Chapter 18
Tiffany woke the next morning six thirty sharp. Seconds after the alarm, she jumped out of bed and headed to the shower, so excited to finally return to work. While she let the dual, pulsating shower jets in her mom and Nathan’s swank guest bathroom, work their magic, Tiffany recalled the fuss which had occurred last night at supper when she’d announced to all she intended to return to work tomorrow.
She’d expected such a reaction but she’d convinced Christian and the other worriers in her family the importance of keeping things at the clinic running as normal as possible in order to avoid suspicion about the real cause of her near-death experience. After all that was Christian’s wish. He and his partners didn’t want the person behind these poisonings to know the extent of knowledge they’d gained since the inception of this nightmare.
Anyway, she was fully recovered now and that would have been apparent last week when she’d popped in to confront Christian, which prompted Nathan to bring up the presence of her body guard, David.
She’d been prepared for that question. As far as the employees of the V clinic were concerned, David would be introduced as her new personal assistant. It took some grand standing on her part but eventually both Nathan and Christian agreed to let her work as long as her armed ‘personal assistant’ stuck to her side like glue.
Tiffany finished putting herself together for the day then headed downstairs for a quick breakfast. David drove her to work in one of Nathan’s SUV’s. Last night she’d called and told him about his new position and her expectations. When he showed up at the front door a short while ago, he’d outfitted himself in a pair of tan slacks, white socks, a yellow, short sleeve button up shirt and to complete the ridiculous ensemble, a pocket protector and over-sized glasses. The get up was glaringly retro geek. It wasn’t exactly what she’d had in mind, but it would work.
They arrived at the clinic a bit before eight. The waiting room was over half full, completely repaired and decorated in a colorful, modern motif, much brighter than the dark leather and ocher paint which had once graced the room. Maybe her little fit had propagated a much-needed decor change—one she still intended to pay for.
Katie was at the sign in desk with her head bent writing something. Apparently, Grace ran late. She glanced up and smiled. “Good morning, Tiffany. Dr. La Mond mentioned you’d be here today. It’s good to have you back and you look great by the way.”
“Thanks and it’s good to be back. This is David Townsend my new personal assistant. He’ll be helping me push this project along with data entry and such. David, Katie Nettleson.
“A pleasure to meet you Miss Nettelson.”
Katie offered him a welcoming smile. “You too. Please call me Katie.”
“Katie then.” He returned a quick, pleasant one, then glanced about the room of patients and spouses with his usual acrimonious suspicion of people who could be a potential threat to her person.
Tiffany elbowed him in the ribs and gave him a terse look.
“See you later, girl. Don’t work too hard.” She swiped her security badge across the card scanner then headed to her office, with her new ‘personal assistant’ trailing her.
When they were in her office behind closed doors, she faced him and said, “Listen, dude, you need to lighten up with the secret service agent looks around here. You’re playing the roll of a nerd now. After what happened to me lots of eyes are going to be on me the next few days. You too. So, no more frisking people with your eyes, and no more scowls and suspicious looks. Okay?”
He pursed his lips with disapproval. “I understand, but I have no idea how to behave like a nerd.”
A sly grin spread across her face. “I hate to break it to you, but you are one. Just not the Sheldon Cooper kind.”
His brows knit. “Shelton who?”
“Never mind. Google this old sitcom called The Big Bang Theory and stream about five or six seasons. Consider that your homework for today. Oh, and when you speak to a woman keep your eyes on the floor and mumble your words. If you can muster a blush in the situation, that would be even better.”
David gave her a disgusted look and shook his head. “Mr. Davenport and I need to have a talk about my wages.”
Tiffany chuckled, then took a seat behind her desk and got to work.
***
Christian had hit the ground running when he arrived at the V-clinic. It was almost ten a.m. before he had time to pay Tiffany a visit. He knocked on her door and a few seconds later, an unfamiliar human male opened it, who reminded him of a buffed version of Pee Wee Herman.
“Good Morning, Dr. La Mond. Please come in.”
“David?” He sniffed, instantly recognizing his scent, then glanced at Tiffany who wore a sneaky, little grin.
“He’s undercover. I couldn’t very well have him dressing like a body guard.”
“Right. About your safety. I know we’ve been over this before, but nothing in this building passes your lips. Food, water, coffee, I don’t care. Oh, I bought you a cappuccino machine.” He pointed at the unopened box and six bags of coffee on a shelf unit behind her desk. “I haven’t had time to install it yet, but if you or David can get it working, you should be set for any caffeinated drink of your choice.”
“Aaah. That was majorly sweet. Thanks, Christian. I wondered where that had come from.” She winked because she had to know he’d been the gift giver.
“When you and David leave this office, lock it behind you. And we’ll go out for lunch. I certainly don’t want you eating in the cafeteria. That goes for you too David.”
“No problem, Dr. La Mond,” he replied from across the room where he stood at the ready by the door.
At ease, soldier,” Tiffany said to David.
He offered up a sheepish smile then took a seat in a chair next to the door.
Tiffany picked up a medium sized cooler behind her desk and sat it on top. “I’ll tell you what. You can join me here for lunch. Mom packed enough food and beverages for a small army. She had the same idea as you.” She opened it and extracted a Tupperware container. As soon as she popped the top, he could smell Mia’s amazing cinnamon rolls and his empty stomach grumbled.
“Good.” He smiled, then went to her and gave her a peck on the cheek. When he pulled back she appeared disappointed. So was he. He had a few minutes and would have liked to use them exploring some of her desirable assets, but eyes watched.
“Big brother?” She pointed at the ceiling.
“Yeah. Speaking of which, Noah, Asa and I are taking half day shifts in the base station. A schedule’s been worked out among us, which has caused appointment mayhem.”
“Sorry to hear that. Cinnamon roll?” She held out the container and he picked one.
“Thank you.” Having missed breakfast, he polished it off quickly, then said, “There’s something else we need to talk about.”
“What’s that?” She took a seat and Christian followed suit in a chair in front of her desk.
“I realize it will be impossible for you to avoid staff altogether, but try as much as possible, Darlin’. They’re bound to ask all sorts of questions about your health, your turning. The more you say, the easier it will be to slip up and say something you shouldn’t. Like the real reason I had to turn you. As you know, you’re chart says you acquired a very deadly strain of food poisoning and many of your vital organs were in the process of shutting down when I made the decision to turn you. I’d like to keep people thinking that’s true. So if anyone presses the issue, the best thing to say is: “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask Christian why he made that medical decision.” Okay?”
“I know how to be discreet, Christian, but I’m not going to hide out in my office. That will just start the rumor mill grinding. I’m going to pretend I’m fine, that I’m cool being vampire because I am glad to be alive. I’ll hit the break room for coffee several times, which of course I won’t drink, and make normal, friendly chit chat like everyone else around here. But I agree with telling people who ask why you turned me that it’s none of their damned business.”
He sighed, recalling the incident with Blake. “Try not to get angry if someone pushes your buttons. You already got off on the wrong foot with Blake.” She opened her mouth and he held up his hand. “I’m not chastising you about it. I know he’s nosy and now suspect, but play nice. On that I’m not asking. I’m telling. No more chewing out people no matter how mad they make you. As you know vampires have big ears and I can’t have you upsetting patients.”
She poked her tongue out at him. “I will do my best. But I can’t promise I won’t tell someone off who won’t let up on being nosy.”
Why had he wasted his breath? “And what about your secretary there? What’s with the get up?” He glanced at David sitting in a chair by the door staring at a small holotablet and grinning. He gave Tiffany a questioning look.
“I’m training him to become a geek.”
Christian blinked at her for several moments, then decided it would be better to avoid the crazy details she had in mind. “Well I think you need to take your geek in training to human resources and make him an official employee of the V clinic for the time being.”
“Excellent thinking. I’ll do that right away.”
He stood to leave. “Please stay out of trouble. And um…” He glanced back at David again and stifled a laugh. That guy was never going to pull off the role of a geek. He had the body of a linebacker and the personality of a blood hound on constant hunt. “Never mind. This afternoon I’ll be in the command station. Text me if you need me.”
“Will do. Have a good day.”
“You too.” As he exited her office he spared a quick glance at David chuckling now as he watched some comedy show on his device.
No doubt about it. With Tiffany as a life mate, he would never know boredom again.
***
The next five days at the V clinic fell into a comfortable routine for Tiffany. No one was buying her food poisoning diagnosis anymore. Her hearing being so keen now, she’d overheard several conversations between nursing personnel discussing their suspicions about her near-death experience being connected to the mysterious, multiple stillbirths. Blake had been telling the truth about the staff’s fears. Many believed what happened to her could happen to them. At least there had been no more incidents this week. Questions regarding her wellbeing and how it felt to be vampire were asked by many, but she’d kept her answers simple without elaboration and they’d tapered off after the first two days. Finally, she felt like a member of the V clinic staff and not a freak science project for everyone’s viewing pleasure.
Tiffany thoroughly enjoyed her job. Being back to work this week had been so cathartic and she and David had accomplished much. Unfortunately, David never managed to pass geek training. The man just couldn’t help himself. Tiffany discovered he actually had been a secret service agent. Accepting defeat in that arena, Tiffany decided to put him to use as her personal assistant. He’d proven a great help installing hardware. Together they’d set up the reception area, the nurses’ stations and the lab. None of the programs were live yet because it would take weeks to scan in patient files and work out glitches in the software. She wanted to make sure what she set in place was as user friendly as possible for the convenience of both staff and patients.
Christian visited each night to give her transfusions, but no longer slept over per her request. Tiffany loved waking up next to him in the morning, but there were the kids to consider. Evenings with Christian had been wonderful, relaxing. They’d shared stories of their pasts, watched movies and ate way too much junk food. And there had been kisses, lots of passionate kisses and caresses. Just thinking about his touch, his mouth making love to hers, caused heated shivers of excitement to dance along her nerve endings.
Tiffany was falling hard for Christian. She’d worshiped him from afar most of her adult life. Fantasies were now reality and so much sweeter than she’d ever dreamed possible. He loved her. Prickly her. The sweet reality of their new budding romance excited her. Not too long ago such a thing would have scared her to death, but she was ready for a future with him.
Tiffany glanced at the time on her computer, noticing it was a little before noon on Friday. She had a lunch date with Christian at twelve. Since she expected him to show up anytime, she saved what she’d been doing; creating a new patient intake form. David sat in front of her desk scanning files into the patient database system she’d finally completed day before yesterday. He appeared extraordinarily bored.
A few minutes later there was a knock. Christian opened the door, walked over and gave her a quick kiss. “Hey beautiful. Ready to eat?”
“You bet.” And ready to be alone with you.
He smiled. I’m taking you out to eat so keep that thought on hold until tonight. In fact, maybe you could take your transfusion at my place.
Her stomach did a little somersault of anticipation. “Just let me save what I’m working on here.” She glanced at David. “Why don’t you get out of here for a while, David. Go treat yourself to a steak or something on Nathan’s dime. I’ll text you when we’re heading back.”
He glanced between her and Christian, his expression unsure.
“It’ll be fine, David. No offense but I’m better equipped to protect Tiffany than you. Besides, I’ll be doing it the rest my life. I best get used to it I suppose because I have a feeling trouble is going to find her whether she’s looking or not.” He winked at Tiffany.
She stood and playfully smacked his arm. “Keep that up that kind of talk and I’ll show you some real trouble.”
“Okay. I’ll take a quick lunch, but I’d appreciate it if this stayed between us.”
Tiffany knew what he meant. “No worries. Neither of us will say anything to Nathan. Besides, Nathan wouldn’t get upset with you for leaving me with Christian. Unlike me, he’s a mature vampire. Show him what I mean Christian.”
He appeared taken back. “Show him what?”
“Show him something that will convince him his concerns are in vain. You know, like enchantment.”
He pinned her with a chastising scowl. “Are you out of your mind? I’m not going to enchant him. That’s ridiculous not to mention invasive.”
Tiffany huffed. “Christian, it would really help us both. The guy’s so paranoid about leaving me alone, he only goes to the bathroom once a day. If nothing else do it for his urinary track.”
Christian chuckled and looked toward David. “That’s not my call.”
“It’s fine. Maybe she’s right and whatever you can show me will set my mind at ease when you’re with her and she’s supposed to be on my watch. I know you’re capable of protecting her, but I’d really rather not leave her.”
He sighed. “Very well.” Tuning his focus on David, he stared hard at him for several moments, then asked, “Would you stand up and bring me those papers there on Tiffany’s desk?” He pointed.
David didn’t move, but after a few seconds, his eyes grew round with fear and his breaths came out hard and ragged. “All right. I think he gets it, Christian.”
Christian blinked then took a step back. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
David stood and rubbed his forehead, his expression a combination of discomfort and irritation. “I’ve been briefed on the capabilities of your kind. I-I just never experienced any first hand. Uh, why couldn’t I move?”
“I planted a physic suggestion in your mind convincing you that you couldn’t along with a telekinetic hold on your muscles.”
David nodded. “Well, I suppose you proved my concerns are in vain. Enjoy your lunch. If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
After David shut the door behind him, Tiffany cracked up.
Christian shook his head. “Poor guy. I think I embarrassed him worse than I scared him and it’s not funny, Tiffany.”
She shrugged. “You’re right, but at least you put his mind at ease about my welfare when I’m with you. And hey, can you teach me to do that? I sure could have used that trick this morning when I was in line for my latte. This old guy in front of me would not shut up about his wait. I sympathized with him, then it was on, about the weather, his dog, the merits of chocolate verses white chocolate coffee drinks. When he started in about politics I nearly lost my mind.”
Christian groaned and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. “It’s not a teachable talent nor to be used on irritating humans. You’ll get there when you get there. I just hope for the the sake of the humans in your world, it takes you longer than most vampires. Come on.” He took her hand and headed them toward the door.
On their way out of the building, she and Christian dropped by the nurses’ station, finding Betty alone charting.
“We’re on our way to lunch at Casa de Jacoma. Would you or the others like us to bring back something?” Christian asked.
She offered them an appreciative smile. “Thank you, Dr. La Mond, but I brought my lunch today. The aides chose to dine in the cafeteria on their lunch breaks and Katie plans to go out with a friend later.”
“Call if you need me, then.”
“Of course. Enjoy your lunch.” She shared a warm look between the two of them.
Tiffany thanked her, then proceeded to follow Christian out of the building.
Christian knew her penchant for Mexican, so he took her to an authentic Mexican eatery a mere ten minutes from the clinic. The tone was casual, the decor and furnishings bordered on dive-like, but Tiffany felt confident the food would rock. She loved little mom and pop ethnic places like this because in her experience they usually had amazing food.
They seated themselves in a booth at the back of the restaurant. Minutes later a teenage latino boy brought them menus, chips and salsa, then took their drink order.
“So how’s your morning been?” Tiffany asked Christian, then dipped a chip in salsa and took a bite.
“Uneventful.”
His brows knit as he spoke the word and Tiffany was pretty sure she knew why. Last night he’d told her the investigation had reached a stalemate. For the last four days surveillance hadn’t revealed any suspicious activity. Christian and his partners felt like the person or persons knew they were being watched. It had prevented further poisonings, but hadn’t gotten them closer to catching the killer.
“Well, uneventful is good in some respects, right?”
He hunched a shoulder, lifted a chip out of the basket and stared at it. “Certainly. None of the patients we’ve seen this week have tested positive for VHS. The ones who have are all doing great and going home today. I thank God for both of those things, but it’s as I told you last night, considering the frequency of poisonings in the beginning it leads me to believe the criminal or criminals suspect they’re under surveillance.”
“That’s impossible, Christian. Even I can’t tell where the little boogers Dominic had installed are located. The command station is under lock and key. You told me not even maintenance can get in there now because ya’ll changed the lock.”
“True. I can’t help wondering why they’ve stopped. It seems odd.”
“I know. Why do you think they have?”
“I’m not sure, but I have a really bad feeling they’re planning something even worse than what we’ve experienced thus far.” He dipped his chip in the salsa and popped it in his mouth.
“Well maybe they’ve stopped because you and your partners decided the only food and drinks served to patients had to come from vending machines or you three. You also told me you and the partners were personally giving patients their transfusions and vitamin shots. Smart moves, but both of those things seriously limits this creeps ability to tamper with stuff.”
“Maybe or due to the fact the entire clinic now suspects foul play, they’ve decided to choose more cautious methods of terror.”
Tiffany could feel the worry rolling off him in waves. She worried too because most likely he was right, but that didn’t necessarily mean the bad guys had the upper hand. “Maybe they are regrouping. That might not a bad thing for us.”
He scoffed. “How do you figure?”
“Well, it could give us time to regroup too. We have every person’s move and word video and audio recorded over the last five days. Perhaps nothing’s stood out as glaringly apparent, but that doesn’t mean the perp hasn’t displayed guilty or suspicious behavior. Such as body language, expressions, slipping something into their pockets from a purse, back pack or locker. Who knows?”
Christian chuckled. “Talking like a cop now, huh?” He plucked another chip from the basket and ate it.
“No, just talking this thing out. Maybe fate has given us a reprieve for a reason. And maybe you should have someone who’s very good at spotting guilty, nervous people review the footage over the last week. Say someone like David?”
Christian rapped his fingers on the table top. “That’s not bad. Not bad at all. You think he would do it? It would have to be at night after you’ve gone home. That might make for some long days.” He reached across the table and took her hand, giving it a squeeze.
Tiffany squeezed back. “Not only will he do it, he’ll be thrilled to have something to do that’s up his alley. He’s been bored to tears these last few days, scanning paperwork and literally acting in the capacity of my personal assistant.”
Christian laughed. “I’ll bet.”
The young server returned with their drinks then took their food order. After the boy left she picked up her glass and took a sip of soda contemplating whether to open the can of worms which had been on her mind the last few days. She put down her glass and stared at him for a few seconds. “Have you thought about enchanting staff again? Maybe the person responsible for all this can thwart an enchantment, but knowing that maybe you can flush them out.”
He frowned and scratched his chin. “Asa, Noah and I talked about it and we think it’s futile. If a person can beat an enchantment once they can do it again.”
“I’m sorry, Christian but I still think Blake is connected to this somehow. It’s not just about him being nosey. He was sitting beside my plate of food the day I became sick. And we’d had words that morning. Plus, he’s had access to every patient that has that VHS thing. He’s the most logical suspect in the building.”
Christian sighed. “Be that as it may, he’s been enchanted twice. You may have to accept the fact he’s innocent.”
“I suppose that’s possible. By the way, where has he been all week? I haven’t seen hide nor hair of him.”
“He’s been working at my mothers’ retreat this past week. Currently, we have three mothers staying there who are several weeks from their due date. There were others, but they delivered and were discharged throughout the week.”
Tiffany gasped because she hadn’t known that. She just figured Blake’s absence this week meant he’d been working second shift in the hospital beneath the clinic. “What are you thinking? That’s like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. Are there security cameras there?”
“No. Look, I know it seems more sensible to have him under surveillance at the clinic, but I assure you he’s under a different more effective surveillance there. We told those patients and their spouses what’s been happening at the clinic. Of course they were shocked and scared, but after Noah, Asa and I explained things in detail, they agreed to a plan we proposed to both protect them and possibly ferret out the killer if indeed it’s Blake.”
Tiffany shook her head and touched her temple. “Sorry, Christian, I’m not following you. How could they possibly be safe if Blake is working there?”
“Rest assured I’m not turning a blind eye. The couples each agreed to allow us to replace their male life mates during the day shifts with security personnel like David so the men can watch over the women and keep an eye on Blake and other staff members. They’ve been briefed on what to look for, what staff should not be giving patients, such as food, drink or meds.”
“Fine. What about at night?”
“Betty’s there and one of us. So are the male life mates. Betty is the only person we all agree is completely trustworthy. She’s been through thick and thin with us for over twenty years.”
“All right. How are these guys supposed to protect them against poisoned food or meds?” She munched a few more chips while he continued.
“Transfusions are given at bedtime and none are on any meds, which eliminates those means of poisoning. I’m having all their meals catered in order to avoid food tampering.”
Tiffany was hurt Christian had kept her out of the loop on something this big. “Okay, you have them guarded, and all the poisoning bases covered. What if Blake or whomever decides to change his or her M.O. and do something more hands on to snuff the lives of these women? I’m guessing you talked to Nathan and Dominic about this.” But not me. The rat.
“Of course. How do you think we secured the guards? As to your concern, remember Nathan and Dominic’s men are top notch, ex-navy seals and such, trained for combat and undercover work. Plus, the women are all mature vampires, well able to protect themselves with their physic and telekinetic abilities. Trust me Tiffany those women are far safer there than they’d be at the clinic. Each of them live out of town and are very close to their due date. They have to be housed at the mother’s retreat in case they go into labor, which they each will do very soon.”
She shook her head, unconvinced the decision was a good one. “I still can’t understand why you’d allow Blake to be there when he’s raised eyebrows more than any staff member.”
Christian sighed and took her hand. “It’s very simple Tiffany. There he has access to only three patients right now who are well guarded. At the clinic over this last week he would have had access to dozens who weren’t. I believe in Dominic’s surveillance equipment. I really do, but I also believe this person is sneaky as hell.”
His explanation made good sense, but why he’d kept this from her made none at all. Their food arrived just then. She used the interruption to consider her next question.
“This smells great,” Christian commented and forked a big bite of a cheese enchilada into his mouth.
“So, when did ya’ll decide to do this?” She dug into her own plate of carne asada tacos.
“Saturday when we moved them from the clinic to the mother’s retreat.”
She put her fork down and glared at him “In all this time since, you never thought to mention this to me because you thought it would worry me?”
Christian set his own fork on the edge of his plate and sighed. “No. Of course I didn’t want to worry you, but that’s not the reason. I didn’t feel comfortable talking to you about it at work, because I didn’t want to take the chance someone might have big ears. At night, I want to spend time with you, not talk about problems. If I don’t put this away for at least a few hours a day, I’ll lose my mind.”
She understood, but wasn’t happy he’d neglected to tell her. “I get that. You’re reasons aside, you still should have told me.”
“Maybe so, but you have no idea the burden this whole mess has been not just on me but Asa and Noah too. If I fail to talk to you about issues regarding these matters it’s only because I want to dwell on some sane thoughts for a while. Being with you is a huge reprieve from the stress.”
She agreed he could definitely use a break. “Well then tonight let’s take a reprieve together. At your place like you suggested.”
Heat filtered into his gaze and he drug in a ragged breath. “You’re tempting me to be completely vampire with you. Meaning as soon as we’re alone, really alone, we’re going to make love for real, Tiffany. I’ve been a good, chaste boy way too long.”
Tiffany let out a dark chuckle. “Threatening to ravage me are you? Whatever will I do?”
“That’s exactly my plan because I’ve lost patience with this teenage dating scene we have going at your mother’s house. I need you and we’re too old for this. Well, I am anyway.”
Tiffany smothered a grin, happy and excited she had him riled and ready to take this thing all the way home. She’d been ready for real sex with Christian for years. But she wanted him to know unequivocally she was on the same page so she scooted out of her booth and joined him on the other side. “I need you too, Christian. I’m ready for whatever comes next.” She paused there to take his hand, threading their fingers together. “You know you have my heart. Truth is you always have. I’ve just been too scared to admit it until recently.”
“You scared? I’ve always been scared to show my real feelings to you. The first time I tried, you shot me down if you recall, told me things could go no further because you didn’t want to be vampire. You sliced down every overture I made after that. But it was more than you not wanting to turn, wasn’t it?”
She knew what he was asking and although she hated bringing up the subject of her father, it was probably time. “Yes. Much more. I’ve always avoided intimate relationships. I don’t trust them or people.”
“Because of your dad?”
She nodded.
“You were afraid I’d cheat on you. That’s it isn’t it?”
She nodded again. “Remember in the beginning I had no idea we were life mates. Even if I’d known early on, I still would have feared you’d change your mind about me some day.”
He snorted. “I can’t believe you thought I would cheat on you. That bothers me on many levels, but mostly that you don’t really know the depth of my character. You couldn’t make me mad or crazy enough for that to happen first off. But the main reason it would never happen is because I have more respect for myself than to do something like that.”
She knew that now. His morals and ethics were impeachable and if she’d been thinking straight at the time she would have known what he’d just said to be true back then. “I believe you now. The reason I didn’t in the beginning is because my dad was so like you. That’s why it was so shocking and hurtful when he cheated on my mom. He really was the perfect father until the day he wasn’t anymore. I never saw it coming. None of us did. It’s led me to the conclusion that anyone is capable of anything whether they want to be or not.”
He shook his head. “That’s not true. It goes back to choices. We all get them and we all make them. A person can choose in any situation to do the right thing or the wrong thing. But I believe if you have respect for yourself, you’ll always do the right thing.”
He was correct as usual. She ducked her head, embarrassed she’d actually thought so poorly of him when deep down she knew what he was made of. “I’m going to say this and then I want to drop the subject. It’s a tender one for me. I’ve never forgiven my dad. I can’t see him beyond the mistake he made. It makes it hard for me to see others beyond the mistakes they could make to hurt me. But you have to believe me when I tell you, I do trust you, Christian. Maybe that seems hard to believe based on all I’ve just said, but I wouldn’t be ready to go forward with you if I wasn’t willing to take a chance. You know what I mean?”
“I do. Look, I want forever and it can’t come soon enough, but what I want more is for you to be completely ready for the next part of this journey we’re walking together. It won’t hurt my feelings if you need more time.”
Tiffany realized he wasn’t just talking about riding the cowboy and saving the horse. He wanted to mate in the way of their kind, a bite that would alter their scents and bind them as one flesh. The thought was a bit daunting after that life mating speech from her mom, but she was ready to take the next step leading to forever. She loved him that much.
She rubbed a hand down his denim covered thigh. “Tonight sounds perfect, Christian.”
He covered her hand with his as he leaned in for a kiss. It was one of his sweet, melting ones that lit an instant fire and went on for several long, delightful moments until his cell phone began to wail with a loud siren-like sound. She jerked away, startled. Christian cursed and snatched it from the back pocket of his jeans.
“Wh-what’s wrong. What is that?”
He glared at the thing and she noticed his Adam’s apple bob and his lips thin. “It’s an alarm sent from the mother’s retreat, my country lodge. It’s only to go off in the case of an emergency.”
Tiffany didn’t like the way he stared at the thing as if it were a snake in his hand about to strike. “Uh, like a mother went into labor kind of emergency or a natural disaster, fire emergency?”
“The latter. I have to go, Tiffany. Call David and tell him to pick you up here immediately.”
“Whoa. Back up. What do you think’s going on?”
“I don’t know, but it can’t be good. Call David now please.”
“Sure. Why don’t you call the retreat and see what’s going on?”
He sighed. “I’ll try.”
They both made their individual calls. Tiffany reached David on the first ring, but Christian’s call attempt wasn’t so successful.
“No one’s answering. Darlin’, let me out. I really have to go. David’s on his way right?”
She nodded as she exited the booth. He was scaring her. “Why don’t I go with you?”
He scooted out and stood, pulled his wallet out and withdrew a couple bills. “Not a chance. I have no idea what I might be getting into. It could be a fire. It could have something to do with this shit happening at the clinic. Worse it could be a trap for you. You’ll be safe with David. But I want him to take you home, not back to the clinic. When I know something, I’ll call you.”
She didn’t want him going by himself. “Please let me go with you. I’ll worry myself sick until I know you’re okay.”
“Baby, I don’t want to leave you, but I can’t take you. Not once since I had this app installed on my phone has anyone ever used it. I don’t know what’s happening there, but it’s likely at catastrophic level. As soon as I know something and I have a moment, I’ll contact you. Promise.”
“That’s fine, but catastrophic level is ample reason for you to take me. You may need help.”
“Tiffany! I don’t have time to argue. I have to go. Do what I said. Stay inside and wait for David.” He slapped the money on the table, then rushed out of the restaurant. Tiffany followed and watched him at the door until he disappeared around the corner of a building.
Her mind rifled through so many various catastrophes that could be happening at the mother’s retreat her stomach began to sour. However, she did what he’d asked of her. She stayed inside and watched for David. She’d yield to his edict to go home too. She’d be useless at work until she knew what went on at the mothers’ retreat.
Almost thirty ulcer producing minutes later Nathan’s Navigator pulled up to the curb in front of the restaurant. Tiffany couldn’t believe it took David so long. He must have gone to lunch halfway across town.
She slipped on her sunglasses and headed for the SUV. Usually he got out to open the passenger door for her, but when she saw the crazy amount of traffic buzzing past, she realized he couldn’t, so she hurried and got inside.
“Thanks for picking me—” She broke off when she looked over and realized the driver wasn’t David. “Katie? What in the world are you doing here?”
Her face was void of the cheery smile she usually wore, replaced by a weird, calculating smirk. “Giving you a ride.”
“Uh, okay.” What the hell was up with that? “Where’s David?”
“Otherwise engaged.” She reached between her legs and picked up a small, black rectangular object and jabbed the thing into Tiffany’s ribcage.
She knew instantly she’d been tazed. The voltage was so painfully intense her entire body began to seize and quiver. She couldn’t cry out because her jaws were locked. Seconds later she felt Katie stab a needle into her upper, left arm which began to burn like fire when she depressed the syringe.
Terror raced through her system jacking up her heart rate and assisting the drug to race through her bloodstream like a rocket. She fought to stay consciousness with every ounce of mental strength she had, but moments later her body went limp and darkness swallowed her whole.