All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire(85)

 

She changed clothes, then found him in the kitchen pulling a black sweater over his head. He had on black leather pants and looked deliciously naughty. She almost called him back into the bathroom for a quickie.

 

"Let's go." She grabbed her coat and took the elevator with Ian to the first floor. "We were getting the ballroom ready today for the big party."

 

He nodded. "Phineas said he would teach me how to dance more modern, so I could dance with you. I only know how to do the minuet and waltz and a few country dances."

 

She grinned at him as they exited the elevator. "You want to dance with me?"

 

"Aye. Phineas said I needed to know how to do pop blocking and jam-on-it."

 

She laughed. "You're going to hip-hop in a kilt?"

 

"Actually I'll be wearing a Santa costume, along with ninety-nine other men."

 

"How come there are so many Santa costumes?" She motioned to the locked door across from the dental office. "What's the deal with the secret Santa thing?"

 

"If I told you, it wouldna be a secret."

 

She swatted his arm. "I told you my secrets."

 

"No' all of them. I still doona know yer full name."

 

"I see no reason to divulge that at this time."

 

"It canna be that bad. My name is Ian David MacPhie."

 

"That's a good name. It's easy to confess." She opened the door to the conference room. "Here we are. Carlos has everything planned."

 

"I'm used to making my own plans." He marched inside, frowning. "Good evening, Carlos."

 

"Hi, Ian. Nice pants. Love the leather. Here's your phone, Toni."

 

She slipped her cell phone into a pants pocket.

 

Ian examined the map of Shady Oaks.

 

"This is Ward Three." Carlos pointed at it. "That's where they're holding Sabrina. There's a guard just inside the front door, but I spotted a back door here. Do you think you can teleport in undetected?"

 

Ian gave him a bland look. "I've teleported into Langley undetected."

 

Carlos arched a brow. "Then I'll take that as a yes."

 

Toni stifled a grin. She hoped these two guys wouldn't get into a pissing match.

 

Ian nodded. "I can do it."

 

"I'll wait for you in the car. I can park here or here." Carlos indicated the front parking lot and the back service entrance.

 

"Use the parking lot," Ian said. "It'll be less conspicuous."

 

"Agreed."

 

Ian slanted a look at him. "Ye've done work like this before."

 

Carlos rolled up the map. "My research has led me into some strange places and situations."

 

"What kind of research?"

 

"Unusual, primitive cultures, mostly in South America and Southeast Asia." He moved to his laptop. "This is the route I'll use to drive us to the hotel. It's an inconspicuous place in Queens. I paid cash in advance."

 

Ian studied it a moment. "Looks good. I need to check on things here, so ye drive there with Toni. Then she can call me, and I'll teleport there to meet you."

 

"Agreed." Carlos shut his laptop. "Let's do it."

 

At Shady Oaks, Carlos parked his Jaguar in a dark corner. Toni called Ian, and he materialized beside her in the parking lot.

 

"I'm coming with you," she told him.

 

"Nay. I canna teleport two people at the same time."

 

Stubborn man. "Then you can make two trips."

 

Carlos exited the driver's seat. "What's wrong?"

 

"Toni wants to put herself in danger," Ian muttered.

 

"You have to take me with you," Toni insisted. "How else will you know which one is Sabrina?"

 

"I expect she can tell me her name."

 

Toni gave him an exasperated look. "She could be asleep. Or if she's awake, she could scream and raise the alarm. If I'm there, I can keep her calm."

 

"I think Toni's right," Carlos said.

 

Toni shot him a grateful smile.

 

Ian's jaw shifted. "All right."

 

"You'll find it easier to approach from the west," Carlos suggested.

 

"I can manage," Ian growled. "Come on, Toni."

 

She strode alongside him as they moved through the parking lot, angling to the west side of the hospital. "Carlos just wants to help. He really cares about Sabrina."

 

"And you."

 

She wondered if he was jealous. "We're just good friends."

 

"I doona mean to be a grouch," Ian muttered. "I'm just used to doing this kind of work on my own."