ELLE
“Wait….”Isaid<strong>.</strong>“Isn’tAzazelMortar…thevampirewho…?”
<strong>in</strong>Maine.”Hiseyesmetmine.“Looking
“Yeah,”Liamreplied,watchingGraysonclosely,gauginghisreaction.“Thevampirewhotookoveryourmate’sbody.Theformerkingofvampires.Andhe’sforyou.”
Graysonwasstiffasaboardinfrontofme.“Howdo<strong>you</strong>knowthis?”heasked.
“Hewasatthedineraboutanhourago.He…”Liamhesitated.“Hekilledyourboss.Andanother
waitress.”
“What?”Igasped.IsteppedoutfrombehindGrayson,butonlytohavehimwraphisarmsaroundmeandpressmefirmlytohisfront.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?“”
“I’msosorry,Belle,”Liamsaidsoftly.“IcameassoonasIheard.Mydadcalledme.You’reindanger.”
“Whichwaitress?”Idemanded.
“The olderone.Brte.”
“Brenda?”IstruggledinGrayson’sarms.<strong>“</strong><strong>He</strong>killedBrenda?”
Liamnodded.“I’msorry,Belle,”herepeatedoncemore.
Icouldfeelmyheartinmy throat.Brendahadafamily–shewasasinglemom.Shehadtwokids<strong>.</strong>whowouldbeallontheirownwithouther.Heroldestwasabouttostartcollege.
Shehadjustbeenworryingtometheotherdayabouthowshewasgoingtopayforhiseducationwithawaitress’ssry.Heryoungersonwasonlyeight.
“Weneedtogo,”Graysongrowled.Hetriedtopullmewithhim,andwhenmy feetstayedgluedtotheground,hepickedmeupbymywaist.
“Wait,”Ieximed,pushingagainstGrayson’sarmsashestartedtocarrymeaway.
“Wait!”
Graysonpaused,lettingoutalowgrowl.
“Why?”<strong>I</strong>askedLiam.“Whydidhekillthem?”Mylungsfeltliketheywerestalling.“Wasit…Was
itbecauseofme?”
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“Hewaslookingforyou,”Liamexinedinagentletoneastheworldstartedtospinaroundme.
“Andhe’snotgoingtofindyou.We’releaving,”Graysoncutin.Heliftedmeintohisarmsonceagain,marchingusdownthehall,awayfromourhotelroom.
Ididn’tfighthimthistime.MaybeIwas<strong>in</strong>shock,ormaybeIwasovertakenbytheguilt<strong>of</strong>knowingthatIwasresponsibleforthedeathofmyfriend.
Eitherway,Iwassuddenlyfeelinglikethewallswerecavinginaroundme.
“Grayson,”Iwhisperedashecarriedmetothestairwelldoorand rusheddownthestairs.Liamfollowedbehindus.
Graysondidn’tlookdownatmeasheresponded.“It’sokay,love.I’mnotgoingtolethimgettoyou.He’snotgoingtohurtyou.”
Hethought<strong>I</strong>wasworriedaboutmyself?
“H–HekilledBrenda,”Istuttered.“A–AndJerry.They’redead.”IlookedbackatLiamoverGrayson’sshoulder.“Areyousure?”
Henoddedslowly,hisexpressiongrimandsympathetic.“Yes.I’msure.”
Grayson’sarmstightenedaroundme,buthedidn’tsayanything.
“Whataboutherkids?Shehastwokids,”Icontinued.
“Whereareyoutakingher?”Liamaskedfrombehindus.
Graysondidn’tbotherrespondingtohim.
<strong>“</strong>Liam,whataboutherkids?”Iasked.“What’sgoingtohappen toherkids?”
“I’lltakecareofthem,”hetoldme.“Don’tworry,Belle.”
<strong>Just</strong>aswewereabouttoexitthestairwell,Liamsuddenlyappearedrightinfrontofus,stoppingGrayson<strong>in</strong>histracksandblockingthedoor.
“Get<strong>out</strong>ofmyway,”Graysonsaid,hisvoicelowanddangerous.
Liamshookhishead.“Notuntilyoutellmewhereyou’retakingher.”
“That’snone ofyourfuckingbusiness,”Graysonsnappedback.“Now,IsuggestyoumovebeforeI
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“Mymatemayhaveaproblemwiththethoughtofyoudead,butIdonot.Infact,Iwouldpreferit.”
Liamcontinued<strong>to</strong>standhisground.“One<strong>of</strong>themostdangerousmenaliveislookingtohurther,<strong>and</strong>you’reabouttojustwaltzheroutinpubliclikeit’snobigdeal?”
Hughed,butthesounckedanyremusement.“Idon’tknowifyouknowthis,butyou’renotthemostinconspicuous–lookingdudeoutthere.
“Peoplearegoingtonoticethegiantmusclemancarryingthetinygirldownthestreet.Andthey’lltalk.Azazelwileafteryou.”
“Idon’tgiveaflying<em>fuck</em>whatyouthink,”Graysongrowledthroughbaredteeth.“Move.”
Athismagicamand,Liamautomaticallysteppedoutoftheway,finallyallowingGraysontoshovepasthimandintothe hotellobby.
Unfortunately,though,Liamdidn’tseemtoknowwhentoquit.Hechasedafterusthroughthe<strong>busy</strong>lobby.“Myfatherhasofferedtohouseyoubothuntilucangetoutoftown.<strong>”</strong>
Graysonwhirledaroundsofastthathenearlygavemewhish.“YouthinkI’mgoingtotakemyhumanmatetothehomeofJefferyckwood?”
Liamscoffed.“Youthink myfatherwouldtrytohurtthefuturequeenofthesupernatural?”
“Iwouldn’tputitpasthim.I’veheardofserialkillerswithmoreintegritythanJefferyckwood.”
Tomysurprise,Liamdidn’tattempttoargueordefendhisfather.“Well,what’syournthen?”<strong>he</strong>
askedinstead.
“Youknowwhat?I’mgettingreallyfuckingsickofyouthinkingyouhaveanysayinwhathappenstomymate,littleboy.”
“CanIknowwhereyou’retakingme?”Iinterrupted.
Graysonlookeddownatme.Hiseyessoftenedwhenhenoticedthetearsrunningdownmyhadn’tevenrealizedIhadbeencryinguntilhelifted<strong>a</strong>hand<strong>and</strong>gentlywipedthemaway.
cheeks<strong>.</strong>I
<strong>I</strong>couldn’tgetBrenda’sfaceoutofmyhead.Icouldn’tstopthinkingaboutherkidsfindingouttheir
motherwasdead.
“Kyleissendingtheprivatene,”Graysonexined,histonemuchgentlerthanithadbeenmomentsbefore.
“We’regoingtotheairporttowaitforit.It’sapublewhereyou’llbesafe.Andthenwe’re
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“You’retakingmetoCroatia?Justlikethat?Idon’tgetanysayinit?”
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Grayson’sjawhardened.“You’renotsafehere.I’mnotgoingtoloseyou,Belle.<strong>I’m</strong>notevengoingtoriskit.I’mtakingyousomewherewhereI<strong>know</strong>Azazelwillnevergetanywherenearyou.”
“But…”My<strong>mind</strong>wasracing<strong>.</strong>Iknewhewasright.Itwouldbesafertogowithhim.ButthatmeantleavingthelifeIbuiltformyselfhere.Itmeantlivingwithhispackagain.
ItmeantIwasofficiallygivingintohim.
“Butnothing,”Graysonsaid.“Nothingisworthriskingyourlife.”
MyfacefellintothecrookofhisneckasIletoutanexasperatedbreath.
Itlooked likeIwasgoingtoCroatia.
Graysonshushedme,running<strong>a</strong>soothinghandupanddownthebackofmyneckashestartedwalkingagainwithpurpose.
Peoplearoundusweregivingusstrangelooks,butIknewGraysonwouldneverputmedownwitheverythingthatwashappening.
Besides,itwasn’tlikeIwouldbeabletokeepupwithhimandhisinsanevampirespeedanyway.
“CanwegobacktomyapartmentsoIcangrabsomestufffirst?”Ipleaded.
“No,”bothLiamandGraysonsaidinunison.
Irolledmyeyes,Iwasn’tevensurewhyLiamwasstillfollowingus.
<strong>“</strong>IfAzazelknewwhereyouworked,heprobablyknowswhereyoulivetoo.”LiamfellintostepnexttoGrayson.“Youcan’tevergobackthere.”
“Weneedtogetacab,”Graysonsaid,alreadymakinghiswayovertothefrontdesk.
“No.I’lldriveyou,”Liamsaid.“Thelesscontactyouhavewithotherpeople,thebetter.”
Graysonstoppedwalking.Helookeddown atmeandseemedtoconsiderrefusingLiam’sofferbutthenthoughtbetterofit.
<strong>“</strong><strong>Fine</strong><strong>,</strong><strong>”</strong>hegrunted.
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Oncewewereinthecar–Liaminthedriver’sseat andGraysonandIintheback–Liampaused,hishandsonthewheelbutnotactuallymoving.
Grayson’schestwasvibratingwithnonstopgrowls.Hewasonedge–closetoshifting.His<strong>eyes</strong><strong>.</strong>weredark,andhewasbiggerthanhehadbeenonlymomentsago.
Iwenttositinmyownseatwhenwegotinthecar,but,<strong>of</strong>course,heimmediatelygrabbedmeandpulled meintohip,wrappinghisarmssecurelyaroundmywaist.
Herubbedhisnoseagainstmymark,inhalingdeeply.
IwasslightlyembarrassedbyhowtouchyGraysonwasbeingespeciallywhenIcaughtLiamncingatusthroughtherearviewmirror.Ishifted.
“Wouldn’titbesaferformetositinmy<strong>own</strong>seat,withaseatbelton?”IwhisperedtoGrayson.
WhenItriedtomove,Graysonletoutagrowlsoloudthewallsofthecarshook.BothLiamandI
winced.
“Stoptryingtomoveawayfromme,”Graysonsaiddeeplythroughgrittedteeth,hisarmssqueezing
<ol>
<li>me.</li>
</ol>
AllIcoulddowasnodmyheadinagreement.
Headjustedmeonhipsothatmybackwasfirmlypressedupagainsthischestagain.His eyessnappeduptolookatLiam.“Whatthefuckareyouwaitingfor?”
Liamlookedbackatus,hisexpressionstiff.“Idon’tthinkit’sagoodideatotakeyoutothe
airport.”
“Fuck,”Graysongroaned.Heopenedthecardoornexttohim.“We’regettingacab.”
“Wait,”Liamsaid.WhenGraysonstartedtoslideoutofthecar,<strong>taking</strong>me<strong>with</strong>him,Liamquicklygrabbedmywrist.“Justholdonaminute,wouldya?”
Grayson’seyesnarrowedonLiam’sgriponmywrist,thensnappedbackuptomeethisgaze.<strong>His</strong>wholebodybegantoshake.
Beforehedidsomething<strong>stupid</strong>,Iquicklyputmyotherhandonhischest,tryingtocalmhim.
IlookedatLiam.“Liam,letgo.”
Heshookhishead.“Hearmeoutfirst.I’mjustthinkingof yoursafety,Belle.”
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“Okay,<strong>but</strong>thewerewolfbehindmeisliterallyabouttomurderyouifyoudon’tletgoofmyarminthenextfiveseconds.”
Rightoncue,Grayson’sbreathingpickedup,anddarkhairsstartedtosproutfromhisarms.Seeingthis,Liamquicklyreleasedmyarm.Isighedinrelief.
“Cometomyfather’shouse,”LiamcontinuedbeforeGraysoncouldmakeanothermove.“It’ssafe<strong>there</strong>.
“Iknowyouthinkitwouldbebettertotakehertotheairportbecauseit’spublicorwhatever,butso<strong>was</strong>thediner.
“WehavethememoriesofovertwentyhumansweneedtowipebecausetheysawwhatAzazeldidtoBelle’scoworkers.Apubleisn’tgoingtostophimfromhurtingherifthat’swhathe
wants.”
“No,but<em>/</em>would,”Graysongrowled.
Onceagain,heforcefullystartedtotugmeoutofthecar,butIgrabbedtheheadrestoftheseatnexttoustostophim.
“DoIgetasayinanyofthis?”Iaskedthetwoofthem.“OrareyoutwogoingtomakeallthedecisionsformelikeifI’mnotevenhere? Imean,seriously,isitnotmylifeontheline?”
Grayson’sforeheaddroppeddownontomyshoulderashetriedtokeephimselfcalm,hisshouldersrisingandfallingquicklywitheachofhisraggedbreaths.
Hisgriponmywaistwassotight,hisfingerssyedoutovermyribcage,thatitwasalmostonthevergeofpain.“Idonotwanttohearthosewordeoutofyourmoutheveragain.Nooneisgoingtohurtyou.”
<strong>“</strong><strong>I</strong>
agree
withLiam,”Idered.“Ithinkweshouldgowithhim.”IlookedatLiam.“Wecouldjustgotoyourapartment,right?<strong>”</strong>
Liamhesitated.“Actually,wecan’t.Apparently,youhadmyaddresswrittendowninyourpersonalinformationatthediner.Azazelwasseenbreakingintomyapartmentearliertoday.”
Evenmoreguiltfilledmystomach.“Hewasatyour<em>apartment</em><em>?</em><em>”</em>
Henodded.“Ihaven’tbeenbackthereyet,soIdon’tknowexactlywhathappened,butcalledmeearlier.<strong>”</strong>
“Liam,I’msosorry.Ican’tbelieveIpulledyouintoallofthis-
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“It’sokay,Belle<strong>,</strong>”heinterrupted.“Idon’tcareaboutmyfuckingapartment.Icareaboutkeepingyousafe.
“Andthelongerwestayinthisdamnparkinglot,justwaitingforsomeoseeus,thelongerwe’reputtingyouatrisk.
“ThenIthinkweshouldgotoyourdad’shouse.”
Graysonsnarledbehindme.
Myattentionswungtohim.“It’sthebestthingtodorightnow,okay?HowlongdoesaflightfromCroatiatoMaineeventake?Twelve,thirteenhours?
“Wecan’tjustsitinanairport,waitingforAzazeltofindus.Wewouldputallofthosepeopleindangerjustbybeingthere.”
“Myfather’shouseissafe–reallysafe.Azazelwouldn’tbeabletogetin.Noonewouldtouchher,”LiamsaidtoGrayson.
“We’llonlystaythereuntilthenegetshere.Thenwe’llleave,”Iadded.
Grayson’sdarkeyesstudiedmeforseverallongseconds.“Youtrusthim?”
MygazeslidtoLiamandthenbacktomymate.Inoddedonce.“Yes.Itrust<strong>him</strong>.”
Infact,LiamwasprobablythepersonItrustedmostintheworldaftereverythingthathadhappened.betweenGraysonandme.
Graysonwettedhisbottomlip,stillincrediblytense.“Fine.”Hesettledbackintothechair,adjustingmeinhip.
HelookedupatLiam,whojustcontinuedtostareatusinanticipation.“Well,vampire,areyougoingtodriveornot?”
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