Page 85 of The Hunted
“About that. We’ve changed plans. Your father wants them at vampire headquarters in Boston. Jo and I agree that it’s the best place for her and Abbey. I need to be here anyway.” He stormed out.
“It’s time I drink your blood,” Layla said. “I had a vision with a tiny amount. Maybe that could happen again without me drinking a boatload. If we can find Roman in the next two hours, then you have the advantage, and you wouldn’t have to become his prisoner.”
She had a point. Plus, she’d drunk from me during sex, and she hadn’t had a reaction like she had the first time. Maybe her system was getting acclimated to my blood.
Before I could respond, she snagged one of the daggers from my leg. “Give me your wrist. This is my decision, and I don’t care what Dr. Vieira or anyone says.” Her demanding tone was turning me on.
Like a smitten fool, I extended my arm.
The minute she slit my wrist, her eyes dilated with a hunger I’d only seen in vampires. For a split second, my heart stopped. How could a human be thirsty for vampire blood?
But that question went out the window when she dropped the dagger and clamped her mouth down over the cut. I lost track of where I was. The mere act of her taking my blood was more erotic than her sucking my dick.
I stroked her hair with my free hand. “Take it slow, baby doll.” I trailed my tongue down her neck, my gums pounding, my bloodthirst strong.
She continued to suck as the need to taste her was driving me mad. But it wasn’t about me.
She swirled her tongue around my wrist before she eased up and smiled.
The sight of my blood smeared on her lips made my heart skip a beat. She looked even more beautiful. “What?” she asked innocently.
I wanted to ask her if she felt queasy or dizzy, but the only thing on my mind was kissing her. I mashed my mouth to hers and dove in until Tripp cleared his throat.
“We have a problem. Rianne sped off base in Layla’s car.”
Layla stiffened as she pulled away. “We need to go after her. It’s snowing and the middle of the night.”
“How did Rianne get off base? We have guards everywhere,” I said.
Tripp clenched his jaw. “She wanted fresh air. I had a guard take her outside. Next thing, she’s driving off.”
Layla snapped her spine straight. “She probably hotwired the car. But we have a bigger problem. She’s probably heading to our house, which means she could walk right into Roman’s hands.”
I was ready to fill Tripp in on Roman’s call when he held up his hand. “Webb updated your father and me about Roman’s call.”
Layla paled. “Please take me to my house. We have to stop her.”
I was tempted to tell her no, chain her up, and keep her safe, but I was finding that the Aberdeen sisters were stubborn. And if the tables were turned, and someone told me to stay put when my sister’s life could be in danger, I would tell them to fuck off.
Tripp rubbed his jaw. “Kraft and Olivia are combing the woods behind Layla’s house for any signs of Ben, Jordyn, Roman, and his men. So far nothing. But since he’s given us four hours, we still have time to stop Rianne. Suit her up,” he said to me. “The last thing we need is three Aberdeens dead or missing.”
Layla winced on the last part of his statement.
“Oh, one more thing, Sam,” Tripp said. “Check in with me when you get there. And watch your six out there.”
“Always do.” I grabbed Layla’s hand as we followed Tripp out.
29
SAM
An hour later, I was navigating the snow-covered streets with Layla fidgeting in her seat. Her sweet fragrance infused the inside of the Hummer, driving me to want to pull over and strip her naked. How sexy she looked with weapons strapped to her legs and waist didn’t help. Before we left, she’d insisted on having her family heirloom dagger, which we’d given her. I was confident I could trust her not to stab me. If she did try, she wouldn’t succeed, and I believed she knew that.
Nevertheless, I was beginning to realize it was more than her physical appearance that was doing a number on my psyche. Her very essence was cracking through the walls I’d built, and before long she would have a tight grip on not only my heart, but my soul. She was becoming the yin to my yang, the woman who I could see myself spending eternity with.
She glanced out the passenger window as we passed storefronts and office buildings. “The snow hasn’t let up. I wonder if Rianne even made it to the house in that crap car of ours.”
Forecasters predicted blizzard conditions, but the plows were out and doing a decent job of clearing the streets. However, the roads leading out of the city might be a different story.
