Surrendering(69)

While he was intensely proud of her strength and capability, the thought of his mate being anywhere near his nemesis had ice running through his veins. He loved her beyond his comprehension and could hardly breathe at the thought of anything bad happening to her. Reluctantly, he also knew she was their best hope at taking down a vampire that was once his closest friend. And the reality was he was helpless to stop her dreams, so he might as well use the information she saw to find him.

“Let’s get you back up to our bedroom so you can get dressed. As much as I’d love to keep you permanently naked, we have a rogue vampire to catch and some girls to save. You can tell me the details of your dream after we’ve showered.”

“Okay.”

The smile lit up her entire face up like a Christmas tree. A tidal wave of love washed over him and he knew he’d give this woman anything her heart desired. He was a complete and total goner.

And he’d never been happier. He only hoped that happiness didn’t come crashing down around him.





Chapter 43





Mike





Mike’s head falling forward startled him awake. Jesus H, the older he got, the harder it was to shake off his annual night of stupidity. He would do it for Jamie, though. She deserved that much. Coming right to the station after his graveside vigil, he’d managed to catch a few hours of restless shut-eye on a worn-out sofa, broken springs digging into his back.

He hurt like hell today and was dragging ass. Even the shitty coffee wasn’t helping this morning. They’d need a few more pieces of information from Professor Bailey, but the bastard didn’t show at the scheduled time yesterday. Jake had an arrest warrant out on his ass since, according to his assistant, he’d taken an unexpected and indefinite leave of absence.

“Man, you look like shit,” Jake said as he strolled into their office. “Hard night?”

No way was he gonna spill his secrets to his partner. That was his cross to bear and his alone. Jake knew something was up, but he had to give the guy credit. He never pushed for an explanation. It made him a great partner.

“Something like that. Any word on the wily professor?”

“Nah. We’re watching his house. I have a feeling he’ll show up.”

Mike nodded in agreement. Damn…even that small action had his head protesting. A two-day hangover was hell. He’d already swallowed half a bottle of aspirin and not only did it not help his headache, now he felt like fire ants were eating a hole in his stomach too. He was probably getting an ulcer. Just his luck.

He pushed all that shit and wallowing aside. They had a job to do and it didn’t matter how bad he felt, he would do it.

On his desk were a dozen new ‘leads’ on Sarah’s disappearance that he had to wade through to determine what was shit and what may be valid.

Pushing back his splitting head and sour stomach, he got to work. He wouldn’t fail his friend. He wouldn’t fail his friend’s daughter. He would find Sarah even if it meant putting himself in the ground.





Chapter 44





Xavier





“Sire, I have good news. Another successful delivery occurred this morning. Two more are progressing nicely and should deliver within the next few weeks.”

Xavier lounged in his office, his favorite Scotch in hand. He was sated for the moment, having recently devoured three, lovely fresh meals several nights ago at the human male’s house. He’d decided to leave the human male alive, for that was far more fun than relieving him of his heavy burden—the guilt of knowing it was his actions, or lack thereof, that resulted in the demise of his entire family.

Yes, he was a sadistic bastard. Smile.

“Good. And the new female?”

“Ah, progressing nicely. We’ve completed three rounds of inseminations and are monitoring her daily. We should know within the next couple of days if it took. If not, we’ll need to wait until the next cycle to try again, but all test results indicated she’s strong, healthy and fertile. I’m hopeful.”

His weakness cut him to the quick and generated an almost uncontrollable rage every time he thought about it. His breeding rates were off the charts successful, save one small fact. He had a goddamn genetic mutation where he spawned only females. He’d quit participating in the actual breeding many years ago, telling his lieutenants they had earned the privilege of helping him grow his army.

Other than breading, fucking, and feeding, females were useless, and since female vampires couldn’t breed, naturally they had to be disposed of. He didn’t share his former brethren’s reverence of female vampires.

Only two people knew of this genetic flaw and if his good doctor spoke of it, Xavier would quickly tear his throat out. Or draw out his torture painfully. Either way, he’d sign his own death warrant.