Hunted, The Complete Edition: A Full-length Steamy Vampire Romance (New England Nightwalkers) Read Free Page A

blood-sucking monster from a B-horror movie could be responsible for your father's death?"
    “Yes! Maybe.” She wet her lips as heat flooded her cheeks. "Or werewolves, maybe," she muttered miserably. "Something, Rick. Something...other." Her voice trailed off but she refused to give up so easily. They were long past the point of her worrying about whether or not he thought she was sane. They'd crossed that bridge a long time ago. But she wasn't about to let him just turn his eyes from the truth. Not without a fight.
    "I have something new,” she said, one tiny ember of hope still left, flickering in her stubborn heart. “I didn't show you because I wanted to wait until the results from Boston came in, but you really need to see this."
    "It's over, Zara," he said flatly. "That's it. I've been told by my superiors to close this case and cease all contact with you or risk disciplinary action. I can’t help you anymore. I got three mouths to feed and another on the way.” He paused for a long moment before continuing. "I’m sorry. I truly hope you reach out to some loved ones and get the help you need."
    He disconnected and she pulled the phone from her ear, reeling from this new and stunning blow.
    “It’s over, Zara.”
    She shouldn't be so surprised. It was only a matter of time, but damn it, she hadn't expected it to be so soon. She'd at least thought she'd have through the holidays. Just a little more time with that tiny shred of hope left to cling to. Her lifeline to get her through her first Christmas alone.
    And now she didn't even have that.
    She was twenty-nine years old without a single family member left in this world. A hopeless, broken, terrified orphan.
    The sob that worked its way from her chest was ugly and raw, and burned her throat, but she refused to give in to it. Not until she was home and alone in her little cottage…the only place in the world that felt safe anymore besides her library.
    She tossed her cell phone onto the seat next to her and jammed her keys into the ignition.
    The party was obviously out now. Steph would just have to understand. Because tonight? Tonight, she was going home and getting rip-roaring drunk. Then, just maybe she'd have a shot in hell of keeping the nightmares at bay.
    She pulled out of the parking lot and onto the quiet, tree-lined street, swiping the tears from her eyes.
    "That which doesn't kill you, makes you stronger," she reminded herself as she ran through her conversation with Rick again. He could say whatever he wanted, but even he knew something was fishy. If not, he never would’ve fought for the second opinion. But everyone had their priorities, and Rick’s top one was his family.
    Well, she’d had a family too. Maybe not anymore, but that didn’t negate her responsibility to be an advocate for those she loved.
    This was just another minor setback. A roadblock she needed to find a way around. So what if the police wouldn't help her? She had a little money her father had left her. She'd hire a private investigator and she'd show them the proof she'd gathered. Once they saw what she had, they'd want to pay her to be part of her investigation team.
    She turned onto her street, jerking in surprise as her phone chirped again. She snatched it from the seat, hoping against hope that, just maybe, Rick had changed his mind.
    "Hello?"
    What happened next would replay in her mind on auto-loop for eternity. The feel of her tiny car as it shuddered and bucked in response to flesh colliding with metal. The squeal of brakes, applied too late. The sickening thud of a body hitting pavement.
    The phone flew from her hand and she yanked the wheel hard right as the vehicle ran into the curb and shuddered to a stop. Abject terror shot through her as she realized she'd hit something...some one with her car.
    "No no no no no no no," she pleaded under her breath. She slammed the car into park and shoved open the door, reciting every prayer she knew in her head as she stepped