A Vampire for Christmas(58)
He swallowed and shook his head. He remembered the craving. It was relentless and would not cease. Much like the tug he’d felt on his heart upon seeing that bastard kiss Olivia.
Don’t think about what you’ve lost. You need to be here one hundred percent for this family.
Laura struggled and pleaded that he was hurting her. He wasn’t, but he knew if her daughters heard her cries, they’d rush back here, even though they had respected his ban and stayed outside.
He leaned in and pulled the woman onto his lap, and gently wrapped a palm about her mouth so her scream, which sounded right now, was muffled.
We’ll get through this together, Laura. I’m going to make sure those beautiful girls out there have a mortal mother to take them into the New Year. Let’s think about anything but blood and vampires right now. Did you notice it’s starting to snow?”
Heavy flakes fluttered from the sky, and the only thing he could think was the girls should be snuggled in warm beds with stuffed animals tucked under their arms. Laura had been laid off in the summer, and as a recent widow without life insurance or close family, she’d ended up on the streets months later. She hadn’t asked for the vampire to attack her.
Only proved everyone was vulnerable. Even white-collar stockbrokers with attitudes a mile wide.
What had Laura Jones done to deserve this crappy deal?
What about Christmas carols?” he asked, the gorgeous sound of Olivia’s voice returning to him. The world felt right when he heard her voice. Until that bastard had kissed her in front of everyone. Who the hell was he—no. Didn’t matter anymore. It was apparent Olivia had more than a vampire tucked in her Christmas stocking.
Do you know any Christmas songs?” he asked Laura.
She shook her head negatively and tried to bite his fingers, but he held her firmly. He had the strength of ten men now—and one werewolf—so he had to be careful he didn’t lose control.
You want to know my favorite? It’s that drummer boy song. I bet you remember that one. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.”
He sang a few verses, and was transported to the backseat of the cab with Olivia—damn it, he had to get her out of his head!
Laura began to nod and hum. Wild eyes flickered at him, but he sensed it was safe to let go of her mouth.
She sniffed back tears and hummed along with the next verse.
Only a few hours, he told himself. If Christmas truly was a magical time, as he’d told the girls, he wished for a miracle tonight.
OLIVIA’S DRIVER HAD FOLLOWED Daniel, as she’d instructed him to do if he caught a glimpse of the elusive vampire. She hadn’t told anyone she was seeing a vampire, of course. They drove down Broadway while she changed in the backseat. She’d mastered the art of tugging a bulky sweater over her evening gown and slipping up jeans without revealing skin to the driver.
Twenty minutes later, the car pulled over across the street from what looked like an abandoned house, sandwiched next to a vacant lot. A scrappy wood fence connected the plots, and two girls huddled on a broken bench that hadn’t seen a bus stop for years.
This is the place,” the driver announced. “I don’t think you should go out there, Miss Adorata. This neighborhood is not safe.”
She glanced down the street. A neon café sign advertised beer and Irish rum. A golden glow from the streetlight highlighted the heavy snowflakes. Looked like a scene that belonged inside a cracked snow globe.
I’ll be fine. Just give me a few minutes.”
She got out and tugged up the parka hood to conceal her appearance because she was still in full makeup. No one was around but she could never let down her guard. None of that mattered because she was concerned the girls were outside alone with no caps.
The taller of the two approached Olivia as she neared and her posture emulated that of a tough prison guard with attitude. “Who are you?”
I’m looking for a friend,” Olivia said. “His name is Daniel.”
The smaller girl began to say something, but the one Olivia guessed was her older sister pushed her back toward the fence. It was then she heard the soft singing on the other side of the fence. She approached and put her gloved hands to the wood and listened.
You can’t go back there,” the girl warned. “Fancy lady like you could get in trouble in this neighborhood.”
Who is he with?” she asked.
My mommy,” the littler one offered. She dodged her sister’s hand as she tried to grab her and managed to sidle up along Olivia. “He’s saving her. We don’t want her to turn into a vampire.”