Redemption by Erica Stevens Page A

blessedly eased as he pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. Hannah recoiled from him, but there was nowhere for her to go as he still held her hand. She didn't know if she was more tempted to scream or cry as frustration and fury crashed through her in equal waves. It was taking everything she had not to launch at him and claw his eyes out but it would only get her thrown into jail or even worse, forced into wedlock with this bastard. She'd take a jail cell any day over letting this creature touch her, but she knew she wouldn't be alone in that jail. Her loved ones would be with her, possibly even just their bodies.
    "Now, let's get you back where you belong and to the people you belong with." Before she could protest he took hold of her brutalized hand again and tucked her arm into his. "I think I might even enjoy some of your fine ale tonight."
    "Why?" she asked before she could stop herself.
    "Why, what my dear?"
    "Why, me? There are other single women in town."
    Hannah was unable to stop herself from flinching as his index knuckle stroked over her cheek. "There are, but few are as lovely as you." That was the whole reason that he was so determined to have her with him. She forced herself not to look at Ellen, who she knew was just as beautiful if not more so than she was. "And none of them are as strong as you."
    "I am defective as well," she reminded him.
    That smug smile made her feel like kicking him. "You are, but you're not growing older, you can move faster than a human, you have fangs, you are able to heal yourself, and you have strength. I could live with your defect being passed on to one of our children." A dull ringing began in her ears at the mention of children with him. It wasn't Jack she was in over her head with, she realized. "But only one."
    She couldn't bring herself to ask what would happen if it was passed onto more than one, she was afraid she already knew the answer. She didn't know what to say or do, but she wasn't given a chance to find her voice as he turned her toward Ellen and led her outside with Ellen close at her side. Though he continued his idle chitchat on the way back to the tavern, it was Ellen that responded to him as Hannah walked like some kind of demented wooden puppet beside him.
    Illumination from the lanterns and candles within the tavern windows danced across the sidewalk, the laughter drifting from inside was a stark contrast to the depression she felt weighing on her soul. Calvin pushed the door open and bowed with a sweeping gesture for her and Ellen to go ahead of him. Hannah made it five steps through the door before she froze. The throbbing in her hand was nothing compared to the stake that seemed to slam through her heart.
    Jack's eyes lifted to her arm entwined with Calvin's, he didn't smile, didn't even acknowledge her before his head bent back to the cards in his hand. It was what was sitting in his lap that made her feel as if the top of her head was going to blow off. Millie, the waitress, giggled and pointed at his cards as she turned to flash her thousand watt smile at him. Jack smiled back at her when she pressed a kiss against his cheek.
    "It seems as if you've been replaced already my dear."
    Though Calvin whispered the words near her ear she found it wasn't him she was thinking about kicking in the balls. It took all she had to turn toward him and speak in a normal tone. "There was nothing to replace. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to change before the night gets into full swing."
    Calvin surveyed her and when his eyes came back to hers she saw the satisfaction in his gaze. Apparently she was keeping her cool even better than she thought as he gave her his first real smile of the evening and nodded. "Of course, hurry back."
    "I will." Hannah spun on her heel. She kept her shoulders thrust back, her chin held high as she glided across the room toward the stairs. She greeted the patrons as she went and kept her damaged hand in the folds of her skirt as