Labor of Love Page 4
Lincoln hurried into slacks and a button down shirt that he rolled up his forearms. He grabbed the kitchen shears on his way out the door and cut a dozen of the roses he’d brought back to life.
* * * *
Victoria sat at her desk writing in her current journal. It was an old habit she found cathartic though she rarely read what she wrote. So many regrets were hidden in her past.
As she pushed her pen along the paper, the doorbell rang. Looking up, her head cocked to the side. Perhaps it’s one of Declan’s children.
“Victoria, you have a visitor,” Declan called.
A visitor? No one ever came for her unannounced, unless there was trouble.
Concerned, she set aside the pen and walked to the foyer. She found Lincoln standing beside the door with a shy smile and a dozen beautiful red roses. Their earthy-sweet scent was a shameful reminder of her illicit trips through his garden.
Their eyes locked and her knees felt weak while her heart raced. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Lincoln?”
He wet his full upper lip before answering. “I’m having a dinner party tonight, and hope I can persuade you to join us.” His gaze slid to the floor before making eye contact again. “Dacia and Preston are coming over.”
Declan stood slightly behind and to the side of Lincoln. He cast a meaningful nod in the young man’s direction.
One corner of her mouth tipped up. She was nervous, something she hadn’t felt in so very long. “Dinner party?” Even her voice sounded breathless.
He nodded and took a hesitant step forward. “I brought these for you.”
“I’ll tend to those,” Declan offered, taking them from Lincoln’s hands.
Unable to resist, Victoria smiled. “They’re beautiful, thank you. And yes, I’d like that. As long as you won’t be offended if I don’t eat?”
“It’s your company I crave.” His Adam’s apple bobbed, but he didn’t break eye contact. “I still need to prepare dinner. You’re welcome to walk over with me now, or come at seven. Whichever you prefer.”
She smoothed her hands down the scarlet satin dress and considered joining him now. “I’ll be there early, but I’m not yet ready. Maybe later we can go for a drive.”
“Then I look forward to seeing you.” He ducked his head and let himself out.
“Don’t you dare chicken out,” Declan warned. “He took a step he was terrified to make. Give him a chance.”
“If he has the courage to approach me I owe it to him to go tonight.” She looked into Declan’s eyes and shrugged. “It’s a start, but I’m afraid to hope he’ll see me as anything other than a monster.”
“Even if you were a monster when you were first changed, you certainly aren’t one now. Go get ready. Though you already look lovely.”
“Oh, I’m dressed well-enough for the party. But it would be awfully rude if I didn’t bring a housewarming gift. Lincoln doesn’t have many worldly possessions. He loves music, which gives me the perfect idea.”
“Enjoy your evening, Victoria.” Declan waved as she stepped out the door.
* * * *
From the shadowy grove across the street, Byron watched a man walk from seemingly nowhere to approach Victoria’s house. Another poor sap falling under the bewitching vixen’s spell. He brought a huge bouquet of flowers that likely cost a pretty penny too.
He felt sorry for the young man. Likely couldn’t help himself. Same story, new victim. Probably thought he was in love.
What would the cold beauty possibly do with flowers? The way to her bed was blood, but the bitch didn’t have a heart. Which was precisely why Byron had made it his mission to stop her from preying on unsuspecting humans.
Byron knew her type. She would argue she made it clear what her prey were in for. That she gave them every opportunity to back out. No love was ever promised. But how could anyone not fall under her spell when she was every man’s fantasy?
He’d almost worked up the courage to go in there, guns blazing, and stop her from ruining yet another person’s life. Then out came the man, without the flowers, and a smile on his face. He walked into the dark night without looking back.
That’s not right. Why isn’t he in there being seduced right now? Maybe there’s more going on.
Minutes later, she drove away in her Bugatti Delahyde. Byron hunkered down, planning to wait for her to come back. He hadn’t prepared to follow.
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