Tigress (Night Hawk Series)

by Taylor, J. E.

  “When the gate opens, it breaks the seal,” he said jingling the keys again.

  I glanced up at the brightening sky and opted to pull the truck up the crumbling pavement to the side of the garage under the dilapidated awning.

  “I’ll move this stuff into the garage and then I’ll let you return the truck.” I said and hopped out of the cab before they could argue.

  “You can’t stay in the garage,” Michael said as I peeled away a sheet of overgrown vines.

  “Why not?”

  “Because, if they decide to do a drive by, they are expecting the garage to be in this condition.”

  Shit, he was right. “So where do you suggest I go?”

  “We can move the stuff into their basement for now. I made a small area for you in the event you ever came back.”

  I looked at the house and back at Michael. It would take a few minutes to empty the contents of the van and get it out of there, but if they were curious enough to do a drive by, they might be out here right now. I couldn’t let him take the van inside the fence.

  “I may have to stay in the truck one more day,” I said and met Michael’s stare before transitioning to Naomi. “We’ll return the van to either upstate New York, Vermont or New Hampshire.” I glanced at Michael. “They don’t happen to have a pick-up truck?”

  Michael paused, playing with the keys in his hands until he held a single key. “How’d you know?”

  “Does it still have a utility locker in back?” The thought of being stuck in that for twelve hours wasn’t at the top of my list, but sometimes you have to suck it up.

  “Yes.”

  “Get it and we’ll meet you at Valerie’s Uncle’s cabin down the road.”

  Michael took a deep breath and nodded, turning away from the two of us.

  I backed the van up and drove away from the house. I didn’t wait for Michael to get through the gate; I just wanted to put as much distance between us and this house as possible before sunrise.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The hunting cabin had one road in and I paced next to the back of the van. The mattress leaned against the side of the opening and our three duffel bags were lined up neatly waiting for the truck bed. I gnawed on my thumbnail as we waited, my gaze jumping from the driveway to the pending sunrise and back.

  When the truck rounded the corner, I stopped dead, staring at the three occupants. Valerie was out of the cab even before her uncle could set the brake. I opened my arms on instinct and braced myself for impact. Even with the forethought, the slam of her body against mine nearly knocked all wind from my lungs.

  Her joy at seeing us tempered the panic throbbing in my temple and I offered her a smile and a peck on the cheek before I got down to business.

  “I don’t have much time,” I said and peeled her off me. She immediately turned and flung herself into Naomi’s arms with just as much zest as she had with me. Instead of relishing the moment, I hauled the mattress over to the truck bed and tossed it in, offering her uncle a slight nod.

  “Hi, Ted,” I said as he approached the back of the truck with one of the duffel bags.

  He tossed the bag into the back and stared at me before offering his hand. “Thank you for saving Valerie’s life,” he said.

  Michael hauled the last two bags over the side and handed me my computer bag.

  “What’s the plan?” he asked.

  I dug the keys out of my pocket and handed them to him. “I need you to return the van to somewhere in Buffalo.”

  “Buffalo, New York?" both Ted and Michael said in unison.

  “Yes, this way your brother will think we skipped over into Canada,” I answered and I saw Michael’s expression smooth out. “I’m not sure how you’ll get back though,” I added and glanced at the sky.

  “Let me worry about that. Now go get in that oversized toolbox.”

  I smiled and tossed him the keys. “Naomi, give him your phone so we can keep in touch.”

  Naomi handed Michael her phone and showed him how to access my phone number and then she gave me a nod. I turned away from the mini-reunion and hopped into the truck bed, opening the tool chest. They had lined the container with a soft down blanket and I closed my eyes at the thoughtfulness before slipping inside.

  My first reaction as the cover dropped was immediate panic. This was worse than a coffin and I had to squeeze my eyes shut and concentrate on slowing my breathing to normal. The sounds of chains clipping closed increased my unease until the pat on the metal came along with her voice.

  “We’re just securing everything in place,” Naomi said and I knocked back, letting her know I was okay.

  I closed my eyes when the hum of the engine resumed. I didn’t hear the truck come to life either, so I’m sure Michael was waiting for us to get a reasonable distance. I sighed, feeling some of the stress melt from my muscles. My phone buzzed and I glanced at the unknown number on the screen, debating on whether to answer or not. I highlighted the number and exhaled, praying it was Naomi and not Lucifer. I accepted the call.

  “You okay back there?” Her voice filled the line and I chuckled.

  “Yeah, just didn’t realize how claustrophobic I’ve become,” I said.

  “Well, we will be back at the house in a few minutes. Valerie tells me the garage doesn’t have any windows. Only the back door has a six panel window that faces the east, and the light only covers half of the garage footprint.”

  “That’s good to know.” Relief flooded through me.

  “Val said the truck is always parked on the dark side of the garage too, so getting out shouldn’t be an issue. So I’ll see you in the garage.”

  “Thanks, babe,” I said and ended the call.

  Chapter Nineteen - Naomi

  I could feel Valerie’s stare as I ended the call.

  “Why aren’t you back there with him?” she asked when I handed her the phone.

  “I’m no longer a vampire,” I said and the truck swerved slightly before Valerie got her shock under control.

  “Is that why you went away?”

  I met her gaze and shook my head. “No, we were on the run and still are.”

  “From...” Valerie started and closed her mouth. Michael must have schooled her in the fact that saying an archangel’s name can bring them to you. Especially a fallen archangel.

  I met her gaze and she inhaled.

  “He did this to me,” I said with enough venom in my voice for her to know exactly who I was referring to. “And it comes with a hell of a price.”

  Valerie slowed as she pulled up to the gate and pressed the button on the remote attached to her visor. The gate slowly opened and she rolled the truck through, engaging the remote again once we cleared the space. She waited until the gate latched and studied me for the first time, her gaze scanning me and falling on my left hand.

  “You’re married?”

  I smiled and glanced at the elaborate engagement ring and wedding band adorning my finger. “Yes. We got married as soon as he recovered...” I whispered. My mind drifted back to his fumbling proposal in the thicket near where we built our mountainside cottage. He wasn’t sure whether to get down on one knee or not, and his fidgety posturing had me laughing so hard that he almost didn’t continue.

  I can still hear his exasperation when he told me to please stop, he had something important to say and he couldn’t while I was laughing at him. When I wound down, he dropped to his knee and took a deep breath before uttering the most perfect proposal, sending packing the last piece of my heart that still had doubts. I couldn’t help but love him even more and the certainty that we were meant to be together brought forth the only logical answer. Yes.

  His expression morphed from the unsure and sincerely timid one he delivered when he asked me to marry him to the brightest, most dazzling smile I had ever seen. The fond memories of his proposal and the wild love making that followed brought forth a wave of fresh tears that I blinked away.

  I already missed that all-co
nsuming passion.

  “Were you cured then?” she asked.

  I shook my head. “I’ve only been cured for a week,” I said. God, it’s only been a week? Seven days since we last made love, since we last touched without him wincing. How am I going to survive without his touch for the rest of my life? The thought gripped me as the garage doors opened and we drove into the darkness.

  “You know, we could prop the mattress against the back door,” Valerie said and I glanced at the doorway and the ambient light filtering through the window panes, glad for something else to focus on.

  “That would work,” I said and we got out of the cab, crossing to the tailgate. After Valerie lowered the gate, we pulled the mattress out and maneuvered it between the truck and her little Fusion, leaning it on the wall so that it covered the entire back doorway and part of the back wall.

  I returned to the truck and unhooked the utility straps around the tool chest. Within seconds of release, the top popped open and Damian sat up blowing air out of his lungs like he was attempting to control an all out anxiety attack.

  “So, I hear you got married,” Valerie said as she leaned on the edge of the tailgate.

  Damian sent a smile her way and then met my gaze. “Yes, I did.”

  “So, what’s going to happen now that she’s back to normal?”

  His gaze never left mine. “Honestly, I have no idea,” he said in all sincerity and my throat constricted, the lump getting bigger by the second.

  Silence filled the space and Damian broke eye contact, glancing around the garage.

  “Where’s your Uncle Ted?”

  “He went with Michael,” I said and Damian pressed his lips together before he climbed out of the box. That was a look I was accustomed to receiving and I gave him my signature eyebrow raise in response.

  “He shouldn’t have gone with Michael; that was a big risk.”

  “Showing up here was a big risk,” I countered. “If I had known Valerie was living here, I never would have suggested we come home.”

  “Hey,” Valerie interrupted and we both turned our gaze toward her.

  “No offense, it’s just wherever we go, trouble seems to follow,” Damian said, diffusing the flash of irritation in our host’s face.

  “Well, I am offended. I’ve missed your company. Uncle Ted means well, but he’s never played a game of chess in his life and he certainly isn’t as well read as you are.” Valerie’s glanced moved from Damian to me. “And I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” she added bringing her gaze back to Damian.

  He stared at Valerie and then turned toward me. “I have never met two more stubborn and pigheaded women as the two of you.”

  “Well, I’ve never met anyone so moody who didn’t have PMS,” I said and sent him a saccharine smiled before hopping down to the ground next to Valerie. “Maybe we should leave him alone for a bit,” I said and glanced over my shoulder, meeting his exasperated gaze.

  “Naomi, you know the dangers, but she doesn’t fully understand.”

  Valerie turned on him. “I took quite a few advanced courses in theology for my undergrad degree, Damian, and I’ve had endless conversations with Michael about vampires and angels, so I know much more than you give me credit for. I know where you came from,” she said. “I know what kills vampires and demons. I know incantations to bring Michael here if we ever need him and I’m far enough along in my medical degree to understand genetics too, so don’t treat me like a child.”

  All I could think was, Damian just got served, and I had to hide the smile that surfaced. Once I was sure I could keep my face neutral, I chanced a glance in Damian’s direction. He had taken a seat on the tool chest and ran a hand through his hair. I could tell he was measuring his response because his gaze was locked on the truck bed and not Valerie.

  “I’m sorry,” he finally said and met her glare. “You’ve accomplished a lot in five years.”

  Valerie softened. “I had to grow up real fast,” she said, reminding both of us of the hardship she had survived.

  “I know,” he whispered, his gaze dropping and that all too familiar expression of blame crossing his handsome features.

  “It wasn’t your fault,” both Valerie and I said in unison and we traded a glance. I guess she knew his expressions as well as I did, after all, she had known him all her life until I entered the equation.

  He allowed a brief twist of a smile and he sighed. “Wireless?” he asked, pulling the computer out of the backpack.

  “Yes. The passphrase is Angels with a capital A,” Valerie answered.

  “Thanks. Why don’t you two go visit,” he said and tossed me my duffel bag. “I’ve got some work to do.”

  I nodded and hauled the bag over my shoulder. “I’ll check on you in a little while,” I said.

  He rolled his eyes and settled down on the truck bed, flipping the laptop open and started hammering on the keys.

  Valerie gave us a strange look and then headed into the house, holding the door and waving me inside. She gave me a tour of the house, which was larger than the front indicated. The ranch sprawled out in a horseshoe with the living area covering most of the side where the garage attached and the sleeping quarters covered the opposite side. The family room opened to a u-shaped courtyard with a beautiful patio which surrounded a covered in-ground pool.

  She led me to the guest suite and I sighed at the more than modest accommodations.

  “This is the guest room and I don’t think Michael will mind letting you have it now that you’re back to being human,” she said and waved at the king size bed decorated with soft blues. “The bathroom reminds me of Damian’s in the old house.” Valerie swung the bathroom door open, showcasing a marble bathroom that could have been a replica of the one we used to have.

  “Oh, Valerie, this is beautiful,” I whispered and the tears sprouted again, but this time I wasn’t able to stop them with a flurry of blinks. I dropped the bag on the floor and covered my face.

  Her warm arms wrapped around me and I melted into her, letting myself succumb to the soul-strangling sobs.

  Chapter Twenty

  I don’t know how long I cried, but when my tears dried up, I hardly had the strength to stand. Valerie led me to the bed and sat me down before disappearing into the bathroom. She came back with a damp wash cloth and handed it to me before taking the spot next to me.

  “What happened to you two?”

  I wiped my face and balled up the cloth, tossing it into an empty laundry basket that sat by the bureau. “The cure. Damian’s allergic to me now.” I detested the whiny quality of my nasally voice and sniffled, meeting Valerie’s gaze. “And if he ever bites me, it will kill him.”

  “Jesus,” she said. “How did you ever drive together in the truck?”

  “It’s not like hay-fever.” I gave her a smile. “Being around me isn’t the problem. We just can’t touch; otherwise he breaks out in blisters wherever our skin comes into contact. It has to hurt like hell, but it does nothing to me,” I said and the tears threatened again.

  “Oh, Naomi,” Valerie said and took my hands.

  “We had five extremely passionate and affectionate years and now...” I clenched my jaw as the anger flare. “Now I want to hurt that bastard as much as he’s hurt us,” I said and met Valerie’s gaze.

  “I heard you hurt him pretty bad,” she said.

  “Unfortunately, I didn’t succeed in killing him,” I countered. If I had killed Lucifer, we would still be playing in the snow in Denver or wherever our hearts led us, but now, we were forever separated by sun and blisters.

  “Michael said you saved Damian.”

  “Yeah. Damian tried to ditch me, to keep me safe. He fully expected to die for me.”

  “I think he would have,” she said and I cocked my head. “I could see how deeply he loved you just by the way he looked at you. That’s why it surprised the hell out of me that you had only known each other for a couple of days. The way he looked at you was th
e way my father always looked at my mother.”

  “And now?”

  Valerie stared at me and sighed. “It’s still there, under a layer of soul-wrenching pain.”

  Soul-wrenching pain. How damned accurate and it made me crack a smile.

  “It’s the same way you look at him.”

  My chin quivered and I nodded. “I can’t go for the rest of my life without touching him, Valerie. What the hell am I going to do?”

  “Can he turn you again?”

  I shook my head. “I’m immune to the virus and I’ve seen what happens when a vampire bites me. It’s a horrific death...” I closed my eyes and hung my head, unable to relay the details despite Valerie’s questioning stare.

  She took my hand and squeezed. “Somehow, I’m sure it will all work out in the end.”

  I met her gaze but kept my mouth shut. There was no fairytale ending to our story and I didn’t want to burst Valerie’s bubble, so I just offered a smile and a nod.

  “I think I’ll take a shower if you don’t mind. I’m sure I’m a bit ripe after being in a truck for a little over thirty hours.”

  Valerie grinned. “I’m in med-school, so I’ve smelled worse.”

  “I’m sure,” I said and took my leave, scooping up my duffel bag on the way.

  The heat of the shower lulled me into an exhausted trance, so much so that the ritual of showering went by without my knowledge and when I looked down at my hands, the shrivel lines of being in water too long creased my fingertips. I turned the water off and wrapped myself in an oversized towel.

  Valerie had left the bedroom and I was grateful. I needed sleep, the down comforter and fluffy pillows were more than inviting. I crawled under the warm blankets and was out before my head hit the soft cotton.

  Chapter Twenty-One - Damian

  The garage wasn’t exactly warm, but it was miles beyond the frigid slap the box of the moving van contained.

  I pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders before resuming the web design I was already late delivering. My client wasn’t happy with the delay, but when I explained we’d moved across country and had run into complications that I hadn’t foreseen, they graciously gave me a couple of days more.