How could he have let himself go like that when Yvette had fed from him? And why the fuck had she not warned him about the side effect it would have? Was she enjoying his humiliation that much?
“The point is the three of you smell like witches now. It’s faint, but it’s there.”
Wesley shook his head. “That’s bullshit. You’re just trying to distract us.”
Yvette cut him an annoyed glance, giving Haven a chance to let his eyes rest on her beautiful face. Even angry, she looked sexy.
“To do what?” With a speed so fast Haven’s eyes could barely process it, she charged at Wesley and pinned him against the wall. “Listen to me, you arrogant little prick. If I wanted you—or anybody—in this room dead, it would have already happened.” Her head snapped to the side as she saw Haven approach. “I’m not a killer.” Yvette paused and locked eyes with him, and damn it if he didn’t know in that instant that she was telling the truth. “Not unless I’m forced to. So don’t try my patience.”
The slight quiver in her voice was barely audible, but Haven noticed it nevertheless. Was she at her breaking point?
Yvette released Wesley and calmly walked back to where Kimberly was still sitting, looking a little bit shell-shocked.
“Are you okay?” she asked the girl.
Kimberly just gave her a blank stare. “Let me see: I’m locked up with two strange men, one of which kidnapped me; all three of you are constantly fighting; the room is protected by a witch, who’s been trying to get into my head; my bodyguard turns out to be a vampire, and now you’re telling me I smell like a witch. No, Yvette, I’m not okay,” she finished on a sob.
Ready to interfere if necessary, Haven watched Yvette sit down next to her and pull her into an embrace, remembering all too well how comforting her arms could be. “Shh, kiddo, everything will be okay. I promise you.” She patted Kimberly’s back and stroked her hand over the girl’s hair as the tears flowed.
Haven stared at Yvette. He hadn’t expected her to show compassion and to comfort Kimberly. Could a vampire feel emotions like these? Were her actions genuine, or was she merely pretending for the girl’s benefit?
Haven glanced at Kimberly, feeling sorry for her. She was an innocent, and he was to blame for the predicament she was in. He wanted to reach out to her and help somehow. It was only when Yvette shot him a warning glance that he realized he was approaching them. He nodded to Yvette, trying to indicate that he’d finally understood that she wouldn’t hurt her charge.
“I want to go home,” Kimberly wailed.
“I know you do. Only a few more hours. Once it’s dark again, my colleagues will be here—I know it. They’ll find us.”
Haven’s eyes connected with hers. “How can you be so sure about that?”
“They’re my family. Wouldn’t you risk everything for your family?” she challenged him.
He tried to hide the pain that sliced through him at the memories. Only half of his family was still left, and if he didn’t do something soon, they would all be gone.
“So your suggestion is we wait for them to free us?” Haven asked. How could she be so passive? He’d seen her fight before and realized she was fearless. What had her sit back now?
“Like sitting ducks? Stupid! We should make a break for it now.” Wesley interrupted, but his voice was calmer now, not as heated as before. He glanced at Haven then back at Yvette.
“Impossible,” Yvette claimed. “Don’t you think I would have already tried if I could? We can’t get past her protective wards. Not even my strength lets me kick down the door or break through the boarded-up window. Witchcraft is a bitch. And I’m not messing with it. My colleagues will have to attack her from the outside. It’s the only way.”
“What guarantee do we have that your vampire friends won’t kill us? It can’t have escaped your attention that we have no qualms about killing any of your kind.” Wesley squared his shoulders.
“Wes!” Haven chastised, suddenly uncomfortable with laying bare his past in front of Yvette.
But Wesley didn’t relent. “It’s true. Let’s not beat about the bush. Just because you’re developing scruples.”
Which was true. He had scruples, and they built with every minute he spent in Yvette’s company. She wasn’t at all what he’d known vampires to be. Her fierce loyalty to Kimberly and her continued assurances that she would protect her were facets of Yvette’s personality that he couldn’t help but admire. The tenderness with which she cradled her charge to give her comfort and allowed her to cry on her shoulder, was the last thing he’d expected from a vampire. Yet it was tenderness and compassion he saw in Yvette. Bundled with her strength and determination, she gave off the air of a mother protecting her young.