Page 3 of Fateful Reunion

Charles opened his mouth, but he didn’t get a chance to say anything.

“How dare you show up here?”

It wasn’t exactly a warm welcome, not that he could blame her. But to hear such fury in Roxanne’s voice and see her eyes glaring red as she stalked toward him in single-minded determination meant that time hadn’t healed the wound he’d left behind.

“You rotten, devious, no-good, lying witch! And to think that I trusted you once!” Her eyes narrowed on him at the same time as her fangs lengthened and peeked from between her parted lips.

His pulse kicked up, though his reaction wasn’t borne out of fear. He’d always enjoyed her bite, always loved the special connection he felt to her when she lodged her fangs in his neck and drank from him. Even now, as she approached, pure hatred spewing from her every pore, he couldn’t suppress the shiver that raced down his spine at the thought of feeling her fangs in his flesh one last time. And if he hadn’t sworn to uphold his promise and fulfill his duty, he would let it happen. But too much was at stake, so dying in her arms and paying for what he’d done to her wasn’t an option.

He raised his hand and sent a blast of air in her direction, stopping her approach. Roxanne was jerked back by the sudden barrier he’d thrown up.

“Don’t do anything you’ll regret, Roxanne,” he cautioned.

“I’m not going to regret ripping you to pieces, you bastard!” She pushed against the barrier.

“What the fuck is this? I want an explanation. Now!” Gabriel interrupted.

Charles glanced at the scarred vampire. “It has nothing to do with Scanguards or with my request for protection.”

Roxanne scoffed. “You’ve got that right. You’re the last person Scanguards would ever agree to protect. You’re not worth it! I hope whomever you’re running from gets to you and makes you suffer.” Her jaw clenched, as if she was holding on to the last vestiges of her control.

“Don’t you think that’s a little harsh, darling?”

She jumped at him then, and this time, his concentration slipped, and the barrier he’d thrown up crumbled—or maybe he let it crumble. Roxanne broke through and slammed him against the window with such force that he was surprised it didn’t break or at least crack. Bullet-proof, he registered briefly, before Roxanne lifted him up and threw him clear across the room where he flew into the wall, leaving a dent in it, before crashing down to the floor.

She charged at him again, but didn’t get far. Her boss snatched her from behind and stopped her from doing any more damage.

“That’s enough, Roxanne!” Gabriel ordered, keeping a firm grip on her bicep.

Her head snapped to her boss, and now she directed her anger at him. “You can’t take him on as a client. He’s bad news. Whatever he tells you is going to be a lie. Don’t trust him.”

“We’ll see about that.” Gabriel motioned to him. “What have you got to say, Mr. Dubois?”

“His name isn’t Dubois,” Roxanne interrupted. “And he needs no protection. Do you, darling?”

Her last word was a pure snarl, though a tiny ray of hope dared to bloom in his chest—a chest that ached now as he tried to get up. Involuntarily, he groaned and braced himself against the wall. From what he could tell, he’d broken a rib or two, maybe three. Nothing a little healing spell wouldn’t fix later.

Charles lifted his hand. “I’m just glad you haven’t lost your touch, darling.” He looked at Gabriel. “And don’t worry, I have no intention of suing your company for assault.” He lifted one corner of his mouth, trying for a nonchalant smile. “As you can see, Mr. Giles, I am indeed in need of your services. One never knows where the next attack will come from.”

Roxanne growled like a caged beast. And damn it, what a turn-on that was. He was one sick son of a bitch to crave more abuse at her hands. Was he that starved for her touch that he’d even accept a beating from her, just to feel her hands on him again?

“Stand down, Roxanne,” Gabriel ordered.

“You’re not going to listen to this bastard, are you?” She shook her head. “You can’t be serious! You asked me for my opinion. I’ve given it to you. He’s rotten to the core. Don’t get involved with him. You’ll only regret it. We all will.”

“Maybe we can discuss this in a more civilized manner,” Gabriel suggested, though he was gritting his teeth, apparently not as calm as he pretended to be.

Roxanne braced her hands on her hips. “There’s nothing to discuss.”

“Clearly there’s a lot to discuss,” Gabriel suggested.

“Mr. Giles,” Charles cut in. “I can assure you that despite the fact that Roxanne and I don’t exactly get along these days—”

“I’d call that an understatement,” Gabriel interrupted casually.

“Be that as it may, I’ve come here only to seek your services. I have no intention of harming any of you.”

“Liar!” Roxanne glared at him, then addressed her boss directly. “If you take him on as a client, then I—”