by Nova Archer
Caine heard her sigh. “I’m okay. I just need a few days.”
“Well, once we get you into a real hospital with a real doctor, you can make that decision.”
“This is a real hospital Hector. Dr. Woodward is a real doctor. He even went to Harvard Medical School.”
The captain huffed. “I’m just saying.”
“I know what you’re saying. And you’re wrong.”
Caine could hear some rustling, and he imagined Eve was trying to sit up and assert herself, even from the confines of a hospital bed. He had to smile at that. She had a lot of spunk.
“The people here are just people, Hector. People with strange and wonderful gifts. Gifts we may not understand, but that doesn’t make them any less human. I figured that out big time.”
“If you had been with our crime scene team, none of this would’ve happened. I would never have let you get hurt. That vampire, Caine Valorian, has a lot to answer to.”
Leaning against the wall, Caine tried not to react. But the captain was right, he had a lot to answer for. There wasn’t a minute that went by that he didn’t blame himself for what happened to Eve. If only he had sent her home when he should have instead of selfishly holding onto her when he had no right to. It was his desire for her that nearly cost her her life.
He was a fool to believe that they could work past their differences. There were too many.
“This was not Caine’s fault, Hector. That man is one of the best crime scene investigators I have ever met. So, please don’t speak about him like that. He may be a vampire, but he is more human than most men I’ve known.”
His heart swelled. If only she knew how much it truly meant to him to hear those words from her lips. To know that she would defend him. Oh, how wonderful they could’ve been together. If only...
“Well, Mr. Bask has already informed me that Valorian will be on a tight leash from now on. I think his investigation days are numbered.”
Caine’s pager took that moment to vibrate in his pocket. He didn’t have to hazard a guess to know whose number would be on display. He guessed he now knew why the baron had been paging him all day. To ream him a new one.
Well, Caine figured, the baron could wait a little while longer for that pleasure.
Clearing his throat, he stepped into the room. Eve’s smile blossomed the moment she saw him. And his heart skipped a few beats. Even in a green hospital gown, her hair everywhere, she took his breath away. She was a radiant beacon to the darkness of his soul.
“Caine,” she breathed.
He gave her a little smile and bowed his head. “I see you are feeling better.”
“Yes, thank you.”
He neared the bed and handed her the flowers. She brought them to her nose. “Lilies. How did you know they were my favorite?”
He tapped his head. “My psychic abilities.”
She hid her smile behind the blossoms of the white flowers. “Caine, this is Captain Hector Morales.” She nodded toward the captain standing stiffly at the end of the bed.
Caine turned to the man and offered his hand. The captain took it and shook it briefly. “Yes, we’ve spoken on the phone.” Releasing his hand, Caine swiveled back toward Eve. “I just came to see how you were doing before they...shipped you home. The team sends their regards. Even Jace seemed a little misty at your leaving.”
She smiled, but he could see it did not reach her eyes. Motioning to Captain Morales, she said, “Could you give us a few moments please, Hector?”
The captain hesitated as he glanced at Caine. Then nodded and left the room.
He felt like his legs were leaden. He so much wanted to go to her, soothe her, take all her pain and suffering away with the stroke of his hands but he couldn’t. Last night had been special. But would never be the same between them again. They had their time together. And now it was the end.
She set the flowers on the side table. Shuffling a little, she tried to sit up more. Caine rushed to her side, and helped her, placing another pillow up behind her back.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he responded as he took a step away.
Sighing, she brought her hands up and rubbed them over her face. “Oh God, I don’t want to do the polite thing, Caine. I really don’t.”
“Let’s not then.”
She glanced at him sideways and smiled in her little way. It nearly brought tears to his eyes. His heart clenched as if it was in a metal vise.
“You mean a lot to me.” Tears started to brim in the corners of her gorgeous eyes.
He took a step closer and grabbed her hand in his, clenching it tight afraid to let go, but knowing he must. “I feel the same, Eve. You are an amazing woman.”
“But...” she breathed, as a single tear drop rolled down her cheek.
Caine nodded. “But...”
She squeezed his hand tight, then let go, pulling it away and setting it alongside her leg. “Don’t forget me.”
“I won’t.” He paused then surveyed her face. She was so damn beautiful inside and out. A woman with guts and determination. A woman he could never forget in ten lifetimes. A woman he loved as the moon loved the night. Connected eternally. “I can’t.”
Wiping at her tears, she nodded and leaned back into her pillows. “Take care of yourself. I’d say don’t work too hard, but I know it would be wasted on you.”
He chuckled. “You too.”
Chewing her lip, she nodded at him again. He could see her struggle to maintain her emotions. Not wanting to break down in front of him. If only she knew that that would be all it took for him to change his mind and not let her go. But he was too stubborn to tell her so.
With a final tip of his head, he turned and started toward the door. Knowing he did more than just leave the room. He was leaving a big part of himself behind. A part he hadn’t realized he was missing to begin with.
He couldn’t do it. He had to try.
He paused in the doorway then swiveled around. “Do you want to go back to San Antonio?”
“What?”
He coughed into his hand, nerves making his throat constrict. “We work fairly well together, don’t we?”
A small smile curved her lips. “Yes, I suppose. What are you suggesting?”
He moved toward her bed, his confidence building with each step. “A joint project of sorts.”
“Uh-huh, I’m listening.”
“Well, we both know that human and Otherworlder relations are strained. Working together as a team on this case I believe helped smooth those relations a bit.” When he neared her side, he took her hand. “Just think what we could continue to do together.”
She lifted her brow, her lips curling up. “Together. As in a team?”
He nodded.
“Here in Necropolis?”
He nodded again.
“For how long?”
He lifted her hand to his mouth, and pressed his lips to the back, nibbling on her smooth skin. “How about forever?”
Tears welled in the corners of her eyes. “Are you sure?”
“I love you, Eve. And I don’t want to go another minute without you at my side.” Leaning forward, he kissed her lips. “How is that for being sure?” he whispered against them.
She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. “I love you too. You mean more to me than any man before.”
Wrapping his hands in her hair, Caine brought her mouth to his. He kissed her with everything he had, everything he was. He needed her to know that she had become the most important thing to him. More important than the lab, more important than any case.
With one last nibble on her bottom lip, he rested his head against hers and sighed.
“What do you think Hector and Baron Bask will say about this?” Eve asked, a playful grin on her face.
“They’re both political animals, they know a good move when it’s presented to them. I won’t give either one of them a chance to say no.” He smiled. “I can be very
persuasive.” He kissed her again.
“Am I interrupting?” A voice sounded from the door.
Groaning, Caine glanced over his shoulder at Mahina as she casually leaned against the doorframe. “Yes, in fact, you are.”
“Good. My work is done here.” She grinned.
“Shouldn’t you be in a hospital bed too?”
She chuckled. “Damn, Valorian, they were just lead. I’ve gotten cat scratches worse than that. What about you? Are you up for another case?”
“What’s up?”
“We have another DB. Washington and 23 Street.”
Eve sat back and sighed. Keeping her gaze, Caine raised his hand and set it on her cheek. He ran his thumb over her lips. They were too soft to leave, too inviting to resist. He could imagine a lifetime of tasting them.
“Call Monty. I’m taking the day off.”
“That’s a first,” Mahina remarked.
“Yup,” Caine smiled. “But it won’t be the last.” Leaning over, he captured her mouth and swallowed down her sigh of relief.
He knew Mahina had said something before she left, but he didn’t hear it. All that he could hear, all that mattered was the sound of Eve’s heart as it thumped in perfect rhythm with his own.
THE END
WANT ANOTHER STORY of the Otherworld Crime Unit? Look for WOLVES DON’T CRY, where Jace Jericho meets his match while on the scene of another horrible murder in San Antonio...
OTHERWORLD CRIME UNIT: Necropolis
Blood Doesn’t Lie – October 30, 2017
Wolves Don’t Cry – November 20, 2017
Witches Can’t Fly – December 11, 2017
OTHERWORLD CRIME UNIT: Nouveau Monde
Blood to Spill – January 11, 2018
Magic to Thrill – February 11, 2018
Time to Kill – March 11, 2018
About the Author
Nova Archer writes paranormal suspense books and lives in Canada with her daughter and two cats. You can sign up for her newsletter to learn about new releases, sales, and other interesting tidbits about the Otherworld Crime Unit. You can also follow Nova on Facebook.