Thomas grinned. “He gave some lame excuse to Terri that she wouldn’t even repeat, but I think the truth is he probably did call. I think the guys just wanted to look into it themselves without the women along. Which is why everyone is upset,” he continued, “Etienne and the women are up in arms at being left out at this point.”
Inez bit her lip as she considered all he’d said and what Blondie had said last night.
“You’re not looking relieved or happy to hear that Aunt Marguerite is fine,” Thomas pointed out, his own happiness slipping away.
“Is she?” Inez asked.
He stared at her blankly.
“Why hasn’t she called any of her children?” Inez asked.
Thomas smiled wryly and said, “It’s possible she has. Most of them are here right now, though, and wouldn’t get her call.”
“Bastien would have,” she pointed out quietly. “He got Martine’s message.”
“Well…” He frowned, but then shrugged and said, “She called Martine. She has to be all right.”
“Thomas,” Inez hesitated, reluctant to be the bearer of bad tidings, but then sighed and continued, “Blondie was working for someone who was willing to kill to keep us from finding her and possibly interfering in their plans.”
“Yes, I know. He’s dead, though,” Thomas pointed out. “He can’t hurt her.”
But the person he worked for isn’t, Inez thought unhappily, but hesitated to say as much to Thomas. He was obviously relieved and happy to believe his aunt was all right, and she was reluctant to make him worry when everything might really work out all right.
“Inez?”
Letting her own worries on the matter drop for the moment, she met his gaze, noting that the grim expression was back and asked uncertainly, “Yes?”
“Terri tells me that in the coffee shop you were thinking that maybe we should put off the turning until after we found Marguerite,” he announced abruptly. “She’s worried that you might be upset about my turning you as I did.”
Inez felt her eyebrows rise. It seemed like a long time ago, but she did recall having the thought. It had been a brief one brought on by her fear of the pain involved. Obviously she’d been broadcasting her thoughts at the time, because Terri claimed she couldn’t read minds. And while she’d forgotten all about it after everything that had happened, Terri hadn’t, and had found the thought worrisome, passing on that worry to Thomas.
“Inez, I’m sorry,” Thomas said quietly, his expression earnest. “I had no choice. You were dying, and besides you agreed to the turn the night before. Didn’t you?” He frowned and muttered, “Of course, it was right after you’d nearly drowned and you might not have really understood what was going on at the time. Do you even love me? You nodded to that too, but…”
He raised his head and said solemnly, “I’m sorry if you’re upset about being turned, but I’m not sorry for doing it. Because whether you love me or not, Inez, I love you. You’re strong, and brilliant and sweet and have a strength I’ve never seen in other women. This last week you’ve done whatever was required of you to help find Marguerite without complaint or allowing fear to stop you, even going so far as being the bait in the trap.” He scowled and then admitted, “Though I have to say I thought that was rather foolish. I was really pissed at you for putting your life at risk like that.”
“It sounds to me like you still are,” she said quietly.
“I love you, Inez. It was hard for me to see you in such a vulnerable position,” Thomas said, his expression solemn, and then rushed on, “Anyway, I’m not sorry I turned you. Even if you choose not to be with me, I’ll not regret it. And I know we haven’t known each other long, and you probably want time to get to know me better. I’m willing to give you that time. I—”
“Thomas,” Inez interrupted, and he fell silent at once. “In ten hours I’ll have known you one week.”
“Well, really, we met months ago,” Thomas said quickly.
She smiled faintly, but continued. “I’m usually slow and cautious in making decisions.”
“I’m sure you’ve had to make snap judgments at work in critical situations.”
“Our circumstances since we’ve met haven’t been ideal, what with the worry about Marguerite, the need to find her, the attacks—”
“Inez,” he interrupted worriedly.
“There has been a lot of pressure and stress. In effect, we’ve been living in a pressure cooker since your arrival.”