Xander sensed her mood the moment he set foot out of his wing of the condo. Barefooted and clean, he was relaxed for the first time in a week. Jessi was rubbing her face, distraught.
He didn’t ask. She wasn’t going to talk. Instead, he went to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee.
“Late for coffee, isn’t it?” she asked then sighed. “Sorry. You’re not a teenager.”
“I like staying up all night,” he said with a wink.
She shook her head at him.
“Dinner party in two hours.”
Jessi’s eyes went to the clock on the microwave. It was four thirty, and she was slated to leave at five. He judged she was ready to tell him he was on his own.
“You get paid overtime,” he said.
“Alright.”
“Not sure why you want to go home anyway. Broken arms, thugs. You’re lucky you know a vampire who trades blood for keeping you alive.”
“On second thought, you couldn’t pay me enough to hang out with you.” She breezed past him.
Xander caught her with one arm, enjoying the game of cat-and-mouse she was unwittingly playing. It was better than hunting in a club.
“Boundary!” she objected, squirming. He liked the feel of her soft skin and shapely body in his arms.
He grunted. “Only if you agree to stay for the dinner party.”
Jessi groaned, her head resting against his chest in what he took as reluctant agreement. He released her and swatted her ass, amused at the fiery look she gave him. She left the kitchen to put the counter between them.
“So where are we going?” she asked.
“Nowhere. They’re coming here.”
“Are you cooking?” She cleared her throat, trying hard not to laugh. Xander understood; it was the same reaction Ingrid gave him whenever he claimed he could cook.
“It’s catered.”
As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Jessi studied him for a brief moment. Suddenly, she smiled and grabbed her cell phone.
“Okay, I’ll hang out,” she said.
Her abrupt contentedness was a warning he didn’t understand how to interpret. She went to get the door, and he heard her talking to someone.
“Where do you want them to set up?” she called up the stairs.
“Formal dining room.”
Xander reached for his phone, satisfied to see a text from Jule.
Took care of goons. Gerry’s guys at her place.
At least no one would break her arm this night. Xander felt something he didn’t like: anger. It was directed as much at Jessi as at the Black God for sending someone innocent to do his dirty work. She was a fool, too, for thinking she could handle the situation on her own.
She didn’t return to the second floor. People began arriving an hour after the caterers. Xander remained upstairs, letting her handle the set-up in relative peace. The scent of human food made his nose wrinkle. He was able to tolerate it for the hour a day during the season when they shot his show. Otherwise, he avoided everything but raw meat. If he had his way, cooking meat would have been a crime.
Xander opened the door to the balcony. The sun had set, and dusk settled over the ocean. He placed his hands on the railing and gazed into the distance, pensive. The mess with Jessi was bothering him, just like the stealthy Others tracking him. If anyone was going to be passive-aggressive, it was him. For once, the tables had turned.
He heard a familiar voice from below and frowned.
Toni wasn’t on the list of invitees. Neither was the woman who was from last Friday, or the Tuesday before.
“You ready?” Jessi’s cheerful voice preceded her entrance into the three foot sphere where he was able to sense her.
“C’mere, Jessi,” he growled, suspecting he knew how the one-night stands got invited to dinner.
She stepped out of the sphere.
“I don’t want to keep you from your guests,” she said in an overly sweet voice.
“I am hungry.”
“You’re in luck. I had your dinner delivered.”
He rested his elbows on the railing and leaned over to see the small crowd spilling out of the doors onto the beach.
“Which one?” he asked casually.
“Which one what?”
“For dinner. Blonde? Brunette? Is that last Thursday I see?”
“I can’t believe you don’t know their names,” she said in clear disapproval.
“Pick one.”
There was a moment of hesitation before she approached. She rested her elbows on the railing next to him, gray eyes on the women. From the corner of his eye, he saw her frown.
“Does hair color mean they taste different?” she asked.
“There are slight flavor variances from person-to-person,” he explained. “Right now, I feel like a brunette with gray eyes.”
She leaned over the railing. “I don’t see a …”
Her eyes flew up to his. Xander smiled slowly.
“No!” she ordered.
Straightening, he blocked her attempt to flee from the porch and backed her into the corner.
“Xander, boundary!” she hissed at him, a cross between panic and desire on her face. With her feminine frame trapped between him and the railing, she was glaring up at him.
“Who invited Toni?” he returned. He tucked an errant curl behind her ear, enjoying the brush of her soft skin. Her breathing was already quick, and he could almost see her trying to think of some way out of the mess.
“Slight oversight,” she managed at last. “Won’t happen again.”
“Not good enough.”
Jessi planted her hands on his chest and tried to push him. He didn’t move and she sighed. Her hands remained in place while his moved to her hips.
“You get a choice,” he said calmly. “Kiss or dinner?”
“Can I promise to be good?” she asked, leaning into him and fluttering her eyelashes.
“No.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Decide.”
She licked her lips, eyes on his mouth.
“Kiss?” he asked.
Jessi nodded uncertainly. Xander didn’t give her a chance to reconsider. He lifted her face to his and kissed her. Her warm lips parted when he prodded. She tasted sweet, as if she’d snagged a bite of dessert from the caterers before coming up to gloat. He kept the pace slow, despite his hunger, and deepened the kiss. She wavered on her feet and leaned into him, the tension melting from her as it did when he drew her blood earlier.
Xander wasn’t at all satisfied with merely kissing her. His hands traveled her body in a restless attempt to soothe the need for the intimacy of the connection he felt when his fangs were in her neck. Sex with her would be beyond erotic, for he had to be inside her in order to feel her. He’d fuck her until one of them was too tired to move, just to access the side of her he was unable to otherwise. The longer they kissed, the more he wanted to experience what he did earlier.
She was so close to the edge. Her arousal was another turn on.
With effort, he lifted his head.
Jessi’s body was supple and relaxed in his arms, her gray eyes wide and her features flushed. He listened to her erratic breathing, beyond satisfied at the effect he had on her. She tried hard to pretend she didn’t feel the sexual tension between them.
“I’m … going home,” she whispered when she caught her breath.
Xander said nothing, amused at how hard she fought her attraction to him.
She shifted against him, easing around him. Her first shaky step almost sent her sprawling, and he caught her arm quickly.
“If you need to lie down for a bit …” he offered.
“Not going to be your Wednesday!” she said. She pushed him away and walked into the house.
Xander watched her. Jessi refused to look at him as she grabbed her purse and left. His attention turned to the crowd below the balcony. The woman had a way of putting him off guard. Inviting potential reruns into the house left him irked.
His phone vibrated against his hip. He pulled it free.
Training op. Lost one. Headed your way. Gerry texted.
It was the ending to his day that he needed. Ignoring his guests, Xander changed into clothes certain to let him move freely, preparing for his dinner to arrive.
At least he was certain Jessi was safe at home tonight, with Gerry’s Guardians there to rid her place of any of Jonny’s goons.
***
The next morning, Jessi left her apartment scared. She hadn’t seen any of Jonny’s thugs around, and no one sneaked into her place last night to break her other arm.
Was something wrong? Was Jonny too pissed off at her and plotting to take her out?
She checked her phone twice on the way to Xander’s, waiting for a text saying Jonny kidnapped Ashley. None came.
She didn’t feel safe until the door to Xander’s condo closed behind her. She leaned against it for a moment. The cat was waiting for her at the top of the stairs. She didn’t hear Xander moving around anywhere.
Jessi went up the stairs and paused to stroke the purring cat. She saw his note on the iPad.
Gym.
She was almost relieved he wasn’t there. Stressed and tired, she’d been too distracted by thoughts of what Jonny was plotting to grab coffee on the way in. She made a pot and drank most of it.
Staring at her phone, she typed a quick note to her parents, asking if they were okay with her bringing the kids up. Restless, Jessi sent it then grabbed a book from Xander’s library.
Xander was gone most of the morning. She straightened up and searched his room for the necklace, frustrated that she wasn’t able to find it.
After an hour, she gave up and sat in the living area, drinking coffee. She purposely didn’t think of what she’d say the first time she saw him this morning after that kiss the night before. Her body caught on fire just thinking about it. She found herself staring dreamily into space, trying not to imagine what else he could do with his talented mouth.
“Ah. I wasn’t expecting you.”
She almost dropped the mug and twisted to see the stranger at the top of the stairs. Tall and slender, the woman’s eyes were piercing, her dark hair and pale features setting off the green of her eyes even more. She was casually dressed, her gorgeous face emotionless as she gazed at Jessi.
Why did she feel jealousy stirring at the sight of this pretty woman?
“Ditto,” she said. “I didn’t hear you come in. You almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Sorry.” The stranger smiled. “Who are you?”
“Jessi. Xander’s assistant,” she said and rose. “You?”
“Eden. I’m a friend of his.”
“A friend.” Jessi raised her eyebrows.
The front door slammed. This time, she heard it and had no doubt who it was. Xander trotted up the stairs, dressed in a loose t-shirt and workout pants. He didn’t seem surprised to see his alleged friend.
“Coffee, Jessi.”
“Good morning, Xander!” she said with enough fake cheerfulness that he glanced at her.
After a pause, he added a quiet, “Please.”
“No problem. Nice to meet you, Eden.” She went to the kitchen, surprised at how shaken she already felt. And irritated. Was he going to make this woman Thursday after kissing her almost into a daze the night before?
The two of them moved to the porch, where they spoke quietly for a few minutes. She watched, uncertain why the woman named Eden made her uncomfortable. Maybe it was her gaze, too direct to be friendly, or the fact Jessi didn’t hear the newcomer enter.
Kind of like how Jonny moved around. It wasn’t normal. Or maybe, it was the apparent familiarity between the two of them. Xander hadn’t bristled around this woman; his guard stayed down, as if he was comfortable with her.
Eden didn’t stay long. She was gone in ten minutes, smiling at Jessi on her way out. Jessi followed her down the stairs and locked the door. When she returned to the kitchen, Xander was gone.
Jonny had texted. She opened the note with apprehension.
Status?
Jessi didn’t know what to say. At least Jonny was talking to her.
Close. She typed finally.
I’m monitoring your emails. Saw your note to your parents. Don’t try it. Jonny’s response was quick.
Jessi rubbed her face with a frustrated growl.
“You ready?” Xander asked as he strode from his hallway into the living area. He was dressed in dark jeans and a snug, dark t-shirt that made him look too sexy for her to answer for a moment. His muscles were still bulging from exertion of his visit to the gym, and her gaze stayed on his biceps as he pulled on his boots. At her silence, he glanced towards her.
“For what?” she managed.
“A drive.”
“To where?”
“I promised you a long drive the other day. Certain events occurred” he raised an eyebrow at her that made her shake her head “and we got sidetracked.”
“I don’t feel like driving.”
“You’re in a shitty mood. Driving makes you smile. Get your ass in the car, or I’ll carry you down.”
Jessi stared at him in surprise. He was normally blunt, but he hadn’t put his foot down with her. He took a step towards her. She danced away, through the kitchen and down the stairs, not about to be carried out of his apartment like they were cave people. Or like she was one of his frequent guests.
She beat him out the door and was waiting for him at the car. The minute she saw it, she started to feel her tension ease. He was right; she loved driving his car. It was the only reason she came back to work this morning after the kiss that almost made her stay the night before. She fully intended to quit.
Not really. She couldn’t.
“I can’t stand myself today,” she muttered. She dropped into the car and started it, sighing at the throaty growl.
As sexy as his car, Xander got into the passenger side.
“I know something that can help you relax,” Xander said as he closed the door.
“What?” she asked absently.
“I can show you.”
Jessi eyed him. “Never mind. I think I know.”
Xander smiled. She pulled out of the drive to his apartment and guided the car to the highway. They were quiet. She was tense, but he seemed … calm. She wondered if it was the extended workout at the gym.
“You might be tolerable, if you were always like this,” she said.
“I can’t wait to take that edge off.”
“And the intolerable Xander is back. You know what drives me crazy about you?”
He waited.
“Sometimes, you’re not an ass.”
“That bothers you?”
“Of course. There almost seems to be more to you,” she considered, focus on the road. “Maybe because someone who’s lived so long has to have a little more going on than a constant hard-on.”
“Or maybe the only real meaning of life is to take what pleasure you want from it. Otherwise, you go numb and spend your eternity that way.”
“That’s kind of deep in a scary way.” Jessi glanced at him. She didn’t want to be curious, but he had a way of pulling her in, when she’d rather walk away.
“We all have secrets, don’t we?”
“It’s human nature,” she replied. “What kind of secret could you possibly have? Jule told me about how you’ve been alive for a zillion years.”
“Why don’t we trade?” he suggested. “You tell me something you’ve never told anyone, and I’ll do the same.”
“Truth or Dare, without the dare?” she mused. She gripped the steering wheel more tightly.
“You can say you’re scared to play. I’ll accept that as an answer.”
“I’m not scared,” she lied. “I see no reason to tell you something personal.”
“What about learning something about me no one else knows?”
Yes. She was quiet. Dealing with him always ended up with him winning somehow. She wanted to know more, but what would it cost her?
“I see the way you look at me. You might not melt at my feet, but you want to know more.”
Jessi hesitated a moment longer before finally saying, “Okay, but if I get fed up, I throw up the boundary.”
“Right. Because that always works.”
“It’s been five and a half years since I got laid, not four,” she said, ignoring him. “That’s my first secret.”
“I would rather die than let that happen,” he said and shook his head. “Good start. I speak fifteen languages.”
“Fluently?” she asked in surprise.
“Yes. I can ask for directions to bars and brothels in another ten.”
She laughed despite her mood. “I GPS tagged my cousins’ cell phones and wallets.” She cringed.
“Smart. I did the same to you.”
“What? Seriously?”
“Yeah. Only it wasn’t just your cell and wallet.”
“Omigod!”
“Your turn again.”
Jessi almost told him to go to hell except that, right now, she was almost having fun for the first time in years. It almost felt like a date. Maybe. She didn’t really remember what a real date felt like.
“I’ve been saving tip money for three years to take a vacation without the kids,” she said. “I want to take a cruise, I think, when Ashley graduates.”
“I have a personal policy of not killing women. I’ve only killed six in my lifetime.”
Her mouth dropped open. Jessi wasn’t sure what to say for a long moment. She focused again on the road, sensing he was waiting for her reaction.
“I guess if you live long enough you might kill someone,” she said, trying to rationalize it. “Okay, no. I can’t justify murder. Only six? How are you proud of that?”
“I’m a vampire. I bleed people dry. It goes with the territory to kill them, like you kill cows for hamburgers,” he said with such nonchalance she was left speechless. “But only six women. They taste better anyway.”
“There’s a huge difference between hamburgers and people-burgers. Why aren’t you in prison?” she managed at last.
“Because the last one was killed somewhere where they don’t have police.”
“You’re freaking me out.”
“I just told you I don’t kill women. You should feel safer.”
“I really don’t.”
“Your turn.”
Just like that, he’d moved on again. Was this a warning? Had the women he killed tried to steal something from him? She was terrified to ask, especially after his comment about GPS tracking her. Panic stirred within her, along with cold fear. She had to get out of this situation. Jonny caught her trying to leave the night before, but she had to find a way to escape.
“I don’t hit women either, unlike your boyfriend or whoever is making your evenings miserable,” he added.
“Killing women is so much better.”
“They made the wrong choice. No loss.”
“What choice was it?”
“Betrayal.”
Jessi felt sick. Why should she? She owed him nothing. He was a dick. She tried to convince herself of this, just as she tried to push him away by being a bitch. But it wasn’t in her to hurt someone or betray someone else. At least, it wouldn’t be, if her cousins weren’t in danger.
“Did you even find out why they did it?” she heard herself asking.
“Does it matter?” he returned.
Yes. She didn’t say the word out loud. Suddenly, revealing secrets seemed much safer than a conversation about what he did to people who betrayed him.
“I’ve only slept with two other guys.”
“Two other guys. Nice.” He laughed. “I’m definitely in.”
“Two guys! I didn’t mean it that way!” she rushed on, humiliated by the Freudian slip. “Your turn.”
“I’ve never been as intrigued by a woman as I am you.”
“You can’t lie in this game,” she snapped. “You can’t hit on me or anything else. You have to tell the truth that no one else knows. Those are the rules, right?”
“Yep. I meant what I said. Ignore it if you can’t take it.”
She glanced at him. He was smiling faintly, but he seemed genuine.
“You scare the hell out of me,” she admitted. “In every way humanly possible.”
“That’s no secret. Try again.”
“Umm .. okay. Every day, I write in a journal. I have for the past five years, since I took over guardianship for the kids,” she said. “I hide them under my mattress, so they can’t find them.”
“Good one,” he said in approval. “Am I in there?”
She hesitated. “No.”
“You don’t want to remember me or whatever it is you’re going to do,” he guessed.
“Your turn.” He was right. She felt panic stir again. Why had she agreed to being confined with him for a drive up the coast? Had no part of her realized how dangerous that might be?
“I can’t read your mind,” he said.
“I know that,” she said. “Jule told me. Try again,” she added mockingly.
“You’re the only one I’ve ever met whose mind I couldn’t read.”
“Wow, really?” she asked, surprised. “How does that feel? Is it like suddenly being blind or deaf or something? Like you had a sense and then lost it?”
“It’s not a feeling of loss,” he said slowly. “It’s a challenge. Instead of going through the drive through every day to eat, it’s like hunting your prey down.”
“You are making this really awkward for me,” she said with a sigh. “You’ve GPS chipped me, killed six women, warned me about betraying you and now, you’re hunting me down like a people-burger.”
“How does that feel?” he asked in the same mocking tone she used.
“It’s definitely not helping your case of trying to get me into your bed!”
“I’m not so sure.”
“I am.”
“Just like you’ve sworn to quit every day this week so far,” he said, entertained. “Your turn.”
“Can I ask you something first?”
“Whatever.”
“If I’m the first person whose mind you can’t read, doesn’t it scare you that you can’t tell what I’m thinking?”
“I know human nature and can read body language, so I can tell certain things, more than humans, because of the heightened senses of a vampire. We’re more like animals that way.”
“I can see that,” she said dryly. “Pick a number between one and forty.”
“Twenty-two.”
“Four.” She laughed, unable to help it. The idea he was able to read minds was bizarre; the idea he couldn’t read her mind was so satisfying, she was proud of herself.
“That doesn’t count as a secret,” he objected.
“Hell, yes it does. No one else knew what I would say.”
“New rule, it has to be a real secret, none of this bullshit.”
“Whatever,” she replied. “Your turn.”
“Do you want to know how many men I’ve killed?”
“For the love of God, stop with the killing talk!” she replied, distressed. “I get the point. If I betray you, you track me down and kill me.”
“Turnabout is foreplay,” he said. “Though it’s interesting that’s what you came away with.”
Jessi almost growled in frustration. He loved messing with her. She grappled with how to respond before finally saying,
“We both know how this ends.”
“I do. You don’t. I don’t need to read your mind to know you have no fucking clue what I’m capable of.”
“That terrifies me.”
“Good. Keep that in mind when you walk away and try to deal with your enemies without my help,” he said.
She shook her head. “I don’t even know if I believe all this Guardians and vampires insanity.”
“I’d be happy to remind you with a nip.”
“Jule said if I don’t stay with you, he’ll kidnap me,” she murmured. “Is that true?”
“Yeah.”
Jessi waited for more. Xander said nothing. His gaze was out the window, and he gave no sign he was deceiving her. Something was really wrong with all these people. Jonny, Xander, Jule, Gerry. It was like she’d taken a wrong turn in a theatre, walked into a movie and couldn’t find the door back to the theatre. Yet it made sense on a level that she didn’t quite understand.
“I’ve never had a rerun,” Xander said, back to the secrets game.
“Ah. So you have issues with your sexuality,” she said, grinning.
“Not at all. I can have anyone I want. Why settle for the same thing when I can have something new?”
“Because that’s not how a relationship works,” she said then added. “I guess that’s the point, right? You don’t want one?”
“Nope.”
“You are making the case for me not to sleep with you stronger and stronger.”
“Aren’t you curious?”
“I’m curious about zoo animals, but I’m not going to walk into the cage with a tiger.”
“You got in a car with one.”
“Damn animal tricked me.”
“You’re funny. Not many people can make me laugh.” Xander’s smile was small but present. “Next exit.”
She glanced towards the blocky sign as they passed it. They were entering the city of Buena Park. Her apartment was close. She prayed he was joking about GPS tracking. With her thoughts spinning from what she’d learned, she wasn’t sure what she’d do if his instructions took her to her home.
“We’re going back?” she asked.
“I have an appearance.”
“Why did you erase the schedule? I didn’t bring anything Ingrid said I was supposed to when we go to appearances!”
“It’s no secret I like to watch you squirm,” he said. “You being pissed at me is a turn on.”
“So we’re going to pick out a girl,” she muttered. “You couldn’t wait until this evening at the after party.”
“Don’t need one.”
“You can’t go two nights without a woman.”
“I won’t, Ms. Thursday.”
She bit back her retort. There were too many curse words he might take as an invitation. There was no way in hell it was going to be her, not with all he’d revealed during their secrets game. She was edgy enough in the car with him. Sleeping with him then walking out? She had a feeling it would tear her apart and he would use that as leverage. If she had to choose between pissing off him or Jonny, she was completely fucked.
She was beginning to think that was the case anyway. Was there a way to protect the kids, even if she didn’t make it out of this situation?
“You’re the first man I’ve kissed in five years,” she said.
“I believe it,” he replied. “You didn’t do too bad.”
“Omigod.” Her face flamed red. She hadn’t thought about performance when cornered by a vampire.
“I once had the choice between absolute power and immortality,” he continued. “Guess which I chose.”
Her eyes slid to him. “You’re here, so I think immortality. But you seem like you’d rather have power.”
“Bingo. I chose power. My benefactor gave me immortality.”
“He knew you too well.”
Xander smiled.
“Where are we going?” she asked to take her mind off her growing sense of urgency.
“Mall.”
Jessi drove to the mall, relieved he hadn’t said her house. She parked in a back lot, far away from any other car, so no one dinged the doors of the sleek automobile. Grabbing her purse, she got out and joined him. Her eyes went over him appreciatively. He caught the look.
“One night won’t kill you,” he said.
“It just might,” she replied. “I’m not a one-night stand kind of girl.”
“Not even for whatever it is you want to steal from me?”
“With my luck, it’ll be the one thing you won’t give me,” she said, recalling his warning about trading almost anything if she slept with him.
“One way to find out.”
“Not interested.” She strode towards the mall, hating the reminder.
Xander kept up with her easily, the solid, warm body beside her affecting her senses in ways that made her angrier.
“Ashley asked me to meet her and some friends at the mall during their lunch hour,” he said.
“She what?” Jessi stopped.
“We’re almost late.”
“Xander, no! I don’t want you having anything to do with them.”
He was ignoring her. Jessi waited for him to turn, but he kept walking. Her eyes took in his broad shoulders, thick upper body and lean lower body. The two other people in the aisle walking to their cars from the mall stopped to stare.
She wanted to cry. The more Xander knew about her family, the worse this was all going to turn out. What the hell did she do? She had two days to steal a necklace from an inhuman creature capable of tracking her down after she did.
Quelling her panic, she trailed Xander. He didn’t wait for her, and she paused a few times along the way to the food court to argue with Ashley via texts about talking to Xander. It did no good; the girl was not only a teen, but one enamored by a celebrity who gave her the time of day.
Jessi sighed and put her phone away, at a loss as to what to do in any part of her life. If she survived Jonny and Xander this week, she’d be out a job come next week. She quit her old one to work for Xander – at Jonny’s direct order. She could waitress or bartend again, good gigs that could bring in tip money.
She could run back to her parents with the kids, too. It was the last resort, but it was something. Assuming she survived, it was an option. Her phone buzzed, and she pulled it free from her pocket as she walked.
“Hello.”
“Hey, it’s Jonny.”
Fear flew through her. “Hey.”
“I need you to make sure Xander is at home tonight.”
“He’s got an after party planned.”
“Do I really have to repeat myself, Jessi?” he demanded.
“Jonny, I can’t manage this guy.”
“Someone is going to pay him a visit. It’s important he’s there and you’re not.”
“Why?” Dread settled into her stomach. She paused at the edge of the food court and caught sight of Xander and the girls. Even seated, he was drawing a crowd.
“When it’s over, you should be able to grab the necklace and bring it to me.”
The sudden images of Jonny sending in a hit squad on Xander or blowing up his condo went through her mind. She could see the kid doing it, though she liked to think Xander was able to counter anything like that. Somehow. With magic vampire powers or something.
“I’ll do my best,” she said. “I can’t guarantee anything, Jonny. If you’ve been around him, you know he does whatever he wants.”
“I do know that.” There was a reserved note in Jonny’s voice that told her he had a history with the vampire. “If you can’t, call me by six.”
She almost sighed in relief. “Will do.”
He hung up.
Jessi’s eyes remained on her cousins. Both were there. Ashley’s face was glowing, and Jessi suspected her connection to Xander was helping her find friends at school. She hadn’t seen a smile on Ashley’s face like that since before the death of the cousins’ parents. Even Brandon was enthralled by the vampire, along with a handful of Ashley’s girlfriends and quite a few other women who had gathered around.
Xander caught her gaze. He lifted his chin in silent invitation. Jessi shook her head, occupied by trying to quell the frantic fear within her. She wasn’t able to pretend to be okay. Instead, she grabbed a coffee and sat across the food court, within view.
Thinking. Hard.
“Before I sit down, tell Xander Jenn comes in peace.” The woman’s voice held a husky edge.
Jessi looked up at the speaker, stunned by the tall brunette with a body Jessi would kill for. The woman was guarded, her tension clear, much like those sparring on the beach had been. She was dressed in leggings and a snug T-shirt, neither of which left much to the imagination. She watched Xander like a predator eyeing a newcomer on its turf.
“Are you one of the Guardian things?” Jessi asked, recognizing the strange aura that Jule had.
“Yes.”
She rolled her eyes but texted Xander the message. Without even looking in their direction, he replied instantly.
She was almost number seven.
“Okay, let me translate this,” Jessi said. “He says he’s happy to see you.”
Jenn sat with a smile that turned her from stunning to breathtaking. With large, brown eyes and dark hair, she was toned and tall, a model’s body with an extra layer of muscle. A well-worn, silver medallion with a symbol of the sun and moon, pierced by an arrow, was at her chest.
“You’re Jessi.”
“I am,” Jessi said.
“Jule sent me.”
“Great.”
“Just checking in,” Jenn said. “He was right.”
“About …”
“Your mind. My gift is the ability to manipulate minds. Yours is impossible,” Jenn said curiously. “Interesting. Bet Xander hates it. He’s a control freak.”
“He is, but he seems to find it entertaining,” Jessi said. “Like a mad scientist in a lab. He keeps poking at me to see what I’ll do.”
Jenn laughed in her low, husky voice. Jessi’s phone vibrated, and she saw another text from the vampire.
She will be number seven in about two minutes.
“I’m betting he wants me gone,” Jenn said. “We had a rather … contentious relationship.”
“I’m guessing you weren’t one of his one night stands.”
“No. I barely survived him as it was. We were competing entities, trying to influence someone. His mind control attempts against mine, and we had our own agendas. He let me live, only so I could watch him win.”
Jessi covered her face with her hands. “What the fuck have I gotten myself into?”
“What’s important is that you recognize you are into this thing. Once you are, there’s no going back,” Jenn said. “You’ve got some enemies that are going to give us a run for our money. If you need anything at all, a place to go, a friend, whatever. Call me. We’ve got a place in Texas where we can shelter you from anything, even Xander’s enemies. Even Xander, if you need it.” Jenn picked up Jessi’s phone as she spoke. Jessi watched her program a new contact into it.
“Texas,” Jessi murmured.
“It’s a blink away,” Jenn said with a smile. “Right now, Xander is getting ready to kick my ass. Nice to meet you. Hope to see you around. Feel free to call, text or visit.” She rose with alacrity and moved away.
Jessi watched her go then glanced at Xander. He was looking her direction, impossible to read. She almost flipped him off but stopped herself.
These people – Guardians or whatever – feared him. She’d seen the dangerous side of him the other night, when he effortlessly killed the three people who attacked her. He admitted to killing people and monitoring her. He was a vampire, one that seemed content to toy with her.
One she kind of found herself liking for more reasons than he was the sexiest man she’d ever seen and his touch made her want to throw herself into his bed. He was also the most fascinating person she’d ever spoken to, in a terrifying, otherworldly way. He was good with her cousins, which shocked her, and he helped her, despite knowing she was there to do something bad to him.
The longer she sat and watched them, the more upset she got. What if there really was a way to protect her cousins without pissing off the vampires who marched uninvited into her life? Could she send them to Texas then face Jonny alone and let him do whatever he wanted to her? Were these people really able to protect them?
She dialed Jenn.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Jenn. Jessi. We just met.”
“Hey, hon. You okay?”
“Great. Never been better.”
Jenn laughed.
“Listen, I’m trying to figure out a few things. Trusting complete strangers to take care of people I care about isn’t exactly something I want to do,” Jessi said with some effort.
“Completely understood. Something made you call me, though.”
“I have no idea what my alternatives are.”
“Well, why don’t we do this? Meet me downstairs at the restrooms. Tell Xander you’re going to walk around for about half an hour and you’ll meet him back at the food court. You definitely don’t want him finding out you’re hanging out with me,” Jenn said.
“You’re not really helping things,” Jessi said, perplexed. “Who the hell should I trust?”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but both of us. He and I don’t get along, but he likes you. He won’t let anything happen to you, even if he’ll still kick my ass for trying to help.”
“So complicated.”
“Meet me downstairs?”
“I suppose.”
“See you in five.”
Jessi hung up and texted Xander.
Walking around for a bit. Be back in half an hour. I got the keys – promise not to leave without you.
She glanced towards him. His attention dropped for a second before he met her gaze and gave her a nod she took as either permission or understanding. She rose and walked away.
Jenn was waiting for her downstairs. The tall woman gave a smile. Something about her put Jessi at ease, despite the watchfulness.
“So, I’m gonna ask you to trust a stranger,” Jenn said. “Walk with me.”
Jessi followed her down the narrow hallway leading to the restrooms. She waited, curious and uncertain if she really wanted to know more about the strange new world she stumbled into.
“Take my hand and close your eyes,” Jenn said, holding out her hand to reveal a perfect French manicure.
“Um, okay. Why?” Jessi asked.
“Trust me.”
She sighed. “I might as well. I spent the week with a vampire.” She did as Jenn said. Nothing happened after a few seconds, except it felt like the mall shut off the air conditioner.
“Okay, open your eyes,” Jenn instructed.
Jessi did and froze. They weren’t standing in the hallway anymore. They were somewhere else completely: a sprawling compound with low buildings, a huge barn and a massive, two-story hacienda style house. The sun overhead was blinding, the air light but hot.
“Texas?” she asked.
“Welcome to our headquarters.”
Jessi released Jenn’s hand and looked around. There were people … Guardians? …wandering the compound and a corral nearby with a horse and donkey in it. Beyond where the compound ended, she saw the tan sands of the desert punctuated by short, round shrubs
“It’s called Traveling. It’s a gift a few of us have,” Jenn explained. “We can move between places with I guess you can call magic. This is the compound of Damian, the White God. I live here, too, with my mate, the Grey God.”
“White God kills vampires,” Jessi recited from her talk with Jule.
“Exactly. We’re due to move our headquarters, but his wife had a baby six months ago. So, we’re staying put until the kid is a year old. She’s an Oracle. I wanted you to meet her.”
Panic filtered through her. Jessi sucked in a deep breath, held it for a count of five then released it.
“Okay, let’s go,” she said.
Jenn studied her. “You’re okay with this?”
“I’ve got two teenagers. I’ve learned how to wait until I’m home in bed to have a meltdown,” Jessi replied.
“Wise woman. C’mon.” Jenn struck off towards the barn. “Sofi is trying to learn to fight. It’s not going very well.”
Jessi had no idea what to say. She wasn’t certain her meltdown would wait, but this place seemed real enough. She could accept there was a magic way to move between places, if she was able to accept being the personal assistant to a vampire. If she concentrated on the here-and-now and dealt with the aftermath later, she might survive this experience.
“So all these people have magical powers,” she said as they passed a muscular man jogging with his ear buds in.
“Yes,” Jenn answered. “It’s our job to protect people against Jonny, the Black God.”
“Looks like a nice kid, until he breaks your arm.”
Jenn frowned. “I hope you haven’t met him.”
“Yeah, well, sorry. I have.”
“That’s not good.”
“I figured that much out.”
They walked into the barn through a side door, and Jessi paused to let her eyes adjust. While it was huge and red from the outside, the inside resembled a boxing gym with several rings, training equipment and a wall of mirrors. In the center ring was a petite woman with her long, blonde hair back in a ponytail. She wore headgear and boxing gloves and faced off against a man with the chiseled features of a Greek god, blond hair and sharp blue eyes. Their skin coloring and complexions were similar enough for them to be brother and sister, despite the size difference.
Beside the ring was a man the size of Xander with blond hair and golden eyes and skin. He watched closely, appearing amused and cautious, like a husband watching his wife learn to box.
Jenn stopped beside him.
“How goes it, D?” Jenn asked the large man.
“I keep telling her to hit him the way she does me,” he replied.
“I do not hit you!” the woman in the ring retorted.
“Jessi, this is Damian, the White God and head of the Guardians. His wife, Sofi, is in the ring with Dusty, who heads up the vampire fighting operations for the Western Hemisphere,” Jenn said quietly to Jessi.
“Right.” Jessi leaned around Jenn to see what a god looked like. Damian definitely had the body and weird, glowing amber eyes. He unfolded his arms and faced her, studying her closely. Jessi gazed up at him, overwhelmed by the compelling aura around him without understanding it.
“This is Jessi,” Jenn said. “She’s a Natural, if nothing else.”
“What does that mean?” Damian asked.
The two in the ring had moved to the edge to see them. Jessi glanced up, taking them in. The blonde woman maneuvered through the ropes. Her husband helped her down. Her face was flushed, her blue eyes bright. They were surrounded by silver that seemed to flare and swirl as Jessi watched.
“Xander,” Sofi said.
“No shit?” the man named Dusty asked from the ring, leaning over the ropes.
“I’m not following,” Jessi said.
“Put your hand out like this,” Sofi told her and held out her hand, palm up.
“She’ll look at your future,” Jenn added.
“Like a gypsy?” Jessi asked, confused.
“I like this one.” Damian snorted.
Sofi’s gaze grew cold. “I’m not a gypsy.”
Sensing she offended the petite beauty, Jessi held out her hand as directed.
Sofi touched her palm to Jessi’s. The silver of her eyes grew brighter and swirled faster, mesmerizing Jessi. When she finished whatever it was she did, she dropped her hand. Jessi felt like she’d been mentally hit by a truck.
“Can you read her?” Jenn asked.
“Yes. Not easy, but yes,” Sofi replied, tilting her head to the side.
The others seemed to be waiting for something. Jessi grimaced and rubbed her temples. She had a sudden, mild headache. Not understanding why everyone was quiet, she pulled out her phone to check the time.
“Bring them here,” Sofi said at last.
Jessi glanced up, not realizing she was being addressed. Sofi’s penetrating blue-silver eyes were on her.
“Bring what here?” Jessi asked.
“Before tomorrow at noon,” Sofi added. “You know what. It’s why you came.”
Jessi stared at her.
“You’re going to make a very stupid choice soon,” Sofi said in a quieter voice. She drew closer.
Jenn stepped away to give them some privacy.
“If I could make Xander miserable, I would,” Sofi said, a flare of anger in her eyes. “You are the next best thing. He will become the lesser of two evils. In the meantime, bring them here. If things don’t blow up, then Sunday at midnight, you can give him a message from me. Tell him, Sofi said, I told you so.”
“By blow up, do you mean literally or figuratively?” Jessi asked in dismay.
“Both. Xander is the vilest creature on the planet. But” Sofi drew a deep breath “I’m over that. Months ago, I foresaw you coming here today. I’m satisfied with how things are turning out.”
“Great, because I’m freaked out,” Jessi said.
Sofi’s gaze softened. “It’s a lot to take in. Sometimes I forget what it’s like to be involuntarily inducted into the Guardians.” She gave her husband a cool look.
The God winked at his small wife.
“I’m supposed to make Xander miserable, drop off my cousins to a compound filled with complete strangers who have magical powers, and wait for things to blow up this weekend,” Jessi summarized. “I’m not feeling it.”
“Jonny plans on snatching Ashley and Brandon Friday at one,” Sofi replied. “He’ll succeed, if you don’t bring them here, and things will get bad fast. Xander can take him, but he shouldn’t, because Jonny won’t be alone when Xander faces him, and Xander can’t face the creatures with Jonny without help, which he refuses to ask for, because he’s a complete ass. It’s not the way things are supposed to happen.”
Jessi’s mouth dropped open.
“Need more?” Sofi asked. “When you were sixteen, you slept with your history teacher. That makes three men you’ve been with, not two, like you told Xander in the car today. Two days ago, Jonny broke your arm, and Xander healed it.” Sofi paused then continued. “Yes, Xander is right. You are going to sleep with him.”
“Enough. I get it!”
“Convinced now?” Sofi challenged.
“Holy shit!” Jessi exclaimed, backing away. “Okay, fine. I believe you. Let’s stop there before I pass out.”
“See what I have to deal with?” Damian said dryly.
“If you survive the weekend, we’ll sit down and talk,” Sofi offered.
“Xander’s on the move,” Jenn reported, listening to whatever was being said across the earpiece. “We gotta go. I’m not getting my head taken off by a vamp.”
“Thank god,” Jessi breathed. “No offense, Sofi. I think I need … some time away. It’s not you. It’s me. I’m just not ready for whatever this is between us. So, we’re not breaking up, just taking time apart.”
Damian laughed. A smile tugged up one corner of the blonde woman’s lips. Her eyes sparkled.
“Jenn, get me out of here.” At the end of her wits, Jessi held out her hand to the tall brunette.
“You may not want to tell Xander you talked to me,” Sofi suggested.
“No problem.” Jessi was a few seconds from all out panic.
Jenn took her hand, and Jessi closed her eyes. She had no sense of moving, but the air around her grew heavier, cooler.
“You’re back,” Jenn said, laughter in her voice. “Way to make an impression.”
“I think I’m gonna pass out.” Jessi sagged against the wall.
“People usually do that the first time Sofi reads them. She can read souls, so she knows basically everything about you in two seconds. It’s a little disconcerting. Breathe deeply until the buzzing in your ears stop.”
Jessi concentrated on her breathing and not the tunnel vision.
“Not to rush you, but my guys are reporting that Xander is about fifty meters away. You probably want to head out,” Jenn said.
Jessi nodded. She wanted to run. Xander suddenly was tame, compared to an Oracle who read her past and future in two seconds.
She fled Jenn and emerged from the hallway into the mall. It seemed loud, overwhelming, and she realized she was still close to passing out. Jessi sat down on a bench and breathed deeply. She pressed the meat of her palms to her eyes and willed herself not to cry. In a matter of twenty minutes, her whole world imploded.
“What happened?” Xander’s voice carried a note of caution.
“This is not my day,” she said truthfully.
He sat down beside her. Jessi didn’t realize she was shaking, until he took her hands. They trembled in his large palms. He squeezed while studying her carefully, as if making certain she wasn’t hurt.
“Maybe you should tell me what’s going on,” he growled.
“Maybe you should stop dragging my kids into this mess!”
“Is that what this is about?”
She sighed and pulled her hands free to wipe her eyes.
“I’m guessing no,” he said. “C’mon. We’re leaving. I told Ashley she could drive the car.”
“Why does she get to drive?” Jessi snapped, meeting his gaze at last. He was watching her still. His thigh was against hers, his large frame taking up most of the bench.
“Seriously?” Xander raised an eyebrow. “You’re a train wreck. We’ve got an after party to go to. Ashley’s driving us to your place to drop them off, then we’re gone.”
“You’ll know where I live,” she objected.
“I already know.”
“This is the worst day ever. I’m not going to the after party.”
“I can stay back and fuck you. Might make us both feel better.”
Her startled laugh surprised her. Was he trying to cheer her up in his own, special way again? Jessi said nothing as another thought emerged. She’d forgotten Jonny’s call. The hidden threat that something bad was going to happen, if Xander stayed home.
“We’ll stay in tonight, so you can tell me what’s going on,” Xander added.
“No,” she said quickly. “We can’t stay in. We’re going to the after party. Then I’m quitting for real, never to see any of you ever again.”
“Any of us.” His gaze sharpened. “What did Jenn want?”
“It’s none of your business, Xander.”
The dangerous edge crept into him. It made her want to run even faster.
“You don’t like that, do you?” she asked softly.
“No.”
“It sucks not being able to read the minds of those around you. You never know who to trust or who wants to hurt you,” she said. “Welcome to my world, Xander.” Upset, Jessi rose and walked away.
She wasn’t certain if he’d follow or not. Jessi did her best to compose herself as she returned to the food court. Ashley and Brandon were still at the table with all of Ashley’s friends. Jessi forced a smile as she approached. Ashley’s eyes glowed, and Jessi hated herself for wanting to leave or prevent her cousin from ever seeing Xander again, when it clearly made her happy.
“You guys ready?” she asked.
Ashley grinned. “I get to drive!”
“I heard.” Jessi dug the keys out of her purse and handed them over.
“Xander said he’s taking us to dinner,” Brandon said. “He’s so awesome, Jessi!”
Internally, she was cursing the vampire. Her cousins had no clue what he was or what she was involved with.
“Great,” she managed. “Let’s find the jackass and go.”
The teen girls tittered at her light-hearted curse. Ashley and Brandon stood faster than they ever had when she told them their time at the mall was up. Jessi didn’t have to look to know where Xander was; a look of awe crept into the faces of both teens.