Blood Thief Box Set(19)

He nodded. "Yes, though I fear this won't be the end to their annoying presence. I was quite careless in letting them see the car."

I raised an eyebrow. "Can they trace the plates to you?"

He shook his head. "No, at least not me directly. The car is also under an alias."

I snorted. "How many of those things do you have?"

Simon smiled. "As many as I need."

We crested the hill and stumbled down the other side. Certus stood beneath the cover of the porch, but when we came into view he hurried over to us.

He took Simon's other arm and looked him over. "What's the matter?"

Simon closed his eyes and shook his head. "Merely my carelessness. A long rest will set matters right."

"Then let me carry you," Certus insisted.

Simon glanced down at me. "That's quite all right. My current support will do, but if you could bring the car to the front of the house."

Certus pursed his lips, but bowed his head and hurried off.

I glanced at Simon. "Why do I get the feeling he doesn't like me?"

"He is weary of you, but I don't believe it's dislike," Simon assured me.

We walked through the house and onto the front part of the porch. The car awaited us, and Certus helped me get Simon into the back. I ignored my usual spot for a seat next to Simon. Certus shut the door and we were enveloped in the cool darkness.

Simon leaned back and closed his eyes. His hat came askew. I reached up and plucked it off his head. He opened the eye that lay on my side and smiled at me. "Pampering me?" he teased.

I tossed his hat onto the seat opposite us and leaned back to shrug. "I just didn't want it falling down on me." He closed his eye and chuckled. My eyes flickered to his face and I pursed my lips. "What's so funny?"

"One doesn't need to read minds to know you're a terrible liar," he told me.

I crossed my arms over my chest and turned my face away. "Well, I didn't want it to fall on me," I insisted.

He looped his arm behind my waist and pressed me close against his side. I stiffened as he lay his cheek on the top of my head and breathed in my scent. "Like fresh roses on an autumn evening," he murmured.

I blushed and shrank beneath his attentions. The familiar heat of lust welled up inside me. I pressed my hands against his side and tried to push myself away, but he held me tight. "Y-yeah, well, you smell okay, too, now let go."

There was no reply, not even a simple snarky comment. I tilted my head up and noticed his other cheek rested on the top of the seat. His eyes were closed and he wasn't breathing.

"Simon?" I pushed against him, but he didn't stir. My shoulders drooped and my face fell. "Perfect. He's fallen asleep. Or he's dead."

Either way I couldn't help him. A yawn hit me and I had trouble stifling it. The night had been long, and the first half of this day even longer. I set my cheek against the seat and closed my eyes.

Sleep offered me a bit of comfort as thoughts of the coming days and nights were replaced by wonderful dreams of sunsets.





CHAPTER 10





The next thing I knew a hand was gently stroking my hair. I smiled and sighed. A familiar chuckle came from above me.

I opened my eyes and found myself lying on Simon's bed. He sat beside me and it was his hand that stroked my hair.

"Good evening," he greeted me.

My eyes widened and I sat up. The curtains to my right were opened and revealed the last rays of the sun on the horizon. I checked my watch. Five o'clock. I'd slept for over six hours.

"What the hell?" I murmured.

"Not quite," he commented. "Your body was exhausted from last night's adventure, and needed rest."

I ran a hand through my wild hair and frowned. "This isn't going to happen every day, is it?"

He smiled and stood. "Very likely, as we have a very important date tonight."

I raised an eyebrow. "You mean that job?"

Simon nodded. "Yes. The others should be here any minute."

There came the faint sound of voices from beyond the closed bedroom door, and they grew louder when the front entrance opened.

"I don't know why he doesn't just live the high life of blood and women," I heard Dolf comment.

"It's the thrill of the adventure, you bag of fur," Maeve replied.

Dolf snorted. "It's stupidity, that's what it is. The guy's asking to be staked."

"It's better to be a ghost, anyway," Specter spoke up. "No worries about food and rent."

"Or sex or being able to play the guitar," Dolf added.

I was startled from their conversation when Simon held his hand in front of my face. "Shall we go greet our guests?" he suggested.

I shrugged and took his hand. "Why not?"

He helped me to my feet and together we stepped out of the bedroom. Our three acquaintances lounged on the couch and chair, or floated above them. They turned at our entrance, and a sly smile spread across Dolf's lips.

"I thought vampires were supposed to avoid strenuous exercise during the day," he teased.

"Will you shut up?" Maeve hissed.

Simon led me to the seating area and held up his hand. "You all know why I've gathered you."

Dolf nodded. "Yeah, because you're nuts and want to get caught by the police."

Simon smiled. "I won't challenge the first part, and I would like to avoid the second. I've gathered you to give a challenge to the Eres security system. No doubt they've improved on it since my success a few days ago."

"Fort Knox might be easier to break into," Dolf commented.

"But not nearly as interesting," Simon argued. "Government facilities rely on a show of force to deter thieves while personal security systems must rely on coverage."

Specter raised a transparent eyebrow. "Coverage?"

Simon nodded. "Yes. It must cover every inch of the protected item. Otherwise, the system fails and the item is stolen."

"So you're saying this is harder than Fort Knox?" Dolf guessed.

Simon chuckled. "And much more exciting."

"So how can we succeed?" Maeve wondered.

Simon swept his eyes over his guests. "Each of you has a particular set of skills that is invaluable in thieving." His gaze fell on Dolf. "Your strength means no vault can keep you from your purpose."

Dolf grinned and shrugged. "It's a gift, and a curse."

Simon turned to Maeve. "Your magic can detect any electronic traps and eliminate them."

She smiled and covered her mouth to stifle her giggle. "It's just so foolishly easy."

Simon looked to Specter. "And your ability to control the bodies of humans eliminates that threat."

Specter shrugged. "It's not that hard if you know what you're doing."

"Together you make a perfect team of thieves, and tonight we will test that theory," Simon told them.

Dolf raised his hand. "That's all fine and dandy, but what about the family? Specter can only possess one guy at a time."

Simon chuckled. "That is my specialty. The bracelet was returned today and I received a call from Miss Eres informing me of a celebration dinner tonight. Faith and I will attend, and distract the family while you three perform your jobs."

"You're making this sound like it's easier than it really is," Dolf argued.

Maeve glared at him. "I'm sure Simon's got everything planned out." She turned to him and smiled. "Don't you?"

Simon returned her smile and bowed his head. "Quite." Certus entered the room, and in his hands was a large rolled up print. He set it on the table and stepped back. Simon opened the print and revealed a layout of the grounds and house. He swept his hand over the water. "I've rented a boat for you to use to land here-" he pointed at a spot on the shore. "There will be security guards, but Specter can take them out one by one."

"No problem," Specter agreed.

Simon glanced at Maeve. "You'll have to find the cameras and infrared detectors."

She shrugged. "I suppose I could."

Simon turned his attention to Dolf. "The safe is made of solid steel, but that should be no problem for you."

Dolf leaned back and grinned. "Not a problem at all. I could carry it away."

Simon chuckled. "I have no doubt, but focus only on the bracelet located in the safe in the study. I'm sure that will be reward enough."

"Speaking of reward, what's thirty percent of the value of that thing?" Dolf wondered.

Simon rolled up the map and gripped it in one hand. "I have the bracelet priced at two million dollars."

Specter whistled. The noise sounded like an eerie wind. "That's not bad, but what do I get?"

Maeve rolled her eyes. "You get to do something other than bother me."

Specter grinned and floated down so his body wrapped around her. "On the contrary. We have all night together."

She scowled at him and leaned away. "Just don't mess things up for us."

"And you don't have all of the night," Simon spoke up. Everyone's attention was drawn back to him. "The Eres parties generally end around ten. You have from six until that time to complete the job."

Dolf stood and grinned. "Piece of cake."

Maeve rose and folded her arms as she smiled sweetly at Simon. "For you, it can be done."

Specter sighed and shrugged. "I guess."

Simon bowed his head. "Excellent. There's a car in the garage in berth twenty-two. You're to take that to the pier and take boat forty under the name of Sanguine. Here are the keys and the receipt for the boat." He handed the keys and the map to Dolf.