Much to Holly's relief she reached thirty then. Retracting her teeth, she quickly scrambled off the blond and turned to scowl at the other woman. "Ha ha. You were the one controlling them. Why'd you have him grab me like that?"
"I wasn't controlling what he did, piccola. Just what he felt," Gia said with amusement and then walked forward to give her a hug. "Is all right. You look much better already and a delivery is on its way to get you back to one hundred percent."
Holly sighed and hugged her back briefly, then stepped away and glanced to the police officers.
"I will handle them," Gia assured her. "Go upstairs and check on your husband. I will be up in a moment."
Nodding, Holly turned and slipped out of the room. She actually walked up the stairs rather than having to drag herself this time, which was nice. She even felt well enough that the idea of showering sounded pleasant rather than an exhausting trial as it had all night until now. Maybe she could grab one after Gia came upstairs. It would be nice to strip out of her bloodstained clothes and wash away the dried blood of both herself and her husband.
Holly opened the door to the bedroom and walked inside for the first time in hours. She had been in such dire need of blood before this she hadn't trusted herself alone with Earl, so had done little more than open the door and peek in to be sure her husband had not escaped his bindings. Now, she walked up to the bed and peered down at him with concern. James had stopped screaming and thrashing hours ago. He'd lain in a dead silence ever since, his face gray, and his body unmoving. Not that he could have moved much what with the--
"Duct tape?"
Holly glanced over her shoulder at that squawk from Gia. Apparently she'd been quick about handling the policemen. Noting Gia's dismayed expression as she approached the bedside, Holly glanced back to James.
"Dio mio, cara," Gia said on a laugh. "What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that I was starting to feel like an abusing spouse every time I knocked him out. That I didn't have any chain, and that duct tape is super hard to break." She pursed her lips as she peered at her husband in his silver cocoon. The only thing that wasn't completely covered was his head. She'd left him untaped from the neck to his forehead and then run several lengths of tape over him there as well. "I used six rolls of the stuff. He's not going anywhere until I cut him free."
"No, I guess not," Gia said with amusement.
A whimper from the corner made them both glance that way.
"Gia, this is Earl," Holly announced. "He was kind enough to drive James and me home tonight after the accident."
"Why is he whimpering?" Gia asked curiously.
"You can't read him?" Holly asked with surprised.
"He's panicked to the point where his thoughts make no sense. He seems to think you're some kind of sex fiend crossed with a wild dog or something." She paused and then added thoughtfully, "Or maybe he's thinking you're a bitch in heat. My English is not always perfect."
Holly gave a snort of laughter and shook her head. "James attacked him while I was down getting the blood. He got knocked out when I pulled James off of him and then he woke up while James and I were wrestling after your call," Holly explained with a grimace. "He saw my fangs."
When Gia arched her eyebrows, Holly grimaced and shrugged. "My fangs came out while we were wrestling."
"I will take care of Earl. Why don't you go take a shower?" she suggested. "Better yet, a bath. You look like you could use a little time to yourself to relax."
"Thank you. I think I will," Holly said, turning toward the door.
"Oh, by the way," Gia said suddenly, bringing her to a halt. "While the blood got lost, they did collect your car. They said it was a wreck though. They'll handle the insurance claim and everything for you. In the meantime, they are sending you a rental."
Holly nodded slowly, but then asked, "Who are they exactly?"
Gia hesitated and then said, "Technically the money will come from the Enforcers. You are still under their purview. But Argeneau Enterprises handles all the details."
"Why would I still be under the Enforcers' purview?"
"Because you were mortally injured and turned on their watch due to their actions," she pointed out.
"Yes, but I'm done with my training," Holly pointed out.
"Yes, but immortals have been around long enough that they know there is a certain period of adjustment."
"They didn't cause the car accident. I did," Holly said quietly.
"You did when you flashed your fangs which you couldn't have done if you hadn't been turned," Gia pointed out.
"How do you know how the accident happened?" Holly asked, and then rolled her eyes. "You read my mind."
"As soon as I got here," Gia confirmed.
"Oh," she sighed. "Of course you did."
"Holly, the accident wasn't your fault," Gia said firmly. "Your whole life has been turned upside down, and it's been made even more difficult because you are trying to carry on as you did before that happened. Of course things were bound to explode."
Holly smiled crookedly. "You know I find it interesting how sometimes your accent is so thick and your "English is not always perfect" and yet other times you have hardly any accent at all, and your English is just fine." '
Gia grinned and shrugged. "C'est la vie."
"That's French," Holly accused.
"Si." Gia smiled. "It means questa e la vita."
Holly shook her head and turned to continue out of the room. She needed a bath . . . and a good cry. No matter what Gia said, she felt responsible for the accident, and she always would. Turning James had been the only thing she could think to do to make up for it. But what if he hated her for it? She hadn't asked him if he wanted to be turned. How would he handle finding out what she'd done?
Eighteen
Holly stepped into the house and paused, her gaze shifting to the closed living room door as a trill of laughter sounded. It was girly and flirty and nothing like the normally husky sound that usually came from Gia. At least Holly had never heard her laugh like that before this last week as she'd taken care of and looked after James while Holly attended her classes and went to work.
Holly closed the door, a smile curving her lips as Gia laughed again, joined this time by James's much deeper chuckle. He had woken up on Sunday while she was still sleeping in the guest room. By the time she'd got up James was untaped, bathed, dressed and Gia had explained everything to him. He'd taken the knowledge that he was a vampire rather well. Better than she had, certainly, and he hadn't blamed her for any of it.
Holly moved into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door to consider what to make for supper.
"No need to make dinner, you're going out," Gia announced cheerfully, leading James into the kitchen. "How was school?"
"Good," Holly assured her.
"And work?" James asked.
"Not as good, but okay," she said with a smile and then raised her eyebrows. "Why are we going out to dinner?" She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. "What's up?"
James and Gia exchanged a glance and then James shook his head. "You'll find out. Come on. I'm hungry."
Holly fell into step behind him, following him to the door until she realized Gia wasn't behind her. Slowing, she glanced over her shoulder. "Isn't Gia coming?"
"Nope. Just you and me, Holly," James said, and added, "We need to talk."
Holly raised her eyebrows, but followed him out to the car and let him see her into the passenger seat. She wasn't sure what James wanted to talk about, but she had an idea and she didn't want to discuss it in a restaurant.
"I know," she said as James slid behind the steering wheel and pulled his door closed.
He peered at her warily. "What?"
"Gia can't read or control you. You're a possible life mate to her," she said solemnly.
James peered out the front window, biting his lip. "How did you know?"
"She's eating, James," Holly pointed out. "Old immortals who a
re unmated lose interest in food and regain it when they meet a possible life mate. Gia didn't eat once the entire time I was in Southern California. But she has been eating ever since you woke up from the turn."
"I didn't know that," he admitted. "About her not eating before this, I mean."
Holly shrugged. "So . . ."
"So?" he asked.
"So you want a divorce to be with her." It wasn't a question.
"How did you--"
"Why else would you want to talk to me alone?" she interrupted dryly, managing not to roll her eyes. Honestly, men thought women were so dense.
James eyed her uncertainly and then asked, "Are you upset?"
"Surprisingly enough, no," Holly admitted with a faint smile and then shook her head with a sort of bewilderment. "I knew what was happening the minute she put the first bite of food in her mouth. I listened to you guys laugh and joke. I even saw the moony eyes you made at each other, and I just kept waiting to feel the jealousy, even a little of it. But it never came, and that's when I realized . . ."
"That while you love me, it isn't like it is with Justin," James suggested with understanding.
"She told you about him?" Holly asked.
James nodded. "She didn't betray any confidences, Holly. But she told me why Justin turned you. She also told me that you were determined to be true to your marriage vows. I appreciate that," he added. "And I was too . . . mostly."
Her eyebrows rose. "Mostly?"
"I never touched her," he said quickly, and then grimaced and added, "Not while I was awake."
"Ah, the shared dreams," Holly said with amusement. "Pretty powerful stuff, huh?"
"You had them with Justin?" he asked with surprise and she realized that Gia really hadn't betrayed any confidences.
"Yes, I had them," was all she said.
James was silent for a minute and then said, "They are pretty powerful stuff."
"Go ahead and say it," Holly urged.
"What?" he asked warily.
"That we never had half the passion of those dreams. That what we've had was more like . . ."
"The love and affection between siblings," he said when she hesitated.
She nodded. "I suppose that shouldn't surprise us since we grew up together."
"Yeah, but you were the hottest girl around," he assured her.
She chuckled at the teasing words he'd often said to her and gave her usual response, "I was the only girl around."
"That too," he agreed, and then took her hand. "Holly, I don't want to lose our friendship. You've been a part of my life almost since I was born. You're family to me."
"And I always will be," she assured him, squeezing his hand gently.
"Good." He smiled with relief and then admitted, "You're taking this better than I expected. When Gia said you were so determined to stick to your marriage vows, I . . ."
"I married you in good faith, James," she said quietly. "I do love you, and if we were both mortal still, we might even have made it as a couple. The cozy home, children, growing old together and all that stuff we both dreamed of while growing up."
"But circumstances have changed," he said.
Holly nodded. "There's a reason we edit what we say. Once words are spoken, they cannot be unheard. Unfortunately, the same is true of thoughts if you can read them."
"I apologize for anything you may have heard me think that might have hurt you," James said quickly. "And really, the Elaine thing--"
"Don't even go there," Holly said with dry amusement. "You shouldn't even have to go there. Your thoughts should be your own, James, not something you need to apologize for." She grinned and added, "And with Gia, they will be."
James nodded and relaxed, then reached for the door handle. "Come on. Gia was worried sick about how you'd take this. She's afraid you'll be mad at her and she really likes you. Let's go give her the good news and then all three of us can go out to dinner to celebrate."
"You go ahead and tell her alone," Holly suggested. "I'll just wait here."
When he frowned at the suggestion, concern entering his expression, she pointed out, "She might feel weird about kissing you in front of me and you two are gonna want to kiss."
"You're right," James said on a laugh and slid out of the car.
Holly watched him go and then got out of the front seat and moved to the backseat instead, leaving the front for Gia. She then sat staring at the house she and James had bought together after they'd married. They'd planned to sell and move to a larger place when they were ready to have kids, but it was a good starter home.
The house suddenly blurred in her vision, and Holly blinked, and then raised her fingers to dash tears from her eyes. They were unexpected. She hadn't thought this would upset her. She really was happy for Gia and James and hadn't felt a moment's jealousy, which was just wrong. In fact, more than anything, all she'd felt was relief. Those two weeks before the accident had been impossible. She couldn't imagine trying to struggle through a lifetime of that, even a mortal lifetime. And now she didn't have to.
Still, Holly supposed she was grieving what had been. The dreams she'd had as Mrs. James Bosley. And maybe she was also crying a little because she wasn't sure of her own future. She had turned Justin away, repeatedly rejected him. What if he now did the same to her? And if he didn't, how could she be sure they could work? Until very recently, she'd been certain she and James could and that had been wrong. With Justin, she wasn't certain of anything.
"Piccola!"
Holly glanced around with surprise when Gia slipped into the backseat beside her.
"I will ride back here with Holly," the woman announced.
"Ah, you're gonna make me sit up here all by myself?"
Gia clucked her tongue. "Drive, James."
"Ha ha, very funny," he muttered, starting the engine.
"Why is it funny?" Gia asked with confusion.
Holly met James's eyes in the mirror and they both burst out laughing.
Gia merely smiled at them and then took Holly's hands. "Don't worry. Everything is going to work out. Justin will not reject you. He understood and even admired your decision to honor your vows. And," she added firmly when Holly opened her mouth to speak, "And you do not have to trust in yourself with Justin. Trust in the nanos, yes? They will never steer you wrong. If they think you are life mates, then life mates you are, and you will work."
"Now," she squeezed Holly's hand and then turned to smile at James in the rearview mirror. "We will go have dinner to celebrate . . . in Canada."
"What?" Holly turned on her with surprise.
"Hmmm. I called Aunt Marguerite and she insisted we all come to dinner."
"In Canada?" Holly asked with disbelief.
"Hmmm. Is only a five hours flight or something like that," she reassured her. "And there are snacks on the plane."
"The plane?" Holly echoed.
Gia nodded. "It should be landing when we get to the airport. Lucian Argeneau arranged for it to come get us when I called him earlier."
Holly's eyes narrowed. "And why did you call him?"
"Because I want to be happy, but I want you to be happy too," she said simply.
"And how does flying to Canada for dinner make either of us happy?" she asked warily.
"Well . . . when James and I finally talked about everything, and he decided that he had to talk to you as soon as you got home . . ." She hesitated and then said solemnly, "I cannot celebrate and enjoy having James to life mate if you and Justin are not settled as well, Holly."
Holly bit her lip and said, "Have you ever heard the expression you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink?"
Gia shook her head slowly. "What does it mean?"
"It means she's afraid you'll get her to Canada and bring this Justin guy around, but that doesn't mean he'll still be interested," James said solemnly.
Gia shook her head. "You are his life mate, Holly. You have nothing to fear."
Holly didn't say anyth
ing, but as Gia patted her hand, she worried that might not be true.
Nineteen
"Do this, Justin. Do that, Justin. We're shorthanded, Justin. Mortimer needs you, Justin. You have to come back. But where is Justin? Everyone else is out hunting a rogue, but what is Justin doing? He's delivering pastries to Marguerite's house for some damned dinner she's having. Oh yeah, we need you, Justin," he muttered under his breath as he parked the SUV in Marguerite's driveway and got out to walk around to the back of the SUV.
He retrieved the covered tray inside, then straightened, pressed the button on his key fob to close the back, and headed for the house. He was still ten feet away when the front door opened and Dante peered out at him. "What took you so long?"
"Really?" Justin asked, one eyebrow rising. "Not, 'Thank you for taking time out from your important work of hunting rogues to bring us yet more food to swallow in one or two bites, Justin.' Just, 'What took you so long?' "
Dante shrugged and stepped back for him to enter with the tray. "I don't eat pastries."
"Yeah, you do," Justin said dryly, stepping inside and turning to watch him close the door. "As far as I can tell, you and Tomasso eat everything."
"Yeah, we do," Dante admitted with a grin and then waved at the door to the living room.
Shaking his head, Justin turned and strode to the door, but stopped there as he noted all the people present. It wasn't a damned dinner--it was a party of some sort. The whole Argeneau family appeared to be here, as well as every last hunter who was supposed to be out rounding up a supposed nest of rogues Lucian had got word about. Even Mortimer and Sam were here.
"What the--" he began and then paused as Marguerite suddenly smiled at him. She took her husband Julius's arm and the two stepped sideways, revealing three people sitting on the couch.
"Holly," Justin breathed and dropped the tray he held. Fortunately, Dante was quick and managed to catch it before it hit the floor. Justin hardly noticed though; his attention had shifted to the man beside Holly. James Bosley, her husband, sat between her and Gia on the couch. That was a shock, but when he noted the silver glint in the man's eyes, he reeled back and whirled away, only to crash into Lucian Argeneau's steel wall of a chest.
"Where are you going?" Lucian asked mildly. "Aren't you going to greet your life mate?"