«Jonathan Gilbert was the name my client gave me,” Jack replied carefully.
Savannah stopped pacing. “The name that he gave you? Are you telling me that wasn't his real name?»
He shook his head wearily. “No. It wasn't his real name. I spoke to the real Jonathan Gilbert late last night. He didn't know me. He had no idea that I was even working on his brother's case.»
Savannah felt icy tendrils close over her heart. “If you weren't working for Jonathan, then, who, exactly, was your client? Who hired you to follow me?»
Jack met her blazing stare without flinching. “I don't know.»
«What?»
Jack flushed. “I never met him in person. I talked to him on the phone and via the Internet. He wired money directly to my account.” He shrugged. “He sent me files to back up his story. I had no reason to doubt his identity.»
«You're telling me that someone hired you to follow me around the country, and you have no idea who that person is?»
He nodded, his cheeks staining a dark red.
Great. Just great. The detective had no clue.
Unfortunately, Savannah had an idea who his client was. Deep inside, she knew. But she prayed that she was wrong. She rubbed her arms and began to pace around the room. “You said that you'd set up my murder. What did you mean by that?»
«Yes,” William drawled from the open doorway. “Tell us how you arranged for her to die.»
Jack jumped from the chair as if he'd been scalded. “Who—” He turned, catching sight of William's furious visage. His eyes widened.
William stalked toward him with the slow, unrelenting stride of a hunter. A hunter that has scented true prey. A faint sheen of red glowed from the depths of his black eyes.
Savannah hurriedly placed herself between the two men. William looked like he could easily kill Jack in that moment. “William, I can explain—»
William never took his gaze off Jack. “I want him to explain. I want him to tell me why I shouldn't do the world a favor and just kill him right now.” His accent was heavier.
Savannah touched his arm lightly. “I'll tell you why. Because you aren't a killer.»
«Yes, he is.” Jack moved to stand beside her, trying to push her behind him.
When Jack's hand closed around her arm, a low growl emitted from William's throat. Savannah thought she could see the edge of his teeth.
«Step back,” she whispered to Jack, knowing that he was in serious danger.
«No way.” Jack was obviously terrified, but he stood his ground. “I know about him. William Dark is a cold-blooded murderer, and I'm not going to let him kill you!»
A cold wind swept through the room. Goose bumps rose along Savannah's arms. William stared at Jack and smiled.
His canines were long. Lethal. And his eyes were blood red. True fear swept through Savannah in that moment.
«No!” She screamed and took a step forward, breaking free of Jack's restraining hold.
«Are you crazy?” Jack snapped, “He's going to kill us!»
No, William wasn't going to kill her. She knew that he would never hurt her. But Jack was a different story. “William, calm down. It's not what you think. He's a detective. He's been following me—»
Rage swept across his face. She could feel his anger, beating against her mind. Uh-oh. She'd definitely said the wrong thing.
Jack foolishly grabbed her again, pulling her back toward the balcony doors.
William just watched them, his gaze burning, swirling with deadly intent.
«We're getting out of here,” Jack said, reaching for the balcony door. He turned the knob, shoving the glass door open.
A gust of wind slammed the door shut before he could take a single step.
«You're not going anywhere.” William took a slow step forward. His hands were at his sides, relaxed, loose. But his nails were lengthening into razor sharp claws. “Now step away from Savannah or I'll rip out your throat.»
Savannah knew he meant it. She wondered if Jack realized he was seconds away from his death.
Jack froze. And he seemed to look at William for the first time. To really look at him. Jack's eyes widened in horror. “Jesus Christ, what the hell are you?»
William smiled again, showing his wickedly sharp teeth. “I'm death.»
No. She wasn't going to let William hurt Jack. Just because the man had been duped didn't mean he deserved to be attacked. “William,” she said, deliberately injecting a calm, soothing note in her voice, “we need to talk. There's been a misunderstanding.»
«Misunderstanding?” Jack shook his head. His eyes were huge. “Lady, you've got to be kidding me. That guy's some kind of a monster!” His fingers bit into her arm, causing a sharp gasp of pain to slip from her lips.
In the next second, Jack was the one gasping in pain. William had moved in a blur, launching his body across the room. He ripped Jack's hand from Savannah, effortlessly squeezing bones and tendons.
«You need to leave the room now, Savannah.” William's focus was on his prey.
Savannah shook her head. She took a step forward and shoved William back. He snarled, turning that terrifying stare onto her. She watched his eyes flash. Red. Black. Red.
«Listen to me,” she entreated, her stare fierce. “I know you think he was trying to hurt me, but it wasn't like that. He came here to help me.” She had to make him believe her. She couldn't have Jack's blood on her hands, too.
William touched her cheek. His eyes closed and he took two deep breaths. When his lashes lifted, his midnight stare was back. “You risk too much,” he whispered, bending his head to press his lips quickly against hers.
She smiled, relief sweeping through her. He'd beaten the beast, at least for the moment. Her arms wrapped tightly around him. “I risked nothing. I know you'd never hurt me.” And she did. She trusted him, completely.
He swept her against his body, holding her close. She could feel the faint tremble that swept through him.
Jack rattled the doorknob.
William's head jerked up. “You're not trying to leave so soon, are you?” His arms slowly released Savannah. She stood by his side.
Jack's hand jerked away from the knob. “Uh, no. I was just, uh, making sure the door was still locked.»
All things considered, Savannah thought Jack was showing amazing composure. He'd almost been killed by a vampire, yet he wasn't screaming in fear. His hands shook, but he pushed them behind his back as he faced William.
«Who are you?” William demanded.