All I Want For Christmas Is A Vampire (7 page)

Carlos frowned. “You didn’t believe her, either?”

“I believe her now. Monday night, I was alone in the park, and the three…guys showed up. I tried fighting them off, but…” Toni had done well until they’d started moving super fast. That had been her first clue that the attackers weren’t normal. Then a blast of cold air had slammed against her head, and they had invaded her mind. The memory caused a shudder to run down her spine.

“Menina.” Carlos sat beside her on the love seat. “What are you not telling me?”

“I…can’t explain. It’s too strange.”

He gave her an annoyed look. “I spent part of my childhood in the Amazon jungle. I spent last summer in the jungles of Malaysia. I have seen stranger things than you can imagine.”

Toni took a deep breath. She wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about vampires, but how could she explain Sabrina’s dilemma without revealing their existence? “I need your word you won’t repeat this to anyone. I’m serious. I’ll be in big trouble if the truth gets out because of me.”

“I can keep a secret. Tell me.”

“The bad guys bit Sabrina. Me, too.”

Carlos stiffened. “They were like animals? They wanted your…flesh?”

“No. They wanted blood. They were…vampires.” She watched Carlos’s face, half afraid he would laugh at her.

He stared blankly at her for a few seconds, then raised his dark eyebrows. “Are you serious?”

“I could show you the bite marks.”

“Vampires?”

“Yes. They have nasty, long fangs. They can move super fast, and the worst thing, they can take over your mind.”

Carlos dragged a hand through his black hair, pushing it back from his face and revealing a small gold stud in each ear. “My God, menina, how did you ever escape?”

“Then you believe me?”

“Yes. I know you wouldn’t make something like this up.” He took her hand in his. “Tell me everything.”

She closed her eyes briefly. “It was terrifying. They were inside my head, ordering me to do things against my will. My mind was screaming no, but I couldn’t stop them.”

Carlos squeezed her hand. “It’s okay, love.”

“Then out of nowhere, this big guy in a kilt showed up, brandishing a sword, and yelling at the vampires to leave me alone.”

Carlos’s amber eyes lit up. “Oh my, a macho hero.”

“That’s what I thought. He stabbed one of the vampires with his sword, and it turned to dust. The other ones released me, so they could fight him. And that’s when I realized my mind was free. So I joined in on the fight.”

“Oh, good for you, girl.”

“Then the two bad guys vanished, and—”

“Vanished?”

“Yeah. It’s another vampire thing. Then the Scotsman grabbed me, and we vanished, too.”

Carlos gasped. “Merda! Where did you go?” His eyes narrowed. “Are you saying the Scotsman is a vampire, too?”

“Yes, but he’s a good one. His name is Connor, and he took me to Romatech Industries.”

Carlos nodded slowly. “I’ve heard of that place. It’s run by that famous scientist who invented synthetic blood.”

“Roman Draganesti. I met him. He’s the leader of the good Vamps.”

“Good Vamps?”

“Yeah. Roman gave me a blood transfusion. Then Connor offered to erase my memory of the whole ordeal. They really don’t want people to know that they exist.”

Carlos gave her a wry look. “I can believe that.”

“But I couldn’t let them erase my memory, ’cause I needed to tell Sabrina that she was right.”

“Claro.”

“Luckily, there was another option. Connor knew I could fight, so he offered me a job, guarding the Vamps during the day. You see, they’re totally helpless then. And they’re in desperate need of mortals they can trust.”

“So that’s where you’ve been during the day?” Carlos asked. “You’re guarding vampires?”

“Yes. Today was my second day. It’s a fairly easy job. They’re basically dead during the day, so there’s not much going on. But I do have to stay there. I’d be in big trouble if I left them unguarded.”

Carlos snorted. “If they’re dead, how could they know if you left?”

“I have to call in reports to my mortal supervisor, Howard. And he’s watching me on monitors. He’s been very understanding. He’s taking over for me Friday so I can take my final. And he let me use the answering machine today when every ditzy female in the city was calling for…him.”

“Him?”

“I don’t want to talk about him. I’ve got enough problems without…him.”

“Ah.” The corners of Carlos’s mouth tilted up. “So is this him one of them?”

“He’s a Vamp, yes. A very annoying one.” Of all the Vamps, Ian was the only one who suspected her of a hidden agenda. The fact that he was correct just made it more aggravating.

The man was driving her crazy. Since her attack, she had every reason to hate vampires. The damned monsters deserved to be hated. It was like they’d stripped her humanity by reducing her to nothing but a food source. And when they’d taken over her mind, it had felt like her soul was being squashed. So how the hell could she find Ian so attractive?

For a second, she’d thought he must be controlling her mind. But she’d never felt the jab of cold air on her brow. Nor had she heard his voice in her head. No, her attraction was real. Crazy, but real.

Any man would be blessed and honored to receive yer love. Her heart had almost stopped when he’d said that. It was the loveliest thing anyone had ever told her. It made her feel attractive and…worthy. I am worthy to be loved.

The way he had looked at her, like he was reaching deep inside her, had made her painfully aware of an emptiness in her soul. He was dangerous. And beautiful.

“Menina, it seems to me you have a conflict of interest.”

“I’m not going to let him get to me.”

Carlos smiled. “I wasn’t referring to him. Though I suppose he does explain that mushy look on your face.”

“Excuse me?”

Carlos chuckled. “I was referring to this new job of yours. You’re paid to protect the Vamps, yes?”

“Yes. I took a vow to protect them.”

“But at the same time, you want to prove Sabrina’s telling the truth about vampires. Seems to me, if you expose the secret about vampires, you will be breaking your vow to protect them.”

“I thought about that. You see, if we just let a lawyer or a psychiatrist know the truth, then they’ll be bound by client confidentiality. So they’ll know Bri isn’t crazy, but at the same time, they won’t be able to expose the Vamps and hurt them.”

“Ah.” Carlos nodded. “A tricky plan, but a good one.”

“The problem is finding actual proof of their existence. I thought about taking photos of them in their death-sleep, but they look totally normal.”

“Like they’re asleep?” Carlos asked.

“Exactly. Well, Dougal looks kinda dead, ’cause he sleeps in a coffin, but even so, it would just look like a photo of a dead guy. And people die all the time. It’s hardly revolutionary. I looked in their library—”

“They have a library? They’re not in a dark, gloomy crypt somewhere in a graveyard?”

“No, they have a luxurious townhouse. Five floors of beautiful antiques and artwork. You wouldn’t believe the canopy bed I’m sleeping in.”

“Oh God.” Carlos pressed a hand against his broad chest. “It sounds fabulous. When can I see it?”

“I can’t sneak you in past the surveillance cameras.”

He scoffed. “Don’t bet on it, girlfriend. So what’s the story with Sabrina?”

“Her aunt and uncle checked her out of the hospital and took her to their house in Westchester. Uncle Joe’s a psychiatrist, and he says she’s suffering from severe psychosis. He won’t let me talk to her.”

Carlos frowned. “What do you know about this aunt and uncle?”

“Not much. They never showed much interest in Bri before now.”

“Yes, but she stands to inherit a lot of money once she graduates, yes?”

“Yep. Eighty-five million.”

Carlos’s eyes widened. “I had no idea it was so much!”

“Well, she doesn’t advertise it, for obvious reasons. Her parents didn’t want her to become a useless trust fund baby, so they stipulated in their will that she had to graduate from college before she could inherit the whole amount. She’s been getting a yearly allowance since she was fourteen.”

“And when does she graduate?”

“Next spring. Well, actually, it’ll be longer than that ’cause she’s getting incompletes this semester.”

Carlos stood and paced across the floor. “She could be in serious trouble.”

Toni swallowed hard. “I was afraid of that.”

“I need all the information you have on the aunt and uncle.”

“This is it.” Toni handed him the pink fuzzy address book. “Their last name is Proctor.”

He ripped out the page, then folded it. “I’ll check them out, especially their financial records.”

“How will you do that?”

He slipped the paper into a pocket of his tight leather pants. “I have a computer.”

“So do I, but I wouldn’t know how to check on someone.”

“No offense, love, but it took you months to learn how to download e-mail.”

Toni sighed. It was true. She was totally inept when it came to modern technology. She’d lived her first thirteen years at her grandmother’s house in rural Alabama, where their one phone had a rotary dial and their one television had four channels and no remote control.

“That reminds me.” She dug through her handbag and handed him her cell. “I need a different ringtone.”

He grinned. “You don’t want to rock the boys?”

“No, I’ll leave that to you. I need something less…loud, please.”

“No problem.” He jammed the phone into his pocket. “How long were you planning to stay here?”

“About half an hour. I need to pack some more clothes to take back with me.”

“Fine. I’ll be right back.” Carlos slipped out the kitchen window.

Toni looked in the refrigerator for something to drink, but everything there had caffeine. Not good when she needed to be asleep by ten every night so she could rise early in the morning. She poured herself a glass of ice water, then headed to her bedroom to pack.

Monday night, after she’d survived the attack and accepted employment, she’d been stuffed in the backseat of a sedan, and Dougal had driven her here to pick up some clothes. She’d been in such a state of shock, she’d only grabbed a few things from her bedroom while Dougal had waited in the living room. Then he’d driven her straight to the townhouse, and she’d been there ever since.

She realized now that the Vamps hadn’t wanted her to get loose with the knowledge she possessed. The fact that she’d been allowed to go out tonight must mean that they had decided to trust her. How long would she have to live with them? It was hard to say. How could she help Sabrina if she couldn’t even talk to her?

“Your phone’s ready.” Carlos strolled into her bedroom.

She jumped. Good grief, he was too good at sneaking up on people. She dropped the cell phone into her suitcase, next to her box of daily contacts.

Carlos wandered over to inspect her clothes closet. “Hmm, this is too frumpy. Oh my God, I love this black leather vest. What a shame it’s too small for me.” He took the vest out to admire it.

Toni smiled as she emptied her underwear drawer in the suitcase. She had missed Carlos.

“By the way, I did a quick check on Dr. Proctor’s financial records. He’s in debt up to his greedy little eyeballs. Been living way beyond his means.”

Toni’s mouth fell open. “You were gone twenty minutes, and you learned all that?”

Carlos shrugged and hung her vest back in the closet. Then he gasped. “Girlfriend, hasn’t anyone ever told you never ever wear horizontal stripes?” He pulled out the offending T-shirt. “This should be burned.”

“Thanks. I was looking for that.” Toni whipped the T-shirt out of his hand and tossed it in her suitcase.

“Humph.” Carlos proceeded to her dresser to check out the rest of her clothes. “Now this is nice. You should take this.” He pulled out a skimpy red satin teddy.

“It’s December. I’m taking some flannel pajamas.”

“But menina, don’t you want to look sexy for him?”

Toni slammed her suitcase shut. “You have definitely gotten the wrong idea about him.”

Carlos’s amber eyes twinkled. “Are you sure? I only need to mention him, and your cheeks bloom like a red rose.”

“That’s irritation, not attraction.” Toni pulled her suitcase off the bed and rolled it from the room. “I’ve got to go, Carlos. Take care of Vanderkitty.”

“Will do. And I’ll see what else I can find out about Sabrina’s uncle.”

“Thank you.” Toni stopped to give him a hug. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

He grinned. “Now hurry on back to him.”

“Stuff it, Carlos.” She left the apartment to the sound of his chuckling. Hopefully, Ian would be busy all night pursuing Vamp women. If she was really lucky, she’d make it back to the townhouse and her bedroom without having to see him at all.

Ian approached the bed where Toni was sleeping. Her heartbeat was steady, her face calm and peaceful. He hoped she was having sweet dreams. Connor had described the attack on her. She’d be lucky if it wasn’t giving her nightmares.

He thought back to the last time he’d had a dream. It was the eve of the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542. He’d slept fitfully the night before his first battle, and he’d dreamed of shallow mountain streams turning red with blood. He fell into the stream, and it suddenly became bottomless, sucking him under, drowning him in blood. The very next night, he’d joined the ranks of the Undead when Angus had found him dying on the battlefield.

Ian snorted. At least in the last four hundred and sixty years, he’d greatly improved his fighting skills. He’d never been seriously injured since that first fateful night. And he was no longer plagued with nightmares before battle. He no longer dreamed at all.

He’d begun his investigation at Romatech by having Connor tell him about the attack Monday night. Connor had overheard the Malcontents’ mental voices as they controlled Toni, and he’d used those voices as a beacon to teleport straight to the scene of the crime.

When Ian examined her personnel file, he’d been surprised to learn that she had an apartment in Greenwich Village. He’d also been surprised by the bachelor’s degree in general business and a near complete master’s in sociology. Why would someone that smart take a dead-end job, guarding the Undead? Was she conducting a study?

Connor didn’t believe she was using them for research. After all, she couldn’t have known about their existence before the Malcontents had attacked her. He had run a background check, and her only offense was a traffic ticket for speeding. Like Dougal, Connor had asked Ian not to chase her away. Until Phil returned from Texas, they were in desperate need of a day guard.

What Ian hadn’t said was that he was in more danger of pulling her close than pushing her away.

“Doona pester her,” Connor had ordered. “The lass needs time to recover.”

So Ian had gone to the Horny Devils for his two dates. The women had been pleasant enough, but his mind kept returning to Toni, and the inconsistencies between her personnel file and what she’d told him.

He glanced at the digital clock next to her bed. Six-thirty. Thursday morning. Shouldn’t she be waking soon? He paced about the room. His gaze continued to wander back to her, all snug and cozy in her bed. With his superior vision, he could still see her well in the dark room. She was lovely, the way her golden hair spilled across the pillow, the way her delicate hands curled close to her face.

Bloody hell. He paced away. He had to stop thinking about her that way. He’d already decided he wanted a Vamp woman who was honest, loyal, intelligent, and pretty. Toni wasn’t a Vamp. And he had serious doubts about her honesty and loyalty.

But she was very intelligent and pretty. Not to mention intriguing. She seemed to ignite all his senses at once, and it was such an intoxicating feeling, he found himself looking for any excuse to be with her.

He stopped. Was that why he felt this compulsion to investigate her? He mentally reviewed his suspicions. No, his questions were legit. It was his attraction to her that was way out of line. She was a guard. She was forbidden.

When the alarm went off, he zipped to the bedside table and turned it off.

With a little moan, she stretched. Her eyes opened.

“Good morning, lass.”

She gasped and pulled the covers up to her chin. She quickly looked around the room, then focused on him. “What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk.”

“Now?” She squinted at her door, still closed and locked. “How did you get in here?”

“I teleported in. Yer door wasna damaged.”

“That’s not the point. You invaded my privacy.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Do ye no’ look at me when I’m in my death-sleep?”

“That’s my job.”

“And investigation is my job. I have a few questions regarding yer employment application. First off, I noticed ye dinna give yer complete first name.”

She gave him an annoyed look. “I have to go to the bathroom. And you need to do your vanishing act.” She slipped out of bed and waved a hand at him. “Hocus pocus, disappear.”

He stepped back as she strode to the bathroom, and he couldn’t help but notice how her breasts jiggled slightly beneath her red T-shirt. No bra. With his superior vision, he could detect the exact location and shape of her nipples. When she passed him, he turned to watch her from behind. Her pajama bottoms were red with little black and white penguins. They fit snugly around her hips and rounded bottom. When she paused at the bathroom door, he quickly lifted his gaze so she wouldn’t catch him ogling her.

She glared at him. “Why are you still here?”

“We havena talked yet.”

With a groan, she entered the bathroom, then shut the door in his face. He paced about the room. He didn’t want to question her through the door. He needed to see her face to help him decide if she was being truthful. He glanced at the clock. He didn’t have much time before the sun reached the horizon.

He raised his voice so she could hear him. “I wanted to thank you for the wee practice session. I felt more comfortable talking to my dates.”

No answer.

He moved close to the door and heard the water being turned on. “The ladies were verra pleasant to talk to. I enjoyed their company, but…it just wasna right. There was something missing, some…je ne sais quoi.”

“Chemistry,” she said, then muttered a curse. “Idiot. Don’t talk to him,” she whispered to herself.

He grinned. “After my dates, I came back here to go through the phone messages. I found three recordings where the ladies actually admitted to being Vamps. So I called them back and arranged to meet them tonight.”

No answer.

There was a brushing sound, followed by some spitting. He figured she was brushing her teeth. “Ye’ll be happy to know that I phoned all the mortals who called during the day. I told them I was verra sorry, but I was already taken.”

The door opened, and she gazed at him, her pretty green eyes wide with surprise. “You called all of them?”

“Aye. Some of them werena home, so I left a message.”

“There were hundreds of them.”

“I know. It took me several hours.” He rubbed his whiskered chin. “I’ve been told recently that I’m a rude, arrogant snob, so I’m trying to mend my evil ways.”

She snorted. “Too late.” She walked past him to the dresser and removed some undies from a drawer.

Blue and lacy, he noted. “I left a new recording on the answering machine, so anyone who calls today will hear that I’m no longer available.”

“Oh, that was a good idea.”

“Aye.” He felt a sudden pull as if a vacuum cleaner was sucking out his energy. The sun must be nearing the horizon. “I’d like to discuss yer employment application.”

“I filled it out truthfully.” She planted a hand on her hip. “And I’m insulted that you’re questioning that.”

“I’m no’ saying ye lied.” He yawned as he moved toward her.

She glanced at the clock. “You’re just about out of time, huh? And I need to take my shower, so off you go.”

He felt another tug from his death-sleep and grabbed a bedpost to steady himself.

“Aw, feeling a little sleepy, are you? Time to go beddie-bye?”

He steeled himself against the weakness. “I still have some time. Answer my questions, and I’ll leave.”

She opened the closet and tugged a polo shirt off a hanger. “The way I see it, I only have to avoid you for about two more minutes.” She grabbed a pair of pants and turned toward the bathroom.

He zoomed forward and caught her in his arms. She gasped.

He inclined his head closer to hers. “Can ye avoid me now?”

She clasped her clothes to her chest with one hand and pushed at him with the other. “I’m not talking to you.”

He noted with great satisfaction that her push had been weak. She didn’t object as much as she pretended to. And her body was warm and soft. He splayed his hands across her back and pulled her closer. “We could find other ways to pass the time.”

Her eyes flashed with anger. “You—you’re a liar!” She shoved harder, and he released her.

“I havena lied to you, lass.”

“You said you only wanted Vamp women.” She stepped back and hugged her clothes to her chest. “Why should I tell you anything if you’re not trustworthy?”

He couldn’t believe it. She was turning the tables on him. “It’s you I doona completely trust.”

“You’re the one trying to break the rule of noninvolvement.”

“Bloody hell, I’m a man! Do ye expect me no’ to notice how beautiful ye are?” He swayed on his feet.

She reached out a hand to steady him, then pulled her arm back before making contact. “Don’t you dare fall dead in my bedroom. How could I explain that?”

“No one will know I was here. Trust me.”

She gave him a sad look. “How could I ever trust a vampire?”

“I’m still a man,” he whispered. “And I would never hurt you.” With his last ounce of energy, he teleported to the fifth floor, pulled off his jumper, and collapsed on the bed. He’d get his answers tonight.

As death-sleep washed over him, he wished he could dream of lovely girls with golden hair and eyes as green as a Highland meadow in springtime.

I deserve to be happy.

I will accomplish my goals.

Toni began her morning affirmations in the shower. As she soaped up her arms, she recalled how Ian had grabbed her and pulled her close. She’d been too stunned to fight him off. Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

I will achieve something meaningful with my life.

I am worthy to be loved.

Dammit, she’d liked being in his arms. She was out of her mind. She wouldn’t think about him anymore. She rinsed off and started her affirmations again.

I deserve to be happy.

Do ye expect me no’ to notice how beautiful ye are?

Good grief, now his words were repeating in her head. But what nice words. And what had he told her earlier? Any man would be blessed and honored to receive yer love. With a sigh, she turned the water off. She’d waited all her life to hear someone tell her the right words. What rotten luck that it was coming from a vampire.

She dressed, popped in her contacts, and pulled her damp hair back into a ponytail. She’d dry it later. For now, she needed to make her rounds and call in her first report. She went to the basement to make sure the little Vamps were all snug in their little Vamp beds. Dougal and Phineas were fine. Time for the long trek upstairs. Of all the floors, Ian had to pick the top one. At least the five flights were good cardio.

She found him on the king-sized bed, stretched out in his kilt, white T-shirt, socks, and shoes. His sweater was on the floor. She picked it up, folded it, and placed it beside him on the bed. His face was peaceful, but rugged with black stubble shading his jaw. She fought an urge to stroke a fingertip down his cheek and poke the dimple in his chin.

She turned away from his face and noted his shoes. That couldn’t be comfy. She had one shoe pulled off when she realized it had only been yesterday morning when she’d been afraid to even touch him.

She glanced at his face. He was becoming human to her. And not just human, but attractive. Damn. She dropped his second shoe on the floor and left the room. She needed to quit this job as soon as possible. She just needed to find proof that the Vamps existed. Then she could shove that proof in Dr. Proctor’s face and demand he let Sabrina go. And then she would be out of here. She’d never have to see Ian again.

A sudden wave of sadness caught her by surprise. Damn, why couldn’t he have been mortal? Why couldn’t she have met him at NYU? If he’d approached her there with his gorgeous face and lilting, soft accent, she would have fallen for him in a second. God help her, she wanted to hear him say more lovely things to her. She wanted to know if his thick, black hair felt soft if she raked her fingers through it.

How old was he exactly? He’d mentioned the sixteenth century. It was fascinating once she thought about all the things he must have seen over the centuries. What kind of baggage was he carrying on his broad shoulders? What kept him going night after night through the centuries? Did he really want to share his long life with one special woman?

Stop thinking about him. She strode across the office and sat at the desk. The computer hadn’t yielded any proof. Maybe there was something in the drawers. She rummaged through the desk and discovered a thin black book. The title, printed in white, read The Black Pages.

As she scanned the first few pages, her heart began to race. This could be it. Proof positive. The advertisements were clearly meant for the Vamp public.

Ace Aluminum Blinds and Shutters. Block out that annoying sunlight and enjoy the dark!

Aerobics and Weight Training. Is your body centuries old? Keep it in great shape with us!

Brooklyn Blood Bank. Catering to Vamp needs. Are you tired of synthetic blood and hankering for the real thing?

This was it!

She was so excited, she called Carlos. “It’s called The Black Pages. It’s perfect!”

“I’m not sure it constitutes proof,” Carlos said with a yawn. “Anybody can print anything off a computer.”

Toni groaned. “Don’t be such a downer.”

“I’m sorry, menina. I’ll be happy to look at it, though. Can you bring it tonight? Let’s have dinner at your place. I’ll order in Chinese.”

“That’s sounds wonderful.” She would switch to her biggest handbag, so she could sneak the phone book out of the house. “Have you found out anything more about Sabrina’s uncle?”

“Not yet. I have a final this afternoon and a paper due tomorrow. But I’ll find the time.”

“Okay. Good luck with your stuff.” Toni hung up.

It was eight A.M. and time for her first report. After she got off the phone with Howard, the phone started ringing constantly. She was relieved Ian had recorded the new message, and she didn’t have to deal with all the girls who thought he was hot. Even if they were right.

By four-thirty that evening, she was ready to go. She had hidden The Black Pages in a big handbag. The minute Dougal and Phineas arrived in the kitchen, she said her good-byes and headed for the front door. Ian materialized in the foyer just as she was unlocking the door.