The Turning (12 page)

I knocked him squarely in the jaw and it was like punching my fist into a metal wall. I felt the bones in my hand break and I let out a cry as I sank to my knees. “Fuck me. That hurt, dammit!”

Brian stood in front of me with that glare and his lips pulled back, teeth bared. “What in the world do you think you are doing calling a cab? And why did you just hit me?”

“Sorry I hit you, Brian.” I squealed again in pain as I felt one of the bones reset itself. Yeah, I wasn’t really sorry at all, but I figured I had better say that given his mood or I might not ever see Chicago again. “I didn’t realize it was you. It was instinct. I didn’t hear you come up behind me. My dad always taught me to hit first, figure out things later if someone grabs me from behind. Oh shit.”

Another finger reset itself.
Fuck that was painful!

“Well I have to admit that is a smart thing for a father to teach a young woman. So I am not upset about that,” he mused somewhat comically, which annoyed me. He turned to the cab driver and closed the door I had opened. “You can go, your services will not be needed.”

“Don’t go anywhere,” I ordered the driver as I got back on my feet. Without any help from Brian, I might add. “What, do you speak for me now when we are in private? I called the damn cab and I will decide if I’m taking the cab or not. It’s not your call!”

“Do I need to call the police?” the driver asked.

“No!” we agreed, and with that, he drove away.

“
Shit!
” I screamed at him and about my hand as I bent over slightly, clutching it to me. “Now I just lost my cab. What are you doing, Brian?”

“This is not the place to have this argument. Stop being a child. Get in the limo and let’s go,” he growled as he grabbed my arm.

“Fuck you, Brian. You’re not in charge of me.” I had more to say, but he flipped me over his shoulder before I could finish. “Brian, put me down. This is ridiculous.” He said nothing as he continued to walk over to our limo. Now my anger overruled my self-preservation. I was going to kill him. “Brian! Who’s being a child now? You’re acting like a damn caveman!”

He dumped me into the limo, got in next to me, and closed the door.

Once the car started driving, he turned to me. “Let me see your hand.” He took it in between his much bigger hands, but I pulled it right back, moving as far away from him as possible.

“Don’t touch me,” I seethed, looking at him as if he were crazy.

“Do not tell me what to do, Kelly. You started a lot of trouble tonight and I want to see your damn hand to make sure you are all right!” He grabbed my hand again, and this time I knew I couldn’t pull it away. “Tell me what happened tonight.”

“You already know everything, don’t you? I started a lot of trouble,” I sassed, sarcasm just dripping off my voice. “My hand is fine, let me go.”

He dropped my hand but then turned me so he could look at the bite marks on my shoulder, but they had almost completely healed by that time.

“Dante really took a large bite out of you, are you in pain?” he asked, gently rubbing his fingers over what was left of the marks. “Are you lightheaded or dizzy?”

“I’m fine.”

This time he let me pull away from him. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction his accusations were right or ammunition that I was acting childish by not answering him. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared out the window away from him. I actually felt nauseous that he’d touched me after his behavior.

“I’m surprised you even care since it was your second in command that grabbed me first and called me a bitch and a whore. The only reason I hit first was because he positioned himself to attack me. He started the whole thing. I was just going to the fountain to get us some blood.” Just then the car came to a stop, I heard the driver put it in park then walk around to open the door. “I’m not going anywhere with you, Mr. Grady.”

“Yes, you are,” he fumed, grabbed my hand, and dragged me out of the car. “Thank you, I will no longer need you for the night.” The driver nodded and looked all too ready to get away from us. Brian let go of me and walked to the entrance of the condo.

There’s no way I could outrun him and I’ve been injured, that would make me even slower. He’s too old and strong. And where would I run
to
? I don’t know the area.

I was still thinking of any available escape route when Brian huffed and glanced back at me. I sighed and followed him to the door. We both got into the elevator and he pressed the button for the top floor.
Of course, he lives in the penthouse.

The door opened to reveal the most beautiful condo I had ever seen. It was about five times the size of my apartment. I guessed which room would be the designated master bedroom, and walked the other way to what I assumed was a guest room. Going inside, I slammed the door behind me.

It broke my heart when I realized my brand new dress was ruined, torn and splattered with blood. I unzipped it enough to get out of it, then took it off, and threw it in the garbage. The dress was too big to fit, but it was the proverbial gesture that it couldn’t be worn again.

I went to the closet, and grabbed an extra shirt. I barely got a few buttons done before I crawled into the plush bed that called to me.

Just then there were a few soft knocks at the door, and Brian opened it. “Can we talk, Kelly? We really need to discuss this.” I could tell his mood had changed, but I didn’t care. I was too pissed and tired to deal with him.

“No, we can’t, Brian, fuck off. I’m exhausted and in pain. I just want to sleep,” I snarled. The door closed again, and I thought he had left until I felt someone else sit on the bed. “Leave me alone, Brian. I want to sleep in peace and don’t you
dare
touch me.”

“I would not think of it if you do not want me to.” He still crawled into bed with me, but he stayed on his side of the bed. “Goodnight, Kelly my love,” I think he said something else, but that was all I heard as I fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning, still a little out of it. Looking around, I tried to remember where I was. Then everything that happened last night hit me. I was in Miami. I also realized I was lying on Brian with his arms wrapped around me. I tried to move away from him, but he was way too strong, even in his sleep.

“Good morning, my love,” he purred. It seems my trying to leave woke him up, and he rolled us onto our sides. He leaned over and gave me a very soft, gentle kiss.

I almost forgot how pissed I was at him and got into the kiss, but then I remembered and pushed him off me. “Don’t touch me. Don’t ever fucking touch me
again
. I’m still upset and you promised me you wouldn’t touch me. The idea of you touching me makes me
sick
!”

“How was I supposed to know?” he countered. “You snuggled up to me last night. I thought it was your way of trying to make peace.” He instantly let me go and backed away from me, and I could tell he was being truthful.

I scooted away from him. “Fine, I didn’t realize I was the one who came to you. I didn’t mean to do that. I must have done it in my sleep.”

I was a little embarrassed, but if he hadn’t crawled into bed with me it would never have happened, and I said that. I got out of the bed, very aware of how little the shirt covered, and it was white so he could see I wasn’t wearing a bra.

“What time does our flight leave?” I tried to ignore his intent stare that said he was checking out every inch of my body. I saw a robe in the closet and quickly grabbed it and threw it on.

“It is scheduled to leave at ten, but I can delay it if I want,” Brian offered, moving over the bed so he was closer to me. I was having trouble trying to ignore that he was shirtless.

“No, ten is fine. Are there any clothes I can wear? My dress got ruined and I’d like some pants to wear on the flight,” I grumbled as I crossed my arms over my chest.

In a flash he was next to me, smelling my neck, which sent chills all over me. I wasn’t sure if the good or bad kind though. How could I still want him and basically hate him?

“I do not see why you would need pants? I quite like the way you look right now. I think you should always wear this, or less.”

I pushed him away. “Brian, pants, please?”

“As you wish, Kelly,” he sighed as he left the room. He was back a moment later with some running pants that he handed to me. “Will these be all right?”

“Yes, thank you. We should get going, it’s already after nine and I’d really like to get back home.”

“If that is what you want, I’ll call the car,” he agreed in a thick voice, a vacant look filling his eyes. “May I at least get a good morning kiss?”

“No, Brian, you can’t.” I shook my head and started pulling out the pins holding it up as I felt my anger boil. “This is not a game. Last night was a disaster and you acted like an angry brut.”

“I acted like a
what
? You started a huge fight that you would have ended up losing if I had not interceded on your behalf!”

“Dante started it! He was the one who grabbed me, called me all sorts of horrid names, and went to attack me. I was doing just fine when you interrupted. I can take care of myself.” I did my best to try not to yell, but my voice was getting louder and louder.

“Right, you were doing fine. Was that before or after he ripped part of your neck off and was sucking you dry?”

“Look, I appreciate the help, but I could have handled it. Coming to help me doesn’t excuse your behavior after you pulled him off me. You humiliated me in front of a lot of people. That was the first time I’ve been around other vampires, and now that is how they will remember me.

“You didn’t even fucking bother to ask if I was okay, and then you turned on me. Not to mention the fact of how you acted after we left. Throwing me over your shoulder, for god sakes you treated me like a piece of property.

“I am not your possession. If I want to take a damn cab and stay at a hotel to get away from you, I will. I’m a grown woman, and will do what I want!”

“Are you done?” he asked, his eyes flashing that cold, darkness again.
Shit
. “I know you are a grown woman, but you were acting like a child throwing a tantrum. I did not want you to make a further scene so I was rectifying the situation.”

“A tantrum?” I gasped, realizing he was really off his rocker. “You’re fucking nuts. You think
that
was a tantrum? That was me acting like an adult and just giving in to you
instead
of letting you start more drama.”

“Giving in? What was there to give in to? There was no reason for you to go to a hotel last night. “

“Are you kidding me? You scared the crap out of me last night! I was afraid to be alone with you.” That was as far as I got before tears of anger burned my eyes. “I’m afraid
now.
I thought you were going to rip my head off when you got me alone, and while Dante’s strong, he’s a wuss. I knew you were much stronger and could fight, and I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Before the first tear even fell, I was in his arms. “
Tá brón orm
, Kelly, I would never hurt you. Please do not cry, my love.”

“What does that mean?” I asked as I pushed him away. Then I turned and focused on what was in the closet right there. I couldn’t even look at him.

“It means I am so sorry. I did not mean to scare you. I was just angry. I wanted the night to be perfect for you, and I was scared that you were hurt and had to fight because I was not with you.”

I pulled on a sweatshirt that I found. Saying nothing, I walked in the bathroom found a new toothbrush and got ready. When I was done and had composed myself, I walked back into the bedroom, where he sat fully dressed. “We should get downstairs. I’m sure the car is here.”

“Yes, they just called,” he said as we walked silently to the door. That’s how we spent the car ride and the flight. I gave Nicole a huge hug when I saw her and we sat together, away from Brian and Trent, who joined us for the flight back.

“So did you and Brian have fun after we left?” she inquired, clearly ready for a good story.

“No. I can’t talk about it right now. I’ll start yelling.” I tried changing the topic, knowing full well she wouldn’t let it go for long. “I’ll fill you in later. I want to hear all about you and Trent.”

“He was a perfect gentleman. The room we had was huge but with only one king size bed. He said he would take the couch, and I told him absolutely not, there was more than enough room. He gave me some pajamas to change into, and we went to bed. He gave me a wonderful goodnight kiss and that was it. I did end up rolling over and lying in his arms. But he didn’t try any funny stuff, and this morning he asked if he could see me again in Chicago.”

“What did you say?” I asked, happy to be distracted from my drama.

“I said yes. I’m not crazy. A young, hot, well-off guy asks to see me again? Hell yeah, I’m in.” She snorted, but her amusement died as she really gave me the once over. “Kelly, sweetie, I hate to say this, but you look like crap. Tell me what happened.”

“After you guys left I went to the bar to get a drink for me and Brian. And some asshole grabbed me,” I explained, obviously leaving out any part about vampires. “The guy called me some names when I started chewing him about grabbing me, and he was about to hit me, so I decked him. Brian interrupted our fight and pulled the guy off me, but he’s pissed I started a scene.

“We got into a huge fight about it, and I tried to take a cab to a hotel. Which pissed him off even more and he threw me over his shoulder and put me in the limo. We argued some more this morning, and honestly I’m done.”

“What do you mean, you’re done?” Nicole hedged and I saw Brian’s head snap around from the front of the plane.

“I’m
done
, Nic,” I answered, not meeting Brian’s eyes or caring that he was listening. “He turned on me so fast after my fight with the guy, I was scared to be around him. He barely seemed to give a shit I was hurt, just the embarrassment
I caused
.

“When he freaked out about calling the cab, I caved and stopped fighting. I didn’t ask for any of this to happen. Someone threatened me and I defended myself. So my great date comes to my aid then
blames
me. That’s not someone I want to be involved with. No fucking way!