His Dark Embrace

Girard ripped the stake from Sam’s chest. He drew back his arm, intending to strike another blow when he suddenly vanished from sight.

Seconds later, Thorne materialized beside Sam, who had dropped to the sidewalk beside Lisa. His blood dripped over her pale face like drops of scarlet rain.

A single indrawn breath told Thorne the girl was dead even before he saw the bullet wounds in her head and chest.

“Sam, we’ve got to go.”

“He killed her,” Sam said dully. “For no reason.”

Hearing sirens approaching, Thorne said, “We need to get out of here. Now.”

“I can’t leave her here in the street like so much garbage.”

“We won’t.” Thorne scooped Lisa off the ground. Holding her against his chest with one arm, he took hold of Sam’s wrist with his free hand and willed the three of them away from the city to an empty stretch of desert.

“He killed her,” Sam murmured. “He wanted to kill me and Skylynn. Why?”

“It’s a long story.” Thorne lowered the girl’s body to the ground. The dirt was hard and cold and rocky, but she was past caring.

Thorne guided Sam a few yards away and eased him down on the ground. The wound left by the stake had closed, leaving an ugly red welt in its place. It would heal completely while he slept, but Sam needed blood.

Biting into his own wrist, Thorne held it in front of Sam. “Drink.”

“I’m gonna kill him.”

“I’ll help you, but first you need to drink.”

Sam stared at the blood. And then he lowered his head and took what he needed.

“She’s dead?” Skylynn looked at Kaiden in disbelief. “What happened?”

“Desmarais happened. He followed us here.”

“How?” Skylynn sank down on the sofa, her arms wrapped around her middle.

“It was easy,” Thorne said, lowering his voice. “He has a blood link with Sam.” Thorne shook his head. He should have foreseen something like this, should have known Desmarais wouldn’t just give up. He glanced at Sam, who was standing at the window, staring blankly into the darkness.

“Where is Lisa now?” Skylynn asked.

“I buried her out in the desert. I’ll take her home later, after Sam goes to sleep.”

“I can hear you, you know.” Sam shoved his hands into the pockets of his ruined tux. “She never hurt anybody. What am I gonna tell her dad?”

“I’ll take care of it,” Thorne said.

“No!” Sam whirled around to glare at Thorne. “It’s my fault she’s dead. I’ll ... I’ll do it.”

“If anyone’s to blame, it’s me,” Thorne said flatly. “I underestimated Desmarais. I should have known he’d be watching, waiting, that he wouldn’t quit until one of us was dead.”

“So, how do we kill him?” Sam asked.

“We’ll set a trap,” Thorne said.

Sam leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. “Is that right? What are we going to use for bait?”

“What he wants the most,” Thorne replied.

“No!” Sam declared vehemently. “No way.”

“You got a better idea?”

“It’s too dangerous,” Sam insisted. “I’m not letting him get near Skylynn again.” He clenched his hands at his sides. “There’s got to be another way.”

“Do I have anything to say about this?” Skylynn asked, rising.

“No!” Sam said emphatically.

“Have you got any better ideas, Sky Blue?” Thorne asked. “If so, I’d love to hear them.”

“Not really,” she admitted, “but we have to do something. We can’t go on living like this.”

Thorne nodded. Drawing Sky into his arms, he rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. This was all Cassandra’s fault, he thought bitterly. If she hadn’t turned Desmarais, Lisa would still be alive. And getting rid of Girard Desmarais would be a hell of a lot easier.

Frowning, Thorne lifted his head. Maybe Cassandra was the answer.

She met him on the casino floor of the Bellagio. Attired in a slinky red dress sprinkled with sequins and wearing a pair of three-inch silver heels, she rivaled the lights of the casino itself. Her hair flowed over her shoulders like a river of chocolate silk. Ageless and elegant, she looked like a queen among commoners.

“Cassandra.”

“Kaiden, I was surprised to hear from you. Is something wrong?”

“You know damn well what’s wrong. Your fledgling is running amuck. He killed Lisa Rawlins and came damn close to destroying Skylynn’s brother.”

“How is young McNamara taking to his new life?”

“Like a duck to water,” Thorne retorted. “But I didn’t call you here to talk about Sam and you know it. You’ve got to do something about Desmarais.”

Cassandra glided across the floor to one of the dollar slots and placed her hand on the side of the machine. A moment later, lights flashed, declaring her a winner. “He already knows if he destroys you, I’ll destroy him.”

“He’s not after me. He’s after Skylynn.”

“Ah.” She touched the machine again. And won again. “So, what would you have me do?”

“You made him. Get rid of him.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “You’re not serious?”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?”

“I’m rather fond of him.”

Thorne stared at her, unable to believe what he was hearing.

She shrugged as she opened her handbag and scooped her winnings inside. “It’s true. I find him intriguing.”

“Intriguing,” Thorne muttered.

“As a matter of fact, we’re going hunting together later.”

So much for counting on Cassandra for help. It looked like he was on his own.

Feeling vaguely disgruntled with himself, Thorne left her standing there. He had never asked anyone else for help before, had only done so now because of his concern for Skylynn’s safety.

So, it was up to him. Determined not to let Sky down, he made two stops before returning to the hotel.

The first was to take Lisa’s body to Vista Verde before it was found and savaged by predators.

The second was to visit an old friend who sold illegal firearms.

Skylynn stared at the gun in Thorne’s hand. “What am I supposed to do with that?”

“It’s loaded with silver bullets,” Thorne explained. “It won’t kill Desmarais, but if he shows up when you’re alone, it’ll put him out of commission long enough for you to take his head.”