Rose's stomach pitched at the sad memories Helen's innocent comment evoked.

"Thank goodness for Nigel," she said, meeting Helen's sympathetic gaze. "My uncle was my savior during the months after the accident that put my dad in a coma. My mother just wasn't the same. She sat around, staring out the window, listless. I'll never understand life's bitter ironies. I never told you about my mother, did I?"

Helen shook her head as she picked up a tube of antibiotic ointment to apply to her wound. She must've sensed Rose's sadness at the turn in the conversation. Clearing her throat, she dabbed on the ointment and adopted a stern tone. "I see you're stalling in telling me what happened to you."

Rose hesitated. She couldn't tell Helen the truth. If she did, instead of putting a bandage on her neck next, Helen would be measuring her for a little white coat. She decided to tell as close to the truth as she could.

"Let's just say a new boyfriend of mine is no longer a boyfriend of mine."

"Tell me his name," Helen said, anger flaring as she taped a square bandage on Rose's neck. "I'll report him to the police."

Rose clasped the woman's hands in hers and held on. "I'm a tough cookie, remember? As a PI, I know many cops. I doubt he'll be bothering me any longer," she finished with a steely confidence she didn't feel.

Helen stared into her eyes, seeking the truth. "Are you sure?"

Rose tugged on the pair of reading glasses hanging from a beaded chain around the older woman's neck. She gave her an impish smile. "Yes, I'm certain." She stood and squared her shoulders, "Thank you for cleaning me up. I'd like to spend some time with my dad now if he's up to it."

Helen rose from her stool. "He's in the rec room, sitting by the bay window." As Rose moved to leave, Helen said in a sad voice, "He seems to have grown much older in the past few weeks. Wait here. Let me get something for you."

Puzzled, Rose waited while Helen left the room. The older woman returned with a turquoise, white and navy patterned silk scarf. She wrapped it around Rose's neck and tied it in a fashionable bow. "It'd probably be a good idea if your dad doesn't see this."

Thankful for the woman's foresight, Rose leaned over and kissed her wrinkled cheek. "Thank you, Helen. I think of you like a second mom, too."

Spots of pink stained the other woman's cheeks as a pleased grin tilted her lips. Rose hugged her tight then left the room to make her way to the rec room to see her dad.

George Sinclair sat in his wheelchair facing the bay window. Around the room, other members of Our Home were watching TV, playing board and card games or reading. He paid them no heed as he stared out the window. Even from his profile Rose could tell Helen had been right. Her father had aged considerably since she'd last visited him. Instead of his seventy years, he looked more like ninety. Because of the bittersweet nature of her visits, she tried not to inflict herself upon him too much.

Her stomach tensed and she waited for the inevitable when she greeted her dad with a cheerful smile. "Hi, Dad. I've come to visit."

Upon hearing her voice, George turned his face away from the window. When he saw her, his eyes lit up and a look of happy surprise crossed his face. "Anna? Is it really you?"

Clasping his hand, she kneeled beside his chair and looked up at him, her heart breaking. "No, Dad. It's me, Rose."

Sadness gripped her at the look of disappointment on his face before he gave her an indulgent smile. He put his bony hand on her cheek, then ran it over her hair, his gaze following its path. "You look so much like her, little one. I miss her so."

Rose blinked back the tears that always came with the first few minutes of seeing her father. She knew he loved her, but he'd never been the same after the accident...after her mother passed. It wasn't that he didn't want to give. It was more because he couldn't. Each year his lucidity became even more of a rare occurrence. It was as if he preferred to live in a dream world than face his own solitary reality.

Impulsively, she reached up and hugged his neck hard, whispering, "I love you, Daddy." This might be the last time she saw her father. She wanted him to know how much he meant to her.

George hugged her back. A gentle tone entered his voice as he tugged on her arms, pushing her back so he could see her face. "Hey, what's wrong, sweetheart?"

Squatting once more, she said in a calm voice, "Nothing. I just haven't seen you in a while. I've missed you."

George touched her chin and tilted her head so she had to stare him in the eyes. His deep brown gaze searched hers. "You know I love you, don't you, Rose? I'm sorry if I haven't been there for you like Nigel has."

The look in his eyes was the most lucid she'd seen in a long time. Hope swelled. Maybe he would like to come home with her now? Then she remembered her recent troubles with James. Bringing her dad home wasn't an option at the moment.

"I've got some stuff going on right now, but when I get it straightened out, would you like to come home with me?" she asked hopefully.

George looked away and peered out the window. "There are too many memories there. It hurts too much to go back."

Is that why he'd never come home with her? she thought as a hard knot hit her stomach. My God, all this time, I thought it was me. He's never told me this before. She started to tell him she'd had to sell their family home and she lived in her own house, hoping to persuade him, but he spoke, meeting her gaze with a steady one of his own. "I don't have much time left."

"No!" she said in a fierce voice, her heart jerking in her chest as she clutched his hand and came up on her knees. "You're doing better. You sound so well-"

"What happened to you, Anna?" Her father interrupted her when he peered down at her neck. His gray brows furrowed as he pulled the scarf away from her throat to stare at the bandage. A worried look passed over his face and he pushed her shirt's collar back, looking for something. "Where's your pendant? You said you didn't need it anymore once we married, but..." He paused, glancing down at the blanket on his legs. "I guess I'm not much help nowadays."

Rose's heart broke at her father's regression back to his dream world...a world when Anna never died. What pendant was he speaking of?

"Dad?" she asked in a soft voice as she clasped his hand.

He looked down at her hand on his and met her gaze once more. "I'm sorry, Rose. I got carried away there, didn't I?"

At her nod, he gave a half smile. "I'm worried for you. What happened to your neck?"

"It's nothing." She tried to brush it aside, but her father had a knowing expression on his face.

"Run to my room and bring me the metal box that's in the far left corner of the bottom drawer in my dresser."

When she hesitated with a quizzical look, he prompted, his voice full of authority, "Hurry, Rose."

Encouraged by his focused mood, a mood seemingly on a mission, she left the rec room, took the stairs to his floor and entered his room. Looking in the exact spot he described, she pulled a long, slender metal box out of his dresser drawer.

Her heart racing from her exertions and at the excitement to see her father so focused, she reentered the rec room and handed him the box.

George set the silver box on his lap. He slowly traced his fingers over the swirled designs as if reliving a memory of ages past. With a sigh, he opened the box and pulled out a long silver chain with what appeared to be a silver locket dangling from it.

Holding the necklace up in the air, he undid the clasp. "Come here, Rose."

Why had she never seen this necklace before? she wondered as she knelt down and lowered her head so he could clasp the necklace around her neck.

Once her father hooked the chain on her, Rose sat back and lifted the locket from her chest to look at it. It was also made entirely of silver and had engraved black tick marks all along the outer edges of the locket. On the inside there was a Celtic trinity knot design that was raised in a three-dimensional fashion. Rubbing her thumb on the locket, she realized a design of some kind was also on the back. Turning it over, she saw the words Cosain me i gconai. She met her father's gaze. "This was Mom's?"

He nodded, staring at the piece of jewelry in her hand. "What does it say?" she asked.

George shrugged. "I'm pretty sure it's in Irish considering your mother's heritage, but I don't know what it says. She took it off the day we married and put it away. There was a note in this box from your mother telling me to keep it for you, that it would keep you safe. I'd forgotten about it until today."

Happy to have a piece of her mother to keep with her at all times, Rose hugged her father once more.

He patted her shoulder. "I'm getting tired."

Rose sat back on her heels. "I'll head out then. Take care, Dad. I love you." She stood and kissed him on the cheek.

Her father squeezed her hand. "Take care of yourself, Rose. Keep your mother's pendant on. If she believed in it, then so do I. I don't want anything to happen to my little girl."

She nodded as she turned away. I hope you're right, Dad. I've got a very bad, very powerful vampire after me. I need all the protection I can get.

As she headed out into the lobby, Rose called to Helen sitting at the nurse's station, "I'm leaving, Helen." Before she turned to leave, she spoke to the receptionist at the main desk, "Oh, by the way, my window broke and some glass shattered in the parking lot. Think maintenance could clean it up?"

The receptionist nodded and picked up a black maintenance walkie-talkie. "Will do."

As she walked outside, Rose was thankful for the sun that had begun to peek out from behind the clouds. When she opened the door with the shattered window, she made sure no glass remained on the car seat and climbed in her car. She wished she had a way of knowing if Duncan succeeded in taking care of James. The possibility James might have defeated Duncan made her stomach knot, not only for her own safety but for Duncan's. The hybrid vamp had saved her. Twice.

Until she knew for certain that James had been defeated, she planned to make the most of the daylight she had before trying to find a place to hide when dusk approached.

Determined to take care of her responsibilities, she started her engine and drove straight to the bank. Rose wanted to make sure that if something did happen to her, that her uncle wouldn't have any trouble transferring what little money she had to his own account so he could pay for her father's expenses.

Once the paperwork had been taken care of at the bank, she glanced at her watch as she walked to her car. Mr. Reed had agreed to meet with her in an hour.

Opening her car door, she slid in the seat and started the engine. She planned to drive to the Hammond marina to visit her Uncle Nigel. She wanted to let him know about the new arrangements she'd made with the bank before she headed over to meet with her client. Plus, she'd get to catch up with her best friend Michelle, too.

As she neared the marina, Rose realized her gas tank was almost on empty, so she drove to the gas station across the street from her uncle's riverboat casino, the Five Star. She parked next to a gas pump and got out of her car, noting the casino's sign at the top of the boat. She knew the bold sign flashed twenty-four/seven, but set against the sunlit sky, all she saw was the cluster of five navy blue stars in the distance.

She smiled at the sounds of boat horns and river goers in Lake Michigan. When she slammed her car door, even more glass fell on the ground. Rose sighed, swiped the gas pass "card" hanging on her keychain and lifted the nozzle to put it in her gas tank.

"What the hell happened to your car, Rosie?"

She glanced around the gas pump at the sound of Sam's deep voice behind her, to see the big, burly man shrugging out of his leather jacket. He draped it across his motorcycle parked beside the convenience store.

Her stomach tensed as Sam strode over to her with a frown on his face. He'd always been her guardian angel, but today he looked more like a Hell's Angel with his bandana-wrapped head, goatee and row of gold earrings shining in his left ear.

Once she hooked the nozzle's latch so the gas would continue to fill her tank, Rose reached up and hugged Sam while she made up the first excuse that came to mind. "Kids and their baseballs. Hiya, Sam. It's great to see you."

Sam kissed her on the temple and wrapped his arm around her waist as he eyed her window with doubt. "Was someone trying to hit you, little Rose?"

At six-foot-six, Sam did make her feel like a shrimp. She always thought his nickname for her was appropriate. Sam's size and protective nature made her feel so safe, especially growing up in a casino environment. But Rose had a feeling Sam wouldn't be a match against James' vampire strength and supernatural powers-powers she was certain she'd only seen a glimpse of.

"Aw, Sam, you're always so worried," she said in a light tone. She squeezed his waist and inhaled his leather scent. He made her think of a protective big brother.

"I can't help it, munchkin," he said as he tweaked her nose and steered her to the back of her car. "I've known you since you were a knobby-kneed, freckle-nosed, skinny little hellion running around the casino with no supervision whatsoever."

"Watch it with the compliments, bud," she laughed up into his amused face, "or I'll tell everyone that not only did you teach me to ride a motorcycle, but you also taught me how to play chess and appreciate the soothing benefits of classical music."

"You wouldn't dare shatter my tarnished, bad boy image," he shot back with a sheepish grin. His expression sobered and he glanced at the riverboat docked at the marina. "You are planning on visiting us, right?"

"Of course I planned to stop by, silly," she said with a grin.

"Good." He stepped away from her to walk back beside her car to stare at her broken window once more. Glancing up at her, his eyebrows drew together. "I don't think you're telling me the truth about your car window."

Her stomach tensed at his comment as he walked back over to stand in front of her. His expression turned serious. "I saw what looks like drops of dried blood on your car door."

Why the hell couldn't the rain have continued for just a little while longer? Damn the man and his astute observation. But then, that's why he was Nigel's head of security. She couldn't let Sam know the truth. He'd insist she stay close so he could protect her. No way was she going to be responsible for drawing anyone else into this mess and take a chance on them getting hurt.

She quickly made up an excuse. "Oh, that was mine. I nicked my wrist trying to get the loose pieces of glass out so they didn't come flying in the car later while I was driving."

Sam put out his hand, his expression concerned. "Let me see your wound. You may need stitches depending on the depth of the cut."

Whew, at least she thought to say it was her wrist. She shrugged her jacket sleeve back and produced a wrist for his inspection.

Grasping her arm, he looked down then narrowed his gaze on her. "Either you're a fast healer or a terrible liar." Concern etched the hard lines on his face. "Tell me what happened. I can help you, sweetheart."

Surprised by his reaction, she glanced down at her wrist to see it was completely healed. Duncan really had healed her wounds. She shook her head in disbelief and raised her other arm to inspect the other wrist while Sam continued, "If this is related to your job...I really don't like you doing PI work alone. I've got a buddy who needs some additional work. I can give you his number."

"No." At the stubborn scowl that formed on his face, she continued in an adamant tone, "Sam, I'm fine. Really."

Sam clasped her shoulders. "Rose, I know you. You're holding out on me. Tell me what's wrong so I can help you."

She opened her mouth to speak when a man's voice interrupted her. "Rose will be fine. You can leave now."

Rose turned at the sound of Duncan's voice. Joy and relief made her heart rate roar in her ears at the sight of the vampire standing a few feet away. He had a gash across his cheek and a cut above his eyebrow, but other than that he looked so damn sexy she couldn't help but stare. His golden gaze drifted to Sam's hands on her shoulders, narrowing.

Sam suddenly released her at the same time he demanded, his blue eyes blazing, "Who the hell are you?"

"Didn't Rose tell you? I'm her bodyguard." Duncan crossed his arms in a nonchalant manner.

Rose felt Sam stiffen beside her. He reached over and pulled the scarf away from her neck, revealing the white bandage underneath. "Apparently you're not doing your job, champ."

"Sam!" Rose responded to Sam's sarcastic tone at the same time she saw Duncan stiffen.

He glanced at her bandage and spoke in her mind, fury in his gaze. Did James do that?

If Duncan was alive and well, that meant he had to have defeated James. Woohoo, thank goodness! Nodding to answer his question, she said in a curt tone, addressing both men. "I'm fine." Looking pointedly at the two guys staring daggers at each other, she fixed the scarf around her neck. "Despite what both of you may think I don't need a keeper. Period."

A quick glance at her watch told her she didn't have enough time to meet with her uncle before her appointment with her client. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment to keep," she said as she walked over and removed the nozzle, then screwed her gas cap back on.

"Like hell," both men said in unison, then glared at each other as if infuriated that the other man dared to use "his" words.

"Listen-" Rose started to say as she approached the men once more.

"Leave us," Duncan commanded in an authoritative voice.

Rose was shocked to see a vacant look cross Sam's face before he turned and walked back toward his bike. She glanced around the gas station lot. No one else was about at the moment. The prospect of being alone with Duncan didn't sit well with her. She tried to call Sam back, but he started his bike and drove out of the parking lot without a backward glance.

Duncan moved to stand in front of her. "Let him go, Rose." He clasped her chin in his hand and turned her face to his. At his touch, her tense stance relaxed and a tingling sensation spread throughout her body, settling in her belly. She reluctantly met his intense golden gaze.

"You never told me your last name," Duncan said.

She eyed him, unsure why he was there. "It's Rose Sinclair."

"You must come with me," he said softly as he ran his thumb along her jawline.

Pulling away from his seductive touch, Rose straightened her spine. She needed to get a grip on herself and her rioting emotions before she addressed him. "I'm glad to see you're okay, but I'm not going anywhere with you. As I said, I have an appointment to keep."

"This isn't up for discussion," Duncan said. When he saw the obstinate look in her eyes, he clenched his jaw and let his hand fall to his side. The woman absolutely infuriated him with her stubbornness. It'd be so much easier if he could compel her to do his bidding. And who the hell was the bozo with the goatee and do-rag wrapped around his head?