Page 24 of Grayson’s Challenge

“We’ll talk about last night later. This is not the right place for it. But trust me when I tell you that I’ll do everything in my power to bring both our fathers back alive. Even if it’s the last thing I do.”

“And you think I wouldn’t?” She glared at him, outraged.

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then what did you say? Huh? That I’m not capable because I’m a woman? Spit it out!”

11

Grayson took a deep breath to force himself to remain calm and not raise his voice. Why the hell were they even arguing? How had that happened so fast? Only an hour ago they’d been perfectly in synch. They’d been affectionate toward each other. He had to remind himself of how it had felt being with Monique. The memory of their lovemaking finally tamped down his anger and made him look at their situation from a different viewpoint.

They were in the same boat: they had overbearing fathers, and now their fathers had been kidnapped. He suddenly understood what she felt, and why she was lashing out at him. In fact, she wasn’t angry at him, she was angry at herself, just like he was angry at himself for how he’d spoken to his father.

“Monique, babe, I know—”

He couldn’t finish his sentence, because Orlando and Isabelle entered the room. Orlando was a full-blooded vampire who’d started working for Scanguards only a little over a year ago. He wasn’t the talkative kind, and his brawny physique made him look intimidating. But Grayson knew that Samson trusted him, even though his father hadn’t disclosed to anybody how he knew Orlando, or where he came from. And Orlando never volunteered information about himself.

“Grayson,” Orlando said, “what do you need?”

“Orlando, thanks for coming so quickly.”

“I was in the area.”

“Please assist Isabelle with transferring my mother and Faye to our house. William will be coming with you too.”

“So will I,” Maya interrupted. “I need to monitor Faye and your mom for a while.”

Grayson nodded. “Good. Orlando, get four additional bodyguards stationed at home. William is injured, make sure he’s got time to heal.”

“I’m almost healed,” William claimed.

“Make the calls, Orlando,” Grayson ordered. “And can somebody pack up Faye’s personal effects and clothes?” He looked at Monique and softened his voice so it didn’t sound like a barked command. “Would you please do that, Monique?”

To his surprise, she nodded without a protest.

“And go ahead and pack your own things too. You can’t stay here on your own.”

She hesitated, but then she said, “Fine.”

Suddenly a soft moan came from the sofa. Grayson’s gaze shot to it, and he saw his mother stir.

“Mom!” With two large steps he was at her side and sitting on the edge of the sofa.

“Oh, Grayson, Isabelle,” she pressed out, tears welling up in her eyes. “They have your dad, they have Samson.”

She tried to sit up, and Grayson pulled her into his arms. “I know, Mom. But we’ll get him back. Him and Cain. I promise you. I won’t rest until he’s back in your arms.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“How are you feeling, Mom?” Isabelle asked and crouched down next to the sofa.

Delilah touched her head at the spot where blood was crusting over a wound. “Better, I think. Did one of you give me blood?”

Isabelle nodded. “Yes, I gave you mine.”

Delilah stroked her hand over Isabelle’s cheek. “Thank you, Isa.” Then she sniffled.

“Mom, can you tell us anything about the vampires that attacked you?” Grayson asked. “Anything that might help us figure out where they took Dad and Cain?”

“I’m not sure. It all happened so fast. They must have been lying in wait outside the house, and they just stormed in when we went inside. There were at least ten of them.”