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Its going to be okay, she finally said. Eve smiled at her sadly, but her eyes were still fierce.
No, she said. Dont think so, Claire. But thanks.
She took a deep breath, let go of Claires hand, and turned back to the two cops. Right. You guys hang out here while I get dressed.
Oh, sure, Hess said, and raised an eyebrow. It made his face look crooked, but maybe that was just the way his nose was; Claire wasnt sure. Not like were protecting or serving or anything.
Youre not even on duty, Eve said.
Busted, Lowe said, smiling. Were on our own for this. Hurry up, kidId like to get to sleep sometime today before I have to fight for truth and justice again.
Eve padded up the stairs, one hand on the railing, and Claire let out a slow, careful breath. Eve was kind of like an unexploded bomb right now. Claire ached to make it all better, but there was no way she could do thatand no way that Eve would even let her try, she thought.
She wished Shane would wake up. She neededwell, something. A hug, maybe. Or one of those deliciously warm kisses. Or just to look at him, all rumpled and grumpy with his hair sticking up at odd angles, sheet creases on his face, his bare feet looking so cute and soft
She had never thought of a guys feet as sexy before. Not even movie-star feet. But Shanethere was no part of him that wasnt sizzle hot.
More coffee? Hess asked, and waggled his empty mug. Claire sighed and took his and Lowes into the kitchen for refills.
She had just set the two ceramic cups down on the counter, and was reaching for the coffeepot, when a big, thick, sweaty hand closed over her mouth, and irresistibly strong arms yanked her backward. She tried to scream, and kicked, but whoever had her, really had her. She squirmed, but it didnt do any good.
Quiet, a rough male voice whispered in her ear. Shut up, or this gets ugly.
It was already ugly, at least from Claires terrified side of things. She went still, and the man holding her lowered her down enough to let her sneakered toes touch the floor. Didnt let her go, though.
Shed already figured out who it wasthe speaker, not the one holding herbefore Shanes dad stepped out into her view and leaned forward, scary-close. Wheres my son? he asked. His breath was nasty, and stank of booze. Breakfast of Collins champions. Just nod. Is he in the house? She nodded slowly. The hand muffling her mouth let her do it. Upstairs? She nodded again. Those cops in the living room? She nodded vigorously, and tried to think what she could do to get Detective Hesss attention. Screaming wasnt doing any good; the kitchen door was pretty solid, and it was useless to try to get sound past a hand that was about two inches thick. If theyd grabbed her when she was holding the mugs, at least she could have dropped them.
My kid likes you, Shanes dad said. Thats all that keeps you alive right now, you get me? So dont push your luck. I could always change my mind, and you could get buried out back with your little friend Michael. Now, my buddy here is going to let go of your mouth, and youd better not scream, because if you do, were just going to have to do some killing, starting with you and ending with the cops. And that vampire-wannabe girlfriend of yours. You get me? My son is all that matters to me.
Claire swallowed hard and nodded again. The hand pulled slowly away from her mouth.
She didnt scream. She pressed her lips together to hold in the urge.
Good girl, Shanes dad said. Now tell me what the cops are doing here. They looking for us?
She shook her head. They think youre gone, she said. Theyre here to take me and Eve to school.
School. He poured contempt into the word. Thats not a school. Its a holding pen for cattle.
She licked her lips and tasted the sweat of the guy who was holding her. Disgusting. You need to go. Right now.
Or?
You cant do what youre here to do if everybodys still looking for you, she said. She was making it up, but suddenly it made sense to her. If you have to kill me, and everybody here, they turn the town upside down until they find you. And theyll put Shane in jail, or worse. If you let me go and take Shane, Ill just tell them everything anyway, and they turn the town upside down
Are you trying to scare me, little girl?
No, Claire whispered. She could barely get the word out. Im trying to tell you what will happen. Theyve kind of given up looking for you, but if you kill me, you lose. And if you let me go, Im going to tell them everything.
Then why shouldnt I kill you?
Because Ill keep my mouth shut if you promise to leave Shane alone.
He glared at her, but she could see he was thinking about it.
Boss, said the man holding her. He had a deep voice, rough like his throat was lined with gravel. Bitch got no reason to keep her word.
What makes you think I like the vamps any more than you do? she shot back. Did Shane tell you about Brandon? I saw you in Common Groundswere you looking for him? Because if you werent, you should be. Hes a dick.
Frank Collinss eyes drifted half-shut, and she was reminded sickly of Shane, somehow. You telling me which vamps to kill now?
No. She swallowed again, acutely aware that at any second the kitchen door could swing open, and someone could come stumbling in, and everything could go to hell on the express train. Just a suggestion. Because as far as I can tell, hes just about the worst one. But youre going to do what you want, I know that. I just want me and my friends out of it.
Shanes dad smiled at her. Smiled. And it seemed, for the first time, like a mostly genuine expression, not just a freaky twist of his lips. Youre tougher than you look, kid. Thats good. Youre going to need to be, you stick around here. He looked past her, at the biker (or so she thoughtshe could feel leather squeaking behind her when she struggled). Let her down, man. Shes okay.
The biker released her. She jerked forward, spun, and set her back to the refrigerator. She scrambled for a knife in the drawer next to her, found a wicked-looking cleaver, and held it out in front of her. You need to go, she said. Right now. And dont come back here, or I swear, Ill tell them everything.
He wasnt smiling anymore. Well, not as much. The biker behind him, though, was grinning.
Girl, you dont know my son at all, do you? he asked. I dont have to come back here. Hes going to come to me. Eventually.
He made a Lets go gesture to his six-foot bodyguard, and together they went back out the side door of the kitchen. Claire ran to pull it shut and lock it, both locks plus the newly installed sliding bolts.
Which made her wonder why it hadnt been locked beforeoh. Of course. The cops had come in through the kitchen.
She took some deep breaths, rinsed the taste of that sweaty hand off her lips, and picked up the coffee cups.
Her hands were shaking so badly, there was no way she could carry anything liquid. She put them back down and went back to the door to call through, Making some fresh!
