Page 30 of Blood Lost

Chapter 35

Declan

I waited for Delilah to leave before I sat up again and turned on the light. I couldn’t believe that she’d used me. I trusted her, and she turned against me for these guys. The worst part was that I was sure they wouldn’t let me leave. I would be stuck here until it was safe for her to go back home with them.

I knew that what I said to her wasn’t fair. I didn’t understand why she went to see Eli right after we had sex. Had I said something in my sleep? I wouldn’t know because I couldn’t exactly ask her right now. My heart ached when she started to cry. I knew that I had broken hers when I broke my own. It was better this way. She shouldn’t have to decide. I was making things easier for her. Vik would be pleased when she told him. Eli might be disappointed, but he would get over it. They’d won.

At this moment, all I wanted was to go home. I needed to find Kayden and apologize. He’d been right. I wanted to use him to find her. I treated him like my own personal search dog. He may not forgive that. I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. I deserved his anger. I would contact him as soon as possible and arrange to pay the fines for unauthorized turning. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about Delilah anymore. She would be legal. Eli and Vik could keep her safe from the murder investigation.

There was no way my communications were actually secure. No doubt Eli was recording calls, texts, and emails sent. I still didn’t feel safe taking my original phone out of airplane mode. He claimed that the only reason we got to keep them was so we’d have whatever numbers we needed to continue our businesses. I think this was a test to see how long it was until one of us slipped up, and our location was revealed. If the hunters found us here, they would know it was one of us who’d killed that girl.

Eli insisted that we needed to find out who’d drugged Delilah. I shouldn’t have been worried about it anymore, since I’d ended things with her. I still wanted her to be safe. I just couldn’t risk my heart. Not like this. My new phone buzzed. No one outside this bunker had that number, and I hadn’t set up call forwarding yet. I debated checking it or waiting until morning. This had been a long day, and I was wiped.

The second buzz decided for me. Curiosity won out, and I picked up the phone. Two text messages. I opened the app to see who they were from.

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I wish you’d let me explain. It’s not what you think. Delilah wanted to talk. Of course, she did. I couldn’t. I knew that if I did, I would give in, and we’d both end up hurt. I read the second text. Declan, I love you. Wow, I hadn’t expected that from her. Did she mean it, or was she just trying to manipulate me? I had no way to know, even though the ache in my heart swore it was the truth. A third message came through. Please can we talk? I knew that I shouldn’t respond. I should put the phone down and go to sleep.

What’s there to talk about? How you used me to get intel for your boyfriends? It was cold, but that matched how I felt. If I listened closely, I could hear her crying in her room. Great. How long until Vik came beating my door down? I wasn’t looking forward to that. I heard a soft knock. It sounded like it came from Delilah’s room. I wanted to check it out but didn’t want to face Vik’s wrath. He was hateful on a good day.

I could hear voices but couldn’t make out what was being said. Sure enough, a moment later, someone was pounding on my door. I climbed out of bed and took my time getting dressed. If I was going to have to fight my way out of here, I’d do it fully clothed. “Give me a minute, would ya?” I growled at the noise.

The response was muffled, and the pounding stopped suddenly. There was a loud crash, and I heard Delilah’s door open. She screamed and I ran out of my room, no longer concerned with myself. Eli had Vik pinned to the floor, and they’d destroyed the coffee table in the process. “Stop fighting me or I’ll sedate you. I mean it, Vik. You can’t just start attacking people because one of us had a disagreement or fight with Delilah. Do you want us to do that to you?”

Vik stopped struggling. He was breathing hard, and his face was red. I wondered what she’d told him. “What’s going on here?” I asked, running a hand through my auburn curls.

“I heard her crying and I know you have to be responsible. She refused to tell me why, so I was going to ask you. Then Eli jumped me, and here we are.” Vik’s voice was gravely and raw with emotion.

I looked from him to Delilah, then from her to Eli. It was obvious from his expression that she’d shared with Eli what had happened with us, but not Vik. I wondered why. “Well, I’m going to sleep now. Good night.” I turned to go back into my bedroom. Before I could close the door, Eli stopped me.

“We have some things to talk about, my friend.” He said and gestured inside. I opened the door and let him in. He turned and motioned for Delilah to follow. When Vik stepped to the door, Eli blocked him. “You need to get yourself under control. We will fill you in tomorrow. Go to bed.” He gently shoved Vik back and shut the door. I waited for him to start trying to rip it off the hinges to get to me. Silence met with my anticipation. Then Vik’s door slammed.

“What’s this all about?” I asked, pacing away from them.

“Delilah is upset. She said you dumped her. Why would you do that?” Was Eli going to play couple’s therapist? This should be good.

“Did she tell you that when she came to your room after fucking me?” I asked callously. It was rude and uncalled for, and I just didn’t care.

“No, I heard her leave your room and called her. When she didn’t answer, I sent a text and found out what had upset her. I can sense emotions. I know that you love her. Why would you end things with someone that you want to be with?” He pressed. Delilah looked as if she would start crying again.

“I can’t handle being used. She slept with me to get information for you. Otherwise, why would she have run to your room as soon as I fell asleep?” I accused. He nodded.

“I get why you’d think that. And in part, you’re almost right. She came to me because of something you said when you fell asleep. But I didn’t ask her to seduce you and obtain intel. She slept with you because she wanted to. When you started talking about Kayden in your sleep, she came to ask me about who he was.” Eli explained calmly. I had expected him to be pissed when he found out that I grew up with Kayden. He didn’t look upset or angry. I could feel my heart racing.

“I talked about Kayden? In my sleep? Oh. This is bad. I mean, this looks bad on me.” I started, then shut myself up and paced the room. What was I going to say to explain this?

“You grew up with him, right? And you didn’t say anything to us because you worried that we’d think you were a spy for the hunters. It’s not that hard to figure out. Unless I’m wrong?” Eli raised an eyebrow at me, daring me to give an alternate explanation.

“No, that’s exactly why. I don’t usually share with anyone that I know him. We used to be best friends. Then I went and got turned. He hasn’t had much to do with me since then. Until I called him.” I knew that they’d find out about this sooner or later.

Chapter 36

Delilah

“Why would you call him?” I asked, butting into the conversation that I’d been witnessing between two of my loves.

“I was searching for you. I thought that he could find you faster than I could. I didn’t know that you were with Eli and Vik. I only knew that you’d disappeared. I was desperate. We ended up fighting about everything and he left.” I wasn’t sure if I could believe him or not. He’d hidden this relationship from us all. What else was he hiding?“I can see how you’d think involving him was a good idea. That’s how you found out about the fines, too, isn’t it?” Eli pressed. Declan nodded.

“I told him I’d pay them. I don’t care what it costs. I’ll take care of making Delilah legal. You guys will have to protect her from this murder charge, though. I can’t take this anymore.” Tears filled his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.

---