N. Walters - Damek's Redemption

Sonia already knew that much herself. Her stomach roiled and she thought she might throw up. She was grateful she hadn’t eaten any of her meal or it would probably be on its way back up.

“Okay. I’m going to try to slip out and head to another hotel.”

“Your father and brothers are on their way. They will drive. It is quicker than waiting for a plane. Call when you get settled in so they know where to find you.”

“I will.” Sonia clicked off her phone, her only link to safety and she held on to it, reluctant to let go. She had to get out of here.

The door rattled as someone pulled on the handle and she knew time was of the essence. Hopefully, Isaiah was still at their table and would distract Damek enough for her to slip out of the club and grab a cab.

“You can do this.” She tucked her phone in the pocket of her blazer for easier access, slung her purse over her shoulder and then reached for the lock on the door.

The lock started turning on its own before she reached it. Sonia halted where she was and felt the bottom dropped out of her stomach. Crap. She was in big trouble. Her gaze darted frantically around the room. There was no window to climb out of and nowhere to hide but the bathroom stalls, and she wasn’t going to demean herself by even trying. There were plenty of people in the club. He wouldn’t do anything with all these witnesses. At least she prayed he wouldn’t.

The door pushed open.

Damek shoved the door inward, needing to see Sonia for himself, even though he knew she was still inside the bathroom and hadn’t fled the premises. Although from the look on her face she would have gone out the window if there’d been one in the room.

Her skin was as pale as newly fallen snow and he would wager it was just as cool to the touch. Fear had her heartbeat skittering at a fast pace and a bead of sweat rolled down her temple. She nibbled on her bottom lip and her eyes widened with fear.

Good, she should be afraid. It was not wise to accuse a man of being a vampire, especially if he was one. His earlier assessment had been right on target—the woman needed a keeper.

But first he had to find out exactly why she’d sought him out and how much she knew. He slowly removed his dark glasses and tucked them into the inside pocket of his Armani jacket. He smiled fully for the first time, offering her a glimpse of his lethal fangs.

She swallowed hard and took a step back.

“I’m curious.” He advanced a step and the door closed quietly behind him. “What did you expect to happen if you discovered I was a vampire?” Did she have orders to contact someone about him?

He hissed as a thought occurred to him. “Were you working with that vampire hunter who was following you? Did you already call them?” If she had, he would have quite a mess to clear up.

Her hand jerked toward her blazer pocket before she could stop herself. He stalked forward, his usually fluid movements replaced by tight, jerky motions as he struggled to contain his rage. If he released it, he could potentially destroy Haven and all the people inside it.

“Who have you called?” He reached into her pocket and grabbed her phone. She captured his hand and fought him for the phone. She lost.

“Give me that. It’s not yours.”

Her audacity astounded him. “You’re in no position to object.”

“Yes, I am.” She glared at him and made a grab for the phone. He read the move before she made it and jerked the phone out of her reach. “If you’ve survived for any length of time, and I think you have, then you know you don’t want to draw attention to yourself.”

“And who have you told, sweet Sonia?”

Sonia’s blood froze in her veins. This was not happening. The entertaining flirt from earlier tonight, the man she had shared such a warm moment with in the limo, had disappeared and in his place was the most frightening creature she’d ever encountered. The power she sensed swirling around him made her realize how ill prepared she was for the reality of discovering a true ancient vampire.

She was almost lightheaded at the realization that she was in the presence of a vampire. A very pissed-off one, but a vampire nonetheless. All her life she’d been searching and hoping for this moment. Now that it had happened, a part of her wished she could go back in time and undo every action that had led her to Chicago.

She’d drawn his attention to her family.

“No one. I haven’t told anyone.” She could talk her way out of this. She had no choice. Her family had to be protected at any cost.

“Such a pretty liar you are.” Damek started scrolling through her calls. “Celia Agostino. Hmm, I assume she’s related to you. Maybe I should pay her a visit.”

Anger broke through the ice surrounding her and in its place was a fiery fury unlike anything she’d ever known. She flew at Damek, knocking the phone from his grasp. It fell to the floor with a crash and Sonia prayed it was broken so he couldn’t discover her friends’ names. It was bad enough she’d endangered her family.

He caught her about the waist as she pummeled him with her fists. “You leave my family alone. Do you hear me? I’ll stake you through the heart if you touch them.” Considering he held her captive as easily as she could a butterfly, she didn’t think he took her threats seriously. But he didn’t know her, didn’t know the lengths she would go to in order to protect her family.

Sonia reached deep inside herself and drew on the blood of her heritage. She was no purebred anything, but had a mixture of paranormal blood and human running through her. She focused on the paranormal and pulled hard on the energy like her mother had taught her. Strength filled her and she pushed Damek hard. Caught off-guard, he flew backward and hit the tiled wall with a heavy thud.

Both of them froze and the bathroom door banged open. “What the hell is going on in here?” Isaiah Striker strode through the door like he owned the place, which Sonia realized he did.

He glanced from one to the other and shook his head. “Let’s take this into the office. Half the patrons in the club have already left. Those are powerful vibes you’re giving off, my friend.” Isaiah turned from Damek and studied her. “And I don’t know who you truly are, but I would advise you not to anger our mutual friend any more than you already have.”

Sonia scooted closer to Isaiah and Damek bared his fangs. Isaiah held up his hands in mock surrender. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but you’ve brought your problems here and we need to settle this.”

“We will go elsewhere.” Damek was back under control, all urban sophistication once again. Sonia was panting hard and her sweater was stuck to her body with sweat. She felt as though she’d run a marathon and had come dead last. Dead. Definitely not a good word to use given the situation.

“No, you won’t.” Isaiah put his hands on his hips and glared at Damek. “You’ve worried Meredith, and I don’t think it’s safe for your guest to be alone with you right now.” Isaiah dragged his hand through his hair, making his biceps ripple. “Come on, man, you need to calm down. Let’s go into the office and talk.”

“She knows I’m a vampire.” Damek threw that little tidbit out and it landed between them like a live hand grenade that hadn’t exploded. Yet. “Don’t you, my sweet?”

The endearment he tacked on at the end sounded more like a curse, and Sonia swallowed hard. Why hadn’t she kept her questions to herself or played dumb? Because this was the quest of a lifetime for her, that’s why. Her curiosity might get her killed yet, but she was still alive and ready to fight if necessary. Although her chance of success was little to none unless Isaiah and his employees helped her.