Sarah McCarty by Slade

and emotion. That incredible mind that was a perfect match for his. That could never be sacrificed, but would be if he let his vampire rule. He’d never let his vampire rule.
    “Slade?” Caleb asked again.
    Shit . No doubt, his emotions were spiking hotter than Jane’s.
    “Just catching my breath.”
    “Finding a mate does have a way of knocking a man off balance.”
    “Yes, it does.”
    The low rumble of agreement from Derek was more pain than sound. Unlike the Johnson men, who’d spent more than two centuries as vampires, never expecting to find a mate, Derek had been born knowing his existed. And he’d had to give her up to keep her alive. Because of Sanctuary.
    “So what’s our plan?” Caleb asked.
    “We need to get Jane back to the lab.”
    “Why?”
    “We need to show her Joseph.”
    Caleb’s head whipped around. “She can’t be trusted.”
    “Yes, she can.”
    “What makes you so sure?”
    Slade stroked a hand down Jane’s head, preserving her peace. He’d learned a lot about Jane the last few months. “She spent her whole life trying to find a cure for world hunger. The minute she sees Joseph, it’s going to be every aspiration she’s ever had, every bit of determination she’s ever experienced, brought to one pinpoint of need.”
    “For a vampire baby?”
    Slade understood the scoff in Caleb’s tone. Bending, he slid his lips over the top of Jane’s head, skimming the ridge of her part for a heartbeat, feeling the heat of her skin in a subtle caress across his lips. “Jane won’t see a vampire baby. She’ll just see Joseph.”
    “What the hell makes you so sure?”
    “We’ve been talking for months.”
    Caleb cursed. Derek growled. “And you didn’t tell us? That’s a breach of security.”
    It had been risky, but his time with Jane had been ... unique. “Considering I am security, we’ll probably survive.”
    “You should have brought her in earlier.”
    Probably. But he’d delayed, allowing himself to toy with the possibilities. “She’s here now.”
    Another curse. “Before you follow your instincts, keep in mind that she’s been working for a Sanctuary corporation.”
    Slade met his brother’s gaze in the mirror. “She doesn’t even know what Sanctuary is.”
    “That’s an assumption on your part.”
    “No assumption.”
    “You’ve been in her mind?”
    “Deep enough to know that.”
    “Deep enough isn’t good enough for me.”
    “Adjust.”
    Derek shifted in the front passenger seat. Leather creaked as he turned. “If you’re thinking on getting nasty with the woman, Caleb, the McClarens will offer her sanctuary.”
    Caleb cut him a glare. The McClarens wolf pack and the Johnsons were allied, lived in the same compound. Derek offering sanctuary was the equivalent of the Johnsons offering sanctuary. Which effectively tied Caleb’s overly protective instincts.
    “Since when?”
    “Since she parked her ass on that box and drew down on whatever was coming to protect your little brother.”
    “Hell.” Caleb smacked the wheel at the reminder. “Sometimes, Derek, you make me regret saving your ass.”
    “The feeling is mutual.”
    Derek and Caleb had been friends since Caleb had saved Derek’s life early on in his vampire days, back when the Johnsons hadn’t known that vampires and werewolves were supposed to be enemies. Not that Caleb would have cared even if he had known. The Johnsons weren’t the conforming sort. Never had been. Likely never would be. That friendship had evolved into an alliance that was forged in steel. The Johnsons and the McClarens had each other’s backs. Even if they didn’t always agree.
    “I appreciate the offer, Derek.” Leaning back against the headrest, Slade closed his eyes. He was aching and tired. The last twenty-four hours had been a bitch.
    “Anytime. So, what’s the plan when she wakes up?” Derek asked, the lazy humor in his voice indicating that he was pretty sure Slade had one. “You going to hog-tie her