Page 23 of Grayson’s Challenge

“William, how long ago did they leave here with Cain and Samson?” Monique asked.

“Just before sunrise.” He looked at a large clock over the fireplace. “About an hour and fifteen minutes ago.”

“Fuck!” Monique cursed. “They could be anywhere by now.”

“Donnelly?” Grayson said into his cell phone. “It’s Grayson Woodford. Listen, Dad and the vampire king of Louisiana were kidnapped an hour and fifteen minutes ago. We need roadblocks. We’re looking for a black van.” He paused. “Let me hand you over to one of the guards who saw the van. He’ll give you all the details. And we need the feed of all traffic cams in the city. Yeah… I’ll get Thomas and Eddie on it. Just send us the feeds. Thanks.” He handed his phone to William.

While William spoke to the police chief, Grayson addressed Maya. “Who’s aware of what’s happened?”

“Gabriel knows. He’s alerting everybody and calling them back to HQ,” Maya replied.

“Good. Isa, you’re in charge of security for Mom and Faye. Arrange transport for them to take them to our house in Nob Hill. It has more security features than this rental. I’ll be heading the rescue efforts,” Grayson said firmly.

“Get in line,” Monique snapped. There was no way she would allow him to steamroll her. “My father was kidnapped too. And I’m not gonna just sit back and twiddle my thumbs while you go all Mission Impossible.”

“You can stay at our house with your mother. William will go there too. Isabelle will arrange five additional bodyguards to protect all of you,” Grayson insisted.

Monique glared at him, fuming already. She fisted her hands at her waist. “I’m not some damsel in distress. I’m a vampire hybrid and just as smart if not smarter than you, and if you think you can sideline me, then think again.”

“I’m only making sure you’re safe. If somebody targeted your father, then you might be in danger too.”

“And you’re not? Your father was kidnapped too. So what if he was the target, and my father just got in the way? By the same logic, wouldn’t you and Isabelle then be in danger?” She let out a grunt.

Grayson huffed and took a couple of steps toward her. “I can take care of myself!”

Arrogant bastard! “So can I!”

“Is there something going on I should know about?” Isabelle suddenly asked, staring at them.

“No!” Monique and Grayson said in unison.

Well, at least they were on the same page when it came to one thing: hiding the fact that they knew each other intimately. But that was the only thing they agreed on.

“Could have fooled me, ‘cause you guys bicker like an old married couple,” Isabelle said and licked over her wrist to close the puncture wound.

“Here’s your phone back,” William finally said and handed the cell back to Grayson. “The police chief said they’ll put out an APB for any dark vans, and set up road blocks.”

“Good.” He pocketed his cell phone.

“We can’t just let the police handle it. They’re not equipped to deal with this,” Monique said, addressing Grayson. If this had happened in New Orleans, she would already be calling all bodyguards, tech support people, and spread the word among confidential informants. “We need to do something.”

“We are,” Grayson insisted, when his cell phone rang. He answered it. “Orlando?” There was a brief pause, then he said, “Thanks.”

He gestured to his sister. “Isa, Orlando is in a black-out van outside. Can you open the garage for him? I’ll watch over Mom in the meantime.”

“Sure thing,” Isabelle responded and left the room.

Monique walked closer to Grayson and lowered her voice. “So what exactly is your plan? Do you even have one?”

He met her gaze without flinching. “Trust me, I’ve handled kidnappings before. I don’t need anybody telling me what to do.”

“Nor do I.”

“Oh, I got that. I’ve heard enough about you to know that you’re bossy and stubborn.”

“Well, it didn’t bother you last night that I’m bossy,” she hissed under her breath.

Only, last night things had been different. He’d been different. He’d been a man who excited her, who turned her on. Now he was Grayson Woodford, the spoiled heir of Scanguards. And the guy who’d humiliated her when she was eleven. And he was about to steamroll her, when she had just as much at stake as he. Both their fathers were in danger.