The Ortega Project

by Linnea Alexis

Ignoring her friend’s well-intentioned advice, Grace hit speed dial.

  Roman answered.

  “It’s me. I’m ready to talk. Can you come over?”

  As expected, Roman jumped at the invitation.

  Grace hung up and tears pooled in her eyes. To avoid Deanna’s disapproving stare, she turned to watch traffic out the side window.

  What terrible secret did Roman have? She was falling in love with him. It wasn’t something planned or expected. It just happened. And now she was in too deep to end their relationship. Her shoulders shook and tears spilled down her cheeks. Maybe Deanna wouldn’t notice.

  “See what I mean?” Deanna noticed. “He’s breaking your heart.” Her voice softened. “Like Jake did.”

  “Don’t say that. He’s nothing like Jake. He’s different!”

  “Oh, Roman’s different, all right. You’ve got to stop seeing him. It’s for your own good.” Deanna stuck the knife in deeper and twisted it.

  “I can’t!”

  “He’s no good for you. Since you’ve started dating him, everything is suffering. Your grades, Grace. Think about your lab project. You’re the project leader, for crying out loud. You’re letting your team down. Don’t throw away your career. You’ve worked so hard for too long to fail now. Where’s your passion? Your dedication?”

  “Things have gotten a bit complicated.”

  A drive-through coffee shop came up on the right. Deanna turned into the lot and pulled into the closest parking space.

  “Let me buy you a cup of coffee and maybe something to eat.” Deanna’s voice trembled. “There’s no way I’m driving you home when you’re this upset.”

  At the mention of food, bile rose in Grace’s throat. She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

  “How about some coffee?”

  “Maybe some iced tea….”

  Deanna ordered and paid for two iced teas at the drive-through. She handed Grace one glass and set her own in the drink holder. She pulled into a nearby parking space and turned off the car engine. “I care about you and want you to know that I’m here for you.” Her voice caught and her eyes misted. “I hate seeing what he’s doing to you. You deserve better.”

  Grace choked back a sob. She wanted to tell Deanna she’d fallen in love with Roman. But after last night, she thought it might be better not to reveal her true feelings. “No matter what you think of him, he deserves a chance to explain.” She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue and blew her nose.

  They drank their tea in tension-filled silence.

  “Grace, you should stay at my place again tonight. Invite Roman over so you can talk things out. You guys can have the place to yourselves while I go to the club to pick up my check. Do you want me to get yours, too?”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather speak with Roman privately in my own apartment.”

  “If you don’t like what he says, you might need someone to talk to…to vent. I’ve also got a strong shoulder to cry on, if you need one.” She squeezed Grace’s hand. “Come on, humor me. Stay another night.”

  “I can’t. My clothes and textbooks are at my place. I need to go home.” Tears welled.

  “I know, sweetie. I’m scared to death you won’t like what you hear. Besides, if you’re too chicken to break it off, it’ll be a hell of a lot easier for me to kick his ass to the curb. You’re too soft. How about this… after Roman leaves, I’ll take you to your apartment to pick up what you’ll need for tomorrow?”

  “Okay.”

  Deanna won that round.

  Grace called Roman and gave him Deanna’s address.

  18

  Grace

  Grace sat in Deanna’s living room and waited for Roman. From the sofa, she had a perfect view of the parking lot and watched for his arrival.

  Deanna paced from the kitchen to Grace and back again. “Do you honestly think Roman will come clean and confess everything? What if he never tells you the truth?”

  “Sometimes it’s better to be left in the dark. Haven’t you heard ignorance is bliss?” Grace stared out the picture window and watched a hummingbird flit from tree to tree. “Look. Beautiful, isn’t it?”

  Stopping mid-stride, Deanna glanced at the tiny bird. “Hummingbirds are predators. Those little nectar-suckers prey on insects,” she said, and resumed pacing. “If our suspicions are correct, guess you could call Roman a sucking predator, huh?” She let out a nervous chuckle.

  “We don’t know for sure...” Roman couldn’t be a vampire—if they even existed—not by the way he thrilled her with his touch, his kisses. Her heartbeat faltered and she wiped away a solitary tear with the wadded-up tissue in her hand.

  A knock on the door made her jump.

  “Speak of the devil.” Deanna jabbed her index finger at the door. “I’d dump his sorry ass right now, if I were you.”

  “I can’t. I told you. It’s complicated.” She rose, stepped away from the sofa, and shoved her hands into the front pockets of her jeans.

  Deanna grabbed her handbag from the coffee table and marched to the front door. “Call if you need me.” She glanced at Grace and swung open the door. “Roman,” she said with a sting in her voice. Without waiting for his reply, she made a hasty exit, knocking into him.

  Roman, dressed in his usual black jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt, peeked over his shoulder at Hurricane Deanna zipping down the stairs. He offered Grace a weak smile, stepped inside, and closed the door.

  No matter how many times she saw Roman, enjoyed him, he still made her insides twitch and her body flush. At this moment, the gaze from his velvety brown eyes exuded such tenderness and love; she burst into tears. Surely, this man was no monster.

  He raced to her side and enveloped her in his strong arms. Swaying ever so slightly, he kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, for everything.”

  “No.” She moaned and pushed him away. Seeing Roman proved more difficult than anticipated, but she needed to confront him about what she’d witnessed. Her heart hammered as she struggled to shove her words past the lump in her throat. Sheer willpower drove her shaky legs to return to the plush sofa where she collapsed. Stifled sobs rose from deep inside, rattling her body so hard her teeth chattered. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe normally.

  He knelt in front of her and touched her face. “Grace, look at me. Hear me out.”

  She met his gaze.

  “I didn’t intend to start a relationship with anyone.” His fingertips grazed her cheeks, her chin. “But something drew me to you. I can’t explain it. But the first time I looked into your beautiful eyes, I was hopelessly hooked. I love you, Grace. More than you’ll ever know. I only pray you can forgive me for not being honest with you.” He squeezed her hand.

  Would she finally learn his secret?

  He sat next to her—so close their thighs touched. Lifting her trembling hands to his lips, he kissed her knuckles. “Tell me…exactly why you’re upset….”

  “We saw you and your friends arguing. You were all drinking something. Your teeth ….” She couldn’t bring herself to say the word.

  “Fangs?” he whispered.

  “Were they?” She held her breath and awaited his answer.

  He nodded. “Yes,” he answered softly.

  Upon hearing the response she most dreaded, her heart shattered into a million pieces. Unable to bear the sight of him, she closed her eyes. “What were you drinking?”

  “Synthetic blood.”

  Startled, her eyes opened wide. “What do you mean…synthetic?”

  His penetrating gaze bore into her soul. He sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “But a situation arose.” He chewed his bottom lip as if considering his words. “Truth is, I’m in charge of a team of warriors. You’ve seen me with them at the club. Our job is to protect the peaceful vampire community living in Orange County.”

  “There are vampires here?”

  “There were vampires. Until recently, as their leader, I was respon
sible for their safety and welfare. For years, they lived and fed on animals along Ortega Highway. It was an ideal feeding ground until recently. Then something happened to their food supply. Something changed in the animals that prowled the highway. Something or someone started killing my vampires. To save our race, I sent them away while I searched for who or what caused their destruction. In the meantime, I needed to find an alternative food source.”

  His revelation hit her like a sledgehammer. Her eyes widened and her stomach twisted like a tornado as she tried comprehending what he revealed about himself. Could her project be what killed his vampires?

  “My team and I…we’re not monsters. We’re the good guys. We protect the human population and the innocents of our own kind.” His eyes misted. “There’s so much I wanted to tell you about myself, but feared I’d lose you if I told the truth.”

  What would he do if she told him about her project—how they tested the pesticide in the wooded areas along Ortega Highway?

  “I read about a laboratory that experimented with artificial blood, and contacted them to find out if they could help us.”

  “Ortega Research Institute?”

  “Yes.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “They accepted our challenge and developed a formula to feed us every day. To keep our kind from hunting.”

  “Hunting for real blood?” She gasped, realizing the significance of what he’d disclosed. “You drank animal blood?”

  “Animal blood was reserved for vampires under my care.”

  Her stomach roiled. No. “What did you drink?”

  He remained silent.

  Without uttering a word, he’d answered her question. Could the same lips she kissed—the mouth she enjoyed—indulge in something so barbaric and savage as human blood? It couldn’t be true. Not Roman.

  He headed a team of warriors. She headed a team of students who might be killing vampires. A strangled laugh slid out. “How long ago did your vampires start dying?”

  “Six months ago. I admit I screwed up. I should have explained everything before.”

  “Yes…you should have…” She had to alter the pesticide before he found out what she and her team had done. How could she be angry at him for keeping a secret, when the one she kept might be more deadly? He mustn’t find out. She loved him. There was no turning back.

  A small smile formed on Roman’s lips. “The blood-substitute formula worked better than everyone imagined. Or dreamed. It transformed us, Grace. I don’t know how or why. But, we’re becoming human.”

  She needed to hear him admit with his own mouth what he was. Her eyes widened and she braced herself for the one-word answer she most feared. “Are you a…?” She couldn’t bring herself to say the word.

  “Not anymore.” He held her hands in his and drew in a deep breath. “But there’s more.” His voice caught. “The scientists discovered a fatal flaw in the formula. What started out saving us from a hellish existence is now destroying us. We’re running out of time.”

  “What are you talking about? I don’t understand what you’re trying to say?”

  His eyes glistened. “I may not have much time left—”

  She pulled her hands free and balled them into fists. Was that the reason for his visit? Her stomach roiled. “First, you tell me you’re a vampire. Now you claim to be dying. How convenient for you. If you’re trying to end our relationship, say so.”

  “I’m trying to be straight with you. You deserve to hear the truth.”

  Why couldn’t she bring herself to be truthful with him? Fear and guilt and remorse swept over her like a tsunami. She clenched her teeth. “You’re not dying. Vampires are a myth, an urban legend. You’re lying to me.” She pushed away and stood, turning her back to him.

  He jumped up and wrapped his strong arms around her.

  “Get away from me.” She brought her fists up and pounded his chest.

  He grabbed her wrists and held them. “Stop it, Grace.”

  As she fought to free herself, he tightened his grasp. Rage flared inside, consuming her. “No! This can’t be. Let me go.” Breaking away, she ran into Deanna’s spare bedroom, and slammed the door behind her in time to keep him from following. As she turned the lock, she struggled to breathe. Safely inside the bedroom and away from him, she backed up against the door and slid to the floor. She didn’t want to look at him, hear his voice, or feel his touch. How was it possible she’d been sleeping with and making love to a man without knowing he was a vampire?

  On the other side of the door, Roman jiggled the knob. When the door wouldn’t open, he knocked. “Please let me in.” He paused. “Open the door. I’m begging you, babe.”

  “And don’t call me babe.” Angry tears streamed down her face.

  He knocked again. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. You’ve got to believe me.”

  “Go away. Leave me alone.”

  “I’m not going anywhere until I see you. I’ll stay here all night if I have to.”

  Feeling as if someone had reached inside her chest and ripped out her heart, Grace wiped her face with both hands. She pushed herself up, rested her forehead against the door, and reluctantly turned the lock. She stepped back and slowly opened the door, allowing him entrance.

  “I couldn’t stand it if I never saw you again. Please give me a chance to make everything right,” he begged.

  She stared straight ahead, refusing to meet his gaze or show any emotion. Inside, she was dead. Numb. Terrified.

  “Say something. Anything. Tell me you’ll forgive me.” Desperation sounded in Roman’s voice.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  He stepped back. His jaw went slack. “What did you say?”

  “We’re going to have a baby.”

  His eyes grew wide. “That’s impossible. Vampires can’t impregnate.”

  She patted her stomach. “You want to bet?”

  “Are you sure?”

  She counted off on her fingers. “I failed the EPT test. And I throw up every morning. Believe me, I’m pregnant.”

  “How far along?” he asked, in a strangled voice.

  “A couple of months. I missed two periods and I’m never late.”

  “You need to take care of yourself. Have you seen a doctor?”

  She shook her head. “Not yet. What if he wants to do an ultrasound? What would it show? Fangs?” She ran her hands over her face. “God, Roman, before I was upset that I was pregnant. Now I’m terrified that the life I’m carrying might be a…. And I won’t have an abortion. Don’t even suggest it. What the hell am I going to do?”

  “I won’t ask you to do anything against your beliefs,” he said, taking her hands in his. “We’ll get through this together. I’ll stand by you. Promise me you’ll make a doctor’s appointment.” The corner of his full lips curved up as his glowing smile reached his eyes. “A baby. That’s awesome.” He backed her farther into the bedroom and pulled her into a gentle embrace.

  She found it impossible to share in his jubilation. Did she even want to raise this child? “I’m scared. Oh God, Roman, what if…what if it isn’t human?” she asked.

  “Babe, it must be human because vampires can’t reproduce. You don’t have a thing to worry about. We can do this. I love you more than anything and I’ll never let anything bad happen to you. Or our baby.” He grinned and tears filled his eyes. “I like the sound of that. Our baby!” He ran his hands along the outside of her arms and when he reached her hands, squeezed them gently. “This is amazing. Absolutely amazing.” His voice shook as he fell to his knees in front of her and kissed her stomach.

  19

  Grace snuggled against the length of Roman’s hard body. She sighed and ran her palms over his muscular chest. Despite the sofa’s tight fit, she was comfortable. He made any place an oasis. A sanctuary. Feeling safe wrapped in his strong arms, she heaved a contented sigh and wriggled closer. He rested his chin on top of her head and pulled her into a tight embrace.

  Deanna bu
rst into the apartment and slammed the door behind her.

  Grace and Roman shot to their feet.

  “What happened?” Roman asked.

  Wide-eyed, Deanna paled. She leaned against the door, trying to catch her breath. “When I…stopped by work to get my check…. Jerry said the guy…the guy who’s been hanging around the parking lot…came to the club.” Her gaze zeroed in on Grace. “Said he was your uncle and…asked if you were working tonight.”

  “My uncle?” Grace’s hands flew to her face. “I don’t have any relatives around here.” This didn’t compute. Who was this man? What did he want?

  “What did Jerry say?”

  “He told him you were off tonight. And then the man asked if you were a student and where you went to school. Jerry said you went to ISU. Thank God, he didn’t remember where you lived or he would have blabbed that, too.”

  Grace’s head started spinning. None of what she heard made any sense. “Why in the world would Jerry give out my personal information to a total stranger?” She gasped and struggled to catch a breath.

  “He said he trusted the guy because he was a priest.”

  “A priest?” Roman’s voice lowered to a sinister growl.

  “I don’t have an uncle who’s a priest. You sure that’s what he said?” Nausea flooded through her and she doubled over, holding her stomach.

  Roman pulled her to his side, keeping her stable.

  “I know what I heard!” Deanna answered adamantly. “If someone’s looking for you at the club….”

  Grace wrung her hands to stop them from trembling. “But I’m not even Catholic.”

  “You’re not his target, Grace,” Roman explained. “I’m the one he wants and he’s using you to get to me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Roman grimaced. “There’s a radical sect of priests who broke away from the Catholic Church.” His nostrils flared and his voice dropped to a rumble. “They’re slayers who hunt and kill my kind.”

  Deanna stepped away from the door and rubbed her arms. “You can’t go home, Grace. Stay right here until we figure out what to do. It’s too risky to go back to your place or the club.”