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Redemption (The Captive #5) Page 53
Author: Erica Stevens

"There's no need for that," Aria stated as she sat up in her husband's lap and swung her legs down. "Especially if you're Jack's friend."

She wasn't sure what she was to Jack, but she supposed she could almost be considered a friend. She didn't know how to respond to Aria either; thankfully Jack saved her from having to do so by grabbing a chair from the table next to them and placing it beside his. "I was just telling them a little about this town," he said as he waited for her to sit. Hannah's temper prickled as she glanced up at him. Just how much had he told them about this town, and her? "And how Calvin had been running it until quite recently."

She couldn't stop herself from continuing to stare at him as he settled into the chair next to her. "What about it?" her voice was far tenser than she had expected but she couldn't shake the sense of betrayal that was growing within her.

"I was simply telling Braith that there had been issues with Calvin but none that were punishable, at least none that I've seen since arriving here."

"Is that all?" she asked pointedly.

His forehead furrowed and then cleared. "Yes, that is all," he assured her as he took hold of her hand. The gesture startled her so much that she almost jerked her hand back, but the connection that came with his touch helped to ease the tension within her. "Have there been things that could be used against him?"

"There have been numerous things," Uncle Abe chimed in as he entered the room from the kitchen. "But they were all under your father's rule, when such things were still allowed. He rules by fear and intimidation now, his laws are strict, but Calvin has been careful not to do anything outright illegal since the laws were changed." Heath peeked out from behind uncle Abe's back but the young boy didn't come any closer. Lucas remained leaning against the doorway of the kitchen, his foot tapping against the ground as he watched them. "That vampire is a psychopath, but he's an extremely intelligent psychopath."

"If there is one thing I've learned it's that someone like that is incapable of completely changing," Braith said as he rested his hand on the table with the palm flat against it.

"You think he's still doing something he shouldn't?" Jack inquired.

"I'd stake my life on it."

"Let's not do that," Aria said as she rested her hand over Braith's.

Hannah found herself fascinated by them. It was more than just a bloodlink between them, she saw; there was a genuine love that shone from both of their eyes. For the first time in her life she realized that it was something she wanted as she became even more aware of Jack's hand around hers. His thumb sliding over her skin sent delicious shivers down her spine. They'd been staying away from each other for too many days and for the life of her she couldn't remember why right now.

"But since I'm not my father, and this man has rights, we can't just go barging into his home," Braith continued. "Does he go anywhere else that you know of? Somewhere that he may be doing something illegal?"

"Just the blood bank as far as I know," Hannah answered honestly.

"We'll just have to figure something else out then," Jack assured her.

"I wouldn't mind getting some sleep first though," Braith said. "Is there somewhere we can stay here?"

"There are only two rooms left above," Ellen answered from where she had been standing on the stage.

"Daniel can bunk with me," William offered.

"That will do then," Braith said. He kept hold of Aria, lifting her with him as he rose. A small bubble of laughter escaped her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'll show you to the rooms," Lucas volunteered as Xavier rose to his feet.

Hannah watched most of the group disappear upstairs but though she was exhausted she found herself unwilling to move as Jack's hand remained wrapped around hers. She wasn't ready to let him go yet. "We'll see you tonight Hannah," Uncle Abe said from the doorway.

She waved to him as he slipped out the door with Ellen and Heath. Hannah was uncertain what to say or do as she turned back to Jack. "Your brother and the others seem very nice," she said.

"They are."

"Did you know they were coming?"

"No, I would have given you notice if I had," he assured her.

She smiled as she finally met his gaze again. "I'm not entirely sure there is enough notice for that."

"I didn't tell them anything about you, but Braith isn't stupid, he'll realize that most of the vampires in this town are not normal soon enough. He won't judge any of you because you're different."

Her gaze drifted to the stairs. "I just never know how someone is going to react to us."

He gently grasped hold of her chin, drawing her eyes back to him. She couldn't tear her gaze away from his as she found herself entranced by the blue flecks that danced within the gray depths of his eyes. "I understand." His thumb caressed over her chin briefly before slipping away. "I'm going to keep you safe Hannah, no matter what it takes."

Searching his gaze, she was amazed to realize that she believed him. She didn't know when it had happened but somehow he had managed to break down the walls erected around her heart after years of distrusting strangers. He had wiggled his way into her life and won her trust.

"You must be tired," he said.

"Exhausted," she admitted.

Taking hold of her hand, he helped her to her feet and pushed the chair in. If she hadn't known better she would have thought she'd been holding his hand her entire life as it felt so right within hers. She knew, without a doubt, that she could continue to hold his hand for the eternity that was spread out before her.

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