The Crimson Bond (18 page)

            “
Excuse me
, Alex. But have you already forgotten that I’m not a
fragile
human anymore?”

            He gave me that look that was so quintessentially Alex. It was the kind of look that could melt a girl into a breathless puddle. There’s no telling how many female demises he had caused over the years with that look alone. “Yes, gorgeous, I remember very well. I’m not questioning your ability to protect yourself. I saw first hand with Ophelia how powerful you’re becoming and I think we’re only seeing the beginning of how powerful you’ll be. But, when it comes to the Regency, you can never be too careful. They’re notorious for not playing fair and I’m not expecting them to. Given the way they kidnapped you leaving a grocery store, I think it’s apparent the kind of lewd tactics they use.”

            I wrinkled my nose, conceding to a point well made. It was apparent that he wasn’t going to change his over protectiveness no matter what I argued, so I decided for a change of subject.

            “I was kind of hoping that I would be able to see Anna tonight. I’m not sure if she would have even been at the apartment, but I was hoping.” I was disappointed that the increased danger with the Regency would limit my coming and going as I pleased. That was the one thing I was really looking forward to after being watched so closely in the palace.

            “I’ve already taken care of that. Anna and Paul are going to meet us at the bar later tonight. If you approve, of course.”

            “Of course I approve. I’m just not use to someone anticipating my needs like this. I kinda like it.” I leaned over and gave him a peck on the lips.

            Not satisfied with that, he pulled me to him. “We’ll have a couple of hours once we get to our house before we have to meet with up with them.”

            Knowing what he was getting at but feigning innocence, I questioned. “And?”

            Alex smirked at me. “You know, I can read your mind, so that’s not going to work.”

            Putting on a fake mask of outrage, I responded, “I thought you weren’t supposed to be reading my thoughts without my permission! What’s going to happen one of these days when you don’t like what you hear?”

            Alex narrowed his eyes. “I better like what I hear, or else.”

            “Or else, what?” I teased.

            Alex laughed. “I’ll show you when we get home.” He kissed me gently on the lips and the playful atmosphere was replaced with one of intense need.

            I glanced to the front of the SUV at the driver. “I wish we were there already.”

            Alex called up to the large vampire driving, “Chaz, the lady is in a hurry to get home for some unknown reason. Think you can get us there any faster?”

            Chaz let out a chuckle before saying, “Sure thing, boss.”

CHAPTER 21

            Later that night, after draining several bags of blood, Alex and I headed out to meet Anna and Paul at the bar. Walking into the place where Alex and I had first met really brought home how much my life had changed since that first night. For one thing, I felt very at ease here now- a complete turnaround from the way I felt last time. Now that I was a vampire, I saw just how many of the patrons were also vampires, in fact, they far outnumbered the humans. When I saw Kyle at the bar, I waved and walked over to talk to him.

            He gave me the easy smile I remembered so well from our first encounter.

            “Well, well, well. A lot has changed since the last time I’ve seen you. The change fits you well. You‘re a natural.”

            “Thanks, Kyle. I actually feel more normal now than I did before.”

            His gaze shifted behind me and I turned to see what had caught his attention. My eyes widened when I saw the last person I ever thought I’d see here- Brad. He was almost to me by the time I recovered myself. My inbred politeness kicked in even though I was not happy to see him in this place.

            “Brad! What are you doing here?” I had meant for it to sound like a question but it had ended up coming out sounding more like an accusation.

            Brad looked good, but I could tell he felt out of place and it reminded me of the way I had felt the first night I came here. Feeling bad for not being very friendly, I tried again.

            “I mean, it’s good to see you. I just didn’t expect to see you
here
.”

            Brad looked nervous as he glanced around the room. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”

            I looked over to where Alex was watching and, no doubt listening, to every word that was being said. I could only imagine how I would feel if Ophelia came wanting to talk with Alex alone. I would have been furious.

            “Um, Brad, I don’t think that’s a good idea. If you want to talk to me, we can do it here.”

            He looked disappointed but nodded and led me to a table at the side of the room.

            I followed him over and sat down across the table from him. I watched him expectantly, wondering what in the world had possessed him to search me out like this.

            He looked tired. “Brooke, I’ve missed you so much. I didn’t appreciate you until you left me. I guess I just kept thinking you’d realize moving out here was a mistake and come back. Or at the very least, call me more than you do. We’ve been together for the last four years and then all of the sudden you’re gone- and it’s like you don’t even miss me.”

            I swallowed hard. Seeing Brad look this torn up was upsetting. I still cared about him, loved him even, but not in the way he was hoping. The intense feelings I had for Alex eclipsed anything I felt for Brad. It was then, as I tried to rack my brain for a way to let him down easy, that I heard Alex’s voice in my head.

            Tell him we’re engaged. That ought to do it.

           
I sighed deeply in frustration and then remembering Brad was waiting for me to reply, I quickly sent Alex a response.
Alex, really, I’m trying to let him down easy. I can handle this on my own, thank you very much.
Concentrating on blocking my thoughts from Alex so that I would have no more of his
helpful
insight to deal with, I focused my attention back on Brad.

            “We both know the reasons I left and they were pretty big barriers in our relationship. We didn’t want the same things. We had different visions for our future- and that‘s big.” I paused trying to gather my thoughts and figure out how to break the news of my engagement to him. Alex was right in a way. It would be cruel to give him false hope and after everything, I still cared deeply for him and he deserved to know the truth.

            “Brad, I told you on the phone that I met someone. Well, as sudden as this may seem…we’re engaged to be married.”

            Brad’s expression remained frozen, but I could see in his eyes that he was absorbing the impact of what I said. Finally, with the stony expression I recognized so well when he wanted to appear as if something didn’t bother him, he said, “Apparently your feelings for me weren’t too deep if you’ve moved on with hot shot over there so quickly.“ He nodded to Alex in disgust. “I guess I have the answers I came for.”

            Without giving me time to respond, he stood up and headed to the bar. I sat there motionless, watching as he walked up to the bar, ordered a drink and then flirted outrageously with a very attractive woman at the bar. That didn’t bother me at all; it was the fact that the attractive female at the bar was a vampire that had me nervous. If only he knew he was flirting with disaster. I cast an anxious glance at Alex.

           
Alex do something. I’ve upset him and he has no idea what he’s getting himself into over there.

           
Alex glanced over to Brad.
I’ll get Kyle to keep an eye on him- make sure he doesn’t leave with her.

           
I watched as Alex headed over to where Kyle was working at the bar. He talked with him a few minutes before walking over to sit with me. I shook my head and looked over at Alex.

            “Just when I thought I had enough to worry about with the Regency, now I get to worry about Brad at the mercy of some vampire chic. Lovely.”

            “Kyle’s keeping an eye on it. He’ll be fine.”

            I turned to see Anna and Paul walking in. Anna’s face lit up when she saw me and she rushed ahead of Paul.

            “Brooke, you are absolutely never allowed to get kidnapped again. You scared me to death!”

            I laughed at her and said, “I’ll try my best Anna, but I can’t make any promises. I will say though, that I’m more equipped to handle it next time.”

Anna eyed me with interest. “So I heard. You look phenomenal, by the way.” She leaned conspiratorially in to me. “I’m thinking about getting turned myself. Especially now that I see how awesome you look. I can handle drinking blood if I get to look like that!”

            I raised my eyebrows but couldn’t contain the smile that spread over my face. The thought of having such a good friend around for the rest of eternity had it‘s appeal. “Really? Are you sure you’re ready for that. It’s definitely not all fun and games.”

            I saw the flicker of doubt that crossed her face for a split second before she hid it behind one of her dazzling smiles. “I’m almost one hundred percent sure.”

            “Almost?”

            Anna shrugged her shoulders as if to dismiss that topic of conversation. She flicked her long blonde hair over her shoulder and leaned back in her chair. “So,” she said. “I’m back to living alone. Ugh! I can’t keep a roommate. I guess I’m destined to live alone.”

            I gave her a sympathetic look. I did feel bad for bailing on her. But, then again, how could I have ever imagined what would occur between Alex and I? And then all that mess with the Regency. I couldn’t have concocted that up if I tried.

            “Look at it this way, Anna. You have me for the rest of your life- or eternity, if you so decide.”

            “Haha. I’m thinking it’s going to be eternity at this point. We’ll see.” Her voice trailed off as her eyes followed someone by the door of the bar. I turned around to see who she was looking at and was surprised to see Ethan walking towards us. I glanced back at Anna, remembering my vision of her and Ethan, and was intrigued to see the look of longing on her face. Glancing over at Paul to see if he noticed, I saw that he was engrossed in conversation with Alex and hadn‘t noticed Ethan yet. Now that I thought about it, Paul and Anna had seemed a little distant to each other since arriving. I wondered if they were having problems. I would definitely have to quiz Anna on that the next time we were alone. My instincts told me that there was something brewing between Anna and Ethan. The fact that I had seen them together in one of my visions made me even more suspicious. I had to admit, while I felt a little bad for Anna’s predicament, I was relieved that I wasn’t the only one with drama going on. 

            Ethan walked up to our table with a no-nonsense attitude, motioning for Alex to follow him outside. Alex stood up and followed Ethan through the heavy wooden front doors of the bar. I glanced at Paul in confusion, but he just shrugged and shook his head. It was apparent he had no idea what it was about.

            Remembering that Brad was here, I peeked over to check on him and noticed he was no longer at the bar. I tried not to worry. I had confidence that Kyle would not have let him leave with the vampire temptress from earlier. I breathed a sigh of relief that he had left and would surely be heading back to the safety of Oakwood. It would be one less thing for me to worry about. I still couldn’t believe he had tracked me down that way.