“Hey, girl.” His voice warmed considerably. “You still coming in to see us this evening?”
“I don’t think I can make it in,” she said with a sigh. “I had a little…accident.”
The background noise faded as if Pete had stepped into another area. “Alice, are you okay? You sound like you’re in bad shape.”
“I’m okay,” she said automatically.
My wolf’s low snarl escaped my own mouth.
“Iwill beokay,” she amended, as if my growl had made her rethink her reply. “But I’m not going anywhere tonight. Please extend my apologies to Charles. I’d like to reschedule for tomorrow night, if I can.”
“Should I ask Adri to come over and help you?” Pete asked.
She went quiet, clearly torn on how to answer. “I’m not alone,” she said finally. “Someone is here.”
After a beat, Pete asked, “Who’s with you? The werewolf?”
Damned Vampire Court. Always watching. Plotting. Manipulating. Taking. And never caring who they hurt or how badly.
Alice bristled too. “Yes. What the hell, Pete? Are you keeping tabs on me now?”
“I’m not keeping tabs on you,” he said, which was a transparent lie. “We were concerned when you told Bryan you’dbeen dropped off, but Maclin’s car was still in your driveway when we came by with your car. Bryan checked the house, but when everything was quiet, we assumed you’d invited him in.”
Alice was fuming. “Whether or not I invited him in is none of Bryan’s business, or yours,” she snapped. “Stay out of my personal life.”
“Okay, Alice.” Pete tried to sound contrite, but I didn’t buy it. “I’ll tell Bryan you won’t be in tonight, and he’ll let you know when Mr. Vaughan will be available.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice frosty.
“Good night,” he said.
Alice dropped her phone on the bed and closed her eyes. The conversation had clearly exhausted her.
But before I could get back under the covers to comfort and warm her, she startled me by not only opening her eyes but forcing herself to sit up, her jaw clenched so she didn’t make a sound.
She met my gaze, her eyes fierce despite how much she was trembling. “Out of the bed.”
Taken aback, I tried to figure out how to persuade her to lie back down and rest.
She flapped her hand at me. “Scoot. Off.”
Confused, I rose. Teeth gritted, she began inching her way toward the side of the bed. She was trying to get up.
She’d damn near died hours ago, and she was still in terrible condition, and she was trying toget up.
“Stay there,” I said, knowing I sounded too forceful but unable to contain either my concern or anger. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll get it.”
She shooed me away again. “I need to get up. I can’t just lie here.”
“Why not?” Malcolm demanded. “Alice, for crying out loud?—”
“Please don’t try to get up,” I interjected. “You’re not recovered enough yet to be trying to walk around.”
Her eyes flashed with anger and determination. “Stop. Just stop, both of you.”
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and braced herself on her hands. The color drained from her face and she swayed.
“Alice, for God’s sake,” I said, ready to catch her if she passed out.
