Page 104 of The Vampire and the Barista

CHAPTER 36

Ivan and Jamie found Karl and Kitty just about to walk into the lounge with Jack and Spencer.

“Hey folks,” Jamie said from the doorway.

“You’re back. Are you okay?” Karl asked.

Kitty rushed over and hugged first Jamie and then Ivan.

“I am. Are you okay?” Jamie asked them in concern.

“Yeah,” Karl replied, joining them. “The house went into lockdown, and we had to hide in a secret room behind the fireplace and down a bit.”

“It was a bit scary, as there were no lights in the passageway, but Jack and Spencer kept us safe,” Kitty puts in. “The hidden room was an amazing thought. It was decorated like a woodland, but there were no windows, just the door.”

“I imagine being a secret room, there wouldn’t be any windows,” Jamie replied.

“I was there as well,” Dave said, walking down the hallway to join them. “Plus, my parents, AJ and Charlotte, Louise, and Gavin and the dogs. I promise they were safe.”

“Thank you,” Jamie said, looking from Dave to Jack and Spencer.

“Why was the place locked down?” Jack asked.

“It was just a precaution; some vampires went missing. We found them, but we were worried about everyone here, hence the lockdown,” Ivan told them.

“But this place is surrounded by guards. Why the hiding?” Karl asked.

“It was just a precaution. We didn’t know if anyone was planning to attack the coven, so just to be safe, those that we needed to keep safe were sent to the secret room.”

“But now, Karl, Kitty, we need to talk,” Jamie said. “Can you come up to our bedroom for a bit? ”

“Sure. Jay, should we be scared?” Kitty asked softly, taking Karl’s hand, as they walked up the stairs.

“No, I promise you don’t need to be scared.”

At the top of the stairs, they found Diablo and Bruno laying on their spot. They all stroked them as they passed, and then Ivan opened his bedroom door and waved them in, closing it behind them.

“What? What’s happened?” Karl asked, looking at his brother.

“Okay, there is no easy way to tell you this, but Dad is dead.”

“Good,” Karl said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Did you kill him, Ivan?” Kitty asked him.

Ivan shook his head. “No, Derrick did. He helped Jamie escape your father in the alley. It looks like he took your father back to where he was staying and killed him there.”

“Kevin was having him buried in an unmarked grave somewhere. I honestly don’t care where, as I’m never likely to visit it,” Jamie paused, looking between them. “Are you both alright?”

“More than,” Karl said. “He almost killed me and you, Jay. I was scared he’d try again, or come after Kitty, but now I don’t have to worry anymore.”

“Kitty,” Ivan said. “You okay, princess?”

Kitty nodded. “Yeah, I mean, he was a crappy father, and I’m glad he’s dead. I wish he hadn’t been murdered, though.”

“What of that Derrick chap?” Karl asked.

“He’s dead as well. Kevin killed him, after kidnapping and drugging his mate,” Ivan replied.