Page 79 of Twilight Longings

“What took you so long?” Kadie asked. And then frowned. “Where’s your shirt?” Moving closer, she took a deep breath. “You’ve been with that woman! Don’t deny it. I can smell her perfume.”

“I’m not denying it. I ran into her in town. She has a suite in the hotel …”

“You went to her room with her?”

“Not because I wanted to, believe me.”

“So, did she keep your shirt for a souvenir, or did you just forget it?”

“Kadie, calm down. She ripped my shirt to pieces and raked her nails down my arm to remind me of how powerful she is.”

She glanced at his arm, but, of course, he was a vampire, so there was no scar, no trace of any injury.

“Kadie.”

She looked up at him and saw the truth in his eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said. “But the thought of you with another woman—especially that woman—drives me crazy. Forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive, sweetheart,” he said, wrapping her in his embrace. Something had to be done about Eleni before it was too late, he thought, stroking Kadie’s back. Before Eleni made good on her threats.

He waited until Kadie went to bed that night and then he called Kincaid. “Jake. I might need that blood sooner than I thought.”

Chapter Forty-Three

Saintcrow was waiting in the middle of the cemetery when Kincaid arrived.

“This is the best time and place you could think to meet?” Jake asked, glancing around. “Midnight in a cemetery?”

Saintcrow shrugged. “I wanted a quiet place where we wouldn’t be disturbed.”

“Well, I think you found it. I take it Eleni is still giving you grief.”

“Yeah. In spades. The thing is, I don’t think I can kill her.”

“I guess you won’t know until you try.”

“No. I mean, even if I can overpower her, I don’t think I can destroy her.”

“Why the hell not? She’s put you through hell. She’s threatening Kadie. Don’t tell me you’ve grown a conscience at this late date? Or that you’ve got feelings for a sire who turned you and abandoned you?” Kincaid frowned at him. “It’s because she’s female, isn’t it?”

Saintcrow blew out a sigh, then nodded.

“Well, hell, what other alternative is there?”

“I don’t know. You got any ideas?”

Kincaid chuckled. “Take her to bed.”

“Oh, yeah. That’ll work. Kadie would takemyhead.”

“Problem solved,” Kincaid said, with an impudent grin.

“Fat lot of help you are, old friend.”

“I’ll tell you what. You hold her down, and I’ll take her head.”

“That might work,” Saintcrow said, calling his bluff.

“Okay, I didn’t mean it.”

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