Burn: A shifter and vampire rock star romance (Underground Encounters Book 4)

by Lisa Carlisle

  I took Devon’s hand and turned to walk away, but ran straight into Joey.

  How long had he been there listening?

  “The last time she went somewhere with you, she disappeared,” Joey spat.

  Joey glared at Devon—the tough guy stare-down I’d seen too many times. Devon’s expression revealed nothing, but he clenched his fists. Tension rose, scenting the air with two males ready to throw down.

  Great…

  “Joey, no!” I stood between them.

  “You said it was over.” He kept his eyes on Devon, but I knew his words were meant for me.

  “You don’t understand,” I said.

  “I don’t know what happened last month, but I do know that your trouble started after you went to talk to this fucker.” He pointed at Devon’s chest.

  “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him! You don’t get it!”

  “Then tell me.” Joey pulled his stare from Devon to me.

  “Give us space. Please.”

  “Hell fucking no.” Joey widened his stance. “I’m not letting what happened to you happen again.”

  “Goddamn it, Joey. You have to back off! I thought we’d settled everything the other night.”

  Joey sneered. “Maybe seeing this asshole again has stirred up some feelings.”

  I grabbed Joey by the arm and pulled him aside before the first blow was thrown. “I made it clear when I joined the band that I needed my privacy. No questions. That hasn’t changed. If you can’t give that to me, then it’s over. The band. Our friendship. Done.”

  Joey’s nostrils flared in and out. He stared at me. “If you want to leave with this piece of shit, I won’t stop you.”

  Devon stepped up to us. “If you think I’ll let you talk to either of us this way, you will be sorry.”

  “Oh yeah, by who? You?” Joey gave the impression that he wasn’t scared off by Devon, but if appearance alone was any indication, Devon’s muscular torso would flatten Joey’s leaner one without much of a challenge. Not to mention Devon was a shifter with supernatural strength.

  I turned from Joey to place a hand on Devon’s chest to try to stop this from escalating. Goddamn this tough guy bullshit.

  Devon’s glare warned of destruction. “Yes. She has told you repeatedly what she wants. And if you don’t respect what she wants, I will be the one interfering in your life.” The icy threat is his voice was clear—I will annihilate you.

  Joey breathed in and out a few times. “Whatever, dude. I said I wouldn’t stop you.”

  “You wouldn’t be able to.”

  I glared at Devon to knock it off. “We’re leaving.” I took his hand and led us out the back, feeling Joey’s glare on our backs.

  Fucking testosterone!

  Chapter 16

  Layla

  As I walked down Commonwealth Ave with Devon, I glanced over my shoulder.

  “I don’t know how you stand that bloke.” Devon grunted. “If he wasn’t your friend, I’d tear him apart.”

  I sighed. Was this what it was like to be caught in some strange cross-species form of a love triangle? “He means well, but he gets—protective—when it comes to me.”

  “He cares for you.”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “Nothing wrong with that. People should care about each other. Friends, lovers.”

  “That’s the problem.” I suppressed another sigh to avoid sounding dramatic. “He wants more. I don’t.”

  “Why not?”

  My relationship with Joey was strained, and I hoped we could get past it. “Let’s not talk about him right now. It’s a beautiful spring night, and I’m more interested in hearing why you’re here.”

  Devon examined our surroundings. “Let’s head into the Public Garden.”

  I slanted a look at him. “You know your way around Boston?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve been in the city for a few days walking around and thinking.”

  “About what?”

  The walk signal lit and we crossed the road. Neither of us said a word, but we still held hands as we passed the gates to enter the Public Garden. It was one of my favorite places in Boston. The paths were well-lit, so I could admire the ever-changing variety of flowers even though I couldn’t experience them in daylight. Their scent infused the air with their perfume no matter what the hour.

  We passed the George Washington Memorial of him majestically looking over the city while astride his horse. The Swan Boats and Make Way for Ducklings statues were other unique residents of the garden.

  When we reached the footbridge that crossed the pond, I repeated, “Why are you here, Devon?”

  His cheeks turned pink, and he glanced into the distance. “I thought it was obvious. I came for you.”

  I scrunched my face. “Why?”

  Devon shuffled from one foot to the other. I’d never seen him like this—nervous and blushing. He’d always projected confidence—often crisscrossing the border of arrogance.

  He smiled at me with a boyish grin. Devon, boyish? Everything about him always screamed big, tough, potent man.

  “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you, Layla, Angelica, Catherine, whoever you are?”

  “Layla. I prefer Layla now.”

  He stopped on the footbridge and glanced around. Then he faced me, taking both hands in his.

  “In a setting as picturesque as this, I can be excused for letting down my manly guard to make a romantic declaration.”

  “Naturally,” I agreed with a teasing grin. “But as of yet, I haven’t heard any romantic declarations.”

  “I’m getting there, Layla.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “I crossed an ocean for you because I can’t stop thinking about you. Since you left, the yearning has grown. I want you in my life. I ache for you.”

  I tried to remain aloof as butterflies danced inside me. My attempt fell short as I smiled. “You crossed an ocean because you ache for me? Where—in your pants? Is it just a sexual thing?”

  “Damn it, Layla.” He released one of my hands and placed it on his chest. “It’s an everything thing. Want, need, love...”

  “Love?” My eyebrows shot up with my surprise. When I’d spotted him in the club, my hopes soared to the ceiling of the ratty club. Maybe he missed me and wanted to spend some time together. But to hear him bring up love? My hopes soared higher, zooming somewhere up where the stars shined down on us.

  “Yes, love. You’re going to make this hard for me, aren’t you?”

  “Me, difficult? Never! You of all people should know that.” My grin widened. I couldn’t stop beaming if I tried. “What were you saying about love again?”

  “I love you, Layla. No matter what you call yourself or where you are, I love you and want to be with you.”

  A few pedestrians approached. I waited for them to pass before I whispered, “But, how could a vampire and a shifter ever make it work in this world? We’re too different.”

  “I think we found some similarities while we were together.”

  I nodded. “True.” More people were crossing the bridge on this beautiful spring night in Boston. With the weather furiously windy one day and then oddly calm the next, Bostonians were used to taking every opportunity to get outside and embrace a milder spring day. This conversation required privacy. “Let’s walk.”

  We held hands again and descended the footbridge. My mind raced. I’d been alone for so long. I hadn’t realized how much I had wanted someone like Devon—a companion, a friend, a lover. One who accepted me as I was. Someone I could love without question, and he’d love me back the same. The time we’d spent in his cottage was beyond comparison to any other intimate encounter. He thought himself cold and detached, but I knew better. I’d seen his true nature. He’d done so much for me with no regards to his personal gain. Yes, I wanted to be with him.

  But, there were complications. Huge ones.

  Once we had some space from others, I said, “We’d face so many obsta
cles, Devon. I can’t go out during the day; life with me is under cover of darkness, in the shadows. Even in a place as magnificent as this, I can never experience the flowers reaching out to the sun, the rays reflecting off the ripples in the pond.”

  “Then it’s a good thing the gardens are open at night. We can experience the quiet, graceful beauty under the moon and stars.” Devon spread his arm wide, gesturing at the surrounding scenery. “And it’s a good thing that the animals I shift into have excellent night vision.”

  We’d have to face other obstacles together. I’d listed them countless times since I left England. Every time I’d fantasized about us being together, I had to convince myself that it could never work and to move on.

  But still, in the back of my mind, hope lingered. With Devon here, it had vaulted out of my body, encapsulating me with happiness. I had to point out the practical reasons to see if he’d considered how a life with me would actually work and was one he’d be willing to take on.

  “You know I won’t be able to bear your children?”

  Devon gave me one of his decadent smiles. “I’ve liked how we don’t have to worry about birth control.”

  “Don’t you want children?”

  He shook his head. “No, I decided long ago that I can’t have children in my line of work. It’s too dangerous. And I don’t want to expose children to my lifestyle.”

  “And later on? Maybe one day you’ll decide you don’t want to be a bounty hunter. What about then? Don’t you want to pass on your super-shifter genes to another generation?”

  Devon exhaled. “There are enough shifters in the world, trust me. I can’t see myself being a father. I like kids, but I don’t want to father any. My sisters will have kids, I’m sure. I’ll visit them and then go back to my own life.”

  Well, at least he was okay with that, but several practical matters remained.

  “I’m not exactly great company in restaurants either. I can bear a little human food, but that’s it.”

  “A shifter’s dream.” He grinned. “We have a high metabolism. I can have my plate and most of yours, too. I have quite the appetite, in case you haven’t noticed.”

  “I have. In more ways than one.” I gave him a flirtatious smile. “And I like it.”

  My heart sang, ready to declare yes. But, I had to be sure before we took this tremendous, terrifying leap.

  Devon swung my arm like we were kids. “What do you think? You want to give us a go?”

  “Aren’t you worried about all the obstacles?”

  His playful expression turned worried. “If you’re trying to let me down gently, just say it straight out.”

  Devon

  My hopes rose and fell as I spoke to Layla. Although she seemed thrilled to see me, she pointed out numerous problems.

  “I’m not searching for an excuse,” she said. “Just pointing out that a relationship with me presents certain—challenges.”

  “As does one with a shapeshifter,” I replied. “I figure we’ll learn about them as we learn more about each other. I’m looking forward to learning more about you. Besides, I like excitement and challenges. Our life together will never be dull.”

  She tilted her head. “What about the physical separation? We live and work on two different continents.”

  “That hasn’t stopped us from crossing the ocean yet. We’ll figure out a way. We’re both transient types, moving around often for work, to explore new places. Why not do so together?”

  “Good question, Devon.” She smiled, and it lit up her face. “In fact, there’s nobody else I’d rather travel with than you. But, I am quite fond of your cottage. I could see us spending much time there.”

  My heart thundered with expectation. “So, you want to give us a go?” I stepped closer to her.

  “Absolutely.”

  I picked her up and whirled her around, hollering with joy.

  She laughed. “You’re causing a scene.”

  Pedestrians had stopped to look.

  “I don’t care.” I put her back on her feet. “I’ll announce to everyone how you’ve agreed to be my girl, and it’s the best damn day in my life.”

  “Don’t.” She laughed. “No public declarations of love, please.”

  I searched her eyes, finding everything I wanted. I’d found what I’d been missing for years, a reason for living—truly living. Not merely existing, disconnected from others.

  “You’re the one, Layla.”

  She beamed. “So now what do we do?”

  “Will you start by returning to England with me? And meet my family as my girl?”

  She gave me a sly smile. “Introducing your vampire girlfriend to a family of shapeshifters? That will go over smoothly.”

  I laughed. “They’ll get over it quickly since they’re so eager for me to settle down.”

  “Oh, Devon, I might need some convincing,” she teased, changing the tone. “Something that reminds me of what I’ve been missing since England.” She glanced at me with a naughty smile.

  My body hardened in response to her decadent suggestion. I leaned closer to her and said, “My hotel is right around the corner. And I have a king-sized bed. Let’s go and I can show you how convincing I can be.”

  “Ooh, that sounds like it could be promising.”

  I led us out of the Public Garden back to the hotel. In all my nervousness, I’d forgotten to mention some good news. “I have a little surprise for you.”

  She raised her brow. “We both know it’s a big surprise.

  I chuckled. “That’s not what I meant. I’ve been trying to keep myself distracted over the last few weeks. It paid off in one way.”

  Layla furrowed her brows.

  “Since I had a better idea of whose bank accounts to look in, I was able to track down most of the money that was transferred through your account. Gayle and Jon won’t be needing it anymore and who’s going to be looking for it? I think you’ll be surprised by a nice little chunk of change back in your bank account. After all, don’t you deserve it since they used your account and framed you for it anyway?”

  Her mouth dropped open.

  “You always have a home with me in England. Now you have millions. You can buy a place of your own wherever you choose. You can follow whatever pursuits you like. Pursue your dreams of studying nature in the forest, if you like. Nobody will stop you. In fact, I’ll be eager to listen to all your wild discoveries as you talk about the trees and their mysterious language.”

  She blinked several times. “I can’t believe you did that for me. You could have kept the money yourself, and I never would have known. How can I thank you?”

  “You already did.” Warmth spread through me. To do something like this for another person was new for me. I’d always focused on detachment and my personal gain, despite the impact on my acquisition. Now I’d fallen for one—and it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. Seeing her happiness sent delightful shivers through me.

  Plus, there was the bonus of being with her. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her. I gave her a knowing look and winked. “But I’m sure I can think of some other ways you can show your appreciation back in the hotel.”

  “Damn right, I will.” Her brown eyes twinkled with sensuality. “You’re lucky there are people around.” She trailed her fingers over my chest. “I might be tempted to thank you right here.”

  My body hummed with excitement. I pulled her so close that our bodies melded together. “How about we start with a kiss?”

  As I lowered my head, her eyelids fluttered closed in the way I loved. I closed the distance, sealing our new beginning with a gentle kiss that soon turned passionate. Fueled by weeks of longing, I finally had the woman I loved in my arms. My sweet and resourceful vampire—the perfect match for a bounty hunting shapeshifter.

  Thank you so much for reading Devon and Layla’s story in BURN. Please take a moment and leave a review. I greatly appreciate it.

  Don’t miss HEAT, th
e next installment of the Underground Encounters series, this time featuring one of the mysterious gargoyle statues at Vamps! Read on for an excerpt.

  Order Now!

  ~ Lisa

  An Excerpt from HEAT

  Underground Encounters 6

  A gargoyle shifter novella in the series

  Tracy brushed her fingers over the smooth stone of the gargoyle perched at the end of the bar. “I’m stuck with the late shift tonight,” she said. “But, I took in some good money to help with those tuition bills.”

  She stood over the crouched gargoyle and placed her hand on the smooth area between its two horns. She ran it down the back of its head and over its hunched back where its two wings connected.

  “At least, I have you here to keep me company.” She heard how foolish she sounded speaking to a statue. If anyone saw her, they’d think she was stone-cold crazy.

  Over the last few months, Tracy had begun talking to the stone gargoyle as if it were a companion whenever she had a few moments alone in the bar. Why she gravitated toward this one gargoyle while several others were perched around the club, she didn’t know. Something about it was compelling, drawing her in. She often confided her secrets to it.

  Tracy rested her hand on the gargoyle’s shoulder while she scanned the club. Bottles and cups were scattered in every dark corner and under the other perched gargoyles. The scent of sweat and spilled beer still permeated the club.

  “Trace.”

  Was it one of the guys out back? The guys she worked with were bringing out the trash and the bottles for recycling. The other bartenders had already settled up and left for the night. They rotated who could leave first and who had to stay to make sure they were.

  No, they knew better than to call her Trace.

  “It’s Tracy,” she said, turning to face the intruder.

  And stared into the face of her ex.

  “What are you doing here, Brian?” The muscles in her body tensed as she gauged the distance between her and the pepper spray behind the bar, should she need it.

  She felt a tiny movement under her hand.