She gasped when he lifted her right off her feet and her world turned upside down. He wrapped his other arm around the back of her thighs.

“Be quiet and still. I’m going to move fast to avoid everyone.”

He lunged into the woods. She made no protests but she did wonder about that bite reference he’d mentioned. Would he actually bite her? It didn’t sound as scary as it might have once. Lavos was extremely hot. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t fantasized about him nibbling on her a few times since they’d met.

Lavos paused and sniffed the air. He scented some of his clan nearby. He turned left, skirting one of the trails that would lead to the lodge. He could still faintly smell Jadee but he had her slung over his shoulder. The dirt smell was stronger, tickling his nose almost into a sneeze.

What in the hell is she doing here? He had a hundred questions but couldn’t ask them until he got her safely inside his house. Lorn would shit a brick when he found out Jadee had entered their territory. The timing couldn’t have been worse. They were supposed to be showing the other clans that they were strong and able to hold their own clan together. It would be bad if anyone found out not only had they allowed Jadee to keep her memories, but she’d hunted down where they lived.

Jadee kept silent. He was grateful for that. Humans weren’t known for following orders well unless they were being made to. He reached his land and relaxed a little. He’d taken the long way to get there and come around the back. Her motor home and trailered car had already been parked behind his house. He marched to the back door of his home and entered, slamming and locking it behind him. He kept her over his shoulder. He took the stairs two at a time and didn’t stop until he entered the master bathroom. He supported her back and bent, depositing her gently on his counter.

She took in his bathroom and smiled. “Nice.”

He had no idea what to say to her first. Dirt covered her but she was still as appealing as hell. “Why did you come here, Jadee?”

“I’m in trouble. I didn’t know where else to go.”

That suddenly made him feel more concern than irritation over her bad timing. “What kind of trouble?”

“Can I shower first? It’s kind of a long story.” She touched her jeans and grimaced. “I stink.”

“Yes. I have to make a call.” He’d have to tell Lorn he wasn’t returning to the lodge, and why. He backed up. “Do it fast. I’ll be waiting in the bedroom.” He entered his room and closed the door between them. He used his cell phone to contact his brother.

“Where are you?” Lorn didn’t sound happy.

“Can you be heard?”

“Yes.”

“Walk away and find some privacy.”

“Of course.” His voice grew a little distant, as if he’d lowered the phone away from his mouth. “Excuse me. I have to take this call.” Long seconds ticked by and Lorn sighed into the phone. “Okay. I’m in the bathroom and no one else is in here. Is there a problem?”

Lavos closed his eyes, dreading his next words. “I’ll handle it. It’s just that I won’t be at the feast later.”

“You have to be here,” Lorn growled. “I need you.”

“Don’t blow your top—but Jadee is in my bathroom.”

Lorn said nothing.

Lavos winced. “I’ll figure out how she found us and why she’s here. She just said she’s in trouble. That’s why I need to stay here. No one can see her.”

“I knew it was a mistake to let her go,” Lorn said.

“Saving her wasn’t a mistake. I know you don’t mean that. You’re just under a lot of stress right now. I’ll handle this. Make my excuses to your guests.”

“And tell them what? My lead enforcer has better things to do than spend time with them?” Lorn growled. “Do you know how the rest of our clan is going to react when they find out you’re harboring a human inside your home? There’ll be more challenges for leadership. Decker made them hate humans too much. They’ll believe I’m weak.”

“I supported you being with Kira.”

“I love Kira, and she’s not exactly weak now, is she? She was also raised in this clan. You barely know Jadee.”

“They haven’t bitched too much about Veso and Glen.”

“He’s not my lead enforcer and brother.”

Lavos reached up and fisted his hair. He knew Lorn made valid points. “Look, she’s in trouble. I like her. She found us and she’s here. I’m not going to send her on her way until I find out what the hell is going on. I can come for the feast but that means I leave her here alone. Is that okay with you?” He released his hair and let his hand drop to his side.

“No! What if she goes outside? What if someone sees her? What if she strolls right in here and introduces herself to everyone? She obviously doesn’t have much common sense if she came back after she was given her freedom.”

“I’ll explain things to her.”

“You did that once, yet she’s here.” Lorn calmed. “Okay. I’ll tell them there was a Vampire sighting near one of our borders last night and we just heard about it. That will excuse you from the feast since I’d send you to check that out. Just deal with her and get her on her way by morning. Am I clear?”

“Very.”

“And Lavos?”

“What?”

“Fuck her and get it over with. Your fascination with her isn’t healthy for either of us.” Lorn ended the call.

Chapter Twelve

Lavos paced the bedroom until the water shut off in the other room. He waited for her to come out. Jadee didn’t belong in their territory. He and Lorn were cool with humans but the rest of the clan wouldn’t be okay with their leader’s brother taking a human mate. They would see it as a weakness and a reason to challenge. Old-school thinking wasn’t going to easily change.

The door opened and Jadee stepped out wearing just a towel around her middle. He swallowed hard, trying but failing not to stare at the tops of her breasts or those shapely legs of hers. For a short woman, she had a great body.

“I didn’t want to put my dirty clothes back on.”

“I should have remembered to give you something.” He knew he should offer her clothes to wear but his boots seemed glued to the floor. He’d wanted Jadee naked in his bed, and it was just across the room. It would be easy to snatch that towel away and carry her there.