Page 36 of The Hunted
The room spun. The lights above darkened, and my body felt as though I’d been dipped into a vat of hot oil.
“Layla.” Sam’s smooth and husky tone penetrated through the hell that was playing out in my head.
“I want to see Rianne.” My voice didn’t sound like my own.
Sam was about to lift me up again, but I shoved him off.
He chuckled then whispered in my ear. “Fight me in bed. Right now, you need help.”
His arrogance was disarming, which didn’t make sense. Minutes before, I wanted to cut off his balls. “You’ve done something to me, Sam.”
“Where’s her sister?” Sam tossed over his shoulder to Jo.
“She’s in the last room,” the young girl, who had to be about ten years old, said. “I’ll take you.” She batted her blue eyes that reminded me of the ocean off the deep waters of South America.
I managed to get away from Sam, or maybe he let me go. “I’m Layla. And thank you.” She just became my new best friend.
“I’m Abbey.” Her long shiny black hair fell to her waist, and she tucked thick strands of it behind her ear.
I froze as though someone had stopped time.Abbey.I said her name a few times in my head. Then I thought of Sam as quickly as I could. If Jo could read minds, I had to clear my thoughts.
Abbey tugged on my hand. “Layla, are you okay?”
Not in the freaking least.But I nodded just the same. “Sorry. I’m not feeling well.”
“My mom can examine you,” Abbey said.
Mom?I didn’t know female vampires could conceive.
Abbey led the way as I shook off my shock. Jo, Sam, and I followed Abbey as if she was our queen and we were her subjects. I got the feeling she was a special little girl. She seemed like she was loved and well taken care of. She wore a cute pink fleece sweater that hung over navy-blue leggings. Her suede ankle-length boots were rimmed with fur at the top.
Abbey banked right at the end of the aisle. Jo and Sam chatted. I tried to stay upright even though the vertigo feeling hung on strongly.
“Dad isn’t going to like you falling for a human,” Jo said to Sam behind me.
I choked. “It’s his bloodlust, nothing more.” Sam wasn’t falling. His actions toward me were driven by his dick and arrogance and the need for human blood.
“She’s right,” Sam agreed.
Jo mumbled something just as Abbey approached the doorway. “She’s sleeping,” Abbey said. “Mom gave her something to relax.”
I pivoted on my heel so quickly that I lost my balance.
Sam’s arms were around me before my body hit the floor.
14
LAYLA
Someone tapped on my face. “Layla.” Her voice reminded me of Mom’s. “Layla, it’s Jo. Wake up.”
My eyelids fluttered open, and I bolted forward. “What happened?”
Jo placed a gentle hand on my back. “You passed out. I’m not sure why. I took your blood pressure, and it was normal. I would like to run some tests if you don’t mind.”
She didn’t need to run any tests. Sam’s blood was making me feel like I’d consumed a half bottle of whiskey in one go. That was the only thing that made sense. It wouldn’t hurt to know for sure.
I relaxed back against the pillow. “Where’s Sam?”
