toying with her but still…” he paused, glancing at Holt, “…she’s a little shaken.” John looked back at Ivy.
Ivy sighed. Relief flooded through her.
“Holt,” John said, “May I have a word?”
“Can I see Heather?” Ivy asked.
John waved a hand. “Go on in.”
Ivy ducked into the room where they were working on Heather.
*
Holt met John’s eyes. “Ramsey?”
John stroked his chin with his hand. “Lydia says that there is some sort of antibody in Ramsey’s blood. It combated the venom.” John shook his head. “If he didn’t have it, he would have been turned already.”
“When will Lydia be able to start studying him?” Holt asked. “That’s the reason I brought him back here. He’s been bitten many times and still remains human.”
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