Free Looking for Lucy Jo by Suzy Turner

looking increasingly worried.
    ‘Take your hands off my daughter.’
    Barber immediately removed his hand from Lana’s and looked over at Declan, who was trying to calm the situation down before it got out of hand.
    ‘Dad?’ Lana whispered.
    ‘You’re dating a…a.. . vampir e ?’
    Lana shook her head before slowly turning the movement into a nod.
    ‘I don’t believe this,’ he said through gritted teeth. ‘Declan, how could you let this happen? This is preposterous.’
    ‘Mate, look, you’re blowing things way out of proportion, here.’
    ‘You just told me he’s a vampire,’ Patrick said, pointing a finger at Barber, who was still sitting calmly, yet looking a little concerned.
    ‘Dad, he’s not like your everyday vampire. You’ve got nothing to worry about,’ Lana tried to reassure him.
    ‘Stand up,’ Patrick said.
    Turning to look at Lana, who let out a deep sigh, Barber stood.
    ‘Get away from my daughter, you beast.’
    Barber looked down and shook his head. ‘Sir, you’ve got this all wrong.’
    ‘So you’re telling me you’re not a vampire?’
    ‘Erm, well no. I am.’
    ‘Then get the hell away from my little girl.’
    ‘That’s enough, Dad. And I’m not a little girl. Not anymore. I’m a Watcher, I’m supernatural, just like Barber is. There’s no difference between us,’ she cried.
    ‘Really, you should know better than this, Lana Beth. I said step away from my daughter.’
    Barber stepped away from his girlfriend and just stood, looking at Declan as he approached.
    ‘Patrick,’ Declan placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. ‘Lana is safer with Barber than any other young lad. He may be a vampire, but he’s one of us,’ he said, putting his hand on his heart. ‘He would never do anything to harm your girl. In fact, he would die for her. I know that for a fact.’
    Barber nodded as Lana stood up and grabbed his hand.
    ‘It’s true, sir. She means the world to me. I’m sorry that I’m not an ordinary boy. I wish I was, but I’m not, and there’s nothing I can do to change that. But Lana means more to me than anyone ever has. Please, I know it’s hard to accept, but we want to be together. ‘
    With his nostrils flaring, Patrick looked away for a minute before returning is gaze to the two of them. ‘So you’re not going to drink her blood and try to turn her into one of…you?’
    Barber shook his head. ‘She is totally safe with me.’
    ‘It’s true, Dad. Barber’s not like the vampires you see on TV. He’s a really good guy, and we all trust him implicitly,’ Emma said from her seat.
    ‘Dad, chill out,’ Lana said with a sad smile. ‘We’ve got much more pressing things to worry about, and Barber’s here to help us with that. Trust him, Dad. He’s a good guy.’ She stepped forward. ‘I know you’re upset, but please stop. You don’t need to worry about me.’
    ‘I will always worry about you and Emma. You mean the world to me.’
    ‘I know, Dad,’ she said as she hugged him tight.
    As she pulled away, he looked at her and then at Barber before he nodded. ‘Alright, but if you ever do anything to hurt my daughter, I will hunt you down. You understand?’
    Barber tried to hide his smile. ‘Yes, sir, absolutely.’

CHAPTER TEN
    ‘Jeeze, I thought it was gonna be warm,’ Lana said with chattering teeth as Barber laughed, pulling her into him and rubbing her bare shoulders. She grinned, looking up into his dark eyes. ‘I’m so glad you were able to come.’
    ‘I will always come when you need me,’ he replied as she continued to shiver.
    ‘Lana, it’s nearly January. Please tell me you brought some winter clothes with you?’ Emma tutted.
    ‘Yeah, I did. Kind of,’ she sniffed. ‘I thought it would be warmer. I mean, look at this incredible blue sky. It should be hot, not f-f-frreezing cold.’
    ‘For goodness’ sake, Lana, what is with you? This is Portugal, not the Caribbean. You’ll have to borrow some of mine.’ Emma walked