Page 68 of Love Bleeds Red
“Bloody hell… this place is small.”
Jasper.
“Oh my God Jas, you need to stop with the terrible British accent. You’re going to offend someone.”
Falin.
My chest tightens in a mix of relief and panic. What are they doing here? I push the curtain aside and see a red SUV parked along the curb behind my bike, luggage pressed up against the back windows.
Jasper stands on the pavement, his clothes crumpled and light hair messed from travel. He stretches his arms overhead and looks around the cramped residential street, grinning like an idiot. Then Damon climbs out from the driver’s side with his usual composure, immediately scanning the area with those eagle eyes of his.
Blake emerges from the back, her dark hair catching what little morning light filters through the clouds, illuminating her almost purple highlights. Her hair’s pulled up into two buns, and she’s wearing pants that hug every curve and a cropped band shirt. Beautiful as always.
Then Falin comes from the other side of the car, clutching two cat carriers that shake like they contain unearthly demons, which isn’t too far from the truth. She’s done something to her hair. One side is the normal platinum but the other half is black. It makes her look even tougher, but still stunning in her own way. She’s wearing all black, ripped jeans, combat boots, and one of Jasper’s oversized hoodies.
“Fucksake,” I breathe. “They brought the cats.”
I’m at the front door before they can make it up the garden path, yanking it open with perhaps more force than necessary. “What the hell are you all doing here? I said Friday. It’s Wednesday.”
Jasper’s grin widens as he approaches, a duffel bag slung over each shoulder. “Look who’s happy to see us! We couldn’t wait, mate. Had to hop across the pond.”
That accent.I fight the urge to palm myself in the face.
“You’re looking like hell, brother,” Damon says in lieu of a greeting.
“Happy to see you too,” I say in a blank tone.
Blake drops her bags and runs at me, wrapping me in a fierce hug. I hold her close, fighting back tears. “We’re here,” she whispers. “And we’re not leaving until we find her.”
She pulls back and takes a closer look at my face, touching my split lip and the bruises on my cheek. “What happened here? I better look you over.”
Falin joins her side, cupping my chin to take a closer look, air hissing from her teeth. “Ouch. Hope the other guy looks worse.”
“It’s a long story?—”
“Leon? What’s all the noise out—oh my word!”
Mum appears behind me in her frayed dressing gown, hair still wrapped in a silk scarf, and freezes when she takes in the four attractive and imposing Americans standing on her doorstep. Her eyes turn the size of dinner plates.
“Mum, these are my friends. They arrived early,” I explain before she drops dead from shock. I go through introducing her to each person.
“Son, you didn’t tell me your friends were so...” She trails off, her cheeks turning pink as she takes in Damon’s sharp jawline and Jasper’s carefree grin.
“Handsome,” Blake finishes for her, barely holding back her laughter.
“I was going to say tall,” Mum says quickly. She may as well start fanning herself. “Please, come in, come in. I’ll put the kettle on. Though I’m not sure how we’ll all fit in the sitting room. It’s not exactly built for... for people of your... stature.”
An otherworldly yowl comes from one of the cat carriers.Ah, Havoc, I have missed you.
Mum’s eyes widen even further. “And what in God’s name was that? It sounds like a banshee being murdered.”
“Close enough,” I say under my breath.
Jasper beams like the proud cat father he is. “That’s Havoc. She’s traveled across the sea and land to see her favorite uncle Leon.”
“A cat—there’s two,” I reassure Mum, rolling my eyes. “I think I mentioned them on one of our phone calls.”
Mum nods robotically, clearly struggling to take in our current situation. “Well, come on in. Let’s get you settled.”
