Part 10 (1/2)
She nodded, and then realized he couldn't see the movement. ”Sure.”
”Joe and Quentin still inside?”
”Yeah.” Darcy shook herself. She had to keep Max outside. He wouldn't understand what Quentin was doing. ”Max, let the rest of the team know the inside's secure. We lost our headsets.”
Max radioed the status. ”Let's see if the rest of the team needs help.”
”You go ahead. I'll be along in a minute. I have to let...Joe know where I am.” She returned to the doorway.
Quentin still held Joe in his arms.
Joe's mouth was latched to Quentin's wrist, and he was drinking.
Air whooshed from her tight lungs. He was alive. But had his soul survived?
Quentin's gaze was on her, wary and watchful.
In the lamplight that bathed the two men, both glowed golden and beautiful. She couldn't be sorry for her choice. The two men she loved still lived.
”I'll have to get him away from here, quickly,” Quentin said.
Darcy sighed, weary enough to sleep where she stood. Another set of problems presented itself. ”We're expected for an outbrief and after action reports. What do I tell them?”
”Nothing yet. Joe's alive, but we don't know if he's intact.”
”Meaning, he's not a monster?”
”Make an excuse. He needs time to get on his feet. And he has to feed soon.”
Joe's eyes stayed closed as he suckled like a babe on Quentin's wrist.
”He needs blood from a source.”
”What?” She bit out. ”Meaning not...recirculated?”
”Just enough to take the edge off his hunger. Then we can feed him steak, or animal blood.”
Darcy glanced away, sickened by the reality of Joe's new existence. ”Take him to my place. I'll get there as soon as I can.”
”Darcy, perhaps we should find him another host. The longer he waits, the stronger his thirst will be. He'll be out of control.”
She lifted her chin to give Quentin a bitter smile. ”I made the decision to make him what he is. His first meal won't come from a stranger.”
Chapter Seven.
Hours later, Darcy let herself in the front door, dreading the coming moments. She'd lied to the SU team and Captain Springer about Joe. In a few hours they'd know it, and she'd lose her place on the team-and likely lose her job altogether. But that thought was the least of her worries. She had to face Joe and see whether her impetuous gamble had been for nothing.
The kitchen door slammed open, and she jumped. Joe filled the doorway, fury darkening his face, his chest heaving with suppressed rage.
Her hand crept to her throat, fear leaving a metallic taste in her mouth. She seriously doubted Joe was going to thank her for saving his life.
Quentin followed him out of the kitchen.
Her gaze s.h.i.+fted to him, but his expression gave away nothing of his thoughts, which made her even more nervous.
”You b.i.t.c.h!” Joe cursed. ”You've made me into a thing. You had no right.”
Trepidation pumped her heartbeat faster, and she opened her mouth to explain, but realized she really couldn't. He was right. She'd made the choice for him, knowing how he felt about vampires. She straightened her shoulders, ready to face his ire.
Quentin laid a hand on Joe's shoulder. ”We talked about what happens next. You need to feed.”
”Shut up!” Joe shrugged off Quentin's hand with a jerk. ”This is between her and me.”
”I'm not leaving you alone with her.” Quentin's voice lowered to a deadly tone.
”Then you can watch,” Joe snarled, glaring over his shoulder.
Quentin looked ready to strike him, but Darcy shook her head.
Joe stalked toward her.
Refusing to back away, Darcy held her ground. This was Joe. He wouldn't hurt her. He might be mad as h.e.l.l, but he wouldn't hurt her.
Grim-faced, he reached for the front of her black T-s.h.i.+rt and ripped it away. His hands gripped her upper arms hard and squeezed. ”Get your clothes off.”
She'd known that, for vampires, blood and s.e.xual l.u.s.t were closely related. She'd seen the results of horrific first meals. Shaking, Darcy swallowed, her eyes widening as Joe crowded closer, as if daring her to step back. ”Can we at least go to the bedroom?” she asked, needing a moment to collect her courage.
”Strip, now.” He enunciated each word slowly, nostrils flaring. ”I smell your fear. Smart lady.”
Lord, he no longer sounded like her Joe. His voice was deep, raspier, nearly growling.
She lifted her trembling hands to the front of her sports bra, opened it, and let it drop to the floor.
His hand covered her breast immediately. He flicked the pad of his thumb on her nipple.
It puckered, drawing to a tight point. ”My boots,” she said quickly. ”I need to sit.”
He shoved her back against the couch, and she fell over the arm. He ripped at the laces and jerked off her boots, one at a time, and then he pulled her to her feet again.
Her composure lost, Darcy sent Quentin a wild-eyed glance. What are you doing?
His jaw tightened, but he remained still, his hands clenched at his sides.
”I said, take off your clothes,” Joe snarled.