CHAPTER 9
My screams continued as I was forced to wrap my arms around the devil holding me, because he jumped off the roof of the moving car. With me about twenty feet in the air, the only thought in my head was that tomorrow I would probably have a sore throat from screaming so long and loud. Which given the circumstances, like being kidnapped twice in one night, a sore throat should not be on the top of my worry list. Maybe this was what it felt like when your mind snapped I thought.
We landed with a jolt, and I finally looked up so I could say when I got to heaven I looked the devil in the eye and didnt back down. My legs almost buckled when I found myself looking into a gorgeous pair of ice blue eyes.
"Roberto! How did you find me?"
"Not now Piccolina. We need to hurry. Wrap your arms around my neck and hold on tight. We are going to make a run for it."
"A run for it?" I repeated stupidly, but did as he said when I saw the car doors open on the mangled car and Freddy and Jason jump out .
"Run, yes, lets make a run for it, NOW!" I agreed.
Roberto picked me up and started running at an amazing speed. We had to be going at least twenty miles per hour. I buried my head in Robertos neck after looking forward once and seeing trees that were way too close for my comfort. Roberto must have amazing eyesight to be able to navigate through the forest at speeds like this. We ran at that speed for about fifteen minutes and then Roberto slowed to a walk but did not let me down "We need to keep moving so they cant catch up with us, but I think were safe enough to walk now."
"If thats the case then you can let me down now." I whispered. For some reason the stillness of the forest made me feel like I had to whisper.
57 "I rather like you in my arms, Piccolina."
Closing my eyes, I let his words wash over me. I liked being in his arms too and that scared me.
"I can walk by myself."
With a sigh, he loosened his grip and let me slide down the length of his body. The sensations that inundated my body were heavenly as my breasts rubbed against his hard chest and my pelvis came in contact with the huge bulge in his tight jeans. Tilting my head back, I expected to look into those blue eyes I knew from our previous experience, darkened to a deep blue when he was aroused, but his eyes were tightly shut and he had a grimace on his face.
"Oh, Im sorry. Did I hurt you?" I asked, a little out of breath.
"No," he bit out a little harshly.
I took a step back, and he opened his eyes and must have seen the hurt look on my face because he said, "Piccolina, you didnt hurt me. Im in agony because carrying you in my arms has made me so hard for you Im aching."
"Oh, ahem, I see." I stammered. I had to admit it made me feel all warm inside that I could get this hot, sexy man to ache for me. I started to give him a shy little smile when it hit me that the reason he was so hot and hard for me was because Im some kind of sexual magnet.
Finding my backbone I said, "Dont we need to keep moving? I dont want to get caught by those guys again."
Roberto looked like he was going to say something but changed his mind. "Did they hurt you Piccolina? If they hurt you I will go back right now and kill them."
"Well, Jason smacked me upside my head, and that hurt like hell, but other than that, no. Who would have guessed that trolls could hit like that? "
Roberto grabbed my arm and swung me around to
58 face him. "Did you say troll?"
"Yes, Freddy told me that Jason was a troll named Ted. Why? Besides being a freaking troll what does that have to do with anything?"
Roberto looked like he was ready to go back and kill someone for sure now. "It means these guys are serious. Trolls are highly volatile and not easy to control. They are natural born kidnappers. That the Guardians went to a troll to kidnap you means they mean business. The troll wont stop. He will be coming after you until either he has you or youre dead."
"Are you saying that the fairy tale stories of trolls living under bridges and kidnapping babies and replacing them with changelings is true?"
"Yes, Im afraid youve found yourself in a whole new world Olivia, one where fairy tales have a grain of truth to them and nightmares are often real."
"Yeah, tell me about it. I never thought Id meet Freddy and Jason."
Seeing his puzzled expression I said "I named the two guys who kidnapped me Freddy and Jason." His expression stayed the same. "Like in the horror movies"
"Ahhh...I dont watch many movies. Horror or otherwise."
I should have known. He didnt strike me as a popcorn, snowcap kinda guy. We began walking again when suddenly I stopped in my tracks and began to shake, "Oh my God Roberto! They have my parents. They told me they have my parents!" How could I have forgotten that?
Roberto wrapped his arms around my shaking body. "Its okay Piccolina. We will take care of this. Now tell me everything the Guardians told you in that car."
I told him everything, about how they knew all about me and how they found me. How they knew more about my family than I did. When I finally finished he muttered, "Motherfuc...."
59 Rubbing my arms he said. "I apologize. I do not normally talk like this in front of a lady. As you know, I am from Italy and was born in the fourteenth century. We were taught to only honor and respect women back then."
"Geez, I forgot how old you are. You must have seen some incredible things in your long life."
"Yes, I have, but even though its been a long life, its no different than your own. Life seems to have a way of sliding by unawares. In your own lifetime you have seen new inventions and advancements in science. Computers and cell phones are more recent inventions, and I bet you can remember a time before they were invented."
"Yeah, of course I can."
"But I bet its hard to remember when you didnt use a computer. Well, thats how it is for me. I remember back to the days before automobiles and airplanes, but I have to make an effort to do so."
"Do you have a cell phone? I left mine in my purse, which is back in the car. I want to try and call my parents, and I want to call Janel and let her know Im okay."
"No. No cell phones. They can easily be tracked."
"Is that how you found me?" I asked.
"No. When Janel discovered you had gone, which was thankfully only a few minutes after you left, Alexander and I went into action. Janel gave me a piece of your clothing so I could follow your scent. Alexander wanted to come of course, but I am faster." He said without the least bit of conceit. "Alex is guarding Janel, and called one of his friends to pick us up a few miles from here. He will take us to a safe house near by. Dawn is quickly approaching. I need to be somewhere safe to sleep."
"But what about my parents? I need to get to them right away."
"I understand Piccolina, but you cant go there alone and I need to sleep until dusk. When I awaken we can continue on. In the mean time, Ive already dispatched
60 some of my human guards to go to your parents house to find out what they can. They will get a report to me this evening."
"Thank you Roberto, my parents mean everything to me, and Im scared for them."
"If its within my power, I will let no harm come to them, I promise." He vowed.
I had to ask. "What clothing did Janel give you to track me?" I didnt see him carrying anything. He looked contrite when he pulled a red thong from the pocket of his black leather jacket. Embarrassed beyond words, I snatched it out of his hand.
While walking, I allowed myself to dart quick glances his way. He was too good looking. A guy like that would never be interested in me. He was drawn to the Sensay, not to the woman. I suddenly felt overloaded with emotion and began to quietly cry.
Roberto swiftly turned, and gathered me up into his arms and began to murmur soothing words to me.
I didnt have the ability or the strength to protest his carrying me, so I curled into his hard chest and wept. I had no idea we had reached a road until I heard Roberto say quietly, "Have you been waiting long? I dont want anyone to be able to get a fix on our location."
Lifting my head from Robertos tear stained shirt. My mouth fell open when I saw yet another hot guy leaning against a black SUV. I mean, what the hell was with these guys? No one should have so much hotness.
"You can stop drooling now Olivia. I believe Juan has a girlfriend."
With an easy stride Juan moved forward and took my hand. "As a matter of fact, I am currently single and very glad to meet you Olivia. My name is Juan Montero, and for the moment I will be your chauffer and anything else you desire."
A shiver ran up my spine that did not go unnoticed
61 by Roberto, who in turn said, "All right Juan, remember your manners. Stop playing Don Juan, we have a serious situation here."
All at once Juan became very serious and began to give a full report. "Alex dispatched the two guards to Buffalo as you asked, he has the other girl under heavy security and the safe house has been prepared. We also have a car that has been swept clean and ready to go."
Roberto had still not put me down and I was starting to feel a little self-conscious. I began to wiggle a little so that he would know I wanted to be let down. His arms just clamped on me tighter.
Moving towards the car he said "Very good. Lets get moving. I will feel better when we get to the safe house. The Guardians, for some reason, always seem to be right on our tails." We got in the car and Roberto still did not let go of me. In a way, I liked that.
If I stopped thinking about the Sensay attraction thing, it plain felt good to have someone hold me. And it was really nice to pretend for a little bit; I was cherished and loved by someone other than my parents.
Juan got in and gave me a little wink in the rear view mirror before starting the car. We drove for about a half hour when we pulled off the road onto what felt like a dirt path. We were getting jostled around pretty good, but Roberto kept a tight hold on me so at least I didnt end up on the floor.
From up front Juan said, "Sorry. Its not much farther up this road."
I snorted, "Road? I think youve driven down a mountain. Is this safe house a real house or is it a cave? Like a bat cave or something?"
Juan burst out laughing and said, "Damn Roberto. I like that girl."
"Just keep your eye on the road before you take us into a tree or something. The girl does not concern you."
62 I liked the way Roberto was getting all possessive, but all the same I decided to have a little fun with him.
"Awww, thanks Juan. I like you too. You have a nice smile, and youre doing great navigating this treacherous road. You are quite the accomplished driver."
Roberto growled and Juan laughed harder.
Juan stopped the car and said, "This is a far as I can get you. The house is about a mile east of here. There will be a car parked here for you tomorrow evening all ready to go."
"Very good." Roberto replied.
"I hope you know what youre doing."
Roberto raised his eyebrow inquiringly.
"With the girl. Are you sure you want to go down that path?"
"No. Are you sure you want to go down this path Juan?"
Juan put his hands in the air. "Just trying to divert disaster amigo," Turning towards me he said, "It was nice meeting you Olivia. I have never met a Sensay before. The experience has been quite stimulating." He said with a mischievous smile.
"We better start walking. I dont like being out in the open." Roberto said.
"You call this out in the open?" I asked disbelievingly.
"Yes. These are the days of satellite images and Google earth. No one is safe from people who want to find you."
"I have a hard time picturing you on Google earth." I said chuckling.
Roberto turned and stood close with his body touching mine. "Why is that Miss Sherman? Is it because you think of me as a monster? What did you say earlier? Oh yes, a bloodsucking vampire. Well, believe it or not, I know about Google earth, and I know about kids dying
63 from cancer, and the plight of our rainforests and carbon footprints. I have friends and family I love just like you love yours. The human race does not have a monopoly on that, neither do you as you are not human either."
He walked off and left me standing there with my mouth hanging open. I snapped out of it and tried to catch up. I didnt want to be out here lost and alone.
He was right though. I had been dwelling on him being different, a vampire, and now Im different too. When did I become so judgmental? My parents never raised me to judge others. They were always about love. Loving people, loving the earth, loving life. Why had I always been ashamed of that when I was growing up? Why was I afraid of being like them? The world would be a better place if more people were like my parents. Thinking about them made my heart ache. I had to make sure they were safe. Let them know I loved them and appreciated who they were and what they taught me.
I became aware that I had lagged behind and could not see Roberto anymore. I started to feel panicky. Stepping up my pace, I sang, "Welcome to my nightmare, welcome to my breakdown....."
Suddenly a hand clamped over my mouth, and I tried to scream when Roberto whispered in my ear, "Be quiet."
I nodded my head and he removed his hand. "Is someone out there?" I whispered back.
"No. I think its best that we are as quiet as possible and your singing is not quiet."
"Are you saying I sing badly?" I asked him with narrowed eyes.
"Not exactly. Im saying its inappropriate for this type of occasion."
"Well, Im sorry. I tend to sing when Im nervous or upset or happy. It just kind of slips out." I apologized.
He looked at me with his eyebrow raised and
64 deadpanned, "Did you ever try eating chocolate like a normal woman?"
I laughed. "Just hours before you told me I wasnt a normal woman."
"Touch?." He smiled and my stomach did a somersault. He was so damn hot.
We seemed to have reached a truce, and the rest of the walk was in comfortable silence until I said quietly, "I didnt call you a bloodsucking vampire. Janel called you that." He didnt reply but reached over and took my hand in his.
We arrived at the safe house, which turned out to be a small wood cabin. I was glad to be there because weariness swept through my body. Roberto opened the door and we stepped inside. He found a light switch and flipped it on.
Since the cabin was on the small side, it only took me a few seconds to glance around and take in the furnishings. My eyes stopped on the one and only brass bed that sat in front of the far wall. As my brain processed this fact, I turned to find Roberto staring at me with dark passion filled eyes, and fangs protruding from his sexy mouth.