~ EIGHT ~

“Stop messing with the wolf. I’ll keep an eye on her.” Wes walked right up to them.

“What the hell, Wes?” She backed away. “Why did you leave me in a cemetery? Wait. You know each other, don’t you?”

Tobias looked at him. “She’d better be here when I get back.”

“Absolutely.”

“You can’t leave me with him.” She grabbed his arm to stop him. “He plans to kill me.”

“What is she talking about?” Tobias asked, his voice had deepened, resembling a large predator’s growl.

“It’s nothing more than a misunderstanding. I’ve been doing my best to keep her from getting herself killed.”

Jessie shook her head. “That’s not true.”

“He won’t hurt you.” Tobias said.

“He’s lying to you.”

“You have a gun.”

“So?”

Tobias placed his hand on her shoulder. I would never leave you unprotected. While you might not see me standing beside you, I will always be with you. She felt his power moving through her. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Shoot him right between the eyes just like you shot the rogue if he moves an inch.” He turned to the wolf. “Let’s get this over with.” They vanished in a strange glowing mist.

“What the hell just happened? Where did they go?”

“He’s taking him away to kill him.”

“You’re serious?”

“Good old Tobias would never consider forcing a sweet little gun toting lady such as yourself to witness a brutal murder.”

“He left me with a killer to go kill a killer to prevent me from seeing him kill a killer?”

“Yes. In spite of that, in his defense, keep in mind that he left you with a gun. And, in case you didn’t notice, when he touched your shoulder and told you to shoot me between the eyes, he was giving the gun the order to make sure you didn’t miss. Also, proving he’s just as thorough as ever, he placed a very impressive deadly barrier around you. No one would survive an attempt to get beyond it to touch you.”

“Why did you lie to him?”

“I didn’t.”

“Cut the shit, Wes.” She started to back away from him, holding the gun on him to prevent him from grabbing her. “We both know damn well you lied your ass off to him.” 

“You’re going to try to run off again, aren’t you?”

“I’m not running. I have a gun.” She started to walk backwards. “And according to you, thanks to Tobias, if you make a move to stop me, I can’t miss.”

“I’m not moving. But you should know he won’t be gone long enough for you to get very far.”

“I only need a few minutes.”

“You’ll be lucky to get two more steps.”

A loud swoosh and rush of power came up from behind her, a strong arm wrapped around her waist anchoring her to his body. “What are you doing?" He pulled her hair to the side and bent his head so she felt the warmth of his breath on her ear. “I told you to wait for me.” Electrical currents zipped through her veins and over her flesh.

“You left me with a killer.” Her heart beat wildly, pounding in her ears. “I’ve been running from him for three years.” His body was so hot, so magnificently rock-hard solid against hers. Every secret part of her body tingled with awareness, with desire.

His mouth so very gently touched her earlobe. “I wouldn’t have left you in danger.” His voice deepened. Seductive. Intoxicating. His body felt large, warm, and wonderfully solid against hers. The heat emanating from his muscular frame warmed her body, aroused her body. “You’d better tell me why she thinks you’re a threat to her,” Tobias said.

Irritated, she whirled around to face him. He caught her arms, preventing her from landing on her butt and pulled her to his side. Tilting her head back. “You know damn well you’re the idiot he planned to hand me off to.”

***

“It is great to see you again, Tobias.” Wes took a step toward him, reaching out to offer his hand. “I was worried you wouldn’t be around.”

In a moment of weakness Tobias glanced down at his hand and considered taking it for the sake of civility, but he just could not force himself to do it. Meeting the other demon’s gaze, he shook his head. “Not anywhere near long enough for my liking. Let’s forgo the pleasantries, shall we? I would rather get right down to whatever has caused your good for nothing a…self to make her feel threatened. And don’t waste my time lying. I want the truth.”

“Why the hell do you keep trying to sensor your language? You might as well say it,” Jessie said. “His good for nothing ass.”

Clearly, she didn’t appreciate his attempt to avoid using vulgar language around her. He looked down at her and smiled. His mom never really appreciated his dad’s effort to shield her from unpleasantness either. Tilting his head to the side, narrowing his gaze, he stared at her mouth. He could think of some better ways for her to use her mouth than to spew vulgar language. Not that he minded it.

“How do you know him?” she asked.

“We’ve known each other for a very long time.” They’d been as close as brothers for nearly six thousand years until the idiot decided to run Amber, Tobias’ sister, off by claiming her as his mate. “Years ago, until we had a falling out, we were close friends.”

“What kind of falling out?”

“He didn’t like the idea of his sister being my mate,” Wes said.

She looked at Wes. “What?”

“My wife.”

“You’re married to his sister?”

“That’s his story.” Tobias actually created the riff rather than be a third wheel. “He ran Amber off with his addiction to getting wrapped up in huma…troubles that have nothing to do with him.”

“You were going to say human troubles.” Jessie stared at him.

“Now you’re going to have some explaining to do,” Wes laughed.

She knew he was immortal. He’d only changed his choice of words to avoid the appearance of thinking less of humans. Tangling with her was going to be great fun. Whatever was happening to him was wonderful. It was dangerous. She possessed way too much power over him. He loved it. “I’ve no reason to explain anything to her.” He decided to goad her. That was true. She’d merge with him intimately. She knew what he was. “She knows I’m not human.”

“You’re a vampire, aren’t you?” Jessie asked.

Since he didn’t owe her an explanation, he didn’t respond. Besides, she knew what he was even if she was unwilling to admit it to herself. She was toying with him. And the more time he spent with her he wouldn’t be surprised to learn that she knew calling him a blood sucker would get under his skin.

She smiled, moving her body ever so slightly closer, seductively against his. “I’ve never played doctor with a hot cowboy vampire.”

Every muscle in his body ached from the strain it took to resist the urge to take her in his arms. His heart thundered. It felt as if it might burst from his chest. She was incredibly, perfectly, beautifully feisty. A gorgeous woman. Completely irresistible. He knew she was knowledgeable concerning the existence of immortal beings, but she wasn’t sure about him.  She was trying to figure out what he was by testing him, provoking him. “You still haven’t.” And, damn it, she knew it. He wasn’t the sort of demon to allow anyone to bait him into answering questions. He didn’t answer to anyone. “You know what I am.” But he would always answer to her.

“Actually, I am not entirely certain. I know a few things. You are quite possibly the most perfectly physically built man I’ve ever encountered. From what I can see, you have wonderful muscles in all the right places. But your more than a super masculine, sexy man. You’re powerful. You have amazing abilities. Werewolves are no match for you. What are you?”

Holy fuck. She was going to kill him. He couldn’t believe she was talking to him like that in front of Wes. He lifted his hat, shoved his hair back, and put his hat back on his head. She was making him nervous and, to his shock, harder than a fucking rock.

“I’m feeling just a little out of place here,” Wes laughed.

He looked at Wes. Then, since he was a glutton for punishment, he returned his gaze to hers. Obviously, he’d misjudged her importance to him. It was clear she was working with Wes to screw with him. Wes had delivered her to him. Placed her in the cemetery so he would find her.  Was it possible for Wes to cause him to mistake her for his mate?

“Where are you going?” Wes asked.

“Getting the hell away from whatever trouble you’re attempting to drag my ass into.”

“You’re just going to leave me with him?” she asked.

Tobias turned his head and looked at her. No, damn it. He would never abandon her. “Absolutely,” he nodded. Something powerful stirred in him. He didn’t like it. He knew damn well it was Wes’ influence.

“Wait.” She caught his left wrist with both of her hands. Her touch caused lightning to rip through his body and thunder to rumble in his ears.

He stopped and faced her. She was so close she had to tip her head back to meet his gaze. “Help me get back to my car. It’s in Willow Springs. I have no idea where we are right now. Please, I won’t cause any trouble for you. You’ll never hear from me again. Don’t leave me with him.”

He wanted to scoop her up in his arms and carry her away. How do you know Wes?

I told you. He has been giving me hell, hunting me.

He wasn’t about to deal with her if she was going to lie to him for Wes. “You’ll be fine with him.”

“You know he plans to kill me, right?”

“I know he has convinced you to lie to me for him. You’ll be fine with him.” Just in case Wes didn’t understand, he looked at the son of a bitch. “He won’t harm a hair on your head.”

“What are you talking about? I haven’t lied to you.” She shivered and rubbed her palms up and down her arms. “You can’t leave me with him.”

She was right. There was no way in hell he would be able to force himself to leave her. Tell me the truth. How do you know him?

“Get the hell out of my head.”

“I want you to tell me the truth.”

“You can’t handle it.”

“Tell me.”

“Fine. You are an idiot. I would rather scrub public toilets at highway rest areas with my bare hands than get any help from you. You’re an asshole. A rude fucking asshole.”

He stared at her. He opened his mouth, intending to respond, but nothing came out. It was over. His wait was truly over. She was his miracle. Damn. A million thoughts were racing through his head.

“This might be all fun and games for you two jackasses. But for me, this isn’t a goddamn fairytale or a pretty princess tea party.”

He wanted to comfort her, touch her, hold her. But he didn’t dare touch her at that moment. He was pretty damn sure she would kick his ass.  Leaning his back against the stone wall, he folded his arms across his chest in an effort to keep his hands to himself. “That’s a huge relief. I’d hate to be the reason you felt compelled to stab your eyeballs out.”

She made a face at him. “Are you serious?”

“It would happen.” He couldn’t believe he’d ever questioned whether she was his mate. He would never leave her. “I’m sure of it. As painful as it is to admit, I would make a hideous princess. Plus, for the sake of complete transparency, I’ve never cared for tea.”

“Huh?”

“It’s just not my favorite refreshment. Never has been.” He gave her a playful smile, reaching out to her, needing to touch her. “Not that I wouldn’t do my best to get pretty or pretend to thoroughly enjoy tea if you insisted.”

Dodging his hand, she looked at Wes. “Is this really happening? Does he think he’s funny?”

“Actually, to be entirely honest, I think he’s flirting with you,” Wes explained. “And I think I’m going to throw up.”

For several seconds, she glared at Tobias. “You’re going to make my head explode. You’re a freak. I can’t do this with you. I won’t.” She turned to Wes and handed her gun to him. “Shoot me. Do it. Put me out of my fucking misery.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t help you out. You’re going to have to learn to get along and play nice with him.” Wes wisely disposed of the gun with a thought.

“I get it. You brought me to him to torture me to death. Why kill someone quickly when you can force them to endure a slow, agonizing death?”

While he couldn’t think of a reason for her to choose him, to want him, he refused to lose her. He couldn’t. He wasn’t strong enough to let her go. Why would he want her to leave? She was his other half, his eternal mate. “You truly think Wes has been hunting you to kill you?”

“I don’t think it. I know it.”

“I am sorry I accused you of lying to me.” He knew Wes would never hurt her or any other innocent human. He also knew Wes had made her believe he would kill her. He would beat the hell out of Wes for giving her a reason to be afraid. “I believe you.”

“Gee whiz. That’s a huge relief. I feel so much better now.” Fists clenched at her sides, she glared at him. “Not! I don’t give a rat’s ass what you believe. And you can shove your apology or a prickly cactus up your ass sideways.”

Tobias wasn’t exactly sure how to respond but, since he figured laughing at that moment was a very bad idea, he decided to deal with Wes. He took a step toward him. “Why did you drag her from town only hours after she’d had a surgery to leave her out here? And, if you wanted me to look after her, why the hell didn’t you just bring her to my front door?”

“I tried. You weren’t home. Your nifty security system wouldn’t let us cross your property line safely.” He turned to look at Jessie. “That’s what happen to you? That’s why I couldn’t find you? You are too damn good at shielding your mind. What surgery?”

“I wasn’t going to announce to my future killer that I was going to be unconscious on an operating table surrounded by sharp objects.”

“You should’ve said something to me. I would’ve handled you gentler.”

“You ripped her sutures open. And your dumb ass won’t be handling her ever again.” He was going to beat the hell out of Wes. But later. He wasn’t going to expose her to anymore violence. “You know damn well you could’ve fucking contacted me.”

“Things have gone to shit in my personal life. I didn’t have time to argue with you. I left her here safe and sound.”

“In a cemetery?” she asked.

“You scared the hell out of her and opened her sutures when you tossed her over your fucking shoulder to drag her ass out here.”

“You actually sat back and watched him abduct me?” she asked.

“No.” He stared down at her for several seconds. “You were merged with me.”

“Are you telling me that you knew Wes took me this whole time?”

“No. I didn’t know it was him. He masked his identity and covered up the direction he’d shifted with you.”

“You were talking about him when you asked about my friend?” Wes shook his head. “The dragon. You were talking about him. This is fucking insane. If I would’ve known you’d already met him this would’ve gone a hell of a lot easier.”

Tobias turned to Wes. “Watch your language.”

Jessie laughed. “Your sermon would have more value if you learned to practice what you preach, Tobias.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“If you rewind this soap opera a few seconds you’ll notice you said the super-duper naughty ‘A’ word and the even naughtier ‘F’ word at least twice.” She shrugged. “I lost count.”

He stared at her, trying to remember if he’d used profanity.

“Fucking.” She smiled. “You said fucking. And ass.”

He knew she was still mad as hell at him. And, he wasn’t too proud to admit, she had every right to be mad. He’d screwed up. He was glad she was still willing to give him hell, tease him. It was everything he could do to keep a straight face. She gave him joy. So much happiness. He needed to laugh just to release it. Wes is keeping something from me. I’m worried my sister is in trouble. I need to make him believe that I’m leaving you here. I am not leaving you. We will leave here together.

“It doesn’t seem right to allow the final resting place of so many people to become so dilapidated,” she said as if she didn’t hear him.

Tobias looked at her, studying her troubled expression. It bothered him deeply, forcing him to do something about it. Son of a bitch. How could her disapproval over the state of a location in the middle of the Ozarks cause him to lose his damned mind? Her frown crushed him. It made him feel shame. For what? It wasn’t his property. The last time he checked, he had never accepted the position of a damn caretaker for it.

He turned away from her. It occurred to him that she possessed way too much power over him. He should’ve been able to shrug off her negative opinion. After all, it was an old, long forgotten human cemetery. He didn’t have any reason to make it visually appealing. The inhabitants didn’t give a damn about its appearance. It would never be visited by a grieving loved one again.

With a wave of his hand, he transformed it into a pristine cemetery. “Is this pretty enough for you?” Since he’d intended to sound sarcastic, he was shocked that his voice sounded so gentle.

“Wow.”

He told himself not to look at her. It would ruin his chance of convincing Wes he would abandon her. He didn’t just hear the happiness. He felt her Joy. Her sense of awe. He’d given it to her. He wanted to see it in her eyes. Too much. Way too much. He wasn’t going to look. But he did. He looked. And the joy in her eyes melted his heart.

“It’s so beautiful, Tobias.”

Tobias turned to Wes, forcing his eyes to go dark and icy. “I don’t know what kind of mess you’ve tangled her up in. I don’t care. It’s your problem. She’s your problem. Not mine.”

“You know you’re not going to turn your back on her. You’re pissed off at me. Not her. You’re taking her home. If you don’t shut your trap you’re going to regret it.”

“Thanks for the heads up but it’s too late for me to take preventative measures. Hearing you whine and moan has already chapped my butt. When you’ve finished irritating it to your satisfaction, I plan to get some ointment.”

He was aware of Jessie’s every move. She was slowly wandering further away, preparing to run. She didn’t want anything to do with him or Wes.

Stop. I know you can hear me. I’m not leaving you. And you aren’t leaving me. I need to get him to tell me what is up with my sister. I have a bad feeling.

She kept her back to him, acting as if she hadn’t heard him. She was stubborn as hell. He wanted to grab her, take her, shelter her. Look at me. He wasn’t shocked that she didn’t. He started to pace, agitation growing in him. She knew damn well he wasn’t allowing her to walk away from him. And that pissed him off. 

“I want to know what the hell you’re up to.”

“Just take her to your place and keep her safe until…”

“You know better than to expect me to babysit one of your hum…projects.”

“I’ve watched over her for Amber, but I can’t do it anymore. Your sister has gotten herself into trouble. I need to go after her.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“I’m not sure yet. I can’t find her.”

“I’m not a project.” Jessie stopped him in his tracks, commanding his complete attention. Tilting her head to the side, she smiled sweetly, way too sweetly. She was up to something. She drew her arm back and threw a pinecone. It struck the center of his chest.

Fighting back the urge to laugh, he rubbed his chest. “Ouch.”

“And I sure as hell don’t need a whiny ass babysitter.”

“Stop.”

She turned away from him, smacked her very fine backside, “Kiss my ass, Tobias.” and walked away.

“Stop,” he commanded, knowing damn well she would defy him.

Raising her hand over her head she flipped him off and, keeping her back to him, continued to walk away. “Go to hell.”

“I know you heard me. You’re coming home with me.”

“I would rather get mauled by wolves.” Mumbling obscenities, she kept walking away.

“When your mate orders you to stop you’d better damn well do it.”

She went perfectly still for a few seconds, took one more step, and then stopped. Then, moving slow enough to cause his heart to skip a beat, she turned to face him. She glared at him, her arms crossed in front of her chest. “My what?”

He shrugged, purposely appearing emotionless. “Your mate.” He lit the fuse and wasn’t about to put it out. “Come here, now.”

Hot fury blazing in her eyes, she kept her gaze locked onto his. “Oh sure,” her lips parted in a sweet, tantalizing smile that should’ve been a sin, “anything to please you, mate.” Her voice was low and husky, exceptionally seductive, purposely sounding breathless.

Everything in him stilled as he waited to see what she would do next.

“Are you serious?” Wes laughed. “You’ve been playing hard to get this entire time and she’s your mate? I hope she kicks your ass.”

She stepped closer to him, lifting her chin, looking wonderfully fierce, taking his breath away.

He glanced at Wes. “Get the hell out of here. Amber is close. Otaktay saw her a few miles from here. I want to see her once you’ve found her. She’d better be fine.”

“I’ll bring her to you. You’ll take care of Jessie?”

“You know damn well I’ll keep her safe with me.” Clenching his jaw, Tobias lifted his lip in a snarl. “And Wes, I don’t know if it will save you, but the next time I see you, you’d better have a damn good reason for making my mate so fearful of you.”

Setting him ablaze, Jessie took a step towards him. His life no longer belonged to him. Time was no longer a never-ending adversary. Finally, after eight thousand years, destiny had granted him salvation from the bleak reality of his dark and lonely eternal existence. She was a miracle. His miracle.