Part 28 (2/2)

”I'm worried about Bryce. I mean, I think Rose had me believing in vampires with all this...”

Carter nodded. ”I'll go in to see Tyler, find out about this.”

”You'll have to make up a story. If he finds out I told you...well...”

”I'll be discrete,” Carter said.

At the same time Carter was making ready to head for Ruby City to check out this wild story of Seth Murdock's, Thor was preparing to rescue his prince from the clutches of Tyler Rose. ”I know what I said,” he told the others who recalled his promise that he wouldn't lift a hand to help him if he got captured. ”But he is our prince. I go.”

Once in Ruby City, he knew instinctively that Tyler Rose was with Dino. What he wasn't sure of was whether Dino was a willing hostage or not.

When he arrived at the Ruby Mansion, Thor noticed the military craft on top of the roof in a parking s.p.a.ce.

He held back, waiting.

It was almost six in the evening when the buzzer went off inside the room where Joey was still riding Dino.

He groaned with anger when he heard it.

Dino picked up his head and asked him what it was.

”An emergency. It has to be. I know Tyler didn't want to be disturbed unless it was urgent when he was in here.” With a wink, he ran his gaze over Dino's naked flesh, adding, ”And who could blame him.”

Dino shook his head as Joey lifted off of him. ”Don't move. I'm not finished with you yet.”

”Who can move?” Dino protested.

Joey laughed. ”I know you could if you wanted to. You just don't want to.” Pressing the b.u.t.ton, Joey said, ”Yes, what is it? This better be good.”

”It's the military commander from Sentra. She says it's urgent.”

Joey sighed. ”Alright, I'll be right there.”

Dino was standing beside him now. ”What is it?”

Joey gave him a knowing look. ”That was easy.”

He grinned.

”Carter wants to see Tyler. Probably Murdock told her I was holding you hostage here.”

”I'll come with you. We'll convince her it was a misunderstanding.”

Joey nodded. ”Alright, but then we come back here and you finish what you started.”

Dino grabbed him and kissed his mouth. ”I didn't start it but I will finish it.”

They both laughed, as they dressed.

Joey looked down at the pinstriped pants and cable knit sweater he had on and made a face. ”Is this the executive look these days?”

Dino laughed. ”Looks like Tyler will be getting a new look soon.”

”Tell me about it,” Joey said as they made their way through the hallways to the main part of the mansion.

It was Dino who grabbed Joey's arm at one point and indicated to him to be quiet.

The hallway was dark, but Dino could hear movement. Thor.

”Just came to see if you are alright, my prince,” he said, coming out of the shadows.

Joey stiffened. His lips drew back over his teeth in a snarl.

”So, you transformed him. That won't save him,” Thor announced.

Dino put Joey behind him. ”I won't let you touch him, Thor.”

”Mr. Rose,” a woman's voice suddenly called through the darkness.

Dino sucked in some breath.

Thor turned towards the voice. ”Fresh blood,” he whispered.

”No,” Dino said, lunging forward, he grabbed Thor by the throat and they flew up into the air.

Startled, Carter withdrew her gun just in time for Joey to grab her arm and drag her through the hall and into the main part of the house. He cast one look back over his shoulder before he closed the door and they were inundated by light.

”What in h.e.l.l was that?” she demanded, her breathing erratic.

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