Page 61 of Benjamin and the Thief

He quickly made a dismissive hand movement. “Just an exaggeration. I mean, they’ve known each other for so long, they’re like brothers. So, please, let me show you to the den, where you can stretch out on the sofa.”

At first, she looked like she wanted to protest again, but then she relented. “Alright. But you have to wake me up as soon as Delilah finds something, anything.”

“Promise.”

“And what are you gonna do in the meantime?”

“I’ll make a few calls, and then see if I can help Delilah with anything.”

“Aren’t you tired too?”

He shook his head. “I work most nights. I’m used to it.”

He ushered her into the family room, which was in a new part of the house, opposite the formal living room that was part of Samson’s original house before the massive renovations. Nobody would disturb her here. Samson was at headquarters, Ross was asleep in the playroom two doors down, and Monique and Grayson would be going out soon. It was quiet here, and even if Ross woke up and cried, she wouldn’t necessarily hear him.

27

Catalina sensed a movement and opened her eyes. Shock charged through her. Gleaming white teeth like those of a sabretooth tiger were close in front of her face. Blood dripped from them, while glowing red eyes pinned her so she couldn’t move, couldn’t run, couldn’t flee. Fear paralyzed her muscles. They disobeyed her mind’s command and remained frozen to the spot where she was. There was something so familiar in those eyes, as if she knew the person behind them, yet it didn’t assuage her fear. She knew something was wrong. She was in danger. Every cell of her body told her so. With every second that passed, the teeth came closer, their sharpness emphasized now. She blinked, wishing them away, and suddenly found herself lying on the couch where Benjamin had covered her with a blanket.

In the crook of her neck, she felt an itch and wanted to rub it away, but her body didn’t follow her command. As if she was still in the dream that she’d just awoken from. No, not a dream: a nightmare. As if the monster from her nightmare had bitten her and left a wound that ached. When she finally managed to touch the spot, she encountered perfect skin, no wound, no scar, nothing. So why did it feel like the monster had bitten her there?

A sudden sound at the door made her hold her breath. She couldn’t see the door because the high backrest of the sofa obstructed her view. She heard the creaking of the hinges, then footsteps as somebody entered.

“You think she’s the one for him?” a man asked.

She knew this voice. She’d heard it at the party. This was David, one of the triplets.

“I’m convinced she is. I mean, have you seen how Benjamin looks at her?” The man who replied was his brother, Zach.

And they were clearly talking about her. Her nightmare was instantly forgotten. She should sit up now and make them aware of her presence. But for some reason she didn’t. Was it because she wanted to find out what others thought about her relationship with Benjamin? Was she seeking confirmation or reassurance that Benjamin declaring his love for her was real? Whatever it was, it made her stay where she was, hidden from David’s and Zach’s view.

“Yeah, he looks pretty pussy-whipped.”

“Still, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes,” Zach replied.

“Why? She’s not your type?”

“It’s not that. But the whole idea of having to tell a human your secret. I could do without that.”

Secret? And why did he call her a human? That was an odd way of referring to her.

“Let’s face it: at some point we’re all gonna be in the same boat,” David said calmly.

“Not if I blood-bond with a woman who already knows what we are,” Zach hedged.

“Well, that really narrows your circle to pretty much the hybrids, and to tell the truth, I’d rather mate with a human. Their blood is so much sweeter.”

Catalina slammed her hand over her mouth in order not to release the gasp that was working its way up through her throat. Had he really said he wanted to drink blood from a human? That couldn’t be right. That was impossible! It would mean… No! She couldn’t even finish that thought. Maybe she was still dreaming, or maybe she’d simply misheard them.

Or perhaps they knew she was in the den and were playing a prank on her. But even she knew that this wasn’t the case. Only good friends played pranks on each other, and the two brothers barely knew her. No, their conversation had been real. What did that mean for her? What now?

“Oh, here are my car keys,” Zach suddenly said, and she heard the clinking of keys.

“Let’s get going. I’m sure the club is already packed,” David said.

“Not before I grab another bottle of blood. I’m sure Samson has plenty of the good stuff in the fridge.”

“Okay, but drink it in the car. I wanna get going.”