Read Online Seduced by the Night by Robin T. Popp - Free Book Online Page B

you up at six, then, and drop you at the lab."
    Bethany thought through her schedule and slowly nodded. "Okay, that will be—"
    "Unnecessary," Dirk's voice interrupted. "I'll take her to the lab whenever she needs to go. There's no reason for you to pick her up."
    "Now see here." Miles sounded indignant. "I will not have you telling me when I can and cannot see my own fiancee ."
    "I'm not telling you when you can or cannot see Beth," Dirk bit out. "But since I'm now her bodyguard until this thing is over, I'm going to be her shadow whenever she leaves this house. So that means if she goes to the lab, I go  to the lab. If you want to ride in with us, then by all means, drive out here first."
    Beth gave him a quelling look as she laid a pacifying hand on the older man's arm. "He's right, Miles. There's no need for you to come all the way out here when he can just as easily bring me into town."
    "Okay," Miles finally agreed. "If you're sure."
    At that moment, Admiral Winslow and Mac joined them.
    "Are you leaving, Miles?" the admiral asked.
    "I'm afraid so. Bethany is tired and there are things at the office that must be attended to." The two men shook hands. "It was very nice seeing you again. T hank you for allowing Bethany to stay with you. She and I are most grateful."
    Dirk watched as Miles pulled Bethany into his arms and gave her what Dirk guessed was supposed to be a deep passionate kiss. He thought Bethany looked more embarrassed by the display than anything else. Then Miles stepped out into the hallway and, accompanied by the admiral, Mac, and Lanie , headed for the front door, allowing Dirk to breathe his first easy breath in almost twelve hours.
    Finally alone, Dirk turned to Beth and found her looking at him expectantly. Suddenly, feeling self-conscious, he cleared his throat. "What time do you want to go into town?"
    Dirk silently prayed that it wouldn't be too much earlier than the time Miles had originally suggested. Winters were proving to be tough. The days were short and the nights were long and hard, which didn't allow for much downtime. As it was, he was using the last of his strength just to remain upright.
     
    "I should read the test results about two this afternoon," she said, "but I think I'll call one of the lab students to do that for me. Would six be all right with you?"
    He sighed with relief. "You bet. I'll meet you in the great room then." He started to step through the door when she stopped him.
    "Dirk, about the vampires—"
    "Not right now, okay? I know you have questions and I'll be glad to answer them—after we've both had some sleep."
    She nodded. "Okay." She paused. "T hank you—for everything." There was such sincerity in her tone, he knew it was heartfelt.
    He gave her a slight smile and nodded his head once. "You're welcome."
    He shut the door then and headed to his room where he found Mac waiting for him.
    "You look like shit."
    Dirk cocked an eyebrow but continued to his bed so he could sit on the edge. "And your point?"
    Mac gave him a serious look. "Are you all right?"
    Dirk rubbed his face before looking up to meet Mac's gaze. "I almost let her get killed."
    "But you didn't. Don't beat yourself up over what might have happened. Take it from me, it'll eat you alive."
    "But next time…"
    Mac held up his hand. "Next time, you'll do what needs to be done, just like you did tonight."
    "I pray you're right." He stood up and started for the door.
    "Where are you going?"
    "I forgot about the bodies."
     
    Mac stood and waved him back. "Go to bed. I'll take care of them. Your night was tougher than mine."
    Dirk didn't need to be convinced. "T hank s."
    "No problem. I know you're tired, but sometime soon, we need to talk about Harris and Patterson."
    Dirk nodded. "Come to the lab tonight. We can talk then."
    Harris licked the last drops of blood from his fangs and lips as he lowered the body of the drug dealer to the ground. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out the wood stake