“In that crowd, they may not. If nothing happens tomorrow, we’ll have to reevaluate.” He thought for a moment. “You two should go out to Howler’s tonight. Talk about going to the parade. It’ll be packed, and there’s a good chance our guys will be there.”
Hugh growled softly.
Sheriff Merrow nodded. “I get it, Ellingham. I wouldn’t want my woman to be in danger either, but we need Rastinelli to act first. Without provocation, we’ve got nothing. That’s why he’s not already in jail.”
“What about the video of him shooting that guy?” Delaney asked. “Why haven’t they acted on it?”
The sheriff frowned. “I have a feeling whoever Rastinelli owns in the police department made that disappear.”
“Well, that sucks.”
“It’s just more reason for you two to go tonight and set this plan in motion.”
She grabbed Hugh’s hand. “C’mon, it’ll be fun to go out and…have fun.”
“Fine.” Hugh laced his fingers with hers as he looked at the sheriff. “But if I have to rip someone’s heart out, I will.”
The sheriff sighed. “I’d rather not know about that. But I’ll still tell Bridget to expect you.”
Howler’s was Hugh’s idea of hell. Wall-to-wall human tourists, loud music, cheap alcohol and questionable bar food.
“This place is crazy,” Delaney exclaimed with a happy grin. “Ooo, I see dart boards in the back room. I love darts!” She hooked her arm through his. “You want to put our name on the list to play?”
Maybe Howler’s wasn’t that bad. Especially not with Delaney at his side. Somehow she made jeans and an off-the-shoulder T-shirt look as provocative as a lace teddy. Bloody hell, she turned him on. “You don’t want to play darts with me. My accuracy won’t make it much of a game, I’m afraid.”
She pretended to be upset with him, but her eyes sparkled. “We could shoot some pool.”
“Same thing.”
“Shuffle bowl?”
He frowned. “I don’t even know what that is.”
“It’s like bowling but on a table with a puck.” She leaned in and whispered in his ear. “Your Lordship needs to get out more.”
He snorted. “And you need to spend less time with Stanhill.” Although he couldn’t deny his honorific title coming from her lips sent a jolt of heat through him. He kissed her, laughing as he did. This woman made him happy beyond description. He wanted to shower her with gifts, to spoil her in a way he imagined she’d never experienced.
Howler’s wasn’t the place to do that, but if she was having a good time, he would too. All while keeping an eye out for anyone paying too much attention to her.
Bridget waved at them from behind the bar. “Hugh, Delaney, over here.” She pointed at two bar seats that were opening up.
He’d met Bridget a few times before, but he couldn’t say they were more than acquaintances.
Another couple made a beeline for the stools, but Bridget bared her teeth and barked at them. The couple scurried away.
“All righty then,” Delaney muttered.
“Exactly.” Hugh took her hand and pushed through the crowd to claim the seats.
“Hank told me you guys were coming.” Bridget smiled. She was a little wild looking with all that auburn hair and those big gold eyes, but attractive enough if you went for that type. Which he didn’t.
Bridget stuck her hand out to Delaney. “Bridget Merrow, nice to meet you.”
Delaney hopped into the seat and shook the woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you too. Anyone in here we ought to know about?”
“Not yet. But I’ll keep you posted. I’ve got my staff on the lookout for them too,” Bridget answered. She waggled her finger between them. “What’ll it be to drink?”
Hugh took the seat beside Delaney, letting her answer first.
“White wine.”
“Whiskey,” Hugh responded. “Best you have. For both orders.” Which still didn’t offer much hope.
Bridget’s brows shot up. “You want the best white I have, I’m going to have to open a bottle.”
“Fine,” Hugh answered. At least that way Delaney wouldn’t end up with something that had been open too long and gone vinegary, although he imagined this establishment went through alcohol pretty quickly.
As Bridget went to fill their order, Delaney twisted her chair toward him and wiggled into position so that one of her knees was between his. He didn’t really need a drink. Her grin was intoxicating enough. She leaned forward, clearly enjoying herself. “You hate this place, don’t you?”
“What makes you say that?”
She shrugged. “What doesn’t make me say that? It’s loud, it’s full of tourists…” She glanced down. “I think there’s sawdust on the floor.”
He slid his hand up her leg, reveling in being able to touch her. “I hadn’t noticed.”
She laughed. “I don’t believe that for a second.”
“Maybe I was too distracted by you.” He gave her thigh a squeeze.
She blushed a little, but then seriousness came over her. “Thanks for doing this.”
“For having a feel in a public place?”
She smirked. “You know what I mean. For coming to Howler’s. And for agreeing to do the parade tomorrow.” As her expression sobered again, she traced a circle on the back of his hand, which still rested on her leg. “There has to be an end to this. I can’t live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.”
“No, you can’t. Doesn’t mean I like what we’ve decided to do, but I want you to be safe and happy.” As happy as she made him.
“I am happy.” Her smile reappeared. “More than I could have imagined. Are you happy?”
He swallowed. “I am.” So much it scared him.
Bridget returned with their drinks. “Don’t go look now, but the two guys that were in here before are now in the back room at a booth. There’s a third guy with them.”
Delaney’s leg twitched beneath his hand. He gave her a reassuring pat but kept his eyes on Bridget. “Have they seen us?”
She smiled like they were talking about something completely unrelated. “I don’t think so. They probably came in through the rear entrance. Most people use the front door, but there’s a little overflow parking lot in the back. Anybody who parks back there usually comes in that way.”
“Thanks. Text your brother, let him know. In fact, ask him to wait for us in that back parking lot. We might be able to draw them out.”
Delaney twisted her wine glass in place on its paper napkin. “I thought we were just supposed to let them overhear us talking about going to the parade tomorrow.”
“We’re going to do that. Then we’re going to take it a step further. See if we can wrap this business up this evening.” Then he could take her to the parade without the distraction of this threat.
“I’ll let Hank know.” With a nod, Bridget headed back to the kitchen.
The joy had left Delaney’s face, although she was clearly trying not to look frightened. “I’m not sure I like this.”
“Sweetheart, I promise I can protect you if something happens.” He lowered his voice, not that anyone could hear him over the ruckus in this place. “Three humans against one vampire is not much of a fight.”
She managed an almost convincing smile, and he hated that she was afraid. For that alone her former boss deserved to be punished. “What’s your plan then?”
“Have you ever done any acting?”
“Does a school play count?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then yes.”
“Excellent. Here’s what I’m thinking…”
Drinks in hand, Hugh and Delaney stumbled their way into the back room. There were enough people in the place that there was no way Rastinelli’s guys would try something in the bar. She pointed at one of the dart boards. “That one’s open,” she declared, hoping she’d gauged the perfect acceptable level of loudness for a supposedly drunk person.
Hug
h raised his whiskey to her. “You wanna play darts, me love, we’re gonna play darts.”
Not only had his accent thickened, it had gotten less sophisticated. She threw her hands up into the air, spilling a little of her wine. “Yay!”
“I’ll be right back.” He left his drink with her and went to see about getting darts as planned, while she leaned against the back wall and used one of the bar mirrors to check on her new friends in the booth.
They were definitely Little Tony’s sort of crew. She could practically smell the garlic on them. And judging by the direction of their gazes, they were sizing her up as well. It kind of terrified her to think that these men might be here to kidnap her and take her back to Rastinelli.
Or worse.
She covered her shudder by having a sip of wine and remembering she was supposed to be tipsy. Then Hugh returned to her, darts in hand, and her thoughts shifted back to the fact that she now had a very dangerous boyfriend. Who was a mother-freakin’ vampire. Let the bad guys come after them.
“Hello, lover,” she purred at him.
“’Ello, angel.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to nuzzle her neck. “They’re watching us,” he whispered into her ear.
She laughed like he’d just said something very naughty. “Mm-hmm.”
“Let’s drop the hint about the parade, then see if we can get them to follow us out.” He leaned away and leered at her before announcing, “And that’s not all I’m going to do to you.”
“You’re a bad man.” She swatted at him playfully, missing on purpose.
Leaving their drinks behind, he walked them toward the dart board and closer to the trio of thugs. “I might be bad, but you’d better be a good girl or I won’t take you to the parade tomorrow.”
She stuck her lip out in a pout. “You promised. I want cotton candy.”
He tossed the darts onto a table, the glow in his eyes positively devilish. “I’ve got something for you that’s even sweeter.”
She bit her lip and did her best to look overcome with desire. Not that hard to do considering she knew exactly what he had for her. “I don’t want to play darts anymore.”
“Brilliant.” He grabbed her hand. “Neither do I, love.”
She bumped the back door open with her hip, and with their hands and arms entangled, she and Hugh spilled into the dark parking lot like a pair of crazed lovers oblivious to the world.
Hugh gestured with a nod. “Over there where the light’s burned out. Against that wall.”
She did a quick scan of the parking lot. “Okay, but I don’t see the sheriff.”
“He’s close. I can smell wolf.”
That was slightly reassuring. She let Hugh guide her to the spot he’d indicated, and then he pushed her against the wall and started kissing her. His hands roamed her body with reckless abandon. The brick was rough on her back, but the soft heat of his mouth made up for it. She gasped at the urgency of his affection. He might be acting, but her moans and writhing were one hundred percent genuine. The man had no idea what he did to her.
His mouth strayed to her ear. “Back door just opened. They’re coming.”
She tensed, her breath coming in gulps. She hadn’t heard a thing.
“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered.
Then she caught the sounds of shoes scuffling on pavement, but it was dark and Hugh blocked most of her field of vision. A dark shape moved behind him.
A bottle crashed down on his head a second later, showering them both with shards of glass and drops of stale beer. Before she could scream, Hugh jerked his elbow back and caught one of the thugs square across the nose. He went down with a grunt.
Hugh twisted to slug the second one and Delaney ran, a gut reaction. But not a good one. A hand grabbed her from behind and another hand clamped down on her mouth.
“You’re going with me,” the thug holding her said. “Sorry your boyfriend can’t come with us, but—”
A loud crash was followed by a car alarm going off, and then somehow Hugh was standing in front of her. “You’re not taking her anywhere.”
The thug pulled her to his left, then threw a right hook at Hugh.
Hugh caught the man’s fist and squeezed until bone crunched. The man howled in pain and let go of Delaney, curling his uninjured hand into a fist.
Before he could swing, Hugh shoved the heel of his hand into the man’s solar plexus with such force that the thug went flying into the wall. He collapsed onto the pavement.
“You didn’t leave much for me.” Sheriff Merrow walked toward them.
“Thought you’d be here sooner,” Hugh answered.
“You had it handled.”
“Yes, I did.” Hugh smiled at Delaney, turning her insides to warm, gooey appreciation. “Are you all right, my darling?”
She nodded, not quite capable of speech.
The sheriff walked over and clamped handcuffs onto the unconscious thug who’d accosted her, then he squeezed the walkie-talkie at his shoulder. “I need another squad car at Howler’s.”
Hugh took Delaney’s face gently between his hands. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look pale. I’m sorry he put his hands on you.”
She tried to smile. “I’m fine. A little shaken up, but that went way faster than I expected.”
“Better that way. Less time for something genuinely awful to happen.”
“How’s your head?”
“My head?” He looked puzzled. “Why?”
She laughed. “You got hit with a beer bottle.”
He ran a hand through his hair, sending a few pieces of glass flying. “Hard vampire head. No damage done.”
A squad car careened into the parking lot, and a deputy jumped out. “Bar fight?” he asked Sheriff Merrow.
“Something like that. There are two more perps by the wall where the light is out.” Sheriff Merrow hauled his semi-conscious thug to the car, threw him over the trunk and started patting him down. He pulled out a handgun. “Bet you don’t have a permit for this, do you?”
Before the thug could answer, the sheriff shoved him in the squad car and shut the door. He held up the gun. “I’m going to need you two to come down to the station and make a statement.”
Hugh nodded and put his arm around Delaney. “We’ll be right there.”
An hour and a half later, they were finally home. Hugh considered the evening a success. Delaney was no longer in immediate danger, and the arrest of Rastinelli’s men would send a message. He hoped. He wasn’t so foolish to think that this was one and done, but it would take at least a day for Rastinelli to get more men down here, unless they were willing to fly, which meant a record of the trip and no easy way to bring firearms.
The upside was Delaney seemed at peace again, which made Hugh happy.
Stanhill greeted them as they walked in. “How did it go?”
Hugh gave him the recap.
“Bleedin’ amateurs.” Stanhill nodded at Delaney. “You all right then?”
She tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. “I am. Hugh took care of them like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Although…I’m kind of hungry.”
“We never did eat dinner.” So much for taking care of her every need. He looked at Stanhill. “What have we got?”
“Bits and bobs.” Stanhill shrugged. “What do you feel like, miss?”
She put her hand on her stomach. “Thai food, but I don’t suppose you have that in Nocturne Falls.”
“Ah, but we do.” Stanhill raised a finger. “Follow me.”
Into the kitchen they went, where Stanhill produced a paper menu from one of the kitchen drawers. “Open until eleven p.m., so you have half an hour to order. They don’t deliver, but I’ll run into town and pick it up.”
“Thank you!” Delaney let out a little squeal of delight. “I want all of it.” She laughed. “Gimme a sec, and I’ll narrow it down.” She pored over the menu. “Hugh, what are you getting? You must be starved.”
“I am, but my
needs right now are a little…different.”
She looked up from the menu, her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?” Her mouth rounded. “Oh.”
He nodded, knowing then that she understood he needed to feed. He’d held off for a few days—actually, he hadn’t given it much thought he’d been so preoccupied with her—but especially now after the exertion of power during the fight, he needed blood. “I’ll just slip downstairs and—”
“I want to go with you.” She straightened, a very determined look in her eye.
Stanhill made a small noise in the back of his throat. “Miss, I don’t think—”
“We said no more secrets.” She kept her eyes on Hugh. Almost challenging him.
“Delaney, this isn’t a secret I’m keeping from you. It’s just not something I share with anyone.”
She crossed her arms. “So I’m just anyone?”
“I didn’t say that.”
She looked at Stanhill. “Shrimp pad thai, spicy, and an order of spring rolls.”
“Very good,” he answered. He snatched keys off a hook by the door and zipped out. Undoubtedly, Hugh would have to tell Stanhill what was about to happen when he returned. Hugh knew his rook too well to think he’d let this one lie.
Hugh rolled his shoulders. “Sweetheart, what you’re asking is—”
She strode toward him, resolve shining in her eyes like a flame. “What I’m asking is to be included in one more part of your life. You wanted me to believe you’re a vampire, and I do. You wanted me to stay, and I’ve agreed to that too. If we’re taking a chance on this relationship and looking toward the future, then this is just one more thing you can share with me to help me understand your world.”
He couldn’t really say no to that. “It’s a very intimate act.”
She slipped her arms around his neck and gently nipped his jaw, the scrape of her teeth sending a jolt of pleasure spiraling through him. She kept her mouth against his skin as she spoke. “I can’t imagine it’s more intimate than some of the things we’ve already done.”
He closed his eyes and groaned softly, powerless to keep his hands from sliding down her rib cage to rest on the crest of her hips. He almost forgot what they were talking about. “No, I suppose not.”
The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride Page 15