Chapter Two
Macgrath
I had no fucking clue what I was doing.
In fact, it had been months since I felt in control. From the moment I laid eyes on Ava Amaris, my ability to remain aloof and objective had flown out the window. Instead, I operated on instinct and possessiveness.
I wanted. I coveted. I needed.
But she wanted not one fucking thing to do with me.
So I had resorted to watching her like some crazed stalker. Even if I had desired to stay away, I couldn’t. I understood the way Rhiannon’s mind worked. Even though she had gone to ground months ago, that didn’t mean she wasn’t waiting and biding her time for the perfect moment to strike.
And whether she wanted it or not, Ava would have my protection.
I owed her that much and I owed Savannah as well. For the first time in centuries, I actually gave a damn about someone other than myself. I wanted to keep them both safe.
Movement at the door of The Magic Bean caught my attention. My gaze focused on the doorway and I watched as Savannah stepped out, wrapping her sweater more firmly around her body as the chilly air hit her. I’d parked across the street, half a block away from the coffee shop.
I straightened and scanned the area for threats as she crossed the street. Before I could get out of the truck to make sure she made the walk home safely, I saw her approach a man. As she rose up on her toes to kiss his cheek, I got a clear look at his face. It was Rhys, her fiancé. They spoke for a few moments before she faced my way and strode toward where I was parked.
Seeing the ire on Rhys’ face, I briefly considered starting my truck and driving away, but decided against it when I saw the determined expression Savannah wore. Instead of leaving, I climbed out of the vehicle.
“Hello, Savannah,” I greeted her.
She stopped a few feet from me, putting her hands on her hips as she studied me. “Macgrath.”
I stood still as she looked me over and her eyes narrowed.
“What are you doing here?” she asked quietly, taking another step toward me.
“Keeping you safe.”
She seemed to consider my statement for a moment. “How do you plan to do that from across the street? Why aren’t you inside the shop?”
Her question took me by surprise, but I recovered quickly. “You know why.”
Instead of responding aloud, she crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head.
I bit back a laugh. Now that she understood I would never hurt her, Savannah didn’t hesitate to give me attitude. I liked that about her. “I don’t think your boss would appreciate me parking my ass in her coffee shop and scaring away all her customers.”
Savannah’s stance relaxed, losing a bit of sass. “And I think you’re wrong.” When I started to argue, she waved a hand at me. “Before you argue, remember that I understand Ava a lot better than you do. She’ll give you a load of crap at first, but beneath all that, she’ll appreciate it.”
I seriously doubted that entire statement, except for the part about Ava giving me shit for showing up at her place of business. “Are you trying to get me killed by a pissed off witch?” I asked incredulously.
Savannah flashed me a small grin. “She might give you a rash or make all your hair fall out, but she wouldn’t kill you.” When I scoffed, she laughed. “Just give it a shot,” she stated as her laughter faded. “I think you’ll be surprised.”
She moved closer and kissed my cheek. As she stepped back, I glanced up and saw the murderous expression on Rhys’ face. “And I think your fiancé is going to kill me before Ava has a chance,” I murmured.
Savannah looked over her shoulder and shook her head. “No, he won’t. He’s a little overprotective after what happened this summer, but he’ll come around.”
Judging by the waves of rage pouring off Rhys and the fact that his eyes had just turned black, I doubted that, but I didn’t argue with Savannah. She wouldn’t listen to me anyway.
“Be careful,” I admonished her. Savannah was a lovely person and Rhiannon enjoyed nothing more than breaking down beautiful souls and crushing them. She relished in it and I didn’t want Savannah to be on the receiving end.
“Only if you are,” she shot back before she turned and walked away.
I watched her go, worry eating at me. Savannah didn’t understand Rhiannon as I did. She didn’t know that Rhiannon had ruined me a long time ago. But I would be damned if she would get the opportunity to do the same to Savannah.
Rhys ushered Savannah into his SUV and shot me one more heated look before he climbed in and drove away. I chuckled quietly as I recalled Savannah’s words about her fiancé coming around. That male would never forgive me and I couldn’t blame him. As far as he was concerned, I’d put his woman in danger. If I were in his shoes, I would have killed the man who kidnapped my woman and handed her to my enemies.
The fact that he had yet to try said a lot about the strength of his will. Or his love for Savannah.
I slid back into my truck and cast my eyes back to the coffee shop. I could see through the wide front windows. Ava was now behind the counter, talking to the male shifter she hired. My skin prickled when I saw the way he was looking at her. He wanted her and it took every ounce of my willpower not to go inside and rip out his throat with my fangs.
The only thing that stopped me was Ava’s body language. She clearly wasn’t interested in him and it showed. If I could see it, then the werewolf could see it as well. Her obvious disinterest would deter any pursuit he might consider. At least for now.
Fighting my instincts, I relaxed back into the seat and prepared myself for a long evening.
I followed Ava home from a safe distance. She had to know that I was there. She was an intelligent woman and powerful witch. She would have spells, wards, charms, and any other magical tool she could conjure up as protection.
She also had eyes and was observant of her surroundings. As long as she was alert, she would see my truck easily.
Though I understood that, I didn’t care. The instinct to protect her overrode any logic I possessed.
I slid to a stop a few blocks from her house and watched as she unlocked the front door and slipped inside. I waited to see if her lights would come on. When they didn’t, I tensed and reached for the door handle.
Before I could touch it, the door flew open to reveal a blonde witch with flashing purple eyes.
“Stalking is illegal in this state. You know that, right?” she hissed.
I moved to step out of the truck, but she lifted a hand and an unseen force pushed me back into the seat.
“I’m not stalking you,” I answered.
Her eyebrows lifted. “Oh, really?” she asked, her voice dripping with skepticism. “Then what would you call it when a vampire follows a woman everywhere she goes?”
“Protection,” I replied curtly. “You don’t know Rhiannon. Not like I do. You don’t understand the way her mind works or what she’s capable of.”
Ava scowled and the magic holding me lifted. “And you have that knowledge because you were her errand boy for over a century.”
I grit my teeth at the reminder of how stupid and single-minded I’d been. There was no way to defend myself. I’d allowed myself to remain in willful ignorance for far too long. I hadn’t acknowledged the monster I’d aligned myself with because I wanted what she offered me more than I cared about the people she might hurt. I was selfish and weak.
“Yes, I was,” I admitted, climbing out of the truck and standing in front of Ava. “But not any longer. I’ve made many mistakes over the centuries and I have blood on my hands.” I leaned closer, some perverse part of me enjoying the way her eyes flared as she held her ground. Her magic sparked along my skin, a pleasurable sting that lifted the hair on my arms. “But I’ll be damned if your blood will stain my skin as well.”
Ava refused to back down, staring up at me defiantly. “I can take care of myself,” she replied.
I nodded. “I know. I’m doing this because I don’t want blood on your hands as well.”
Her beautiful, gem-like eyes narrowed, the irises glowing from the magic she’d spooled around her. “Short of using dark magic on you, will I be able to stop you?”
I shook my head, my gaze never leaving hers.
Suddenly, she sighed and the power swirling around us faded away. My skin tingled from the abrupt departure and I watched as the light behind her eyes dimmed.
“Fine. Then stop following me around like a weirdo. If you’re going to watch me, come into the shop and pay for a damn cup of coffee and a pastry. The least you could do is support my business.”
Against my will, the corner of my mouth jerked as I fought a smile. “Understood.”
“And don’t stay out here all night. I can feel your hulking presence and it makes me twitchy. Once I’m inside it would take the magical equivalent of a nuclear bomb to break through my protection spell. I’ll be perfectly safe if you leave.”
Fighting to keep my expression solemn, I nodded.
“See you tomorrow.”
With that, she stepped back and marched down the sidewalk to her house. Once she was inside, I did as she asked and drove away, my heart lighter than it had been in hundreds of years.