After Sundown: Redemption Page 2

  “No. The vet said I have to stop giving you treats. I know teriyaki chicken is your favorite, but I can’t do it,” she explained.

  Jonathan meowed sharply, then proceeded to pace on the table in front of her.

  “Nope. I’m not giving in this time. You need to be healthier,” she said firmly.

  Jonathan stopped and emitted a small pitiful meow, then lay down on the table and rolled over onto his back. All the while he watched her eat.

  “No, I can’t—”

  The doorbell rang at that moment and Alyssa got up to answer it. Jonathan let out one more meow and she gave up.

  “Fine. Here’s the rest. I’m done anyway.” She set the bowl in front of him before walking to the door.

  She started to open it and then remembered what had happened the night before. She needed to be more cautious, make safer choices. She peeked through the peephole and then opened the door wide.

  Her Aunt Joyce breezed inside.

  “Hi. Jonathan and I are just sharing our dinner, again,” Alyssa explained.

  “I thought he’s on a diet?” Her aunt hiked one eyebrow.

  “He is, but I figured a little chicken wouldn’t hurt him.”

  “Honey, ‘a little chicken’ is what got him where he is in the first place. Admit it, Jonathan is one spoiled cat and you’d be unhappy without him.”

  “He was a stray I found, end of story. He had no place else to go. And what am I supposed to do? He has to eat,” Alyssa replied.

  “And he has to have his special kitty bed, his kitty blanket, his kitty toys, his fish shaped bowl and don’t forget his little kitty sweater for those especially cold days when you take him for a walk in his kitty halter leash. That cat is one of the most spoiled animals I have ever met,” her aunt complained.

  “He was so incredibly difficult while you were gone, Alyssa. He didn’t want to eat, didn’t want to use his litter box and didn’t want to take his daily walk. I had to feed him like a baby and carry him around outside, just so he could get his fresh air. Honestly, I don’t know how or why you put up with him,” her aunt complained.

  Alyssa smiled. She knew that despite all the complaining her aunt was doing, she absolutely adored Jonathan.

  “I’m sorry he was such a bother. Thanks for taking care of him for me while I was gone. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Alyssa hugged her aunt.

  “I was glad to do it for you, Aly,” her aunt replied softly, hugging Alyssa tightly before pulling away and taking her niece’s face in her hands. “Let me look at you, girl. You were gone too long. I missed you.”

  “I missed you too, Aunt Joyce.” Alyssa smiled. “Now come into the kitchen with me and we’ll have some tea.”

  Alyssa poured two glasses of iced tea and sat down across from her aunt at the kitchen table. The kitchen was one of her favorite rooms in the apartment. She had decorated it with yellows and light blues, as well as some plants, to make it warm and inviting. She loved sitting at the table chatting with friends and family. It was one of the things she and her mother had done when Alyssa was a child. Though her mother was now dead, she still enjoyed the tradition.

  Her aunt stayed for a short time. They talked about Alyssa’s trip and her appointment at Sundown Security.

  “So you’re meeting with Mr. Galiano again tomorrow?”

  “Yes, we’re supposed to go over plans for my last few motivational talks. He’ll suggest some ways to secure each location,” Alyssa replied.

  “It sounds like this man knows what he’s doing. That’s good. I don’t want anything to happen to you. If you’re obligated to finish your tour, at least I’ll have the comfort of knowing you’ll be safe.”

  “Hmmm,” Alyssa replied noncommittally.

  She really didn’t want to think about how safe she might be with the arrogant Mr. Christian Galiano. But later on, after her aunt left and Alyssa lay in her bed, her thoughts kept wandering back to him. The rest of the night she tossed and turned, dreaming of dangerous attackers and a handsome, mocking stranger saving her each and every time.

  By morning her dreams had her completely irritated with Christian. She didn’t know how she could possibly wait until evening. She just wanted to get everything clarified and organized in her mind so that she could concentrate on other things.

  Like her upcoming speaking engagements. No matter how many times she spoke in front of a crowd, she always needed to prepare. Once she had done enough preparation, she had no trouble speaking in front of large groups of people. Millions even, as she had done when she appeared on The Good Day Show with Ellie Tyler. She had watched Ellie for years and felt comfortable with her. But the fact that so many people were going to be watching the interview worried her, so she had prepared extensively for it. By the time she went on TV, she felt ready and answered each question appropriately.

  Despite the fact that the she had a lot of work to do, the day dragged on forever. Before sunset, Alyssa was already in her car, heading into downtown Phoenix, on her way to meet Christian. She pulled into the parking lot just as the sun was disappearing over the horizon. She enjoyed the scene for a few minutes. Arizona sunsets were incredibly beautiful and this one was no exception. The pinks and oranges that streaked across the sky seemed too bright to be real. It was almost as if someone had painted them there. When the colors faded and twilight fell, she got out of her car and headed for the Sundown Security office. She knocked on the door, but no one answered so she tried the lock. It was open. Slowly, she twisted the knob and pushed the door inward.

  “Oh good, dinner. Just in time too, I’m famished.”

  Alyssa stopped short in the doorway. The woman standing inside didn’t look friendly. In fact, she looked downright unfriendly. Alyssa slowly counted to five. She just wasn’t in the mood for this.

  “Look, you’ll have to find your own meal. I’m not here to deliver dinner,” Alyssa said irritably. “I’m here for an appointment.”

  “Who said anything about delivering dinner, my dear? You are dinner.” The woman smacked her lips, giving Alyssa a leer that revealed sharp, elongated teeth. When she strode forward, Alyssa retreated backwards through the doorway, her heart pounding in sudden alarm.

  Chapter Two

  This wasn’t good. There was something not right, something strange about this woman. Fear replaced the irritability Alyssa had been feeling only moments before. This stranger meant her harm. The urge to turn and run was strong, but Alyssa somehow sensed that she would never make it. She just kept slowly backing up out the door and into the parking lot. Just as the woman was about to reach her, Alyssa bumped into something solid. Swinging around she saw Vlad Maksimovitch standing there. Without looking down at her, he gently pulled Alyssa behind him.

  “Bazhena, it’s been too long. What brings you here?” Vlad asked the woman.

  “Hello, Vlad. I was in the area and thought I’d stop by. It has been a long time hasn’t it? At least four hundred years by last count. Of course it’s still not long enough for me to forgive you for that little misunderstanding we had.”

  Despite the fact that the conversation seemed pleasant and mundane, Alyssa felt the emotional undercurrents all around her. These two people hated each other. She was sure of it. Four hundred years, had she heard that right?

  “Bazhena, you killed someone I cared about. And I tried to kill you because of it. I’d call that more than a little misunderstanding, wouldn’t you?”

  “Whatever, Vlad. You just hold onto your little human moral code and I’ll do my own thing. Now if you’d turn over that delectable little morsel behind you I might be willing to forgive you.”

  Alyssa stiffened in fear. This strange woman was talking about her like she was a piece of meat. What was going on here? She peeked around Vlad and found Bazhena’s gaze slide immediately to hers. She leered at Alyssa and smacked her lips again.

  “Come out, sweet, I only want a little taste.”

  “You touch her and you’ll be wal
king into the sunlight sooner than you planned, Wendigo.”

  Alyssa swung around and saw Christian striding towards them. Fury made his eyes glow and his muscles bunch rigidly with each step he took. He looked like a dangerous predator Alyssa wouldn’t want to be the wrong side of. He walked right up to Bazhena and towered over her. She seemed unconcerned even though her petite size was no match for his. Her mouth had hung open in shock when she first saw Christian. But she smiled in amusement now as he towered over her. Alyssa noticed Bazhena’s smile never reached her cold eyes.

  “Cristobal! I truly never expected to see you again. What are you doing here?”

  “He works with me,” Vlad interjected.

  Bazhena looked back and forth at the men with an amused smile.

  “The two of you are friends? How droll!” Bazhena laughed in a way that sent chills up and down Alyssa’s spine.

  Bazhena was incredibly beautiful. Her red, formfitting mini-dress clung to her in all the right places. She was petite, maybe five-feet three-inches tall. Her shapely body perfectly matched her height. She had golden hair that hung in loose shiny waves down her back. Her eyes were the blue of a crystal clear summer sky. Full lush lips that were the deep dark red of cherries contrasted with her almost alabaster skin. Except for the two, long, sharp incisors sticking out below her top lip, most men she knew would drool all over this woman. Vlad and Christian acted as if she disgusted them. She definitely needed some orthodontic work, but that didn’t account for the look of repulsion on both men’s faces. Who was this woman?

  Bazhena didn’t seem to notice their distaste. She smiled seductively up at Christian. He stiffened in response. Chuckling, she skimmed her index finger down one side of his face. “Don’t tell me you have become a fanatic like this one, Cristobal?” She motioned towards Vlad. “After I turned you we had—”

  “That’s enough!” Christian roared, pushing her away from him. Bazhena stumbled back, but immediately righted herself.

  “Leave now or I’ll make you leave. And I can promise you it won’t be pleasant,” he warned.

  Anger flared in Bazhena’s eyes, then her gaze turned calculating.

  “Fine, I’ll leave. You two are about as fun as a wooden stake. If you’ll just give me my little snack, I’ll be on my way.”

  Unease slid over Alyssa. This was not good. Bazhena was referring to her as a snack.

  “You will not touch this woman,” Christian growled. “She’s under my protection.”

  Bazhena’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed dangerously as she turned her gaze to Alyssa.

  “I thought you would have learned the folly of getting too attached to humans by now, Cristobal. Obviously I didn’t teach you well enough.”

  “I’ve learned more than enough since you ruined my life. If you touch her, you’ll regret it.”

  “Are you threatening me, Cristobal?”

  “Definitely.” Christian’s stony expression gave no quarter.

  Bazhena looked like she was about to protest when Vlad left Alyssa’s side and stood next to Christian.

  “Will you leave now, or must we exert force?”

  Enraged, Bazhena turned her furious gaze to Vlad and shrieked, “You will force me to do nothing!”

  Before Alyssa knew what was happening, Bazhena grabbed the front of Vlad’s shirt with one hand and lifted him off the ground. Then she flung him across the hall. He hit the wall with such force Alyssa thought he would have been knocked unconscious. Instead he stood up, brushed off his clothes and strode back towards Bazhena as if nothing had happened.

  “Tsk. Tsk. Very childish, Bazhena. But so like you,” Vlad said with a condescending smile.

  Bazhena slowly retreated. Christian advanced on her. Vlad followed close behind.

  Glaring back and forth between them, she shouted, “This is far from over!”

  Then Bazhena turned away and disappeared amidst some gathering fog.

  Relief washed over Alyssa. That horrifying woman was gone. What happened? How had Bazhena just disappeared into the mist? Since when was there fog during the dry Arizona summer? She studied the place where that woman, or whatever she was, had just been. Why had she wanted to taste Alyssa? And what did she mean by taste? The woman’s incisors had been incredibly long and sharp and she had looked at Alyssa with a kind of hunger she couldn’t, no, didn’t want to understand. Dizziness assailed her as questions rampaged through her mind. Her knees gave way beneath her and she sank to the ground. She held her head in her hands as the endless questions and inconceivable answers bombarded her.

  “Alyssa.”

  Her thoughts scattered. Alyssa looked up at the sound of Christian’s voice. He and Vlad slowly approached her. The look on their faces was wary, carefully watching her. The two incredibly handsome men affected her as they strode side by side towards her. They both moved with a predatory grace that belied their size and each had a kind of magnetism that kept her eyes glued to them. Yet it was Christian who interested her most.

  She had to admit it. He was beautiful to look at, but definitely all male. Well over six feet, lanky, but also muscular. His masculine beauty was undeniable. It took her breath away. He had a very pale complexion, full sensuous lips and sharply chiseled features. Thick, arched eyebrows topped his mocha-colored eyes. And his dark brown hair hung loose past his shoulders. Alyssa wanted to twine her fingers in the silky-looking tresses. Christian’s eyes held hers and she couldn’t look away. As if he kept them connected by his will alone.

  His gaze called to her in a way that made her think of things she thought long buried. The image of black silk sheets, candlelight and two intertwined lovers lying on a huge bed in the center of a room, filled her head. She lost focus for a moment and swayed. Christian’s firm grasp kept her from falling as he helped her up. But it also broke the seductive spell that had enveloped her.

  She snapped her head up and stared at his face. He stood so close she could see the gold flecks sprinkled throughout his eyes. Her gaze ran down his strong nose to his mouth. His lips were curved into that knowing smirk she now knew signaled his amusement. Once again, that smile rubbed her the wrong way. She stiffened and yanked her arm out of his grasp.

  “Would you mind keeping your hands off of me?”

  Christian’s amusement turned cold.

  “Gladly.”

  Alyssa watched him walk away and head into his office without another word.

  Vlad cleared his throat and she swung her gaze back to him.

  “Miss Edwards. Won’t you come into our offices?” Vlad asked gently. “The three of us need to talk.”

  He motioned for her to go ahead of him and they proceeded to Christian’s office. Alyssa saw Christian standing behind his desk facing the window. She thought he was lost in thought as he gazed outside into the darkness.

  She was wrong. He was well aware of their presence.

  “I’ll tell her, Vlad. I know that you have an appointment that you, uh, can’t be late for,” Christian said, still facing the window. He tried, unsuccessfully, to keep the humor from his voice. “So feel free to go. I’ll talk more with you later.”

  Christian turned slowly. Though his words were for Vlad, his eyes narrowed on Alyssa’s face.

  “Fine,” Vlad said. “Ms. Edwards, I leave you in Christian’s capable and professional hands. I’m sure he’ll be able to answer whatever questions you have.”

  With one last warning glance at Christian, Vlad closed the door softly behind him.

  Nervous, Alyssa sat down. She was alone with a man she didn’t feel quite safe with. The air grew thick with awareness. Christian continued to stare at her broodingly. The silence finally became too much for her. She was not into playing childish games.

  “What?” she demanded.

  Christian lifted one eyebrow and gave her that smirk she was beginning to really, really dislike.

  “I was just wondering how you managed to get yourself into trouble just by showing up at our offices. Does
this happen to you a lot?”

  Alyssa knew by the twinkle in his eyes that he was teasing. She was not in the mood. She needed answers. Things were getting a little too creepy for her.

  “Who was that woman? Why was she so interested in me? How did she disappear, turn into mist?”

  Christian hesitated. He wanted to tell her the truth, but she wasn’t ready for that yet. He felt her frustration, her fear. He would tell her what he could.

  “She is a vampire.”

  “A WHAT?” Alyssa shot up from the chair and placed her hands on her hips.

  “Very funny. I’ve had enough teasing tonight, Mr. Galiano. Now please be straight with me. What is going on?”

  “You want the truth?” Christian advanced slowly. His face became solid granite, his gait aggressive. He had stopped playing, but Alyssa didn’t know if she liked that. This was a different side of him, one she hadn’t seen before.

  He drew closer. The air around her became electrified. The hairs on her arms stood on end. Her heart beat rapidly. Her breath grew short. Filled with the primitive urge to flee, she struggled to stand ramrod straight as Christian reached her. Her body started to tremble. She couldn’t control it. She wanted to turn and run away, but suddenly felt paralyzed. Frozen to the spot. She lifted her eyes helplessly to his.

  Christian smiled down at her. But it was not a comforting smile. Instead, the predatory grin made her more afraid. She was in danger. Of that she had no doubt. Then he opened his mouth slightly. Fangs like she had seen on Bazhena appeared from below his top lip. Horrified, her gaze fixated on his mouth. He growled low in his throat. Surprised by the sound, her eyes snapped up to meet his. She gasped, barely holding in the shriek of fright that filled her. His eyes glowed with a red light.