Sexiest Vampire Alive(50)
“No!” Josh pulled her back. “He’s not getting near you again.”
“But I have to—” Abigail started.
“No,” Josh interrupted her. “We’re leaving.”
“But Josh—” Madison whined.
“I said no! We’re leaving now.”
Madison gasped. “Why, Josh. It’s not like you to be so . . . forceful.” She bit her lip as she looked him over.
He spoke into the communicator at his wrist. “Charles, meet us out front. We’re leaving now.” He grabbed Abigail with one hand and Madison with the other and steered them toward the door.
Abigail glanced over her shoulder at Gregori, who was watching her with a frown. “I’ll see you tomorrow night at Romatech?”
Josh halted, an incredulous look on his face. “How can you even consider seeing him again? You’re not safe with him.”
She pulled her arm from Josh’s grasp. “It’s my decision, not yours.”
His eyes narrowed. “It’s your father’s decision, and when he finds out what happened here—”
“Nothing happened!” The beginning of panic seized hold of her. If Josh told her father to cancel the alliance, then her trip would never happen. “You’ll report nothing.”
“My first priority is your safety.” He pointed toward Gregori. “You are not safe with that man.”
“He’ll behave himself.” Abigail raised her voice. “You will behave, won’t you, Gregori, in order to keep the alliance between my father and your people?”
“Yes.” His hands clenched, then relaxed. “I will do whatever it takes to keep my people safe and to help Abigail successfully complete her mission. You have my word.”
“There, you see?” Abigail lifted her chin. “So you will not report this . . . this accident to my father. You will not destroy his last chance to save his wife, or my last chance to cure my mother.”
“She’s my mother, too,” Madison insisted. “If you tell Daddy what happened here, I’ll tell him you’re lying. Abby will back me up.”
“Have you both lost your minds?” Josh spun around to glare at Gregori. “Have you done something to them?”
“No.”
Josh scoffed. “Like you would tell the truth.”
“He would never do that,” Abigail insisted. “The Vamps need this alliance as much as we do.” She lowered her voice. “Come on, Josh, you know there’s no way I can sneak into China on my own. We need their help.”
He shook his head. “I don’t like it. I don’t trust them.”
“Look at it this way,” she continued. “It’s to our advantage that he likes me personally. He’ll be better motivated to keep me safe on the mission.”
“That is true.” Gregori stepped toward them. “I would never let any harm come to her. I would protect her with my life.”
Abigail’s heart squeezed in her chest, but she didn’t dare look at Gregori. She couldn’t let Josh see her face soften with desire.
Josh gave Gregori a long, hard look, then turned back to her. “Very well. We will continue with this alliance for now. For your mother’s sake. But you are never to be alone with him, do you understand?”
She nodded. “Agreed.” She risked a quick glance at Gregori, expecting him to look relieved that she’d saved the alliance and saved his neck. Dad would not have reacted well to Josh’s report of a red-eyed vampire lusting for his daughter.
But Gregori was scowling at her. Why was he angry?
“What time shall I come to Romatech tomorrow night?” she asked.
His hands fisted. “Ten o’clock.”
She nodded. “I’ll be there.”
“Madison?” Maggie asked. “There’s a casting call tomorrow night for one of the soap operas. You could audition, if you like. Phineas, too.”
Madison gasped, then clasped her hands together. “Really?”
Josh shook his head. “You shouldn’t do it.”
“Are you kidding?” Madison squealed. “This is my chance to be a star!” She bounced up and down. “Thank you, thank you, Maggie! I’m so thrilled! Isn’t this exciting, Dr. Phang?”
Phineas grinned and punched the air with his fist. “Oh yeah! The Love Doctor strikes again!”
Josh groaned. “This is a disaster.”
“No,” Abigail corrected him. “It’s the beginning of a whole new future. For all of us.”
Her gaze met Gregori’s. He was still scowling at her, still watching her with a fierce, hungry look. She had no doubt he intended to keep the alliance with her father. And he intended to honor his vow to help her with the mission and keep her safe.