Whispers of Night: 1 (Immortal Embrace) (36 page)

“You’re still my mate and I will make sure you are provided for.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice, causing it to finally crack. He took a step toward her.

“I won’t accept it, now get the fuck out.” He could keep his millions. She hoped he choked on them.

“Fine!”

She felt a slight breeze brush past her. It was the only warning she had that he was gone. Tears spilled down her cheeks and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. They continued to roll unheeded down her cheeks. Maybe it was for the best.

* * * * *

Dane slammed his fist into the wall, cracking the stone in Marcus’ library. “Why can’t I let her go?”

A few months had passed since he’d last seen Jenny and he was about to go out of his mind. He hadn’t been able to stay in his penthouse without remembering their time together. He missed her so goddamn much.

“Hey, don’t break that wall,” Marcus growled. “It’s old, sixteenth century. Show some respect for history, will you?”

“Sorry.” He went over to the window and watched the lightning streak across the clouds and the rain pour down in a dismal torrent. Thunder vibrated the glass and everything was a wretched gray. It fit his mood at least. He was miserable. “Without her there’s no light, only darkness.”

“What did you expect, huh? Did you really think you could walk away without it causing you pain?”

“No,” he lied, crossing his arms over his chest. The ache in his heart was unsettling and it refused to go away. He wanted her badly. It was hard to concentrate on much else.

“She is your other half. Why do you continue to fight what is supposed to be?”

“How can I be with someone I no longer trust?” Dane faced Marcus.

He glanced up from his computer screen. “Do you blame her? She feared for her friend’s life. They were very close and from what I’ve learned about your mate, her life hasn’t been easy. Her friend Marley seems to have been the only person she trusted before you came into the picture. You’ve read her file. I don’t need to lay it all out for you again, do I?”

“I suppose not.” He leaned his forehead against the window. The bitter truth was a hard pill to swallow. He’d been an arrogant ass who refused to listen to reason even when it was staring him in the bloody face. She was right. He should’ve called but he didn’t. He was partly to blame.

“Her motives were honorable even if they were foolish.” Marcus continued to rub it in.

“Whose side are you on anyway?” Dane glowered.

“I’m on the side of reason. You need to see it from her point of view instead of your own.” Marcus returned his attention to his computer.

Dane went over to one of the black overstuffed leather chairs near Marcus’ desk and slumped down in it. He hadn’t meant for his temper to best him like it had. Why did he have to fall in love? The pain he experienced as a result was quite unpleasant.

He pondered over Marcus’ words as he watched the rain falling from the sky in torrents. Maybe Marcus was right. He hadn’t considered her side, only his own. Besides, it wasn’t fair to expect her to be obedient to him without question when her closest friend was in trouble. If he had kept in contact with her, things might have ended differently.

Now what the hell was he going to do? His anger and pride had kept him from contacting her. Would she even talk to him now if he did? He knew he had to try. He missed her.

“You’re right.” Dane rose.

“I am?” Marcus chuckled as he glanced up.

“Don’t gloat, damn it.” His lips curved into a semblance of a smile.

“Who, me? I wouldn’t dream of it.” A booming laugh escaped Marcus’ lips.

“Ha ha, laugh all you want. It’s not amusing to me.” Dane bit back his frustration.

“I’m sorry. But it’s rare for you to admit your shortcomings.” Marcus raised his palms.

“It’s probably too late for me to get her back, isn’t it?” All his bravado was gone. He just wanted her back and needed advice from his friend.

Marcus must’ve sensed his pain because his expression changed. “I don’t have an answer for you, my friend, except to say that if you love her, go after her. Make her see you were wrong and ask her for forgiveness. That’s all you can do.”

“She won’t have me.” He’d really screwed up. This wasn’t going to be an easy fix.

“With that attitude, you’re probably right.” His friend’s irritation was apparent. Dane was acting liking a whining ass.

“Don’t pour salt in my wounds.” He knew he needed to man up and go after her. But he was feeling sorry for himself.

“Then quit making excuses and go find her.” Marcus got up from his computer, came around the desk and took a seat on the edge.

“How? She quit my company and left town.” Dane rested the back of his head against the chair.

“You can start by getting off your ass and searching for her. You’ve got plenty of resources at your disposal.” He kicked Dane’s chair.

“Hey! It’s not that easy.” Dane glared at him.

“Nothing worth fighting for is. You should know that by now. But I’m sick and tired of watching you sulk. I’m going to send you out on another assignment if you keep this shit up.” Marcus gave him a warning glare.

“I better go.” Dane got up to leave.

“There is one more thing before you take off.”

He practically orders me out and now he wants to talk shop.
“What is it?” He rubbed his temples.

“Harris is still eluding capture. I need you to help me find him.”

Was he serious? Dane regarded him warily. Going after Harris would only further complicate the situation between him and Jenny. He decided it was best to stay out of it. “Not a chance. Send Ta’breyian.”

“I would but he’s busy.” Marcus wasn’t budging on this. But neither was Dane.

“No.”

“He’s busy trying to throw a female reporter off our trail.”

“So I’ve heard. But my answer is still no. Find someone else.” Marcus could use one of the Sentinels. Roman could go after Harris. Dane was staying out of it.

“Good luck finding her,” Marcus finally relented.

“Thanks.”

Dane traced outside to begin his search for the woman he loved. He was anxious to see her again and hoped it was not too late to make it right between them.

* * * * *

The moon rose high above the heavens, illuminating the waters below. It was a starry night without a cloud in the sky to obscure their amazing view. A large wave crashed on the beach and the smell of salt in the air filled their lungs. Too bad they couldn’t see the view during the day.

“It’s beautiful here,” Jenny said.

“Yeah, we love it here. It’s pretty cool.” Marley stretched out in the sand. Her skin glowed in the iridescent light. She really was a beautiful vampire, strong and at peace in her new form.

Jenny wished like hell her experience were the same. Unfortunately it wasn’t. But now wasn’t the time to be melancholy. They were together and that’s all that really mattered. “I love the beach even if I have to wait until nightfall to experience it.” Jenny smiled as she watched another large break along the shore.

“Harris said we’d be safe for the time being. I agree. Guess it doesn’t matter where we are as long as we’re together. Miss my family though. You were right about that part. It sucks.” Marley dug her feet into the sand and didn’t elaborate further.

“I wish there was something I could say. You have me and Harris. The rest, like you said, will work itself out. Maybe you can stay put for a while.” She decided to change the subject. Poor Marley had recently discovered that her mother was on prescription medication for depression. Guilt was never an easy thing to live with.

“That’s what makes this shit bearable. I hate always being on the run though. But so far warm, sunny beach destinations have thrown them off our trail.” She sifted the sand through her fingers.

“He’s smart.” There was the slightest twinge of envy. Marley had a man who loved her with his entire being. Someone who would give his life for her, loved her with every fiber of his being. She missed that. But had she ever really had someone like that? She thought she had—once.

“I wish those motherfuckers would leave us alone. The Order hunts us like mercenaries, bastards. Harris helped them. He hasn’t touched a human. He’s reformed.”

Jenny understood Marley’s anger. It wasn’t fair. He’d certainly made up for his past crimes against the coven. He should’ve been pardoned. But it wasn’t her call to make. “I’m sorry you have to live like this. If I had any clout I’d use it. But I don’t. I’m on the outs too.” It had been months since she’d seen Dane. Her belly clenched and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Fuck them. They won’t find us. It doesn’t matter as long as we’re together.” Marley buried her toes deeper, flinging the sand in the air.

“You always did know how to put a positive spin on things. I wish I were as optimistic as you are.”

“Have you heard from him?”

Shit. She was trying really hard not to go there. “Dane? No. It’s over between us. I guess some things aren’t meant to be.” Jenny stared absently at the ocean.

“He’s an idiot for letting you go.” Marley nudged her with her shoulder.

“It doesn’t matter now.” Jenny lifted her face toward the stars, wondering if he thought about her as much as she did him. Not a day went by when he didn’t plague her mind. It still hurt but at least she wasn’t reduced to tears anymore. It had been several months since he’d left without a single word.

“I agree with that statement. I’m proud of you for handling it with dignity and strength. I’m really impressed.”

God, if she only knew how much it hurt. But what choice was there? Curl up in a ball and die? Not a chance.
Life goes on—what’s left of it.

“Listen, I’m probably going to take off soon.” She decided it was time to make her own way in this world. Hanging on the coattails of her friend wasn’t going to cut it. If she was going to live in the vampire world, maybe she could do some good. Go back to school. Become a doctor or something. Live overseas. Find something to pass the time. Besides, she needed to do it on her own for a while. Face her fears head-on and conquer them so she could be whole.

“Why? You don’t have to leave. Come with us.” Marley brushed a flyaway strand of hair back and a shadow of concern furrowed her brow.

“I appreciate the gesture. It’s comforting to know I have a friend like you. But I need to do this for me. Please try to understand.”

“Always, you know I do. Whatever you need, I got your back.” Marley didn’t fight her this time. Maybe it was because Jenny’s vampire was more in tune with what was going on inside her now.

“Thank you.” She gave Marley a hug.

“Where are you going to go?” When Marley drew back there were tears glistening in her eyes.

“I’m not sure yet. Money is kind of tight right now. But I’ll come up with something.” And she would, on her own.

“You mean to tell me your millionaire ex was too cheap to make sure you were taken care of? Jeez, he’s such a fucking creep.”

“He tried to give me money but I refused to take it.” She couldn’t leave her friend with the assumption that Dane was a total jerk.

“Don’t worry—Harris and I have money. We could give you some to tide you over.”

“I may take you up on that offer.” Jenny stood up and dusted the sand off her backside. She didn’t want to borrow money but there wasn’t much left of her savings to tide her over until she found work.

“Someone’s coming—vampire.” Marley tensed and quickly shot to her feet.

“Shit.” Jenny noticed a tall, dark figure stalking toward them, his outline silhouetted in the moonlight. “Is that…Dane?” Jenny stared in disbelief.
What the fuck is he doing here?

“Shit! What’s he doing here? You don’t think he’s here to arrest my boyfriend?” Marley tensed. It was obvious she was torn between wanting to stay for her friend and taking off to protect her mate.

“Maybe you should take off.” She tried to shoo Marley away. “I’ll deal with him and bide you some time.”

“Are you sure you want me to leave?” Marley started to back away.

“Get out of here. I’ve got this.” She wasn’t about to let him do that to her friend.

“All right, good luck.” Marley gave her a sympathetic look and quickly disappeared.

Jenny watched him approach. She didn’t sense that he’d come for Harris.
Is he here to see me? God, he’s still gorgeous.
Her heart ached painfully at the sight of him. She bit her lip and tried to find the courage to face him. Wait—how the hell did he find her?

Dane had gotten within a few yards of her and stopped. She watched him and contemplated tracing. But curiosity kept her rooted in place. What would he say after all these months? Did it really matter? Shit, she should go. She started to back away.

“Please don’t run from me.” He held up his palms. His eyes contained such misery it stole the air from her lungs and she paused.

“W-What are you doing here? If you’ve come to arrest my friends, they’re gone.” She tried to sound angry but failed in that first attempt.