by Bianca D'Arc
He left her in the shower, keeping the door open as he went into the master suite to dress. He would be able to hear her if she needed him. Meanwhile, he gathered some sweats that would be very loose on her and one of his oldest, softest T-shirts. She’d be comfortable, though not exactly a fashion plate. Tomorrow, he’d get clothes for her, but for tonight, this would do.
He threw on a similar outfit and reentered the bathroom. She spun around, her fangs dropping as if she sensed a threat. Immediately he went on guard, but he couldn’t sense anything. As far as he knew, his house was secure and neither his state of the art alarm system nor his heightened shifter senses reported anything amiss.
“Miranda?” he asked cautiously. “What’s wrong?”
Her gaze was confused as she clutched a towel to her breasts. She still wore the lacy underwear but she’d stepped out of the shower and had a towel wrapped around her hair in addition to the one she’d been using to dry herself.
Mag watched her eyes, noting the moment when the fear left them to be replaced by confusion. She looked at him, her fangs retracting as she appeared to come back to reality. He’d startled her and somehow sent her back to the months of captivity—or so he guessed. He could have kicked himself. Mag knew he had to be patient and here he was, barging into the bathroom as if he owned the place.
Well, he did own the place, but he knew what he’d meant. He should have knocked or at least said something before he just walked in. A bathroom wasn’t a place where you expected a lot of through traffic. He shouldn’t have scared her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Mag?” She sounded so lost, he couldn’t help himself.
He stepped closer, moving slowly so as not to provoke another untoward response. When she didn’t react, he placed the clothes he’d brought for her on the vanity and reached forward, tugging her into his arms. She didn’t resist. In fact, she clung to him after only a moment’s hesitation.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re safe. Nothing can harm you here. I’ve got you.” He murmured soothing words to her as he rocked them both back and forth. She was trembling with reaction and returning fatigue. She was in rough shape, and it was his duty—his honor—to protect her and care for her while she recovered.
When she felt a little steadier, he released her. Desert nights could get cold and he didn’t want to be selfish. He was fully clothed while she was still standing there in soggy undies and a towel. He had to let her dress and get more comfortable so she could rest.
“It’s getting late. Dawn will be here in a short while. Let’s get you settled and you can rest easy for the day.”
“Do you have a sealed room?” She rubbed her arm as he stepped back.
“Honey, the entire house has been light-proofed. Once the shades come down, they can’t be raised until nightfall. It’s all computer controlled and the moment we got here, I activated that mode for you. The bedroom is an interior room and is built with reinforced walls and doors. Once you go to sleep for the day, you’ll be safe. And should anything happen, there’s even a bolt hole accessible from the bedroom where you can hide. I’ll give you the grand tour as soon as you’re dressed.”
He saw the questions in her eyes, but he left without waiting for her to ask them. He’d made a lot of admissions here tonight and they sat uncomfortably on his mind. So far, he’d been the one laying himself on the line. He shouldn’t expect more from her. Not now. Especially not after she’d been through so much and hadn’t had any time yet to heal from her ordeal, but something inside him wanted her to jump into his arms and admit her undying love all the same. It was unrealistic. Silly, even. But there it was.
Mag closed the bathroom door behind himself and waited on the other side. Eventually, he heard the soft swish of fabric from the other side of the door that told him she was getting dressed. Good. The sooner he showed her around and put her fears to rest, the sooner she could also rest. She’d need good, healing sleep—and a lot of it—before she’d be well again.
He moved away from the door toward the small wet bar he’d put in. It wasn’t anything fancy. Just a small, well-stocked wine refrigerator and some crystal glasses on a side table. He took out the corkscrew and selected a bottle of California red that had been recommended by his brother Matt.
Matt knew more about vampires than anyone else Mag knew. Well…more than any other shifter, at least. Mag was acquainted with the local Master vampire, but he hadn’t dared pose his questions about bloodletters to the Master. He hadn’t wanted to raise suspicion.
It wasn’t common for a shifter to be so inquisitive about vampire habits. In fact, it could be downright dangerous to show that kind of interest. The relations between shifters and bloodletters were better in this city than most, but it still wasn’t done to be too nosey. And if Mag betrayed the real reason he was so interested, it could go badly. Miranda was still subject to the Master’s rule and he could easily demand she leave Mag’s house. That was something Mag didn’t want to chance.
When the door to the bathroom clicked open, a waft of cinnamon and rose scent came toward him. It was followed a moment later by Miranda’s hesitant steps. She was barefoot and holding a small bundle of damp fabric in her hands.
“Do you have a washer?” she asked tentatively.
“Yeah. I’ll take care of those. I’ll also get some new clothes for you today so you’ll have something fresh to wear tonight.”
“You’re going out?” She seemed afraid all of a sudden and he realized he wouldn’t be going anywhere. He’d have to call in some favors.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he was quick to reassure her. “I won’t leave the house. Not for one minute. I have some friends I can call on to help pick up a few things for you. Do you prefer any particular brands? I was thinking blue jeans. You look hot in jeans.” He offered her a smile, hoping a little flirtation would take the fear out of her eyes.
“Jeans are fine, but can you trust these people? They’re shifters, right? Won’t they object to me being here?” She seemed weary, but definitely more alert than she had been before—especially if she was thinking that far ahead.
“I have a brother who is on friendly terms with a few bloodletters. He’ll help, and he won’t tell anyone that you’re here. In fact…” Mag turned around to get the glasses of wine he’d poured from the table and held one out to her. “My little brother recommended this wine. He knows the vintner personally.”
She accepted the glass and took a tentative sip, savoring the fine wine. “Maxwell Vineyards, right? Your brother knows Atticus Maxwell?”
“And his mate,” Mag confirmed, taking a sip himself. The vintage was delicious. Maxwell really knew what he was doing. “They’re acquaintances, but he seems closest to a guy he says used to be a British lord or something.”
Silence stretched for a moment or two while they sipped their wine. He was doing his best not to scowl at the many wounds and burns still visible on her forearms, which were left bare by the T-shirt. Finally, she spoke softly into the quiet.
“I didn’t know Maxwell had found his One.” She seemed skeptical, but she sipped at the wine all the same.
“Apparently it happened a little while ago, but they’re still in the honeymoon phase according to my brother.” Mag reached behind himself to snag the bottle and refilled Miranda’s glass. “Matt told me how wine affects bloodletters and why so many of the great vintners are vampires. He said something kind of poetic about how the fermented fruit of the vine was your last link to the sun and that it was a sort of distilled sunlight. He said also said it helped you heal.”
“He wasn’t wrong,” she admitted, drinking deeply. “I feel it bubble and pop inside my veins in a good way. Maxwell isn’t one of the world’s top wine makers for nothing. He’s had centuries to perfect his craft. This is delicious as well as healing.”
Mag put his glass aside and refilled hers before showing her around the master suite. “The controls for everythin
g in the house are on the tablet on the bedside table. You can control everything from there and I’ve keyed in a code for you alone. The only other person with codes to this house is me. Nobody gets in or out without either you or I allowing it.” He walked with her to the small nightstand and lifted the tablet. The screen blinked to life the moment he touched it.
“I didn’t realize you were so high tech.” She seemed impressed as she continued to sip at her wine.
“My brother Steve is the security expert in the family, but I learned a lot from him. I installed all this myself and it’s top notch. I keep upgrading as new things come on the market.” He spent the next few minutes showing her how to access the cameras located all around the property and how to lock down the master suite and the entire house. “And then there’s this.” He put down the pad and showed her a hidden doorway that led to the bolt hole he’d had built especially for her. “Press here and here, and when you hear the click…” He put actions to words and a hidden panel popped open. “Voila. Safe room. It’s built like a vault. It’s not on the electronic systems and I built it myself so nobody knows about it but me…and now you.”
He led the way down the small staircase to the room he’d designed as a last defense should the house be breached. There was a bed, a bank of monitors that allowed anyone down here to see what was happening upstairs as long as the cameras had power, and a few medical supplies, but not much else. He’d built it with Miranda in mind and she didn’t need food. He’d put a few cases of wine down here for storage, which she could also use. Basically the place was a hideout she could stay in until the sun set if she was attacked in the house during the day.
She looked it over and seemed impressed. “You’ve thought of pretty much everything.”
“I’ve had a lot of time to plan,” he admitted.
“When did you start building all of this?”
“I started planning the day you left. The actual building commenced about a week later.” Silence greeted his admission and he counseled himself to be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day. He had to ease up and give her a little time and space to heal, but he couldn’t avoid direct questions.
He ushered her up the stairs and motioned her toward the bed. “You need to rest, sweetheart. The sun will be up shortly and I want you to feel safe. You’re in control of the locks here.” He moved in to place a kiss on her forehead. “You’ll never be caged again, Miranda. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
She felt so right in his arms. He stood, just holding her for a long, long moment. If the world ended right now, it would be all right. He had the woman he loved in his arms and all was right with his world. For just this one moment out of time.
Eventually though, he had to let her go. She swayed in his arms as the wine relaxed her. At least bloodletters had that much in common with other beings.
“Let’s put you to bed. I’ll take care of everything today and then tonight, when you wake, you’ll have new clothes to put on and we can see about getting you well. Do you need another hit of blood before you go to sleep?” He held her away from him and watched her eyes closely. They were at half-mast as the wine took effect, but her color was good and she smiled slightly.
“No. I’m good for now. Mag, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done to help me. I’m so glad you were there. I’m thankful it was you who got me out of that hellhole. If you hadn’t been there, I know I’d probably be gone by now. I wasn’t rational. I’m very much afraid that I’m still not completely rational, so for your own safety, lock down the suite and be careful when I wake tonight. I don’t trust myself not to attack first and ask questions later.”
He smiled at her, knowing that she was showing every sign of recovery if she was worried about those around her. The Miranda he knew cared more for others than she did herself. It was a good sign.
“I’ll announce myself before I come in. I’m sorry about before with the bathroom. I should’ve knocked.” He smoothed his palms down from her shoulders as he stepped back. He then leaned down to lower the blanket so she could slide into the bed.
She smiled at his actions. “Are you going to tuck me in? For real?”
He nodded solemnly, though his smile joined hers. “For real. You’re in my care now, and I’m going to see to your every comfort.”
Shaking her head, she nonetheless climbed into the bed, a bemused smile on her lips.
He tucked the blankets around her, enjoying the simple, caring act. This time, he knew she’d be there all day. And he would make sure he was with her when she woke. He wanted his to be the first face she saw upon waking this night and every night to come—if he could swing it.
It all started here and now.
He kissed her soundly as she settled back on the bed, her eyes closing as the sun rose outside the sun-proofed house. When he drew back, she was already asleep, in the deep sleep of her people. Weakened as she was from her ordeal, she wouldn’t wake until the sun left the sky that night.
Mag looked at her for long moments, brushing her hair back from her lovely face. She really was here, in his house. Wonder of wonders. He sent a little prayer up to the Mother of All, thanking Her for interceding for them. For allowing Mag to be there, just when Miranda needed him most. For letting him be there to save her life. Mag didn’t think he was too far off the mark believing that the Goddess had something to do with that amazing timing. He didn’t believe in coincidences. Everything happened for a reason and he had to believe that the Lady was smiling on them.
He finally made himself leave the room, being certain to lock everything down so Miranda would be safe during the day. He’d installed the best and most technologically advanced in security measures with just this duty in mind. She would come to no harm during the day while she rested. He was as certain as he could be of it.
Closing and arming the door behind himself, Mag set out to start his day. He hadn’t had any sleep, but shifters didn’t need much. He had a lot of work to do today before he could rest. He’d grab a few hours of sleep this afternoon, after he’d set the wheels in motion.
For one thing, he had to order up some clothes in Miranda’s size and he didn’t want to leave that task to someone else. Silly as it was, he wanted to pick out the fabric she would wear next to her skin and the colors that would best compliment her rare beauty. He had to go shopping—online, of course.
He also needed to eat. A few steaks ought to do it. He needed to keep himself in top shape if he was going to be donating blood on a regular basis—and he really hoped he was. He also needed to arrange time off from the family business.
Redstone Construction could get along without him for a little while. Luckily, he’d just completed a project in the city and he wasn’t due to start another for a few weeks. He could easily turn over that project to someone else without affecting the schedule. He had a few favors to call in. And lastly, he had to at least tell his eldest brother, Grif, that he would be out of touch for a while.
He knew Grif wouldn’t approve of Miranda being anywhere near the Clan or even near Mag, but while Mag respected Grif’s right to decide what was best for the Clan, Mag had long been his own man. He wouldn’t give up Miranda again—even if it caused a rift with his family and his people. She was more important to him than any of those things, which was really saying something. Until he’d met her, Mag would’ve said there was nothing and no one who could come between him and his brothers. And then Miranda happened.
In one night, she’d become his world.
He went through the house and into his office, which was filled with high-tech computer equipment. From here, he could monitor the house and the surrounding desert as well as do any sort of work he needed to accomplish. He wouldn’t leave the house. He refused to leave Miranda alone while she was so vulnerable. But he was going shopping.
The internet was his store and he’d have everything delivered to Matt. His little brother could be trusted to help and not pass judgment. Matt liked vamps.
He might not go so far as to approve of Mag mating with one, but Matt had always had a good heart, and he’d definitely help Mag take care of Miranda. Mag fired up the computers and settled in to select only the best for his girl.
Silks, cashmere for the chilly desert night and some good, old fashioned jeans were the first order of business. He knew Miranda liked denim and she looked amazing in it. When he’d first seen her, she’d been wearing a pair of tight blue jeans that nearly made him choke. She was hot and he wanted to see her looking that good once again.
For comfort, he also threw in some super soft lounge pants in a silk blend that would stretch and move with her. Matching tops and some little sweaters so she wouldn’t catch a chill. Mag had never liked shopping before, but he found he enjoyed picturing Miranda in the different outfits he selected from an exclusive boutique downtown that catered to the jet set. Nothing was too expensive for his mate.
Before he knew it, a couple of hours had passed and it was a decent time to start making calls. He first arranged for all the stuff he’d ordered online to be delivered to Matt. Then he called in a few favors with members of his construction team. He got one of the other guys to cover for him and arranged for time off. Then he had to call Grif.
He wasn’t exactly looking forward to the censure he was more or less certain he’d hear in his older brother’s voice. But when he rang the house, it was Steve who picked up the phone, his second eldest brother and the second in command of the Clan. If Steve was answering Grif’s phone, it meant Grif was busy. Mag almost breathed a sigh of relief.
“Hey Steve.” Mag started off slow, wanting to gauge his brother’s mood before he launched into anything. He didn’t want to fight with his family, though he sensed it was going to be inevitable at some point, if Miranda stayed.
“Mag! Where the hell have you been? What happened with the vamp?” Steve sounded both angry and anxious. Not a good combination.