Page 85 of John’s Yearning

John caught Samson’s look, as the Scanguards CEO said, “I’ll have Thomas run his photo through our database, just in case.”

John knew he was referring to the database of known vampires across the country that Scanguards had put together. “Thanks.”

“And I’m sure Thomas or Eddie can get into the servers of Homeland Security to see if anything comes up under a Swedish national named Viktor Stricklund. Maybe that’s the passport he travels under,” Amaury added.

Savannah turned in John’s arms, wiped her tears away and addressed Samson and Amaury, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t fall apart like this. Thank you for all your help. I’m so grateful. But I’m sure the name he gave me is just as fake as everything else about him. We won’t find him like that.” She sniffled. “There’s only one way he’ll show himself.”

John gripped her shoulders and made her look at him.

She met his gaze. “And we all know what will draw him out.”

John shook his head. Without her saying it, he knew what she meant. “No! I won’t allow it.”

“It’s not your choice, John. It’s mine.”

He saw red right there and then. With a quick nod at his bosses, he bit out an “Excuse us” and snatched Savannah by her arm, dragging her toward the nearest door.

“John, let go of me!” she protested, but he ignored her and flung the door open that led into the kitchen and supply rooms adjacent to the lounge.

“We’re gonna have a word,” he bit out and dragged her along the corridor and around the corner, glancing at the signs on the doors, until he found one saying Break Room. He pushed the door open and entered with Savannah in tow.

A female employee sat at a table, reading a magazine and drinking a coffee. She whipped her head in their direction.

“Out!” John commanded, and the woman scrambled to her feet and rushed out of the room. When the door shut behind her, John let go of Savannah and flipped the lock shut so nobody could barge in and interrupt them.

When he turned back to Savannah, she glared at him, her hands braced on her hips. “What the fuck, John?”

“That was gonna be my line!” he replied just as furious. “Are you fucking crazy proposing what I think you are? Offering yourself as bait to this madman?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Not as bait! I’m offering myself in exchange for Buffy. So she doesn’t have to live through this nightmare any longer.”

“That’s fucking nuts! He’ll never let her go if you offer yourself. He’ll take you both! That was his plan all along. And now you want to deliver yourself to him on a silver platter? Over my fucking charred body!”

“It’s not your decision! She’s my daughter! And I’ll fucking do what I think is best.”

“The fuck you will!”

“You can’t stop me!”

“Can’t I? Watch me!”

“You have no right to tell me what to do!”

“I don’t care whether I have the right or not! I’m not gonna stand here and watch you put yourself in danger.” Because it would break him. It would shatter what was left of his heart.

“You have to.”

“No! I’m not gonna lose you. I’ve been through this once. I’m not gonna do it again. I’m not gonna let the woman I love walk into certain doom. I won’t do it. Damn it!”

Savannah’s eyes widened, and she sucked in a shaky breath.

Had he suddenly scared her into submission? “What? Damn it, Savannah!”

She shook her head. “You love me?”

Only then did he realize what he’d said. For a second, he froze. But he knew it was true. “I love you more than I thought I could ever love again. And not just you. I love Buffy. I love her like the child I lost. I love her because she’s part of you. And I’ll do anything to get her back for you. But I can’t let you do this. I can’t lose you both.”

Tears started welling up in her eyes, and she sniffled. “Oh, John. I didn’t know… After what you told me about Nicolette… I didn’t think you could feel anything…”