Blue Twilight by MAGGIE SHAYNE

Maxie, her cute ass, her sexy teddy and her big bedroom. All of it. Wipe it out. Zip. Done.
    God, he was getting good at it.
    Â 
    The vampire watched and listened as Jason Beck made the phone call.
    The young man’s reunion with his sister had been exactly what had been needed, he decided. He’d stood just inside the closed door of his mansion’s most opulent bedroom suite as Beck’s little sister rushed into her brother’s arms. The young man held her, then opened his arms to include the other girl. After a moment, he held them away from himself and looked them over. “Are you all right? Have you been hurt?”
    â€œWe’re okay,” Delia said. “But God, look at you. Look at your face. Jason, what happened? Did they—was it…?”
    â€œIt was an accident. Honestly, it’s fine.” He ran a hand over his injured face. Black eye. Split lip. Silently, the vampire cursed Fieldner for his overdeveloped violent streak.
    Delia didn’t look convinced, but she wanted to be. She said, “We’re fine, too. This guy—he’s been…decent.”
    â€œThat other one wasn’t,” Janie muttered.
    Beck looked at her sharply. “You mean the police chief? Fieldner? Did he hurt you?”
    â€œNo.” Delia put a hand on her brother’s arm and shot Janie a dirty look. “He was gruff and bossy, and he kept us in a—a cell of some kind for a while. But now that we’re here, we’re fine. Honestly, Jay. I don’t want you to worry. We’re okay. Besides, you’re here now. It’s over. We can go home with you.”
    Jason licked his lips.
    â€œJay? We can go with you, can’t we? You did come here to take us home….”
    Lowering his head, Beck said, “Not just yet. But it won’t be long.”
    Delia’s face fell, until the vampire thought she would cry. Janie pouted, looking petulant. “What is it the bastard wants you to do?” she asked.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Jason asked, giving nothing away.
    Smart, the vampire thought. The boy didn’t want to upset the girls with any details. He only wanted to protect them and get them out of here safely. He was as intelligent as the vampire had taken him to be, then.
    â€œHe wants something,” Janie said. “He’s holding us to force you to do something or give him something. What is it? Money? Help with some legal problem? You are studying for the bar after all.”
    Delia caught her breath. “I hadn’t thought of that. Jay, don’t do anything that would ruin your chances—your future—”
    â€œIt’s nothing like that. I promise you. I’m going to have you out of here in a day or two. I swear.” He looked back toward where the vampire stood. “He’s given me his word on that.”
    â€œIndeed,” said the vampire. “And my word is my bond.”
    â€œNothing’s going to happen to you,” Jason promised. “You’ll be safe here until this is over.”
    â€œTime is short. You have that phone call you’re expecting, Mr. Beck,” the vampire said.
    Jason nodded, but Delia snapped her arms around his neck. “He is making you do something. I know he is. What is it, Jay?”
    â€œIt’ll be over soon.” He gently took her arms from his neck. “It’ll be done before you know it, and you’ll be home with me, hon. I promise. You’ve gotta trust me on this.”
    She let him untangle her arms, but her tears were flowing. The vampire found himself actually touched by the obvious affection between the two, the heartbreak this separation was causing them. He felt it, of course. Every bit of it, every emotion, from the fear to the sadness to the stubborn determination on the part of the young man to do whatever it took to save his sister. Whatever it took.
    He almost regretted having to put them through this.
    And yet, he had