Paris After Dark Read Free Page B

easy charm, there was something off about Gabriel. It wasn’t how he spoke or behaved. He’d been nothing but courteous. It wasn’t how he moved. For a big man, he was incredibly light on his feet. Rachel couldn’t pin down what was bothering her and wouldn’t let it go until she could. She scrubbed a hand over her face. Maybe she was shaken up more than she realized.
    She eyed Gabriel cautiously, debating whether to accept his offer. Eventually, she gave in. Rachel had no idea where the nearest hospital was in Paris. She could be standing next to it and wouldn’t know it given the architecture in this town. “Lead the way.”
    He grinned. The act transformed his face from weary boxer into something altogether unexpected, taking her breath away. Rachel’s heart jumped and her knees turned to jelly. At least she knew she wasn’t dead.
Three
    Gabriel waited for the doctor to finish patching Rachel up. It didn’t take long once he found the physician he was looking for. It helped to have a vampyre , one of the sanguis – the blood – on the inside. Vamp bites weren’t fatal unless a blood exchange had occurred, but the bad ones were painful and did take a long time to heal.
    The doctor drew a vial of Rachel’s blood. Gabriel watched him walk into the other room and drink it. His palate was quicker than any lab test. Since sanguis ’ blood didn’t show up in a victim for twenty-four to forty-eight hours, he could only confirm the presence of sanguis ’ saliva and check for contaminants, along with diseases.
    “You’re all set,” the doctor said, returning to the room minutes later. He met Gabriel’s gaze and nodded, confirming his suspicions. She’d been bitten by a member of the sanguis , which lent credibility to her story.
    Rachel was given a shot to stave off infection and carefully stitched. With any luck, she’d be on the mend in a few weeks.
    Gabriel’s phone vibrated as Rachel was being discharged. He flipped it open.
    The text contained two words: “ Corps trouvé ” . Body found.
    He cursed under his breath and closed the phone as Rachel approached. “Ready?”
    She nodded and wobbled on her feet.
    Gabriel grabbed her hand to steady her and awareness flared between them. The warmth of her skin scalded his fingertips and sent shock waves through his body. He slowly released her and cleared his throat. “We’d better get you back to your hotel.”
    Her soft brown eyes peered up at him and Gabriel felt his chest constrict. He could get trapped in that gaze if he wasn’t careful. The urge to touch her again made Gabriel’s hands itch, but sanguis and human relationships were never a good idea. No matter how careful one was in the beginning, the human inevitably paid the price.
    “You’ve done more than enough,” she said sounding sincere. “I can find my own way home.”
    “Nonsense. Let me at least call you a taxi. I don’t want your last impression of Parisian men to be that of a deranged dentally challenged biter.”
    Rachel laughed, then tilted her chin, sending her long brown hair into her face. Gabriel reached out and brushed the downy soft strands over her shoulder. “Why are you so concerned about my impression of the men here?”
    Gabriel hesitated. Anything he said would be far too revealing.
    Rachel’s lips canted. “Don’t worry, you’ve more than made up for the mad biter.”
    He smiled, more pleased than he should be about her admission. He hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “I’d better call you that taxi. Where are you staying?”
    “Hotel Luxembourg Parc.” Her voice faded with exhaustion.
    “Take a seat. I’ll let you know when it arrives.” Gabriel ducked out the front of the hospital.
    Rachel watched him go. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of Gabriel Dumont. On the one hand, he’d gone well out of his way to help her. It would never have happened had they been in New York. She could’ve been bleeding on the sidewalk and no one would’ve stopped.