Dare to Bleed (Emily Sullivan Series) Read online

  He choked and started coughing. I patted his back to help. When he began to breathe normally again he seemed slightly paler than he was before.

  “Wow, your mom believes in that kind of stuff?” He laughed but for some reason it sounded forced.

  “She believes in a lot of things. We never hung lights on the house for Christmas because she was scared it would attract Aliens. ”

  He chuckled and seemed to relax. “She sounds interesting.”

  “Interesting is an understatement. So what are your parents like?” I asked, curious to learn more about him.

  “Well, my mother worked two jobs and was gone a lot. She was a single mother so I didn’t see her too much growing up. My father left when I was two and I haven’t seen him since.” He frowned.

  “I thought you said you were here to work with your dad?” I asked, confused by his history. It was nice to know we had something in common. We both had dirt bag fathers.

  “Uh… yeah, my stepfather,” he answered quickly. For some reason I found it hard to believe.

  We talked until nearly three in the morning. When he stood to leave, I stood with him and had to catch myself, I was slightly tipsy.

  “Do you think we could go out sometime?” he asked as I walked him out. I felt sort of confused. I really wanted to say yes, but I had already given my number out once that night and it seemed wrong to say yes to two guys so close together. What the hell, it was actually another day.

  “Sure, I would love to.” I replied.

  He smiled and leaned in to give me a peck on the cheek. As he pulled away, I caught his lips with mine. I think it might have been the four beers that gave me liquid courage, but whatever it was I really didn’t care at that moment. He reached up and caught the back of my neck, pulling me closer. He was an amazing kisser. After a minute I had to pull away. He was making my body ache with desire. It had been a long time since I had a man in my bed.

  “Um, good night, Gavin,” I said, smiling.

  “Sweet dreams, Emma,” he said as he turned and headed into his apartment.

  * * *

  I had crazy dreams that night. I was being chased down a dark alley by a giant piece of BBQ chicken holding grilling utensils. I ran into a dead end and awaited death. Just before I was killed, Gavin and Ezra both came to save me. They double teamed the murderer and turned to me. I looked at them in awe and confusion. They were both so handsome, and I really didn’t know which one to kiss thank you.

  I woke up at about noon the next day with a severe hangover. I took a shower, did my makeup and attempted to do my hair. I finally gave up and put it up in a pony tail, then threw on some jeans, a t-shirt and tennis shoes. I drove out to the mall to do some therapy shopping.

  After a few hours of splurging, I had a few new outfits I would never normally buy. I bought two new pairs of high heels and decided to call it a day. I drove to the 7-eleven to get the paper for my mom. As always, Billy was behind the counter. I swear the guy never had a night off.

  “What’s up, Emma?” Billy had attempted to spike his hair and used way too much gel.

  “Hey, Billy. How’s it going?” As I picked up Saturday’s paper and went to the fridge in the back, I heard the doorbell chime.

  “So you going to the Chevelle concert next weekend? I have an extra ticket,” Billy yelled. I wasn’t sure if he was asking me out or talking to whoever had just walked in so I ignored his inquiry and grabbed a six pack and brought it up front. I placed my things on the counter and went to pay. The door chimed again.

  Billy stared at me with undisguised anticipation.

  “Were you asking me?” I questioned.

  “Uh, yeah. You wanna go?” He looked uncomfortable.

  “Sorry, Billy. I actually have plans next weekend, plus I really can’t stand Chevelle. They sound like nails on a chalk board to me. Thanks for the offer.” I smiled, hoping I hadn’t crushed his ego. I paid for my things.

  “Yeah, no problem. I’m sure I can find someone who wants to go by then.” He handed me my change.

  What was up with all this manly attention lately? It seemed like as soon as I started avoiding them, they were flocking to me. Not that I hated the attention, who wouldn’t like two gorgeous guys all over them, but Billy was just a friend. As badly as I felt for passing up the date, we didn’t have chemistry.

  “Really, thanks for asking, Billy! Sorry, I can’t go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I felt horrible, like I had shattered his dreams. He just nodded at me and slightly smiled.

  I started out to my car and felt a strange presence watching over me. I looked up and found my stalker. Ezra was leaning against my car, smiling like he had just won an award.

  “You better not be stealing my car, I kind of fancy it.” I joked.

  He laughed. “Well, I was thinking about it, but then I thought you would never go out with me if I did.”

  He looked so amazing, and the moon shone brightly against his skin, I wanted to kiss him. As bad as it sounds, I wanted to find out if he was a better kisser than Gavin.

  “So what is the rule when you accidentally bump into each other on the second night?” I really wanted him to ask me out.

  “I don’t think it has ever happened, so I’m not even sure,” he teased.

  I opened the door to my car and put the beer down. “Have you eaten tonight?”

  He looked uncomfortable and taken aback for a minute. “Uh, yeah. I already ate.”

  Guess he didn’t want to hang out tonight. I felt kind of bummed, but really I had it coming to me. After all, just two minutes before I had rejected poor Billy, so I deserved it.

  “Would you like to see a movie instead? We can get you something to eat on the way,” he offered, surprising me.

  “Yes,” I almost yelled at him. Wow, I’m sure I looked like a desperate dweeb with a reaction like that. “I mean, sure. I have to drop this off at my mom’s house, if that’s cool with you,” I responded as I picked up the paper.

  “How bout I follow you and we can drop your car off at your place and ride together?”

  I got butterflies thinking about being alone in a car with him. Where was all this luck coming from?

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” I responded as I got in my car.

  I drove to my mom’s and parked in the driveway. I kept the car running and told Ezra to wait outside. I definitely didn’t want my mother to scare him away before our first date. I threw the paper on the table and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. I couldn’t stop smiling.

  “Whoa, where are you going so fast?” she asked, looking up from the TV.

  “I have a date waiting outside for me,” I replied, trying to leave as fast as humanly possible.

  “You know in my day, the dates came inside to meet the parents before they went out.”

  I rolled my eyes. She was so old fashioned. I’m only twenty two, but my mother had me when she was almost forty so sometimes people think she’s my grandmother.

  “Well, thankfully we aren’t in that day anymore, because he’s not coming in tonight,” I stated dryly.

  “Alright, well just be safe. Another girl from your apartment building came up missing. We got some vampires in the area,” she warned, shrugging.

  I groaned and kissed her goodbye again. The drive back to my apartment was unnerving. I kept thinking about those two girls. One was killed and one was missing. Maybe I should stay with my mom for awhile. I quickly discarded the notion. I would rather be kidnapped.

  I made it to my house and headed over to Ezra’s car. He was driving a gorgeous silver BMW. He must be loaded.

  I poked my head in the car window on the passenger side and it still had a new car smell to it. “Let me run this beer up and throw it in the fridge and I’ll be ready.”

  I ran up to my apartment and shoved the beer in the fridge, then dashed in my room to check my face, run a brush through my hair and spray on some perfume.

  “Mmm, you smell good enough to eat,” Ezra said, givi
ng me a sly smile when I climbed in his car. He put the car into reverse, and I put my seat belt on to hide my smile. His words made my body tingle.

  “That sounds like a line from a horror movie. I think there is a rule that states no murder on the first date,” I joked.

  He gave me a sexy wink.

  Ezra drove like a bat out of hell. I really didn’t know if we would actually make it to the movies. As we squeezed into the parking spot furthest away from the theater, I thought about kissing the ground and thanking God I was alive, but I figured that would be a little too theatrical for a first date. Instead, I hopped out and headed to the ticket counter.

  I started walking beside Ezra. His hand brushed mine and made my heart skip a beat. I felt like a little kid in middle school as we started walking hand in hand. I couldn’t help but notice the touch of his skin was still so cold.

  I felt on top of the world, I got looks from every girl in the theater. We got some popcorn and a Coke Icee and found our seats. We engaged in some great conversation before the movie started and had great body language after it started. Each time his arm would rub mine I almost lost it. He made me understand what people meant by irresistible.

  Halfway through the movie, at exactly the quietest scene, Ezra’s phone started ringing. It made us both jump. On top of the evil looks we received, he was having a hard time getting it out of his slightly tight pants and he dropped it. He scrambled under his seat, trying to silence it. I was laughing hysterically. After that, we got through the movie just fine.

  As we all filed out of the theatre, I couldn’t help but wonder if everyone stared because of the phone incident or because of his hotness. We started walking to the car, laughing the entire time. It was really late, chilly and abnormally dark. Ezra must have read my mind, because he put his arm around me to keep me warm. His car was all alone in the back of the parking lot.

  He pulled me in close when we got back to his, wrapping one arm around my waist and lifting my face to his. As our lips connected, I literally felt fireworks. My blood seemed to be working overtime, rushing wildly through my veins. I was worried he would hear my heart beating out of my chest.

  A loud click came from behind me, and Ezra wrenched away, looking over my shoulder.

  Stunned, I stumbled away, sudden chills rushing through my overheated body as I saw the two men coming at us, aiming a gun at my head. Ezra had a look of pure hate on his face. He moved so quickly I didn’t realize he had shoved me, until I was on the ground. I didn’t feel anything, thanks to the adrenalin.

  I scrambled to my knees as one of the muggers landed on the ground beside me, blood pouring out of his neck and head. The other one was still wrapped in Ezra’s arms. To an onlooker it would seem like a tender moment, until Ezra snapped the mugger’s neck.

  It was either pass out or throw up, and since even in the middle of a bloodbath Ezra still looked hot as ever, I chose fainting. My body went limp.

  Chapter Three

  I awoke to find myself in my own bed. The room was lit by a small lamp on my dresser. It was still dark outside. I didn’t know how long I had been out for. Ezra was sitting next to me. I sat up quickly, surprised that for being almost robbed at gunpoint and thrown against a car, I felt pretty good.

  “Ezra, you killed them.” I stated the obvious, feeling silly that I didn’t have anything more intelligent to say.

  “Sorry, I broke rule number one,” he joked.

  It took me a minute to catch on, but I wasn’t in the laughing mood after what had happened. I really didn’t know what to think, I had never seen anyone die before. I was probably still in shock.

  “You didn’t have to kill them. What the hell were you thinking? We need to call the cops,” I yelled, reaching for my cell phone on the night stand table. Ezra intercepted me and grabbed it first. Great, I met a killer and dated him. I had such bad luck.

  “Ezra, give me my phone,” I said through clenched teeth. I was still scared shitless and fear of him was finally kicking in. My heart was racing.

  “I’m not going to hurt you, Emily.” His expression was soft. I really didn’t know this guy all that well, and I’m not a very trusting person to begin with.

  “I’m not going to wait to find out. Now give me my damn phone.” I lunged for him, but he moved too quickly and I fell out of bed onto the floor. Getting slammed into a car didn’t even hurt this bad. I landed on my elbows and knees. I rolled over and rubbed my knees, squeezing my eyes closed. I’ve never understood why everyone closes their eyes when something hurts, maybe it’s involuntary.

  He pulled me up by my arm with his cold hands. I jumped to my feet and took off running for the front door. I felt him pass me as I sprinted to freedom. He was already at the door before I even got out of the bedroom. There was no way a human could run that fast. I started backing up. I just needed space between us. Maybe it was my mother putting silly thoughts in my head that made me believe he wasn’t normal, but I just had a bad feeling.

  “What the hell are you?” I asked him, scared to hear his answer. He looked around the room, as if looking for an answer himself. He shook his head and gave me a stare. In a flash, he was standing a foot away. I let out a scream and in a responsive reflex I punched him in the chest.

  He caught me off guard, unaffected by my hit. He stood like a statue. I had to shake the pain from my fist. It felt like I had punched a brick wall. At this rate, he wouldn’t have to kill me, I was going to end up killing myself.

  “If I tell you, will you please promise to calm down?” He sat on the bed, looking at his feet, as if he was embarrassed again. Oh lord, please let him tell me he’s a vampire. I can’t deal with another guy telling me that he’s gay.

  “Please don’t be gay,” I accidentally said out loud. I clamped my hands to my mouth and sat down beside him. Maybe it was the aftershock of everything that had happened, but I didn’t want to put up a fight anymore.

  He had a slight smile on his face. “No, you had it right the first time. I’m not gay, and I am a vampire.” His smile disappeared.

  I couldn’t contain my laughter. I must have still been in shock. This guy had killed two guys in front of me, moved abnormally fast and just told me he was a vampire. One of us was going crazy.

  “If you are a vampire, let me see your fangs.” My laughter stopped abruptly as his two canine teeth slowly grew. The room started spinning as I passed out.

  * * *

  The sun was peeking through my windows when I opened my eyes. Either everything that happened was a really bad dream or I was really going mad. I was never so happy to see the sun before in my life. Sun meant no vampire. I gave an enormous sigh of relief as I rolled unto my back.

  I got up and went to the bathroom. I needed a long hot shower to clear my head. The water felt amazing. I noticed I had bruises on both knees so no dresses anytime soon. Tears stung my eyes. After everything that had happened, you wouldn’t think two little bruises would make me cry, but they did. Well, I really started crying because everything caught up to me. I had met this perfect guy, and he just happened to be a psychotic killer who believed that he was a vampire. I was thinking about everything we discussed as I dried off. I went back to my room to get dressed and it took me a minute to notice Ezra was sitting on my bed. I jumped so high I almost dropped my towel.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I yelled at him furiously. He only had pants on, no shirt. His bare chest distracted my train of thought. Why did I care that this beautiful man was half naked in my bed? Oh, that’s right, because he believes he is a vampire and he killed some dudes. I didn’t understand why he was shirtless but I did appreciate the six pack abs.

  “I was waiting for you to get out of the shower. I thought I would give you some alone time,” he said, matter of factly.

  I gave him a stupid look. “Well, glad to see you’re not a vampire anymore. At least we cleared up one of your outrageous convictions from last night.” I walked over to my dresser to find something to we
ar. I guess I should’ve still been scared but I gave it up. This guy wasn’t going anywhere, and if he was going to hurt me he’d had plenty of chances to do it. He just needed mental help. Maybe he and Vicky would be perfect together after all.

  “I am still a vampire. What makes you think I’m not?” He gave me a confused look. He was so thick, he couldn’t even see past his own mistake. The sun was out. Duh, vampires can’t be in the sun, moron.

  “Yes, we can. That is a silly legend. In fact, I’m not even sure how that rumor got started. We are the living dead. I’m not going to burst into flames or sparkle from the sun. That’s just insane.” He walked over and opened the curtain across the room, allowing the sun to shine upon his amazing chest.

  “I didn’t say that aloud,” I said, noticing the missing puzzle piece as my heart sped up.

  “I know, Emma. You really don’t know anything about vampires.” He closed the curtains and sat back on the bed. He looked me up and down and made me remember I was still dripping wet, standing in my towel. Feeling uncomfortable, I decided it was time for me to get dressed.

  “Do you mind? I need to change,” I demanded.

  Taking the hint, he gave me one last look before he quickly left. I swear he was smiling as he walked out. I shut the door behind him and locked it. Not like I could really keep a vampire out of my room. I felt disgusted that he was actually trying to make me believe this crap. What an asshole. I wondered if this was all a setup. Maybe this was how he got girls. His two friends were in on it and last night was all an act. They weren’t really dead. Then he tells the damsel in distress that he is a vampire, most women’s fantasy, and they sleep with him.

  I wiped the thought away quickly. Ezra was beyond hot, and he didn’t need a scam to get girls to sleep with him. All he needed was a pair of shorts on a hot day and a lawn mower. He’d have every girl in the parish bringing him lemonade and offering up their virginity.