“Jack said earlier that Rianne and Noah were on their way home, but I thought she would’ve shown up by now. Do you know anything? Did she enlist like she wanted to? She won’t answer my calls or return my texts.”
She raised a shoulder. “No idea. But if I find anything out, I’ll let you know.” She gave me a weak smile. “Layla, I hope that doctor can help you.”
I grabbed the door handle of her Suburban. “I do too.”
“Do you have any cravings for blood?”
I rubbed my lips together. “Not right now.” I didn’t want to tell her I’d sucked on Sam’s wrist. But boy, once I did that, the world righted itself.
She tucked my hair behind my ear. “I do hope you find what you’re looking for in life, Layla. And again, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. But I am now. Call me if you need anything.”
Despite us talking and her sticking up for me, I wasn’t sure I could trust her. “Thanks.” I spotted Sam’s rental. “I better go. Sam will send out a hunting party if I don’t show myself soon.” I bet he was a nervous wreck. He didn’t strike me as the type to sit idle, especially when he wanted something.
“He seems like a good vampire,” my aunt said.
“He’s kind of an ass.” But he was my ass.
She laughed. “Dare I say”—she glanced around—“you two make a great couple. Sam seems to need someone who is tough like you.”
I laughed hard. “This coming from a vampire hunter’s wife. Don’t let Jack hear you say that.” I climbed out then stuck my head in the car. “Be careful, Aunt Tab.”
She shifted into gear, ready to drive away. “You do the same.”
I shut the door and watched her as she wheeled out of the gravel lot. A fat raindrop fell from the sky. Then another. I pivoted on my heel and went inside.
Music pumped from the jukebox. Two men were sitting at the bar. One of them looked a lot like Lester, the guy who had been at the ranch earlier. I couldn’t quite tell from that angle, though, since he was facing the collection of liquor bottles behind the bar.
Aside from the two men, the bar was empty of patrons. It was early afternoon, and the place didn’t start hopping until later in the evening. Still, I didn’t see Jordyn or Sam anywhere. I ducked back outside. Sam’s rental car was parked next to a black SUV. I returned inside. Maybe Sam and Jordyn had gone to the restroom.
I started in that direction when I heard Sam’s name.
“I was surprised to see Mason at the ranch.” That was Lester talking.
My heart sank as I debated whether to confront Lester or not.
My decision was taken away when Linda Getty—blond, big boobs, curvy waist, and my nemesis in high school—swung her hips as she ambled up to me. “Wow! You look fantastic. What’s your secret?”
So much for listening to Lester. “Are you the same person who hated me in high school?” I wasn’t teasing at all.
She rolled her eyes. “We were teenagers then. We did stupid shit.”
I grinned as I thought back to one incident when I’d stolen her clothes during gym class when she was in the shower. She’d run around school in a towel, looking for me. I blinked away the flashback. “Have you seen Jordyn? She was with a tall dude, black hair, green eyes.”
She feigned fanning herself. “Where did you find him? Does he have any friends?”
Loads, but I wasn’t about to share that with her or tell her how I’d met him. “Is my sister in the bathroom?”
“Last I saw. Your guy friend left, and then Rianne came in and said something to Jordyn before they rushed out. Maybe thirty minutes ago.”
I flinched. “Rianne was here?” Jordyn must’ve gotten ahold of her. “Do you know where they were going?” I doubted she did, but I had to ask just in case she’d overheard them talking. Linda was nosy like that. “Was Noah with them?”
“I have no idea. I assumed they were meeting you because Jordyn told me you were on your way. As far as Noah, he didn’t come in.”
My mind scrambled to think of where they could’ve gone. Maybe Sam had car trouble. But he would’ve called Conrad. Or maybe Sam was with Conrad. I plucked my phone from my coat pocket and called Jordyn. The line rang several times before her voice mail kicked in. I rushed outside and searched as far as I could as I called Rianne. Again, my sister wasn’t answering my fucking call.
My pulse quickly shot up. Damn, I didn’t have Conrad’s number. I darted around to the back of the building. No one. Just two cars. My heart rammed against my sternum.
I called Sam’s phone as I circled the building and went over to his car. Everything looked normal. My bag was in the back with Jordyn’s. That wasn’t good.
