Page 52 of Obsessed in Blood
Elijah and Raquel were there along with The Wolf, Harlow, and Trudy. I took a double take at Harlow, who wore a tailored suit. I needed a picture. I winked at Trudy for the fine job she did in dressing him. But it was Jacques that brought tears to my eyes. I strode toward him before anyone else, and when he noticed, he dropped his head. He didn’t look like he’d been burnt, but from what Ginger had shared in her recap of events during my second shower, he’d made a remarkable recovery with the help of the healer.
I put my arms around his shoulders and hugged him. He stiffened, and I worried I might be hurting him, but when I glanced at Bella, who’d been standing behind him, she nodded when she saw my expression. So, I kept hugging him until he finally relaxed and his arms went around me. After several seconds, they tightened.
“I’m sorry I didn’t protect you.”
“From what I hear, you did everything you could. I’m so thankful you’re alright, and I’m sorry you had to deal with so much pain because of it.”
When he didn’t respond, I pulled back but kept my voice low. “Vampire morality won’t allow you to forgive yourself, but I forgive you. It’s easy enough to do since the accident and my abduction wasn’t anyone’s fault. Sometimes things just don’t work out. If anything, it was my fault for not staying at the manor.”
He nodded, and while he still appeared morose, there was a light in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. It was a start.
Harlow didn’t waste time giving me a hug while squeezing my ass. “I won’t mince words. You had Trudy and me worried.”
Trudy pushed him out of the way and pulled me into an embrace. “This Lorenzo is a real piece of work. There’s a special place in hell for vamps like him.” She reached for a cocktail from the table and handed it to me. “Vodka martini, just how you like them. We get to spend the night, so drink up.”
“That’s right, luv. We’re here to get shitfaced.” He leaned in. “I hear there’s going to be a breakfast meeting to discuss what happened and plan revenge.”
Trudy elbowed him. “Not revenge. Go get another drink. You think better drunk.”
He smiled and kissed her cheek. “Just what the Trudy ordered.”
We laughed, and I glanced around the room. “I had no idea Devon had called in the troops.” Colantha was in a corner speaking with Lyra while Frederik and Jamison stood behind them. I’d wait until tomorrow for a heart-to-heart with the dreamwalker. I squeezed Trudy’s arm as we split up, and I headed for Remus, his two wolves, and Decker.
“Cressa.” Remus held out his arm, and he engulfed me in a bear hug. “You have an uncanny ability to find yourself in trouble more than anyone else I know.”
“And all it seems to take is me minding my own business.”
It wasn’t long before we were called to dinner, and I forgot my troubles as we listened to Devon and Remus share stories that sounded more like tall tales. When Decker and Harlow added their own adventures, the group laughed so hard that Bella began to snort, which made everyone howl more.
We were like soldiers who’d faced a battle and came away winners. But it was a charade for our true feelings, the deeper cuts, and the tender bruising to our egos and souls.
When Cook brought in a four-tiered, dark chocolate and raspberry cake, a voice called out to me. It was faint and, glancing around at the smiling faces, was meant only for me. It was ever so sorrowful and wrenched my gut.
“Don’t forget me. Save me.”
The guests had gone homeor staggered up the stairs to the guest rooms. I stared at the cold hearth in my room, wondering why Devon hadn’t found time to talk to me since I’d returned, although everyone at the party told me how driven he’d been to find me. He’d even flown to New Orleans to seek out Colantha, a story I wanted to hear more about.
I couldn’t imagine what went through his head when he’d seen the burnt husk of the sedan. Then again, maybe I could. When the beast had risen after Devon’s readdiction to the Poppy, my world had collapsed in so many ways. But the possibility of never seeing Devon again had cracked something in me.
If he’d been willing to move heaven and earth to find me, why had he avoided me all night? I shoved the quilt from my lap and changed from my shorts and tank top to one of the silk gowns he’d bought me. I grabbed my favorite satin robe, tying the belt as I marched down the hall toward his room.
I rapped lightly. Not hearing a response, I tapped a bit louder.
“Come.”
I opened the door, surprised to see the lamp shining brightly from his writing desk. He was bent over, scribbling a letter with a fountain pen, and as irritated as I was, I smiled at the vamp who believed in the promise of the future yet was still unable to shed some of his traditional ways.
“I’ll have this letter ready in a minute, and then you can get a messenger to send it.”
After a minute, he glanced up, and his gaze widened. “Cressa.”
I paced with my hands behind my back as I studied his room. I’d been there several times, but usually in his bed, and I’d never taken the time to appreciate his selection of paintings and strategically placed art pieces. The furniture was old and most likely antiques, and I wondered if he’d changed it much since his parents had died.
“You’ve been avoiding me.” I meandered to a side table where a bottle of scotch had been opened. I poured myself a couple of fingers and took the bottle to the desk. I lifted the bottle and, when he nodded, I refilled his glass.
“I’ve been busy monitoring Lorenzo in preparation for a counterstrike. Decker, Remus, and Elijah wanted to review strategies for possible retaliation.”
“I hadn’t considered Lorenzo would move so swiftly.”
