Page 14 of Beautiful Heart

Gerri tried to think, but it made the thumping in her head worse. She pulled a hand from under the covers and used it to massage one temple and then the other as she tried to pick through her nonexistent memories. “I was leaving my apartment to meet you at the café.”

When she could not remember anything after that, a ball of panic began to tighten in the center of her chest.

“I can’t remember what happened next,” she said in a small, fear-filled voice. “Why can’t I remember?”

Livingston pulled her to rest against his chest and wrapped his arms around her in a gentle, snuggly embrace. He was cool to the touch, but that seemed to be what she needed and as he dropped several kisses on the top of her head, she slowly relaxed.

“No worries, Princess. It’s not surprising your mind blocked out what happened. It was rather traumatic and is why you’re here, in our home, where I can now take care of you and keep you safe.”

Gerri tilted her head back to look up at the man. Not remembering what happened scared her, though she wasn’t sure she really wanted to know. As Livingston said, she was safe now with him, which was what mattered—wasn’t it? Her strong, independent side demanded to know what had transpired in the black pit of forgotten time.

“Please, tell me what happened. Please?”

“All right, Princess, but I want you to remember that though the timeline has been sped up on our mating, you are exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

While his words were meant to soothe her, the ball of anxiety in her chest grew several sizes larger. She shifted to move off his lap, but Livingston refused to release her.

“From what my men have put together, you had been walking to Mystic’s and a group of men attacked you. They were led by those two men who tried to take your money the night we met.”

Gerri frowned at that news, but did not say anything. She could tell by the tension in Livingston there was more and it wasn’t good news.

“They had dragged you into the alley and by the time I got there, had stabbed you. You were dying and when I offered to save you…”

“I said yes,” Gerri whispered. “You offered to make me a vampire, and I said yes.”

“That’s right, Princess.”

“How long have I been here?”

“You’ve been resting here for three days,” Livingston said in a gentle tone.

“And to my friends? To the bland world?”

“Your memorial service was held this morning. You were cremated and your ashes will be given to your “cousin” who will be dealing with the rest of your estate. I’m told the service was well attended by your friends and coworkers from the library. Your belongings will be packed and brought here so you can go through them and decide what you want to keep and what you wish to donate to charity.”

The news that she’d been asleep for three days was shocking enough, but to learn that the rest of the world thought she was dead was nearly beyond comprehension. “And who is this cousin who is taking care of things?”

“One of Dickerson Seaton’s assistants. He’s my attorney and his office is taking care of everything.”

Gerri launched herself off of Livingston’s lap and staggered across the room. She felt weak as a newborn, but needed to move. She began to pace the room, using the available furniture to assist in maintaining her footing.

That was when she realized she wasn’t limping. And there was not the usual pain in her hip, thigh, and pelvis.

Turning, she frowned at Livingston. “I’m not limping.”

“No, you’re not,” he said. “Nor will you ever suffer from diseases that plague blands. Colds and allergies and such.”

Gerri nodded then began pacing again. “So, I’m dead to the world. Which means I no longer have a job or a place to live. Well, shit.”

She stopped and looked at Livingston when he stood. “You don’t need a job, or an apartment. You have both. Here. With me.”

Gerri stopped and slowly turned. “What do you mean?”

Livingston crossed to her and wrapped his arms around her, once again cuddling her close. “I was planning to take a slower approach, but those animals who attacked you sent the timeline into warp speed. Before we get any further into this, you need to eat and will probably want to clean up, yes?”

Gerri’s stomach rumbled long and loud, causing her cheeks to heat with embarrassment. “Yes, I suppose I am hungry, and a shower would be nice.”

“All right then. Food, a bath, and then we’ll move the conversation to the living room.”

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