Gregori walked forward and took her hand in his.
She searched his face. “My husband believes you can be trusted, that you’ll take good care of our Abby. Is that true?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Abigail’s heart warmed at the sincerity in his voice. She eased closer so she could see his face.
“Abby tells me you’re a young vampire, and you’ve never bitten a human for food,” Belinda continued.
“Yes, ma’am, that’s true.”
Belinda smiled. “You seem well mannered for a vampire.”
He smiled back. “My mother will be pleased to hear that.”
“Your mother is still alive?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ve met her,” Abigail told her mother. “She’s mortal. And a big fan of yours.”
Belinda shook Gregori’s hand, then released it. “Very well. Have a good trip. And please bring my Abby home safe and sound.”
“I will.” He looked at Abigail. “Ready to go?”
She nodded. After a round of tearful hugs and good-byes, she swung her backpack over her shoulder. “Let’s go.”
“First stop, Romatech.” Gregori wrapped his arms around her, and everything went black.
They landed outside the side entrance, and Gregori swiped his card to open the door. He led her to the security office, where she was able to look at the reports from the guys in China. Both bases were set up, and they had teleported in supplies.
The office soon grew crowded with Vamps and mortals who wanted to wish them a good journey. Abigail was introduced to Angus and Robby MacKay, who would be teleporting with them as far as Tokyo. When it was time to leave, both MacKay men pulled their wives aside to tell them good-bye.
Abigail was touched by the obvious love on their faces.
She leaned close to Gregori and whispered, “Are their wives vampires, too?”
“Emma’s a Vamp,” he whispered back. “Olivia’s mortal. And expecting their first child.”
Abigail’s mouth dropped open, and she glanced at Robby and Olivia, who held each other tightly. “Oh my gosh.” She grabbed Gregori’s arm and whispered, “We didn’t use any protection last night. And we did it five times. I can hardly walk.”
Gregori winced as chuckles reverberated around the room. “Abby, there’s no point in whispering around vampires. They can hear everything.”
“Oh.” Heat rushed to her cheeks.
“Don’t worry.” Gregori pressed a kiss against her temple. “My sperm is dead. I can’t have children until Roman does one of his magic tricks.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How does that work?”
“He would take live human sperm, erase the DNA, and put in mine.”
“Oh.” She nodded. “Interesting.” So she could actually have children with Gregori. If they decided to get married.
She glanced again at Robby and Olivia. They seemed very happy. In fact, the room was filled with couples. Roman and Shanna. Caitlyn and her husband, and others whose names she couldn’t recall, but they all seemed happy.
“Time to go,” Angus announced. He and Robby grabbed their bags and her and Gregori’s backpacks, then teleported away.
Gregori pulled her into his arms. “Ready?”
She nodded as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “San Francisco, right?”
“Yes. The West Coast Coven house. I’ve been there before, so I know the way. Hang on.”
Everything went black, then her feet landed softly on a thick Persian rug. She looked around. Angus and Robby were standing close to the fireplace, talking to a dark-haired man in a kilt. The room appeared to be a parlor, richly furnished with wingback chairs and medallion-back sofas, all upholstered in dark red velvet, the color of blood. Fitting, she supposed, for a house full of vampires.
“Miss Tucker?” The kilted man approached her with a smile. “I’m Rafferty McCall, West Coast Coven Master.”
“How do you do?” She shook hands with him. “Thank you for helping me.”
Since they had to wait for the sun to set in Hawaii, Abigail spent the next few hours sightseeing with Gregori. Rafferty provided them with a chauffeured Town Car, and they roamed about the city, laughing and stealing kisses in the moonlight. No Secret Service agents watching their every move. She hadn’t felt this free in years.
Then they teleported to a small beach house in Hawaii that belonged to a were-dolphin named Finn Grayson. He was a marine biologist who worked at a nearby sea park.
“If the MacKay dudes want something done on the islands, they rely on me,” he told Abigail. “Vamps don’t hang out here, you know. Too much sun.” He grinned at the vampire men. “Take a load off, bros. I’ve got some Bleer in the fridge.” He shuffled to the kitchen in his flip-flops.