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Chapter 28

Mick stepped out of the shower and toweled himself dry. It was a relief to have all the dried blood out of his hair and off his skin and he felt better. Wrapping the towel around his hips, he went into the bedroom. A small smile stole over his face as he looked at Beth napping on the bed in only an over-sized T-shirt, her damp hair spread out on the pillow. She looked so peaceful, not like a woman who almost had her throat cut just hours earlier. A small shiver ran through Mick at how close he had come to losing her this time. One wrong move and Calvin would have taken her life before Mick could have stopped him. Again the unbidden thoughts poked at his conscience, telling him that as long as Beth was with him she would always be in danger. His smile faded as old doubts rose up and he crossed the distance to the bed swiftly and leaned over her. His fingers hovered just above her cheek, wanting to touch her but afraid to as well.

Carefully Mick sat on the edge of the bed, not waking Beth and studied her closely. Her gentle breathing and steady heartbeat calmed him. He knew that any suggestion that they separate would be met with huge resistance. His Beth was a fighter and she would not accept that decision peacefully. Tentatively Mick reached out to touch a strand of damp hair and a small sigh escaped him. He knew he couldn't let her go. Knowing what was best for her and following through with it were two different things. Beth touched a part of his soul he thought he had lost forever when Coraline had turned him. He needed Beth.

The sound of his phone buzzing on the side table drew him out of his thoughts and he grabbed it quickly to stop it from waking Beth.

"What Josef?" he whispered.

"Good work buddy. I just finished talking to Laslo. It seems this has all wrapped up nicely," Josef said pleasantly.

"Oh yes….very nicely if you don't count Beth almost having her throat cut and a nosey ADA who may or may not accept a video confession," Mick muttered.

"Well they didn't arrest Laslo and he says Talbot appeared satisfied when he left the studio," Josef replied.

"Good, I'm glad of that," Mick answered in relief.

"Kira suggested you and Beth stop by the club tonight. She feels a small celebration is in order. Laslo and his freshie intend to join us."

"Sure Josef, we'll be there," Mick told him.

"Good, that will make Kira happy. A happy Kira makes me happy," Josef stated and hung up.

Mick set his phone back on the table. A pair of warm hands slid up his bare back and came to rest on his shoulders. He could feel her warm breath on his neck just before soft lips brushed over his skin. Damp hair trailed over his arm and shoulder.

"You're awake," he said with a smile.

"Yes I am. Where are you going?" Beth asked as she knelt behind him, leaning against his bare back. Her arms encircled him as she tilted forward to run her lips along his right jaw line.

"Kira has invited us to the club to celebrate," Mick answered as he turned towards her. His hands found her waist and he lifted her, bringing her around to sit on his lap. "You are pretty frisky suddenly," he chuckled.

"I woke up to see a handsome man in only a towel," Beth said, her eyes glittering with mischief. "I am not strong enough to resist."

"I see," Mick said trying to be serious. "And does any handsome man in a towel do this to you?" He raised one eyebrow.

"Oh no," Beth replied with a shake of her head and trying to maintain a serious face. "Only one, sexy PI who saved my life….once again." She traced one finger along his collarbone, looking at him through lowered lashes and then slowly began to trace a line down his chest. In a swift move, Mick caught her hand and twisting upright, he rolled them both onto the bed with his body propped above hers.

"I think….." he said, his face inches from hers. "I think this PI needs to be rewarded for his rescue, don't you?"

Beth nodded her eyes full of love. Her fingers laced together behind his neck and drew his head down lower.

"Claim your reward," she said huskily before their lips met.

Hungrily Mick kissed her in return. Lost in her arms he knew that he could not send her away at this time, not even for her safety. One kiss blended into the next as he felt Beth's hands moved to tug the towel away and his hands went to the hem of her T-shirt.

*M*M*

Josef sat down at Kira's private table in the back of the club and smiled at Laslo and the young woman beside him.

"I see you have a human fascination just like Mick, Lenny," he chuckled.

Darla blushed at his words as Laslo smiled at his old friend. He held Darla's hand in his, surprised at how bravely this freshie had behaved in the face of his treacherous assistant.

"Darla has been a very pleasant surprise," he said with a touch of wonder in his voice.

Darla knew that while Laslo was grateful for what she did, his feelings were nowhere near Mick's feelings for Beth. But she could hope and she intended to hold on to that for now.

"Mick really does love Beth," she said in a small voice.

"Yes….yes he does," Josef agreed and sipped his scotch. "They are a unique couple."

"And very special friends," Kira added as she joined the group at the table. She could see the yearning in the young woman's eyes. "It is not impossible for these relationships to work." She took a seat in the chair next to Josef and raised her vodka on the rocks to her lips. Darla's eyes lit up but she stayed silent.

"Ah….my romantic," Josef chuckled as he brushed Kira's cheek with his fingertips.

"St. John and Ms Turner are coming here tonight, aren't they?" Laslo asked.

"They'll be here," Josef replied with a smirk. "I would imagine they have been distracted and that is why they are late. Beth has that effect on Mick."

"Josef….." Kira sighed. She loved the vamp but she wished that Josef did not delight in making fun of Mick and Beth's relationship. "Beth had a difficult day, I am sure they are just taking time to recover."

She had barely spoken when Mick and Beth entered the club looking relaxed and happy. Mick's hand was placed on Beth's shoulder as she led the way back to the table.

"It looks like they've recovered nicely since I spoke to Mick," Josef said smugly.

Kira rolled her eyes but signaled for a waitress to come take the newcomer's order after they sat down. After giving their order, Josef spoke up.

"You two certainly don't look like you went several rounds with a killer."

Kira couldn't suppress a sigh and Mick favored his best friend with a disapproving stare. Beth smiled at him, her eyes twinkling.

"I am so touched by your concern for us Josef," she said sweetly. "We are safe thanks to Laslo and Darla."

"I couldn't watch Calvin hurt you," Darla said quickly. "I had to do something. I just grabbed the axe without much thought."

"You were very brave and very resourceful," Laslo told her squeezing her fingers lightly. "We are fortunate; thanks to Neville, that ADA Talbot has accepted the video and told me that he does not see a need to bring charges against either Darla or me. But he does seem to be very unhappy with your involvement Mr. St. John."

"Please….call me Mick," he said quietly. "And yes, the man does seem to have something against me." He shrugged slightly. "Truthfully, the feeling is mutual and I'm happy to see he isn't interested in pressing charges against you."

"So is this really over then?" Kira asked in concern, looking around the table. "Is our secret safe?"

Silence fell over the table and after a few moments, Mick nodded.

"I think so. There is nothing on the video to indicate vampires were involved in this," he answered, keeping his voice low. "While the beheading was gruesome, I don't think the police with question it. We have a few details to wrap up but there is no reason to be worried, the humans have their answers."

"Then we have no worries. It is over," Josef declared. "And if ADA Talbot decides to make this personal then we will deal with him."

"No, he won't," Beth said quickly, suddenly worried about Ben's health. "He has nothing to blame Mick for. He knows Mick had no idea that Tammi's killer was at the studio."

"That is quite the defender you have there, Mick my boy," Josef said in amusement. "Talbot doesn't stand a chance against her." He saluted Beth with his drink.

Mick hugged Beth and smiled at his friend.

"She has undoubtedly been my protector many times," he agreed. "And I'll pit her against Talbot any day of the week."

"You know, today would make a great movie," Laslo commented wistfully.

"Lenny….please tell me you are joking," Josef groaned. "That is just asking for trouble. Let one cop get wind of the film and we come under scrutiny we do not need."

"Relax Charles old man, I'm not stupid," Laslo said with a wicked smile. "However, insert werewolves or zombies and make it a summer camp and I am sure I will have a hit," he added as the others at the table laughed in spite of themselves.

End chapter.

I promised that there would be some fluff after all the tension. So while I wrap this story up…..a bit of lightness is in order. Thank you so much for reading.