Chase sputtered, "I … but, I … and they-" He growled. "Don't you understand?"
"Is that a cowardly yes? What were you going to do, play with me until the big day comes? I feel so unreasonably connected to you, and I was sure when I woke in your arms that we had something. I actually believed that crap you were spouting about wanting a family and forever with me. She was right. I am an idiot!"
"Don't you understand? I have family obligations. I was going to try to get out of it. What else am I supposed to do, Lovely? I want you, not her," he tried to explain.
Pinning him with black eyes, she spat, "Don't you ever call me that again! In fact, I don't want you speaking my name at all!" She drew nearer to him, and using the same method of projection she'd used earlier-without knowing how she did it-she sent a quick succession of mental clips, starting with Lucas holding her and saying he loved her, then Lucas's memory of calling her names at the party and kissing another girl he held in his arms. She followed with clips of Chase holding her, kissing her, and the shared words of affection and forever and her imagined image of him marrying the blonde. She punctuated it with a verbal and mental slap: "You're all the same."
She dug her cell and car keys out of the destroyed jeans and tried to leave the room. Chase stepped into her path and wrapped his arms around her waist, hauling her up against his chest. He begged her to stay with those beautiful blue-green eyes. She couldn't resist taking one last deep breath of the sunshine and happiness she couldn't have, and pressed her lips to his before detangling herself and pushing past him. She felt Chase watch her walk past the still-muted beauty in the living room and out of his home. His soon-to-be wife's home, Dani reminded herself.
Kayden followed Dani to the elevator, in awe of the power she'd just displayed. It was unheard of for a vampire to control another vampire. "Are you going to release Sam?"
She looked at the door, and Samantha's screaming could be heard from inside the condo again, just as if it'd never stopped.
"Thanks, I think." Kayden grinned and took the phone from her limp hand and programmed in his cell number. "Call me if you need anything. I'm not hitting on you. You just look like you could you use a friend, and I have a strong shoulder if you need someone to lean on. Chase is my best friend, but I can keep a secret if you don't want him to know we're amigos." He found himself genuinely hoping she would give him a call.
Dani smiled and, to his surprise, she allowed herself to fall into his arms for a moment. Tears streaked down her cheeks, making him want to beat his friend to a pulp. Kayden supported her, stroking her beautiful hair, rocking slightly, until she pulled herself together and backed up into the open elevator. The anguish in her eyes tore at Kayden. There was more to the situation than just a little heartache.
"I'm not what you guys think I am. I'm not like you. Trust me. I'm nothing but bad news for you and your friend." The elevator doors slid closed on her misery.
Kayden stood in awe of the emotions the girl provoked in him. Holy shit, but she was powerful, smart, and, he believed, capable of wrapping any man around her little finger. He even had trouble not following her, and if it weren't for his best friend in the apartment behind him, Kayden would have.
"There she is, Master!" Nathan eagerly pointed at a girl with flowing dark hair and distinguishing streaks of white and some new red that he hadn't noticed before. She walked right past their limousine. Nathan had been livid with the bitch when he left the club. He'd informed the master he'd be bringing him a gift.
Earlier, he'd ingested the drug given to him for the purpose of immobilizing vampires. When the vamp fed from him, it had taken her down, but she had still been able to use her mental powers to defend herself. The other three vamps he'd taken hadn't fought him after the drug took over, so she had surprised him. He'd had to call the master to inform him of the mishap. The master was displeased and sent him back to the club. The girl had to be something special in order to fight the drugs, and he wanted her for testing.
He'd gotten back to the club just in time to see the owner's son carrying her out the back door. He followed them and called the master to inform him of the girl's location.
The rogue vampire who was his master sat across from him in the limousine laughing darkly with no humor in his voice. He was frightening and cold behind the dark shades he always wore in public.
"She looks just like someone I used to know. This will be much to my advantage. I'm quite sure I know exactly who this girl belongs to, and I can't wait to watch his dismay at her reappearance. How disgraced he will be." Another low rumble of laughter made Nathan's skin crawl.
Nathan never saw it coming when the brutal vamp grabbed him by the neck and glared at him with black eyes and fangs an inch from his face. "You are very fortunate the girl survived your reckless attack." Without another word, Nathan was launched out onto the street.
The rogue curled his lip in distrust at the human male sprawled on the pavement. "I'd hide if I were you. The girl is well connected. I'll bet there's already a reward for your sorry hide." He ordered his driver to follow the cab the girl hailed. It took her to a parking lot, where he watched the girl hop into another vehicle, before following her to the nearby university.
What a turn of events. He'd acquired a telepathic, telekinetic beauty with who knew what other talents. Withstanding the effect of Hypnovam was very impressive. He thought of all the possibilities as he directed the driver to take him back to the nest. He hoped she might consider joining him. It would be a shame to waste such pretty wrapping to get at the gifts inside.
Chase had to threaten Samantha to get her to finally leave, saying he would choose to bond with Brandi. She ranted and raved about how this shit was going to end, and he would be a faithful mate to her once they were bonded. He had to watch what was said in front of Sam, not wanting to give her any information that would lead to his Lovely.
After she left, he placed a call to Vince, informing him of the vampire slayer in their midst who had chosen the wrong girl to slay. Danielle had stopped the attack, but she was badly injured, and it had Chase on the edge of a meltdown. She was hurting and weakened, so if attacked again, it might not end the same way. Vince was directed to locate Nathan at any cost and bring him to the council for questioning and judgment. They needed to know whom Nathan was working for and why they wanted Danielle.
Chase had made sure to lift her cell number from her phone while she slept earlier and had tried to reach her several times since she left, but she wouldn't answer. He couldn't leave a message because her mailbox was full. That made him wonder about how many people were leaving her messages. Jealousy crept into his mind at the thought of all the guys who would love to fill her in-box.
Holding her while she struggled for consciousness and later while they talked had made Chase feel for the first time like the world didn't revolve around him. He now had direction and goals. Chase wanted to be worthy of a female like Danielle. With her he easily expressed his feelings in a way that he never had been able to in the past. Chase believed that it was easy and natural because it was right and meant to be. The best hours of his life were spent in Danielle's arms, before Sam showed up and ruined it.
When Danielle had left his apartment, she believed him to be cut from the same cloth as a guy who had publicly embarrassed her. If he were to be honest with himself, he had to admit that he'd behaved less than honorably. His father knew he didn't want to be bonded to either of the Vaughn girls, but without a solid reason for rejecting them his pleas had fallen on deaf ears. The future of their house outweighed Chase's personal wishes.
He'd tried to win Danielle's heart, knowing he would have to leave her before he was bonded. Of course, his intentions were to try getting out of the bonding, but if he couldn't, he had the solace of knowing he wouldn't hurt for long. She wouldn't be so lucky.
Why did the grudges of his grandparents and the words of dead people have to derail his life? Why should he have to pay for his family's past with his future?
At the home of Melinda Prince, the girl who'd been recovered earlier that day, Griffin and his father attempted to gather as much information as possible, once she was conscious and Doc Stevens had pronounced her to be on the mend. The girl couldn't remember anything useful. The last thing she remembered was feeding, and then everything was blank until she woke up at home, surrounded by her parents and the doctor.