ShadowsofNight (5 page)

She quickly stood on shaky legs, grabbed her skirt and
destroyed blouse and threw them on. He watched her retreat and a strange pain
gripped him. Christian forced himself to stay planted on his ass and not go
after her, which was exactly what his instincts were screaming for him to do. But
he resisted. She needed to get the hell away from him, and fast.

After she left, Christian cursed under his breath. What a
fucking mess. If Emily Parker didn’t sue his company, he’d be one lucky
bastard. His gut still told him that wasn’t her name. Not that it really
mattered, but maybe that alone would keep her from going to the cops.

Fucking carnal instincts suck.
He didn’t like the
lack of self-control. He wasn’t a goddamn animal. But he’d acted like one
tonight, that’s for sure. He ran his hands through his hair.

Shortly after his transformation, one of the things he’d
learned was that when his kind found their other half, which they referred to
as a “blooded-mate”, the draw was an extremely powerful one. His carnal side
would fight to take over and claim what it instinctually knew was his.
How
barbaric.

“This is just absolutely fucking brilliant. My blooded-mate
is a
human
,” he growled. He rubbed his jaw, mystified by his reaction to
the female.

Well, he’d better get a grip, and quick, before he made an
even bigger mess than the one he’d already created. It was time for damage
control.

Christian could still smell Emma’s scent, which clung to his
skin like an irresistible torment. It taunted him, making his dick swell until
he gave in and fisted it in his hand. With a groan, he began to pump his flesh.

“Shit.” He closed his eyes, letting his hips rock back and
forth as he imagined her beneath him. It didn’t take long before his head
tipped back, lips parted, and he came with a groan. He fell back against the
carpet, releasing his semi-hard erection to flop against his stomach.

Damn.
He opened his eyes.
I have to see her again.
He knew it was stupid but he really felt as if he couldn’t let this one go. The
draw was more powerful than anything he’d ever experienced.

Aw bloody hell, what have you fucking done to me?

This was going to be one tricky minefield, especially since
she’d made it pretty clear she didn’t want to become a vampire when he’d tried
to bite her. Not that he’d intended to do that in the first place.

I’m blooded to a human. If that isn’t shit for luck, I
don’t know what is. I’m going to kill Conner for hiring her. And how the hell
did she get access to the upper floors?

No humans were allowed up here. How many times had he
briefed Conner and his security detail about this very issue? Someone was going
to get a tongue lashing, starting now.

I need to speak with Conner. This is crazy. She’s
not
my mate. I’ll tell him to give her a severance and ask him to get rid of
her. That’s what I’ll do. And no more bloody human assistants either.

He reached for his workout shorts to grab his cellphone out
of the pocket, but stopped short before placing the call. The idea of never
seeing her again made him reconsider that plan. He traced into his personal
office shower instead and turned the water on, hoping to remove her scent,
thinking maybe that would help. Yeah, that should do the trick. He placed his
arms on the shower wall and put his head under the spray.

Images of her haunted him, making his dick hard all over
again.
Blast it, I need to get
a grip.

He fisted his length once more, stroking it from base to
tip. An image of Emily spread out before him flashed through his mind. He
groaned, pumping faster, using one hand to brace himself against the wall as he
drove his flesh. Her scent was gone but not the memory of her. He stroked
faster. He had tasted that tender flesh and experienced that tight heat
squeezing him so exquisitely. He shook violently as jets of semen exploded from
his cock and hit the marble tiles.

When his orgasm subsided, he finished washing, angry that he’d
found himself jacking off twice within minutes to find release from the hell he
experienced in her absence. He didn’t like to lose control. This shit wasn’t
him.

He shut off the water and stepped out of the shower to towel
dry, throwing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He went to his desk and picked
up the phone to call Conner.

No answer
.
Damn.

He grabbed his mobile and stared at the screen, scrolling
through his contacts. Her cell number had been saved in his phone for
emergencies. He decided to text her.

Dear Miss Parker

Shit.
He erased it.
Nah, too formal.

Emily, I want to apologize for my actions earlier this
evening. You surprised me in the middle of my workout. I do not entertain many
guests

He hit Delete.

Oh yeah, as if that was going to help. He fucked the shit
out of her and now he was sending her a formal apology. How crass. He wasn’t
sorry about what happened between them.

Christian dropped the mobile on the desk and rubbed his
face, staring at the ceiling. What he really wanted to do, he knew he
shouldn’t.
I could at least talk to her—maybe try to smooth things out,
perhaps?

What was there to explain? That he craved her more than his
next breath?
You’ll sound like a psychotic idiot.

He looked at the clock and realized her shift would be over
soon. Had she left? He figured the answer to that question was a big fat yes.
Her clothes were destroyed and he’d frightened the crap out of her.

She won’t be back.
I’m so fucked in the head.

* * * * *

Emma got off the elevator and ran to her office. She grabbed
her coat, threw it on, picked up her keys sitting on the desk and left again,
tripping on her blasted heels on the way out. She entered the lobby on her
floor and was about to press the elevator button, but her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
Shit, she was a nervous wreck.

Nothing in her training had prepared her for someone like
him. Her body still thrummed from their coupling, and the urge to go to him raged
inside her mind. The farther away she got, the more out of control her emotions
seemed to splinter.

I can’t believe it. What the hell did I just do?
She
covered her mouth and bit back a sob. Christian Voss was a very dangerous
vampire. The power he had over female victims, over
her
… She completely fell
under his spell. Her weakness horrified her. She was a complete moron for
thinking she could take on one of these bastards.

Cain’s right. I’m no match for their prowess.
I
have to get out of here.
She slammed her fist against the button, willing
the elevator doors to open. Afraid he’d come after her and she’d give in like
the women she’d seen in all those vampire movies.

She certainly had a better understanding now of why victims
succumbed to one of the seductive creatures of the night. Their shit was real
voodoo, and boy did they know how to use it to ensnare their prey.

God, how am I supposed to tell Cain and the others about
this? He’ll go apeshit. I can’t. He’ll kill Christian.

She froze.
I’m protecting him now? Oh no.
“Come on,
open already.” She tapped the button several more times.

“Miss Parker, where have you been? I’ve been searching all
over for you,” Miss Palmer called from behind. Emma cringed as she turned
around to face her.

“Uh, sorry, I’m not feeling well.” She didn’t know what else
to say.

“What happened with the package I asked you to deliver?” The
expression on the woman’s face was full of concern.

Emma cleared her throat. “It was delivered.”
Sort of…shit,
here we go.

“Mr. Davies never got it.” She placed her hands on her hips.

“That’s because I gave the package to Mr. Voss instead.”

“You did
what
?” She blanched.

“There wasn’t anyone at reception. I accidentally went to
the wrong office.” Why lie? She’d find out the truth anyway.

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“I work for the guy, I didn’t think it would be a problem.”
Emma glanced at her feet. She
really
wanted leave.

“You look like hell, Miss Parker. Did something happen?”

“I-I told you, I’m not feeling well. I’ll be fine, I just
need some rest.” Emma’s voice faltered on the last part. Nothing was ever going
to be
fine
in her world again. She’d failed her mission, compromised
herself with the enemy.

“Are you sure?” It surprised Emma how genuinely concerned
this woman seemed to be over her well-being. How Miss Palmer could work in a
place like this made no sense to Emma. Unless she was unaware of her bosses’
true nature. It was clear they were good at hiding their activities from
unsuspecting humans, so it was quite possible she knew nothing.

“I have to go.” Her voice cracked. She wasn’t sure if she
was coming back. Her emotions were in a tailspin over what she’d done. Her
assignment was intel gathering. Not fucking the target. Christian read her
fairly easily and wasn’t fooled. He knew she wasn’t who she pretended to be. If
she reported her actions to Cain, she wouldn’t be surprised if she was assigned
to a desk job pushing pencils for who knows how long over this royal screw-up.

“Feel better. Call me tomorrow if you’re still under the
weather so I’ll know whether to expect you.”

Emma nodded. “Goodnight, Miss Palmer.” The doors slid open
and she stepped into the elevator to finally escape.

She entered the deserted garage, feeling vulnerable for the
first time in a very long while. Her confidence level had definitely taken a
serious hit this evening.

She got into her car and tried to process what went wrong as
she drove home. It was still dark and the sun wouldn’t be rising for at least
another couple of hours. Maybe she could fix this mess somehow. Her head hurt
and guilt swarmed her like a plague. She gripped the steering wheel angrily.

This is some real fucked-up shit you got yourself into,
Hayes.

Her cell phone rang. She glanced at the screen.
Crap.
Headquarters.

“This is Agent Hayes. No, Sir, I have nothing to report. I’m
trying but these things take time. Yes, I realize gaining their trust is the key
to this mission. I’m working on it. I’ll continue to keep you posted if
something changes. Goodnight.”

She hung up, her heart hammering in her chest. She knew the
operation was compromised because of her actions. But damn it, she was too
tired to consider her options or deal with the fallout at the moment. Tomorrow
was another day. She’d go back to her flat, regroup and then decide what to do
next. Perhaps she could salvage the situation.

* * * * *

“We need to talk,” Christian snarled as he entered Conner
Davies’ office and slammed the door behind him.

“Do I detect anger in that tone of yours?” Conner raised an
eyebrow as he folded his hands on top of the desk.

“How the fuck did a human get past security on this floor after
I
specifically
instructed you not to let that happen?”

“I don’t understand the problem.” His eyes widened in
surprise.

“The human female you hired as my assistant! She was in my
office tonight. She surprised the bloody hell out of me.” He slammed his fist
on the desk.

“Please tell me you didn’t blow your top in front of her like
you are with me.” He shook his head and sighed.

“You should be worried that I don’t fire your ass over
this.”

“Fire me? That’s a tad harsh. She’s your
assistant
,
for Christ’s sake.” Conner blinked, obviously taken aback.

Christian didn’t care if they were mates. Humans on the
executive floor was a serious breach in security and he wanted Conner to
understand he wasn’t pleased in the least about it. “You know how I feel about
this,” he seethed.

“I’m sorry, all right. It won’t happen again. If you’d like,
we can find another candidate to take her place. I’ll make sure it’s a
vampire.” He started to reach for the phone.

“Don’t bother.” Christian flopped into one of Conner’s chairs
as his anger started to evaporate.

“Are you sure?” He placed the phone back on the receiver.

“Why did you pick a female?”

“She was the best candidate for the job. Her gender wasn’t
part of the equation in the decision-making process. Besides, the Order cleared
her to work here so I didn’t think it would be a problem. I’ll fix this. She’s
gone tomorrow.”

Christian lowered his voice. “Something happened between
us.”

“I don’t like where this conversation is going. What did you
do?” Conner’s expression grew serious, worry creasing his features.

“I almost bit her.” He ran his hands down his face.

“Dear Lord—are you serious?”

“I couldn’t help it, I…” He couldn’t finish. This was all
Conner’s fault. If he’d done as instructed, their paths never would’ve crossed.

“Did she do something to provoke you?”

“Nah, it was all me, mate. Not her. I feel like such a
prick. She came up here to give you this.” Christian placed the box on his
desk.

“I’ll need to speak with Miss Palmer to find out why she
couldn’t deliver this herself.” Conner glanced at the package.

“Good idea, and while you’re at it, implement a policy that
no humans are allowed on this floor for any reason—
including
assistants.” Christian sat back.

“Well, at least you didn’t bite her, right, so maybe I can
salvage the situation.” He laughed nervously.

“We had sex.”

“Are you
insane
? What the hell is wrong with you?” Conner
threw up his hands.

“Yeah, I know. I’ve gone bloody psychotic, so sue me.” He
knew it was completely stupid.

“You’d better hope that’s not what
she
does—or worse.
I can understand bloodlust happens sometimes but this? Please tell me it wasn’t
forced. Jesus, Christian, I don’t even know where to begin to fix the mess you’ve
created.”

“I didn’t force her.” He couldn’t believe Conner would even
imply such a thing. He’d never forced a female sexually. He
did
kind of coerce
her though. But that wasn’t the same.

“I see. Okay, well, then I’ll handle this somehow. Give her
a nice severance package. How much do you think we should offer her?” He got up
and began to pace.

“I don’t want her to leave.” He wasn’t going to let her go.

“You aren’t making any sense. She
has
to go. This
could become a serious problem for you.”

“I don’t care. She stays. I’ll figure out the rest later.”
Christian didn’t give a damn whether it made sense or not.

“You’ve created a precarious situation here. Do you
understand what will happen if Marcus finds out about this? You took an oath.
The Order isn’t forgiving if you break your vows. You’re still considered a
Hunter even if you don’t go out on patrol anymore.” Conner looked shaken and
extremely worried.

Christian was abundantly clear on the Order of the Dragon’s
laws as they applied to Hunters. Protect the innocent, preserve the rights of
the living, do not drink blood from human flesh and destroy all those who do.
Shit,
how could I forget?
He’d never broken his vows. Not once. He took those
commitments seriously. He just didn’t want to be involved with the whole bloody
war anymore.