Eden Robins - Redemption.pdf

7/27/2019 Eden Robins - Redemption.pdf

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T hi s d ocum en t w as g en er at ed b y A BC A mb er L IT C on vert er p ro gr am

A Cerridwen Press Publication

www.cerridwenpress.com

After Sundown: Redemption

ISBN #1-4199-0244-X

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

After Sundown: Redemption Copyright 2005 Eden Robins

E di ted b y: M ar y D aw so n
http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlhttp://www.processtext.com/abclit.html


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C ov er a rt b y: S yn ec a

Electronic book Publication: May 2005

Wi th t he e xc ep ti on of qu ot es us ed i n r evi ews , t hi s boo k ma y n ot be r epr oduc ed or us ed i n w hol e or i n

part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Cerridwen Press, 1056 Home

A v en u e, A k ro n , O H 4 4 31 0 -3 5 02 .

T hi s b oo k i s a w or k o f f ic ti on a nd a ny r es em bl an ce t o p er so ns , l iv in g o r d ea d, o r p la ce s, e ve nt s o r

l ocal es i s p ur el y coi ncid en tal. T he charact er s are p ro du ct io ns o f t he aut ho rs i magi nati on and u sed

fictitiously.

C er ri dw en P ress i s an i mp ri nt o f E ll or a s C av e P ub li sh in g, I nc.

After Sundown: Redemption


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EdenRobins

Dedication

T o my f ri end , St ev en, wh o m ade m e r ea li ze t ha t t omo rr ow m ay n eve r c om e, s o I n ee d t o ma ke t he m os t

o f t od ay. Y ou ll a lw ays b e i n m y h ea rt .

C h ap t er O n e

A lm os t t here. J us t a l it tl e f ar th er . A ly ss a s h eart w as h am meri ng s o f as t s he t ho ug ht i t m ig ht b ur st f ro m

h er c he st . B ut s he h ad t o k ee p g oi ng . S he s pi ed t he d oo r l ea di ng f ro m t he p ar ki ng g ar ag e. S ti ll a l on g

way to go. Why had she parked so far away? Was that a breath she felt at the back of her neck? Fear

e ng ul fe d h er . S he t ri ed t o p um p h er l eg s f as te r. H er m us cl es s ho t d ag ge rs o f p ai n u pw ar ds i n p ro te st .

Theyd almost reached their limit.

S he c ou ld m ak e i t, a lm os t t he re S om et hi ng p ul le d a t t he b ac k o f h er b lo us e a nd t he n l os t i ts g ri p. S he

f in al ly r ea ch ed t he d oo r, g av e i t a g oo d p us h. I t w as u nl oc ke d. S li pp in g i ns id e, s he s la mm ed t he d oo r

behind her. Alyssa sagged against it in relief. People were all around her. She trembled all over in an

e ff or t t o g et h er b re at hi ng b ac k t o n or ma l. S af e. F or n ow . O th er t ha n l os in g h er s ho es , s he w as f in e.

T he m an ha d a tt ac ke d a s s he a ppr oa che d h er c ar . S he s wun g he r p ur se h ar d e no ugh a t hi s h ea d t o

m om en tari ly d is or ient h im . T hen b ro ug ht h er k nee u p and cen tered i t w here h e w as m os t v ul nerabl e. H e

d ou bl ed ov er w it h a gr oa n. S he be ga n h er r ac e. H er h ig h h ee ls ha d i mp ed ed he r s pe ed , s o s he ki ck ed

t he m of f. I gnor in g t he pa in f ro m t he bi ts of r oc ks a nd de br is s he s te ppe d o n a s s he r an f or he r l if e, s he

s il en tl y t ha nk ed h er m ot he r f or pu sh ing h er t o d o t ra ck w hi le g ro wi ng u p. D es pi te t he f ac t t ha t h er f at he r


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ha d a lwa ys s ai d s he ra n l ike a gi rl , s he kne w s he ha d be en one of t he f as te st r unne rs i n he r

schoolboy or girl.

G radu al ly A ly ss a g ot h er b reat hi ng b ack t o n or mal. E very th in g w ou ld b e o kay n ow . B ut w hat abo ut t he

next time? Whoever was stalking heryes, she finally admitted thats what was happeningwasntg oi ng away. T hi s w as t he t hi rd s peak in g eng ag em en t h e h ad s ho wn u p at and d es pi te t he h ei gh tened

s ec ur it y p re ca ut io ns s he d t ak en , h e d id n t s ee m t o b e s lo wi ng d ow n. T hi s t im e, i t f el t l ik e h e d b ee n j us t

s te ps b eh in d h er . H e d n ev er b ee n t ha t c lo se b ef or e.

H er p ub li ci st w as r ig ht . S he h ad a vo id ed h is s ug ge st io ns t o h ir e p er so na l s ec ur it y. N ow s he k ne w s he

cou ld n t p ut i t o ff any l on ger. S he h ad ass um ed t hat, l ik e every th in g els e i n h er l if e, s he cou ld h an dl e t hi s

h er self . S he w as w ro ng . T he s it uati on w as g et ti ng o ut o f h an d. W ho ev er w as aft er h er w as n t g iv in g u p.

As much as she ha ted t o admit it, it was time to as k for help.

* * * * *

T h e n ex t eveni ng , aft er m uch p er su as io n b y h er p ub li ci st , A ly ss a E dw ar ds w al ked i nt o t he o ff ice o f

Sundown Security Agency. Her conversation with the agencys owner, Vlad Maksimovitch, started out

w el l. A lt ho ug h s he h ad t ho ug ht i t s tr an ge t hat t he agency o nl y o pened i ts d oo rs aft er s un do wn , h er

publicist had assured her that this company was the best inArizona. They specialized in security forevening functions and since her three remaining motivational workshops were at night, that suited her

purposes perfectly.

V la d, a s he a sk ed h er t o c al l h im , o ff er ed h er h er ba l t ea a s t he y s at i n h is o ff ic e d is cu ss in g h er s it ua ti on .

T he l ig ht s cent o f chamo mi le r el ax ed h er f rayed n er ves. A ls o t here w as s om et hi ng abo ut h is t on e o f

v oi ce , w hi ch l ef t h er a t e as e. H e h ad a n a lm os t l ul li ng c ad en ce t o h is s pe ec h. D es pi te t he f ac t t ha t h e w as

o ne o f t he m os t a tt ra ct iv e m en s he h ad e ve r m et , h is w ar m s mi le a nd e as y m an ne r m ad e h er c om fo rt ab le

almost immediately.

T hen h e m en ti on ed t he B w or d.

A b od yg ua rd ? N o w ay ! A ly ss a b ol te d o ff h er s ea t a nd a lm os t s to rm ed r ig ht b ac k o ut t he d oo r. Mr .

M ak si mo vi tch, w hen m y p ub li ci st s et u p t hi s app oi nt ment i t w as t o acq ui re s om e add it io nal p er so nal

s ec ur it y, n ot p rov id e m e wi th a b aby si tt er . I k no w h ow t o m ake s af e c hoi ce s. I do n t ne ed a nyb od y t o

t el l me how to do t ha t.


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I disagree.

A ly ss a s wu ng aro un d at t he s ou nd o f t he u nf am il iar m al e v oi ce b eh in d h er . T he m an w as l eani ng

n eg li gent ly again st t he d oo rf rame l eadi ng i nt o t he o ff ice. H is arm s w er e f ol ded cas uall y acr os s h is chesta nd h e a pp ea re d v er y r el ax ed . H is e ye s c ha ll en ge d h er a nd h e w or e a m oc ki ng s mi le o n h is f ac e. F or

s om e r easo n t hat s mi rk i rr it at ed h er .

Ex cu se m e? W ho are y ou ? S he l if ted an eyebr ow arr og an tl y.

Mi ss E dw ar ds , t hi s i s C hr is ti an G al iano , V lad exp lain ed . H e r os e f ro m h is chair and g av e C hr is ti an aw ar ni ng l oo k. Hes t he s peci al is t t hat I ass ig ned t o g uar- uh , w or k w it h y ou .

C h ri st ian p us hed away f ro m t he d oo rw ay and s tr od e t ow ar ds h er . H is m ocki ng exp ress io n s ud denl y

chang ed t o i nt en se i nt er es t. A ly ss a f el t s om et hi ng n ew r ep lace t he i rr it at io n s he h ad f el t o nl y m om en ts

before. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the man drew closer. His body moved in a way

t hat s eemed u nn at ur al ly g racefu l, as i f h e w er e alm os t g li di ng t ow ar ds h er r at her t han w al ki ng . H er eyes

r os e t o hi s a nd s he c ou ld n t d ra g t he m a wa y. H is g az e d re w h er i n, e nd le ss ly t ug gi ng a t h er . S he f el t

herself falling into their mocha colored depths.

Christian! Vlad yelled.

C hr is ti an m ai nt ai ned eye con tact w it h A ly ss a u nt il h e s to od clo se eno ug h t o t ou ch h er . H e s lo wl y r ai sed

h is h and t o he r f ac e. C au ght u p i n h is c ap ti va ti ng ga ze , s he ha d n o w il l t o s to p hi m.

Cristobal! No!

T hi s t im e, C hr is ti an h ee de d V la d s w or ds . H e b ro ke e ye c on ta ct a nd A ly ss a s tu mb le d b ac kw ar ds . S he

wo ul d ha ve f al le n a ga ins t t he de sk i f h e h adn t r ea che d ou t a t a s pe ed s o f as t i t b lur re d t o g ra b he r a rm

a nd s te ady he r. Wh at ha d j us t h ap pe ne d? S he f el t a s i f s he h ad b ee n i n s ome s or t o f da ze .

R eal izin g C hr is ti an s ti ll h el d o n t o h er , A ly ss a s i rr it at io n r et ur ned. S he t ri ed t o p ul l f ree, b ut h e d id n t

r el ea se h er . I ns te ad, he s low ly s li d h is h and d ow n h er a rm , o ve r h er e lbo w, s ki mm in g h is f in ge rs on h er


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wrists before gently enveloping her hand in his.

It s a pl ea su re t o me et yo u, he s ai d.

H is l il ti ng S pani sh accen t and l ig ht t ou ch l ef t h er m om en tary n on pl us sed, b ut s he q ui ck ly s ho ok i t o ff .

Ni ce t o me et you, M r. Ga li ano . N ow i f you d l et go o f me ?

S he l oo ke d p oi nt ed ly d ow n a t t he ir c la sp ed h an ds , t he n b ac k a t h im .

Of cou rs e, b ut p leas e cal l m e C hr is ti an , h e s ai d, r el easi ng h er .

A ly ss a s te pp ed b ac k, p ut ti ng s om e s pa ce b et we en t he m b ef or e t ur ni ng b ac k t ow ar ds M r.

Maksimovitch.

I a pp re ci at e y ou r e ff or ts t o p ro te ct m e, h ow ev er , a b od yg ua rd i s n ot e xa ct ly w ha t I h ad p la nn ed , s he

reiterated.

Yo u n eed t o chang e y ou r p lan, M s. E dw ar ds , C hr i st i an r esp on ded.

I d on t t hi nk s o, s he c ou nt er ed . T he m an w as re al ly s ta rt in g t o g et o n h er n er ve s. I d on t n ee d a m an

f ol lowi ng me a roun d whe re ve r I go, t el lin g me whe re t o go, wha t t o do, or how t o do i t.

C hr is ti an l oo ked l ik e h e w as abo ut t o ar gu e, w hen V lad i nt err up ted.

Mi ss E dw ar ds . O ur b us i nes s i s s ecu ri ty . W e u nd er s tand y ou r r el uctance t o h ir e a b od yg uard , h ow ev er ,

i t s ounds t o m e l ike your pr obl em ha s be com e mor e t ha n j us t a c as e of a n a vid f an wa nt ing your

att en ti on . L as t n ig ht y ou w er e att acked. Y ou r p hy si cal w el l- bein g w as t hr eatened. Y ou m an ag ed t o

e sc ap e, bu t n ex t t im e y ou m ig ht n ot be s o l uc ky .


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D ar n i t, t he ma n w as r ig ht . I f h e h adn t j us t voi ce d he r ow n c onc er ns , s he wou ld h ave be en a bl e t o

r ef us e t heir s er vi ces. W ho ev er att acked h er l as t n ig ht w as n t p layi ng aro un d. S he o nl y h ad t wo m or e

d ay s u nt il h er n ex t s pe ak in g a pp ea ra nc e. P ri de h ad n o p la ce i n t hi s. H er l if e m ig ht b e a t s ta ke .

T he t wo m en w ai ted s il en tl y f or h er t o m ak e h er d ecis io n. C hr is ti an s exp ress io n m ocked h er , V lad s

l oo ke d e ar ne st , c on ce rn ed . S he k ne w w ha t s he h ad t o d o.

Fi ne, s he agr eed t hr ou gh g ri tt ed t eeth . S he r eall y d id n t l ik e t hi s. Bu t, n o o ff en se M r. G al iano , I d

prefer that you handle my case, Vlad.

C hr is ti an s s mi le r em ai ned f ir ml y i n p lace, b ut A ly ss a n ot iced i t n ow l oo ked l ik e l it tl e m or e t han a b ar in g

o f t eeth . W el l, t hat w as j us t t oo b ad . S he f el t com fo rt ab le w it h V lad and d ef in it el y u ncom fo rt ab le w it h

C hr is ti an . S om et hi ng abo ut h im s cr eamed a s il en t w ar ni ng t hat s ai d, St ay f ar away.

Regr et fu ll y, M is s E dw ar ds , t hat s n ot p os si bl e, V lad exp lain ed . I m w or ki ng o n a h ig h p ro fi le cas e o f

m y o wn a t t he m om ent a nd w on t b e a bl e t o ha ndl e yo ur s a s we ll . A ls o, p le as e u nde rs ta nd t ha t I c hoo se

t he s pe ci al is ts t o w or k e ac h c as e b as ed o n t he s pe ci fi cs o f t he c ir cu ms ta nc es . A ft er l oo ki ng o ve r y ou r s it ua ti on a nd t al ki ng t o y ou r p ub li ci st , I k ne w t ha t C hr is ti an w as t he o ne t o b es t h an dl e y ou r n ee ds . I

promise you, youll be satisfied with him and his protection.

Vlad looked pointedly at Christian.

Isnt that right, Christian?

C hr is ti an l oo ked l ik e t he cat t hat s wall ow ed t he cream . H is s mi le w id en ed t o w ol fi sh p ro po rt io ns as h e

met Alyssas gaze.

I c an d ef in it el y s at is fy y ou r n ee ds , M is s E dw ar ds . A s l on g a s y ou d o a s y ou r e t ol d.

A ly ss a f um ed . T he m an w as j us t t oo m uc h! P la ci ng h er ha nd s on h er hi ps s he m et h is g az e s qu ar el y.


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I d on t t ak e o rd er s v er y w el l, M r. G al ia no .A nd , s he p au se d t o r ak e h er g az e s ca th in gl y o ve r h im f ro m

h ead t o t oe, my s at is fact io n i s n ot s o eas il y f ul fi ll ed .

W he n h er e ye s r et ur ne d t o h is f ac e, s he c ou ld t el l b y h is c le nc hi ng j aw t ha t h e w as n ot a mu se d. T he ir

g azes m et and clash ed .

We l l s ee , he s ai d, b ef or e t ur ni ng t o l oo k a t V la d. I ll l ea ve t he d et ai ls t o y ou , a s u su al . J us t f il l m e i n

later.

C hr is ti an t ur ned and l ef t t he r oo m w it ho ut a b ackw ar ds g lance.

Yes, w e w il l, A ly ss a, h is sed u nd er h er b reat h.

S he t ur ne d t o V la d w it h a s mi le t ha t w as m os t d ef in it el y f or ce d.

I m s or ry , M s. E dw ar ds . C hr is ti an i s u su al ly n ot l ik e t hi s. I p ro mi se y ou , h e ll h an dl e y ou r cas e w it h t he

u tm os t p ro fess io nali sm and cou rt es y. H e i s v er y g oo d at h is j ob . Y ou l l f eel s af e i n h is h an ds , V lad

guaranteed.

Th an k y ou . I app reci at e y ou r con fi dence i n y ou r emp lo yees . A s y ou m en ti on ed b ef or e, t hi s s it uati on

h as g ot ten w ay o ut o f h an d. E very th in g I v e t ri ed u p u nt il n ow h as n t h el ped.

Let s g o o ver t he event s o ne m or e t im e. T el l m e every th in g, f ro m t he f ir st t im e t he s talk er app eared u nt il

now, Vlad requested.

Of cou rs e. I t all s tart ed aft er m y f ir st m ot iv at io nal t al k s in ce b ei ng b ack i nA ri zo na. A s y ou k no w, I v e

been traveling around the country promoting my new life therapy book,Balance . I scheduled six

a pp ea ra nc es a rou nd t he s ta te . I t ho ug ht i t w as f it ti ng t o f in is h o ut m y t en -w ee k t ou r i n m y h om e s ta te .

A ny way, I w as at t he G rady G am mage A ud it or iu m i nT em pe, w hen t he s talk er f ir st con tact ed m e.

Everything was going as usual when


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* * * * *

I n h is o ff ice d ow n t he h al l f ro m V lad s, C hr is ti an p aced r es tl es sl y b ack and f or th . H is acu te h eari ng

a ll ow ed h im t o h ea r e ve ry w or d A ly ss a E dw ar ds s po ke . W he n V la d p ro mi se d h er t ha t h e w ou ld b eh av e

w it h p ro fess io nali sm and cou rt es y, C hr is ti an s mi led col dl y. V lad k new h e w as l is teni ng and t hat w as h is

w ay o f w ar ni ng h im t o b eh av e.

C hr is ti an r an h is h an d t hr ou gh h is h ai r and exh al ed l ou dl y i n f ru st rati on . H e w as n t q ui te s ur e w hy h e h ad

a ct ed t ha t w ay w it h t he h um an w om an . S he w as p re tt y. H e d g iv e h er t ha t. H er s tr ai gh t, r av en b la ck h ai r

h un g l oo se d ow n t o t he s ma ll o f h er b ac k. S he h ad d el ic at el y a rc he d e ye br ow s, c ry st al b lu e e ye s, c re am yw hi te s ki n and f ul l, b er ry -r ed l ip s. H er amp le and v ol up tu ou s cur ves als o k ep t d rawi ng h is g aze. B ut h e

h ad s een m an y m or e exq ui si tely b eaut if ul w om en d ur in g h is t wo h un dr ed y ear l if et im e and n on e h ad

affected him like this.

M os t w om en t ri ed t o a tt ra ct h is i nt er es t. A ly ss a h ad d on e j us t t he o pp os it e. S he h ad a ct ed l ik e s he

w an te d n ot hi ng t o do w it h h im . T ha t s ur pr is ed h im . Ev en w he n h e h ad t ri ed t o m es me ri ze h er , s he h ad

s tr ugg le d a ga in st i t. H er s tr eng th of w il l a ma ze d h im . S he ha d f oug ht h im up t o t he m om en t h e ha d

r el eased h er f ro m h is m en tal emb race. T hat w as u nu su al .

D es pi te all t hat, w hat m os t i nt ri gu ed h im h ad b een h er abi li ty t o i gn it e h is emo ti on s. M os t h um an s o nl y

m il dl y aff ected h im , b ut s he h ad act uall y m ad e h im f eel s ev er al w ay s. C hall en ged, i nt er es ted, i rr it at ed and

y es , att ract ed . S om et hi ng abo ut h er app ealed t o h im , m ad e h im f eel ali ve, b ut h e cou ld n t q ui te p lace

wh at i t wa s, ye t.

T ho ug h h e k new w hat h ad h ap pened t o A ly ss a u p t o t hat p oi nt , C hr is ti an l is tened att en ti vely , car ef ul n ott o m is s any u nu su al cad en ce chang es o r h es it at io ns i n h er v oi ce. H e h ad l earn ed t hr ou gh exp er ience t hat

i t w as n t a lw ay s w ha t t he p er so n s ai d t ha t a ns we re d y ou r q ue st io ns . I t w as m or e o ft en h ow t he y s ai d i t.

H e k ne w s he w as s ca re d b y t he l as t a tt ac k, a s s he s ho ul d b e. B ut he c oul d a ls o t el l s he d idn t l ike a ski ng

f or h el p. S he w as v er y i nd ep en de nt . T ha t w as a n a dm ir ab le t ra it , b ut i t c ou ld p re se nt a p ro bl em i f s he

wa sn t wi ll in g t o c oope ra te wi th hi m. He h ad a j ob t o do a nd he woul d s uc ce ed, wi th or wi th out h er

agreement.

H e w as s wo rn t o p ro te ct t he h um an s h e h ad e as il y k il le d s o l on g a go . A lm os t a h un dr ed a nd f if ty y ea rs

ha d pa ss ed s inc e he l et t he va mpi re i n hi m t ak e c ont rol o f t he p ers on he wa s. The ma n now r ule d t he

va mp ir e, not th e ot he r w ay a round. And hi s dut y t o pr ot ec t w as wha t he l ive d f or . I t w as t he onl y t hi ng

that kept him from walking into the sunlight and ending his existence.


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H e d el ved l ig ht ly i nt o A ly ss a s m in d, car ef ul t o k eep h is s earch d el icat e s o t hat s he r em ai ned u naware o f

h is p ro bi ng . H e cou ld n t s to p t he s at is fi ed g ri n t hat s pr ead acr os s h is l ip s. S he w as w on deri ng abo ut h im ,

e ve n a s s he s ai d g oo dby e t o Vl ad . G oo d, s he w as n t a s un af fe ct ed b y h im a s s he p re te nd ed t o b e. T ha t

would help.

Di d y ou g et i t a ll , m y f ri en d, o r h av e y ou b ee n i n h er e t he w hol e t im e, d ay dr ea mi ng a bo ut ou r b ea ut if ul

n ew cli en t? V lad ask ed as h e w al ked i nt o C hr is ti an s o ff ice.

I he ar d i t. A nd I a gr ee , s he i s qui te a tt ra ct ive , bu t t ha t s no t wh at wo rr ie s me . M s. E dw ar ds i s ve ry

i nd ep end en t a nd r ea ll y d oe sn t w an t t o de al w it h u s. I s ki mm ed h er m ind l igh tl y, a s I m s ur e yo u d id a ndde spi te he r f ea r ov er t he s it ua ti on, s he wa s t ryi ng t o f igur e o ut a wa y not t o us e our s er vi ce s, e ve n a s you

w al ke d h er t o he r c ar a nd s he dr ov e a wa y.

Nevert heless , s he w il l u se o ur s er vi ce. H er p ub li ci st i ns is ted and s he h as alr eady g iv en u s a d ow n

payment. Vlad smiled, before he turned serious again. You have a new client, Christian. But please

r ef ra in f ro m a ny m or e o pe n d is pl ay s l ik e t he o ne i n m y o ff ic e e ar li er . W e d on t w an t t o s ca re o ur

cus to mers away. O ur b us in es s h as g ro wn s ub st an ti al ly i n t he l as t f ew y ears and w e re est ab li sh in g a g oo d

r ep ut at io n. I w an t t o k ee p i t t ha t w ay .

D on t w or ry . I m s ur e M s. E dw ar ds a nd I w il l c om e t o a n a gr ee me nt , C hr is ti an s ai d w it h a w ic ke d

smile.

Th at s w ha t I m a fr ai d o f, V la d m ut te re d, s ha ki ng h is h ea d. H e p la ce d a f il e o n C hr is ti an s d es k, t he n

t ur ne d t o l ea ve t he r oom. Ta ke a l ook a t M s. E dwa rds f il e. Sh e s goi ng t o me et wi th y ou he re a t t he

o ff ice t om or ro w n ig ht , s o t hat y ou can g o o ver p ro cedu re and l ay ou t. H er n ex t s peak in g eng ag em en t i sthe night after next.

Th an ks . W he re a re y ou o ff t o i n s uc h a h ur ry ? C hr is ti an a sk ed w it h a k now in g g ri n.

V lad s ti ff en ed and g lared o ver h is s ho ul der.

You k no w pe rf ec tl y w el l w he re I m g oi ng . I f I m n ot a t l it tl e m is s p ri nc es s s h ou se by a c er ta in t im e, h er


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d ad dy g et s v er y u nh ap py , h e s ai d w it h a g ri m s mi le. An d w it h t he amo un t o f m on ey h e s w il li ng t o p ay

a nd hi s l ar ge c ro wd o f f ri en ds t ha t a re j us t t he k in d o f p eop le w ho c ou ld be o ur f ut ur e c li en ts , I m w il li ng

t o s pe ed u p m y p ac e a l it tl e. D ea li ng w it h h is d au gh te r, o f c ou rs e, i s a t ot al ly d if fe re nt m at te r. I d on t

know how muc h l onge r I m goi ng t o be a bl e t o put up w it h he r.

Go od l uck, C hr is ti an s ni ck er ed b ef or e h is f ri en d s lamm ed t he o ff ice d oo r o n h is w ay o ut .

* * * * *

A ly ss a d ro ve t hr ou gh t he d ri ve t hr u, g rabb in g s om e J ap an es e f as t f oo d f ro mT er iy ak i N ow ! T ok yo

E xp ress o n h er w ay h om e. H er apart ment w as f in al ly s tart in g t o f eel l ik e h om e again . A ft er b ei ng g on e f or s o l ong, it wa s ha rd to s et tl e bac k into he r pl ac e. As she s et her ke ys a nd f ood down on the c ounte r, a

big black fur ball jumped onto the kitchen table and meowed loudly.

Fi na ll y f or gi ve n m e, h uh ? s he a sk ed , p et ti ng h er c at . W he n s he s cr at ch ed h is h ea d, h e c lo se d h is e ye s

and began purring loudly.

I m is se d y ou t oo , J on at ha n, b ut t hi s s pe ak in g t ou r w as s om et hi ng I n ee de d t o d o. I k no w A un t J oy cet oo k g oo d c ar e o f y ou w hi le I w as g on e. Y ou c er ta in ly d on t l oo k d ep ri ve d, s he a dd ed , s tr ok in g h is

s ub st an ti al b el ly . I n r es pon se , h e t ur ne d a nd g av e h er h an d a l it tl e n ip .

Ok ay , s o I m n ot t ot al ly f or gi ven. H ow abo ut s om e d in ner?

Al ys sa o pe ne d a c an of c at f oo d a nd p ou re d i t i nt o J ona tha n s bo wl , t he n s et i t o n t he f loor b y hi s w at er .He j um pe d o ff t he t abl e a nd s ni ff ed hi s f oo d. She s at d own, pu ll ed he r di nn er out of t he ba g a nd be ga n t o

e at . W he n s he w as a bo ut h al fw ay t hr ou gh , J on at ha n j um pe d b ac k o nt o t he t ab le a nd s at d ow n i n f ro nt o f

h er . H e w ai ted p at ient ly , w at ch in g h er chew each b it e and o ccas io nall y s ni ff in g t he air .

No. T he v et s ai d I ha ve t o s top gi vi ng you t re at s. I know t er iya ki c hi ck en i s yo ur f avor it e, bu t I c an t do

it, she explained.

J on at ha n m eo we d s ha rp ly , t he n p ro ce ed ed t o p ac e o n t he t ab le i n f ro nt o f h er .


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No pe. I m n ot g iv in g i n t hi s t im e. Y ou n eed t o b e h ealt hi er , s he s ai d f ir ml y.

J on at ha n s to pp ed a nd e mi tt ed a s ma ll p it if ul m eo w, t he n l ay d ow n o n t he t ab le a nd r ol le d o ve r o nt o h isback. All the while he watched her eat.

N o, I c an t

T he door be ll r ang a t t ha t m om ent a nd A lys sa got up t o a ns we r i t. J ona tha n l et out one mor e me ow a nd

s he g av e u p.

Fi ne . H er e s t he r es t. I m d on e a ny wa y. S he s et t he b ow l i n f ro nt o f h im b ef or e w al ki ng t o t he d oo r.

S he s ta rt ed t o op en i t a nd t he n r em em be re d w ha t ha d h app ene d t he n ig ht b ef or e. Sh e ne ed ed t o b e

m or e c au ti ou s, m ak e s af er c ho ic es . S he p ee ke d t hr ou gh t he p ee ph ol e a nd t he n o pe ne d t he d oo r w id e.

Her A un t J oy ce b reezed i ns i de.

Hi . J on at han and I are j us t s hari ng o ur d in ner, again , A ly ss a exp lain ed .

I t ho ug ht h e s o n a d ie t? H er a un t h ik ed o ne e ye br ow .

H e i s, b ut I f ig ur ed a l it tl e chi ck en w ou ld n t h ur t h im .

Hon ey, a l it tl e c hi ck en i s w ha t go t hi m w he re h e i s i n t he f ir st pl ac e. A dm it i t, J on at ha n i s o ne s po il ed

cat and y ou d b e u nh ap py w it ho ut h im .

He was a st rayI f ound, e nd of st or y. He ha d no pl ac e e ls e to go. And wha t a m I s uppos ed to do? He


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h as t o e at , A ly ss a r ep li ed .

An d h e h as t o h av e h is s pe ci al k it ty b ed , h is k it ty b la nk et , h is k it ty t oy s, h is f is h s ha pe d b ow l a nd d on t

f or ge t hi s l it tl e k it ty s we at er f or t hos e e sp ec ia ll y c ol d da ys w he n y ou t ake h im f or a w al k i n h is ki tt y h al te r

l ea sh . T ha t c at i s o ne o f t he m os t s po il ed a ni ma ls I h av e e ve r m et , h er a un t c om pl ai ne d.

He w as s o i nc re di bl y d if fi cu lt w hi le yo u w er e g on e, A ly ss a. H e d id n t w an t t o e at , di dn t w an t t o u se h is

l it te r box a nd di dn t w ant t o t ake hi s da il y w al k. I ha d t o f ee d hi m l ike a ba by a nd c arr y hi m a ro und

out side , j us t s o he c oul d ge t hi s f re sh a ir . H one st ly, I dont know how or w hy you put up w it h hi m, he r

aunt complained.

A ly ss a s mi led. S he k new t hat d es pi te all t he com pl ai ni ng h er aun t w as d oi ng , s he abs ol ut el y ado red

Jonathan.

I m s or ry h e wa s s uc h a bot he r. Th anks f or t ak ing c ar e of hi m f or m e w hi le I wa s gon e. I don t kno w

w hat I w ou ld h av e d on e w it ho ut y ou . A ly ss a h ug ged h er aun t.

I w as g lad t o d o i t f or y ou , A ly , h er aun t r ep li ed s of tl y, h ug gi ng A ly ss a t ig ht ly b ef or e p ul li ng away andt ak in g h er n ie ce s f ac e i n h er h an ds . Le t m e l oo k a t y ou , g ir l. Y ou w er e g on e t oo l on g. I m is se d y ou .

I m is se d y ou t oo , A un t J oy ce . A ly ss a s mi le d. Now c om e i nt o t he k it ch en w it h m e a nd w e ll h av e

s om e t ea.

Al ys sa po ur ed t wo g la ss es of i ce d t ea a nd s at do wn a cr os s f ro m h er a unt a t t he ki tc he n t abl e. T hek it ch en w as o ne o f h er f av or it e r oo ms i n t he a pa rt me nt . S he h ad d ec or at ed i t w it h y el lo ws a nd l ig ht b lu es ,

a s w el l a s s om e p la nt s, t o m ake i t w ar m a nd i nv it in g. S he l ov ed s it ti ng a t t he t ab le c ha tt ing w it h f ri en ds

a nd f am il y. I t w as o ne o f t he t hi ng s s he a nd h er m ot he r h ad d on e w he n A ly ss a w as a c hi ld . T ho ug h h er

m ot her w as n ow d ead, s he s ti ll enj oy ed t he t radi ti on .

H er a un t s ta ye d f or a s ho rt t im e. T he y t al ke d a bo ut A ly ss a s t ri p a nd h er a pp oi nt me nt a t S un do wn

Security.

So youre meeting with Mr. Galiano again tomorrow?


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Ye s, w e re s up po se d t o g o o ve r p la ns f or m y l as t f ew m ot iv at io na l t al ks . H e ll s ug ge st s om e w ay s t o

secure each location, Alyssa replied.

It s ou nd s l ik e t hi s m an k no ws w ha t h e s d oi ng . T ha t s g oo d. I d on t w an t a ny th in g t o h ap pe n t o y ou . I f

y ou r e o bl ig at ed t o f in is h y ou r t ou r, at l east I l l h av e t he com fo rt o f k no wi ng y ou l l b e s af e.

Hmmm, Alyssa replied noncommittally.

S he r ea ll y di dn t w an t t o t hi nk a bo ut h ow s af e s he m igh t b e w it h t he a rr og ant M r. C hr is ti an G al ia no . B ut

l at er o n, a ft er h er a un t l ef t a nd A ly ss a l ay i n h er b ed , h er t ho ug ht s k ep t w an de ri ng b ac k t o h im . T he r es t

o f t he n ig ht s he t os s ed and t ur ned, d ream in g o f d an gero us att ackers and a h an ds om e, m ocki ng s tr an ger

s av in g h er each and every t im e.

By m or ni ng h er d ream s h ad h er com pl et el y i rr it at ed w it h C hr is ti an . S he d id n t k no w h ow s he cou ld

possibly wait until evening. She just wanted to get everything clarified and organized in her mind so that

s he cou ld con cent rate o n o th er t hi ng s.

L ik e h er u pc om in g s pe ak in g e ng ag em en ts . N o m at te r h ow m an y t im es s he s po ke i n f ro nt o f a c ro wd ,

s he a lw ay s n ee de d t o p re pa re . O nc e s he h ad d on e e no ug h p re pa ra ti on , s he h ad n o t ro ub le s pe ak in g i n

f ro nt of l ar ge gr oup s of pe opl e. M il li ons e ve n, a s s he h ad do ne wh en s he a pp ea re d on Th e Go od D ay

S ho w w it h E ll ie T yl er . Sh e h ad w at ch ed E ll ie f or y ea rs a nd f el t c om for ta bl e w it h h er . B ut t he f ac t t ha t s o

m an y p eo pl e w er e g oi ng t o b e w at ch in g t he i nt er vi ew w or ri ed h er , s o s he h ad p re pa re d e xt en si ve ly f or i t.

B y t he t im e s he w en t o n T V, s he f el t r ea dy a nd a ns we re d e ac h q ue st io n a pp ro pr ia te ly .

D es pi te t he f ac t t ha t t he s he ha d a l ot of w or k t o d o, t he d ay dr ag ge d o n f or eve r. Be fo re s uns et , A ly ss a

w as alr eady i n h er car , h eadi ng i nt o d ow nt ow nP ho en ix , o n h er w ay t o m eet C hr is ti an . S he p ul led i nt o t he

parking lot just as the sun was disappearing over the horizon. She enjoyed the scene for a few

minutes.Arizonasunsets were incredibly beautiful and this one was no exception. The pinks and oranges

t ha t s tr ea ke d a cr os s t he s ky s ee me d t oo br ig ht t o b e r ea l. I t w as a lm os t a s i f s ome on e h ad pa in te d t he m

t he re . W he n t he c ol or s f ad ed a nd t wi li gh t f el l, s he g ot o ut o f h er c ar a nd h ea de d f or t he S un do wn

S ec ur it y o ff ic e. S he k no ck ed o n t he d oo r, b ut n o o ne a ns we re d s o s he t ri ed t he l oc k. I t w as o pe n.

S lo wl y, s he t wi st ed t he k no b a nd p us he d t he d oo r i nw ar d.

Oh g oo d, d in ner. J us t i n t im e t oo , I m f am is hed.


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A ly ss a s to pp ed s ho rt i n t he d oo rw ay . T he w om an s tand in g i ns id e d id n t l oo k f ri en dl y. I n f act, s he

l oo ked d ow nr ig ht u nf ri en dl y. A ly ss a s lo wl y cou nt ed t o f iv e. S he j us t w as n t i n t he m oo d f or t hi s.

Lo ok , y ou l l h av e t o f in d y ou r o wn m eal. I m n ot h er e t o d el iv er d in ner, A ly ss a s ai d i rr it ab ly . I m h er e

for an appointment.

Wh o s ai d any th in g abo ut d el iv er in g d in ner, m y d ear? Y ou ar e d in ner. T he w om an s mack ed h er l ip s,

g iv in g A ly ss a a l eer t hat r ev ealed s har p, elo ng at ed t eeth . W hen s he s tr od e f or war d, A ly ss a r et r eated

backwards through the doorway, her heart pounding in sudden alarm.

C h ap t er T wo

T hi s w as n t g oo d. T here w as s om et hi ng n ot r ig ht , s om et hi ng s tr an ge abo ut t hi s w om an .F ear r ep laced t hei rr it ab il it y A ly ss a h ad b een f eeli ng o nl y m om en ts b ef or e. T hi s s tr an ger m eant h er h ar m. T he u rg e t o t ur n

a nd r un w as s tr on g, b ut A ly ss a s om eh ow s en se d t ha t s he w ou ld n ev er m ak e i t. S he j us t k ep t s lo wl y

backing up out the door and into the parking lot. Just as the woman was about to reach her, Alyssa

bumped into something solid. Swinging around she saw Vlad Maksimovitch standing there. Without

l oo ki ng d ow n at h er , h e g en tl y p ul led A ly ss a b eh in d h im .

Ba zh en a, i t s b ee n t oo l on g. W ha t b ri ng s y ou h er e? V la d a sk ed t he w om an .

He ll o, V la d. I w as i n t he a re a a nd t houg ht I d s top by. I t ha s be en a l ong t im e ha sn t i t? A t l ea st f our

h un dr ed ye ar s b y l as t c ou nt . O f c our se i t s s ti ll n ot l on g e no ugh f or m e t o f or gi ve y ou f or t ha t l it tl e

misunderstanding we had.

D es pi te t he f act t hat t he con vers at io n s eemed p leas an t and m un dane, A ly ss a f el t t he emo ti on al

u nd er cu rr en ts a ll a ro un d h er . T he se t wo p eo pl e h at ed e ac h o th er . S he w as s ur e o f i t. F ou r h un dr ed

y ea rs , h ad s he h ea rd t ha t r ig ht ?


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Ba zhe na , you ki ll ed s ome on e I c ar ed a bout . An d I t ri ed t o ki ll you be ca us e of i t. I d c al l t ha t m or e t ha n

a little misunderstanding, wouldnt you?

Wh at ev er , V la d. Y ou j us t h ol d o nt o y our l it tl e h um an m or al c ode a nd I l l d o m y o wn t hi ng . N ow i f y ou d t ur n o ver t hat d el ectabl e l it tl e m or sel b eh in d y ou I m ig ht b e w il li ng t o f or gi ve y ou .

A ly ss a s ti ff en ed i n f ea r. T hi s s tr an ge w om an w as t al ki ng a bo ut h er l ik e s he w as a p ie ce o f m ea t. W ha t

w as g oi ng o n h er e? S he p ee ke d a ro un d V la d a nd f ou nd B az he na s g az e s li de i mm ed ia te ly t o h er s. S he

l ee re d a t A ly ss a a nd s ma ck ed h er l ip s a ga in .

Co me o ut , s we et , I o nl y w an t a l it tl e t as te .

Yo u t ou ch h er and y ou l l b e w al ki ng i nt o t he s un li gh t s oo ner t han y ou p lann ed ,W en di go .

A ly ss a s wu ng aro un d and s aw C hr is ti an s tr id in g t ow ar ds t hem. F ur y m ad e h is eyes g lo w and h is m us cl es

bunch rigidly with each step he took. He looked like a dangerous predator Alyssa wouldnt want to be

t he w ro ng s id e o f. H e w al ke d r ig ht u p t o B az he na a nd t ow er ed o ve r h er . S he s ee me d u nc on ce rn ed e ve nt hou gh h er pe ti te s iz e w as n o m at ch f or hi s. H er m ou th h ad h un g o pe n i n s ho ck w he n s he f ir st s aw

C hr is ti an . B ut s he s mi led i n amu sement n ow as h e t ow er ed o ver h er . A ly ss a n ot iced B azhenas s mi le

n ev er r ea ch ed h er c ol d e ye s.

C ri st ob al ! I t ru ly n ev er e xp ec te d t o s ee y ou a ga in . W ha t a re y ou d oi ng h er e?

He w or ks w it h m e, V lad i nt er ject ed .

Ba zh en a l oo ke d b ac k a nd f or th a t t he m en w it h a n a mu se d s mi le .

Th e t wo o f yo u a re f ri en ds ? H ow d ro ll ! B az he na l au gh ed i n a w ay t ha t s en t c hi ll s u p a nd d ow n

Alyssas spine.


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B azhena w as i ncredi bl y b eaut if ul . H er r ed , f or mf it ti ng m in i- dr es s clu ng t o h er i n all t he r ig ht p laces. S he

w as p et it e, m ay be f iv e- feet t hr ee-i nches t al l. H er s hapely b od y p er fect ly m at ch ed h er h ei gh t. S he h ad

gol de n ha ir t ha t hu ng i n l oo se s hi ny wa ve s do wn he r ba ck. He r e ye s we re t he bl ue of a c rys ta l c le ar

s um me r s ky . F ul l l us h l ip s t ha t w er e t he d ee p d ar k r ed o f c he rr ie s c on tr as te d w it h h er a lm os t a la ba st er

s ki n. E xc ep t f or t he t wo , l on g, s ha rp i nc is or s s ti ck in g o ut b el ow h er t op l ip , m os t m en s he k ne w w ou ld

d ro ol all o ver t hi s w om an . V lad and C hr is ti an act ed as i f s he d is gu st ed t hem. S he d ef in it el y n eeded s om e

o rt ho do nt ic w or k, b ut t ha t d id n t a cc ou nt f or t he l oo k o f r ep ul si on o n b ot h m en s f ac es . W ho w as t hi swoman?

B azhena d id n t s eem t o n ot ice t heir d is tast e. S he s mi led s ed ucti vely u p at C hr is ti an . H e s ti ff en ed i n

r es po ns e. C hu ck li ng , s he s ki mm ed h er i nd ex f in ger d ow n o ne s id e o f h is f ace. Do n t t el l m e y ou h av e

become a fanatic like this one, Cristobal? She motioned towards Vlad. After I turned you we had

Thats enough! Christian roared, pushing her away from him. Bazhena stumbled back, but immediately

righted herself.

Le av e no w or I l l m ake you l ea ve . An d I c an pr omi se yo u i t wo n t b e p le as an t, he wa rn ed.

A ng er f lared i n B azhenas eyes, t hen h er g aze t ur ned cal cu lati ng .

Fi ne , I l l l ea ve . Y ou t wo a re a bo ut a s f un a s a w oo de n s ta ke . I f y ou l l j us t g iv e m e m y l it tl e s na ck , I l l

be on my way.

U ne as e s li d o ve r A ly ss a. T hi s w as n ot g oo d. B az he na w as r ef er ri ng t o h er a s a s na ck .

You will not touch this woman, Christian growled. Shes under my protection.

B azhenas eyes w id en ed i n s ur pr is e, t hen n ar ro wed d an gero us ly as s he t ur ned h er g aze t o A ly ss a.

I t ho ug ht y ou w ou ld h av e l earn ed t he f ol ly o f g et ti ng t oo att ached t o h um an s b y n ow , C ri st ob al .

Obviously I didnt teach you well enough.


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I ve l earn ed m or e t han eno ug h s in ce y ou r ui ned m y l if e. I f y ou t ou ch h er , y ou l l r eg ret i t.

Are you threatening me, Cristobal?

Definitely. Christians stony expression gave no quarter.

Ba zh en a l oo ke d l ik e s he w as a bo ut t o p ro te st w he n V la d l ef t A ly ss a s s id e a nd s to od n ex t t o C hr is ti an .

W il l y ou l ea ve n ow , o r m us t w e e xe rt f or ce ?

E nr ag ed , B azhena t ur ned h er f ur io us g aze t o V lad and s hr ieked, Yo uw il l f or ce m e t o d o n ot hi ng !

B ef or e A ly ss a k ne w w ha t w as h ap pe ni ng , B az he na g ra bb ed t he f ro nt o f V la d s s hi rt w it h o ne h an d a nd

l if ted h im o ff t he g ro un d. T hen s he f lu ng h im acr os s t he h al l. H e h it t he w al l w it h s uch f or ce A ly ss a t ho ug ht

h e w ou ld h av e b ee n k no ck ed u nc on sc io us . I ns te ad h e s to od u p, b ru sh ed o ff h is c lo th es a nd s tr od e b ac k t ow ar ds B azhena as i f n ot hi ng h ad h ap pened.

T sk . T sk . V er y chi ld is h, B azhena. B ut s o l ik e y ou , V lad s ai d w it h a con descen di ng s mi le.

B azhena s lo wl y r et reat ed . C hr is ti an adv an ced o n h er . V lad f ol lo wed clo se b eh in d.

G lari ng b ack and f or th b et ween t hem, s he s ho ut ed , Th is i s f ar f ro m o ver!

T hen B azhena t ur ned away and d is ap pear ed ami ds t s om e g at heri ng f og .

Reli ef w as hed o ver A ly ss a. T hat h or ri fy in g w om an w as g on e. W hat h ap pened? H ow h ad B azhena j us t

d is ap pear ed i nt o t he m is t? S in ce w hen w as t here f og d ur in g t he d ry Ar izon as um mer? S he s tu di ed t he

place where that woman, or whatever she was, had just been. Why had she wanted to taste Alyssa? And


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w ha t d id s he m ea n b yt as te ? T he w om an s i nc is or s h ad b ee n i nc re di bl y l on g a nd s ha rp a nd s he h ad

l oo ked at A ly ss a w it h a k in d o f h un ger s he cou ld n t, n o, d id n t w an t t o u nd er st an d. D izzi ness ass ai led h er

a s q ue st io ns r am pa ge d t hr ou gh h er m in d. H er k ne es g av e w ay b en ea th h er a nd s he s an k t o t he g ro un d.

S he h el d h er h ea d i n h er h an ds a s t he e nd le ss q ue st io ns a nd i nc on ce iv ab le a ns we rs b om ba rd ed h er .

Alyssa.

H er t ho ug ht s s ca tt er ed . A ly ss a l oo ke d u p a t t he s ou nd o f C hr is ti an s v oi ce . H e a nd V la d s lo wl y

app ro ached h er . T he l oo k o n t heir f aces w as w ar y, car ef ul ly w at ch in g h er . T he t wo i ncredi bl y h an ds om e

m en a ff ec te d he r a s t he y s tr od e s id e by s id e t owa rd s he r. T he y bo th m ove d wi th a p re da tor y gr ac e t ha t

belied their size and each had a kind of magnetism that kept her eyes glued to them. Yet it was Christian

w ho i nt er es t ed h er m os t .

S he h ad t o a dm it i t. H e w as b ea ut if ul t o l oo k a t, b ut d ef in it el y a ll m al e. W el l ov er s ix f ee t, l an ky , b ut a ls o

m us cu la r. H is m as cu li ne b ea ut y w as u nd en ia bl e. I t t oo k h er b re at h a wa y. H e h ad a v er y p al e

complexion, full sensuous lips and sharply chiseled features. Thick, arched eyebrows topped his

m oc ha -c ol or ed e ye s. A nd h is d ar k b ro wn h ai r h un g l oo se p as t h is s ho ul de rs . A ly ss a w an te d t o t wi ne h er

f in gers i n t he s il ky -l oo ki ng t ress es . C hr is ti an s eyes h el d h er s and s he cou ld n t l oo k away. A s i f h e k ep t

t hem con nect ed b y h is w il l alo ne.

H is g az e c al le d t o h er i n a w ay t ha t m ad e h er t hi nk o f t hi ng s s he t hou gh t l ong b ur ie d. T he i ma ge o f bl ac k

s il k s he et s, c an dl el ig ht a nd t wo i nt er tw ine d l ov er s l yi ng on a hu ge b ed i n t he c ent er o f a r oo m, f il le d h er

h ea d. S he l os t f oc us f or a m om en t a nd s wa ye d. C hr is ti an s f ir m g ra sp k ept h er f ro m f al li ng a s h e h el pe d

h er u p. B ut i t a ls o b ro ke t he s ed uc ti ve s pe ll t ha t h ad e nv el op ed h er .

She sna ppe d her he ad up a nd s tar ed at his f ac e. He st ood so c los e she c oul d s ee t he gold f lec ks

s pr in kl ed t hr ou gho ut h is e ye s. H er g az e r an d ow n h is s tr on g n os e t o h is m ou th . H is l ip s w er e c ur ve d i nt o

t hat k no wi ng s mi rk s he n ow k new s ig naled h is amu sement . O nce again , t hat s mi le r ub bed h er t he w ro ngw ay . S he s ti ff en ed a nd y an ke d h er a rm o ut o f h is g ra sp .

W ou ld y ou m in d k eepi ng y ou r h an ds o ff o f m e?

Christians amusement turned cold.

Gladly.


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A ly ss a w at ch ed h im w al k away and h ead i nt o h is o ff ice w it ho ut ano th er w or d.

V la d c le ar ed hi s t hr oa t a nd s he s wung he r ga ze ba ck t o hi m.

Mi ss E dw ar ds . W on t y ou c om e i nt o o ur o ff ic es ? V la d a sk ed g en tl y. Th e t hr ee o f u s n ee d t o t al k.

H e m ot io ne d f or h er t o g o a he ad o f h im a nd t he y p ro ce ed ed t o C hr is ti an s o ff ic e. A ly ss a s aw C hr is ti an

s tand in g b eh in d h is d es k f acin g t he w in do w. S he t ho ug ht h e w as l os t i n t ho ug ht as h e g azed o ut si de i nt othe darkness.

Sh e w as wr on g. H e w as we ll a wa re of t he ir p re se nc e.

I ll t el l h er , V la d. I k no w t ha t y ou h av e a n a pp oi nt me nt t ha t y ou , u h, c an t b e l at e f or , C hr is ti an s ai d,

s ti ll f acin g t he w in do w. H e t ri ed , u ns uccess fu ll y, t o k eep t he h um or f ro m h is v oi ce. So f eel f ree t o g o. I l l

t al k m or e w it h y ou l at er .

C hr is ti an t ur ned s lo wl y. T ho ug h h is w or ds w er e f or V lad, h is eyes n ar ro wed o n A ly ss a s f ace.

Fi ne, V lad s ai d. Ms . E dw ar ds , I l eave y ou i n C hr is ti an s cap ab lean d p ro fess io nal h an ds . I m s ur e

h e ll b e abl e t o ans wer w hatever q uest io ns y ou h av e.

W it h o ne l as t w ar ni ng g lance at C hr is ti an , V lad clo sed t he d oo r s of tl y b eh in d h im .

N er vo us , A ly ss a s at d ow n. S he w as a lo ne w it h a m an s he d id n t f ee l q ui te s af e w it h. T he a ir g re w t hi ck

w it h awareness . C hr is ti an con ti nu ed t o s tare at h er b ro od in gl y. T he s il en ce f in al ly b ecam e t oo m uch f or

h er . S he w as n ot i nt o p layi ng chi ld is h g am es .

What? she demanded.


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C hr is ti an l if ted o ne eyebr ow and g av e h er t hat s mi rk s he w as b eg in ni ng t o r eall y, real ly d is li ke.

I w as j us t w on de ri ng h ow y ou m an ag ed t o ge t y ou rs el f i nt o t ro ub le j us t b y s ho wi ng u p a t o ur o ff ic es .

Do es t hi s ha ppe n t o y ou a l ot ?

A lys sa kne w by t he t wi nkl e i n h is e ye s t ha t he wa s t ea si ng. Sh e wa s not i n t he m ood. Sh e ne ede d

ans wers . T hi ng s w er e g et ti ng a l it tl e t oo creep y f or h er .

Wh o w as t ha t w om an ? W hy w as s he s o i nt er es te d i n m e? H ow d id s he d is ap pe ar , t ur n i nt o m is t?

C hr is ti an h es it at ed . H e w an te d t o t el l h er t he t ru th , b ut s he w as n t r ea dy f or t ha t y et . H e f el t h er

f ru st ra ti on , h er f ea r. H e w ou ld t el l h er w ha t h e c ou ld .

Sh e i s a v am pi re.

AWH AT ? Al ys sa s hot up f rom t he c ha ir a nd pl ac ed he r h ands on he r hi ps .

Very f un ny . I v e h ad eno ug h t easi ng t on ig ht , M r. G al iano . N ow p leas e b e s tr ai gh t w it h m e. W hat i s

going on?

Yo u w an t t he t ru th ? C hr is ti an adv an ced s lo wl y. H is f ace b ecam e s ol id g rani te, h is g ai t agg ress iv e. H e

h ad s to pp ed p la yi ng , b ut A ly ss a d id n t k no w i f s he l ik ed t ha t. T hi s w as a d if fe re nt s id e o f hi m, o ne s he

h ad n t s een b ef o re.

He dr ew c los er . Th e a ir a rou nd h er b ec am e e le ct ri fi ed . T he h ai rs on he r a rm s s too d o n e nd. He r he ar t

beat rapidly. Her breath grew short. Filled with the primitive urge to flee, she struggled to stand ramrod

s tr ai gh t a s C hr is ti an r ea ch ed h er . H er b od y s ta rt ed t o t re mb le . S he c ou ld n t c on tr ol i t. S he w an te d t o t ur n

a nd r un a wa y, b ut s ud de nl y f el t p ar al yz ed . F ro ze n t o t he s po t. S he l if te d h er e ye s h el pl es sl y t o h is .


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C hr is ti an s mi le d d ow n a t h er . B ut i t w as n ot a c om fo rt in g s mi le . I ns te ad , t he p re da tor y g ri n m ad e h er

m or e a fr ai d. S he w as i n d an ge r. O f t ha t s he h ad n o d ou bt . T he n h e o pe ne d h is m ou th s li gh tl y. F an gs l ik e

s he h ad s ee n o n B az he na a pp ea re d f ro m b el ow h is t op l ip . H or ri fi ed , h er g az e f ix at ed o n h is m ou th . H e

g ro wl ed l ow i n h is t hr oa t. S ur pr is ed b y t he s ou nd , h er e ye s s na pp ed u p t o m ee t h is . S he g as pe d, b ar el y

h ol di ng i n t he s hr iek o f f ri gh t t hat f il led h er . H is eyes g lo wed w it h a r ed l ig ht .

E ng ul fed b y h or ro r, A ly ss a f el t h er l eg s g iv e w ay . S he f el l f or ward , u nabl e t o s to p h er self . C hr is ti an s

s tr on g h an ds cau gh t h er .

I m s or ry I h ad t o do t hi s t o you, pa lom ita , but your dis be li ef l ef t me l it tl e cho ic e. Now you s ee me f or

w ha t I a m. I , C ri st ob al G al ia no y P um ar ad a a m a v am pi re . J us t a s V la d M ak si mo vi tc h a nd B az he na

Ga li cha ni n a re v amp ir es . W e d o e xi st . D on t e ve r do ubt i t. Eve n a s w e s pe ak, I s me ll your f ea r a nd Ih ea r y our r ac in g h ea rt . T he bl ood s in gi ng t hr ou gh y our v ei ns c al ls t o m e. M ake s m e h un ge r f or y ou i n

ways you cant imagine.

C hr is ti an l eaned clo ser. H is l ip s b ru sh ed h er n eck. S hi vers o f awarenes s r an t hr ou gh h er b od y.

A ly ss a f el t h is w ar m br ea th t ic kl e h er e ar . Th e di ff er en ce b et we en B az he na a nd I i s t ha t s he k il ls

h um an s a nd I p ro te ct t he m. T ha t i s t he o nl y t hi ng t ha t k ee ps m e f ro m t ak in g yo u r ig ht n ow , h ewhispered.

A ly ss a s tr ug gl ed t o t am p d ow n t he f ea r t ha t t hr ea te ne d t o e ng ul f h er . J us t a s s he h ad a lw ay s d on e w he n

s he w as a c hi ld. He w as a va mp ir e! He r w ho le bo dy s ho ok . H er h ea rt be at o ut o f c ont rol , he r br ea thi ng

g re w s ha ll ow a nd h er h an ds b ec am e s oa ke d w it h s we at . S he c lo se d h er e ye s a nd t ho ug ht o f t ha t s un se t

s ce ne s he s o of te n v is ua li ze d i n h er m ind wh en s he f el t l ike s he w as l os ing c ont ro l. T he i ma ge c al me d he r

a lm os t i mm ed ia te ly . T he s ha ki ng s to pp ed a nd h er h ea rt s lo we d t o a m or e r ea so na bl e p ac e.

O ka y. T he m an w as a v am pi re . A va mp ir e !

C al m d ow n. S he f or ce d h er se lf t o p ut t ha t t ho ug ht o n t he b ac k b ur ne r u nt il l at er . R ig ht n ow s he n ee de d

t o g et t hi s s it uati on i nt o s om e s or t o f m an ag eabl e f or m. C hr is ti an l oo ked m uch t oo t hr eateni ng f or h er

l ik in g. F al li ng b ac k o n h er t ra in in g a s a t he ra pi st , s he t ri ed t he o ne a pp ro ac h t ha t h ad h el pe d h er i n t he

past.


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C hr is ti an k ne w hi s w or ds w er e h ar sh, b ut s he h ad t o h ea r t he m. H e w ou ld n t t el l h er e ve ry th in g r ig ht

now. But she had to know what he was. It was the only way he could do the job he was hired to do.

M ay be n ow s he w ou ld u nd er st an d a nd a cc ep t t ha t.

I t ha d t aken him a whi le to get ove r hi s s hoc k a t se ei ng hi s c rea tor . Ba zhe na ha d ma de hi m i nt o t hi sc re at ur e o ve r t wo h un dr ed y ea rs a go . H e h ad n t w an te d i t. H ad n t a sk ed f or i t. N ev er th el es s, i t w as h is

o wn f au lt t ha t h e d b ee n t ur ne d i nt o a v am pi re . A nd h e w ou ld n ev er f or ge t t ha t.

Ba zhe na h ad t ol d V la d t ha t s he wa s i n t he a re a a nd h ad j us t s topp ed by f or a vi si t. C hr is ti an kne w s he

l ie d. V am pi re s a re n ot s oc ia l c re at ur es . I f t he y h ad o ne o r t wo r ea l f ri en ds t he y w er e l uc ky . S to pp in g b y

t o v is it a v am pi re y ou h ad n t s ee n i n o ve r f ou r h un dr ed y ea rs d id n ot r in g t ru e. A nd w ha t d id A ly ss a h av e

t o do w it h a ll o f i t? H e w ou ld h av e t o f in d ou t B az he na s r ea l r ea so n f or s ho wi ng u p t on ig ht . B ut h e c ou ld

d ea l w it h t ha t l at er . F or no w, h e n ee de d t o c al m A ly ss a d ow n a nd t he n go ov er he r c as e. No w, m or et ha n e ve r, h e w an te d t o k no w e xa ct ly w ha t h ad b ee n h ap pe ni ng t o h er .

T h e o nl y p rob le m w as t ha t h e c ou ld n t c al m d ow n. T he a dr en al ine t ha t h ad m ad e h is e ye s g lo w a nd h is

f an gs elo ng at e h ad als o h ad aff ected h im i n o th er w ay s. A ly ss a s s cent i nt ox icat ed h im . T he s ou nd o f h er

blood rushing through her veins excited him. And the feel of her silky skin beneath his hands made him

l ong t o r un hi s fi nge rs up and down he r bod y. She c al le d t o hi m i n a wa y no ot he r e ve r ha d. Fr ight ene d

by his own admission, he released his hold.

A lys sa r ig ht ed h er se lf b ef or e s he f el l a ga ins t hi m. S he s hoo k h er h ea d a s i f t ryi ng t o c le ar h er m ind .

S qu ar in g h er s ho ul de rs , s he m et h is g az e w it h h er o wn c ur io us o ne . H er n ex t w or ds w er e n ot t he o ne s

Christian expected.

So w hy d id y ou s ay y our n am e w as C hr is ti an ?

Ex cu se m e? C hr is ti an w as d um bf ou nd ed b y h er q uery .

Well , every on e I v e m et r ecen tl y cal ls y ou C ri st ob al . W hy d id y ou t el l m e y ou r n am e w as C hr is ti an ?

H e r em ai ne d s pe ec hl es s. S he d id n t l oo k t he l ea st b it f ri gh te ne d! A nd o f a ll t he q ue st io ns s he c ou ld h av e

a sk ed , t hi s w as n ot t he o ne t ha t c am e t o m in d. H e w as m om en ta ri ly s id et ra ck ed . H er i nt el li ge nt e ye s

i nt ri gu ed h im . H e l os t h im self i n t heir l iv el y d ep th s, o nl y t o h av e h er s of t chu ck le b ri ng h im b ack.


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H e f ro wn ed . H e w as o n v er y u nf am il iar g ro un d h er e. H e u su al ly d id n t h av e p er so nal con vers at io ns l ik e

this with his human clients. Whats so funny?

Y ou l ook l ike I a sk ed you t he ha rde st que st ion i n th e wor ld. Al l I wa nt t o know i s wh y you t ol d me

y ou r n am e i s C hr is ti an , w hen i t i sn t .

I t i s, uh, I m ea n i t i sn t. He ble w out a n e xa spe ra te d br ea th. Wha t I m ean i s t ha t my bir th nam e i s

C ri s to bal, b ut o ver t im e I ado pt ed t he n am e C hr is ti an .

Why?

It s a mode rn ve rs io n of C ri st oba l a nd s inc e I wor k w ith a l ot o f huma ns , i t w as e as ie r f or t he m.

I s ee . H ow o ld ar e y ou?

Ov er t wo h un dr ed y ear s o ld .

Thatold?

Alyss a a ske d him i n a wa y t hat ma de him fe el as if he shoul d be usi ng a wa lking ca ne and re si di ng in asenior citizen rest home.

Yes,that old, he replied irritably.

An d w hi ch n am e d o y ou p refer?

A ga in , h er c ha ng e o f t op ic a nd u nu su al q ue st io n u nn er ve d h im . N o o ne h ad a sk ed h im w ha t h e p re fe rr ed


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f or a v er y, v er y l on g t im e. M om en tari ly b em us ed b y h er q uest io ns , h e g av e h im self a m en tal s hake. H e

h ad t o g et b ac k t o b us in es s.

Th at r eall y d oesn t m at ter, A ly ss a, h e s ai d b ru sq uely . Th e p oi nt o f t hi s con vers at io n i s t hat I am a

v am pi re a nd m y j ob i s t o p ro te ct y ou . D o y ou u nd er st an d t ha t?

Of c ou rs e. I u nd er st oo d t ha t t he f ir st t im e y ou t ol d m e. D o y ou r ep ea t y ou rs el f o ft en ?

F ro wn in g, C hr is ti an s tu di ed A ly ss a s f ace. H er d im pl ed s mi le and t he amu sement i n h er eyes w er e

unmistakable. The minx was teasing him!

H e c ou ld n t r es is t t he a ns we ri ng g ri n t ha t s pr ea d a cr os s h is l ip s. H e w as s ur pr is ed , b ut a ls o g la d t o s ee

t hi s s ide of he r pe rs ona li ty. S he ha d a s en se of hum or a nd s he wa s s tr onge r t ha n s he l oo ke d. He l ik ed

that.

A ly ss a d id n t k no w w he re t he q ue st io ns c am e f ro m. S he h ad u se d t hi s t ec hn iq ue b ef or e w he n s he w as

o n u nf am il iar g ro un d. A sk in g o rd in ar y q uest io ns u su al ly m an ag ed t o cal m h er and t he o th er p er so n d ow n.

S he s et tl ed d ow n i mm ed ia te ly a nd w as g la d t o s ee C hr is ti an a ls o r el ax . H e w as p uz zl ed e no ug h b y h er q uery t hat h is f an gs w it hd rew and h is eyes r et ur ned t o t heir n or mal col or .

R el ie ve d a nd f ee li ng m or e i n c on tr ol o f h er s it ua ti on , s he s ai d, Ok ay . S o y ou a nd t ha t w om an B az he na

a nd V la d a re v am pi re s. B ut y ou r e a ls o a b od yg ua rd . A nd y ou p la n o n p ro te ct in g m e f ro m t hi s s ta lk er . I s

that correct?

H e g av e h er an i nd ul gent s mi le. Yes, palo mi ta , t hat i s cor rect .

What doespalomita mean?

Fu ll of q ue st io ns a re n t y ou ? I t hi nk I l l l et y ou f in d t ha t o ut f or y ou rs el f. N ow l et s g et b ac k t o

business. Christian moved back around to his side of the desk, sat down and opened the file in front of

him.


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He mo ti on ed f or Al ys sa t o s it a cr os s f ro m hi m. Pl ea se s it do wn . We h ave a l ot t o c ov er be fo re y our

speaking engagement tomorrow night.

Alyssa remained standing.

On e m or e q ue st io n b ef or e w e s ta rt , M r. G al ia no . D o m an y o th er p eo pl e k no w y ou r e a v am pi re ?

S he d b ee n d yi ng t o a sk t ha t, b ec au se t he w ho le s it ua ti on w as j us t s o w ei rd .

I ll ans wer t hat o n o ne con di ti on .

What?

Th at yo u s it a cr os s f rom m e a nd t ha t y ou c al l m e C hr is ti an , no t M r. G al ia no . I t hi nk i t w il l m ake t hi ng s

e as ie r a nd m or e c om fo rt ab le f or b ot h o f u s. A gr ee d?

Al ys sa n odd ed he r he ad a nd s at d own . Af te r a ll , he a nd Vl ad h ad j us t s av ed he r l if e. S he f igur ed t ha t

s he at l east o wed h im t hat. T hi s s id e o f C hr is ti an i nt ri gu ed h er . H e w as n t m ocki ng h er and i ns ti gati ng h er

anger. They were actually having a civil and somewhat friendly conversation. Pleased by his easy-going

m an ne r, s he n od de d h er h ea d.

Agreed.

Go od . C hr is ti an s l ip s s pr ead i nt o a m uch t oo s at is fi ed s mi le and A ly ss a w on dered i f s he h ad agr eed

t oo q ui ck ly . To a ns we r y ou r q ue st io n, n o, n ot m an y p eo pl e k no w w ha t I a m. T hi nk a bo ut i t? W ho

w ou ld y ou t el l? A nd m or e i mp or tant ly , w ho w ou ld b el ieve y ou ? T od ay s s ociety i s b as ed o n s ci en ce and

f acts . L ucki ly , i t s t hat n ar ro w m in dedn es s w hi ch all ow s u s t o o perate S un do wn S ecur it y and k eep o ur

a non ym it y. O ur g ro up i s d iv er se a nd t al en te d, b ut w e a ll h av e o ne t hi ng i n c om mo n. W e c an a ll b e

categorized as unexplained or unsubstantiated phenomena.

Yo u m ea n t he re a re o th er s l ik e y ou w or ki ng h er e? s he a sk ed , u na bl e t o k ee p t he s ho ck f ro m h er

voice.


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Well , I w ou ld n t s ay li ke m e . W e all h av e o ur o wn s peci al t al en ts , h e exp lain ed v ag uely . Bu t l et s

g et d ow n t o b us ine ss . I s ee f ro m y ou r f il e t ha t t he f ir st i nc id ent

C hr is ti an l oo ke d u p a s s om eb od y o pe ne d h is d oo r.

Hey, C hr is ti an . W ho d oes a v am pi re f al l i n l ov e w it h? T he g ir ln ecks s to re. G et i t? T he g ir l uh , s or ry .

H mm . I d id n t k no w y ou h ad a c li en t. T al k t o y ou l at er .

Christians door quickly closed.

Al ys sa w as t oo s tunn ed t o s pe ak. T he m an w ho ha d j us t s tuc k h is he ad t hr ou gh t he do or wa y h ad t he

f ace o f an ang el , a p er fect A do ni s, w it h l on g g ol den h ai r. W er en t t herean y u gl y m en w or ki ng h er e?

Frowning, Christian returned his attention to her.

So rr y a bo ut t ha t. W he re w er e w e?

Was t hat, u m, I m ean, w as h e li ke y ou ? A ly ss a t en tati vely ask ed .

C hr is ti an c hu ck le d. T he l ow s ed uc ti ve s ou nd o f i t s en t a t in gl e u p a nd d ow n h er s pi ne .

A v am pi re ? N o. H e s a n e lf .

Anelf ? Alyssa thought about the cookie commercial with the happy, little elves running around baking.

Bu t I t ho ug ht t hey w er e, u h, l it tl e p eo pl e?

Th in kL or d o f t he R in gs . D id y ou s ee O rl an do B lo om a s t he e lf , L eg ol as ?


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A ly ss a n od de d h er h ea d, r em em be ri ng t he t al l, g or ge ou s e lf o n s cr ee n. T he f ac e t ha t h ad p ee ke d i n

C hr is ti an s o ff ice a m om en t ago , w ou ld h av e g iv en L eg ol as a r un f or h is m on ey .

Elves come in different sizes, he explained. Now lets continue going over your file.

A lys sa didn t re spond a t f irs t. She wa s tr yi ng to di ge st a ll of t hi s, but i t w as wa y t oo muc h. Out t he re i n

t he wo o w oo z on e t oo m uc h. F in e. S he w ou ld t hi nk a bo ut i t l at er . S he h ad t o g et t hr ou gh t hi s m ee ti ng

first.

O kay, I m r ead y.

C hr is ti an n od ded h is h ead.

Yo u re f in is hi ng y ou r t en -w eek m ot iv at io nal and b oo k p ro mo ti on t ou r b ack i n A ri zo na. T he s talk er h as

a pp ea re d a t y ou r f ir st t hr ee e ng ag em en ts i n t he a re a, b ut t he l as t o ne w as t he f ir st t im e t ha t h e a ct ua ll yt ri ed t o p hy si call y att ack y ou . I s t hat r ig ht ?

Yes. Alyssa shuddered, remembering the terrifying fear she experienced while being chased through

the parking garage.

A t y ou r f ir st eng ag em en t, h e l ef t a t hr eateni ng and d is tu rb in g n ot e i n y ou r d ress in g r oo m. T he s econ dapp earance, h e l ef t ano th er n ot e and s to le s om e o f y ou r p er so nal i tems s om e o f y ou r u nd er garm en ts .

Correct?

Th at s r ig ht . A ly ss a s f ace f lamed w it h emb ar rass ment . T he f act t hat t he s talk er s to le h er p an ti es

s ickened h er . T he f act t hat h e s no op ed t hr ou gh h er b el on gi ng s ang er ed h er .

C hr is ti an k ep t h is h ea d d ow n a s h e w ro te n ot es i n h er f il e. H e m us t h av e s en se d h er e mb ar ra ss me nt

because he suddenly stopped writing and glanced up at her. She saw anger flare in his gaze for a

m om en t. T hen com pass io n f il led h is eyes. R each in g acr os s t he n ar ro w d es k, h e l ai d h is h an d s of tl y o ver


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h er s. A ly ss a w as s ta rt le d b y t he g en tl e a ct . B ut t he f ee l o f h is h an d e nv el op in g h er s w as c om fo rt in g, s o

s he l ef t i t i n h is g ra sp.

I k no w t hi s i s d if fi cu lt f or y ou . H e g av e h er h an d a l ig ht s qu ee ze . We r e a lm os t d on e. I j us t n ee d t o

ge t a f ew m or e f ac ts do wn. Yo u de ci de d t o t ake s om e a ct io n a ft er t he s ec ond i nc ide nt ? W ha t di d yo udo?

I a sk ed m y p ub li ci st t o s pe ak t o t he s ec ur it y p er so nn el w or ki ng a t t he n ex t s pe ak in g l oc at io n. H e s et u p

s om e a dd it io na l m ea su re s t o k ee p a ll b ut m y c lo se st p eo pl e f ro m g et ti ng t oo c lo se t o m e o r m y d re ss in g

room.

If t ha t s t he c as e, how di d t hi s guy ge t t o you?

Af te r I w as f in is he d a nd t hi ng s w en t s o w el l, I f el t p re tt y c om fo rt ab le . O ne o f t he s ec ur it y g ua rd s s ta rt ed

t o wa lk m e t o my c ar . I be ga n t o f ee l s il ly . I ke pt th inki ng a bout how I wa s no s upe rs ta r c el ebr it y. I m

just a counseling therapist who wrote a book that helped people. About halfway to my car, I told the

m an h e cou ld l eave. I n ev er d ream ed t hat w ho ev er w as s talk in g m e w ou ld even t hi nk abo ut p hy si call y

a tt ac ki ng m e. U p t o t ha t poi nt , a ll h e ha d done wa s l ea ve not es a nd t ak e s om e of my t hi ngs .

Then what happened?

C hr is ti an con ti nu ed t o q uest io n t he event s t hat l ead A ly ss a s p ub li ci st t o app ro ach t heir agency f or h el p.

S he l ook ed a t he r w at ch . An ho ur h ad a lr ea dy p as se d s in ce s he h ad e nt er ed h is o ff ic e. S he ne ed ed t o

s ta nd up . S it ti ng f or t hi s l on g m ad e h er r es tl es s. O r m ay be j us t b ei ng t hi s c lo se t o C hr is ti an m ad e h er f ee l

t ha t w ay . D es pi te t he f ac t t ha t h e w as a sk in g h er q ue st io ns i n a v er y b us in es s- li ke m an ne r a nd s he w as

ans weri ng h im i n a p ro fess io nal w ay , t he chemi st ry b et ween t hem k ep t f lari ng u p w hen s he l east exp ectedit.

A ly ss a s to od and b eg an p acin g t he r oo m. S he cou ld n t s it s ti ll any l on ger. C hr is ti an w at ch ed h er w it h h is

potent gaze, leaving her hot and bothered. She was tired of his questions. And she was starting to feel

l ike t he b ad gu y i ns te ad of t he vi ct im .

R el ea si ng h er p en t- up b re at h i n a l on g e xa sp er at ed s igh , s he a sk ed , Di dn t V la d t el l y ou a ll of t hi s?

The irritation in her voice was unmistakable.


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Yes. B ut I n eedy ou t o t el l m e. C hr is ti an s exp ress io n w as t oo i nt en se.

S he f el t l ik e a b ug un de r a m ag ni fy in g gl as s. H e w as s tud yi ng e ve ry w or d s he s ai d, e ve ry m ove me nt s hem ad e, every f acial exp res si on , every b reat h s he t oo k. S he cou ld n t s tand m uch m or e.

Fi ne . But t hi s i s t he l ast t ime , she sa id. I ha d jus t r ea che d i nt o m y pur se whe n he gr abbe d me f rom

behind. Luckily, he lost his grip when I stepped back and stood on his toe with my stiletto heel. I was

a bl e t o t wi st a round a nd hi t hi m wi th my ba g. Be for e he c oul d re cove r, I kne ed hi m. The n I ki cke d of f

m y s hoe s a nd r an a s f as t a s I c oul d ba ck t o t he do or l ea di ng i nt o t he l obby . E nd o f s to ry.

A ly ss a s lu mp ed b ack i nt o t he chair . S he w as emo ti on al ly exh au st ed . I t w as l ik e s he h ad act uall y g on e

t hr ou gh t he exp er ience again as s he r et ol d i t. A ft er h er h ar ro wi ng exp er ience w it h B azhena, C hr is ti an s

r ev el at io n abo ut b ei ng a v am pi re and h is p ro bi ng q uest io ns , s he w as j us t p lain w or n o ut .

Th an k y ou , A ly ss a. I m s ur e t ha t w as n t e as y f or y ou . B ut I h ad t o h ea r e ve ry th in g f ro m y ou . I t h el ps

m e u nd er st an d t he s it uati on b et ter. I j us t h av e o ne l as t q uest io n, t hen w e re d on e, h e s ai d s of tl y. R is in g

f ro m h is c ha ir , h e w al ke d a ro un d h is d es k.

A ly ss a w at ched C hr is t ian s p ro gr ess , w on deri ng w hat h e w as d oi ng . H e s to pp ed b eh in d h er s eat . H e

s co op ed u p h er h ai r a nd p la ce d i t o ve r o ne s ho ul de r. T he n h e l ai d h is h an ds g en tl y o n e it he r s id e o f h er

n ec k. A ly ss a s ti ff en ed , b ut d id n t p ul l a wa y. H e b eg an m as sa gi ng h er t en se m us cl es . I t f el t s o g oo d. S he

d id n t h av e t he w il l t o s to p h im . C lo si ng h er e ye s, s he l ea ne d h er h ea d f or wa rd . H is f in ge rs r ub be d t he

back of her neck. Up to the base of her scalp. Down to her shoulders. As each muscle he touched

reveled in his ministration, her tension eased.

A f te r a f ew m in ut es , C hr is ti an s li d h is f in ge rs u p, a lo ng h er j aw t o j us t u nd er he r c hi n. H e t il te d h er h ea d

back, supporting it with one hand while tracing the contours of her face with the other. Alyssas eyes

f lu tt er ed o pe n. S he w at ch ed h is e ye s c ar es s e ac h f ea tu re o f h er f ac e, u nt il t he y f in al ly r es te d o n h er o wn

g aze. S he f ou nd h er self ent ranced b y t he d es ir e i n h is s tare. H is f in gers t ig ht en ed i n h er h ai r, h ol di ng h er i n

place. His head lowered towards hers. A yearning like she had never experienced before consumed her,

but she tried to fight it.

Y- yo u h av e o ne m or e q ue st io n f or m e? s he a sk ed i n b ar el y m or e t ha n a w hi sp er .


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Ye s. He dr ew c lo se r. H is h ai r f el l f or wa rd a nd i ts s il ky t ext ur e s li d ov er he r c he ek . I t w as a s s of t a s

s he h ad i ma gi ne d. A ly ss a c ou ld n t h ol d b ac k t he m oa n o f p le as ur e t ha t c on ta ct g av e h er .

C hr is ti an s eyes f lared, t hen d ar kened w it h h un ger. Ar e y ou r l ip s as s of t as t hey l oo k?

T hen h is m ou th clo sed o ver h er s.

Chapter Three

A ly ss a s s up pl e l ip s t as ted b et ter t han C hr is ti an h ad i magi ned. H e g ro an ed alo ud w hen s he o pened h er

m ou th , i nv it in g h im i n. H e d eepened t he k is s, s ud denl y s o r av en ou s t hat h e cou ld b ar el y r es tr ai n h im self .

S he h ad b ee n t oo m uc h o f a t em pt at io n t o r es is t. A lt ho ug h h e h ad t ri ed , t he v ul ne ra bl e l oo k o n h er f ac e

a nd t he ne ed i n he r e ye s pul le d a t hi m. H is ques ti ons ha d pus he d he r t o t he l imi t. But he ha d no ot he r

c ho ic e. I f h e w as g oi ng t o p ro te ct h er , h e n ee de d t o k no w e ve ry th in g.

The thought of a stranger going through her belongings, touching her intimate items angered him. One

thought roared through his head.She is mine! He tightened his hold, unconsciously squeezing her hair. She

g as pe d a ga in st h is m ou th . R ea li zi ng w ha t h e h ad d on e, h e w re nc he d h is l ip s f ro m h er s a nd s te pp ed a wa y.

H e w ou ld n ot l os e c on tr ol . L on g a go h e h ad l ea rn ed t ha t w it ho ut i t, h e w as n ot hi ng m or e t ha n a m on st er .

Now was neither the time nor the place for this. Walking over to his office window, Christian once mores ta re d o ut i nt o t he d ar kne ss . H e a ch ed t o t ur n a rou nd a nd l oo k a t A lys sa , b ut he n ee de d t o c al m hi ms el f

f ir st . W hat w as h ap peni ng t o h im ? T hi s p os sess iv en es s h e f el t w as n ew and n ot alt og et her com fo rt ab le.

No other mortal had affected him like this since before he had been become a vampire. Why did she?

Elena.

J us t t he n am e o f h is ex- fi an c b ro ug ht p ai n and g ui lt r us hi ng b ack t o h im . A lt ho ug h o ver t wo h un dr ed

y ea rs h ad p as se d s in ce h e l as t s aw h er a li ve , t im e h ad n t c ha ng ed t ho se f ee li ng s. T ha t s w ha t m us t h av e

d rawn h im t o A ly ss a s o q ui ck ly . H er s tr ai gh t d ar k h ai r, p er t l it tl e n os e, p lu mp l ip s, i nt el li gent eyes and


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d el ic at el y a rc he d e ye br ow s r em in de d h im o f E le na . O th er t ha n t he f ac t t ha t E le na h ad b ro wn e ye s a nd

A ly ss a h ad b lu e o nes, t hey l oo ked alm os t exact ly ali ke.

R el ie f c ou rs ed t hr ou gh h im . N ow h e k ne w w hy h e h ad b ee n a ct in g o ut o f c ha ra ct er . T he t wo w om en

l oo ked s o m uch ali ke t hat h is abi li ty t o b eh av e p ro fess io nall y w it h A ly ss a w as i mp ai red. T hat w as abo utt o c ha ng e. F ro m n ow o n, i t w ou ld b e a ll b us in es s b et we en t he m. H e w ou ld g et h er t hr ou gh h er l as t t hr ee

s peaki ng eng ag em en ts . P ro tect h er f ro m h ar m. S ay g oo db ye. T hat w ou ld b e t hat .

A ly ss a f lo at ed i n a s ea o f p as si on . C hr is ti an s l ip s m ov ed exp er tl y o ver h er s. S en sati on s t in gl ed f ro m h er m out h, do wn he r b ody , a ll t he w ay t o he r t oe s. S he f el t s o a li ve . Ev er y one o f h er s ens es be ca me

h ei gh tened. T he f eel o f h is w ar m h an ds m as sagi ng h er n eck, t he t ickl e o f h is s il ky h ai r b ru sh in g h er

c he ek s, h is s pi cy m al e s ce nt a nd t he i nt im ac y o f h is m ou th a s i t e xp lo re d he rs . I t a ll b ec am e t oo m uc h.

W hen h is h an d t ig ht en ed i n h er h ai r, p ul li ng i t s li gh tl y, s he i ni ti al ly o nl y f el t t he p ai n. B ut as s he t il ted h er

h ea d b ac k, s o t ha t h e c ou ld t ak e h er m ou th m or e d ee pl y, t he p ai n t ur ne d i nt o p le as ur e. S he g as pe d f ro m

sensory overload.

Christian moved away. Without his touch, she felt cold. Slowly, the overwhelming feelings passed. She

l if te d h er h ea d a nd o pe ne d h er e ye s. T he r oo m c am e b ac k i nt o f oc us . S he f ou nd C hr is ti an . H e s ta re d a the r f rom a cr os s t he r oom . Th e ho t de si re i n h is ga ze wa s go ne . No w s he l oo ke d i nt o a f ac e m ade o f

g ra ni te a nd e ye s a s c ol d a s i ce .

Alyssa

No . S he d id n t w an t t o h ea r w ha te ve r h e w as g oi ng t o s ay . H ow e mb ar ra ss in g! S he h ad b ee n t ot al lym ov ed , n o, sh ak en b y t heir con tact , w hi le h e o bv io us ly h ad f el t v er y l it tl e.

I n ee d t o g o. Sh e g at he re d he r t hi ng s a s q ui ck ly a s po ss ibl e a nd he ade d t owa rds t he d oo r. I ll s ee

you tomorrow as planned, right?

W it hout g iv ing hi m a c ha nc e t o a ns we r, s he d as he d out t he doo r. H e c aught up w it h he r j us t a s s he

r ea ch ed t he p ar ki ng l ot a nd g ra bb ed h er a rm .


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Alyssa, wait a minute.

D r ea di ng t he c on fr on ta ti on , b ut s ee in g n o w ay t o a vo id i t, s he r ai se d h er g az e t o h is .

C hr is ti an l oo ked alm os t as m is er ab le as s he f el t.

Wh at h ap pe ne d b ac k t he re w as m y f au lt . I a po lo gi ze . I s ho ul dn t h av e l et t ha t o cc ur .

Yo u s ho ul dn t h av el et t hat o ccur ? A ly ss a r ep eated d um bf ou nd ed . Well , I g uess t hat s o ne w ay t o

l oo k a t i t.

I s ho ul dn t h av e l et m ys el f l os e con tr ol l ik e t hat. I m a p ro fess io nal and I u su al ly h av e n o p ro bl em act in g

like one.

Ch ri st ia n, i t s r ea ll y n o b ig d ea l. W e k is se d. T he re w as n t m uc h e ls e t o i t. L et s m ov e o n.

No b ig d eal? C hr is ti an s eyes n ar ro wed d an gero us ly . So y ou w er en t at all aff ected?

No t r ea ll y, s he l ie d. I m ea n t he re w as a l it tl e s pa rk, bu t n ot hi ng m uc h.

Right. He studied her intently.

I m s ur e y ou c an b e a p rof es si ona l w he n y ou w ant t o b e. S o l et s j us t go on t ha t pr emi se . F rom now

o n, i t ll b e j us t b us in es s b et ween u s. Y ou l l p ro tect m e and I l l g iv e m y m ot iv at io nal s peeches, o kay? s he

asked.

A ly ss a s aw C hr is ti an h es it at e. A ng er f lash ed i n h is eyes, t hen h e s hu tt er ed h is exp ress io n and s lo wl y

nodded in agreement.


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Wo rk s f or m e. I l l c om e b y y ou r h ou se t om or ro w n ig ht a nd l oo k o ve r y ou r h om e s ec ur it y. W e ll g o

from there to your speaking engagement.

F in e. S ee y ou t he n, A ly ss a s ai d o ve r h er s ho ul de r a s s he w al ke d t he r em ai ni ng d is ta nc e t o h er c ar , g ot

i n and d ro ve away. S he f el t C hr is ti an s s hr ew d g aze f ol lo wi ng h er . S ur e eno ug h, w hen s he l oo ked i n h er

r earv iew m ir ro r h e w as s ti ll s tand in g i n t he p ar ki ng l ot , w at ch in g h er .

* * * * *

W al ki ng i nt o h er a pa rt me nt , A ly ss a e nj oy ed t he r us h o f c oo l a ir . T ho ug h t he s un w as a lr ea dy d ow n, t he

c ur re nt he at wa ve h ad ma de he r c ar f ee l l ike a n ov en. Sh e p oppe d a l ow f at f ro ze n di nn er i nt o t he

m ic row ave a nd p ou re d h er se lf a d ie t s od a. A s s oo n a s s he s at d ow n a t t he t abl e, J ona tha n ho ppe d up

a nd b eg an p ac in g b ac k a nd f or th i n f ro nt o f h er .

No , J on at han. N ot t hi s t im e. I k no w y ou r e alw ay s h un gr y, b ut y ou areno t g et ti ng m y d in ner t on ig ht . G o

e at yo ur c at f ood , bud dy. Y ou ha ve a t on of i t i n y our bow l.

J on at han s o nl y r es po ns e w as a l ow , p it if ul m eo w. A ly ss a p et ted h im , b ut r ef us ed t o b ud ge.

Don t do thi s t o me . I w il l not fe el gui lt y. Y ou nee d t o e at he al thi er . Look at m e. I m e at ing a l ow f at

m eal. I k no w, I k no w. I t s f il led w it h art if icial every th in g and i ng redi en ts I can t even s ay , b ut i t sl ig ht !

T he c at c on ti nu ed t o s ta re a t h er . S he i gn or ed h im a nd a te a lm os t e ve ry th in g. T he n g ui lt t oo k o ve r. S he

l ef t o ne s ma ll p ie ce o f c hi ck en o n t he p la te a nd p us he d i t t ow ar ds h im .

He re . Tha t s a ll I c an gi ve you. Ta ke i t or l ea ve i t.

J on at han b eg an n ib bl in g t he m or sel b ef or e A ly ss a even f in is hed h er s en tence and t hen l icked t he t ray.


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Sh ee sh . I f a ny on e c am e i n a nd s aw y ou r ig ht n ow , t he y d t hi nk I d on t f ee d y ou . A re n t c at s s up po se d

t ol ik e cat f oo d?

J on at ha n l ic ke d u p t he l as t d ro p o f g ra vy , s wi sh ed h is t ai l a nd j um pe d o ff t he t ab le .

Yo u re w el co me! s he cal led as t he f el in e s au nt er ed o ut o f t he k it ch en .

A ly ss a w as he d t he f ew d is he s i n t he s in k a nd w ip ed t he t ab le . S he s pe nt t he n ex t c ou pl e o f h ou rs g oi ng

o ve r h er s pe ec h f or t he f ol lo wi ng n ig ht . W he n s he f el t p re pa re d e no ug h, s he p ut h er p ap er s a wa y a nd

picked up the romance novel she was currently trying to read in her spare time. But she just couldntc on ce nt ra te o n i t. A p ro bl em a ro se e ve ry t im e s he c am e t o a l ov e s ce ne i n t he s to ry . S he k ep t i ma gi ni ng

s om eo ne o th er t ha n t he c ha ra ct er . S om eo ne w ho h ad d ar k b ro wn h ai r, m oc ha e ye s t ha t m ad e h er m el t

a nd a bod y t ha t ma de he r d roo l. T he m an s cr ea me d t he wo rd s exy, j us t b y s ta ndi ng t he re . Hi s n am e wa s

C hr is ti an a nd h e w as a v am pi re .

T he e nor mi ty o f t ha t f in al ly h it h er . U p t o t hi s p oi nt , s he h ad b ee n o pe ra ti ng o n a ut op il ot . S he p ut t he

book down and sat in stunned silence thinking about him. The man was a vampire! How was it possible?

W hy d id n t p eo pl e k no w t he y e xi st ed ? A nd w ha t a bo ut t ha t h un ky e lf t ha t p op pe d h is h ea d i n t he d oo r

o f C hr is ti an s o ff ice? D id n t h e h av e p oi nt y ear s o r s om et hi ng t hat g av e h is i dent it y away? H ow cou ldsuch creatures exist without being exposed?

A ly ss a s t ho ug ht s r am bl ed a s s he g ot r ea dy f or b ed . S he l ay u nd er t he c ov er s w it h t he l ig ht s o ff , t ry in g t o

r em em ber h ow C hr is ti an h ad l oo ked w it h g lo wi ng r ed eyes and t wo s harp , p oi nt ed t eeth . T he i mage

w ou ld n t c om e. I ns te ad s he s aw a g or ge ou s m an w it h l on g d ar k h ai r t ha t f el t l ik e s il k, h an ds t ha t m ad e

h er b od y c om e a li ve a nd a m ou th t ha t k ne w j us t h ow t o t em pt h er . S he f el l a sl ee p, d re am in g a bo ut h im

w ea ri ng a k ni gh t s o ut fi t, c ha rg in g t o h er r es cu e o n a w hi te h or se . H e w as t ry in g t o s av e h er f ro m a n

u ns ee n m on st er t ha t c ha se d h er . T he o dd es t p ar t w as t he e nd o f t he d re am . W he n t he m on st er f in al lya pp ea re d, h e t ur ne d o ut t o b e C hr is ti an .

* * * * *

W hen C hr is ti an arr iv ed at A ly ss a s con do t he f ol lo wi ng n ig ht , h e d id a q ui ck s tu dy o f t he o ut si de

perimeter, then rang the doorbell and waited. How was he going to handle this? He couldnt go into her

apart ment u nl es s s he i nv it ed h im i n. T hat w as o ne o f t he f ew v am pi re m yt hs t hat w as act uall y t ru e.

V am pi res cou ld ent er any p ub li c b ui ld in g w it ho ut a p ro bl em , b ut ent er in g a p er so n s h om e w as a d if ferent

s to ry . H um an s h ad p ow er s o f t he ir o wn w he n i t c am e t o t he ir p er so na l d we ll in gs . N o o ne s ee me d t o


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u nd er st an d h ow o r w hy , b ut t hat p ow er k ep t v am pi res f ro m g oi ng i nt o p eo pl e s h om es u nt il t hey w er e

i nvi te d. He ne ed ed A ly ss a t o do t ha t, bu t w as n t s ur e h ow . W he n s he op en ed t he do or , h is w or ry

i ns tant ly d is so lv ed i nt o m al e app reci at io n. H e cou ld n t k eep t he w id e g ri n f ro m s pr eadi ng acr os s h is l ip s.

H is g az e l in ge re d o ve r h er f ro m h ea d t o t oe .

She w as dr es se d i n s om e s or t of bu si ne ss s ui t. Bu t i t w as l ik e n o s ui t h e h ad e ve r s ee n. A pa ir o f pa nt s

a nd a b ut to ne d j ac ke t, t ha t s w he re t he b us in es s p ar t e nd ed . T he m at er ia l l oo ke d s of t, l ik e s il k a nd t he

c ol or w as a d ee p r ed r os e. Sh e w or e n o s hi rt b en ea th t he j ac ke t a nd t he s co op ed n ec kl in e s hi ft ed h is

imagination into overdrive.

W he n h is s ta re f in al ly r os e t o h er f ac e, i t l ook ed f lus he d. S he l ic ke d h er l ip s n er vo us ly a nd h e f ix at ed o n

h er p in k t on gu e. S he p oi nt ed ly clear ed h er t hr oat a s econ d t im e and h e f in al ly r eali zed s he w as t al ki ng .

Pl ea se c om e i n. I m j us t a bo ut r ea dy .

C hr is ti an f ol lo wed h er i ns id e. S at is fact io n cou rs ed t hr ou gh h im , w hi le t he p redato r h e w as r oared i n

t ri um ph . S he ha d i nv it ed h im i n. N ow he c oul d e nt er h er h om e w he ne ve r h e w is he d.

He ho pe d t he r es t of t he e ve ni ng we nt a s we ll , f or b ot h t he ir s ak es . B ut i f no t, he w oul d b e r ea dy. H e

ha d m ade s ur e t ha t h e f ed w el l be for e c omi ng t o A lys sa s h ous e, f or t wo r ea so ns . T he f ir st wa s s o t ha t

he wo uld be a t f ul l s tr engt h i n c as e of t roubl e a nd t he s ec ond wa s s o t ha t Al ys sa woul d not t empt hi m.

T he t hr ee y ou ng m en w ho h ad s up pl ied h im w it h s us tenance w ou ld o nl y r em em ber d ri nk in g t oo m uch

a nd p as si ng o ut o ut si de t he b ar t he y l ik ed t o f re qu en t. V la d h ad t au gh t h im l on g a go h ow t o f ee d g en tl y

a nd r ep la ce a h um an s m em or y w it h o ne h e pl an te d f or t he m. C hr is ti an h ad c om e a l on g w ay f ro m t he

c re at ur e w ho u se d t o r ip ou t t he t hr oa ts o f h is vi ct im s a s h e f ed , w it h l it tl e t ho ug ht f or t he m o r t he ir l iv es .

I n ee d a no th er m in ut e o r s o, A ly ss a s ai d. Pl ea se s it d ow n a nd I l l b e r ig ht o ut .

C hr is ti an s at o n t he c ou ch A ly ss a m ot io ne d t ow ar ds . H e w at ch ed h er w al k a wa y. T he s of t s wa y o f h er

hips beneath the sensual material mesmerized him. His bodys reaction was immediate and demanding.

S o m uc h f or f ee di ng w el l s o s he d id n t t em pt h im . I t w as o bv io us h is b od y w an te d m or e t ha n j us t b lo od

f rom h er . T oo b ad i t w as n t g oi ng t o ge t i t. H e w as he re t o p ro te ct he r. Pe ri od .


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A ly ss a s hu t t he b ed ro om d oo r b eh in d h er . S he l ea ne d a ga in st i t f or s up po rt . N o m an h ad t he r ig ht t o

l oo k t ha t g oo d! T he i ma ge o f C hr is ti an s ta nd in g t he re w he n s he o pe ne d t he f ro nt d oo r w as b ra nd ed o nh er m in d. H is b lack b ut to n- up s hi r t s tr etched acro ss h is chest . C harcoal g ray p an ts w er e t ai l or -f it .

E xp en si ve -l oo ki ng b la ck s ho es m at ch ed h is b el t. H is h ai r w as t ie d a t t he b ac k o f h is n ec k. S he h ad t o

c ur l h er f in ge rs i nt o a f is t t o k ee p f ro m r ea ch ing o ut a nd s et ti ng h is s il ky m an e f re e. S om eh ow h e l oo ke d

professional, dangerous and incredibly sexy at the same time.

S he g ot t he i mp re ss io n t ha t h e w as c om pl et el y i n h is e le me nt a s h e s to od i n t he s em i- da rk ne ss a mo ng t he

s ha do ws , j us t o ut of r ea ch of t he h al l l ig ht s. T he n ig ht s ee me d t o e mb ra ce h im , r el uc ta nt t o r el ea se h im a s

h e s te pp ed i nt o h er w el l l it a pa rt me nt . W he n h e b ru sh ed b y h er , h is s ce nt a ss au lt ed h er s an it y sp ic y a nds ed ucti ve. H er s to mach clenched i n an eff or t t o con tr ol t he i rr es is ti bl e m ag neti sm s he f el t t ow ar ds h im .

W hy d id C hr is ti an aff ect h er l ik e t hi s? S he u su al ly h ad n o p ro bl em d eali ng w it h m en , g or geou s o r

o th er wi se, b ecau se s he w as i n n o h ur ry t o est ab li sh any k in d o f s er io us r el at io ns hi p w it h t hem. M os t m en

s he k ne w s en se d t ha t i mm ed ia te ly a bo ut h er , o r s he t ol d t he m f la t o ut a nd t he y g ot t he m es sa ge . S he h ad

t oo m uc h go in g o n i n h er l if e a t t he m ome nt t o de al w it h a s er iou s r el at ion sh ip .

F or s om e r easo n h er com mo n s en se app ro ach w as n t w or ki ng w it h C hr is ti an . T he m in ut e t hey w er e i n

t he s am e r oo m every th in g els e f ad ed i n com pari so n. H er w ho le b od y f ocus ed o n h im .

I t ha d t o be t he v ampi re t hi ng. He mus t be u si ng s ome s or t of powe r ove r he r. Di dn t va mpi re s ha ve t ha t

k in d o f p ow er ? T he k in d t ha t w as d if fi cu lt , i f no t i mp os si bl e t o r es is t? G re at , j us t w ha t s he

n ee de d an ot he r c on tr ol f re ak l ik e h er d ad . W el l, v am pi re o r n o, s he w ou ld k ee p t hi ng s f oc us ed o n

business only.

I n t he b at hr oo m, s he b eg an b ru sh in g h er h ai r. S he h ad p la nn ed t o w ea r i t l oo se t on ig ht , b ut n ow s he

k new t hat w ou ld n ev er d o. P ro fess io nal. S he m us t l oo k p ro fess io nal. S weep in g h er h ai r u p, s he q ui ck ly

f as te ne d i t i nt o a b un . A ft er a pp ly in g l ip st ic k, s he s to od b ac k t o t ak e o ne l as t l oo k i n t he m ir ro r. L ig ht

m ak eu p, h ai r i n a b un a nd a b us in es s s ui t, u nd er st at ed a nd b us in es s- li ke . J us t t he m es sa ge s he w an te d

C hr is ti an t o g et . G ra bb in g h er p ur se , s he h ea de d o ut o f h er r oo m.

C hr is ti an h ad j us t m an ag ed t o g et h im self u nd er con tr ol w hen A ly ss a r eapp eared.


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Im ready.Shall we go?

H is g az e f oc us ed o n h er u ps we pt h ai r a nd t he w ay h er g ra ce fu l n ec k w as e xp os ed . H e b ar el y m an ag ed

t o h ol d i n a g ro an a s h is b od y s pr an g t o a tt en ti on o nc e m or e. F ru st ra te d b y h is i na bi li ty t o c on tr ol h isr ea ct io n, h is r es po ns e c am e o ut m uc h m or e h ar sh t ha n h e h ad p la nn ed .

Let s g et s om e t hi ng s s tr ai gh t b ef or e w e g o any wh er e. S it d ow n.

H e k new h is t on e d id n t s it w el l w it h A ly ss a. H er p os tu re s ti ff en ed . A ng er and r eb el li on f lash ed i n h er

e ye s. S he l oo ke d a s i f s he w a

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