Free Blood Moon (Skye Morrison Vampire Series, #5.5) by J.L. McCoy

me.”
    “What?” I exploded incredulously.  “Are you serious?  Why weren’t those the first words out of your mouth as soon as you walked in the front door today?  I need to know these things, Nik.  We’ve been looking all over for him.”
    “I don’t know,” she shook her head.  “I didn’t want to think about it too much.  I wouldn’t have been able to get through my day.  When I got home, everyone was here and I didn’t want to bring it up with an audience around.  I don’t know.  I guess I was trying to convince myself it didn’t happen…but it did.”  She was starting to tremble slightly, so I pulled her back into my arms and guided her head to my chest.
    “I’m sorry,” I whispered into her hair as I rested my lips against her crown.  “I didn’t mean to yell.  Promise me you’ll always call me as soon as something happens.  I need to know the important stuff, okay?”
    She nodded as her hand reached up to fist my black t-shirt.
    “What did Dan say exactly?”
    “He said Lyric stopped by, asking for me.  Said he looked like hell, clothes all disheveled.  He only stayed long enough to hear I wasn’t there before he left again.”
    “How did you take the news?” I asked gently.
    She sighed and chuckled sadly.  “About as well as a terminal cancer diagnosis.  I downed three shots of Jäger during my bar prep just to get through it.”
    “Fuck,” I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.  “I’m so sorry.”
    “Why are you sorry?” she asked, surprised, looking up at me.
    I felt my jaw continuously clench and unclench with the anger I felt coursing through me.  I was trying my best to hide my emotions from Nikki, but knew I was losing the battle.  “I promised you I’d find him.  I promised you he’d never get to you, and my men and I failed you.”
    “You couldn’t have known,” she said softly.  “I didn’t think he’d have the balls to ever show up at Dan’s again.  I honestly thought he’d fled town.”
    “Still,” I shook my head unhappily.  “I’m going to make sure he never messes with you again.”
    She nodded her head sadly as unshed tears shined in her eyes.  “I know you will.  Thank you for looking out for me.  I don’t know how I would have gotten through this without you.  You provided the strength I’ve needed to meet each day since I was rescued.”
    I watched in surprise as she leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on my cheek before standing up and stretching her legs.
    “Holy shit,” I remarked amusedly, jokingly, as my eyes secretly scanned her from head to toe and back.  She was smoking hot, what can I say?  “Are you trying to flirt with me, Miss. St. James?”
    “Maybe,” she answered, giving me a small, secret smile as she turned and headed for the hall.  “Goodnight, Dean.”
    Holy shit!   I smiled triumphantly as I interlocked my fingers behind my head and rested my neck against the back of the couch.  Hell yeah.   “See you in the morning, toots.”
    As soon as her bedroom door shut, I dug my cell phone out of my back pocket and dialed Primo.
    “’Sup, boss?” he answered on the first ring.
    “Lyric paid Dan Kennedy a visit two days ago,” I growled lowly, being mindful of Nikki’s hearing.  “I want you and a crew over at Drop Kick’s pronto.  Track that motherfucker down and bring him to me.”
    Primo’s answering howl was all the confirmation I needed.

     

Chapter Nine
    Nikki
     
     
    I can’t believe I kissed him. What’s wrong with me?  Am I crazy?  Is it too soon?  What will be the repercussions?  Am I ready to deal with the possibility of having real feelings for another man?  Will I ever be able to have a normal relationship again?
    I hadn’t been able to get our time on the couch last night out of my head.  Sitting there with Dean, snuggling, had felt like the most natural thing in the world to me.  His touch was calming, soothing, and the best medicine for the