The Merzetti Effect (A Vampire Romance) (38 page)

Delano’s forehead creased as he watched Ainsley rush off.

“You heard all of that, I presume?”

He turned back to Eli. “Enough.”

“Well, buddy, it looks like you’ve got a free pass to date your way through the 514 area code, to see if there’s another chick out there who suits you better.”

“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass.”

“I knew you would, but then again, I’m not the one you need to convince.”

Delano massaged his forehead. “God, here I was worrying that having reverted to normal, I wouldn’t be able to…”

“Float her boat?”

“Eloquent as ever. But yes, basically. I’m
still
worried about it. But come to find out she thinks
I
might have changed my mind about
her
because I’m just a regular man again? I will never understand women.”

“Well, I have every confidence you’ll convince her. But a tip, if I’m not overstepping?”

Delano could use all the help he could get. “By all means.”

“Ainsley isn’t looking for a superman, Del. She won’t care if you can’t run as fast as you used to, or jump as high, or bounce back from a bout of sex like an eighteen-year-old. She fell in love with you for the same reasons I left the army to follow you.”

Delano lifted an eyebrow, pretending to misunderstand. “To kill rogue vampires?”

Eli snorted. “Yeah, that was definitely an attraction for me, I’ll admit, but it’s not the one I’m talking about. Ainsley sees in you the same things I saw. Your dedication to protecting the vulnerable, your commitment to the greater good, your capacity for self-sacrifice in the name of your ideals. None of those things have changed just because the vampirism mutation has been reversed. Do you see me or my men lining up to leave your employ?”

“I don’t know. Do I?”

“Not unless you’re plannin’ on firing me. The world is an infinitely better place without Janecek in it, no mistake about it. But this war is a damn sight far from over. We’re not going anywhere.”

Delano blinked rapidly. “Thank you. That means a lot to me, Eli.”

“You’re welcome,” Eli said gruffly. “And here’s the thing, Delano: if you give Ainsley half a chance, she’s not gonna go anywhere, either.”

Delano struggled with emotion. When he’d conquered its grip on his throat, he laid a hand on Eli’s shoulder. “Thank you, soldier.” Then he turned and left the room.

Ainsley managed to dodge Delano for the rest of the day. She spent several hours with Lucy and Devon. Thankfully, as Delano had promised, Devon awoke with no memory of how her impromptu helicopter ride had ended.

By noon, Ainsley succumbed to the need for a nap. When she arose three hours later, still slightly groggy, she discovered that Delano had also retired for his own nap. This business of moving from night to day was brutal, but she had more experience at it than most. Certainly more than Delano.

Now, evening was upon her. And although she managed to evade Delano in the flesh, she was less successful at evading thoughts of him. Her face still burned with embarrassment when she let herself recall how she’d spilled her deepest fears to Eli. What must Delano think of her? She should have had that conversation with him, and no one else. But now, she just wanted to bury her head in the sand and pretend it hadn’t happened. Maybe he’d go along with that. He certainly had kept his poker face on when‌—‌

A knock sounded at her door. “Ms. Crawford?”

Recognizing Shalvis’s voice, she flew to the door. “What is it? Lucy? Devon?”

“No, they’re all right, ma’am.”

“Eli, then? Is he okay?”

“He’s fine, ma’am. Back in his own quarters, too. The reason I’m here, the boss wants you to join him in the lab.”

“In the lab?”

“Yes. That was his request. As soon as you’re able.”

God, her hair was a mess and she needed a shower. It was bad enough that Shalvis saw her like this. She inclined her head. “Thank you, Mr. Shalvis. Tell him I’ll be down in ten minutes.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I’ll do that.”

Ainsley closed the door and raced for the shower. Ten minutes later, she combed her long, damp hair back from her face and regarded her image in the mirror. The sheer foundation she’d applied helped hide the hectic flush in her cheeks, but nothing could disguise the sheen of hope and excitement in her eyes.

Giving up, she smoothed the material of her sweater‌—‌the plunging v-neckline of which was more daring than anything else she owned‌—‌before running her hands over her hips in the slim-fitting khaki pants she’d chosen.

Too obvious?

Not nearly as obvious as the dress she’d almost chosen. But maybe the sweater was too much…

She glanced at her watch and sighed. She’d have to do as she was. She was out of time.

To say that she expected to find Delano alone was an understatement. To find him there with another man jolted her, but it was nothing compared to the jolt she got when she looked closer at the other man.

Vampire!
Dear God, he was absolutely beautiful! And he made no attempt to cloak what he was. In the artificial light of the lab, he shone with an incandescent vitality.

“Ainsley, permit me to introduce Aiden Afflack, an associate of mine.”

Keenly aware of the gorgeous stranger’s personal power, she moved closer to Delano, but extended her hand. “How do you do, Mr. Afflack?”

He grasped her hand briefly before releasing it, but the sensation of power shot up her arm, spiking her heartbeat again.

“Very well, thank you. And you?”

She murmured what she hoped was an appropriate response, but her eyes had already gone to Delano.

Reading the questions there correctly, Delano spoke. “Aiden is a good friend of mine, Ainsley. Our association goes back longer than either of us like to credit.”

This drew a chuckle from Aiden, a soft, easy expression of amusement that sent a tingle up her spine.

“He’s right, I’m afraid,” he drawled.

Lord, he had charisma! That laugh of his slid right in under a woman’s defenses and said,
Like me. A lot.
She could easily see how this charmer could win over women with a dazzling smile and a flowery compliment. She could also see he was a heartbreaker. He was everything, in fact, that Delano was not. Delano had always downplayed his vitality, and easy, casual seduction was not in his repertoire.

Ainsley smiled politely and waited for an explanation.

“Aiden has agreed to do a job for me, provided you concur with our approach.”

Her stomach lurched. “What kind of job?”

“My investigation of Lucy Michaels’ situation discloses some unpleasant things about her husband,” Delano said. “He’s the chief of police in St. Cloud, correct?”

“Correct.”

“And he abused Lucy to the point where she felt she had to flee, to protect herself and her daughter. Correct?”

Ainsley’s fists tightened at the thought of Weldon Michaels and all the misery he was responsible for. “Also correct.”

“Did you know that Weldon Michaels is bosom buddies with the director of your department in the hospital where you worked in St. Cloud?”

Chief Michaels and Dr. Demmings were pals?
“Really?”

“And did you know Dr. Demmings was in the process of divorcing his wife? I understand that can be an expensive proposition. The good doctor was a prime candidate for a cash bribe, and Chief Michaels offered him a handsome one to get you fired.”

Ainsley felt her blood pressure mounting. “
Weldon Michaels
did this to me? That little weasel got me fired?”

“Beyond the shadow of a doubt. You see, he must have figured out that you were subsidizing Lucy and Devon’s living expenses. He probably figured if he could pauperize you, Lucy would surface sooner rather than later.”

“Ohhh! I’ll have his balls!

Delano laughed. “Frankly, I think we have a better idea.”

“I can’t imagine what that could be.”

“I propose to have Aiden pay him a visit.”

Ainsley’s gaze flew to the stranger, who had a hard glint about his eyes now. “You wouldn’t … I mean…” She looked at Delano again, her eyes searching his. “You’re not proposing to…”

“Kill him?” The softly-voiced question came from Aiden Afflack. “No. I won’t even hurt him, unless you consider possible injury to his pride. Or unless you
want
me to.”

His smile thinned ever so slightly, but Ainsley sucked in her breath at the leashed menace in it.

“I’m just proposing to spend a leisurely evening with Chief Michaels, acquainting him with the full scope and diversity of the creatures with which he shares the night. We’re thinking that once he appreciates that his wife keeps company with not one, but many of us, he’ll lose interest in persecuting her further. In fact, she should be able to move back home in about,” he paused to consult his watch, “forty-eight hours. And of course, we’d make sure that he appreciates that this
Pax Vampira
applies to you, as well. I will make sure that he’ll do whatever is necessary to ensure that you can return to your job, if you so desire.”

Ainsley’s head spun.
What to ask first?
“What’s to stop him from reporting your … visit?”

Aiden shrugged. “The same thing that dissuaded you from seeking treatment at a hospital when you were attacked. No one would believe him. His job would be forfeit if he makes a report of a vampire who partook of his blood, but left no evidence. A vampire who moved like lightening, but who looked like a normal man. A vampire who can leap a full story with a 200 lb. man in his arms. A vampire that knows all his dirty domestic secrets.”

“Delano?” She glanced up at him.

He nodded. “It can be done just as Aiden has described. You need only give your consent. And you have our word that Chief Michaels will come to no lasting harm, while learning a new respect for coloring within the lines. Aiden will impress on him, also, that we can uncover all his many and grave abuses of power in pursuit of his wife. He’ll be left with no doubt that if he so much as sneezes in the direction of Lucy, Devon or you, he’ll not only be deposed as chief, but would likely face prosecution.” He fixed her with an intent gaze. “This can work, Ainsley. You can go back home. You and Lucy and Devon.”

But what about you?
she wanted to wail.
What will I do back in St. Cloud without you?

She shook off the thought. She had to think of Lucy and Devon. These years on the run had taken a visible toll on Lucy, and Ainsley was sure Devon, ever uncomplaining, must suffer horribly each time they were uprooted…

And now they could go home, if she gave the word. They could stop running, stop looking over their shoulders. Thanks to this beautiful, terrifying vampire, Aiden Afflack. And thanks to Delano.

“Ainsley?” Delano prompted.

“Okay.” She blinked. “Okay, do it.”

“Excellent.”

Aiden’s smile was a fearsome thing to behold. Ainsley moved closer to Delano, who took her hand.

“Thank you,” Delano said. “Aiden will leave tonight. I’ve got an aircraft chartered. He’ll get there in plenty of time to scope out Michaels’ place this evening. Then tomorrow night, our friend Weldon is in for a long night of re-education.”

“Thank you,” she said. “Thank you both. It will mean the world to Lucy and Devon to be able to go home at last.”

“Our pleasure.” Delano smiled into her eyes, but she could see he was holding something back still. “Now for the other matter.”

Ainsley’s heart thudded harder. So they were going to talk about it after all. Then she noticed the handsome vampire had made no move to leave. “Umm, don’t you think we should have some privacy for this?”

“Actually, no,” Delano replied. “Aiden may wind up playing a fairly integral part in what happens next.”

Her eyes flew to the smiling Aiden and back to the unsmiling Delano. “I don’t understand.”

“I overheard your conversation with Eli.”

It took all she had not to bury her face in her hands. “I’m so sorry about that,” she said, holding his gaze. “I shouldn’t have discussed our … situation … with Eli or anyone else.”

“I wasn’t being critical,” he insisted. “You must feel free to discuss anything that troubles you with your friends. But the fact remains that you seem to think that now that the mutation has reversed itself, I might not feel the same about you. Indeed, I got the impression you felt I ought to play the field, so I might be certain.”

Ainsley flicked a glance at Aiden. When she saw how avidly he was following the discussion, she could have died of mortification. “That’s
private
, Delano. I don’t see why we need to discuss our affairs in front of your guest.”

“I’m sorry, my love, but I’m going to need Aiden for this next part.”

Her heart, already pounding, kicked up into overdrive. “What are you talking about?”

“When we were blood-bonded, you had your misgivings about our relationship, but they centered around causing me a premature death. At the heart of it, you were confident in my love for you, my complete and total devotion. I felt it when I held you, so you needn’t deny it.”

“How could I?” She swallowed to try to moisten her suddenly dry mouth.

“But since my reversal, all I can feel is your doubt, your anxiety, the worry that you trapped me into this relationship when you‌—”