MinetoChase Read online

  “Help them clean up that mess inside.”

  “I’m here to see you, not dispose of rogue kill.”

  “It’s an order. Do it or leave my territory.”

  “So forceful.” Arry smiled. “I always liked that about you.” She stepped closer, running her fingers over the curves of her breasts on their way to hug lean hips. “I’d rather help you.”

  The meaning was clear and he was tired of it. “Go help them or just leave, Arry. There’s no reason for you to be here. Do as I say or I’ll have to escort you out of my territory by force.”

  He climbed inside the car and started the engine. Chase didn’t miss the way the blonde stormed back into the house. She was going to be a problem but she had been since her arrival a week before. Arry had always been determined and selfish about getting her way. She was set on him.

  He pulled away from the curb, darting glances at the unconscious woman in the next seat. She was too pale, had lost weight since he’d last seen her, and Chase decided Arry was correct—Jasmine wouldn’t survive the next day unless he saved her life.

  “Shit.”

  The vampires in the area might have a problem with him taking in a human. They posed a threat but the werewolf pack wasn’t strong enough to win a challenge if anyone protested. He’d kill any vampires who attacked. That would definitely piss off his two bosses, Blaron and Lethal, but they wouldn’t be a problem. They were friends.

  Taking Jasmine to the club wasn’t an option. She would need his full attention while she recovered and he didn’t want to deal with any bullshit. He headed to the place he kept on the sly. No one would find him until he decided how to deal with the consequences of what he planned to do. One more glance to his right assured him that the woman clung to life. He refused to allow Jasmine to die.

  The long driveway was cracked from years of purposeful neglect to give it an abandoned appearance but the small light on the entry pad remained on when he stopped the car. He punched in the code and the gate blocking his path slowly wobbled to the side. He drove through and up to the two-story hillside house.

  As he lifted Jasmine out of the car he sensed a presence behind him. One sniff assured him it was Jenny. He didn’t look back as he spoke.

  “We have a guest.”

  “Is she one of us?”

  He disliked being questioned but he had a soft spot for his half sister. “No.”

  “I smell vampire and death all over her. Is she turning?”

  “No. She’s just a human victim and a special friend.”

  “She’s in bad shape.”

  “I know.” He kicked the car door closed and quickly walked up the porch steps. “Open the door and prepare a bath in my room. I’m also going to need blood.”

  Jenny darted around him and threw open the front door. “Okay.”

  He went inside and turned, carrying his light burden down the basement steps, and paused near the wine racks. Jenny gripped two bottles, pushing them deeper into their slots to trigger the panel. The wall soundlessly slid open, revealing a hallway. He strode down it to his bedroom.

  He laid Jasmine across the end of his bed and began undressing her. There wasn’t much to remove. The sight of the bruising and bites on her pale form once again made him regret killing the rogue too quickly. He’d deserved to suffer.

  “The tub is filling.” Jenny paused. “Do you want me to wash her?”

  It was tempting but Jasmine was his responsibility. “No. Do what I said. Bring me the blood. She’ll need clothing when she wakes.”

  “I don’t have anything sexy.”

  He growled, whipped his head in her direction and glared at her. “She’s not my lover. Bring her one of those large nightshirts you wear. That will do. Go.”

  “Sorry.” Her gaze dropped in submission. “You said special friend. I assumed wrong.”

  Jenny rushed off without another word. Chase slid his hands under Jasmine and lifted her into his arms again. It was going to be torture to his libido to bathe her. He avoided looking at her breasts or other tempting sights. It seemed a violation of his duty to notice those things while she was so near death.

  “You’re going to be fine,” he promised.

  Chapter Two

  Jasmine was warm and something smelled wonderful. She tried to turn on her side but something held her firm. Her eyes opened to soft lights around her and a face hovered just over hers.

  “Easy,” Chase rasped. “You’re safe.”

  Memory returned. She was delusional, fantasizing that her sexy client had come to her rescue. His eyes were an incredible mocha brown with swirls of blue, as striking as his handsome, tan face. He had the best lips. They were full and lush, the kind she guessed would be wonderful to kiss. Chase Woods was a guy who probably did everything really well.

  She lay on something soft and comfortable with her upper body slightly elevated so her head was higher than her legs. Dirt no longer clung to her skin from lying on the basement floor. It took effort to look away from Chase to glance at her surroundings. The room was spacious and a fire burned in a brick-rimmed fireplace. The bed she rested on was large with silky black sheets. She stared at Chase again.

  “You need to help me help you.”

  “Okay.” She would do anything he wanted as long as it kept her mind from returning to the hellish nightmare of the dank basement.

  His eyes fascinated her. She remembered them being dark brown but they were lighter now and the hints of bright blue were an odd combination. More of the vibrant color flared, spreading as she watched until they glowed as if they were sapphires.

  He took a deep breath and parted his lips. The sight of sharp canines made her gasp. They were long, terrifying fangs. The arm around her waist tightened.

  “Don’t fight. I won’t hurt you.”

  He lifted his other arm and she watched in rapt horror while he bit into his wrist. Chase jerked his mouth away and shoved the wound at her open mouth. Warm skin and blood touched her lips and tongue. It was instinct to twist away but the arm at her waist lifted and his hand fisted into her hair to hold her head in place.

  “Stop fighting and drink.”

  It was as if she lost her will to do anything else. She was aware of swallowing the warm substance. It grossed her out but she didn’t gag as she continued to do as he ordered. His voice sounded deeper and her daydream had turned into an entirely new nightmare.

  “This will heal you. You’ve lost a lot of blood and some of your internal organs have begun to shut down. You’re safe, Jasmine. You know me.” His eyes narrowed. “I’m sorry I have to force you, but this is for the best.”

  He finally pulled his wrist away and licked it. The second he broke eye contact, she regained control of her body. She tried to twist away again but he held her firmly by the hair. She managed to wipe at the wetness on her mouth with her hand. Red blood smeared across her fingers.

  A soft gasp drew her attention from the sight of it. A pretty woman with dark hair stood a few feet from the bed with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. “You’re sharing your blood with her? You can’t do that!”

  Chase stared at the brunette. “Did you bring the blood?”

  “Yes. It’s on the table. I thought it was for you.”

  “This is none of your concern. Leave.”

  “How can you say that? You should have asked me first.”

  “This is my house.” His voice deepened into a snarl. “You’re welcome to move out if you have a problem.”

  The woman spun and fled the room. Jasmine stared at Chase when he met her gaze. Is that his girlfriend? Wife? He seemed to guess her thoughts.

  “That’s my sister. I just surprised her but she’ll adjust to you being here.”

  “What is going on?” Jasmine hated how soft her voice sounded, a near whisper.

  “You were attacked by a rogue vampire but you’re safe now. This is my home.” He picked up a warm, wet washcloth and dabbed gently at her fingers. He then cleaned away the blood