Runaway Vampire (Argeneau, #23)(22)
And what about that claim that he and his brother had volunteered to help an FBI task force? Mary had never heard of that before. Surely the agency wouldn’t send civilians into such a dangerous situation?
The truth was, now that he was claiming to be able to control people, everything he’d told her was suspect. It could all be a lie, or some sort of delusion his mind had created. He could be an escapee from a mental ward or something. That was certainly more plausible than his being an escaped kidnap victim, volunteer for the FBI, and able to control people with his mind.
Biting her lip, she glanced to the GPS and was relieved to see that they were approaching the turn for the campground. There she could stop dividing her attention between driving and what to do about Dante. She’d also have help in dealing with him. She and Joe had used this campground every year since they’d started driving south for the winter, stopping on their way down and on the return journey. She knew the owners, Dave and Carol Bigelow, very well. They were originally from Winnipeg and had been friends to her and Joe since long before the couple had retired, bought the campground, and moved here to Texas. Carol and Dave would help her if she needed it. Although, Mary wasn’t that concerned that Dante might be dangerous. He might be a little deluded maybe, but she didn’t think he was dangerous.
“Mary,” Dante said tentatively. “You seem a little agitated, and I hate to keep harping on this, but we need to be prepared in case they are planning to ambush us.”
“It won’t be a problem,” she assured him.
“But—What are you doing?” he asked with surprise when she slowed.
“I’m turning, Dante,” she answered patiently.
“Why?”
“Because we’re stopping for the night. I booked a spot at a campground just up this road.”
“But Lucian said to keep them chasing us,” he protested.
“Look in the rear camera view, Dante. Do you see anyone following us?” She shook her head. “That ship has sailed, and I’m tired. We’re stopping. At least I am. You, of course, are free to get out any time.” Turning to glance at him, she added, “Now, please go into the bedroom and find some clothes to wear. The last thing I want is for my friends to see me pull in with a naked giant in the passenger seat. I’m going to have enough trouble explaining you as it is.”
Dante considered her solemnly for a moment, and then stood up, gathering the afghan in a ball in front of his groin. Before moving away he asked politely, “May I use your phone again?”
“Yes,” she said quietly, and he picked it up out of the holder and moved toward the back of the RV.
The moment she heard the door to the bedroom area slide closed, Mary felt herself relax. It was only then she realized how tense he made her. And it wasn’t just his nudity that caused that tension, although that hadn’t helped. She really should have sent him to put on clothes much sooner than this, she acknowledged and wondered what he would put on. Joe’s jeans and dress pants probably wouldn’t fit him. They’d probably be too big in the waist, although she supposed a belt would handle that issue. But there were joggers too. As for shirts, again Joe’s dress shirts probably wouldn’t fit, this time being too small, but there were T-shirts that might be a bit tight but should do.
Spotting the sign for Dave and Carol’s campground, Mary pushed thoughts of Dante’s fashion choices aside and concentrated on slowing for the turn. She pulled into the driveway, passing the stone columns with the sign overhead and stopped beside the office, then threw the RV into park and was about to shut her down, when a shout drew her attention out the window to see Carol rushing to the RV, waving.
“We saved your usual spot, Mary. Go ahead and park. Dave is getting the golf cart. He’ll bring you back to register and have a drink,” she called through the window once she got close enough.
Mary nodded. “Thanks, Carol.”
“Our pleasure. See you in a minute,” she called with a big grin and turned to head back to the building. Mary watched her go, then shifted back to drive and started forward. Carol and Dave had been saving “their spot” for them for years now. A pull-thru spot on the end, surrounded by trees, it had a lovely view of the river. They’d always parked with the door and awning side facing the other RVs, welcoming friends they’d made over the years. This year, Mary wasn’t sure how she was going to explain Dante, so she pulled in with the door and awning facing the woods and the river. Basically, putting her back to the others.
Feeling guilty for it even as she parked that way, Mary glanced around, but not seeing Dave approaching yet on his golf cart, she pushed the auto button on the automatic leveling system and listened to the hum of the jacks lowering to the ground. The RV bounced a little one way, then another, then up in the front and then the back and then stopped moving and the green light came on indicating it was level. Releasing the breath she always held during this process, she turned off the engine and got up, then paused, looking for Bailey. The dog was nowhere to be seen.
Frowning, she moved to the back of the RV and knocked on the door. “Dante, is Bailey in there with you? She’ll need walking, and she hasn’t eaten yet, but Dave is coming to collect me to go register and—” She paused as the door started to open, and then she merely gaped at the man.
He had gone for joggers and a T-shirt as she’d expected and yet not what she’d expected at all. He was wearing her joggers and T-shirt. The man had donned her favorite pair of pink jogging pants that were so tight on him they were like a second skin. They also only reached halfway down his calves. The T-shirt fit no better. It was a white one with tiny pink and red roses all over it and the damned thing stretched tight across his shoulders and encased his chest like a stocking, a pink and white flowered stocking.