The Vampire's Fake Fiancée (Nocturne Falls Book 5) (20 page)

“Yes. Although I don’t think the title would still hold up after so many years. But he knows it and because of that, he’s taken on the care of his family. Their financial status is all thanks to his careful investments and close eye.”

“Wow.” She sat on the bed, crinkling the edge of one of the shopping bags.

“You’d better put those clothes away before they get wrinkled.” He stiffened. “My apologies, did you want me to do that?”

“Absolutely not.” This life. So different than what she’d known. She’d grown up with money, but as an adult, her own finances hadn’t been so generous. Which was fine. She managed. That’s what adults did. She went to the closet, got some empty hangers and went to work. But the thought of finances made her cringe at how much she’d spent and now had to repay Sebastian. At least the clothes were beautiful, well made, and much chicer than her current wardrobe. They’d serve her for a long time.

When the clothes were hung and the cat tree finished, she and Greaves watched Duncan play on it. He climbed for a bit, swatted at the dangling toys, then went into one of the cubbies and passed out.

“Well, I guess he likes it.”

Greaves smiled. “A purchase well made.”

“Let’s hope Sebastian thinks so when he sees it.”

“He’ll grump and fuss, but he’ll be fine.”

“You know him better than I do.”

“Indeed I do, but that will change.” He brushed a stray carpet fiber off his white shirt and put his jacket back on. “Care for some lunch?”

She raised her brows. “I thought you couldn’t cook?”

“I can’t. But I have an entire binder of take-out menus and am a deft hand at ordering.”

She laughed. “Got it.”

They went down to the kitchen. Greaves pulled out the binder and handed it to her. “There’s Italian, including pizza, Chinese, Thai, American sort of fare—wings, burgers, subs, that sort of thing. Let’s see…Mummy’s Diner is quite good for, well, diner food.”

“That one I know is good. I had a burger there with my sister.” She flipped to that menu. “I could go for a Greek salad. If there’s something from there that you’d want too.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m happy with the blue plate special, whatever it is. Meatloaf, fried chicken, hot turkey sandwich. It’s all good.”

“You might have just talked me out of that Greek salad. What’s the special today? Do you know?”

“No, but I’ll call the house phone when I get there.”

“Wait. You have to leave to pick this up? This isn’t delivery?”

“No, miss, I’m sorry. Would you rather I stay then? I understand not wanting to be alone in the house with Evangeline. I’m sure there’s something in the house we can eat.”

She’d seen the fridge when she’d made breakfast. It was pitifully bare, except for the take out containers. Greaves and Sebastian lived like bachelors. Which they were. “No, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“You’re worried about her.” It was a statement, not a question.

Tessa shrugged. She didn’t want to upset the normal routine. “She’s asleep. How much trouble can she be? Go. Get us some lunch. I’ll be fine.”

“You’re sure?”

She wasn’t. “Absolutely. But let’s exchange phone numbers first. Then you’ll have my cell and I’ll have yours.”

“Very good.”

She gave him her number, which he entered into his contacts, then she took his down. “I’m going to run upstairs, check on the baby, and grab my cell phone. I’ll keep it with me so I can answer as soon as you call.”

“All right. I’ll be quick.” He headed out through the mudroom.

She went back up to the bedroom. Duncan was still fast asleep. She took her phone out of her purse only to realize she didn’t really have a place to put it. A second later, she was changing into the new jeans she’d bought. Skinny jeans. Jenna would be proud. She added a cute printed top and one of the new cardigans that went with it.

She tucked the phone in her back pocket and went to check herself out in the mirror. Wow, what a difference an outfit could make. She looked less like someone’s mom and more like a fun girl to hang out with. Which she totally was. She was really starting to see why Jenna had bugged her to dress more currently for so long.

She owed her sister a spa day after this was over with. Nocturne Falls had to have a spa, didn’t it?

She checked on Duncan one more time, then went down to the library to peruse the books some more and see what Sebastian considered worthy of being in his collection. Her phone rang as she was looking at an impressive shelf of first editions.

“Hi Greaves. What’s for lunch?”

“The special today is open-faced roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes or French fries and glazed carrots. I feel it’s only fair to mention they have coconut cream pie on offer today as well. It’s very good, if I do say so.”

“I’m in. On everything. Mashed potatoes for me with the roast beef.”

“Excellent. I’ll order and be home forthwith.”

“I’ll be waiting.” She hung up and went back to the books, picking out a volume of world mythology that looked interesting.

“All alone, are we?”

Tessa’s blood chilled at the sound of Evangeline’s voice. She hugged the book to her chest as she turned to see the woman standing in the doorway. Blocking the exit, essentially. Tessa decided not to answer the question, countering with, “Good afternoon. I hope you slept well.”

That sounded like a thing the woman of the house would say, right?

Evangeline smiled. “Your concern is touching.”

“We wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” Even though Evangeline was putting off all sorts of defensive vibes right now.

“I think Sebastian might argue with that.” She strolled into the room, wearing the same silky black nightgown and feathered slippers she’d had on the night before. Apparently, she thought being a vampire entitled her to dress like an aging movie starlet. “Speaking of, where is my husband?”

Tessa bristled but did her best not to show it. She tried to think of Evangeline like a noisy patron who needed shushing. Start with tact first. With that in mind, Tessa chose her words carefully. “Sebastian should be home any moment. He had a meeting with Julian this morning.”

Evangeline stopped just short of the sunbeam Tessa stood in. “And Greaves is out, too, isn’t he? Probably getting you lunch. The man never did learn to cook, did he?”

A good guess or the woman had been eavesdropping. Not surprising. But her defenses seemed to be dropping now that she knew Sebastian wasn’t around. “Yes, he’s picking up lunch. He should also be back soon. Is there something I can help you with?”

Evangeline leaned her back against the shelves and studied her long, pointed fingernails. They were painted deep red. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

Those nails were such a cliché, Tessa thought. But the fact that the woman was frustrated with something came through loud and clear.

Evangeline stretched her fingers out, admiring the polish. Or whatever. “Aren’t you worried about Sebastian?”

Tessa held the mythology book in front of her like a shield, which wasn’t an item valkyrie were equipped with unless they were headed into battle. Even then, it was more for show. Valkyrie were fairly invincible. That fact gave her some comfort. “Worried about him in what way?”

Evangeline stopped looking at her nails and turned her gaze to Tessa. “He’s out there in all that…” She waved her hand at the light streaming through the windows and genuine fear radiated off the vampiress. “
Sun
.”

Tessa glanced toward the sunlight. It was a bright, beautiful day outside. She couldn’t imagine being afraid of something so ordinary. “I guess he’s one of those vampires who is immune.”

Evangeline snorted. “There’s no such thing as a vampire who’s immune to the sun.”

“Well, he is.”

“He’s not. None of us are.”

“Oh.” Evangeline wasn’t lying, Tessa could tell. So how was Sebastian able to brave the daylight then? “Maybe he’s…staying in the shadows.”

“I suppose.” Evangeline smiled. “That’s a pretty cardigan you’ve got on.” She reached out to touch the sweater, moving her hand into the sunbeam surrounding Tessa. Smoke curled off her finger and her skin started to bubble. With a soft cry, she yanked her hand back and pressed it to her chest. “Damn sun. Do you see what I mean about sunlight and vampires?”

Tessa recoiled. “Yes. Are you all right?”

“I’ll heal.” Evangeline hugged her hand against her body, pain and fear blocking Tessa’s abilities to read anything else off her. “But Sebastian had better be careful or there will be nothing left of him. Nothing ruins a wedding like having your fiancé turned into a pile of ash.”

Tessa shook her head. “Why would he go out in the sun if it’s that deadly?”

Evangeline glared at her. “Do you think that was some trick I just pulled? Did you see my hand? Do you want me to show you again?”

“No. Please don’t. I’m just saying Sebastian is a careful, cautious man. He wouldn’t take that kind of risk.”

“Well, maybe you should talk to him about it.”

Tessa nodded, trying to appease Evangeline’s anger. “Maybe I should. I’d hate for anything to happen to him.”

Evangeline sighed and seemed to relax. “So would I. I know you two are in love. I see that now. But you must understand that I will never stop caring for Sebastian in my own way. We’ve been a part of each other’s lives too long for me to just forget him.”

“Of course.”

Evangeline’s gaze softened. “Please make sure he’s not taking any sort of unnecessary chances.”

“I will.” Tessa doubted Evangeline’s concern but maybe that was petty. It was possible the woman genuinely didn’t want harm to come to Sebastian.

Evangeline smiled. “I know he’s in good hands with you. I see the way you look at him. You love him, don’t you?”

“Yes. I wouldn’t have agreed to marry him otherwise.” Good thing vampires couldn’t read people the way valkyries could or Evangeline would know what a lie that was. Tessa cared for Sebastian, but love? That wasn’t something she was ready to commit to. Yet.

Evangeline’s smile dissipated and real concern filled her eyes. “If you could talk to him and let me know that everything is okay, that he’s not risking death every time he steps outside of this house, I promise I will leave before the week is out so that you two can get back to your life. Dissolution papers signed.”

“I can’t promise he’ll tell me—”

“Surely he doesn’t keep secrets from you, the woman he’s committed to spend the rest of his life with.”

“No, of course not. I’ll see what I can find out.” Tessa knew as she spoke the words that she wasn’t about to do anything for Evangeline. She would talk to Sebastian about him going out in the sun, but it would strictly be because Tessa wanted to be sure he was all right. If Evangeline really wanted to know that as well, she could talk to Sebastian on her own.

“Thank you. That’s all I want. To know that he’s protecting himself. You should want to know that too.”

“I do.” Especially because Evangeline was reading very truthfully. She was genuinely concerned about Sebastian. Probably because if anything happened to him, her constant flow of cash would dry up.

Evangeline leaned in conspiratorially, as though they’d just become friends. Which they had not. “Make sure he’s not relying on cheap magic to protect him. I lost a good friend in Paris that way. Went up like a bonfire.” She shook her head and sniffed. “Terrible way to go. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”

Tessa grimaced, an image of Sebastian on fire flashing through her mind. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Just like she’d continue to ponder Evangeline’s curiousness about Sebastian’s well-being.

“Miss? I’m home.” Greaves voice rang out from the other side of the house.

Tessa swallowed, thankful for the interruption. “My lunch is here. If you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course. I’ll be in the theater for the rest of the day. Greaves told me about it last night and I can’t resist. It’s not often you get a theater to yourself so I’m going to indulge and catch up on some movies. That’ll keep me out of your hair for a while, too. I’m sure it must be a huge bother having me here.”

“It’s no bother, really.”

“All the same, I have movies to watch.” With a little nod of her head, Evangeline left.

Tessa stared after her, the fiery image she’d conjured up still lingering. Why would Sebastian go into the sun if it could kill him? The answer was, he wouldn’t. Sebastian wasn’t the type to take chances like that, which meant he must have a way to protect himself when he was outside. Curiosity burned within her. She had to know. After all, she cared about him and whatever happened between them after this, she knew they’d remain friends.

Unless he wasn’t around to be friends with.

As Evangeline disappeared out of sight, the urge to protect Sebastian strengthened in Tessa. What on earth was Evangeline up to? She wanted to know that as much as she wanted to know how Sebastian didn’t go up in flames during daylight hours.

What Tessa did know was that if Evangeline was headed to the theater, she wouldn’t be in her room.

Tessa went upstairs, straight into the guest room. She stood at the door, filled with the sort of bravery she hadn’t felt since her days at battle camp.