Chapter 2
Nicole came into the office early the next morning to do her report. She should have done it last night since she hadn’t slept a wink. Between thinking of Damon and the nightmare of what happened to Sam her brain wouldn’t stop working. Tossing the pen across the desk, she rubbed her eyes wishing the images of Sam strapped to that chair with silver chains and the tube running out of his arm would fade, but she knew they wouldn’t.
Sam had been taken off the streets by the Cincinnati police a month ago and turned over to their care. Mitch had sent her to the hospital where he was being looked over. If anyone would have told her two years ago that she would have to place an 8 year old vampire in a foster home, she would have called them crazy. Now they had more vampire children to find homes for than human children. Of course vampires could not have children, but human children were being turned to supply the thirst for the Crimson Rush that had taken over the drug market. Some days she just wanted to head to the mountains somewhere and disappear. God, it was heartbreaking and truly scary. It was a new world they lived in with different rules. One she was hoping she could live in without going insane.
Pam peeked her head in the door. “Mitch is yelling for you.”
“What’s new?” Taking her hand away from her eyes she grabbed her report and got up. “Are you sore?”
“Are you kidding me?” Pam moaned. “It took me five minutes to sit down on the toilet this morning my butt is so sore. It was pretty comical.”
Nicole laughed. “Yeah, it took me a while to get moving.”
“Wonder if one of those warriors would rub my bum to make it feel better?” Pam snickered, her face turning red. “I wanted to die when we had to partner up with them last night. Talk about a work out.”
“I guess they wanted to make sure we were getting the moves right since we are just women folk.” She didn’t want to let on to Pam how much having Damon’s hands on her affected her. Every time he grabbed her in a hold it felt like a sizzle of electricity coursing through her body. She’d never felt anything like it before and the truth was she kinda liked it. “Ah, did you feel, I don’t know, something weird when Jared was working with you?”
They headed down the hall towards Mitch’s office. “You mean did I want to jump his bones?” Pam sighed dramatically. “Well, hell yeah.”
“I’m waiting for that report Callahan.” Mitch’s booming shout bounced down the hall toward them.
Rolling her eyes she stepped into his office, tossing him the report. “Patience is a virtue Mitch.”
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t know virtue if it bit me on the ass and to hell with patience.” Mitch grunted, thumbing through the report. “Damon and Jared have been waiting for you both. I am about ready to put them on the payroll since they're the only ones who seem to be able to tell time.”
Nicole glanced at the clock. “It’s only three after. Most places give their employees a seven minute window.” She purposely ignored the two men she figured were taking up the chairs behind her. She wasn’t ready to face the large warriors yet, one in particular. She hadn’t thought they would be here this early.
Mitch slammed the report down to glare at her. “I’m not in the mood for your smart mouth remarks Callahan. We have a full schedule today and you all need to train tonight so getcha asses in gear. Pam, you and Jared are pairing up today and Damon is going with you Callahan.”
Nicole heard the two men behind her stand. “No prob boss.” She turned to walk out the door then stopped. “Oh, by the way, you owe the jar a dollar.”
Mitch looked up from his desk, his eyes narrowed. “I didn't say the f-word.”
“No, not today, but you did last night.” Nicole glanced over at the jar that was packed full of dollar bills, mostly Mitch's hard earned money. “I'm proud of ya boss. Only one, that is quite an improvement.”
Mitch stood digging into his pocket, then placed another dollar in the jar marked 'F-WORD' in big bold letters. They actually kept it in his office since he contributed to the jar more than anyone. “If you want a seven minute window for your late ass Callahan be my guest to find another place to work.” Mitch threw out behind her.
“You know you love me boss.” Nicole chuckled. “Who else is going to keep you on your toes?”
“God help me.” Mitch groaned before slamming his door shut.
Jared chuckled as the four made their way down the hall. “What was that all about?”
“Since we work with children so much we have to watch our language. So Nicole made the 'F-WORD' jar. She uses the money at the end of the year to help with a Christmas party for the kids.” Pam chuckled. “Mitch is the worst offender of the f-word and Nicole calls him on it every time.”
“Is it just that word or others along with it?” Jared's eyes crinkled with humor.
“Just the f-word.” Pam snickered. “Everyone has to eat and pay bills. Nicole tried for them all, but everyone revolted because their paychecks were disappearing into the jar.”
“Hey, it's not my fault everyone around here has a potty mouth.” Nicole grumbled.
They stopped in front of Nicole's office. Jared dug into his wallet. “Guess since we're going to be helping I need to watch my mouth.” Jared handed Nicole a twenty. “That should do it until I can get control of my favorite word.”
Smiling Nicole nodded. “Yeah, cause vampire warrior or not I will call you on it.”
“She is ruthless when it comes to making money for the kids.” Pam chuckled. “Everyone who comes in on a regular basis is warned about it because we do have kids in here sometimes. She got the UPS guy last week.”
“I'm not ruthless.” Nicole turned to head into her office. “I'm determined.”
Pam looked up at Damon. “What about you? You tossing in now or waiting until she catches you?”
“I have more control than Jared.” Damon grinned at Jared's eye roll.
Jared snorted. “Yeah, right. I bet you've said it at least twenty times this morning already.”
“Didn't have a reason not to.” Damon looked down at Nicole and winked. “Now I do.”
“You'll slip.” Jared gave a confident nod.
“Yeah, well if he does I'll call him on it too.” Nicole warned. She was a little shocked that these rough and tough warriors would play along.
“You guys be careful out there.” Pam called out as she and Jared continued down the hall.
“Same to ya.” Nicole walked into her office. Sitting down, she glanced up to see Damon standing in her door, his broad shoulders blocking any thought of a quick exit. Talk about claustrophobic. “Oh, I forgot I had to invite you in since you’re a vamp and all.”
Damon couldn’t help but grin revealing straight white teeth and flashing some fang. “Ah, that's a vamp myth, human.” With one step he filled her small office and took a seat in front of her desk. “And this isn’t your home.”
“Could have fooled me.” Snorting she marked a envelop 'Jared's f-word money' and slipped the twenty in. “Might as well call this place home sweet home since I’m here more often than not.”
“Better watch out, if Mitch hears you talking like that he might take rent out of your check.” His eyes twinkled. He really liked her sense of humor. Most women tried too hard to impress him into their beds and that bored him almost before they even began.
Nicole laughed, liking this side of the warrior. She felt more at ease with him. Humor always made her comfortable. “I wouldn’t put it past the man that's for sure. Anything to make my life miserable.”
“I’d say the same about you.” Damon leaned back in the chair smiling at her. “You seem to like making his life miserable.”
“Interesting.” Nicole countered with a smile of her own. “Not miserable. He seriously wouldn’t know what to do without me. I was sick a couple of months ago and was out for one day. He called me every hour.”
Damon nodded, then looked around her cluttered office. Case files were scattered everywhere. “So would he or anyone else know your filing system? I’m sure even Mitch would splurge for a filing cabinet.”
“Only I know my extensive and complicated filing system. I know it looks like a mess, but if anyone needed anything I could pull it in a minute flat. File cabinets take up space.”
Again he grinned and man, did that lopsided curve of those full lips make him sexy as hell. “So you have no problem with me heading out to jobs with you?”
Trying not to squirm under his scrutiny, she shuffled the case files around her desk trying to look busy. “No. Why would you ask that?”
“You just don’t seem like the kind of woman who wants a man following her every move.” Relaxing more, he leaned back crossing his heavily muscled arms across his massive chest.
Stopping herself from wiping her mouth to check for drool, she eyed him. “Listen, I care for these kids. I know I shouldn’t care as much as I do and Mitch gets on me for getting too involved, but I can’t help it. Not one of these kids have asked for what is happening to them, so anything you and your fellow buddies can do to help you will get no problems from me. I do know that I get in over my head sometimes and I don’t think, but when I see a kid in pain or scared all I can think about is getting them out of the situation.”
“Do all of you feel the same about this job?” The only thing that moved was his lips as he ask the question. His eyes, so golden, probed so deep into hers, it was truly unsettling.
“I really can’t answer for them.” She glanced away. “I do know Mitch wouldn't keep anyone on that didn’t do their job and do it well.”
“What about Chad Evans?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “What about him? He does his job just like the rest of us.”
“But you don’t like him.” It wasn’t a question. “He doesn’t like you.” That was fact.
“Well, there you go.” Nicole snorted. “We don’t really work together except for meetings and now working out with you guys, so it really isn’t a problem.”
“But you don’t trust him.” Again statement rather than question.
Blue eyes stared into gold. “How would you know something like that? Can you read my mind vamp? Cause if you can it’s awfully scary in there.” She tapped her temple with her pen.
He studied her close, his gaze intense before answering. “No, I can’t read yours.”
Shocked she dropped her pen. “But you can read others?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, well, ah, is that good or bad?” She chuckled, nerves cramping her stomach. God, no way did she want this hot vampire lurking in her mind so it was very good on her end.
“I don’t know yet.” He frowned. “It’s never happened before.”
“You mean you have never not been able to read someone’s mind?” Wow, that would be kind of cool to read people’s mind. Then again thinking of Mitch, she probably wouldn’t want to know what he really thought of her most of the time.
“No, you're the first human I haven't been able to read.” He did look quite puzzled by this whole idea of not being able to read her. “But you’re happy about the fact that I can’t.”
“You bet I am.” Standing, she shoved her case files into her work bag. “Who wants someone poking around into your deepest thoughts, your private thoughts?”
He stood and opened the door for her. “It saves time.” His voice rumbled close to her as she passed him on the way out. “You don’t have to ask questions.”
“Well…there is that.” Nicole gave a nervous chuckle as she breezed past him, not wanting him to see how his closeness affected her. Man this was going to be a long day.
After stopping at the hospital to check on Sam, who had been happily eating ice cream, they had gone to the homes that Nicole had scheduled visits. Everything had gone well and everyone seemed to be happy with no problems. It has been a rare day. They were now heading back to the office.
“You love this job don’t you?” Damon glanced at her before turning his attention back to the road. He had insisted on driving after seeing her car. He had advised her that he would not step foot in the piece of crap she called a car. Nicole had to agree with him. It was a piece of crap and she would talk to Mitch first thing in the morning about a raise or company vehicle. Yeah....like that was going to happen.
“Yeah, I do.” She nodded then touched her black eye. “Does have its downfalls I guess, but I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. I just wish there was more I could do.”
“Like what? It seems like you are doing all that you can”
“No, not really. There's a war out there with this blood addiction stuff that needs to be stopped. I just wish I could have seen who else was in that basement yesterday. It could be a clue to whoever is behind all of this.”
“You are not to do anything about that.” Damon’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his voice hard. His alpha male protective instincts for this woman kicked into high gear.
“Listen, I don’t care if you come along and all that, but don't think to tell me what to do because I will do whatever the hell I want to do.” Nicole shot right back.
“Listen to me Nicole. We have been working this for a long time and this is something that is too dangerous to get involved in.” Damon's voice rumbled in warning.
“What do you mean get involved in?” She huffed turning completely in her seat to face him noting that his eyes were getting darker. “I am involved up to my eyeballs in this stuff. I want it stopped before more children get hurt.”
“And you don’t think we want it stopped. We have leads we are working on every day and the ones involved would rather kill you first and ask questions later.” His eyes seemed to go black as night as he slid a sideways glare at her.
“I know, but I am on the inside, so to speak. I hear a lot of stuff and could help out. Plus, you guys are teaching us how to protect ourselves.”
“No!” Damon growled. “Dammit Nicole, stay out of it. You don’t have a clue what you're getting yourself into.” He pulled into an empty parking space in front of her office.
Nichole had the door opened before he even stopped. “Yeah...whatever.” She leaped out of the car slamming the door.
“Damn!” Damon slammed his hands on the steering barely catching himself from saying the f-word. Shaking his head in disbelief he couldn't help the disgusted chuckle that escaped his lips. “After hundreds of years one small blonde woman has me calling f*ck the f-word. Yeah...some badass warrior I am.” He was truly screwed. Watching to make sure she made it to her car he backed out and headed to the warehouse.
Nichole could feel Damon glaring hotly at her as she ran her laps to warm up. She had lost her temper earlier and felt bad about it. She knew he was here to help them and they desperately needed these warrior’s help. Noticing he was standing alone she stopped in front of him. “Listen, I’m sorry about earlier. I tend to get a little defensive about my job. I’m not stupid and I know we need your help. It’s just I want to do everything I can to stop this.”
Damon nodded, his eyes back to their golden stage. “I understand your passion for what you do, but the deeper you involve yourself the more danger you place yourself in. You can't help anyone if you get yourself killed.”
“I have a lot of contacts.” Nicole glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone was listening. “I hear a lot so if I hear anything I think will help I'll let you know and you can check it out. Does that sound fair?”
“As long as it does not put you in danger, then I will agree.” He nodded toward the middle of the mat. “Come on, you need to work on your ground fighting skills.”
Nicole tried not to stick her tongue out as he passed her. “Well, alrighty then.” She snorted, but followed him trying not to look at the way his workout pants clung to his tight butt.
Damon stopped in the middle of the mat and turned toward her. “Lay down and spread your legs.”
Nicole stopped suddenly her eyes shooting from his ass to his face. “Ah, most guys buy me a drink first.” At his raised eyebrow, Nichole snorted. “Okay. Sorry. Just a joke. You know you can probably buy a sense of humor on Craigslist.”
“There is nothing wrong with my sense of humor.” Once she was on the ground he knelt between her legs. “I just didn't find that funny.”
Nicole rolled her eyes then gasped when he grabbed both her wrists and held them above her head with one hand. “Hey!”
He leaned over her slightly putting some of his weight on her keeping her immobile. “Most confrontations you are going to face as a woman are going to end in this position. We have been showing you how not to end up here, but chances are you will end up here.” His eyes drilled into hers, his breath tickling her face. “I want you to try to get away from me however you think you can. Don't worry about hurting me.”
“After that, not funny, remark no worries there.” Nicole snorted and then started bucking, twisting and turning, but nothing happened except her out of breath gasping. Then an idea popped in her head. “Ow. Ow. Ow. Cramp. Major freakin cramp.”
Damon rolled off her concerned. “Where?”
Seeing her chance she jumped on his back and got him in a choke hold they had been shown last night. “Ah ha. Gotcha.” Before she knew what was happening she was flipped over his head and back in the same position she was in before her sneak attack.
“Nice try human, but your attacker isn't going to care if you have a cramp so that didn't count.”
“Okay, you got me.” Nicole couldn't help but notice how damn gorgeous he was when he smiled and he smelled amazing. Then she noticed something else. “Why do your eyes change colors? I've seen them black, dark brown and then light gold.”
“I'm about ready to tear your throat out with my fangs and you want to know about my eye color?” Eyebrow cocked, his lips did the sexy half smile thing. “Is this another sneak attack?”
“Maybe.” She felt stupid asking now, but she really wanted to know. “I mean it seems to me it goes with your moods, so wouldn't that maybe help us when dealing with another vampire.”
Damon seemed surprised. “You are correct. It does have to do with my, I guess you could say 'moods'. Black is usually when I'm angry or hungry.” He flashed a fang at her. “The lighter they get I guess the lighter the mood and less hungry.”
Okay, the fang flashing was a total turn on. Mentally smacking herself she got back on track. “Is that just you or all of your kind?”
“All of us. I have noticed it before, but never determine moods by it since I can read vampires and humans without seeing their eyes.” He grinned leaning closer to her their noses almost touching. “What color are they now?”
Nicole swallowed hard. “Ah, light.”
“Guess that's a good thing for you, human.” he teased then backed off slightly.
Jared walked by and stopped. “Are you going to lay on her all night talking or are you going to teach her something?”
“F*ck you, Jared.” Damon growled without taking his eyes off her. “Let the others know about our eye color changes. The little human here is quite observant and it could help them gauge their situation in the future .”
“Nice.” He nodded down at Nicole. “Didn't think about that.”
“Yeah, well even us lowly humans have some smarts.” Nicole rolled her eyes. “Now how about telling me how to get this huge vamp off me.”
After working for a half an hour to escape from different ground positions everyone was heading to the showers. Pam and Nicole grabbed their bags and were leaving the workout floor when Chad stepped in front of them.
“I hope you don't think you're going to get brownie points screwing that vamp Callahan.” Chad snickered along with his follower's. “I mean damn, how long was he between them legs of yours tonight?”
Pam grabbed Nicole's arm. “Come on Nicole.” Pam pulled her. “He isn't worth it.”
Knowing she was right, Nicole kept tight control on her tongue and tried to walk around him, but he wasn't about to let it go. “It's sad really.” He got in her face. “You making the rest of us look bad by acting like a slut. If that's the case I want to work on the ground stuff with you so I can get between them legs.”
Before Nicole had a chance to shoot off at the mouth Chad was picked up and shoved halfway across the room. Jared and Duncan both grabbed Damon holding him back. Shoving them both off, Damon marched toward Chad who was just picking himself up off the mat.
Nicole took off after him. “Damon no!” Nicole jumped in front of him putting her hand on his chest. “Don't. He's not worth it and I don't care what he says. He always says stupid stuff. Kind of the norm. Just ask Pam.” Nicole tried to make light of the situation just to head off a killing.
“What the hell is going on?” Mitch boomed as he came from the showers. “Callahan what did you do this time?”
Nicole rolled her eyes ignoring her boss. “Seriously, vamp. He's not worth it.” Finally his eyes left Chad and lowered to hers. “Uh-oh. You're either really hungry or level 10 pissed cause your eyes are blacker than a......ah.....well, I don't know what, but they are pretty freakin black.”
His lips twitched before his eyes left hers and zeroed in on Chad. “Apologize now.” It was a demand, not a suggestion.
Everyone held their breath, well everyone but the vampires in the room, waiting to see exactly how smart or stupid Chad was. “For what?” Chad, newly nicknamed stupid ass, looked to Nicole. “I'm just stating the truth.”
“I asked a question people.” Mitch walked between Chad, Nicole and Damon probably saving Chad's life.
“He is not welcome here again until he apologizes to Nicole.” Damon growled, his black piercing eyes pinning Chad to the spot. “I will not tolerate a male, human or vampire, who disrespects a woman.” Especially this woman his actions roared.
Mitch turned toward Chad demanding to know what the hell was going on as Jared and Duncan filled him in. With one last growl directed toward Chad, Damon lowered his eyes once again to Nicole and then to her hand still on his chest.
Pulling her hand quickly away she flushed. “Thank you.” Nicole lowered her eyes feeling shy. What the hell, she didn't have a shy bone in her body, but she had never had anyone, especially a fine piece of male, stand up for her like that. “But like I said, he isn't worth it so don't worry about him. His words can't hurt me.”
“You are not a very good liar, Nicole Callahan.” He had seen the hurt flash in her eyes briefly at the bastard's words and it had sent him over the edge. Luckily Jared and Duncan had been here or he probably would have killed the son of a bitch. Something about this small human brought out every protective instinct he possessed.
Chad walked up with Mitch closely behind him. “Sorry Nicole.” Chad spat throwing her a glare oozing with hate. Ignoring Damon's sneer, he roughly grabbed his bag before slamming out the door.
Damon started to follow him. Nicole knew she had to stop him from killing Chad. “You owe me a dollar vamp.”
Caught by surprise Damon stopped to look down at her. “What?”
“You told Jared to shut the f-up.” Nicole gave him a mock frown. “So you owe me a dollar.”
Jared burst out laughing, the mood in the room turning much lighter. “She got you bro.” Jared chuckled.
Damon finally smiled, but his eyes remained black as midnight. “You can't forgive me for one slip.”
“Nope.” Nicole picked up her bag. “Sorry vamp. I'll give ya until tomorrow to pay up.”
“Ruthless....” Pam smirked shaking her head.
Seeing Mitch scowling at her, Nicole threw her hands in the air. “It wasn't me this time. I have witnesses.” She didn't wait for a response. “I'm heading out. See you tomorrow.” Waving to Pam she hurried out the door Chad just slammed through.
“Sorry about that guys. I'll talk to them both and make sure that doesn't happen again.” Mitch cursed, his hair sticking up from running his hand through it repeatedly. “I don't know what the hell is going on between those two, but they can't be in the same room without something happening.”
Nicole headed to her car, feeling tears burning the back of her eyes, but held them back. Blindly she searched for her keys. “I don't know why I lock this piece of crap.” She mumbled to herself tossing her gym bag on the hood rummaging through until she found them. Grabbing her bag, she unlocked her door throwing her bag in harder than necessary. Falling in behind the wheel with a huff she turned the key and with a puff of smoke from the tailpipe it started.
Eyes hidden in the dark moonless night followed her as she zipped out of the parking lot. The dark figure lifted his head slowly sniffing the air. “Mmm, sweet.” A sinister smile shaped the man's lips, as the smile spread sharp fangs gleamed. “Perfect.”