Vampires Among Us [Vampires Among Us 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

whispered in his ear as she slipped Erica’s car keys into his shirt pocket.
    “Now, get in there and say hello to her, or she is going to get suspicious. By the way, she didn’t even notice the bullet hole.”
    “Thanks,” Kevin replied to her, and turned to walk back in his front door. Okay, a full-blown slumber party was not what he envisioned, but it didn’t seem any harm had been done. Erica looked to be happy, and she was certainly safe. She was surrounded by four female vampires. Any male would be a fool to try and take on four women, period, vampire or not, in Kevin’s opinion. He had seen what women were capable of doing when they worked together. Put four female vampires together, and they were a force to be reckoned with.
    As Kevin walked over to where Erica was sitting on the couch, he observed her laughing at something Jordan was telling her. He sat down next to her.
    “Hey, beautiful,” he leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You seem to be feeling better than earlier.”
    She looked up into his face with eyes shining. “Hi yourself, good looking!” she replied with a bright smile.
    Kevin could have stayed put all day, just staring into her beautiful face. He finally remembered Jordan sitting across from them, and smiled over at her. “Hey, Jordan, how did you get roped into this slumber party?”
    “I called earlier to check on the girls and Jennifer invited me. She assumed you would be tied up at the office for the remainder of the night and decided a slumber party was just the prescription for our girl here.”
    Kevin had already placed a possessive arm around Erica’s waist. “Please tell me you have been taking it easy and getting some rest,” Kevin stated as he turned his attention back to Erica.
    “Yes, we have all been lounging around watching movies most of the afternoon,” she replied.
    Turning his attention back to Jordan, Kevin stated, “By the way, Jordan, I’m having a little get-together Friday night here at the house. Can you and Davidrick join us?”
    “Possibly, if I can get that fool away from his dead bodies long enough. What time?” she asked.
    “Six,” Kevin answered.
    Jennifer felt a little compassion for her brother and quickly cleared everyone out of the apartment on the pretense of showing off something in her suite. Soon, the apartment had cleared out, and Kevin had Erica all to himself. She looked exhausted, he quickly noted.
    “Tired, love?” he gently asked her.
    She thought about her answer for a brief moment, and then replied, “A bit, yes. But I also find the company very comforting.”
    Kevin knew she would not feel comfortable by herself, as long as she knew Shawn was on the loose. “I understand. Just don’t wear yourself out, please?” He requested, as he lightly skimmed her chin with his thumb. “I have to return to the office in about another hour, and there is a good chance I’ll be stuck there for the next few days. I will probably just make it back home in time for the party Friday. Will you be okay here with the family?”
    “Of course, Kevin, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I have a feeling your family is going to keep me surrounded for the next few days.” She tried to give him her best confident smile.
    Kevin smiled. Yes, if he knew his family, Erica would be lucky if someone wasn’t accompanying her into the bathroom for the next few days!

Chapter Eleven
     
    Erica woke up the next morning, a little disoriented as to where she was. She opened her eyes to discover she was curled up on the couch, with Kate and Elizabeth hovering nearby. As she sat up, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes, and casting a small smile in their direction, she remembered Kevin stating that he wouldn’t be around for the next couple of days. Well, the party was tomorrow night, and she could handle two days without him. She would have to.
    “Good morning, Erica,” Elizabeth greeted her. “Jennifer went to her suite to fix your breakfast. She should be returning in just a minute.”
    Remembering that Jordan had also spent the night but was now nowhere in sight Erica inquired, “Did Jordan go with Jennifer?”
    “No, Jordan had to leave early for work. She said to tell you she would see you tomorrow night at the party,” Kate replied. “Oh, and Kevin left a note for you on the dresser.”
    Erica quickly headed for her bedroom, finding an envelope taped to her dresser mirror. She walked over and sat on the end of the bed to read