Free Accidentally Married To...A Vampire? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff Page B

out of the building, chin held high. “That’s right, bitches!”
     

Chapter 6
     
     
    Helena peeked through the crack of the bedroom door then quickly slammed it shut. Damn. The scary blond guy is still there. Just like the last fifteen times she’d checked.
    Eventually, she had to find food and something more than tap water from the adjoining master bath. It had been one entire day since Niccolo dumped her in the posh penthouse. Where the hell was he?
    After convincing her to come with him, he put her on a nine pm flight to New York but didn’t board. Five nerve-racking hours later, the plane touched down, and there he was, waiting outside the plane doors with an inviting smile on his face.
    I guess Homeland Security rules don’t apply to vampires.
    “We must hurry,” he’d said with a wink, “the sun is rising, and I need my strength today.”
    Ooh. That sounds sexy, she’d thought as he took her hand, gave it a languid kiss, and silently led her outside where a sleek black limo waited curbside.
    “Oh, no!” Helena turned to go back toward the terminal. “I forgot my luggage.”
    Niccolo patted her hand. “No worries, mio cuore . Your belongings are already at our new home.”
    “ Our” new home? She couldn’t quite process that thought just yet. Instead, she asked Niccolo about his mysterious travel tricks.
    “There will be time later for Q&A,” he’d said.
    But there wouldn’t be, she’d later realize.
    Her jaw unhinged when she saw the opulence of the luxury residential building adjacent to Central Park. It was flabbergasting enough to be in such a big city. But it was downright unbelievable when she saw the posh lobby with über modern velvet couches and a crystal chandelier the size of a VW bug.
    The doorman tilted his hat as they passed.
    Wow, I feel just like Pretty Woman, minus the hooker gig.
    “Niccolo?” She tugged at his sleeve after the elevator doors closed.
    He looked at her with his large dark eyes and flashed yet another stunning smile. “ Sì , my love?”
    Her heart made a happy little flutter. “You said we were going to talk after the plane ride. Aren’t you going to say something?” she asked.
    He tilted his head sideways. “What would you like me to say?”
    An explanation of why he’d been entombed in Mexico, asleep for three centuries would be nice. Or how about the nature of his origins. Why were he and she “mates?” How did it happen? What did it mean? Was happiness a guaranteed part of the package? How about children? Did she need to pass some sort of math test to prove she was smart enough to be his companion for eternity? Not that she was worried; she was great at math.
    Helena suddenly felt foolish, like a naïve child who required hand-holding. She opted for a question that didn’t reflect her eagerness for answers.
    She squared her shoulders. “Why did you pick this place to live?”
    He frowned for a brief moment. “You are not pleased? You do not like the location? I assure you it is the finest penthouse in all of Manhattan.”
    She shook her head. “No. The location is…perfect. But, why New York? Is this where you’re from?” She didn’t think so since he sounded Italian.
    He shook his head. “No. I am not from here.”
    Yep. Stupid question.
    The elevator chimed and the stainless steel doors slid open. They stepped out into a quiet brightly lit hallway with cream-colored walls, thick floral patterned carpet, and beveled mirrors on either side of an ornately carved set of double doors.
    “Do you work in New York, then?” She had no clue what he did for money.
    He turned toward her, his jaw muscles pulsed. Was he frustrated? Had she said something wrong?
    “It is simply…convenient,” he replied.
    “Why?”
    Jaw ticking. “ Buon . All will be revealed in good time, my bride.” The doors swung open, and he tugged her through. “Until then, I’m afraid you’ll have to bear with me. There is much I cannot discuss. It is simply