Free Lydia's Secret (The Secret Series Book 1) by Ditter Kellen Page B

look away. “I’ll get the bag, and ah…yeah.” He spun around and headed for the door.
    She called after him. “The pink one.” At any other time, his embarrassment would have been humorous if their lives weren’t in danger.
    Lydia threw a few items on the bed and jogged to her daughter’s room to gather her things also. Jacie lay on her side, so small and frail looking with her hands tucked under her chin.
    Roman immediately came in behind her, holding the bag he’d obviously packed, if the bulging sides were any indication. His speed astounded her.
    “I grabbed everything you had laid out. Max is warming up the SUV, so as soon as we get Jacie’s clothes together, we can get out of here.”
    Lydia nodded, rifling through her daughters drawers, choosing pajamas and warm daywear. She located Jacie’s fuzzy slippers and fur-lined boots before stuffing them into the bag along with Fangton. “I need to get her medications.”
    “I’ll carry her. You take what is needed and meet me at the car.” He turned toward Jacie’s bed.
    “No. I’ll hold her.” Lydia’s voice came out with more force than she’d intended. She softened her tone. “If she wakes up to a strange man…”
    “Understood. Where do you keep her meds?”
    “In a blue plastic box in the cabinet above the refrigerator.”
    Lydia handed her daughter’s belongings to Roman, and he left the room.
    She glanced around one last time to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything important and padded over to Jacie’s bed. With a heavy heart she pulled back the covers and scooped the little girl up into her arms. Jacie mumbled something and snuggled against Lydia’s chest. After grabbing a blanket from the foot of the bed to cover her daughter’s frail body, she hurried out into the hallway and nearly ran into Roman.
    He spoke in a hushed tone. “Are you ready?”
    “Yes. Did you find her medicine?”
    He held up the bag. “Got it.”
    “Okay then, let’s go.”
    Roman led the way, glancing back occasionally. “Cover her head. The snow is coming down pretty heavy.”
    He opened the front door and held it for Lydia and her daughter to pass through before closing it behind them.
    Icy wind bit into Lydia’s face, sending goose bumps along her skin. She shivered and hugged Jacie tighter against her body. The little girl made a sleepy sound and stretched in her mother’s arms.
    “Mama?”
    “It’s okay, honey. We’re taking a little ride. Go back to sleep.”
    Roman stepped in close and held his jacket over Lydia’s head. He ushered them to the SUV that Max had driven into the front yard so they wouldn’t have far to walk.
    Heat drifted out as Roman opened the car door and helped them inside. His delicious scent drifted up Lydia’s nose, sending a different kind of warmth through her body.
    He hooked the seatbelt across her and Jacie, snapping it in place. “It’s the best I can do.” He paused. “I’ll ride back here with you.”

Chapter Ten
     
    Roman signaled for Max to drive the instant he climbed into the backseat with Lydia and her daughter. They’d made it out of the house without incident, but the ride to his office in the storm still loomed ahead.
    “Is she okay?” Roman gestured toward the burden in Lydia’s arms.
    “For now.” She turned to stare out the window.
    Touching her shoulder, he brought her focus back to him. “I will not allow Simon or anyone else to come near you or your daughter. I will do everything in my power to protect you both.”
    She nodded once before returning her gaze back out the window. The stiffness in her posture and quiet demeanor spoke volumes of the worry she tried to hide, but Roman had seen the fear in her eyes, heard it in her voice. He also knew that fear was not for herself but her daughter.
    He decided to give her some time to adjust to her recent decisions. Taking her child and running off in the middle of the night with a vampire she’d just met had to be wreaking havoc on her