Chapter 1
~ Dakota ~
Turning from side to side in the mirror, Dakota eyed her presentation critically in the full-length mirror. The long red dress was a deeper shade, the one normally associated with blood among the Vampiere. The matching lip and nail color really popped her pale porcelain skin. She’d pulled her hair back into an elegant chignon at the nape of her neck and accented with a black diamond necklace and earrings. She was eager for the man who’d claimed her heart to see her as more than just the woman who solved his missing person’s case.
It was difficult to dress up formally when she was most comfortable in hunting leathers. In the year 2092 Earth has survived an alien invasion, and the USA turned into a new republic by unifying with Canada and Mexico. Hunting is more than a reputable occupation. Truth be told, hunters were the rock stars of the modern world, only instead of making music, they saved lives in a world where law enforcement was woefully ineffective.
Her mind drifted back to the weeks she spent hunting for the man she’d fallen in love with. She’d pounded the pavement day after day, scanning every square inch of the crime scene. Though she’d worked dozens of cases in her lifetime, none had ever meant as much as finding the man she barely knew. Though she’d taken the case to appease her teenage son who was involved with Alek’s daughter, Dakota had found the more she learned about her missing vampire, the more obsessed with him she became. After finding him in terrible condition, she’d sat with him at the hospital and then fed him all better. All the feeding had hardened their bond before either of them had a chance to consider of being together was the right choice. They’d forced a separation period just to get their heads straight. Now the separation was over, and this was their first real date.
“You look beautiful, mother.”
Turning to look over her shoulder at Jared, she smiled. “Thanks. I never feel quite comfortable in formal attire, but opening night at the opera is apparently all about being seen.”
“Leave it to Alek take you to the opera.”
“Don’t act like we’ve never been.”
Shrugging, Jared intoned. “Not on opening night.”
“Maybe the next time we can make it a double with you and little Selene.”
“She’d love that. Normal girls love to dress up.”
Looking up from strapping her laser pistol to her leg, she shot him an amused look. “Are you saying that I’m not a normal girl?”
Rolling his eyes, Jared leaned on the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest. “You’re not a girl, more like an old lady.”
“I’m thirty-four. That’s not quite over the hill.”
“As far as the normal part goes, I’d say you’re better than normal in every way.”
Tearing up a bit, Dakota couldn’t believe the son who’d only recently let her into his life was saying something so nice to her. He must have seen how emotional she was getting because he walked into the room and gave her little hug before dropping down to sit on her bed. “You can’t go barefooted. You know that, right?”
Stunned, Dakota nodded. “Of course, I know that. Why would you say something like that?”
“At the orphanage, they taught us to put on our clothing first, shoes second and jewelry last. You have your jewelry on already.”
Walking over to her closet, Dakota felt like she’d been doused with ice cold water. “If I’d been a year and a half older, you never would have seen the inside of an orphanage.”
“I know we hardly ever talk about it, but it matters to me that you never stopped looking for me. “I saw that drawer in your office, where you tracked down leads year after year.”
“I’m glad I never gave up hope.” Trying on one red shoe and one black shoe, she tried to decide which one to wear. Her mind wasn’t on the task at hand. It was on the horrible fight she had with her father the day he forced her to put her son up for adoption. “I never spoke to your grandfather, not once in all the years until he passed. I couldn’t believe he could get a court injunction and take my child away.”
“Selene told me you refused your inheritance.”
“I didn’t want anything the man had. It got passed on to you as his only living relative.”
Glancing up, she saw the stunned expression on her seventeen-year-olds face. “I think you should pick the black shoes. The reds ones aren’t the same exact shade as your dress, so it kind of clashes.”
Kicking off the red one, she had to admit he was right.
“What are you saying about an inheritance?”
Pulling on the other black shoe, she walked over and sat beside him. “There is no easy way to say this, so I’ll just come right out with it. When you turn of age, you have seventeen million dollars and a couple of pieces of property waiting for you. I know that’s a lot to take in, and you don’t have to accept it. If you don’t, it’s designed to just accumulate interest and roll right over to your children. It’ll be split evenly among them.”
“It feels strange to go from being deprived to being wealthy. I don’t know how I feel about that.”
“I don’t want to seem condescending, but that kind of money can be a corrupting influence in your life if you aren’t careful. My advice is to take what you need to purchase a home, vehicles, and incidentals and draw on it when you need to. At least you have the satisfaction of knowing that you can provide for your family when the time comes for you to mate your lovely little Selene.”
“Do you think your father would be upset that his money got passed on to me?”
“God, I hope it makes the stupid bastard roll over in his grave.”
“We’ve really not talked much about him. I’m guessing he was a fairly shitty father.”
“I got kidnapped when I was your age. My father refused to pay my ransom until my mother made him because he thought it would encourage people to try and take advantage of him that way. That and taking you from me were just a couple of the really shitty things he did. Take the money and never give it a second thought. I think of it karmic justice.”
“No insult against your mother, but I’m a person who had fallen asleep hungry more nights than not in my life. If accepting what’s rightfully mine will ensure that never happens again, I’m not going to pass the opportunity by.”
Giving his shoulder a supportive squeeze, she spoke. “There is a card in that drawer you referenced. It’s from the attorney handling the inheritance. Give them a call so they can begin getting things ready. You turn eighteen in two months.”
Jared’s mouth fell open. “I thought you meant I had to be twenty-one. I still want to apprentice with you. That’s not off, is it?”
Grinning, Dakota shook her head. “Heck no, we’re a good team.”
Relief flooded Jared’s face. Nodding slightly, he seemed to settle into the idea. “Alright, I’ll look into it. When we get it all sorted, will you have a look at it to make sure things are done right?”
“I’ll go with you to your first appointment if you like. Though I tend to think it’s best if you and Selene handle this yourselves. The two of you are smart, capable people and you’ll have me to give it my eagle eye before you sign off on the final paperwork.”
The first hint of a smile slipped onto her son’s ordinarily serious face. “Selene is going to be about as shocked as I am.”
Standing she dropped a kiss on her son’s forehead. “It’s the good kind of shocked, so it’ll be fine.” Looking down into her son’s face, she realized two things. The first was that his bearing was that of a grown man, rather than a teen. He’d grown up fast, and the harsh realities of an orphan had left a profound impact on him. Secondly, his expression quickly creased with worry again after learning of his good fortune. Cupping his cheek in her hand, she searched his face for answers. “I think something else is going on with you Jared. Please share your troubles with me.”
Pulling his face back out of her palm, his lips pressed together in a firm line. Though his eyes held hers, his mind was a million miles away. When he spoke, his response was cryptic and edged with an emotion she couldn’t readily recognize. “I’m glad you found me and that we’ve had a couple of years to get to know one another.”
Tilting her head slightly, she encouraged him to speak. “I don’t think that’s what is bothering you, son.”
His eyes slid away. “If I turn up missing again, please know it wasn’t because of you. You’ve been a good mother since you found me.”
“Jared…”
“Go, have fun at the theatre with Alek. We’ll talk soon when I’ve had a chance to organize my thoughts.”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, he gestured to the door. “Don’t keep your prince charming waiting. I’ll be hanging around for the next few days.”
Happiness filled her chest. “Thanks, Jared. I love it when you throw in some extra visitation.”
“Me too, now get going.”