“Where’s your car?” Easton asks me once we’re on the sidewalk.
“I walked from Lucas’s place. It’s only one street over, and yes, it’s just a coincidence. It’s funny, actually, because Abby and Phil moved here so they wouldn’t live by vampires anymore.”
Easton nods. “How did Roger know you were here?”
“I wondered that too. The first time he attacked, it was here. The vampire who hired him would be the one to send him here, I’d think. I don’t know how hiring a hit man works. I usually do the killing myself and it’s not always thought out ahead of time.”
“Whoever hired him knew you were a witch, so they were watching you beforehand.”
“I am so tired of being spied on,” I huff and turn back, looking at Abby’s house. Even though we’ve become closer than ever before, I don’t go over and hang out at her house. It’s not a regular spot to wait for me, and if Roger was going to stake out a house in Lincoln Park, Lucas’s place on North Orchard would be the one.
But Lucas would also be inside.
We already know that Roger wasn’t the best hunter and was hired on purpose, knowing he’d miss. His best chance of getting me was to catch me off guard, as he did, and I wasn’t fast enough to chase him down…but Lucas is.
“It was all set up on purpose,” I say, pace slowing. “He was told to go after me here instead of Lucas’s house. Lucas doesn’t really go over to Abby’s house, and without him around, I’m an easier target.”
“Yeah, that would make sense.” I can feel Easton’s eyes on me as we stop at the street corner. “You’re not really a Martin,” he states, but I can hear the question in his voice.
“Right.”
“But the world still thinks you are. It’s common knowledge you and Abby are related. You two have recently reconnected. If you’re being watched, your friends and family probably are too.”
“Well, fuck,” I huff. “I don’t have time for some elaborate blackmail. This vampire needs to stop pulling a Charles Manson and having people do his dirty work for him. Just attack me already so I can kill him and get it over with.”
“I’m sure that’s part of why he’s not attacking you himself. You’re, uh, pretty badass, Callie. And now you’re married to one of the oldest vampires in the Midwest area.”
I let out a breath and shake my head. “Do you think if we ignore him, he’ll go away?”
“No.”
“Darn.”
We cross the street and turn on North Orchard, heading toward Lucas’s house. My heart swells in my chest when I see the gate, and knowing I’m going to be in my lover’s arms in just a matter of seconds makes me feel so much better.
But then again…I have to tell him what happened. That I accepted help from Lucifer and now he knows I’m pregnant and wants our baby. Suddenly, I don’t want to walk through the large double doors anymore.
“This is it,” I say, slowing at the gate.
“Damn.” Easton eyes the house for a few seconds. “He still owns this place even though you’re married and living together in Thorne Hill?”
“Yes,” I say with a sigh, knowing where Easton is going with this. “Eliza stays here now, and he owns property and houses all over the place. We spent two weeks at his vineyard in California after the wedding, and whenever things finally calm down, we’re going to his place in France.”
“Must be nice,” Easton grumbles, and I just roll my eyes.
“Thank you again, Easton. Really.”
“I’m just glad you didn’t die.”
“Hah. Me too.”
“I’m going to call later and check in with you.”
“Text instead,” I say, wrinkling my nose. “I hate talking on the phone.”
“I remember,” he says and gets a distant look in his eyes, as if he’s thinking back to those few weeks we spent together in our teenage years. “I’ll text you later.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“I’ll be as careful as you are.” He pats my shoulder and then turns around, going back down the street to get to his truck. I take in a steadying breath and push open the gate. My heart speeds up and the small reprieve I got from being terrified of losing the one thing I never thought would happen crashes down on me again.
My fingers are shaking when I open the door and step into the foyer. Scarlet comes running, her little puppy bark echoing through the house. Lucas, who was in his office working,