morning?”
Michael huffed out a silvery breath in the cool night air. “No. There’s a problem and you know it. When were you going to tell me about the detective?”
Derrick grabbed his brother’s shoulders and shook him. “What the hell, Michael? Are you bugging my home? I know you have your spies, but you have no right to defile my personal space.”
Michael shoved his hands off him and backed up a step. “I don’t need to bug your house. I have my own sources. If you’d been paying attention to the news and not your girlfriend for the last few days, you’d know we have some major problems other than the detective. I’ve been handling everything while you’re off playing with your new toy.”
His blood pressure rising, Derrick stepped toward his brother again. “That’s enough! Speak disrespectfully about Kristina again and we’ll finish everything here.” When Michael bobbed his head in understanding, Derrick continued, “What problems?”
“We’ll discuss it tomorrow. I assume you’ll be introducing your bride to the family.”
Derrick nodded.
Michael raised an eyebrow, a sideways smile lifting his rounder cheek. His brother was the only creatus he’d seen who actually had dimples. It sort of detracted from his bad-boy guise, which Derrick never minded pointing out. “You want me to tell Vic,” his brother taunted.
“No, I don’t want you to tell Vic,” Derrick growled. “I’d rather do it in person.”
“You’re going to risk Vic seeing Kristina?”
“Do I have a choice?”
Michael shook his head. “Not really. It’ll happen eventually. I’ll just let everyone know you’re coming. We need to gather to discuss what’s been going on anyway. Make sure you watch the news when you get home. I’m sure there’ll be another one tonight.”
Derrick narrowed his eyes, shaking his head. “Please tell me you’re wrong.”
“Wish I could tell you that. But there’s no doubt. We have a rogue creatus.”
Derrick took his time walking back to Kristina. Only officially in his life a few days and he’d have to remind her that his kind was the most dangerous of all serial killers. He definitely didn’t want her out of his sight either, which he was certain would turn into an issue. Especially since he’d just insisted he wasn’t controlling and that she could do as she pleased.
The problem was that if there was a rogue, more than likely they were acquainted with the creatus, which meant they’d eventually meet Kristina. It couldn’t be anyone in Boston, though. Other than a few who’d come to live with their group over the years, most of the creatus he’d known since he was a child. None of them was capable of such atrocious acts. Sadly, it usually wasn’t about food when there was a rogue among them, but about hatred and a thrill. They enjoyed the chase, reveled in the fact they were superior. With their heightened senses and strength, the chances of a human detective catching them were nil. They’d hear or smell authorities a mile away, and then they’d outrun them.
Thankfully, that’s where Michael came in. His brother was a true detective. He’d hunt the rogue down and dispose of him before he created a nightmare they’d have to clean up.
Derrick stepped in front of Kristina, startling her. “It’s okay. It’s me.”
She jumped to her feet. “Oh, thank God! I’ve never been in the park this late. It’s scary. Every shadow seemed to come to life.” She glanced to the left. “I swear I heard someone breathing.”
He smiled to assure her, but then glanced in the direction she’d looked. He saw nothing, but that wasn’t unusual. If it were the rogue, he’d know how far to stay away, and he would have bolted the moment Derrick approached. He’d have to keep an eye out for the perpetrator. Unfortunately, creatus didn’t look or smell any different from humans. Their chemical makeup was so alike that his kind often wondered if the same superior being had created both species.
Derrick wrapped his arm around Kristina’s waist. “Let’s go home.”
Kristina leaned against him without a word, content it seemed just to be with him. The idea sent a thrill through his system. He’d worried for six years for no reason. Kristina had accepted him without question. The one nice thing about falling was that it could not be faked or forced. Lord knows he’d tried. He’d attempted to fall for one of his kind, but it’d never happened. Now they could move ahead with their lives without any concerns. His family could not argue since she’d fallen too.
After the valet brought his vehicle around—with no scratches or reek of cigarettes—he exchanged the keys for a generous tip and then closed Kristina inside.
“Derrick, when you said ‘Let’s go home…’” Kristina started as soon as he sat down in the driver’s seat. “Um… what exactly did you mean?”
“Well, I have a spare bedroom, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
She cleared her throat. “I’m not worried, but I have to go to my apartment.”
“Of course. We can get your things—”
“No… that’s not what I mean. I have plants that I need to take care of.”
He laughed, but then stopped when he realized she was serious. “Plants?”
“Yes, plants. They need watered and they need air. They’ve been closed up in the house for days.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
This time Kristina crossed her arms over her chest. “No, I’m not kidding.”
He turned in the direction of her apartment.
Derrick parked in front of Kristina’s apartment and hopped out. With a quick glance around, he dashed to her side of the vehicle to open the door.
She glanced up at him, eyes wide. “You’re such a gentleman, Derrick. I’m not used to this.”
He took her hand and led her to the doors of the building. “Get accustomed to it; it’s who I am.” He pulled her close as they stepped in front of the door. “Would you please water your plants and come home with me?”
“Derrick, I like my bed. I know you have a fancy apartment, but I like my place. I haven’t been home in days. My plants need my carbon dioxide too.”
“The point is… my condo is safe.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe… plants. I never would have guessed?” He nudged her chin up with one finger. “I’ll worry about you all night.”
“I know it’s not the best neighborhood, but I’ve never had any problems.” She curled her body against his. “You could stay here…” she hedged. “I have a comfy sofa.”
He lowered his head and narrowed his eyes. “If I stayed here, there’s no way I could stay on the sofa.”
Kristina licked her lips in response. “Works for me.”
Derrick opened the door and pulled her through the doorway. Anxious to get to the third floor, he moved to the middle of the stairwell and listened for a second. Nothing. He was familiar with each tenant’s voice. They were all doing something other than traveling the corridors. “Works for me too.” He pulled Kristina up in his arms.
She whooshed out a breath in response. “Um… you’re going to carry me up three flights of stairs?”
“Nope. I’m going to jump three flights of stairs. Ready?”
She bit down on her bottom lip, but nodded.
Derrick knew the exact force; he’d done this many times in the last two years since she’d moved into the building. He softened his knees and propelled himself off the concrete, soaring upward and over the railing, landing in front of her door.
He felt Kristina’s heart pound against his chest, but she smiled. “Well, that was different.” She laughed. “Whew! The blood is rushing to my head. Give me a second to get my bearings before you let me down. I think my feet are still on the ground level.”
Derrick continued to hold her in his arms as she handed him the keys. “I can hold you as long as you wish. You weigh practically nothing, and I rather like having you this close.” He unlocked and pushed open the door.
As he stood in her tiny living room, he dipped his head to hers. Her lips parted and he sealed his mouth to hers. Walking to the sofa, his lips still pressed to hers, he sat with her in his arms.
Kristina wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands moving through his hair. It felt so good. He didn’t ever want to let her go. How did people function? He couldn’t imagine having to go to work or eat, or anything for that matter. He wanted to lie down beside her and never leave her side. His father had tried to explain to him
