Thomas Lunt swore under his breath. “Damn. I knew he was old, but damn.”
“Ideas?” Charles asked.
“He’s already killed several of our members,” Sinclair said. “We have no proof he’s killed anyone in our district, other than the Guild members who have attacked him. As powerful as he is, maybe we should just leave him the hell alone.”
“Leave him alone!” Stanley Mayfield, the youngest member of the group, exclaimed. “Leave him alone? You turning yellow, Sinclair?”
Sinclair stood. Fists clenched at his sides, he glared at Mayfield, then rolled up his left shirtsleeve, revealing a long, jagged scar that ran from his shoulder to his wrist. “I destroyed the vampire who did this.” He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing another nasty-looking scar that ran from his neck to his navel. “I took the head of the one who did this. I’m not afraid of this bloodsucker. But he’s older and stronger than any of the others we’ve encountered. By my count, he’s killed seven of us in the last few months. Are you ready to be next?”
Stanley’s face paled as he stared at the scars and contemplated his own future.
Sinclair buttoned his shirt and sat down. Reaching for his mug, he drained it in one long swallow.
“In all fairness,” Charles said, “the bloodsucker didn’t kidnap Bryony, although he did keep her his prisoner for several months.”
“Fairness? He didn’t kidnap her so that makes it all right?” Allen remarked, with a rueful shake of his head. “I don’t think so. Our job is to destroy vampires when and where we find them. No discussion of right or wrong required.”
“This is a matter for the Guild leadership to decide,” Charles said. “Until we hear from them, or Barrett himself takes the creature’s head, tread carefully.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Bryony paced the parlor floor as she waited for Stefan’s arrival. She had insisted on being able to see Stefan every night until she was married. To her surprise, her father had acquiesced, which had left her wondering, somewhat suspiciously, why he had so readily agreed. But she had more important things on her mind. Time was running out. Had Stefan found a way for her to get out of marrying Bloodworth? She knew Stefan would take her away before he let her wed another, but she couldn’t run away. Timothy Bloodworth was a greedy, selfish, vindictive man. He would never forgive such a large debt. And she couldn’t just run off and live happily ever after when there was a possibility that Bloodworth would send her father to jail or that her family might be evicted from their home and left destitute.
Almost stronger than her horror at marrying Bloodworth was her anger at her father. How could he have let something like this happen? How could he have put their land and their future at risk? If word got out, what would Veronica’s future husband, Robert, think? Would he still want to marry Veronica if her father was sent to debtor’s prison in disgrace? And what of Eli and his betrothed? Would their marriage also be at risk?
She had the beginnings of a horrible headache when Stefan arrived. For once, her family was not present. Eli hadgone hunting. Veronica and their mother had gone to the city earlier and had not yet returned. She had no idea where her father was.
Stefan frowned when he saw the look on her face. “What troubles you?” he asked, as he took her in his arms.
“What do you think?” Taking his hand, she led him to the couch and sat down, tugging him down beside her.
“Do you actually believe I would let that man or any other lay their hands on you? I would see them dead first.”
“That wouldn’t solve the problem,” Bryony said with regret. “My father would still owe the debt.”
He had several options, Stefan mused. He considered simply wiping the debt from Bloodworth’s mind, but there were bound to be others who knew of it, friends, perhaps. Surely his solicitor and the banking office. And the physical note itself. Far easier to go to Bloodworth and give him the money. Or offer it to Barrett.
“Stop worrying, my sweet.” Lifting her hand to his lips, Stefan kissed her palm. “I shall pay the debt. It will take me a few days to withdraw the funds.”
Bryony blinked at him. “You would do that? For me?”
“Would you rather I killed him?” Stefan asked with a wry grin.
“Of course not,” she said quickly. “But…it’s a great deal of money.”
“Then it is fortunate that I have a great deal of money, is it not?”
She didn’t know why she was surprised. He had spent a small fortune on her, buying her fashionable clothes, art supplies and books, taking her out to expensive restaurants and the theater. He owned two houses that she knew of, although she recalled that he had burned one of them down. She smiled inwardly. She couldn’t wait to tell her father thatStefan had offered to repay the loan. Perhaps gratitude would replace the dislike he had for Stefan.
“Is it all right if I tell my father tonight that you’re willing to repay the debt?”
“If you wish. It will be my wedding gift to you.” Slipping his arms around her, he captured her lips with his in a long, slow kiss that brought her whole body achingly alive with wanting him.
“Let’s go someplace where we can be alone,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck.
“Where?”
“I will find a place.”
