But then Julian worked his way into her heartwithout trying, and when she realized she was in love with him, heleft her. If he’d stayed in touch, she wouldn’t have been aswounded by his leaving, but he crushed her when he shut herout.
And now she had to decide if she could trusthim again or if it was time to end whatever this was betweenthem.
Relief filled Julian when he spotted her onthe roof. He wasn’t thrilled Cassidy let her wander off alone, butshe couldn’t be caged. Releasing the door, he smiled as he walkedtoward her.
“Did Cassidy tell you I was here?” sheasked.
“Yes. How are you doing?”
Aida’s golden-brown eyes drifted away when apigeon landed beside him. She watched the bird as it waddled aroundwhile pecking at the roof.
“I’m good,” she said.
When she looked at him again, confusionswirled in her eyes as she held the camera before her like shecould use it to ward him off.
“How are you doing?” she asked.
“I wasn’t the one who was attacked.”
She cast her voice lower as she steppedcloser to him. “No, but you are the one who killed a man.”
“I killed a vampire, and I won’t hesitate todo it again.”
“But what did itdoto you? I knowwhat you crave most; will you be able to keep your urge to killunder control?”
Julian ran a hand through his hair and tuggedat the ends as he contemplated her question. The more he killed,the more he wanted to do it, but he couldn’t reveal that.
“I’ve killed vampires before,” he remindedher. “I can control it.”
Aida wasn’t so sure she believed him, but hewasn’t going to tell her more than that. “Did you get rid of thebody?”
“Yeah, I borrowed a van from some guy I raninto on the street. He’ll never remember what happened, and I lefthim with a full tank of gas and a hundred dollars richer. We drovethe body into New Hampshire and burned it before burying theremains in the woods.”
Aida grimaced at the gruesome picture hepainted. “At least it’s taken care of; you must be exhausted.”
“I am,” he admitted. “Did you sleep atall?”
“No.”
He’d already known the answer as the circlesunder her eyes were darker. She’d changed into jeans and aturtleneck so he couldn’t see the marks on her neck, but her voicewas still hoarse.
“You need to sleep,” he said.
“I know,” she said with a rueful smile. “Iwanted to make sure you were both okay first.”
“Come on,” he said and cupped her elbow.
A small thrill of excitement ran through her,and she stepped closer to him. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?” he asked.
“For saving my life. I don’t want to knowwhat he planned to do with me.”
Julian tried not to think about it, but heknew what that asshole would have done to her. His fangs lengthenedas he resisted his murderous impulses. He just told her he couldcontrol himself; he couldn’t lose it now.
“Why did you come looking for me last night?”she asked.
He couldn’t tell her he’d sensed her terror;she’d been around enough mated vampires that she might guess why.“You were gone for a while, and I started to worry.”
