After getting bitten for the first time in over a century, Garrett’s stomach wanted to revolt. He held it together with one thought in mind—Gillian. By the time he parked his Jeep and walked the remaining block to Gillian’s store, the last fleeting colors of daylight seemed to bleed away into the sky. The sun slowly dipped below the horizon in a burst of orange fire. People bustled through the streets, coming and going from work on this crisp, fall evening. Leaves swirled through the air and landed on the sidewalk.
If the spring water did as promised and severed the bond Lawrence had on Brooke Corey, then it was well worth the effort.
Now he’d just have to wait to hear back from the Brotherhood. He hoped it would be soon. They were running out of time, and the investigation kept leading to one dead end after another. The captain had lost all confidence in finding the rest of Lawrence’s victims before one of his cronies killed again.
He’d never gotten the chance to talk to Gillian this morning and hoped his midnight confession hadn’t scared her away. He found himself thinking about her all the damn time. His body tightened with need when he imagined finally taking her after all these months.
When he got to the front of the store, he peered through the window and caught a glimpse of Gillian walking around. She wore a purple, silk button-down shirt. Black jeans showed off her long legs. Raw desire gripped him just looking at her. He tracked her movements as she took a seat on a stool. Then, he caught sight and scent of a young vampire sitting across from her. He appeared tall with shoulder-length, sun-streaked blond hair and a sleeve of tats emblazoned across his arm. His look practically screamed artist or musician.
From the way the bastard unabashedly stared at Gillian, Garrett could almost guess the train of his thoughts—something along the lines of what she looked like naked. Jealousy and a powerful need to protect her rose up inside him like an angry monster. That washisfake girlfriend in there. He knew it was stupid and irrational, but he couldn’t seem to keep the swirl of emotions raging inside him in check.
Gillian held up a tarot card to the encroaching piece of shit. He reached across the table and took it from her hand, his fingers closing over hers, and Garrett saw red. What if he was sent from the Brotherhood? Could he be checking up on her? Perhaps he’d been sent to scare her? Sure, his partner might be inside guarding her, but he couldn’t forget what happened the last time.
With a curse, he marched through the front door and cased the store to make sure they were alone. He stormed up to the vampire and scowled down at him. “Hello, I’m Garrett, her boyfriend.”
Natalya darted out from behind a bookshelf. “I believe that’s my cue to go. Have a great night everyone.”
“Garrett? I didn’t hear you come in.” Gillian got to her feet. “This is Lucas. He's one of my customers.” She shot him a warning look for his rudeness.
“Nice to meet you, Lucas.” He didn’t want to pull the detective card, but he couldn’t resist. Garrett flashed his badge. “The store’s closed.”
“Lucas, you don’t need to go.” Gillian’s brows rose. Her eyes darted to Garrett’s and fire burned in their depths. “We were just finishing a reading.”
Garrett pointed to his watch. “It’s past five. Time to go.”
“I was just heading out anyway.” Lucas grabbed his jacket and stood. “I didn’t know you had a cop for a boyfriend.” His voice brimmed with disdain. “If you two ever break up, let me know. I’ll see you around, Gillian.”
“I’m truly sorry about all this.” Gillian led him to the front, and with one last look at her, Lucas exited the shop.
After she locked the door and closed the shade, Gillian spun around with her hands on her hips. “What the hell has gotten into you? I get that you have to be cautious, but he's a friend and a customer, not some stranger.” When he simply stared at her, she sighed, looking drained. “Whatever, enough about him. I’ve been sitting on pins and needles all day waiting to hear back from you. Did you get the water?”
He tapped the front of his pocket. “I’ve got it right here.” He decided to omit the gory details about exactly what it entailed.
“Oh, Garrett! I’m so grateful.” Gillian approached him, and he held up his hand.
“This conversation isn’t over.” His tone came out harsher than he intended.
She sighed. “We’re back to Lucas?”
“He's a vampire, Gillian. Do I need to remind you of what happened yesterday? How about the day before?” His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten this angry. “Innocent women are showing up dead. You need to be more careful.”
She nodded. “I get it, but I can’t shun every male that darkens the doorstep. He works next door at the hardware store for God’s sake.” She stared at him and crossed her arms over her chest. “I sense there’s something else bothering you.”
“Dammit, he was flirting with you. I could tell by his body language, and I didn’t like it, okay?” Garrett growled, not able to keep the possessive tone out of his voice.
“Seriously?” Gillian shot back.
“Ahem.” They both turned to find Saje standing behind them with a sheepish expression on her face. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I overheard you managed to get the water. I’m going to finish the potion back at the greenhouse.”
“You weren’t interrupting. I was just having a lover’s quarrel with my fake boyfriend,” Gillian said with a lift of her chin before her gaze darted to Garrett. “The potion should act as a kind of antidote to Brooke’s bond with Kurt. Can you please give Saje the water?”
“I hope like hell it works.” Garrett took the small glass vial from the front pocket of his suit jacket and handed it to Saje with a nod. “Good luck. I appreciate all your help.”
“It’s my pleasure. I’d do anything for Gillian and Brooke. They’re like family. I’ll be in touch. I think you two need some alone time.” Saje picked up a large, leather-bound book on the counter on her way out.
Once the back door slammed shut, Gillian reached for a large key ring and began locking the glass cases around the shop, refusing to look at him.
“I thought you understood that part of this cover entails us in an exclusive relationship. At least do your part to make it look believable.” Saying the words made his nostrils flare.
