Dare to Bleed (Emily Sullivan Series) (2 page)

“
She had two small puncture wounds, located on the left side of her neck. The autopsy will confirm cause of death. Memorial services will be announced at a later date.”

“
Hmm, wonder what someone stabbed her with and why?” I asked, feeling nervous.

“
Probably got bitten by a vampire.” My mother picked up her paper and started to read.

I rolled my eyes. She watches too much TV.

“
Or probably one of those grilling forks that have two prongs,” I said, trying to ease my mind. I didn’t want my mother to know that I was pretty freaked out. She would tell the entire city, and then Vicky would never let me live it down. I felt a cold sweat coming on, and I knew my face was flushed, For the first time in my life I was glad the news was on. Nothing in the world could pry my mother away from her news at night.

“
Nah, sounds like a vamp to me. Eh, those bloodsuckers.”

I groaned, giving up the argument. I stayed for a little while longer and then decided to leave.

The moon was shining high in the sky, pale light illuminating the road. The air was warmer than usual for an October night in Louisiana. Yet I couldn’t stop the shivers that had taken over my body. My stomach flipped violently, and a sour taste crept into my mouth. I had never felt fear in this way before. I imagined my murder being reported on the news. At least my mom would have something to keep her in the center of attention for a while.

I pulled up to my apartment building and hurried toward my door. I hit the button on my key to lock the doors. The noise sounded louder than usual, almost mocking me. The bushes rustled, and I ran up the stairs as fast as my legs would allow, but I was kind of out of shape and living on the third floor didn’t help.

Getting the key into the hole while forcefully shaking was quite an accomplishment. Footsteps sounded behind me. I gulped loudly, swallowing down threatening vomit. My heart sank as a large warm hand pressed down on my shoulder. My life flashed before my eyes, and I screamed.

Chapter Two

When the stranger grabbed my shoulder, my fight or flight reflexes went into full effect, and I was quite proud to learn that I am a fighter. I turned around and hit my intruder square in the chin. He went down hard, falling backwards to the ground. I turned my key and pushed the door open.

As soon as I stepped through the threshold of my apartment, I slammed the door and threw the lock. I was finally able to breathe again. My heart was pounding out of my chest, and I was seeing stars. Not a good idea to pass out or throw up. For a moment I stood there catching my breath trying to find my cell phone within my purse. A soft knock sounded behind me, and I screamed again.

“
Um, I’m sorry I scared you,” said a muffled voice from the other side of the door. “I am your new neighbor, and I was just coming by to introduce myself.”

I stood taller and looked out my peep hole. A pretty attractive guy was bent over, holding his jaw. He wore a collared polo and blue jeans, and he didn’t look like a killer. Then again, I’ve actually never met a killer before so how did I know.

“
Which apartment do you live in?” I quizzed him, still apprehensive. He turned around and pointed across the hall. I could barely see inside of the opened apartment. I fought my embarrassment and opened the door.

“
What the hell are you doing, grabbing a girl in the middle of the night? Don’t you know someone got murdered today down the street?” I aggressively asked him. I wasn’t trying to be mean but he scared the begeezus out of me.

“
Oh, I am so sorry. I didn’t know. I’m new around here. My name is Gavin Reynolds.” He looked embarrassed. I felt sorry for him. He was new, and I had hit him. What a great start.

“
I’m Emily. Emily Sullivan. You can call me Emma.” I shook his hand. “Well, this isn’t awkward or anything. Would you like to come in? I can get you some ice for your jaw.” I stood aside as he walked in, smiling.

“
So, Gavin, where are you from?” I asked, heading to the kitchen to get him some ice.

“
Boston. I received a business offer here that I couldn’t refuse.”

I wrapped a few pieces of ice in a kitchen towel and handed it to him. He placed it on his jaw and closed his eyes.

“
Sorry about hitting you,” I apologized. “What kind of business are you here for?” I didn’t really care, I was just keeping up a conversation. He was buff. His biceps strained against the fabric of his shirt, and he was at least six feet tall. He had short dark hair, and his eyes were almost black. He had a major five o’clock shadow that was pretty sexy. I had to look away, afraid he would notice I was staring.

“
It’s construction. My dad owns the business. I just came back down to help him.” He stared at the melting ice pack.

“
The way construction goes around here, they can use all the help they can get.” I laughed. He looked slightly uncomfortable so I decided to change the subject.

“
So were you just staring out of your peep hole waiting all night for your mysterious neighbor to come home so you could meet her?” I asked.

He laughed. “No, nothing like that. I’m not a stalker. I just heard you running up the stairs.” He handed me the ice pack. I walked over and threw it in the sink, then reached into the fridge and pulled out two beers. I popped the tops and handed him one, then plopped down on the couch. He followed and sat beside me. It was so weird that my awful day, which included seeing Vicky, ended with meeting two hot guys.

“
You said someone was murdered today? Where at?” he asked, taking a sip of his beer.

“
A girl here in our apartment complex,” I informed him. He sat so close to me I could smell his aftershave.

“
Did they say how she died?” he questioned, taking another swallow from the bottle.

“
My mother thinks it was a vampire,” I admitted, laughing.

He choked and started coughing. I patted his back to help. When he began to breathe normally again he seemed slightly paler than he was before.

“
Wow, your mom believes in that kind of stuff?” He laughed but for some reason it sounded forced.

“
She believes in a lot of things. We never hung lights on the house for Christmas because she was scared it would attract Aliens. ”

He chuckled and seemed to relax. “She sounds interesting.”

“
Interesting is an understatement. So what are your parents like?” I asked, curious to learn more about him.

“
Well, my mother worked two jobs and was gone a lot. She was a single mother so I didn’t see her too much growing up. My father left when I was two and I haven’t seen him since.” He frowned.

“
I thought you said you were here to work with your dad?” I asked, confused by his history. It was nice to know we had something in common. We both had dirt bag fathers.

“
Uh… yeah, my stepfather,” he answered quickly. For some reason I found it hard to believe.

We talked until nearly three in the morning. When he stood to leave, I stood with him and had to catch myself, I was slightly tipsy.

“
Do you think we could go out sometime?” he asked as I walked him out. I felt sort of confused. I really wanted to say yes, but I had already given my number out once that night and it seemed wrong to say yes to two guys so close together. What the hell, it was actually another day.

“
Sure, I would love to.” I replied.

He smiled and leaned in to give me a peck on the cheek. As he pulled away, I caught his lips with mine. I think it might have been the four beers that gave me liquid courage, but whatever it was I really didn’t care at that moment. He reached up and caught the back of my neck, pulling me closer. He was an amazing kisser. After a minute I had to pull away. He was making my body ache with desire. It had been a long time since I had a man in my bed.

“
Um, good night, Gavin,” I said, smiling.

“
Sweet dreams, Emma,” he said as he turned and headed into his apartment.

* * *

I had crazy dreams that night. I was being chased down a dark alley by a giant piece of BBQ chicken holding grilling utensils. I ran into a dead end and awaited death. Just before I was killed, Gavin and Ezra both came to save me. They double teamed the murderer and turned to me. I looked at them in awe and confusion. They were both so handsome, and I really didn’t know which one to kiss thank you.

I woke up at about noon the next day with a severe hangover. I took a shower, did my makeup and attempted to do my hair. I finally gave up and put it up in a pony tail, then threw on some jeans, a t-shirt and tennis shoes. I drove out to the mall to do some therapy shopping.

After a few hours of splurging, I had a few new outfits I would never normally buy. I bought two new pairs of high heels and decided to call it a day. I drove to the 7-eleven to get the paper for my mom. As always, Billy was behind the counter. I swear the guy never had a night off.

“
What’s up, Emma?” Billy had attempted to spike his hair and used way too much gel.

“
Hey, Billy. How’s it going?” As I picked up Saturday’s paper and went to the fridge in the back, I heard the doorbell chime.

“
So you going to the Chevelle concert next weekend? I have an extra ticket,” Billy yelled. I wasn’t sure if he was asking me out or talking to whoever had just walked in so I ignored his inquiry and grabbed a six pack and brought it up front. I placed my things on the counter and went to pay. The door chimed again.

Billy stared at me with undisguised anticipation.

“
Were you asking me?” I questioned.

“
Uh, yeah. You wanna go?” He looked uncomfortable.

“
Sorry, Billy. I actually have plans next weekend, plus I really can’t stand Chevelle. They sound like nails on a chalk board to me. Thanks for the offer.” I smiled, hoping I hadn’t crushed his ego. I paid for my things.

“
Yeah, no problem. I’m sure I can find someone who wants to go by then.” He handed me my change.

What was up with all this manly attention lately? It seemed like as soon as I started avoiding them, they were flocking to me. Not that I hated the attention, who wouldn’t like two gorgeous guys all over them, but Billy was just a friend. As badly as I felt for passing up the date, we didn’t have chemistry.

“
Really, thanks for asking, Billy! Sorry, I can’t go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I felt horrible, like I had shattered his dreams. He just nodded at me and slightly smiled.

I started out to my car and felt a strange presence watching over me. I looked up and found my stalker. Ezra was leaning against my car, smiling like he had just won an award.

“
You better not be stealing my car, I kind of fancy it.” I joked.

He laughed. “Well, I was thinking about it, but then I thought you would never go out with me if I did.”

He looked so amazing, and the moon shone brightly against his skin, I wanted to kiss him. As bad as it sounds, I wanted to find out if he was a better kisser than Gavin.

“
So what is the rule when you accidentally bump into each other on the second night?” I really wanted him to ask me out.

“
I don’t think it has ever happened, so I’m not even sure,” he teased.

I opened the door to my car and put the beer down. “Have you eaten tonight?”

He looked uncomfortable and taken aback for a minute. “Uh, yeah. I already ate.”

Guess he didn’t want to hang out tonight. I felt kind of bummed, but really I had it coming to me. After all, just two minutes before I had rejected poor Billy, so I deserved it.

“
Would you like to see a movie instead? We can get you something to eat on the way,” he offered, surprising me.

“
Yes,” I almost yelled at him. Wow, I’m sure I looked like a desperate dweeb with a reaction like that. “I mean, sure. I have to drop this off at my mom’s house, if that’s cool with you,” I responded as I picked up the paper.

“
How bout I follow you and we can drop your car off at your place and ride together?”

I got butterflies thinking about being alone in a car with him. Where was all this luck coming from?

“
Sounds like a plan to me,” I responded as I got in my car.

I drove to my mom’s and parked in the driveway. I kept the car running and told Ezra to wait outside. I definitely didn’t want my mother to scare him away before our first date. I threw the paper on the table and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. I couldn’t stop smiling.

“
Whoa, where are you going so fast?” she asked, looking up from the TV.

“
I have a date waiting outside for me,” I replied, trying to leave as fast as humanly possible.

“
You know in my day, the dates came inside to meet the parents before they went out.”

I rolled my eyes. She was so old fashioned. I’m only twenty two, but my mother had me when she was almost forty so sometimes people think she’s my grandmother.

“
Well, thankfully we aren’t in that day anymore, because he’s not coming in tonight,” I stated dryly.

“
Alright, well just be safe. Another girl from your apartment building came up missing. We got some vampires in the area,”
she warned, shrugging.