Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
“I still can’t believe he told you.” Lucas stared out the front windshield as he drove us back to the motel after the third day of a bored-out-of-my-mind stakeout. His hands gripped the steering wheel, and his knuckles might have been turning white.
I giggled. He wouldn’t let it go, and every time he brought it up, I instantly pictured him and Rom hunched over a long table between two gray-haired ladies. The women would lean over, pointing as they double-checked the vamp’s multiple boards, whispering words of advice and encouragement. Or maybe the women were the cranky sort, explaining how they were doing it all wrong. Lucas and Rom would nod along, but their gazes would be stuck on the tumbling balls, eagerly awaiting the next call. It was just too precious.
Somehow, I managed to spit out, “I promise I won’t tell a soul.”
“Including Cressa.”
It wasn’t a question. “I’ll do my best.”
“Swear. Right now, in this van, swear you won’t say a word to Cressa.”
The giggles stopped. He was serious. I must have missed something about masculinity in the vamp world. Did he really think other vamps would think less of him if they discovered his secret obsession with bingo?
Rom had seemed just as serious.
“What’s this all about? It’s been how many days, and you’re still grumbling over this?” When he didn’t answer me, I noted his tight jaw and rigid posture. “Would it be easier if I shared something I thought was embarrassing even though Cressa didn’t give it a second thought when I mentioned it?”
His gaze flickered to me then back to the road. “Would it be true?”
I sighed. “No. But I’ll confess that Cressa and I might have been seen in a bingo parlor once or twice.”
This time he turned his whole head to determine my sincerity.
“If that’s true, why do you find it so funny when it’s me and Rom?”
“Aah. Now I see the problem. I’m not laughing about you and Rom playing bingo. I understand what draws you to the game.” That got a flicker of surprise. “It’s just the image of you surrounded by gray-haired women feeding you snacks.”
“Not everyone is old.”
Still sensitive. I glanced out my side window. It was better to let him stew on it for a bit.
“Why do you think we’re drawn to it?”
Finally. We were getting somewhere. I shrugged my shoulder. “Rom is a House leader with lots of pressure. His side business of granting favors must come with its own stress. Like Devon, his mind is always churning, trying to stay ahead of the game.
“You might not be a House leader but, as cadre, you have many responsibilities. Even when you were a bodyguard for Rom, it was apparent he gave you more responsibilities than others.”
“Why would you think that?”
I snorted. “Anyone can see he values your opinion. The point is, bingo is one of those games where you don’t think about anything other than each little ball. You stare at dozens of cards, waiting for the call. It’s not really about winning. And if I had to guess, I’d say you don’t always call a winner, even when you have one, letting some of the regulars have a chance in the spotlight. It’s all about clearing your head. Even with the mental task of searching the columns and rows, you’re not thinking of anything but the cards in front of you.”
We drove in silence, and I returned to stare out the window.
When we approached town, his hand touched mine, and I grabbed it. When he squeezed back, I knew he was alright.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He kissed my hand.
“I don’t know how you managed this long without me.”
When he pulled into the motel’s parking lot, we both glanced at the air mattress in the back and laughed. It had been days since we’d shared any real form of intimacy.
The van door opened, and Bella stuck her head inside. “I think we might have some activity. Let’s go.” She picked up the groceries we’d bought before leaving the stakeout.
I grabbed my purse, and we hustled to the room.
“Where are Rom and Jacques?” Lucas asked.
“Rom had returned to our room for a meal when I spotted a woman in the office who appeared to be asking questions. She looked like she might have been touching the clerk, so I made an assumption she might be mesmerizing him. Then she returned to a car with a single driver. It’s the gray sedan on the other side of the lot.”
“Have you been back to your room?”
“No. I was on the staircase, waiting for you. Jacques has a clear line of sight to the vehicle. He’ll keep us updated when she moves.”
I glanced out the peephole I’d made in the curtains. The doors to both rooms were visible. The trap was set if this woman was actually a vamp.
“Do you think the other person in the car is Philipe?” If it wasn’t, Philipe had more vamps involved than we ever considered.
Lucas considered the question. “It wouldn’t be wise.”
“I agree.” Bella tapped my shoulder, and I relinquished my seat. “If this is Fiona, she might have mesmerized a human to drive her here.”
I grabbed my dagger and prepared for whatever was to come. Minutes ticked by. “What are they waiting for?” I hated that Lucas and Bella were so calm. My skin itched, my feet refused to settle in one spot, and my fingers ached from gripping the dagger so tightly.
Bella glanced at her cell then watched for movement beyond the gap in the drapes. “The woman is moving for the motel.”
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, searching for that zen moment Simone taught me—the calm before the storm.
“Go!” Bella yelled.
I trailed two steps behind Lucas with Bella on my heels. Rom and Jacques were already out their door. By her quick movements, it was obvious the woman was a vamp. No one moved like a vamp, but she didn’t move fast enough to escape.
Rom pulled her back to the room where he’d been waiting with Jacques. When Jacques called out a warning, he shoved her through the door. More vamps were coming.
Rom grabbed my arm and pushed me in with the vamp. “Guard her.” He slammed the door behind me.
I stood in an attack posture that Simone had taught for guarding a prisoner. My dagger was in one hand while I raised the other in an attempt to calm the vamp, who brandished her own weapon. “We’re not here to harm you. We only have a few questions, but we need to take care of whoever followed you first.”
“You’re human?”
“Is that going to be a problem?” I said it with more bravado than I felt. And I had to admit I was a bit hurt when she lowered her weapon and cocked her head to one side.
“I’ve never known Romero to keep a human as a bodyguard.”
“Maybe you should stay in touch more frequently.”
I had no idea what was going on outside, but I could hear swords clashing. “How many vamps followed you?”
The woman laughed. “You have no idea what you’ve brought down upon yourselves.”
I would have laughed in turn, but I was beginning to think she was right.
“Halt!”
The word was yelled from outside and didn’t sound like anyone from our group. But it was enough to startle me.
The vamp rushed me.
My reaction was pure instinct. I immediately kicked out, clipping her arm with the dagger. When she stumbled by, I spun and kicked her in the back. The force smacked her into the wall. She turned around and wiped her nose, leaving streaks of crimson on her hand. After taking a long moment to stare at the blood, her face became a vengeful mask.
I was in trouble, but I didn’t wait. I raced toward her then side-stepped at the last moment. The vamp fell for it. Not knowing if this was Fiona or not, I didn’t want to stab her, so I tripped her as she went by.
She must have been expecting it because she regained her footing before falling. In a move I’d only seen Simone perform, she ran two more steps then jumped into the air, twirling and directing her momentum back to me.
I knew how to defend against it, but there wasn’t enough space. My only other option was to attempt my own jump and kick.
She was ready for it. Her dagger cut across my arm.
Its sharp bite made me gasp, but I landed square on my feet, facing her. I hated it when they grinned like they knew something I didn’t. We circled each other, each of us waiting for the other’s next move.
Her grin grew wider.
I’m not sure how it would have ended had it been just the two of us. The door burst open, and before I could react, she called out, “Don’t hurt her.” Then someone kicked the back of my knees, and I dropped, hitting the deck hard.
My dagger was ripped from me as I was hauled up by an arm. Rough hands pulled my arms behind me, and I felt the plastic restraints zip tight around my wrists. I looked up at the male vamp gripping my arm—as if I had any place to run. He was rugged and muscled to the point his shirt could barely contain his mass.
The female vamp strode up to me and gave me a long, appraising look. The respect that shined in her eyes surprised me. “A human who fights like a vampire. I’ll be interested in hearing this story.” She nodded at the other vamp. “Take her to the others, then clean out this room.”
I was dragged into the parking lot, where my heart sank. Our entire group stood with their hands behind their backs, most likely zip tied. They were blood-spattered but appeared to be in one piece. The fact their captors sported their fair share of blood gave me a small amount of pleasure.
I was pushed into the lineup as more than a dozen vamps circled us. They all looked to the female vamp I’d been tussling with. She nodded to one of the vamps. He took out a phone and walked along the line, taking a snapshot of each of us. Then he appeared to be sending them to someone. Or maybe more than one someone.
No one spoke as we waited. I’d expected Rom to say something, but he might be hoping no one recognized him as a House leader. If this was Venizi’s group, I would expect us to be dead. Something else was going on. I glanced at Jacques, who stood next to me. He stared straight ahead—calm and stoic.
Lucas had caught my gaze before I was added to the line. The only thing I garnered from him was relief I was alive.
A ping announced an incoming text. The vamp glanced at his phone then nodded to the female, who immediately shouted orders.
“Load them up. Get their belongings and bring their vehicles. I want this place scrubbed and secured.”
A black van pulled up, and the back doors swung open. A long bench seat ran along both sides of the van. Once we were helped up and seated, another vamp jumped up holding black material in his hands.
The female vamp stepped to the back of the van and peered up at Rom. “I’m sorry for this, but you’ll soon understand.”
Another vamp jumped in and one by one took what turned out to be a hood from the other vamp and began covering our heads. I couldn’t see Lucas, who was on the far side of the same bench, but I caught Bella’s gaze. She nodded to me before the cover went over her head.
Then darkness descended. The fabric was light, and while breathing was easy, it didn’t help my fledgling claustrophobia. No one spoke as the van started up and drove away.
I wasn’t sure how far we drove, but it was an uncomfortable ride with my arms behind my back. After about ten minutes on the road, I felt the change in speed and heard the sound of a busy highway, which I assumed was the interstate. There was no telling what direction we were headed. It was a long time afterward before the van slowed as we left the interstate then made a sharp turn. I woke when the van stopped, unaware I’d nodded off. I heard voices, but they were too low to pick up any words.
Several minutes later, the van continued for a short drive before stopping again. The minute the doors opened, a cool breeze floated through, and I breathed easier.
“Take the hoods off.” The male voice sounded irritated. “I doubt that was needed once they were in the van.”
“I apologize, sir. We wanted to be careful.” It sounded like the female vamp.
“Just get them off.”
Bright light hit my eyes, and I squinted. The female vamp stood next to a male vamp. His expression held the same irritation as his voice had. I glanced around the van to find everyone else squinting as their eyes adjusted. Rom’s hood was the last one removed.
He shook his head and slowly opened his eyes, then glared down at the man outside. His eyes widened in apparent recognition.
The male vamp reached out and touched Rom’s leg. “I’m sorry, old friend. This was the only way I could secure your safety.”
Rom stretched his legs. “You better have a deep wine cellar.”
The vamp laughed. “And much more.” He smiled at the rest of us. “I am Philipe Renaud. Welcome to The Retreat.” He clapped his hands. “Untie our guests, bring their belongings, and see them to their suites.”