“I will remove his presence from your life, Jaxon. That is my promise to you, and I always keep my promises.” He took her elbow. “Come on, angel. The chauffeur has arrived.”
“You sent for him that fast? No phone? Carrier pigeon perhaps?”
“He happened to be in the neighborhood.”
“I’ll just bet he did,” Jaxon answered him, walking with him toward the door. Her feet felt like lead. She had seen Drake’s work before, and each time, along with the horror of his latest crimes, the memory of the murders of her mother and brother was branded anew in her mind.
The limousine was waiting at the gates, the chauffeur standing by the open door. “Good evening, Jaxon, Lucian.” The man tipped his hat, a slight smile on his face. That humor didn’t reach his eyes. They were watchful, wary, compassionate.
“I think an introduction would be in order,” Jaxon suggested dryly.
Lucian nodded. “This is Antonio. He is the son of Stefan and Marie. They are friends and family to one of ours, Aidan Savage, and his lifemate, Alexandria. Antonio has many special gifts.”
Is he like you? It was becoming easier to communicate in their intimate way, and she found it convenient when they weren’t alone.
You mean, is he like us? No, Antonio is human, as are his parents. The members of his family have voluntarily served Aidan Savage for hundreds of years. Few humans are allowed to know of our existence, but they have done so throughout history, mother to daughter, father to son.
Jaxon held out her hand to Antonio. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Has Lucian explained to you who Tyler Drake is and just how dangerous he can be?”
Antonio winked at her. “Lucian is always explicit when he gives his orders.”
“Just be careful.” Jaxon slid into the car and was comforted when Lucian’s large frame moved protectively in beside her. He felt solid and right.
Lucian curved his arm around her shoulders. “Do not waste your time worrying about Antonio. Your protective streak is growing.”
I couldn’t bear it if he was killed because of me.
Antonio is highly skilled, angel, and he is under the protection of our people. No one will kill him easily.
Jaxon shook her head, fought back tears, and stared sightlessly out the window as the sleek car raced through the night toward death and hell. Her personal hell. Reading her thoughts, Lucian pulled her in close to him, his dark head bending over hers protectively, his mouth brushing the top of her head. She felt his love radiating out to her, enveloping her, filling her until the terrible pain threatening to overwhelm her lessened. She didn’t understand how Lucian could do it, but she was grateful. She knew what she was going to see. She knew and cared about each one of Drake’s victims.
I am with you. Stay connected to me.
She swallowed hard and nodded. The car was pulling up behind the squad units, detective cars, and the coroner’s van. Even as she slipped from the car, the sickness hit her gut; she smelled the odor, the sickly sweet odor of death.
Breathe, angel. Listen to my heart, and let your body use mine to regulate your heart and lungs. You are never alone. We are in this together.
Jaxon nodded without looking at him, allowing her body to tune itself to his. It helped to take away the rolling in her stomach. Or maybe Lucian was doing something to prevent it. However it was done, it helped tremendously. She tried to stay toward the outside of the sidewalk, a small barrier between Lucian and the rest of the world, but he had other ideas. He swept her easily beneath the protection of his shoulder, his much larger frame squarely blocking her from the prying eyes of the gathering of reporters. Antonio took up a position on the other side of her, successfully sandwiching her between them.
She didn’t protest, knowing it was useless. As they entered Mrs. Kramer’s apartment, Captain Daryl Smith came out to meet them. “Jaxx, it’s messy in there. You know his work better than the rest of us. Take a look around, and see what you can tell us.”