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Redemption (The Captive #5) Page 37
Author: Erica Stevens

Jack glanced back to where he'd left his friend. He'd pulled the crossbow at his side free and had it leveled upon Kane. The vampire's lip curled into a sneer. "You think you can take me, human?"

William just smirked in return. "I wouldn't push your luck, vampire."

Convinced that William could handle Kane, he turned his attention back to Calvin. The man had gone still within his grasp; his ruby colored eyes were riveted on Jack, his hands were wrapped around Jack's wrist. It took everything Jack had not to smash his head against the wall or tear his heart out.

"You're not stronger than me," Jack growled as his fangs lengthened and he leaned closer to the man. "You may be stronger than the residents of this town, but you're not stronger than me."

The red of Calvin's eyes grew even more vivid but he remained unmoving within Jack's grasp as his eyes slid past him. A small gasp brought Jack's head back to the hallway. Just barely visible amongst the shadows, her hand pressed against her mouth, Hannah stood within the doorway. William kept the crossbow trained upon Kane as another one of Calvin's men slipped out from behind Hannah and started walking toward Kane.

CHAPTER 13

Ellen had been sitting by Hannah's side when she'd woken again. Her friend was hesitant in the beginning but Hannah had finally managed to pry from her where Jack had gone. Though her back wasn't completely healed, the dress she wore was loose fitting enough that it didn't press against her sore flesh. She didn't know what he had been thinking, or what he proposed to do, but she was going to make sure her cousin stayed safe and that Jack didn't do anything too reckless.

Both dogs were still patrolling when she'd arrived at Calvin's home but Lionel had been standing by the gate and let her in. The short vampire, with no hair on his body at all, and nearly white eyes had always been friendly to her, but she didn't trust anyone that worked with Calvin. Lionel had kept up a string of idle chitchat as they'd walked into the house, but her anxiety had only grown at the knowledge that Lucas and Jack were deep within the lion's den.

Stepping into the massive sitting room all rational thought had fled her brain at the spectacle before her. They were all as good as dead; the realization was like a cement block around her neck. She was unable to move a foot further into the room as she glanced between Calvin, Kane, and Lionel. These were only two of his men, there were at least a few dozen others somewhere around here and there were rumored to be even more in nearby towns. Jack was holding his own against Calvin right now, but he'd never be able to fend off a small militia of vampires.

She couldn't tear her gaze away from Jack. She didn't know if she was more infuriated with him for doing this or if he'd just stolen her heart for the rest of her life. She wanted to kill him but she wanted to kiss him in equal waves that were beginning to make her feel as if she were completely and absolutely nuts. She'd never been one to be so uncertain and confused in her emotions before but since Jack had walked into her life she felt like a discombobulated mess. That fact only made her want to kick him.

Then his eyes met hers and she felt a newfound strength surging through her extremities that cracked the concrete encasing her. It would be ok, as long as he was here, it would be ok. He'd keep her safe; he'd keep them all safe. She didn't know how or why, but she trusted he would be able to make Calvin back down.

He slowly turned away from her and focused on Calvin once more. "If you even dare to touch her again, I will kill you. If you mistreat anyone within this town again you will be locked away. You are not in charge here anymore."

With those final words, he lowered the larger vampire to the ground and stepped away from him. Calvin tried to retain some of his dignity and confidence as he straightened his coat and tugged at the collar of his shirt. "You have no idea who you're messing with," he said to Jack as he made his way toward William.

"I have every idea of who I am messing with and believe me when I say that I am not impressed," Jack responded without looking back. "Let's go," he said with a nod to William and Lucas.

Her head tilted back as he stopped before her. "What have you done?" she whispered.

"He's not going to bully and frighten anyone in this town anymore." With tender care he took hold of her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. "And he's definitely not going to harm you again."

Her eyes flew back to his as his thumb stroked over the flesh of her now healed hand. She knew, without having to hear him confirm it, that he was aware of at least a little bit of what had transpired between her and Calvin yesterday. "I'm fine," she told him. "No one is going to be hurt because of me."

"This is because of him Hannah, he's made the wrong choices; he's the one that has abused his power."

Hannah kept expecting someone to attack them, she repeatedly glanced behind them. She realized that Jack might be even crazier than she'd originally thought as he kept his gaze focused straight ahead. He'd lost his place in this world when the war had ended and he'd returned to the palace. Lost his place when David had been killed and she wondered now if it had made him a little reckless. He didn't seem reckless now though, in fact he seemed unbelievably self-assured as he made his way casually through the house.

"Have you lost your mind?" William demanded when they stepped outside. "You could have given me some warning on that. You said you only intended to talk to the guy."

"We did talk." She felt the tension in Jack's large frame as they moved swiftly down the stairs, but he kept his step effortless. "I just didn't like what he had to say."

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