Chapter 21

When MC and Doc appeared,Doc shoved MC toward Shepard's SUV.

"Attempt to leave this car on your own and I will break your neck," Shepard growled. "I'm out of patience."

"Understood," MC said.

Shepard handed Vena the keys. "Drive carefully."

Vena and I shared a look as they both got into the back seat. We joined the mass exodus of cars and followed them back to the main highway toward D.C. Vena gripped the wheel and took every opportunity to pass that she could.

I took out my phone and sent Cross a text.

Me: Thank you for being there tonight. Are you okay?

Cross: I'm fine. How's your neck?

I smirked at the question and was tempted to text back "delicious" but decided not to throw gas on a potential fire.

Me: Fine. It's not bleeding anymore, but I could use a shower.

Cross: My imagination is stirring.

Me: Focus on not being hunted by Shepard's guys, please. Stay safe.

Cross: You too. Where are you staying tonight?

Me: At Shepard's place.

Cross: Good.

"Is Cross having any problems with my men?" Shepard asked.

I glanced over my shoulder and found him watching me in the dim light from the dashboard. MC snorted in disgust next to him.

"He's not having any problem," I said. "He was worried Vena and I were going to try staying home. I assured him we were not."

"It would be best if you both stayed with me tonight," Shepard said.

"With you?" MC said.

"Not your concern," Vena shot back. "Never was and never will be. And I swear on Everly's grandma's life that I will repay every injury Anchor has, like for like."

After a moment of silence, MC said, "Vena, I never meant–"

"Shut it," Vena and Shepard said to MC at the same time.

"I really hate it when you swear on my grandma's life," I mumbled.

"She's our grandma, technically," Vena said. "You promised you would share."

I sighed, remembering the promise I'd made when her grandparents had disappeared. "Fine."

"Tell me where we're headed," Vena said with a glare at MC in the mirror once we reached the city.

He directed her to an upscale apartment building in the suburbs north of downtown.

Shepard and MC got out, both looking like they'd been in a wreck. A neighbor saw them when we stepped off the elevator. She clutched at her heart with a startled gasp.

"Realistic makeup for a party," Shepard said with a smile. "Sorry for the scare."

The woman gave an unsure laugh and hurried into her place.

MC used a code at his door and called out that he was back.

The man who was waiting in the living room wasn't familiar. His gaze jumped from MC to Vena to Shepard to me.

"Who won?" he asked, proving that he knew about the challenge.

"Not me," MC said and turned to Shepard. "He's in the room at the end of the hall."

"You think I trust you?" Shepard asked. "You go."

MC moved down the hall and undid at least seven bolts from a steel door. The second he turned the knob, a whole lot of Anchor came charging out and barreled into MC, taking him to the ground and punching him in the face.

"Anchor?" Vena said.

The big guy froze and looked up at Vena. He immediately stood and caught her as she flew at him.

She cried. It didn't happen often and usually signaled an impending full meltdown.

"I'm so sorry," she said through her tears. "It's all my fault. Are you okay?"

She pulled back enough to grab his face and turn his head between her palms to inspect him. In all honesty, he looked perfectly fine. Not a single bruise or bump.

"We didn't kidnap him to hurt him, Vena," MC said from the floor. "I'm not the asshole you think I am. I just wanted to give you a chance to see me."

Shepard kicked him with his foot as a reminder to shut up as Anchor grinned at Vena.

"I'm fine. They fed me. I had a bathroom to use. A bed to sleep on. The only thing they did to hurt me was to keep me from you."

She made a choked sound and jumped up on him, wrapping her legs around his waist as she clung to him.

"Okay, spider monkey," I said, reaching out and tugging her down. "You're not thinking clearly and might have regrets tomorrow. Let go of Anchor. Now."

Vena reluctantly released him as Shepard faced MC.

"Leave D.C. tonight."

"The vampires–"

"Aren't your problem. They never were. They were mine. And I need people I can trust to help me deal with the issue. Leave and know that every pack will know your betrayal."

"My betrayal?" MC partially growled as he stood. "I did what any wolf would do when he senses his mate. No different from what you're trying to do with Everly. Do you think that absolves you from allowing a vampire to–"

Shepard backhanded MC so hard bloody spit flew. I turned to Vena, and she hugged me to her chest.

"We'll wait outside," she said.

"No need," Shepard said. "We're done here."

We left the apartment with MC holding his face. Vena kept peeking back at Anchor as we walked to the car. She tried to sit in the backseat with him, but I steered her to the driver's seat.

"Focus on the road," I said.

She gave me a wounded puppy look but got in and started the car, adjusting the rear-view mirror to see Anchor. I leaned over and fixed it.

"I'm going to remember this," she said but left the mirror alone.

On the way to the pack house, Anchor asked, "What happened at the challenge, and why does everyone smell like vampire?"

"The vampires broke in during the fight," Shepard said. "There's an infestation beyond what any of us expected. It was three to one for a while. We're meeting at dawn tomorrow to discuss."

"Was anyone hurt?"

"Many. Most will recover."

But there were some who would not. That fact lingered in the air, causing everyone to remain quiet during the rest of the ride.

When Vena pulled in front of the large housing complex, we weren't the only arrivals. At least half the people getting out of their vehicles were still naked. Too many were limping or leaning on someone.

We got out and made our way inside.

Lisa, who was there with more clothes for anyone who needed them, handed Shepard a hot washcloth from a pile as she greeted us.

"I'm so glad to see you." She tugged Anchor into a quick hug. "Are you okay?"

He gave a nod. "No harm done, just cooped up. A jog on the trails tomorrow and I'll be back to normal."

She gave a nod. "The kitchen's running full steam for those who need food. Are you girls hungry?"

After all the bloodshed, neither of us wanted to eat, so we shook our heads.

"All right. I'll bring up some clean pajamas in a bit."

Vena and I followed Shepard to the suite with Vena keeping an eye on Anchor as he walked the halls with us.

Before we reached the suite, Anchor stopped at a door. "See you tomorrow."

Vena looked at him and then me. There was a plea in her gaze.

I shook my head. "Not a smart move tonight."

She gave him a sad little wave and walked the rest of the way to the suite. Vena went straight for the bathroom, leaving me alone with Shepard. He cleaned the blood off his face and neck. Only hints of MC's bite marks remained.

He tossed the washcloth into the kitchen sink and reached for me, bringing me in for a hug I really needed. His hand brushed against my hair in a soothing motion. I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I said. "Might have a nightmare or two."

He leaned back enough to gently grab my chin and tip my head so he could look at my neck.

"I'll be fine," I said again.

He nodded. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. It was just supposed to be a simple fight."

"It's not your fault."

"I should have known about the infestation. It's my job, and I failed."

Guilt hit me hard, and he saw it in my eyes.

"What?" he asked.

"It's not your fault," I said. "It's mine and Vena's and Cross'."

He frowned slightly at the mention of Cross.

"Why do you believe it's your fault?"

"Yesterday, Cross told us about your social app. He learned about it from some vampire he'd talked to. Cross showed us your thread about search efforts for Anchor. We were all focused on that and not the fact you'd posted the location to the challenge. I never thought they'd attack. None of us knew there were so many of them. We didn't tell you the app had been compromised because we didn't want to distract you right before the fight."

Shepard shook his head and leaned in to kiss my forehead.

"Whether they knew or not isn't the issue. Our very purpose is to hunt and kill vampires. It's not your fault there were so many in D.C. That's the real issue and one I'm going to need to answer for."

"Are you concerned about the meeting tomorrow morning with the delegates?"

"No. They have a right to air their grievances, and I'll have a plan of action ready."

I pulled away. "Does that mean you won't sleep tonight?"

"I'll sleep enough to heal, but I don't need a full night. You do, though." He turned me toward the bedroom. "Lisa will be here soon with clothes for you. I'll see you in the morning."

"I want to go to the meeting," I said as I glanced back at him.

He nodded. "You're welcome to come, but you'll need to stay silent. Wolf meetings with delegates involved don't recognize human opinions."

"I just want to be there."

He placed a kiss below my ear, and I fought not to shiver. "You always have a place next to me. Night, Everly."

I walked to the bedroom and looked back at him, but he was already gone, and his bedroom door snicked closed.

By the time Vena emerged from the shower, pajamas and clothes for tomorrow had arrived. As she dressed, I quickly showered. I wanted the blood off me, and I wanted to snuggle with a pillow and forget everything that had happened.

The wounds on my neck didn't seem too bad. If not for the fact there were four on one side and only a single one on the other, the holes would look more like vampire bites than claw punctures. Bruising was already starting to form around them. I dabbed a little antiseptic on them and left them alone.

When I slipped into bed, Vena wrapped around me like a koala.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"You blocked me from Anchor, so you get to be my cuddle buddy."

"I'll allow it for tonight. Only because I'm afraid of having nightmares, but loosen your hold a little so I can breathe."

She relaxed her grip on me. "If I never see a vampire again, I'll be happy."

"Except one."

She nodded, tickling my nose with a stray hair. "Except one."

After falling asleep in Vena's arms, I only woke one time. Her feet were twitching, and her toenails raked across my leg. I flipped her to her side of the bed and fell back asleep.

It was still dark when I felt her holding me again. This time, it wasn't her toes touching me but a finger stroking my cheek.

"Vena," I groaned. "Go back to your side."

"Vena is on her side," Cross said.

I stared through the darkness that had the barest hue of dawn creeping into the room.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "Are you crazy?"

"It's almost time for the meeting," he said. "But I wanted to see you first."

"You've seen me. Now go before they pick up your scent."

"I will as soon as I take care of something."

"What?"

I felt a light wisp of breath along my neck and then the barest caress of his tongue as it traveled along the sore spots where MC had drawn blood. The tingle of Cross' healing touch flowed in more places than just my neck.

My hands lifted to his shoulders. He made a soft sound, and his lips closed on my skin, sucking gently. I couldn't control my erratic breathing or the way my leg hooked over his hip. His hand gripped my leg, pulling me closer so our hips touched.

His mouth left my neck and claimed mine. He made my pulse race with his kiss and the feel of his weight rolling toward me.

"First house rule: Not while we're in bed together," Vena grumbled. "Get your own room."

Cross tore his mouth from mine and glared at her with black eyes.

I cupped his cheeks to bring his attention back to me.

"You should go," I said gently.

His gaze swept over my face, and he dipped his head to kiss me softly.

"Soon."

That single word sent a shiver through me as he disappeared.

"How does it feel to be clam-jammed?" Vena said sleepily.

"Good," I said. "I would have regretted it just like you would have."

"That's all hypothetical until we test it."

I sat up and got out of bed.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I told Shepard I wanted to be there for the meeting. I want to know what he's going to do about the vampires."

"All the vampires or just one?" Vena asked.

"Just get out of bed and get ready. The sooner we know what's going on, the sooner we can go home."

"I don't want to go home," she said as she got out of bed.

"Lies. You don't want to leave Anchor, which I don't think will happen. If we go home, there will be fewer eyes to see what you do to him and fewer ears to hear it."

"You think he'll come back with us?" she asked, a hint of her uncertainty in her tone. "With me?"

I turned to her and took her by the shoulders.

"Vena, he never left. He was kidnapped. There's a difference."

She nodded, but I could see she didn't believe me.

"You'll see for yourself," I said, ditching my pajamas for the clothes Lisa had given us last night. As soon as my head cleared my shirt, I turned to Vena. She was wearing a pair of loose-fitting jeans that had her frowning.

"Come on."

She grabbed my arm before I made it to the door and tipped my face so she could see my neck.

"Fucking MC. The bruise on this one is heavy." She touched the spot right where Cross had kissed me. "It's still bleeding a little too. Let's get a Band-Aid."

I followed her to the bathroom and let her put a round smiley face Band-Aid on it.

"Who knew Shepard had a sense of humor?" she said with a laugh.

"Pretty sure these aren't for him."

We left the bathroom and found Shepard at the door. He watched me as we approached, and I saw his nostrils flare.

"He was here?" he asked.

"Yep," Vena said. "He seems to have a thing for waking Everly."

Shepard's jaw muscle ticced as he looked at me. I held up my hands in surrender. "I didn't invite him, and I told him he shouldn't be here as soon as I woke up and saw him."

Shepard let out a long breath and came to me. His fingers slid along the back of my neck up into my hair.

"Everly, it's not a question of whether you invited him but if you wanted him here."

"Wanted him here? A vampire in a place filled with werewolves who have the sole purpose of killing vampires? I don't hate him, Shepard."

"I know you don't. I'm just trying to figure out how much you like him."

"So am I," I said, knowing that wasn't the answer he wanted from me.

"And what about me?" he asked. "Do you know how much you like me?"

"Still trying to figure that out, too," I said.

"Everly's not stupid," Vena said from behind me. "She knows you and Cross are having a not-so-subtle pissing contest when it comes to winning her affection. If you were her, would you be ready to hand over your heart when you're not even sure if the person trying to win it is after it because they like you or because they're just trying to piss off the person they hate?"

I watched Shepard close his eyes for a moment. He nodded, released me, and looked at me again.

"I understand. For the record, I don't like you because Cross does. I've liked you since the moment you walked through Blur's doors and asked for a job. I just never thought you'd be open to a relationship with an otherworlder."

He glanced at the window. "We should hurry if you want to make the meeting."

Vena and I followed him out the door.