Chasing the Shadows (Nikki & Michael 3)

It was close to four, so no wonder. Nearly nine hours had passed, and no attempt had been made to find his wife. “I'll just finish this, then I'll dress."

He touched her cheek, his fingers warm against her skin. “Are you sure you're up to this? It could be pretty bad."

She frowned, her gaze searching his. “You're here because of the kidnappings, aren't you?” Not because of her. Disappointment mixed with anger, and she looked away, trying to conceal her hurt. Which was stupid, really, when he could read her thoughts as easily as he breathed. He touched her chin, bringing her gaze back to his. “Do you doubt that I love you?"

"No, but—"

His voice was gentle yet unyielding. “Do you have any doubt about how much I needed to see you?" She grinned faintly. “After this morning's efforts? Not one."

"Then do not doubt me when I say that no matter where you were, that is where I would have gone first. Nothing else was more important to me."

His words sang through her heart, yet part of her remained stubbornly angry. “But you could have told—"

He stopped her with a kiss that stole her breath and left her dizzy. "That,” she said when she could, “is not playing fair."

"Eat.” He smiled and handed her a sticky, fruit-filled bun. She did, but only because she knew he wouldn't let her out of bed until she did. Under normal circumstances that might not have been a bad thing, but she wasn't here to enjoy herself—not right away, anyway. She had work to do first. She drained the remains of her coffee, and he took it from her, placing it back on the tray.

"Why will it be bad?” she asked.

"We think there's a gang of vampires behind the kidnappings. They killed their first victim by draining her blood—but not before they'd brutalized her."

She swallowed. Was the vampire who attacked her connected to the vampires who might be behind these kidnappings? She suspected he was, and that only made the attack more frightening. It suggested they thought her some sort of threat, but how had they known she was even coming here? Only Jake, Mary and Mark had known. A chill ran through her, and she rubbed her arms. “Brutalized how?"

"They shaved her head, scarred her face, and—-” He hesitated. “Cut off her breasts." She shuddered and crossed her arms over her chest—not that she had an awful lot to protect. “Why on earth would anyone do something as ... depraved ... as that? They're sick. Totally sick."

"Yes. And we have to stop them before they can do it again or take any more women."

"We? You're not going to play the heavy and order me to stay put and out of danger?"

"Would you listen if I did?"

"No."

"Exactly. You'd gallivant off with Jake, and no doubt fall headfirst into trouble. At least if you're with me, I can keep an eye on you."

Anger stirred again. “I don't need you to play nursemaid. I am able to look after myself, you know."

"You barely survived Jasper,” he reminded her softly. “And there are six of them this time." Memories rose, and once again she felt Jasper's heated touch against her skin, his teeth in her arm, sinking into her flesh. Saw the desire in his eyes as he sucked her life away. She shivered and thrust the images away.

"You can't be looking over your shoulder trying to protect me all the time. That'll only lead us into trouble.” She hesitated, her gaze searching his again. The resistance she could feel in his thoughts was evident in his eyes. “If we are going to have any hope of pulling this off, we have to work as a team." He touched her face, trailing his fingers down to her lips. “Are you asking me to ignore what I feel?" His caress flushed heat against her skin and sent shivers of desire pulsing through her. She pushed his hand away. They needed to have this conversation, and for once, she would not be distracted. "No, what I'm asking is for you to trust me."

He frowned. “I do trust—"

"No, you don't,” she interrupted. “Not when it comes to taking care of myself. You cosset me, Michael, and it's not what I want. It's not what I need."

His frown deepened, his thoughts suddenly wary. Confused. “After three hundred and sixty years of searching for my heart's desire, you certainly cannot blame me for wanting to pamper you."

"Pamper away—just don't go overboard. Don't wrap me in cotton and expect me to remain happy. I'm not built that way, Michael.” She hesitated. What she was about to say would hurt him, yet it needed to be said, and said now, before time and resentment put real force into the words. “I need to be a full partner in your life, not something you pull out to play with every now and then." Anger surged briefly through the link, a wave of red heat that damn near blew her senses. He stood up abruptly, his face expressionless, dark eyes stony.

"Do you really think that is all you are to me? A toy I will eventually grow tired of?" That's not what she'd said at all, and they both knew it. Yet, deep down some small part of her did think that. Had always thought that. Eternity was a long time. She had no doubt that he loved her, but how could he say now that he would never tire of her? He'd loved Elizabeth enough to give up life for her, and yet he had remained with her less than a century.

She rubbed her eyes. “You're missing my point."

"No, you're missing mine.” He glanced around sharply. “Jake's coming. You had better get dressed." She cursed silently. “We need to finish this conversation."

"Maybe,” he said, voice flat, free of the tension she could feel in the link. “For now, just get dressed." He walked away. She picked up a pillow and tossed it at his retreating back. It hit him between the shoulder blades, and he glanced back, irritation flaring in his eyes. “If you want to be a full partner, start acting like one."

She clenched her fists and somehow resisted the temptation to kinetically smack him against the nearest wall. God, he could be so annoying. “I'll start acting like one when you start treating me like one." He didn't answer, just walked out the door. But she knew his thoughts. He wasn't about to let her walk completely by his side—not when it came to sharing the dangers of his life. And if he didn't, it would eventually tear them apart. He couldn't honestly expect her to sit at home for the rest of eternity while he went out and risked his life. The last four months had given her the taste of what that would be like.