Page 68 of Saving Her Vampire

He stumbles back, and we hit the floor. I reach for the gun to the side, stretching as far as I can. He wraps his legs around mine, containing them—tears course down my face from the fact that I failed. I should have waited for another time, given him more time to get comfortable with my acceptance of my situation. I don’t want to die in this fucking basement. I grind my elbow into his stomach with the energy I have left. His short breath is loud in my ear. I may not have gotten away, but I want to cause him pain. He’s cutting off my oxygen. My breathing slows, and my hope withers.

“Bad, Marie,” he growls. “You’ve earned a punishment.”

“Fuck you,” I gasp. My vision is spotty, and my body lies still.

I feel the cold metal of the gun at my temple as Sammy yells his frustration in my ear. The sound of the gun blasting through the room makes my ears ring. I’m going to die. Bash’s face flashes behind my closed eyes, and then I can’t breathe anymore.

Chapter Eighteen

Bash

“Fuck, this is my fault,” Bishop says. He’s pacing Quinn’s office while I pore over all the files he gave me of the cases Marie worked on.

Ryker called everyone in. Serenity demanded to come, even though Ryker protested, concerned with her pregnancy. Ava is furious and fighting her urge to shift. Kerian and River are watching her with worry. Jax and Blue are beside me, looking through the files, while James holds Harmony on the couch. The newest member of our circle is Logan, a lion rescued by Ava and her mates in the shifter games a few months ago. He’s been quiet, but I feel the anxious energy he projects.

“It’s not your fault,” I say again. My voice sounds weird even to my own ears. “She must have had a good reason to leave.” I have no doubt she got some kind of message. Marie wouldn’tpurposely worry me after the last time. “It has to be someone in these cases.”

“I spoke with Jim,” Quinn says.

“And?” I ask alertly.

“He doesn’t have her. He apologized for the whole incident. He even put his girlfriend on the phone. He’s changed his ways, apparently.”

“Were there any cases that didn’t go smoothly? Anything that stands out?” I ask.

“No, not that I can think of.”

“Great,” I say sarcastically.

“Didn’t you drink her blood?” Ryker asks carefully.

“I did, but not enough to find her exact location.” It pisses me off that I didn’t turn her already. She would have been able to overpower anyone that tried to take her. We haven’t bonded, so the tether that binds me to her is weak. I think I could narrow down her location to an area, but it’s not enough.

“What does that have to do with this?” Ava asks.

Ryker looks at me, and when I don’t respond, he answers, “If he drank her blood regularly, he could locate her.”

“Did you follow her scent?” Kerian asks.

“I did,” I say, swallowing thickly. “She was headed to her apartment. Her scent ends before she got there.”

“She was put in a car,” Ryker confirms softly.

“Yes,” I say. “We all know what happens then. The probability of finding her diminishes when she is taken to another location. Her scent trail cuts off.”

“Can you get Tristan on the traffic cams?” Serenity asks Jax.

“Yes, I’ll call him now,” he says and leaves the room to make the call.

“Shit, I can’t stand the thought of Marie with some psycho,” Ava moans.

“She’s strong,” Bishop says. “A lot stronger than anyone gives her credit for.”

“We have to find out who has her. Who knows what he’s doing to her?” Ave continues.

“Cupcake, I don’t think you’re helping,” River says quietly, watching me.

“Sorry, I’m just worried.” She sighs.

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