Gaslight (Crossbreed #4)(90)
“Why are you telling me this now?”
Christian took a step forward and looked down at me. “Because you can’t trust him blindly.”
“I never said I trusted him.”
“You never said you didn’t.” As if he couldn’t look at me anymore, Christian swung his gaze out the window. “I used to think it would be better this way, but I don’t like that he took something of yours that was mine. Perhaps he was jealous that another Vampire formed a bond with you, or maybe he’s insane. I don’t expect you to believe me, but you need to hear the truth.”
When I turned away, he captured my wrist. It wasn’t until he touched me with a tender grip that my heart skipped a beat and a familiar sensation washed over me like a distant dream.
Christian’s thumb rested on my wrist where my pulse ticked madly. “Forget what you believe; do you feel anything for me? Did he just erase the memories, or did he abscond with your heart along with your necklace?”
Doubt nestled in my mind, and I pulled my arm out of his grasp. After weeks of hard work and dedication, I’d finally gotten my bearings, and now here Christian came, tossing a monkey wrench into the machine. “I need to focus on this case without distractions. Can you at least give me that? Viktor has his doubts about whether or not I’m ready, so I can’t take this on right now. I don’t know if you’re telling the truth or not, but even if you are, what am I supposed to do with that?”
“That man can’t be trusted. He knows where we live, and we don’t know what else he charmed out of you. I’m not saying you gave information willingly, but don’t feel beholden to a man who’s manipulating your sense of reason. You’ve been through enough.”
Maybe Christian was right, but right now Houdini was the furthest thing from my mind. Healing, finding a routine, and making Viktor proud to have me on his team were my only priorities. I didn’t have time to wrestle with the truth of it all.
I glanced out the window. “What do you think I should pack for Canada?”
“A bearskin coat and an upbeat personality?”
I snapped my fingers before strutting away. “Plenty of impalement wood. Great idea.”
Chapter 27
When I entered the dining room, the conversation died. No one seemed to know what to say, and their silence made it even more awkward. But when Kira appeared with a pot roast, life returned to normal.
During dinner, she moved about the room so stealthily that she barely drew attention. Food kept coming, glasses stayed full, and all the while, she rarely got close to Shepherd. Her father must have sheltered her from brutes like him.
Unfortunately, Kira’s peculiar ways weren’t enough to distract me from Christian’s earlier remarks. Though inches apart, we hadn’t spoken all through dinner. Without a doubt, Houdini couldn’t be completely trusted. But even if what Christian said was true, it didn’t make sense why my maker would care. Houdini had no love for me. Confronted with the truth about Christian, I wondered why I would have risked my position with Keystone for a relationship that wouldn’t last. Especially with it not being sexual.
No sex? That was another thing I found unbelievable. What could we possibly have in common besides curiosity and physical lust? At what point had I suddenly decided that a bloodsucking Vampire with a dark demeanor was the one for me?
After dinner, Gem invited me for a walk around the mansion.
“How’s Hooper?” I asked as we ascended the stairs.
She gripped the railing and walked sideways on her roller skates. “He’s a really nice guy.”
“That’s all?”
I slowed my pace so she could keep up. Gem’s bold lipstick had mostly rubbed off at dinner, leaving a violet stain on her lips. But her eyes were rimmed in black, as usual. Even when not leaving the house, she liked to have fun with her makeup and clothes.
“Things have been topsy-turvy since… Well, you know.”
“Drama putting pressure on your love life?”
“Bingo. We talked on the phone, and when we finally went out on a date, it was difficult to pretend as if nothing was happening in my life. He doesn’t know the details, only that you were missing. The team joined us a couple of times, but the connection between us wasn’t the same. Not like when we’re alone.”
I was curious. I’d met Hooper a few times, and I just couldn’t imagine falling for a guy like that. He seemed nice, but that was it. “What is it about him that makes you feel that way?”
“I don’t know. Hooper just has a way of making me forget my cares.”
“So he’s like a walking bubble bath.”
She giggled. “That’s one way to put it.”
When we reached the top of the stairs, she glided ahead of me, her long grey duster floating behind her.
I didn’t realize how much I’d missed the little things. The sound of Gem’s skates whirring down the hall, passing Niko in a random alcove, Shepherd’s used matches lying around for Christian to pick up, and Wyatt’s music echoing in the halls late at night.
We reached Wyatt’s office, and a smile ghosted my lips when I spotted the vending machine.
Wyatt’s chair squeaked as he turned and noticed the direction of my gaze. “You didn’t miss nothing. Shep rigged ludicrous prices that stayed there for three weeks before he gave me back my key.”