Vampire Vendetta Page 6

  He finally found his voice. “Sorry, Ms. Perez…Megan. I didn’t mean to startle you. Please come in.”

  She sidled past him in the hallway, only stopping when she’d reached the more spacious waiting room. He took his time locking the door, needing that short break to get himself back under control. He’d thought over the past week that his memory had exaggerated his body’s powerful reaction to the skittish chancellor. But no, one look into those pretty, but worried, eyes had his adrenaline pumping hard.

  He joined her in the reception area, careful to keep his distance. Her face looked softer, more rounded than he remembered. Good, she was definitely on the mend.

  “How are you?”

  She managed a small smile. “Are you asking as my medic or making polite conversation?”

  He laughed, the tension between them easing. “Both, I guess.”

  “Better and fine. Phoebe and I have settled into the cottage that Joss picked out for us.” She frowned. “Where are you staying?”

  “There’s an apartment attached to the clinic here. It was intended to be used for whoever is on call. But since I’m it for medical staff right now, I’ll be living here.”

  He hated knowing the food he ate and the roof over his head came straight from his enemy, but there was no way to avoid it here in the middle of O’Day’s family estate. Something of what he was thinking must have shown on his face because Megan gave him a sympathetic look.

  “Feels like charity, doesn’t it?” She pretended an interest in the design of the receptionist’s desk. “Joss says I’m being silly, but I’m used to earning my keep.”

  “Is that why you took the job working here at the clinic? To earn your keep?” What had he expected? That she’d chosen this particular job in order to spend time with him?

  She gave him a rueful grin, one that revealed a small dimple in her right cheek. How had he missed seeing that before? He realized, while he’d been staring at her, he’d missed what she was saying.

  She didn’t seem to notice as she continued, “Of the open positions, this one was the closest fit to my skill set. I’ve designed record systems before for a variety of businesses. I don’t have a medical background, but I figured you could help me with that.”

  “Out of curiosity, what were your other choices?”

  Megan’s serious expression was belied by the twinkle in her eyes. “Right now I could be driving a tractor, baling hay or learning to be a transport mechanic. Can you imagine? All those possibilities, and yet I chose to work here.”

  “Amazing. What were you thinking?” he asked, enjoying the banter far more than he should. “Instead of being out in the bright sunshine, you get to spend your time in a back office here in this lovely concrete building. Or as I’ve come to call it, the bunker.”

  The teasing light died in her eyes. “That was a big part of the attraction.”

  Because she didn’t want to risk being seen by the wrong person. “Well then, let me show you around and then I’ll introduce you to your new domain.”

  It didn’t take long for Seamus to show her the clinic. When they returned to the reception area, he ushered her into the office she’d be using.

  “I downloaded a copy of a Coalition medical records form for you to use as a template but with some minor changes. It’s all there in the folder by the computer. I’d also like a color-coded filing system for the hardcopy of the patient charts based on species.”

  She nodded. “Any preference on colors? Like red for the vampires, white for the humans, and pink for the chancellors since we’re somewhere in between.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I assume that was a joke.”

  “Not much of one, since you didn’t even smile.” Not that she even tried to look apologetic.

  “All right. It was cute, but I’d still prefer something like blue, green and yellow.”

  “Okay, one boring filing system coming up.” She walked around the desk and sat down.

  Seamus finally smiled. “I’ll be directly across the hall if you need me. I thought you might want some time alone to get settled in and maybe make a list of any supplies you require. That’s all we needed to talk about tonight. The clinic opens for business the day after tomorrow at four in the afternoon.”

  Four o’clock? But he was a vampire. The vampires she’d known usually didn’t work while the sun was up. “You’ll be working during the daylight hours?”

  “It’s not a problem for me. When I was in training, they varied our hours all the time to acclimate us to different sleep patterns. We’re going to start with being open from late afternoon until midnight, which should be fine for all three groups. Since the humans work the day shift, they can come in at the end of their day. Same for most of the chancellors, although their schedules seem to be more erratic. Any resident vampires can take the later appointments. I’ll handle emergencies as they arise.”

  How odd. In her experience, the vampires she’d known had expected the other two species to change schedules to accommodate their preference for the night hours. Back when she thought she and Banan had a future together, she’d actually traded a job she’d loved for a lesser one because he’d demanded it. What a fool she’d been. She should have known then that he was all take and no give.

  Seamus picked up on her mood change. “Is something wrong?”

  She forced a smile. “No, sorry, my mind wandered off.”

  “And not to a happy place, judging by the expression on your face.”

  Darn, he was far too perceptive. “No, it wasn’t. Now, I’ve already taken up too much of your time. I’ll make that list for you.”

  She walked into her office. Her office. It was amazing what a mood lifter that simple expression was. She looked around, surprised at the spacious feel of the room, despite the lack of windows. The furniture was pragmatic rather than fancy, but the computer was top-of-the-line. Rafferty obviously spent his money where it counted.

  She jotted down both a supply list as well as some questions for Seamus about what kind of records he wanted to keep. It occurred to her that neither he nor Rafferty had mentioned anything about billing for the services rendered. She’d have to ask about that. Maybe they planned to hire a bookkeeper, but until the clinic got busy, she should be able to handle that, as well.

  Satisfied with the start she’d made, she crossed the hall and knocked on the door frame before entering. “Got a minute?”

  “Sure. By the way, no need to knock if the door’s open. I’ll close it if I need privacy.” Seamus looked up from his computer screen. “Have a seat. I’ll be with you in a second.”

  While he finished up, she looked around his office, noting there was barely room to walk between the single bookcase and his desk. Then there were the piles of books on the floor along the wall. Why was he holed up in such a cluttered space while her office was so roomy? Even his name plate on the door was held on with tape. How odd.

  When he stopped typing and sat back in his chair, she asked him, “Shouldn’t you have the bigger office? All I really need is a place to set a computer while you have all this to deal with.” She waved her hand toward the stacks of books piled around the room.

  His eyes slid to the side. “I liked this one better.”

  “Right, everybody wants to run into an obstacle course whenever they walk into their office.” What was he trying to hide? “Want to try that again?”

  A look of anger flashed across his face. “Okay. I thought you’d need room for a crib and a changing table for Phoebe. This office isn’t big enough for all of that.”

  Had she heard him right? “You want me to bring my daughter to work with me?”

  “You mean you don’t?” He looked both surprised and a bit defensive. “I thought you’d worry more if she wasn’t with you.”

  Her eyes burned. This vampire was little better than a stranger, and yet he’d known without asking how hard it would be for her to leave Phoebe. What could she say to that? “That’s very kind of you.�
��

  “I’m not being kind at all. I’ll get more work out of you if you figure you owe me.” He definitely looked more grumpy.

  Obviously he didn’t handle gratitude well, so she changed the subject. “Here’s the supply list you wanted. I guess I should add a crib and changing table.”

  “I already ordered them. They’ll arrive tomorrow. I’ll get them assembled before you’re due to arrive.”

  “Thank you, Seamus.”

  “It’s nothing.” His pale skin flushed. “Back to your duties. We’re it as far as staff goes. Rafferty is on the lookout for a receptionist and a medical assistant for me.”

  “And a billing clerk?”

  He shook his head. “Rafferty’s not charging his people for medical services. He says it’s all part of the benefit package, which he hopes will entice more highly trained applicants to move to the estate.”

  Why did that look as if it left a sour taste in Seamus’s mouth? As long as he was being paid by Rafferty, why did he care?

  “Would you mind if I take the computer home with me to study the programming?”

  “No, that’s fine, although I don’t expect you to take your work home with you on a regular basis. I meant what I said about your needing time to rebuild your strength. I respect your need for independence, but if you find the hours are too much, say so. We’ll work around it.”

  “And I said I’m feeling fine.” If she sounded defensive, too bad.

  He wasn’t buying it. “Do I have to remind you that it’s only been a week since you almost died? Don’t push yourself. You won’t do either of us any good if you have a relapse.”

  She stood up and glared down at him, her hands clenched in fists. “And this isn’t the first time I’ve had to remind you that I’m the best judge of what is and isn’t good for me.”

  He stepped around the desk to loom over her. “And was it your good judgment that got you poisoned in the first place?”

  That did it. She’d never slapped anyone in her entire life, but his arrogance shattered her control. His vampire reflexes kicked in, enabling him to catch her wrist before her hand made contact with his face. Her temper flamed hot as she struggled to pull free of his grasp. Instead of letting her go, his other arm snapped around her and yanked her up against his chest.

  “Seamus.”

  She meant to yell his name, to protest his rough treatment of her. But the single word came out as a whisper, almost a prayer as his lips touched hers and their burning anger changed into a whole different type of heat.

  Chapter 5

  She tasted honey sweet with just a hint of hot spice.

  He’d wondered about that; now he knew. Her tongue mated and danced with his, both of them lost in the moment. Touches were tentative, gentle. A brush of fingertips there, a slow caress tracing a curve, a slight squeeze. How long had it been since someone had touched him at all? He couldn’t remember. Their bodies shifted and aligned perfectly, her softness against his hard strength.

  Warmth, all delicious temptation, slid through his veins, running out his fangs and making him want to savor far more of this woman than a simple kiss. Her blood called to him, arousing his craving to taste life in its purest form. He broke off the kiss and nibbled his way along the elegant curve of her jaw and down her neck. There, he found it—the soft flutter of her pulse running so enticingly close to the surface.

  He gently raked the tips of his fangs across her skin, asking permission without words to take this exploration one step further. But instead of offering herself up to him, she gasped as if in pain and shoved him backward. The unexpected move, combined with her chancellor strength, caught him off guard. Once again his vampire reflexes saved him.

  The chill in Megan’s eyes left no doubt that the moment had passed, leaving only their original anger hovering between them. Despite his disappointment, he had to admire the way she stood her ground, refusing to cower before a fully aroused, fully enraged vampire male. He fought hard to bank his temper, his frustration and the powerful need to take her right there amidst the clutter on his desk.

  They remained frozen in place, both breathing hard as if running a race. Finally, he blinked and stepped back, breaking the spell. More distance would be needed if he was going to resist the urge to touch her again.

  “Go home, Megan.” He forced the words through the tightness in his throat.

  “But…”

  He held up his hand to stop her. “I know. We can’t. We won’t.” When that didn’t seem to satisfy her, he added, “Hell, Megan, if anyone ever asks, I’ll even swear we didn’t. But you need to leave. Now.”

  She nodded as she backed toward the door. “I’ll tell Rafferty to find someone else.”

  That would probably be the smart thing to do, but right now he wasn’t feeling all that intelligent. “No, you won’t.”

  To his amazement, rather than blow up again over him trying to boss her around, she laughed. “Wasn’t your trying to issue orders what got us into this position?”

  This wasn’t the position he wanted to try out with her. In fact, he could think of several, but in that direction lay madness. If she could lighten up, so could he, even if it killed him.

  Forcing a great deal more good humor into his words than he actually felt, he said, “Okay, Ms. Perez, let me rephrase that. I would most humbly appreciate it if you would not demand Rafferty find you another job.”

  “Why? It’s not like you have a lot invested in my training or anything.”

  “This might be the only job where you can bring Phoebe with you. I’m the only one who knows there’s a very real threat to both of you. That is, unless you want to come clean with Rafferty or Conlan and tell them somebody wants you dead.”

  His words hit her hard, making her flinch. He didn’t regret saying them, though. He’d saved her life once, but that was no guarantee he’d be able to again.

  “What if your vampire lover tries again? I might not get to you in time if you’re working days or on the other side of the estate. What if he goes after Phoebe the next time?”

  “That won’t happen because he wants her. It’s me he’s finished with.” He could tell that admission cost her a lot. She shrank in on herself, once more looking like the desperately ill woman she’d been when he first met her. Then her shoulders snapped back, her spine ramrod straight.

  “I’ll keep the job, Seamus, but only if you promise this won’t happen again. It was nice. Actually way beyond nice, but I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t risk getting involved with another—”

  She stopped midsentence, unable or at least unwilling to continue, but they both knew what she’d been about to say. She wasn’t willing to get involved with him because he was a vampire, just like Phoebe’s mysterious father. That was all right. He couldn’t afford to get involved with anybody, regardless of species. He had his own agenda to follow.

  “We’ll write it off to a momentary weakness that won’t happen again. We’ll make sure of that. Do we have a deal?”

  She reluctantly nodded. “All right. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon with Phoebe. If you change your mind before then, call. I’ll understand.”

  “I won’t change my mind.”

  “Unless there’s something else, I’ll go pack up the computer and leave.”

  “I’ll walk you out.” He braced himself for the argument sure to come.

  Once again, she surprised him. “All right, but just this once. After all, Rafferty is very careful about who he lets in. We’re safe here on the estate.”

  Seamus knew for a fact Rafferty hadn’t been all that careful. After all, he’d let Seamus in, hadn’t he? But wisely, he kept that little bit of information to himself.

  It didn’t take long for Megan to gather up her computer, the file and her keys. Seamus waited for her by the front door of the clinic, not wanting to crowd her. Even more, he didn’t want to test his control around her. When she was safely tucked into her transport, he stood in the doorway and watched her
drive away, not wanting her to feel like he was hovering.

  As soon as she was out of sight, he changed into shorts and a T-shirt. He’d already established a routine of taking a late-night run, using his need for exercise as an excuse to learn the layout of the estate. So far, he’d taken a different route each time, but made sure to pass by Rafferty’s home at some point.

  Unlike the infirmary, which had no windows in the walls, Rafferty’s house was definitely more high-tech. Heavy-duty shutters protected the vampire leader from sunlight during the day, but they opened at night to allow in the evening air. Each pass through the area netted him more information, learning the behavior patterns of the locals, including Rafferty and his wife. As he ran, he noted whose dogs barked, where the vampires lived, whose lights went off early.

  Once he started official office hours, his chances to scope out the estate would become more restricted. So tonight, he’d take the long way around, and if his route took him past a certain cottage on his way, so much the better. It wasn’t as if he was hoping for another glimpse of Megan Perez. He just wanted to make sure she’d gotten home safely.

  Yeah, right.

  Damn, Conlan could really learn to hate that bell. It was petty on his part, but he continued to ignore the summons until he finished reading the report from one of his operatives. Once he’d signed off on it, he took his own sweet time stepping outside. The security lights were on, bathing the latest stray in stark relief.

  Vampire, judging by his size and the time of his arrival. Conlan drew his weapon and walked toward the gate.

  The jerk flashed his fangs with a hiss. “It took you long enough. I’m sure your boss won’t appreciate knowing how incompetent his lackey is.”

  Charming. So not only vampire, but one from a top-level clan. It didn’t matter which one, the behavior was always the same: arrogant, demanding and a pain in the ass.

  Well, two could play that game, too. “Sorry. You don’t have an appointment. Next time, call before you decide to show up unannounced.”