Free Creatus (Creatus Series) by Carmen DeSousa Page A

his eyes on the top of the Chart House, knowing that’s where he’d be hiding. Away from human eyes and ears, but still able to see and communicate with him.
    “Excuse me, Kristina.” Derrick stood and gestured that she should stay sitting when she bounced up next to him. “I’m sorry. I’ll be right back.” Her eyes spoke volumes. Sadness, rejection, fear. He lifted her hands to his lips. “I’ve fallen completely. I will never leave you now, nor will anyone ever take you away. But… we have a visitor I need to handle.” He lowered her hands. “I’ll only be a few feet away. Okay?”
    “Okay,” she said on a sigh, confusion clear in her eyes.
    When she settled herself down on the blanket, he sprinted to the end of the park. It was too dark for her, but he could see her straining to see where he’d gone.
    Michael landed in front of him with a soft thump. “Did you fall?”
    As usual, no pleasantries. His brother had the personality of a doormat. Did he really think Derrick would ever allow anyone to hurt Kristina even if he hadn’t?
    “Yes. Completely,” Derrick admitted, even though he didn’t want to tell him. The act was personal. Something he’d waited his entire life to experience, but instead of enjoying the moment with Kristina, he had to address his brother’s queries. Michael was lucky he hadn’t already knocked him to the ground so that he could return to Kristina.
    His brother closed his eyes and shook his head. “More importantly … did she?”
    “I’m pretty sure, but you sort of interrupted us, you perv. Couldn’t you have waited for me to call you in the morning?”
    Michael huffed out a silvery breath in the cool night air. “No. There’s a problem and you know it. When were you going to tell me about the detective?”
    Derrick grabbed his brother’s shoulders and shook him. “What the hell, Michael? Are you bugging my home? I know you have your spies, but you have no right to defile my personal space.”
    Michael shoved his hands off him and backed up a step. “I don’t need to bug your house. I have my own sources. If you’d been paying attention to the news and not your girlfriend for the last few days, you’d know we have some major problems other than the detective. I’ve been handling everything while you’re off playing with your new toy.”
    His blood pressure rising, Derrick stepped toward his brother again. “That’s enough! Speak disrespectfully about Kristina again and we’ll finish everything here.” When Michael bobbed his head in understanding, Derrick continued, “What problems?”
    “We’ll discuss it tomorrow. I assume you’ll be introducing your bride to the family.”
    Derrick nodded.
    Michael raised an eyebrow, a sideways smile lifting his rounder ch eek. His brother was the only creatus he’d seen who actually had dimples. It sort of detracted from his bad-boy guise, which Derrick never minded pointing out. “You want me to tell Vic,” his brother taunted.
    “No, I don’t want you to tell Vic,” Derrick growled. “I’d rather do it in person.”
    “You’re going to risk Vic seeing Kristina?”
    “Do I have a choice?”
    Michael shook his head. “Not really. It’ll happen eventually. I’ll just let everyone know you’re coming. We need to gather to discuss what’s been going on anyway. Make sure you watch the news when you get home. I’m sure there’ll be another one tonight.”
    Derrick narrowed his eyes, shaking his head. “Please tell me you’re wrong.”
    “Wish I could tell you that. But there’s no doubt. We have a rogue creatus.”
     
    Derrick took his time walking back to Kristina. Only officially in his life a few days and he’d have to remind her that his kind was the most dangerous of all serial killers. He definitely didn’t want her out of his sight either, which he was certain would turn into an issue. Especially since he’d just insisted he wasn’t controlling and that she could do as she pleased.
    The