Page 22 of Big Enough to Bite
Unknown:
That Vampire is mine.
Unknown:
She doesn’t belong to you.
Unknown:
If you give her to me now, I’ll let you live.
Mari looks at the phone in my hand and then at me. She sinks her left fang into her lip, drawing blood, but the wound heals quickly. “It’s him?”
“Let’s sit down.” I pull her close, wanting to feel her body and know she’s safe. I should be able to keep her safe.
With more strength than she’s shown me before, she shoves out of my arms and lands like a cat. Straightening, she eyes me. “Who was the text from?”
Part of me wants to protect her from the truth. For a month, she’s been happy and content. I want that time back, because it’s all about to change. “It wasn’t from anyone in my contacts.”
“Sam?” Her stare is deadly. “Tell me.”
I unlock my phone and hand it to her.
“Thirty-three is France. After all these years, I became complacent, and he has found me. I have to leave this town right now.” She dashes a tear away. “You should stay here. As much as I’d like to ask you to come with me, he’ll kill you and have no remorse. Stay here and explain as best you can to my students, especially the twins.” Fresh terror pushes more tears from her dark eyes. She grabs her purse and heads for the door. Stopping, she turns and throws herself into my arms. “I’m sorry.”
Rather than letting go, I hold her to me. “Don’t run. He will only follow. Stay and make a stand here, with me. I’ll call Chief Martinez and have him send an officer.” When she pushes against my chest, I loosen my hold, but don’t let go.
Her eyes are pleading. “You don’t understand. Pierre is six hundred years old. He’s stronger than I am, andIcould destroythis town. He’ll kill them all. If you call the police, he’ll kill the officer who’s trying to protect me. If I stay, he’ll kill you. He might hurt one of the Mannings just because he thinks I like them. I can’t risk it.”
“You underestimate this town and me. We protect our own.” I release her.
“You can’t know what a vampire like Pierre can do.” Regret in her eyes, she places her hand flat on my chest.
“So far, all he’s done is find you by using a woman whom he’s probably made his servant, just as he did with you. He’s sent me a few texts that he thinks will send you running, and you’re about to play right into his hands.” My voice is louder than I’d like. I take a deep breath and reel in my emotions. “Don’t leave me, Mari. This is your home.”
She stares at me, then at the door. It’s the first time I’ve seen her out of sorts, afraid. “I can’t be responsible for the people here getting hurt. You could be killed.” She touches my cheek.
Turning into her palm, I kiss the soft flesh. “Stay. Try this my way. Running will only make him chase. He’s found you, but he’s not here, or he could have knocked on the door or shown up when you were with your students.”
“Oh god.” She lowers her gaze to the floor. “I’ve put everyone in the line of fire. He’ll kill everyone and everything I care about.” She crumbles to the floor, sitting with her legs crossed and her head in her hands. “For over a hundred years, I’ve kept him at bay, and the moment I let my guard down, he’s here.”
Pierre Brochet has to be stopped.
For a giant, I’m pretty passive, but I’m not without passion. Mari is my passion, and anyone who threatens her is my enemy. I sit facing her. “He’s not here. He’s a text message. When he gets here, we’ll be ready for him.”
I pick up my phone and type.
Sam:
Never going to happen.
I dial the police station.
“Harmony Glen Police. Officer Williamson. How can I help you?” Officer Willa Williamson’s serious voice comes across firm and sure.
“Hello, Officer. This is Sam Reus. We’ve had a threat through texting, and I want to report it.” The more I think about Pierre, the angrier I get.
Mari tugs my arm. “This is a mistake.”
