Page 29 of The Vampire's Seduction

“Hey, do you guys still need me?” Sam asked at the door. “The station called and wants me to head back.”

“No, we’re good here,” Marek said.

“Dr. Rodriguez?”

Marek’s lips thinned at Sam’s question. If she told him no, she had a feeling Sam would stay and protect her, not that she needed protection.

“I’m good. Thanks for all your help.”

“No problem. If you need anything, call me.”

“I will.”

As soon as Sam was out of sight, Marek growled, “You will not call him.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. Having studied vampires for more than a decade, she was familiar with their ridiculous jealous tendencies. “I can call whomever I want, but that’s beside the point. Since you’re so eager to help, what should we do now?”

“Hmm. Let me make a call. I’ll see if I can contact the witches who examined your sister. See if they have better suggestions on how to wake her.”

“Sounds good.” Olivia stifled a yawn. It was six in the morning already. The sky was brightening, with the first rays of sunlight filtering through the window. Olivia didn’t fail to notice how Marek stood in the shadows.

“You should rest,” he said. “I can take care of this.”

“No. Shouldn’t you be the one going to bed?”

“Not today. I have to make a call. Stay here.”

Marek left the room, dialing on the phone. Olivia waited and yawned again, wondering if she’d made the right decision. Well, if Marek turned out to be useless, she could always go about it on her own. Wouldn’t be the first time.

When it seemed like the call would take a while and the yawning wouldn’t stop, she stalked out and waved to catch his attention.

“Getting coffee. I’ll be right back.”

He frowned and shook his head. She huffed. Did he still not trust her? She wasn’t going to run off and leave Betsy here or even call the cops. Clearly, he had connections with the police, so they probably wouldn’t help her.

Also, why was she waiting for his permission for coffee? She’d agreed to accept his help with Betsy, not become his servant.

“I’m going,” she said, loud and clear, and strode down the hallway without giving him a second glance.

What was she doing? Couldn’t she have waited five more minutes?

Marek followed Olivia while elevator music played on his phone. The damned witches had put him on hold. He rolled his eyes. Witches and their silly power games—not that his kind was any better.

When the witches had first examined the comatose patients, their only advice had been to wait and see. He wondered if they had anything else up their sleeve and what it would cost him.

It didn’t matter. If it made Olivia happy, he’d pay whatever the cost.

When they’d arrived at the hospital, Sascha had messaged him. Based on Olivia’s pay and the fact she had no access to the lab’s right wing, it was highly unlikely Olivia had known about Zylotech’s real purpose.

She’d told him the truth. She didn’t work for the Organization.

Sascha had also located a newspaper clipping about Olivia’s father. Even with that miracle, she had lost both her parents at eighteen to cancer.

His chest ached at her suffering. Even after centuries, he still mourned his brothers. He couldn’t imagine losing those he loved so early in life.

No wonder she had dedicated her life to VB research.

If it weren’t for the Organization and their misuse of vampire blood, he would gladly cheer her on.