Running from His Claim (Beauty and the Beast #2)

Chapter 59

My heart raced as I took that familiar path. The trees framing the road darkened it ominously. Victor's house was my destination - I had no idea what I expected to find there.

I was pretty sure he wasn't in LG but I didn't know where the Kenbrookes were. I was hoping they could at least tell me how my best friend was doing. He had to be keeping in touch with them, right?

The white house loomed before me like a dead end. As soon as I pulled up, I knew it was deserted. Tears threatened. So they'd left, too.

I got out of the car and marched up to the house. I could at least see his paintings, his passion. It was something that would always bind us together. I let myself in and was struck by how the place hadn't changed at all. I walked slowly, taking it all in, remembering. A noise disturbed the atmosphere; I walked into the living room to find the TV on.

How odd.

It was so out of place, like the setting of a horror movie. I picked up the remote to turn it off then the lady reporter caught my attention, "...death toll has become a cause for concern. The police are still investigating the mysterious deaths. In each case the victims are apparently completely drained of blood. The trail appears to be along the Peninsula from Oceanside to Pasadena, with authorities claiming -"

I suddenly felt dizzy. The remote fell from my nerveless fingers.

"See something you like?" A voice asked softly.

I whirled round. "Angel!" He was leaning against the wall behind me, arms crossed, the very picture of ease. His dark eyes held an intensity that made me explain hurriedly, "I thought there was no one here."

"There was no one," he agreed flatly.

I looked back to the TV. "Is a vampire doing this?"

He was silent for a bit, then he said softly, "I think you know." I gulped. Victor... "The Romeras will soon take action."

"No!" I spun back to him. He'd just confirmed my fears that this was a direct provocation of the Romeras. Almost as if some vampire was begging for death... "No, please! You have to stop him!"

"What's she doing here?" Lynn appeared next to Angelo.

"Looking for something she will not find," he replied.

"Oh, and please stop calling," she complained. "He left his phone on his desk next to some truly ugly rose painting."

Tears welled up as I understood. Victor was on a destructive path and they blamed me. Well, of course it was my fault. I hurt him and now he was lashing out. I fled from the room.

Why were vampires so much faster? Angelo beat me to the front door. "What happened?"

"Just let me go, Angel. Please."

"I know who you chose but I do not understand."

I looked up at his truly puzzled expression. "Remember when you asked me what broke my heart? It was being apart from Warren." When he stepped back, fresh tears welled up. "I'm so sorry! I never meant to hurt him!"

I raced out of my car and he made no move to stop me. I tried to stem the flow of tears as I drove. Victor had not just left, he'd gone on a vengeful killing spree...

"Whenever I screw up there's a death toll, a body count."

Oh, Vic...

When I finally pulled up in my driveway, I sat in the car and stared blankly. All I kept hearing, over and over, was Victor's voice. Memories plagued me, so many memories.