by Rayna Vause
“Get the hell in the car.”
Danny yanked open the door and dove into the back seat.
Kier stomped on the gas and the car raced away from the building.
“Who the hell are they?” asked Danny
“My guess, Purity. By the way, you were right. Someone was definitely in your apartment, and he was still watching it.”
Danny scanned the street behind them looking for a tail. Not that he’d know how to spot one.
“They saw me look out the window and they immediately exited their cars and approached the building. They didn’t strike me as cops. Only other option is Purity.”
His racing heart pounded as Danny fought to breathe. “Why?” He wheezed out the word, then stopped and sucked in a few breaths, attempting to calm himself. When he settled enough to speak, he tried again, turning wide eyes on Kier. “Why? What on earth could Purity want with me? I’m not a vampire, and sending that many people does not imply they just wanted to check on my well-being. So why?”
Kier met Danny’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “I don’t know, but I promise you they’re going to have to go through me to get to you.”
DANNY CONTINUED to check over his shoulder until Kier pulled into the garage behind his house and shut the door.
“What the hell was that? Seriously, I don’t understand any of this. First, I’m attacked, then my apartment is broken into, then some sort of death squad comes after us, guns blazing.” Danny rushed into Kier’s house, needing the safety it offered. They made their way down to the main living area. As soon as Danny reached the living room, he immediately started to pace. Kier dropped onto a couch and stretched his long legs out in front of him. He lay his head on the back of the couch and closed his eyes.
“I don’t even… I just….” Danny dragged a hand over his face. “Christ. We could have been killed. We could have been kidnapped and taken who knows where, probably never to be heard from again.” He plopped down next to Kier. “I feel like the French woman in the first Jason Bourne movie. Especially after you did all that cloak-and-dagger stuff with the car swap.” What should have been a twenty-minute drive took more than an hour. Kier drove through streets of Sinclair, traveling down residential roads onto more crowded thoroughfares and back again. They’d left Kier’s SUV in a public parking lot and switched over to a plain black sedan. Kier had called a friend as they drove, who left the car in the lot for him. “Do you really think they put a locator on the car?”
Kier lifted his head and met Danny’s eyes. Strength and determination shone in the depths of his pale blue gaze. “I have no idea, but it wasn’t a chance I was willing to take. Think about it. They were watching your place, waiting for you. There’s no other explanation for how they got there so soon after we did, which means they were already there and likely saw us pull up. They know exactly what I drive. It would have been a simple matter for them to put a beacon on the car. They let us get away too easily. It’s as though they knew they’d be able to find you.”
“Easily! They shot at us.”
“With tranq darts. I don’t think they wanted us dead. Well, they didn’t want you dead. What I want to know is why Purity wants you.”
“Purity. Jesus.” Something nasty and acrid burned its way up Danny’s throat and left a foul taste in his mouth. “Damn.” He rubbed his damp palms on his pants. “Is—is this what it’s like for you? For all the vampires? Constantly afraid that Purity is going to come gunning for you?” He stepped toward Kier.
“Kind of. The thing with Purity is that despite their ‘we’re here to protect the public’ message, they really aren’t. At the core of the group is fear and hatred. If something or someone is even remotely connected to vampires, Purity wants to track it, capture it, maybe study it, but definitely eradicate it. This is why most vampires keep low profiles. It’s why revealing ourselves even to people we care about is a huge risk.”
Danny sat next to Kier. “God, I can’t image living like that.” He reached out and laid a hand on Kier’s knee. “I’m sorry. I didn’t understand. Until now.”
They gazed into each other’s eyes. Heat spread through Danny, and the air seemed thicker than it had been a moment before. “So, uh, now what?” His voice came out as a thick rasp.
“I think after the last few days you may need a night of normal.” Kier laid a hand over Danny’s. Heat spread from that point of contact. Danny’s heart rate picked up as he studied Kier’s gorgeous face. He resisted the urge to reach out and touch Kier’s face. He missed his touch, his kiss, how warm and wanted Kier could make him feel. He wanted it back.
“What did you have in mind?”
“We go to work.”
“Work? The library?”
“No. The bar. I’ve got to open tonight. Your job is to stay in my office and out of trouble.”
“You’re kidding me. You want me to stay cooped up in your office all night? Why don’t I just stay here? I’ll be out of sight and out of trouble.”
“Can’t take the chance that somehow they tracked us here. Can’t risk you being alone if they should get in or if something goes wrong with your health.” Kier linked their fingers. “I need you close—just in case.” Their gazes locked, held. For a moment Danny couldn’t breathe. Then Kier shifted his eyes away. “So, you get to come experience the wonderful world of bar management. I can do what I need to do and keep you in earshot at the same time. It’s a win-win.”
“For who?” Even though being stuck in Kier’s office all night sounded like the epitome of boring, he’d still be with Kier. His stomach grumbled.
“Come on. Sounds like it’s strawberry milkshake time.” Kier pushed to his feet and headed for the fridge behind the bar.
“That’s not funny, McCade.”
“It’s a little funny.”
Danny rolled his eyes and fought back a smile. Charming bastard. Kier always knew just how to make him smile. He’d missed that during their separation. Hell, he’d just missed Kier. He watched Kier mix his drink; he shook it up like a margarita, putting a little flair into it. He reminded him a bit of that old Tom Cruise movie Cocktail, especially when he cracked open the shaker and drained the contents into a highball glass. Then he dug out a tiny umbrella and garnished the drink with it.
“Sorry, I’m fresh out of maraschino cherries.”
Danny smiled as he rose and crossed to claim his drink. He sipped and watched Kier clean up the used items. He’d made a mistake running scared. He could see that now that he’d experienced a little bit of what Kier faced every day. And he’d been blind rejecting a good man, one who would stand beside him despite everything, one who could make him tingle. God, he could kick himself, but he wouldn’t waste a second chance.
If Purity didn’t haul him away to their compound and the changes to his system didn’t kill him, he’d put everything into re-earning Kier’s trust and winning him back.
Chapter 6
KIER’S BAR, the Haven, occupied a large corner lot about a block away from Kier’s house. After taking time to eat, shower, and change, Danny and Kier walked the short distance to the tall brick building to open for the evening. Kier unlocked the door and stepped in. Danny followed and stood just inside the entrance as he waited for Kier to flip on the house lights. In the full bright light, everything looked polished and well maintained, but he wouldn’t expect anything less of Kier’s place. The door opened again and the opening shift crew trooped into the bar, all offering waves and words of greeting, and then got busy with their individual job duties.
Danny turned back to Kier. “So, what can I do to help?”
“Why don’t you come sit in the office? I’ve got paperwork to do.”
Danny frowned. “Can’t I help out here? I agree that a night of normal is what I need. Your people are here with me, so I won’t be alone. I’ll stay out of their way. I promise.”
Kier studied him for a long moment. Danny would have paid good money to know what thoughts danced through his mind.
“All right, if you want something to do, follow me.” Kier walked behind the bar.
Danny followed but stayed on the opposite side. Propping his elbows on the bar and leaning in toward Kier, he asked, “What have you got for me?”
Kier slapped a damp rag and a bucket of soapy water in front of Danny. “I need you to give all of the tables and the bar surface a wipe down with soapy water. Once the doors open and the patrons start arriving, I’ll need you to make sure that the tables get cleared and wiped down between parties. Okay?” With that he put an empty plastic tub on the bar.
Danny eyed the bucket, then Kier.
“Is this a problem for you?” Kier shot him a hard stare. “I know this isn’t what you’re used to, but hey, it’s something useful to do.”
Danny cocked his head. “You really don’t think much of me, do you?”
Kier frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”
“You must think I’m a spoiled brat or pampered or something. I thought you knew me better than that.”
“I thought I did, too, but then I got a nasty surprise six months ago. That’s when I learned we really didn’t know each other at all.”
“Kier, dammit.”
Kier dropped his chin to his chest. “Shit. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. And you’re not wrong. We only knew what we wanted the other to know. We’re going to need to work on changing that.”
Kier dragged a hand through his hair. “You don’t have to pretend you care just to get my help. I think I’ve already proven that I’m in this until the end.”
“I’m not pretending just to get something from you. Give me time. I’ll prove it to you.” Danny reached out and put a hand on Kier’s arm.
Kier looked down at where they connected; then he stepped back out of range. “I’ve got paperwork to attend to and a bar to open for the evening.”
“I’ll let you get to it. I’ve got work to do myself. I’ll be just fine out here cleaning and clearing tables. I’ll be the best damn busboy you’ve ever seen.”
“We’ll see about that.” Kier gave him a small smile, then headed back to his office.
Danny stared after him, watching him disappear down the hallway, enjoying the view of the firm curve of Kier’s butt, the sexy roll of his hips as he walked away. Heat pooled deep inside. Kier affected him like no other.
He looked around the bar at Kier’s friends and employees, most of them likely vampires. Time to start proving to Kier that he’d changed.
“WHAT DO you mean you lost him?” Rogan adjusted his hands-free device on his ear, then coded in to the rear entrance of the Purity compound. He made his way down the main hallway to the entrance to the stairwell.
“I’m sorry, sir, but he wasn’t alone.”
“Then why the hell did you move on him? Why didn’t you wait until he was alone?” He jogged down the stairs and shoved through the door one level down. He stalked down the cinder block hallway toward his office.
“We got a message from Ms. Moran that we were to apprehend the man at the first opportunity. This was the first time he came back to his apartment all day.”
Fucking Melissa. He shoved into his office. The door slapped against the concrete wall. He stopped in the middle of his office, pressed his fingers to his eyes.
“Sir, are you still there?”
“Yeah.” He blew out a breath and started pacing.
“Who was he with?”
“A vampire.”
“What?” Rogan stopped.
“Yes. It has to be. Only a vamp can move the way that guy did.”
“Well, fuck.” Rogan jammed a hand on his hips. He shoulders slumped forward.
“It gets worse. They had a suitcase with them. I don’t think the target plans to come back to his apartment anytime soon.”
“Double fuck.” Rogan’s head dropped back, and he gazed blindly at the ceiling. “Melissa is going to be beyond pissed.”
“Melissa is going to be beyond pissed about what?”
Shit. Rogan’s body tensed. He made a slow pivot toward the entrance to his office to find Melissa standing there, hands clasped behind her back, an eyebrow raised at him.
“Do we have him yet?”
Rogan held up a finger to halt further questioning, then continued to pace. “Where are you now?”
“We’re still searching the neighborhood. We lost track of the car. We got a tracker on the car they arrived in, but at some point they switched vehicles. There is still a team on the apartment, but they report that the place is quiet.”
Rogan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Come on back in. I’m going to send a fresh team out to sit on the apartment overnight and the car. They’ll have to come back to one or the other eventually.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rogan tapped the button on the earpiece and disconnected the call. “Shit.” He dragged a hand through his hair.
“Rogan. Do. We. Have. Him.”
“No.” Rogan shoved his hands in his pockets and waited.
Her tone dropped the temperature in the room by five degrees. “Why the hell not?”
“He wasn’t alone. He had someone with him who helped him get away from us.”
“Who?”
“We don’t know. Maybe a vampire.”
“Were your men not equipped to deal with a single vampire and a human?”
“My men were more than prepared.” Rogan gritted his teeth.
She snorted. “All evidence to the contrary.” She whirled and strode out of the office. “I’m surrounded by incompetence. Have to do everything myself.”
“What does that mean?” Rogan got no response. The hair rose on the back of his neck. Something told him to go after her.
He followed Melissa, at a discreet distance, into the stairwell and down to the basement level of the building. The quiet ranting started again once she shoved through the doors and into the gray concrete hallway of the sub-basement. Warning bells sounded in Rogan’s head. No one came down here except for the facilities crew. Purity used this floor for storage of old files and extra supplies, nothing more. Melissa didn’t need anything down here. Even if she did she wouldn’t get it herself, she’d send a minion.
She rounded a corner. Not knowing what to expect, Rogan eased his way to the end of the hall, staying as quiet as possible and using the rumble of the heating system to cover his approach. He edged around the corner just enough to catch sight of Melissa disappearing through a heavy metal door. Rogan rushed forward, but not in time to catch it before it shut and locked behind her. Dammit.
He studied the combination pad and gave serious consideration to getting some fingerprint powder or something to help him figure out the code to the door. He tabled that idea for the moment. That task would be best saved until Melissa’s day off, when he’d have more time to clean up after himself without fear of discovery. He searched the stretch of hallway surrounding the door looking for added layers of security or alternate entrances and found nothing.
What are you hiding down here? Rogan studied the door one last time before heading back toward the stairs. Something told Rogan he needed to watch her like a hawk. She was planning something. Something big, and she kept it hidden behind that door. Nothing good ever came from Melissa Moran having a secret. An entire room full of secrets could be disastrous.
A FEW hours into his first shift as a busboy, Danny wanted to retire from his career in the food service industry.
“Danny, table one needs clearing.”
He groaned. He’d enjoyed his little trip into normalcy, but he wanted to go back to the land of books and paperwork. But he’d settle for whatever would keep him from lugging one more load of dishes.
Still, he’d asked for this, promised he’d give it his best. With a sigh, he stopped loading the half-full dishwasher, grabbed his rag and a tub, and trudged over to wipe up spilled beer and collect more dirty mugs and plates that needed to be cleaned.
He slapped the damp cloth on
the table and wiped it clean. When he finished, he hefted the bin of dirty glasses and moved to the next table. “I have a master’s degree. I had a successful career as a librarian.”
“Problems, Book Boy?”
Danny glanced up, and his gaze connected with the amused green eyes of the bartender, Alex. “Book Boy?”
She shrugged. “Seemed appropriate. Missing your job playing with musty old books?” The pink-haired bartender in a Metallica tank top gave him a once-over as she pulled a mug of beer for a patron who’d just claimed a seat at the bar a moment before.
“Yes. I really am.”
She laughed, finished serving the man, and then dried her hands on a dish towel. She nodded toward the back hall. “Come on. Let’s take a quick break.”
Danny smiled, appreciating the offer and the promise of a chair. He followed her down the hallway past Kier’s office. Danny peeked in as they passed. Kier sat behind his desk sorting through stacks of papers, his brows furrowed in concentration.
They stopped just inside the rear entrance and cracked the door to let in air. The blast of cold was a blessing. With wall-to-wall patrons, the temperature inside the Haven had risen fast.
“So, you want to tell me what’s going on? Kier wasn’t exactly forthcoming earlier when he called and said he needed to borrow a car.” Alex pulled out a pack of gum, offered a stick, then selected a piece for herself when Danny declined.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play games with me. We both know you’re no idiot. You’ve got a master’s degree, right?” She smirked at him.
“Heard that, did you?” Danny grimaced.
“I’ve got good ears. Most vampires do.”
“Really? Do you mean you can hear things humans can’t, or was that just an expression?”
“Most vampires have exceptional hearing. When you’re bitching under your breath, most of the bar can hear you loud and clear.”
“Well, shit. Nice impression.” His cheeks heated. He’d been whining under his breath for the better part of a half an hour.