Page 20 of The Predator
Another text came through from Conrad.Call me when you’re free.
I tapped Conrad’s number as I gazed out at the Charles River. Orange and blue streaked the sky as dusk set in.
“I figured you would want to hear this instead of reading a text,” Conrad said after he answered on the first ring. “The Aberdeens are resurrecting their family business.”
That wasn’t a shocker. Jack and Ray were probably out for revenge. After all, Roman had cut off Ray Aberdeen’s thumb.
“Anything else? It seems Layla is fine.”
“It looks that way. They just left a restaurant in town. It appears they’re heading to the ranch. Do you want me to keep following?”
I scratched the top of my head. “Yeah. Her aunt sounded worried, and I want to be sure. So keep me updated.” Her aunt wanted me to come to Montana. After I disconnected the call, my mind started working.
Layla could be in more trouble with Roman on the loose. Roman knew that I liked her, which meant he might try to hurt her to get to me. Maybe it was best that I got my ass to Montana. Conrad couldn’t handle Roman and his thugs alone.
I spun on my heel and returned to Abbey, but she was gone. I glanced in the direction of my father’s room, and Jo wasn’t there. I jogged down and came to an abrupt halt when I saw Dr. Vieira talking to Dr. Greer behind the nurse’s station.
Dr. Greer, who was a head taller than Dr. Vieira, rubbed the back of his neck. “We can always open him up and try to repair the vein.”
“I’m confident his blood will do the trick,” Dr. Vieira said, although he didn’t sound optimistic.
“You know, Damon,” Dr. Greer said to Doc. “In some cases like this, a vampire can give up. Steven might be at the end of his life.”
I cleared my throat.
Both doctors jerked their heads at me.
“In what universe are you living, Dr. Greer?” I growled the entire sentence—not that either of the doctors was afraid of me. “My father never gives up.”
Dr. Greer pinned me with his brown-eyed gaze. “Son, I’m sorry to say that some of us who have lived as long as your father do give up.”
My fangs lowered as I sneered. “Not my father. Doc, did you give my dad the blood you brought?”
Dr. Vieira skirted the circular station. “Sam, Dr. Greer is right.”
My nostrils flared. “I don’t give a fuck who is right. Answer my question.” My voice boomed. I wasn’t accepting anything other than my father living. I wasn’t ready for him to die—far from it. He and I hadn’t had the best father-and-son relationship, but he was still my old man, and I hadn’t had a chance to tell him that I forgave him for abandoning Jo and me in foster care.
Dr. Vieira glanced up at me. “Sam, take a breath. We’ll do everything we can not to let Steven die. But you have to be prepared. As vampires, we might be invincible, but there comes a time when all of us will leave this Earth.”
I snapped my spine straight. “Today isn’t that day for my dad.” I stalked down to his room just as Webb came off the elevator, looking as though he’d been through a wind tunnel.
I met him halfway. “What’s wrong? Please tell me it has nothing to do with Roman.” At that moment, I made a solemn promise to myself that Roman Brown would die by my hand and my hand only.
Webb tried to tame his disheveled brown hair. “The guardians found the van Roman was in at Boston Logan. Sawyer is trying to get flight data on every airplane.”
Motherfucker.“I need to go to Montana. Layla’s not safe. You know Roman will make his revenge personal.”
Webb studied me, clearly unsure how to respond. “You think that’s wise?Youin vampire-hunter territory?”
“Conrad will back me up. I’ll be two days, tops.”
Webb scrubbed a hand along his jaw. “Roman will go after anyone who was there that night. So the entire Aberdeen family might be in danger.”
I wasn’t about to save every member of the family. Besides, Jack and Ray could handle themselves. For that matter, so could Layla. But after Tabitha’s call, I knew something wasn’t right with Layla, and I didn’t trust Jack.
“I can handle myself,” I assured him. “I’ll keep you posted every step of the way. Plus, her aunt called me. She wants me to help Layla. Something is going on with her. She’s been sick, but her aunt didn’t elaborate.”
“Mm,” Webb said. “Go. Two days, tops. Check with Sawyer. See if our pilot is available.”
