Page 46 of Grayson’s Challenge

“I think you might want to sit down for this,” Cooper said with a serious look.

Fuck! Nothing good ever started with somebody saying to sit down.

San Francisco – now

“And the two girls? Were they in on it?” Monique asked after listening to her brothers recounting the attack on them.

Grayson was sitting next to her on the couch, his arm around her back, both of them still only partially dressed.

“After Virginia helped dig the silver bullet from Barbie’s chest, and David healed her,” Zach explained, “she told us that she and Sharleen were hired for what they thought was a surprise birthday present for David and me. They were supposed to invite us to this chalet, all expenses paid, and were to cater to all our sexual needs. Apparently the two worked as adult film actresses.”

“Porn stars?” Grayson said, shaking his head.

“Yep. And we fell for it. Should’ve known it was too good to be true.”

A grunt came through the line. Then David spoke. “I don’t believe they knew that the people who hired them actually wanted us dead. That’s why they wanted us in a remote area without cell phone reception. Because had we heard that Dad and Samson had been kidnapped, we would have taken every precaution and flown back to the States immediately.”

“Did the surviving girl tell you who paid her?” Monique asked.

“I’m having Pearce dig into that,” Virginia interrupted. “We should have an answer by the time we’re back.”

Monique exchanged a look with Grayson. “Good. Thanks, Virginia. David, Zach, I think the fact that you guys got attacked only confirms that the main target was Dad and not Samson. Somebody wants to wipe us out.”

Grayson nodded. “Guys, how far away are you from the portal?”

“Virginia?” David asked.

“You can expect us in San Francisco in about forty-five minutes,” Virginia said.

“Good. Mom will be happy to know you’re all safe,” Monique said. “In the meantime, I’ll check in with the palace, see what’s going on there.”

“Good idea. See you soon, sis,” David said.

Zach added, “Hang in there.”

“Bye, guys.”

Monique disconnected the call and let out a sigh of relief. “Thank God, they’re safe now.”

Grayson squeezed her in reassurance. “You think somebody is trying to usurp your father as the king, and wipe out his successors?”

“Why else would they kidnap Dad and try to kill David and Zach? And who knows, had I been with my parents that night, they might have tried to kill me too.”

“I shudder to think that could have happened. Thank God you were with me,” Grayson said. “Let’s get dressed. We’ve got things to do.”

The doorbell suddenly chimed. Grayson tapped on his phone to see who was at the door downstairs. He glanced at her. “It’s John.”

20

Grayson, now dressed in jeans and a dark shirt, opened the entrance door and let John in. John Grant, a tall vampire with long hair and a Southern accent, had been with Scanguards for over a decade. Before that he’d been the leader of the King’s guard at Cain’s palace outside of New Orleans, and had saved Cain’s life single-handedly after an assassination attempt.

“Hey, John,” Grayson greeted him.

“Grayson.”

John looked past him, and the surprised glint in his eyes told him that he hadn’t expected to see Monique here.

“John, it’s so good to see you.”