“How do you know that?”
“I know a lot of things,” Roshan retorted dryly. “I’ve been a vampire for over three hundred years.”
“No shit.”
“Have you no respect for your elders?”
Vince blew out a sigh. His mother would be ashamed of him if she saw him now. He was a little ashamed himself. One thing was for certain, he wasn’t making a good impression on Cara’s father.
Meeting the other man’s eyes, Vince muttered, “I’m sorry. Sir. I was out of line.”
Roshan grunted softly. “What do you want with my daughter?”
“Not what you think.”
“No?” Roshan’s gaze burned into Vince’s. “What were you doing in her room the other night?”
“Not what you’re thinking!” Vince said emphatically.
Roshan’s gaze bored into him, as if seeking the truth of his words.
“Dammit, we didn’t do anything but talk.”
“She doesn’t know what you are, does she?” Roshan asked.
“No.” Vince canted his head to one side. “She doesn’t know what you are, either, does she?” He laughed softly. “I won’t tell on you if you don’t blow the whistle on me,” he said, then frowned. “If you’re over three hundred years old, she can’t be your natural daughter.” He still had a lot to learn about being a vampire, Vince mused, but if there was one thing he knew, it was that vampires couldn’t create life.
“I want you to leave town,” Roshan said. “Now. Tonight.”
“And if I don’t?” Vince lifted his chin and squared his shoulders, refusing to be cowed. He had come here to see Cara and, by damn, he was going to see her!
“I’ll destroy you.”
“Then do your worst, ‘cause I’m not leaving. I’m in love with your daughter.”
“And you’re willing to die for her?”
“For her, with her, whatever.”
In spite of himself, Roshan found himself admiring the young vampire’s grit. “You’ll bring her nothing but heartache.”
“Shouldn’t that be her decision?”
“If you hurt her…”
Vince held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I know, you’ll destroy me.”
“Without a qualm,” Roshan said, though, if it came down to that, he wondered if he would emerge the victor. Though Cordova was young in the life, he exuded the power and arrogance of a much older vampire. Roshan held the younger man’s gaze for stretched seconds and then, with a sigh of resignation, said, “Shall we go in?”
Cara was pacing the entry hall when her father entered the house. She felt relieved to see that her father hadn’t scared Vince away. She couldn’t keep her eyes off Vince as he walked toward her. He looked as handsome as sin in a pair of Levi’s, a black T-shirt, and a dark sports jacket.
“We were about to play Canasta, Mr. Cordova,” Brenna remarked. “Would you care to join us?”
“Sure. And it’s Vince.”
“Brenna,” she said, smiling.
The atmosphere at the table was, to say the least, strained. At least it was between Cara’s father and Vince. The tension was so thick between them, it was almost tangible. Cara had expected her father to be suspicious of any man she brought home, but this went way beyond that.
After a few hands, she asked Vince if he wanted a coke. When he declined, her father suggested a little red wine.
“Thanks,” Vince said, “that sounds good.”
“I’ll have some, too,” Brenna said with a smile. She turned to Vince. “So, tell us about yourself, won’t you?”
“There’s not much to tell,” he replied good-naturedly.
“Have you been here long?”
“No.”
“Where are you from originally?”
“Georgia.”
“Ah, a southern boy,” Brenna said, laughing softly.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you come from a large family?”
“I’ve got three brothers and a sister and about a dozen nieces and nephews.”
“And a cat,” Cara added.
Vince grinned at her. “And a cat.”
“Your family sounds wonderful. I would have liked to have a large family,” Brenna said wistfully. “But it never happened.” She smiled at Cara. “I’m hoping for lots of grandchildren.”
“Mom!”
“Cara tells me you’re a mechanic,” Roshan said, returning to the table with four glasses and a bottle of wine.
“That’s right. You got a car that needs fixin’?”
“Not at the moment. How are things going?” After opening the bottle, Roshan filled a glass and handed it to Brenna.
“I’m doing all right,” Vince said with a shrug.
“Are we going to play cards, or are you two going to give Vince the third degree all night?” Cara asked.
“You can hardly blame us for being curious,” Brenna said. “After all, this is the first young man who’s come calling.”
“Mom!”
“Oh, I’m sorry, dear, was that a secret?”
Vince tried not to laugh, but he couldn’t help it. The look of horror on Cara’s face was priceless. He couldn’t blame her parents for being curious about him. After all, he was dating their only daughter, and he was a vampire. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing in their eyes or not.
Roshan filled the other three wineglasses and resumed his seat.
Cara simply sat there, mortified by her mother’s reference to grandchildren. What must Vince be thinking, and why had she ever thought having friends over would be a good idea?
At midnight, Vince took his leave.
Cara walked him to the door, then followed him outside. “I’m sorry about that,” she said.
“Nothing to be sorry for. They’re just looking out for you.”
“I guess so.”
Vince slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “I do think I deserve a reward, though.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, ma’am. I was on my very best behavior all night long. I think at the very least I deserve a good-night kiss.”
She swayed toward him. “Do you?” She was smiling now. She had never openly flirted with a man before, let alone one that was as handsome and sexy as Vince. It was a heady experience.
“Uh-huh. Do I need to ask daddy’s permission?”
“No, silly, just kiss me.”
Grinning, he lowered his head and claimed her lips with his. She tasted of sunshine and honey and warm summer days that were forever lost to him. She was love’s first kiss and a baby’s first cry, spring’s first flower and presents on Christmas morning. He drew her closer, wanting to lose himself in her sweetness, to feel the heat of her skin against his own, to explore all the subtle curves and valleys of her body.
But this was not the time, and definitely not the place. Not with her father on the other side of the door.
Vince kissed her again, long and deep, savoring the taste of the wine on her lips before he moved away. “I’d better go. Can I see you tomorrow night?”
She started to say yes, and then remembered that Anton was coming to call. “I’m sorry, I’ve got a…a date.”
“Ah.”
“I’m sorry, I made it before we…a while ago.”
“It’s all right.” He gave her a last, quick kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”
Chapter 11
Brenna sat in the window seat in the bedroom, brushing out her hair, her brow furrowed. “I didn’t know there was another vampire in the city.” She looked up at her husband. “You knew, didn’t you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“There was nothing to tell. I sensed his presence once before.” He didn’t tell her he had sensed it here, in the house, in their daughter’s bedroom.
“Do you think he means her harm?”
“No, I think he loves her.”
“And she loves him,” Brenna said. “You can tell that just by looking at her. Do you think
she knows what he is?”
“No, I’m sure she doesn’t.”
“Maybe you should tell her, before things go too far. I don’t want her to be hurt.”
Roshan nodded. “You’re probably right, but how do I tell her he’s a vampire? And how would I explain how I know?” He shook his head. “Whoever thought parenting would be so complicated?”
“What if they decide to get married?”
Roshan swore softly. His little girl, married to a vampire? He didn’t know of too many successful unions between vampires and mortals. In most cases, the differences between them drove them apart sooner or later. He raked a hand through his hair. Cara, married. Whether she married a vampire or a mortal, it meant losing her.
“I always wanted grandchildren,” Brenna remarked. “Lots and lots of grandchildren. If she marries Vince…”
He nodded his understanding. If Cara married Vince, there would be no children, no grandchildren.
He looked at Brenna. Each year, she grew more precious, more beautiful in his sight. He hadn’t missed the wistful note in her voice as she spoke of grandchildren. After all these years, was she having regrets for joining her life with his?
Brenna blew out a sigh. “Funny how our lives have changed so quickly in the last few days.”
“And I’m afraid the end isn’t in sight.” Moving toward her, he drew her to her feet and into his arms. “Do you have regrets, Brenna?”
“What do you mean?”
“I watched you tonight, when you were asking Cordova about his family. I saw the yearning in your eyes when he talked about his family, and just now, when you spoke of grandchildren.”
She didn’t deny it.
“It made me think of something you said before I brought you across,” Roshan went on. “You said being a vampire seemed like a lonely life. And then you said, ‘What good is long life without love, without family, without children?’”
“But we have a child,” she reminded him with a wry grin.
“Is she enough? Was I wrong to bring you across?”
Brenna stared into her husband’s eyes. For the first time since he had brought her across, she let herself remember that night. At first, she had been horrified. She had screamed at him, then ran through house, destroying everything in sight—lamps, chairs, tables, dishes, glasses, she had smashed them all and reveled in the doing. Refusing to believe she was a vampire, she had taken a bite of chocolate pie, and been violently ill. She had begged him to destroy her, and when he refused, she had run away from him.
She ran tirelessly, amazed at her stamina. No wonder Anthony Loken had wanted the power of a vampire for himself! She felt as though she could run forever and never stop, never grow weary. Her body felt strong, yet lighter than air. Was that because she had shed her mortality, or because she had shed her soul?
The thought gave her pause and she slowed to a walk. Had she lost her soul? She considered that as she made her way across a bridge into a park. Why should she have lost her soul? She had done nothing wrong. She hadn’t asked to be made a vampire; that decision had been made for her. She hadn’t killed anyone. True, she had stolen a little blood, but surely she could be forgiven for that, if forgiveness was necessary…
She stopped beneath a weeping willow tree, lightly rolling one of the leaves between her thumb and forefinger, amazed at all the nuances in the texture of the leaf. How beautiful the tree was! She could hear the whisper of each leaf, hear the sap running through the branches, the creak of the wood as the tree swayed in the breeze. Everything was different when absorbed through her enhanced senses. No wonder Roshan didn’t want to give it up. Except for the blood part, being a vampire seemed a wonderful thing.
She picked up her pace until she was running again. Never, in all her life, had she felt so wonderful, so free! Laughter bubbled up inside her. Why had she made such a fuss earlier? Would she truly rather be dead now? How awful it would be if she could never again catch the scent of rain in the air, or dance in the silvery light of a full moon. And what of Roshan? Would she be happy, even in heaven, if he were not there to share it with her?
She slowed as she reached the end of the park, her earlier enthusiasm waning. She would never have a child now. It was the only true regret she had. Of course, she thought, rationalizing, if he had let her die, she wouldn’t have been able to have a child, either.
Roshan. She had spared a thought for little else since the first time she had seen him outside her cottage, and he was all she could think of now. His scent was in her clothes, in her hair. His voice was a welcome echo in her mind, his kisses a memory she would never forget. Roshan. He had told her, in word and deed, that he loved her. And she knew, without doubt, that she loved him. Perhaps she had loved him from the moment his eyes met hers.
Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to be in his arms, to feel his lips on hers, to hear his voice whispering that he loved her.
Laughing out loud, she turned and ran toward Roshan. Toward home.
“No,” she said, “you weren’t wrong. I’ve never regretted a minute of our lives together.” She caressed his cheek. “What’s this all about? It’s more than being worried about Cara.”
He shrugged. “I just want you to be happy. Both of you.”
“I am happy.” She smiled up at him. “I can only think of one thing that would make me happier.”
“Indeed?” He brushed a kiss across her cheek. “And what would that be?”
“Don’t you know?”
“Maybe I just want to hear you say it.”
“Maybe I’ll just show you instead,” she purred, and reached for his belt buckle.
Chapter 12
Cara slept late Sunday morning. After rising, she dressed, brushed her teeth, and went to church. Of course, going to church was something else her parents never did, not even at night, but Cara found comfort in the hymns and in the beauty of the stained-glass windows. She liked the ritual of it, the sense of communing with God, and the feeling of forgiveness that came with taking the sacrament.
After leaving the church, she took a walk through the park across the street. It was a beautiful day, bright and clear, with a sky so blue it almost hurt her eyes just to look at it. Taking off her shoes and stockings, she ran barefoot through the grass, and all the while she thought of Vince and the kisses they had shared on the front porch last night.
“Vince and Cara, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g,” she sang, then laughed out loud.
She felt as giddy as a schoolgirl with her first crush. Was this how her mother had felt about her father? She wished Sarah Beth was there. She needed someone to confide in, but Sarah Beth was gone for the weekend. In the past, Cara had always confided in her mother, but she couldn’t bring herself to talk to Brenna about this.
When she came to a bench, Cara sat down and put her shoes and stockings back on. Reaching into her handbag, she pulled out a piece of chewing gum, then sat back and tried to decide what she would say when Anton came to call.
He appeared at seven sharp, with a heart-shaped box of candy in one hand and a bouquet of yellow roses in the other.
“Thank you,” Cara murmured, accepting the gifts. “You shouldn’t have.”
“But I wanted to.”
“Come in, won’t you?” She stepped back so he could enter the foyer, then led the way into the living room, all the while wishing it was Vince walking beside her. “Mom, Dad, this is Anton. Anton, these are my parents, Mr. and Mrs. DeLongpre.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Anton said, nodding at her mother and father.
“I didn’t catch your last name,” Roshan said, shaking the young man’s hand.
“Bouchard.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Bouchard,” Brenna said. She looked up at her husband, a frown on her face.
“I’d love to stay and chat,” Anton said, “But I made reservations at the Steak and Stein for seven-thirty.”
“Of course,” Cara said. She put the box of candy on the
coffee table, then handed the flowers to her mother. “Mom, would you put these in water for me?” she asked, then glanced at Anton. “Just let me get my coat.”
“What line of work are you in, Mr. Bouchard?” Brenna asked.
“My mother and I own a bookstore.”
Warning bells went off inside Roshan’s head. “Indeed? Would I know it?”
“I don’t know, sir. It’s called The Wiccan Heart.”
“Witchcraft, then?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And are you, yourself, a witch?”
“I dabble in the arts occasionally. Cara, are you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
She handed Anton her coat, and he helped her on with it.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, sir,” Anton said. “Mrs. DeLongpre.”
Cara kissed her father’s cheek and hugged her mother. “I won’t be late.”
Roshan stared after Anton Bouchard as he followed Cara out the door. Could it be?
He looked at Brenna and saw the same question in her eyes.
“Is it possible?” she asked.
“I don’t know how it could be,” Roshan muttered, “but he looks just like him.”
“But he never married or had children, did he?”
“Not that I know of.” Yet the resemblance between Anton Bouchard and Anthony Loken was chilling. It could have been coincidence, but Roshan had never believed in coincidence.
“I don’t like this,” Brenna said. “We shouldn’t have let her go.”
“She’ll be all right. Di Giorgio won’t let her out of his sight.”
“Of course, Di Giorgio.” Brenna smiled as she went into the kitchen for a vase. “How could I have forgotten about Di Giorgio?”
Anton glared at the burly bodyguard sitting near the front door of the restaurant. “Does he go everywhere with you?”
“Pretty much.”
“Listen, I know this is none of my business, but have you ever thought about moving out? You know, getting a place of your own?”
“Well, sure, sometimes,” Cara said defensively. And it was true. She had thought about it, but it seemed silly to move into a small apartment when she had the run of a huge house, and she was pretty sure that whether she lived at home or not, she would still have Di Giorgio to contend with. On the other hand, it would be fun to have a place of her own, to be independent. She thought about Vince. If she had a place of her own, they could be alone.
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