Chapter 11

Pierce stormed down the hall and stepped into the office where Samuel was working. "What the hell?"

Samuel glared up at him. "She's angry at us."

"You think? That little comment about her friend Kylie didn't exactly help."

"I said I was sorry, didn't I?"

"Then you give her an order and try to force her obedience. She hasn't trusted any men in her life."

"Fine then!" snapped Samuel. "You give it a try. I need to get the rest of these accounts moved and I have over a dozen investors I need to connect with."

Pierce sighed. Carissa.

At the bar, she shivered. Pierce had said her name in a sinful, low voice. Leave me alone. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Kylie grinned at her. "Hey! The bartender said their open all night! Can you believe it? Some local big shot managed to get them to do it."

Pierce filled her mind again. I am worried about you. The sun will be rising in a few hours and I cannot help you.

I said I would be fine! Is this how it's always going to be? Will you always be in my head?

Samuel gave him an I-told-you-so look and went back to working on the computer.

Pierce frowned. "Now I understand how difficult lifemates can be." I will always be with you, yes. I love you.

Then prove it by giving me some space!

Fine. I will not force you to leave, little one. But I will still be checking on you.

The Jack and Coke was making her sick but there was no way now she was going to ask him for any help. I told you not to call me little one. Now leave me alone.

Very well…Carissa.

Samuel shook his head. "I can't believe this. It would take just a few minutes to go after her."

Pierce turned on his heel and headed back to the other office. "We have already wasted enough minutes, my brother. And what I am finding is showing things are even worse than we anticipated."

"How do you mean?"

He stopped and did not turn around. "The virus code is in the server. I think I've destroyed most of it but some of it may have been released."

Samuel swallowed. "I've got our investments under control. Everything will be protected."

"The profits, yes," replied Pierce softly, "but not some of the companies here in the United States and abroad. I managed to ensure all companies owned by Carpathians were protected against the viruses, but I am running out of time. I cannot save the others. The economy well collapse."

"Tomorrow the markets will be in complete chaos." Samuel drew a deep breath. "We need to protect the humans in this world, Pierce."

He turned back to face Samuel. "We have little time. There is nothing I can do. Our people come first."

"I know, but that doesn't mean we can't give humans the capability to discover what is happening and to save their systems."

"What do you mean?"

Samuel stood. "We need to give them the knowledge. Select their most brilliant and trusted system analysts and programmers to make them aware of what is happening."

"By the time they turn on their computers in the morning, it will be too late."

"Not if we notify them now."

Pierce clenched his jaw. "Even if we were able to contact them at this hour, some of their personal computers may already be infected. If they even open their email, the viruses will be unleashed."

"But you know how to counter all of the viruses?"

"Yes, but how do I get them the information when they need a safe source?"

Samuel slowly smiled. "Texting."

"Cell phone texting. No internet."

"No virus," agreed Samuel. "It will work. Of course, they'll be ticked off later at the massive text bills they receive if you send out instructions on how to counter hundreds of viruses."

"But I can set up a safe site. I'll select those in the human world who will understand the message and know it's valid by giving them instructions on how to look for the viruses in a safe way. Then they'll be able to get to the secure web site I create giving them instructions on how to remove everything. Samuel, you're brilliant!"

"Of course I am. Too bad it can't rub off on Carissa."

Pierce spoke in a quiet voice. "It's just one night. We have to get this done. She's been looking after herself for years without us. We need to trust her."

"Right, trust," muttered Samuel. "Come on, let's get to work."

Carissa felt slightly guilty at pushing Pierce away when she knew he was trying to protect her. But she'd been living without him for years. Her life was suddenly on the verge of changing and it set her in a panic. There was so much she didn't know and she felt like she'd lost control. Carissa's chest constricted. It felt like she was a child again where she felt so lost and unsure. Everything inside her cried out to trust Pierce. But how could she when he hadn't volunteered that he'd forced her to take his blood?

Twice.

Carissa's stomach churned. Kylie was chatting away with the young bartender, too absorbed in her flirtations to notice Carissa will starting to feel ill. She endured it, and time seemed to drag on. After a few more hours had passed, she tried to talk Kylie into leaving, but her friend refused. Carissa hid her frustration, knowing eventually she'd need to call Kylie's husband, especially as dawn approached.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

She turned to find a man who looked like he may be in his late thirties next to her. His black hair was slicked back and he wore a business suit. He was totally out of place in a country western bar. Carissa straightened. "Ah, no thanks."

"Are you sure? I don't bite."

She smiled. "I'm really just here for my friend."

"Ah, I see. Designated driver?" His gaze fell on the Jack and Coke.

"We took a cab here," she said defensively.

"Smart. But I know you need to be a defensive driver not just for the purpose of driving a car, but also making sure your friend is okay," he said as he glanced past her.

Carissa turned to find Kylie suddenly across the room, dancing with some guy wearing a large black cowboy hat. She was laughing as he twirled her around to the beat of the music. Carissa bit her lip. "I better go take her home."

The man stopped her. "Why? She's safe and having a good time. Let her have a little fun. And besides," he said winking at her, "when was the last time you had any fun?"

Carissa's gut instinct flared. "I'm sort of engaged."

"Sort of? Must not be much of a fiancee if he didn't even give you a ring."

"Well, he's letting me select it," she lied.

"Not very romantic though." He put out his hand. "I'm Todd. Todd Estes."

She politely shook his hand. "Carissa."

"Nice to meet you. Don't worry, I'm not going to try anything now that I know you're engaged. I'm just from out of town and needed a drink. I'd heard that this place was going to be open all night and from the look of this crowd, everyone else seems to know too."

"You're here on business of course."

He laughed. "Yeah, the suit gives it away, doesn't it?" Suddenly his cell phone rang. "Damn. Excuse me a moment." Todd looked down at his phone and pressed a few buttons. "What the hell…?"

"What's wrong?"

He sat and read through what appeared to be a text, the color in his face suddenly draining. "Good God."

Carissa's heartbeat picked up. "Is everything okay?"

"No. Something is very wrong, actually." He suddenly dialed a few keys, like he was texting someone, then he looked up at her. "You need to get going. It appears your friend has decided to leave."

Carissa whipped her head around to see Kylie smiling as she was being led out the door by the man she'd been dancing with on the floor. Carissa leapt off her chair and went after her, struggling to negotiate her way through the thick crowd. "Kylie! Wait!"

When she made it to the door, Carissa's heart froze when she saw Kylie getting into a car. She yelled for her friend to stop but it was too late. A heavy hand landed on her arm and Carissa realized Todd had followed her.

"Damn," he said. He flagged down a cab. "I need to get back to the office due to a situation but I can't leave you like this with your friend disappearing. I'll go with you."

Since it was a cab, Carissa didn't think anything of it except to feel grateful that someone was nice enough to help her. They got in and Todd shouted to the driver to go after the other car that had Kylie. The driver hesitated, but when Todd waved a one hundred dollar bill in his face, the cab took off.

Carissa reached for her seat belt as they sped down the road. "Why is that guy with Kylie driving so fast?"

Todd grunted. "He's probably drunk. Faster!" he shouted at the driver.

Carissa held her breath as they weaved in and out of traffic. She knew her emotions were at an all time high, so she wasn't surprised when Pierce broke through her mind.

What is going on? Why are you so frightened?

Someone has Kylie!

What?

We're chasing her.

Carissa, stop wherever you are.

No! Kylie is in trouble! She went with some guy out of the bar and we're trying to follow the car she's in.

There was a pause. What do you mean 'we'?

I met a guy in the bar who hailed a cab. He's helping me.

Samuel and Pierce dropped everything at that moment and ran into the hallway. "There's only minutes until dawn!" hissed Samuel. They had just been finishing up things when they felt Carissa's fear.

Pierce reached out to her. Dawn is almost here. Your friend went willingly with the man?

She was drunk!

Can you see her?

We see the car she is in.

Pierce and Samuel concentrated, connecting to see through Carissa's eyes. What they saw alarmed them even more. The cab was speeding and the car with Kylie could barely be seen. They couldn't get enough of a clear vision with the moving car to disrupt the vehicle.

Pierce tried to reason with her. I will send Graham after the car with the police. I saw the license plate. Please go back home and wait there where it is safe.

And drop off the man who is with you, added Samuel with a slight growl.

No! I can't leave her! I need to-

There was a sudden terrible crashing sound and Carissa screamed.