I'm sorry it's so short, my laser eye surgery is in less than twelve hours so I needed to get something out for you guys, it's not ideal but it's better than nothing, my recovery time is around 1-2 weeks, I don't know when I'll be okay with light sensitivity and electronic screens, so this may be my last update for a week or so!

Chapter 12

I had George take me back to the Lane's via the supermarket to grab some necessities, cat food, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a few other bits and bobs. I'd left work just before lunch; it didn't take me long to type up Dr Lane's itinerary. A message flashed up on my phone as I climbed into the back of the waiting SUV.

Trisha: Hey where are you? We are at lunch, you coming? Xoxo

George started the engine and began the journey back to the mansion as I mulled over my response, I was half glad not to be seeing the girls today. I couldn't take lying to them anymore, and my day was already too overwhelming and stressful. Plus I'd been dreaming of a midday nap since Dr Lane mentioned an early finish.

Victoria: Hey I already left, Dr Lane let me go early, I don't feel 2 good Xx

I decided to keep it vague, not wanting to get tangled in a web of lies. I sighed loudly and leant my head against the cold glass window; I was looking forward to climbing into my more than comfortable bed and cocooning myself in the duvet.

"Are you okay Miss Newgate?" George asked suddenly, his voice startled me and flipped me out of my daydream.

"Yeah, just tired is all," I half smiled. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course Miss Newgate," George nodded, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Why do you all live under the thumb of Dr Lane?" I wondered. George didn't answer straight away, he was hesitant, and obviously loyal towards his boss. He pondered a while, he was probably unsure himself.

"He protects us," George said simply, the corner of his mouth turning up into a small smile.

"He experiments on Lycans, in that very building," I whispered, confused who counted as 'us'.

"Before Dr Lane employed me I lived in the sewers, living off rats, and being hunted by the vampires. Dr Lane gave me a job, and a home. He's not perfect, he can be a grouchy son of a bitch," George explained with a chuckle, "But he is loyal to his kind as long as you keep your toes inline, contribute to the cause,"

"What's the cause?" I asked cocking my brow.

"Dr Lane isn't much of a sharer, especially when it comes to his plans, but I know he wants to rid the world of vampires for good," That was no surprise, everyone knew they hated each other, the wars in the streets painted that picture pretty well. Another message flashed up on my phone, I checked it out of the corner of my eye.

Trisha: I'm sorry babe, hope you feel better xoxo

I didn't feel the need to reply so threw my phone back in my handbag and turned my attention back to George.

"And his son Quint, what's he like?" I was perhaps pushing my luck a little. George sighed and shook his head.

"Quint, he's a little complicated," George said as we pulled up to the mansion gates. I didn't need to ask anything further, complicated definitely summed Quint up to the T.

I climbed the steps to the giant mansion door, shopping bags in hand; George was already holding the door for me, a proper gentleman. I thanked the man and headed up straight to my room.

I laid out some food for Monty in a porcelain cat bowl, one of my new purchases, and put away the rest of my shopping. I was so excited to pull on my leggings and baggy t-shirt and finally get a wink of sleep. I crawled into bed, pulling the covers up and over me, snuggling myself down into a nest of pillows and quilt. I could see Monty inching out of his hiding place under the chair towards the cat bowl, I smiled to myself softly. Food is the key to the heart. I began to drift off pretty quickly, my eyes closed and my body sinking slowly into a comfortable doze. A knock at the door quickly brought me back out of my sleepy state.

"Go away," I groaned, not caring who it was, even if it was my boss. The door creaked open. I groaned and raised my head slightly to see Quint stood in the door way, narrowing his eyes at me.

"What do you want?" I moaned, dropping my head back into the pillow. Quint entered the room, without permission may I add, and closed the door quietly behind him. "Go away I'm trying to sleep!" I shouted at him, exasperated at his presence. I grabbed the closest cushion and tossed it in his direction. It obviously didn't deter him as I felt the edge of the bed dip under his weight and the cold air hit my legs. I opened one eye slowly, peering through my tangled locks; Quint lay on his side under the duvet staring at me. I sighed; I was way too tired for games.

"It's rude to stare," I commented, turning over to face the wall. I felt his hand find its way to my hip and pull me backwards into his heat. I tried to pull away from the spoon but he held me securely against him.

"It's rude to turn your back on someone," He purred in my ear, his breathe hot and sending chills down my spine. It ignited the heat from inside me, the heat that had finally just settled down.

"No please Quint, I am so tired, are you not tired? Please just leave me to sleep, I'm not playing your games," I sighed, looking at his stone face from over my shoulder, I suppressed the desire to turn around and mount him like an animal, In all honesty I don't think I had the strength to anyway, my muscles and head ached from the sleep deprivation.

"Fine, sleep, but you can't avoid this forever," He pulled me closer into his body as he said 'this', sending butterflies into my stomach.

"I can and I will Quint, I thought I made it quite obvious I don't want to," I groaned.

"Why not?" He asked with a bitter undertone, as if he couldn't think of a single reason why. I turned onto my back and narrowed my eyes on him as he cradled my hip.

"Because you've not given me one reason to," I said honestly.

"I saved your life," He growled slowly, as if it gave him a valid reason to have me.

"You were just thinking about your investment remember?" I asked cocking my brow. Quint growled, his strong hand pulling on my waist to bring me closer to his heat. He licked his teeth in a defeated smile and finally spoke an ounce of truth.

"I didn't save you because of the money," He finally admitted in a huff, his voice rough and cracking.

"That's good since the tumours healed now anyway," I reminded him, I couldn't help but say it with a smile. "So why did you save me?" I asked as I pushed my tangled hair out of my eyes. He thought for a moment, as he looked everywhere except at me.

"I wanted you to be one of us,"

"But why?" I sighed; it was like trying to get blood from a stone. He didn't reply, he simply lay onto his back next to me, our arms touching,

"Go to sleep, you'll need your strength for Friday," He ordered as he stared up at the ceiling. He didn't have to tell me twice, my eyes fluttered closed and I began to fall into a deep slumber. The last thing I remembered was sinking into the perfect mattress, the feel of the soft pillowcase against my cheek as my head flopped to one side, and Quint's hand resting above his head, playing with my scattered locks.