“Grayson if this is about earlier…”

  “It’s not,” he cut in before I could finish. “But you were right. I can’t be doing things like that. I can’t promise not to step in when someone needs it, but I will do my best not to show my supernatural side.”

  “Then why can’t I…”

  “Sebastian is going to take you away for awhile.” Just like that, my world tilted. My heart pounded threatening to explode out of my chest. I didn’t understand what he was saying.

  “What? No!”

  “This wasn’t a spur of the moment decision, Gaby. It’s been carefully planned out for months. We’ve all kept it from you because we hoped we’d never have to initiate it. But the attack today made it clear that you are not safe. In the bedroom you’ll find your suitcase.”

  “Stop it!” I yelled. He was talking about me leaving so calmly as if it was just a day at the office and I couldn’t take it. “I’ll go,” I breathed, “but you have to come too.”

  He exhaled heavily. “I’m sorry baby, but that’s not an option.” My heart sank. “If I disappear then they’ll know you’re gone and will look for you elsewhere. How do you think they found you in Vegas, Gaby? We flew in on my plane. We waved a flag alerting everyone to our movements.” He took a deep breath like he was trying to draw strength from the air around him. I followed his example figuring I’d need it. “I’m staying. I’m going to continue as if you were here.”

  “But…”

  “Sebastian has to be the one to go with you, Gaby. He has to feed you and he’s the only one strong enough to keep you safe. Even Damien can’t teleport you out if he needed.”

  I wanted to argue, to fight until he saw reason. But everything he said made sense. I thought about his words trying to find fault in them, but there was none and I hated that. “Where am I going?”

  “Sebastian will tell you once you’re on the way just incase the line is tapped.”

  “Grayson,” I cried suddenly feeling the weight of his words.

  “I love you, Gaby.” And the phone disconnected.

  I felt my heart sink. Sebastian walked over and retrieved his phone that I still held to my ear. “You know he’s doing what he thinks is best.”

  I spun facing him feeling a newfound determination. “I need you to take me to see him.”

  “No,” he sighed not seeming surprised by my words. “He doesn’t want that.”

  I decided to try a different angle. “I’ll go wherever but I need to see him first.”

  “Gaby,” he exhaled and I could tell he was folding.

  “If you don’t take me, Sebastian, I will attempt to escape every chance I get. You will never get a break. You’ll constantly have to be on guard wondering when I’m going to try and how.”

  “You’re a pain in the ass, you know,” he teased with a grin.

  “Please,” I pleaded. “He’s my husband.”

  Sebastian bowed his head and I prayed that I got through to him.

  Grayson

  In borrowed clothes, I arrived home in desperate need of a shower. I’d cleaned up the best I could before leaving The Angelo Tower, but even though I appeared clean, I felt anything but. The apartment suddenly felt huge and very empty. I had chosen it for the space and location. We were closer to Alexander Holding Incorporated and I wanted to be close by after Gaby had the baby. I hated the situation we found ourselves in. I didn’t want to be separated from her. I didn’t want it to be Sebastian that was by her side when it should be me. Even after the incident last night, I trusted Gaby with him. That wasn’t the issue.

  A hesitant knock rapped at the door. I paused briefly wondering who it could be since I wasn’t expecting anyone. When I opened it, I was stunned silent by who I saw.

  “You look like shit.”

  “Thanks,” I rolled my eyes and gestured them in.

  “Did you ever find her?” Shawn asked.

  I nodded. “Damien’s.” It seemed like a lifetime ago that I had barged in on him looking for my wife. Now things were so different. In a few brief hours my world had turned upside down.

  “Things not go well? I noticed she’s not here and you look like you’ve been put through the ringer a few times.”

  I exhaled heavily rubbing the back of my neck. “The compound was attacked at dawn.”

  Fear flared on Shawn’s face. “Gaby?”

  I waved him off trying to ease his worry. “Is fine, but I’m sending her away.”

  He stared blankly at me for a moment almost as if he was waiting for me to retract my statement. “How 1800s of you,” he grumbled.

  “Look, Shawn, it’s not what I want, but it is what’s best for her. They attacked her father’s compound. If they have the balls to attack the first vampire then they’re either desperate or confident. Either way I refuse to risk her and the baby.” I turned and headed to the bedroom. “You can stay, but I need to shower. I smell like demon blood.”

  With the hot water raining down on me, I rested my head against my arm on the tiled wall. I wasn’t sure how long I would be able to stay away from her. Damien was confident he could increase the security at The Angelo Tower to bring her back, but no one knew how long it would take. He had money and power on his side. I hoped that translated to speed. Until it was secure she was vulnerable here and it was less secure for me to be with her.

  Lost in thought I barely heard the commotion from the living room.

  “Where is he?”

  Straightening my body, I thought I misheard.

  “Gaby,” Sebastian spoke. “Listen. He’s in the shower.”

  I turned just as the bathroom door slammed open and Gaby busted in. She looked like an extra in a horror movie with blood drying on her skin and clothes.

  “What…?” I began, but she silenced me by rushing into my arms. I couldn’t hold her as close as I wanted because of the baby between us. Sensing this, she turned to the side so her body was pressed entirely to mine. I wrapped one arm around her shoulders cradling her to me and the other hand rested on her stomach. “Gaby,” I sighed leaning down breathing her in. It felt like a dream. I hadn’t wanted things to be handled the way they were, but Damien felt it was safest. I had hated agreeing. But now she was in my arms.

  “You don’t get to send me away without a proper goodbye,” she whispered against my mouth.

  “I just want you both safe,” I replied as the water soaked her borrowed shirt, making it cling to her. Water ran pink as it moistened the dried blood on her.

  “We will be,” she sighed as I kissed her neck. I groaned when she ripped off her shirt and it landed on the floor with a splat.

  “Gaby,” I warned taking a step back.

  She slid out of the shorts she wore and stood there completely naked. “When will we see each other again, Grayson?” she asked closing the distance between us.

  “I don’t know,” I said letting my eyes rack over her. I could practically see the desire filtering off her in tendrils. Answering her unspoken question, I pulled her to me.

  “Don’t waste this then.”

  I mumbled, “You deserve someone better than me.”

  “You’re probably right,” she whispered teasingly then kissed me.

  Growling, I took her lips with an intensity that she’d feel long after we parted. Passion flooded my body as I kissed her breathless then trailed kisses down her body until I was tugging her nipple into my mouth. She gasped, treading her fingers though my hair, tugging me closer. My fingers parted her thighs, circling over her sensitive flesh. Groaning, I felt her already wet. Righting myself, I kissed her firmly on the lips before spinning her to face the wall. She tilted her hips out for me, mirroring just how much I wanted to feel her. I pushed into her gradually, slowly becoming one with her. I wanted to cherish the moment because she was right. We didn’t know when the next time would be.

  “Grayson,” she moaned when I was fully inside her. I held still for a moment, letting her body adjust to mine. I didn’t think it was possible, but since she became pregnant she was more sensitive. I slid out then slowly back in. She gasped from the sensation making me groan when her body tightened around me.

  I held her tight rocking my hips, pressing myself into her. I let my hand roam over her full form listening to all the sounds she made from my touch. Hearing her pleasure stroked my ego, allowing me to hold off until I knew she was ready. I kissed her shoulders and neck before nipping at her ear.

  “Oh god,” she begged. “Please?”

  Her body was clenching around mine. She was close but couldn’t find her way over the edge. I dipped my fingers between her thighs pressing against her sensitive nub while rolling her nipple with my other hand. She cried out slamming her palms against the wall bracing herself. I heard the tile crack, but I ignored it, continuing to pleasure my wife. Burying my face in her neck, I groaned spilling into her.

  With us both sated, I rested my head on her shoulder. We were both panting. I didn’t want to release her because the moment I did she’d have to go. I wanted to freeze the moment and stay there forever, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t keep her with me no matter how much I desired it.

  “You have to go soon,” I whispered kissing her shoulder.

  “I know,” she sighed, then groaned.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I left Sebastian and Shawn in the living room. Do you think they heard us?” she sounded mortified.

  I chuckled because I knew how well their hearing was. “You’re not exactly quiet, baby.”

  “Oh god,” she groaned.

  “Don’t let it ruin this moment, Gaby.” I pulled out of her and turned her to face me before kissing her softly. I assisted her in washing her body, taking as much time as I could. Once we were both clean, I guided her from the shower and dried her before leading her to our bedroom and helping her dress.

  “You know I can do all this myself,” she said as I aided her in slipping into some black lace panties.

  “I know, but I want to do this for you,” I stated before kissing her belly that was moving vigorously. Losing my wife was hard, but not seeing her belly grow as our child readied itself for its entrance to this world was going to kill me.

  Once we were fully dressed, we walked hand-in-hand into the living room. I caught sight of Shawn sitting on the couch rubbing his head.

  “Sorry about that, Shawn,” Gaby muttered.

  “It’s cool. I guess I deserved some kind of ass whooping after the whole Ava thing.” I didn’t know what happened, but it was the first time Gaby didn’t look at Shawn with disdain. “Sebastian left. He said he had to get things situated before you all left?” Shawn didn’t sound like he believed his own words. “He said you all needed a moment.” Shawn wrinkled his face is disgust.

  “You—You didn’t hear anything?” Gaby asked stammering over herself.

  He shrugged. “Moon’s new. I just assume you all are always doing the nasty. I figure it’s the safe assumption. He said to call him when you were ready.”

  “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready,” Gaby mumbled before turning her sights on me. “Do you know where I’m going?”

  I nodded. “To my parent’s house.” I hadn’t been trying to keep it from her, but I’d worried that over the phone wasn’t the best idea incase someone was listening. Damien had had the apartment checked for bugs just days ago. It had been a regular occurrence since we’d been in the car accident.

  “Is that safe? For them, I mean? And what about…?” Seeing the wheels turn I stopped her before she overwhelmed herself.

  “Damien influenced them at Thanksgiving and no one would think that we’d hide you with two mortals.” I wouldn’t put any of them in danger if I thought for a moment the demons would think to look there.

  “Please tell me this is about our safety and not so you’ll have them keep an eye on me and Sebastian?”

  I eyed Shawn who turned away obviously, choosing to give us as much privacy as he could or choosing not to get involved. I moved Gaby a little bit away for some semblance of seclusion. “I trust you, Gaby. If the past several months have proven anything it’s that I shouldn’t doubt you. Feeding from him and the angel blood tie, things should have gotten blurred, but they haven’t. You haven’t swayed from me.”

  She looked away guiltily. “Grayson, last night—”

  “Sebastian told me. He also said nothing happened. I know you were upset and yeah it hurt that you went to him, but even then you could have let your guard down and allowed the blood tie to take you over, and you didn’t. I trust you and I know he’ll keep you safe.” She wrapped her arms around me laying her head against my chest. I held her for several moments before she pulled away. I was both glad and crushed when she did because I couldn’t be the one to break away first and no matter how long we clung to one another, it was never going to be long enough.

  Gaby walked away looking grim, placing a call to Sebastian. He was standing in our living room mere seconds after she hung up.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “No,” she mumbled but walked to him. Just before she was in his grasp she pulled back. “Hang on.” She rushed to the bedroom without an explanation.

  Sebastian moved to stand next to me. We both stared after Gaby’s retreating form. “I know this is tough on you, but I’ll never let anything happen to her. Know that I’d give my life for hers.”

  “I know. So would I. That’s why I can let her go with you. If I can’t be there, you’re the only one I trust to give anything for her.”

  Gaby returned holding a picture frame. It was silver with diamond like accents spread along the edge. I recognized it as the one she kept on her nightstand. In it was a photo of us the day we got married. “I bet you packed clothes, but not personal effects,” she smiled holding the frame to her chest.

  I stepped up to her hugging her once more. “I love you, Gaby.”

  “I love you more, Grayson.” She stood on her toes and kissed me. Surprising me, she turned to Shawn. “I’m still pissed at you and I’m not sure if that will ever go away.”

  “I know,” he mumbled glancing away.

  “But,” she spoke drawing his attention back to her. “If you want to work to earning my forgiveness, start by keeping him safe.”

  Shawn smiled softly and nodded. “I can do that.”

  Then she turned to Sebastian. “Ready?” she asked.

  He pulled her into his arms holding her similar to how I had in the shower so her body was flushed with his. In a blink, they were gone.

  “So…” Shawn began. “Demons?”

  I nodded and began explaining the situation.

  Gaby

  I expected to reappear near Grayson’s parent’s house, but instead we reappeared in New Haven, Connecticut on the Yale campus.

  “What—?” I gazed around at our surroundings before I realized where we were.

  “We can’t dissipate in. For one we don’t want anyone tracking my trail like earlier and two, I have to have been there before.”

  “But the garage when Grayson—” I began and was grateful when he shook his head cutting me off because I didn’t want to talk about the night I thought Grayson died.

  “I flew.”

  “The first time you came to my apartment when Damien—”

  Again he shook his head. “For the sake of not sounding like a stalker can I just say it wasn’t my first time there.”

  I wanted to press it, but I left it alone. It would just make me upset if I knew how long Sebastian had been watching me. And it no longer mattered. It was the past. “So Yale?” We walked along the campus heading for the parking lot.

  “Yeah, I was a student in the eighteen, no, early nineteen hundreds,” he peered around taking in the crowd. “It’s a bit different but still so similar.”

  “Vampire influence?” I asked with a smirk.

  He scoffed. “I’ll have you know I was accepted on my own merit.”

  We approached a car and I thought it was a mistake until he opened the passenger door for me.

  “We’re driving?” I asked trying to hide the lingering disbelief in my voice. “I thought you didn’t trust these contraptions?” I mocked.

  “I don’t when someone else is driving.”

  “You can drive?”

  “Of course,” he snuffed.

  I angled in my seat to face him. “You say it like its ridiculous question to ask, but not everyone can. I never learned.” I buckled in and wondered about our luggage. So I asked.

  “While you were saying your goodbyes I went ahead, brought and loaded them in the trunk.”

  My cheeks flamed. “I’m sorry if you heard…”

  He shook his head. “It’s fine, Gaby. Honest I didn’t hear anything.”

  I eyed him. Even with my limited supernatural senses I could hear the lie in his statement. It made me feel guilty, which was ridiculous. Grayson was my husband. I shouldn’t feel ashamed for sleeping with him. But I think my guilt lied more in the fact that my actions possibly hurt Sebastian. “I hadn’t meant for that to happen.”

  “Please can we just drop it!”

  Startled from his aggressive tone, I knew that my assumption was correct. “How long is the drive?” My voice cracked as I wondered aloud while trying to change the subject.

  He exhaled a heavy breath. His shoulders slacked, relieved in my attempt. “A little under three hours. We’re avoiding the tolls. Less likely that we’ll get tracked that way.”

  I nodded, but said nothing else as Sebastian backed out of the parking lot and on to the road. He reached over giving my hand a gentle squeeze. I sighed and returned the motion watching a crooked smirk tug at his mouth.

  At our two-hour mark, I felt the car stop. I blinked looking around realizing I had fallen asleep. “Why are we stopped?” I questioned.

  “You need to get up and stretch your legs.”

  “I’m fine.” I wanted to rest a little more. After the late night, followed by the chaos of the day, I felt the need to play catch up on my sleep.

  “Sorry, Gaby. Doctor’s orders,” he threw over his shoulder exiting the car