"No! You don't know what's going on here," Orlando said. "Natasha told me this morning that she was afraid Tabitha was mixed up with another family."

Almonzo turned on her with thick rage coloring his skin. It seemed to harden him, change his complexion. Never mind the discerning eyes she couldn't escape. "Is this true?"

She didn't answer him with a yes or no response. "He will destroy all of us. I have to go. I am so sorry." She turned quickly so she wouldn't have to gauge the pain her words caused him.

The heart of a vampire was found in their mates and their companions retained the ability to weaken them to the point that the strength within never resurfaced. Almonzo was teetering between weakness and true madness. It was something she wasn't able to understand as a mortal woman but looking at him then, she believed all of the myths.

"We can't die, Tabitha. You do understand this, right?" Orlando screamed in her face and Almonzo moved to stand in front of his brother.

"Then you'll suffer. That's why I have to go." She pushed by them, only to stop when Marion stepped in front of her.

"If you go and you choose to go, we'll pet.i.tion the elders for Almonzo's release from you. He will not be bound by a woman who is going to throw herself into the arms of our enemies-business or otherwise."

She looked at her husband for rea.s.surance and then continued, "If you go because you are trying to protect us, we are capable of self-preservation. Dear, you'll be lost to us forever if you walk out now. You can only stay and protect yourself." Her voice seemed to conceal controlled anger.

Tabitha felt her heart slowing to an unrecognizable beat before it leaped forward with the pace of nervous energy pressing against her chest. She looked at the family she wanted desperately to claim for her own. In a small voice, she simply said. "You don't understand. I already belong to him."

Almonzo's chin dropped and he stepped closer. "That's absurd! You lie to hide behind truths that scare you and now you're lying to protect those you love and I know-d.a.m.n it to h.e.l.l-I know you will love me. I feel it. There's no way I'd feel this way if you already belonged to someone else."

He quickly took her palm and put it over his heart. "You're already here and because you are, you are safe with me. There's no question about it. I feel you in a heart that doesn't even exist for a vampire. You don't belong to a f.u.c.king renegade like Darian Sabbat. I would know it. I would sense it."

The shade of his pupils returned to some level of normalcy. When they did, for a split second, Tabitha saw a soft mist move across them proving heartache existed as much for him as it did for her.

"He will not let me go." She made the statement with a flip, matter-offact resonance. She watched the shock wash over the Spenser clan.

"The h.e.l.l he won't! He won't have a choice in the matter." Almonzo pulled at her wrist. "Don't do this." Over his shoulder, he told Orlando, "Go get Natasha." He never took his eyes off Tabitha. "I'm begging you. I never thought I would plead with a woman but I know the man waiting for you. He's a monster. He'll strip you of everything and you will live in a harem of h.e.l.l."

"And if I don't go, he'll take Constance and that harem will raise her in the pits of it." She spat the words out, grabbed her suitcase, and made a run for it down the hall.

"Stop her!" Almonzo fled right behind her, staying on her heels. She was quick as lightning until she realized she couldn't get away lugging her suitcase around. She dropped it in the foyer and ran outside, slamming the large wooden door behind her. The sunrise welcomed her and the only one left to evade was Tate, who struggled to maintain her pace.

She shot across the lawn and tripped over her own feet. Soon, she tumbled down the steep hill and landed in front of the stone entrance. The automatic gates were almost closed when she barely slipped through them. On the other side, the car waited and in it, along with Darian Sabbat, was the insurance policy she felt confident he already had in his possession. Natasha and Constance were gagged and bound, their hands tied behind them. Tears streamed down her sister's face while hostility settled in the little vampire's eyes.

As Tabitha suspected, Darian remained predictable. When the threat was made, it was anything but a bluff. Darian bled the Spenser heart. He took Orlando and Almonzo's sister and he made the grave mistake of taking their women.

"I can't find them anywhere." Tate met the others back in the main hall. "I've searched the grounds only to come up empty-handed." He looked worried. Constance was his entire reason for wanting the coveted immunity clause the older Spenser handed down to ensure he was able to continue life with his chosen family. Samuel Spenser didn't give these out freely. Only one man earned the clause from the patriarch of the Spenser family and Tate took his duties and his privileges seriously. Very few vampire families even possessed the ability to grant them. The Spensers and Sabbats were among those chosen few. Typically, when immunity clauses were granted, the families expected ongoing servitude.

Orlando paced the floor. "You better start talking, d.a.m.n you!" He pointed his finger in his brother's face. "This is more to do about the business than your woman, isn't it?"

Almonzo was in charge of the daily operations of their holdings which included resorts, casinos, banks, and hotels. Sometimes, in their business, bad deals ultimately finished in dirty deals gone wrong. Almonzo often cleaned them up but he never endangered their family.

Samuel Spenser locked eyes with his oldest son. He shook his head as if to warn off a reply.

Marion seemed to read their expressions. Her heart was breaking into small bits of jagged ice. She typically shut down and saved her strength in times of crisis because when the family needed her, she came forward with the strength and will of a man. It would take the chambers of h.e.l.l's fury to hold the woman back once she became further enraged.

She stiffly shuffled her feet and started to leave the room. She stopped just inside the doorway. Her eyes shot daggers through her husband. "Don't make me regret the day I found you in my arms. If you've gotten us into a war with another family, I swear to you, I'll take my daughter and I will leave."

He held up a hand to silence her. "Let me remind you, as of this minute, you don't have a daughter here to flee with, so please, leave us!" His tone was loud, angry and roaring with something so perverse that the elders would be notified quickly of a pending wrath of immortal wars between warriors and a new dead rising. The elders were in tune with all of the vampire leaders and with the jolting energy spiraling throughout Samuel's home, it would not be ignored.

Her jaw set. It was obvious by her expression, she wanted to say more. Instead she left with tears in her eyes. She was expected to accept and avenge. Both acts were nearly impossible for a mother.

Turning to Tate, she issued instructions. "Bring the car to the bas.e.m.e.nt. There's no reason for me to stay underground while daylight holds us at a disadvantage. We go now while there's a trail to follow. The Sabbat compound is in Spain. I have a feeling I know where they'll go while they're in Scotland. At least until they have time to negotiate."

Samuel began speaking in a language most familiar to his boys. Professionalism ruled in times of crisis. Right now, he was a leader at the head of a ma.s.sive hunt. "Okay, we need to think about this. First, I believe, unless-"

"d.a.m.n you," Orlando broke in furiously. "I saw the look Mother gave you. Tell me what it is that you and Almonzo are keeping from me and then we'll plot. Do you not know who is most at risk here?"

Almonzo did. He'd already thought about it. They would take Tabitha into the family. She wasn't marked. She wanted him to think she was but she wasn't. She wouldn't have been permitted to remain with them as long as she did if she already had the seed of a vampire mate. She did not ... but she would. The immediate danger, in his opinion, fell back to Constance and Natasha. Natasha was the wife of a Spenser, she would be used first for a negotiation tool, if they planned to have a bargaining session. If not, she would be the first tortured.

Orlando's eyes were cold. "Father? I'm asking you as a Spenser son who has a right to know." He gritted his teeth against a forbidden rage.

Almonzo didn't wait for their sire's permission to answer his twin. "It appears the Sabbat family is dabbling in crime as much as possible. They don't want any of the old families to have property, housing or businesses unless, of course, they are given something in return. We a.s.sessed the situation and didn't think there was anything we needed to worry about. We didn't seem to have anything they wanted. Until, now."

"You mean, until you couldn't move in on Tabitha quick enough to find out the secrets that might have saved Constance and Natasha?" Orlando's eyes fired smoke and venom all at once. "You knew she was hiding something. Natasha was able to see it. Why didn't you push? What were you thinking?" Orlando paced back and forth, his fury unconfined.

"Why didn't Natasha? Why didn't you or Father? h.e.l.l, she wouldn't even talk to me for longer than a five-minute jab-session before today." Almonzo didn't accept blame. He refused to carry it.

"Well, I sure as h.e.l.l hope you enjoyed the foreplay, brother, because now it may just cost you the long-awaited ride." Orlando turned his focus then to his father and pointed an accusing finger. "You'd better do something to fix this. You wanted me to find a wife. I've found her. Now, let's all work together to see if I can keep her alive." He started to leave the room and stopped short as the sickening horror sunk in and cut his heart out. "d.a.m.n."

Almonzo waited. The new realization slammed into his twin and when it did, it brought him to his knees.

"Trafficking?" Orlando questioned. "Answer me." His temper exploded. "I will not ask twice!" His fury caused the dim lamps to flicker and the gla.s.ses on the shelf rattled.

The Spenser men didn't look at one another. The knowledge was something none of them were prepared to accept as an intended fate.

His fury settled and his voice was barely above a whisper when he said, "Constance? She's the one they wanted all along."

"No," Almonzo said. "I don't believe that. It was definitely Darian's infatuation with Tabitha. He used something to lure her out. I heard it in the way she responded to him. I think she realized he already had Constance and Natasha and that's why she was determined to go."

"Besides, he doesn't sell children," Samuel added. "He sells women. The reason he wants Constance is for amus.e.m.e.nt, maybe, or who knows, maybe he wants her to play with one of the Sabbat children. Perhaps he even wants to use the child to find out some kind of information, I don't know." Samuel dropped his head. "We rest now and we'll be ready to move at nightfall."

Tate walked in, gave the patriarch a nod, then just as silently walked back out.

"We've drugged your mother," Samuel told his sons. "She was going to sneak out and handle this on her own. She'll be mad as h.e.l.l when she wakes up and realizes it. Still, I know my wife and the last thing we need is a mad mother hen running around flapping her wings and threatening to take blood. Hopefully, by the time she wakes up we'll have our girls back safe and sound."

Orlando's voice reached out far beyond anger-ridden when he turned to face off with his double. "Darian Sabbat's hatred for Spensers runs deep. If you think he took our women with the intent to return them, then lunacy becomes you as much as celibacy because he wanted your woman for the same reasons you do, I'm sure."

Samuel stood in between his sons. "Orlando, it's Almonzo's job to keep the peace between families. If he thought for a second the girls were in danger, you would've been the first to know."

"Maybe that's the problem. Since he met Tabitha he doesn't have the ability to think with either head."

Chapter 5

Natasha wasn't ready for Darian Sabbat but fire and ice swirled through Tabitha's veins. The limo door opened and Darian stepped forward as his men pulled Natasha, Constance, and Tabitha from the car. Tabitha leaped forward and snapped her teeth at Darian. He seemed amused at her suggestion and promptly dropped a show of fangs before he gave her a toothy kiss on the cheek. He then searched the car for personal effects before they moved toward the house.

As he walked by his guards, he made a sudden comment. "I didn't find a cell phone. They weren't followed but I wanted to check for myself." His hand went to Tabitha's cheek. "We can't afford mistakes this time. Can we, sweet honey?"

The sisters exchanged glances and then Tabitha's eyes narrowed as she studied the scared little girl who now clung to Natasha. False hope was the only thing they had to hold at the moment. As long as they were together, they had some measure of it but Darian liked the one on one intimidation so he'd soon separate them.

Six-foot-five and all rock hard male, Darian Sabbat earned his despicable reputation. A vampire who was a traitor to his own kind, Sabbat was the kingpin of his breed and he reveled in it. It was the reason Tabitha ran like h.e.l.l after she spent time with the handsome cad. He scared the life out of her and it didn't take long.

When she'd first met Darian, Tabitha was infatuated by his rock-star appeal. His thick gold mane cascaded his shoulders and his cleft chin looked dignified underneath his full, sensual lips. The man retained the right for stark confidence and he defined s.e.xy to the extreme.

Unfortunately, Darian was involved in illegal activities and he handled his enemies with a cruel hand, something Tabitha had the occasion to witness. Even his friends braced themselves for his volatile temper because few were a match for any Sabbat. Only two other vampires held similar strength-Orlando and Almonzo. Would they even be a match for Darian? Tabitha really didn't think so without the evil spirit to match.

"You look like you've been taking great care of yourself, Tabitha." Darian slapped her bottom before he turned his attention to Natasha. "Your sister is the one I wanted. Spenser blood was what I needed to ensure she walked out willingly, you understand." He sneered.

He walked away from Tabitha but quickly returned to her side with a profound desire, apparently, to touch her skin. He waved his arms with glee before he stroked her face. "So lovely, you are so d.a.m.n spectacular!" He called out his praise to the wind with an enthusiasm that made the room thick with a sick chill. His absurd laughter was as perverse as the pride he obviously possessed when he removed the Spensers from their home.

His moist lips went to Tabitha's earlobe. "This time, I will adorn you with all the love you need to keep you bound to me."

Tabitha felt his threat all the way to her p.u.s.s.y which wasn't all that unusual. He heated her with words or glares but he seldom acted on the stimulation. It was part of his twisted personality. When she was part of his entourage, they were intimate only on his terms. He never had s.e.xual intercourse with her but the way he manipulated foreplay left her begging for it on several occasions.

When she lived with him, she overheard one of his men talking behind his back. All sorts of speculation generated around them at the time. Some thought he was gay while others believed Tabitha was marked by one of his enemies. Some a.s.sumed, as Tabitha believed, he waited for the right time to take her because he feared an everlasting commitment. Regardless of the reasons he didn't mark her, before she met Almonzo, no one ever made her feel s.e.xier and no one ever scared her more.

When they entered the temporary Sabbat compound, just a few bodyguards, vampires no doubt, appeared to occupy the grounds. Some of them looked more mortal than most and these were men who were granted with immunity clauses similar to the one Tate received. Outside of the guards and Darian, no one else appeared to be there except the two sisters and one child, a very important little girl.

Natasha cleared her throat. "If you hurt us, my husband will kill you." Her threat seemed pointless and it fell from very nervous lips.

Darian chuckled. "I'll give your husband credit. He mated with a mortal woman worthy of a life extension. You're a rarity among your breed, are you not?" He quickly turned back to the woman who held the majority of his interest. "Your sister is a credit to the Spenser family as you will be to mine."

A loud huff and an exaggerated puff of air tumbled from the mouth of the small, daring vixen still clutched to Natasha's side. Constance's eyes changed colors rapidly. She exhibited anger more than fear, with her clenched teeth and fists, but since she wasn't of age to truly understand her powers yet, the lavender and pink shades in her eyes quickly diminished.

Natasha continued. "He will slay you in front of G.o.d and mortal man."

Darian watched Constance with blatant curiosity before turning his focus back to Natasha. "And you think your husband scares me?" His words commanded silence in the room if his sarcastic tone didn't warrant one of equal consideration.

Constance stepped in front of Natasha. "Yeah, mister, he should. You have no idea what my brothers and father will do. They'll cut your heart out and feed it to your guard dogs just because they can, and you know what? Orlando will do it and laugh about it!" Her arms crossed and her palms settled on her elbows as quickly as her lips puckered into a spiteful formation. Tabitha imagined Darian was only amused by Constance's willful spirit and s.p.u.n.k.

Darian wasn't a nice man but the little girl with rosy cheeks and long dark hair seemed to gain his admiration. "Is that right?" He patted her on the head. "I bet they would enjoy doing it too, darling child." He laughed before he moved closer to Tabitha. "It doesn't really matter what your brothers think, I plan to send you both home. I only have plans for this one." His tongue darted in and out in a perverse gesture meant for s.e.xual translation.

Relief flooded Tabitha's body at his a.s.sertion. Her sister and Constance would go free. If he wanted to instill fear, he succeeded. She knew her fate and realized he would take her fast this time. He waited longer than he ever intended to do in the first place. Now, he would make sure he had her marked as his before Almonzo showed up. That is, if he came for her at all. She wasn't sure. She didn't know where they were, so how in the h.e.l.l would Almonzo find them? Even if he did, he would arrive too late.

Darian's hands went to her neck and searched. Fingertips ran over every trace of skin. Then he moved her neck under full, damp palms. Clammy from nervousness, she felt her breath catch in her chest a few times because of the slow movement. He pushed her hair over to the side and looked closer. His hot breath cooled, rather than warmed, her skin.

Natasha placed a firm hand on Constance's shoulder as if to warn her not to move. Darian's obvious carnal pleasure in searching for a love bite wasn't something Tabitha wanted Constance to witness. It wouldn't help their predicament if she acknowledged she didn't belong to Almonzo.

The two sisters locked eyes. Both seemed to defy the art of breathing.

"You're untouched by him?" His eyes continued the search as if he didn't believe his good fortune.

"Please don't discuss this in front of the child. You said you planned to let them go, then do it. Let them go and take me back to Spain with you. I'll go and I'll never come back here." Tabitha knew Darian recognized opportunity, and as she expected, he cashed in quickly.

"All right. Since you suggested it without persuasion, then I'll let you have this request. Make no mistake, it will be the only favor you ever receive from me. Consider it a mating gift." He snarled.

Darian motioned for his men. "Give them three minutes, then take these women back to their compound. Unharmed."

"Not good enough," Tabitha challenged him. "I want to know they are home safe and sound and I will not go with you willingly until I confirm this. I happen to know my cooperation is almost as important to you as I am. You don't want me unless I can appear well and I will not unless I first know they reached our home safely."

He seemed to steady himself against a brewing anger. "Our home? So you liked it there? I thought you might. It's just as well that I came for you when I did, then." His grimacing stare and his body language told her she would pay for the mere mention of Almonzo's home as her own. "There's no need for attachments that aren't destined to last, though, so you'll need to cut ties here and do it fast."

He studied her before locking himself in a stare-war full of animosity. He finally answered Tabitha's request regarding confirmation of her family's safe return. "I have arrangements to make for a few mortal women and since you'll be flying in a more traditional way, I have plans to make for us also." He further instructed his men, "Set up a temporary cellular number and give it to the redhead when they exit the limousine. Once they're home, they can call to confirm they're there and then that will be the last of the goodbyes needed.

"Tabitha," he sneered, "I have high expectations. Spenser screwed up when he didn't take you. Now, no man will ever tread where only my hands are destined to go." He moved closer and dipped in for a kiss. Soft and gentle, he pecked her on the lips. "And no man, or vampire, will live if he ever tastes what I alone can sip." He then backed away.

He walked by Constance and patted her head once more. "Gentlemen, be easy with the Spenser gem. You never know, she might come back here one day and decide to stay. I've always had a feeling about her and our innocent kid."

The little girl with black eyes shot cold stares filled with translated icy death wishes. "I'll never be back here."

"You won't?" He walked over to her and picked her little body up and carried her to the bay windows. She didn't try to squirm from his grip but her eyes continued to change colors swiftly. It was obvious Constance was unable to control her runaway emotions of fear and anger. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head and then attempted to focus straight ahead. The vampire threatened to reach an age of maturity earlier than expected and Tabitha realized the little girl was in extreme pain. Rage often brought about an early maturation in the females. She grabbed her head a few times in agony, not realizing what powers she truly possessed even as a young child.

"You, my little Princess, need to meet my kid brother. He'll be more than willing to entertain you in a few years. See?" He pointed down the lawn. "There he is playing with puppies and kittens."

He was a young boy of about fifteen years old. The women exchanged silent, knowing glances. Darian would pay h.e.l.l just for pointing the kid out to Orlando and Almonzo's sister. The young boy waved to them and Darian waved back. "Now then, little Spenser, go tell Tabitha goodbye, and make sure to give her a big kiss for your brother because he'll never see her again. He will want to remember her with a smile, so you can tell him you left her with one. Okay?"

Constance ran over to Tabitha and threw her arms around her. "I don't want to say goodbye. I love you already!" Her dark eyes produced big tears and they fell in complete ruins on her collar.

Darian's voice changed dramatically as soon as he released the child. He snapped the orders at his guards. "Three minutes. Let them say their farewells, then load them up, drop them off and get back here."

With a wave of his hand, he started out of the room tossing his sungla.s.ses on as he did. Then he stopped short to check out the red-haired vixen. "I guess you gave Orlando a run for it, didn't you."

"f.u.c.k you."

He moved closer, wrapping a lightning-fast arm around Natasha's waist.

"That could be arranged because I don't have a problem f.u.c.king the wife of a vampire rogue. It isn't criminal. There's no law against it and I would do it with a smile, I'm sure." He moved his hands to her hips and brought her in hard against him. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? Giving it up to strange blood?"

Tabitha held Constance's face tightly against her so she didn't have to see the gross enactment of a deranged male who should've been daggered through the heart years ago-if that was even a possibility for his kind. She really didn't know. After their history and all the mixed emotions he stirred in her, she planned to make it her mission to find out.

She knelt down in front of Constance who still tried to cling to her. "I want you to listen to me, okay? This is very important." Time worked against them and she needed most of it with her sister. "Make sure you tell your brother I would've loved being a part of your family. You tell him this for me, okay?" Tabitha strained against looming tears and fought hard against the sorrow working its way into her soul.

The little girl nodded. "I will. I'll see you again, I just know it." Her dark hair twirled around her head and then she quickly ran toward Natasha. "Let her go! You made a deal and our kind, we don't break our deals!" Reluctantly, surprisingly, Darian released Natasha.

His eyes narrowed on the child. "I know I'll look forward to the day when a brother brings you back here. I'll enjoy everything about it, when the time is right." He chuckled and then added to Natasha, "Tell your husband it will someday be my pleasure." He then exited the room.