I eyed Layla’s ass as she left to meet her aunt halfway. “She’s craving blood. She learned this morning that there are vampires on her mom’s side.”
“No shit,” Webb said. “I bet that’s driving a stake through the family bond.”
Jack had probably pissed his pants when he found that out. “I have to run. I’ll fill you in later.” I was about to dump my phone in my pocket when it pinged with a text from Conrad:Get your ass out of there NOW!
13
LAYLA
My aunt plucked her phone from her apron pocket, and the color drained from her face. Then she whipped her attention to Sam, who was strutting up to us. “Jack is on his way home.”
“I believe he’s already here,” Sam said.
I spun in all directions as I caught sight of the SUV passing my uncle’s truck on the road in the distance. My heart punched my ribs like a boxer jabbing lefts and rights in succession.
Jordyn chose that moment to bounce out of the house, eager and ready to leave. But she stopped short on the top step of the porch when she laid eyes on Sam. “Oh my. How long have you been here?” She ran up to Sam and touched him. “Are you really here?”
“Uncle Jack is turning down the driveway,” I said harshly, not directing it at her. My nerves were gearing up for a fight.
It took Jordyn a second for the red flags to go off in her head. When they did, she squeaked.
Sam, cool and calm, said, “No worries, ladies. He’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
Jordyn tilted her head at Sam. “I don’t think so. But this should be fun, just the same.”
“Sam, get in your car now before Jack kills you.” Aunt Tab’s voice was teetering on the edge of a screech.
Laughing, Sam shook his head. “Why on earth are you ladies afraid Jack can kill me?”
All of us gave him a look that said “it’s your funeral.” Still, I knew Sam would desecrate my uncle with a wave of his hand or some type of destructive elemental power he harbored.
Jack’s truck wheeled down the driveway as if in slow motion. Aunt Tab was stiff as a board next to me. Jordyn stood on Sam’s right with her hands in the pockets of her black jeans. I was on his left and could almost feel the energy coming off of him. He oozed power and mayhem, though he kept his fangs tucked away.
The minute I could see my uncle clearly, his expression turned dark when he realized that Sam Mason was standing on his property. Uncle Jack slammed on the brakes, jumped out of his truck faster than I’d ever seen him move, opened the back door of his truck, and pulled out his flamethrower. “I wasn’t able to use this on you or your kind in Massachusetts, but I’m ready now. What the fuck are you doing here?” He kept his distance from Sam, which didn’t mean squat. That flamethrower could spit fire much farther than the ten feet separating them.
Sam raised his hands.
My uncle engaged his weapon, and fire spit from it. Man, he had balls, but that was never in question. Anyone who wasn’t welcome on his property paid the price.
I wanted to say to Sam, “See? I told you so.” He might have had all the power in the world to squash my uncle, but with the weapon my uncle was holding, Sam would light up like the fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Aunt Tab squealed. “Jack Aberdeen, put that away.”
My uncle sent a loathing glare at his wife. I was certain she would pay later for telling him what to do.
I slid in front of Sam who in turn laughed. “Uncle Jack, Sam is here because Roman Brown escaped. Sam thinks Roman is on his way here. So he came to warn us.”
“Bullshit,” my uncle spat.
Sam gripped the sides of my shoulders. “Baby doll, I adore that you want to protect me. But I’ve got this.” He guided me to stand next to him.
“Your funeral,” I said.
“Layla’s right, Jack.” Sam held up his hands again. “Roman has escaped. I thought it was best to warn you in person just in case you could use my help.”
“I don’t need your help, vampire.” My uncle held the flamethrower steady and with precision. “Tab, I want you to call Ray. Tell him to bring the cavalry.”
The tension was sucking the fresh air out of everyone except Jack and Sam, who stared each other down.
