He picked up a small rock and started tracing patterns in the dirt next to him. His voice was deep, thoughtful as it echoed off the walls. “I didn’t believe it myself when I woke up that first night. It didn’t seem real that one minute I was about to hang to death and the next, I was standing out in the middle of nowhere, hungry and scared and different. Very different.” He stared off into the distance for a few frantic heartbeats before his gaze found hers again. “I’m pretty much invincible except when it comes to wooden stakes and sunlight. The sunlight won’t kill me. It just hurts like hell. But a stake through the heart—now, that will turn me to dust faster than you can blink.”
Because he was a vampire.
The theory rooted, fueled by the thoughts that darted in and out of her head.
The eyes. The way he looked so deeply at her, into her, as if he could see all of her secrets while she could see none of his.
The overwhelming sexiness.
The fangs.
No! her conscience screamed. It couldn’t be. He couldn’t be.
Her gaze darted frantically around the cave, hoping, searching. “I—I have to get out of here.”
He shook his head. “Not happening. It’s too dangerous. You saw his face.”
“I don’t know what I saw.” But she did. Every feature was branded into her memory. The paleness of his skin. The anger twisting his expression. The red gleam of his eyes. The sharp white of his incisors.
Crazy.
Vampires didn’t exist. They were the stuff of movies and books and hit television shows. And maybe a few fantasies, particularly one she’d had just a few minutes ago while she’d been conked out, but that was beside the point. They weren’t real.
“I don’t turn into a bat,” Boone continued, as if determined to push the ludicrous point all the way home. “But I can levitate. That’s how I managed to find this place.” He glanced around. “This cave is cut into the side of a mountain just a few miles outside of town. The opening is a good forty feet above the ground. I was stumbling around the morning after I turned, not knowing where to go or what to do when the sun started to come up. I should have stayed with my sire. He would have shown me the ropes, but I ran from him. From the truth.” He shook his head. “I felt those first few rays and the pain was excruciating. Motivating. I looked around and spotted the opening to this place, and then my survival instincts kicked in. I cleared those forty feet in the blink of an eye and made it inside just in the nick of time.” He glanced around. “This place has saved me many times since. Not only from the sun, but from more than one posse. With the rock in place,”—he indicated the large boulder—“it’s impossible to tell there’s even an opening from the outside. You’ll be safe here.”
From what lurked on the outside, maybe.
But what about what lurked inside with her?
“I won’t hurt you,” he told her as if reading her mind.
Because he was reading her mind.
Her fingers curled into the down sleeping bag, needing to feel something real in a situation that seemed totally unreal. Her flip-flops sat on the ground just to her left and she reached out. She touched the beading on the straps, felt the smoothness against her fingertips before she let her hand fall away. She ran her palm over the dirt floor, feeling the sandy grains rasp at her skin.
Real.
Her gaze shifted to Boone. He turned his head and stared at the lantern that sat nearby. His eyes brightened, and just like that, the flame grew higher, reaching toward the top of the glass enclosure for a split second before calming back down.
The air lodged in her chest as shock beat at her already-zapped brain. “I can’t get on board with this.” She bolted to her feet and rushed to the small spring. “It’s like a bad B movie or one of those straight to DVD things.” Leaning down, she cupped her hands and splashed water onto her face. The warmth did little to relieve the anxiety rolling through her.
It was a feeling that grew as he appeared next to her.
One minute he was clear across the space and the next—no footsteps, no slide of dirt, no shift of clothing—he was right there. Inches away.
The water served as a mirror, and she saw him towering next to her, so big and strong and there.
“You’re just a man,” she told him as if saying the words could make them true. “Flesh and blood and human.”
He simply stood there, seemingly larger than life, a direct contradiction to the entire concept of him being “just” anything. He emanated a strength that was both intimidating and frightening. An air of raw danger that edged his body and jump-started her heartbeat.
“That’s what you say”—the deep, husky timbre of his words vibrated through her—“but that’s not what you really believe.” He touched her shoulder, a brush of static electricity that sizzled through her and brought every nerve to throbbing awareness. He drew her to her feet and turned her to face him. Strong, sure fingers cupped her chin. “You know there’s more to this.”
“A man,” she insisted, but her voice trembled with the uncertainty simmering inside.
“Not all of the myths are true. Contrary to popular belief, I can see myself in any reflective surface. I’m not all that photogenic—my image tends to blur in the process—but you can still see my basic shape. I don’t have an aversion to crosses. Holy water doesn’t do much except get me wet. And garlic isn’t a big deal except in huge doses where it can sting like hell.”
Because he was a vampire. An honest-to-goodness, night-stalking, mind-reading, bloodsucking vampire.
Her hand went to her throat, her fingers trailing over the smooth skin. “You didn’t drink from me.”
“Oh, yes I did.” His eyes gleamed with a knowing light and a memory of last night, of her riding him and him deep, deep inside, rushed into her head and heated her cheeks. “Vampires don’t just feed off of blood. We also crave energy. Sexual energy.” His gaze brightened to a vivid cobalt and her stomach hollowed out. “You fed me last night, darlin’. And later, I fed you to get rid of those nasty prick points where that asshole was going to suck you dry.”
Was, but Boone had come to her rescue. Her very own alpha hero. Her gaze went to the fabric wrapped around his wrist and the vivid red that bled through.
“The only problem is that now that you’ve drunk from me, it means you can feel me as distinctly as I can feel you.”
She became keenly aware of the double thump in her chest and the rhythm that echoed in her ears. Even more, she could feel the hunger that twisted inside of him, so demanding and fierce that she marveled that he was able to stand there, looking so calm. So controlled.
“I learned to hold tight to the beast a long, long time ago,” he said, reminding her yet again that he was privy to her every thought.
She had no secrets from him. No escape. No control.
“I have to get out of here.” She ran toward the rock that lodged against the opening of the cave. She pushed and shoved, frantic to get away and clear her head. She needed some air. Some distance.
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” he said, his deep voice sounding directly behind her a split second before his arms came around and his hands closed over hers.
“You don’t know anything,” she blurted, balling her fingers as he pressed her up against the rock to stop her struggling.
She didn’t stop. She pushed and pulled until she wore herself out and he let her, knowing that she needed to try. To fight.
“You’re not my prisoner,” he murmured. “You’re here for your own safety. That’s it.”
The words soothed her frazzled nerves enough and her movements finally stilled. She rested her forehead against the cool granite as the truth crystallized.
“We’re connected now,” he added, even though he didn’t speak out loud. The words echoed in her head ins
tead, testimony to his confession. “I drank from you and you drank from me, and that’s the way it is. Trust me, I don’t like this any more than you do.”
He didn’t. And where his words hadn’t been enough to soothe her anxiety, the truth in his thoughts did the job.
He didn’t want her here anymore than she wanted to be here. He wasn’t trying to imprison her and break her will. This was all about safety.
She twisted in his arms and stared up at him. “She’s really dead, isn’t she?” she blurted. “Kit. I saw him kill her.”
He shook his head. “She was close, but he didn’t get a chance to finish her off because you interrupted him.” His gaze locked and held hers. “You saved her, Riley.”
“Really?” Hope blossomed inside her and she didn’t miss the grin that tugged at his mouth. The expression made her think about how that mouth had felt pressed to hers, sliding down her throat, gliding over her breast—
She derailed the lascivious thought and ducked beneath his arm, eager to put some distance between them before she gave in to the nearly overwhelming urge to press her body to his.
She was smack dab in the middle of a nightmare. She should be focused on gathering information and making some sense out of things, not getting hot and heavy with the man responsible for the trip.
She walked toward the sleeping bag, putting several feet between them before she finally turned to face him. There. That was better. “So she’s really alive?”
He nodded. “Barely, but she’ll make it. Maddie gave her blood and she’s healing now.”
“Maddie Reed? The singer at the saloon?” He nodded and the past twenty-four hours raced through her head, tugging and pulling as the pieces started to fall together into one big picture.
Maddie Reed wasn’t just a singer at the saloon. She was a legendary thief. An original member of the infamous Tombstone Ten. Just like Boone.
“You’re all vampires, aren’t you?” she finally murmured. “The entire gang?” He nodded and the last piece slid into place. And just like that, she could see what had been right in front of her the entire time.
Tombstone looked like the real deal because it was just that. Real.
And so was Boone.
She remembered the conviction in his voice when he’d told her about stealing the fortune from the rich Louisiana flesh peddler and freeing the man’s slaves. He’d sounded so sure because he hadn’t been merely reciting a script of someone else’s life. He’d lived it.
“Is everyone in town a vampire?”
“Not everyone. We have some humans working for us. It’s just the Ten who are immortal, and there are only nine of us now because Ike is no longer with us.”
“Because he’s dead?”
“No. That’s just rumor for the guests to add to the ambiance of the town. He’s alive and well somewhere. Maybe even here.” His gaze sharpened. “Tonight, you saw the vampire’s face, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “I think. I was so fixated on different parts—his eyes and then his teeth—that I can’t draw a complete picture. But yes,” she nodded, “I did see him.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll come together. I’ll get a description from you, and maybe then we can figure out who we’re dealing with.”
“You think it might be Ike?”
He nodded. “Or someone else. We’ve all made a lot of enemies over the past hundred or so years. It could be anybody.”
“Should we call the police?”
“I’m the law in Tombstone.”
“No offense, but this is a tourist town. I’m talking about real cops who do this sort of thing for a living.”
“I am a real cop, sugar. A detective.” When she arched an eyebrow, he added, “We only opened up shop in Tombstone this year. Before that, we all came and went, leading lives elsewhere. I was with Austin PD for a while before I took a leave of absence and came back to Tombstone. Homicide unit.”
“Then you of all people should want the authorities to know what’s going on,” she insisted. “There has to be someone local that we could call—”
“And say what? That you saw a vampire kill a human, but now she’s not dead because she drank vampire blood and miraculously, she’s on the mend? They’d usher you straight to the psych unit.” He shook his head. “I have to handle this myself. I’ll catch this guy.” His gaze hardened. “And when I do, I’ll make him pay. In the meantime,” he said, pinning her with a stare, “you’ll stay here.”
“But why—”
“Think of it as witness protection.”
“Wouldn’t a Four Seasons or a Holiday Inn be more appropriate?”
He nodded. “And much too public. Nobody knows about this place except me. It’s saved me more times than I can count, and now it’s going to save you.” He turned away and indicated the stash of supplies sitting nearby. “I brought some food and water, a few magazines, some bedding. I also picked up your suitcase from the hotel.” He indicated her bag sitting nearby. “You should have everything you need. It’ll be daylight soon, so I have to get back to town. You’ll be okay until tonight.”
The notion of being shut up inside the cave for even a few minutes, much less all day, sent a burst of anxiety through her. Her frustration boiled over and the words tumbled out. “But you can’t just leave me here.”
Regret etched his expression for a long moment before he finally shook his head. “I’m afraid I have to.” Determination pulled his mouth into a tight line. “There’s only one way in and one way out. No one can sneak up on you here. Not that you have to worry right now. He won’t be looking for you until tonight.”
“Then why do I have to hide out during the day? Why can’t I just stay in town?”
“Because he might have someone working with him. A human keeping tabs for him during the daylight hours.”
“Like his very own Renfield?”
He nodded. “Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, we have to be careful. I’ll be back after sunset. You’ll be safe here until then.” Before she could blink, he was at the mouth of the cave. The rock moved and he disappeared through the opening.
“Wait—” She stepped forward, but the heavy boulder had already moved back into place.
And just like that, the past repeated itself. She found herself stuck because of a bossy, overbearing, controlling alpha male who thought he knew what was best for her.
Chapter Ten
“I’M GOING TO kill him.” Maddie Reed wiped at the bloody tear that slid down her cheek and shook her head. “He almost killed Kit because of me, and now I’m going to kill him.”
“This isn’t just your fight.” Taggart James sat at the round table that filled the conference room at City Hall. The table was as ancient as the town itself with the scratches and imperfections to prove it, but it was solid and reliable. Just like the group of vampires gathered around it.
Not that Boone had always thought so. When Ike had first turned his group of super outlaws, they’d been distrustful of each other, wary even of their sire.
Especially of their sire.
Ike had stolen their humanity from them. Their freedom.
At the same time, he’d given them something in return. A bond of brotherhood that united them now.
Forever.
They’d learned to stand together, to have each other’s backs, no matter what adversity they faced, whether it was a rogue vampire in town for a random killing spree, or their very own sire come to pick them off one by one.
“It can’t be him,” said the only other female at the table. Belle Cassidy had fiery red hair and a personality to match, but she seemed eerily calm at the moment. Mention of Ike could do that to her, particularly since she’d been the last one to talk to him before he’d granted each of them their freedom and ridden away. She hadn’t spoken of t
he exchange all the years since. “He wouldn’t come back. Not after all this time.” She shook her head. “Not ever.”
“And why not?”
“Because,” she said, biting her lip for a long moment before opening her mouth again. “Just because.”
“It certainly would explain why I’ve been having the dreams,” Boone added. “I have his blood flowing through my veins.”
“So do I,” Belle countered. “And I haven’t felt a damned thing. He sired all of us. We’re a part of him. We would have felt him, too.” Her gaze traveled the table. “Wouldn’t we?”
Boone shrugged. “Ike is ancient and very powerful. As our sire, he might be able to single us out and communicate individually.”
“That’s crazy.”
“But possible,” Seth interjected. The card shark/saloon owner ran a hand through his light blond hair. “Maybe. I mean, it’s not like any of us know what the rules are when it comes to making another vampire. We’ve never done it. Maybe he can pick and choose who to communicate with.”
“And maybe we’re all just jumping the gun here,” Tag interjected.
“That’s right,” Ethan chimed in. “There’s no direct evidence that this is Ike at work. It could be just another vampire who sensed our presence and showed up.” With his scraggly beard and long, dark hair, Ethan Dunn looked every bit the hard-as-nails train robber he’d been back in the day. He could ride and shoot simultaneously better than anyone seated at the table, and so he’d always been point man whenever they’d taken down a moving vehicle. He had a thing for horses. A connection. And while he was looking after the local Stage & Freight, his real dream was to revive the decaying Double T Ranch that sat outside of town, and raise his own cutting horses.
All the more reason Tombstone had to succeed as a tourist spot. The money would not only pay for all that land, but it would fund Ethan’s dream, as well as that of each of the vampires seated around the table.
The Quick and the Undead: Volume 1 (Tombstone, Texas) Page 11