Read 02 Blood Roses - Blackthorn for Free Online Page A

south side, but Alisha knew that, beneath Jake’s bravado, it was Caleb’s determination and resilience that had made it all the success it was. It was Caleb’s focus that kept the businesses thriving. It was Caleb’s reputation that kept away the competitors. Jake’s charm and party attitude kept the drinks flowing and the females flocking, but it was Caleb who held it all together.
    Just as he’d somehow held it together when he’d found her clutching the unconscious Jake down in the VIP area of the club.
    She’d agonised over telling Caleb about Leila, not least knowing she would be furious when the truth was finally out about where her little sister had been spending her nights away from home. And then there was that stirring of uncertainty about Caleb. His business acumen and zero tolerance weren’t the only things he was reputed for.
    But when there seemed to be no other hope, when she’d seen for the first time panic in Caleb’s eyes, she had to speak up. She spoke up or she lost Jake. She could deal with Leila’s wrath if that meant saving Jake’s life.
    And save him they had.
    And despite what Leila believed, Caleb wouldn’t forget that. Caleb was true to his word. Caleb loved Jake more than he loved anyone and, from what she’d seen, was the only one he was capable of loving. He would be indebted to them both. And part of her hoped it would be enough to win a little bit of his approval.
    Jake smiled from the bed. ‘Hey, gorgeous. Stop looking so worried – I’m fine.’
    ‘Leila’s not. She’s really angry with me, Jake.’
    ‘I’m not surprised.’
    ‘She’s told me to come and get her stuff. She wants me to go with her. Now.’
    ‘What’s her hurry?’ Caleb interjected.
    She glanced at him still casually leaning back against the wall, hands resting behind his back, his unsmiling gaze fixed on her.
    ‘Aside from being in the last place on the planet she ever wanted to be?’ she replied. ‘I did warn you she wouldn’t be happy.’
    ‘Where is she now?’ Caleb asked.
    ‘Out on the terrace. Getting plenty of much-needed air. How long have we got?’
    His green eyes narrowed slightly. She wasn’t sure if there was a glimmer of coaxing behind them but they made her as uneasy as the question that followed. ‘For what?’
    ‘Until someone can take us to the border.’ She glanced anxiously at Jake then back at Caleb. ‘You promised us an escort.’
    ‘You need to go and keep Jake company down in the bar first.’
    Her heart beat a little faster. She glanced nervously at Jake. ‘Should you really be going down there?’
    ‘We’ve got to make sure no one believes this happened tonight. There’s only one way to do that.’
    ‘But you don’t need me. I mean, you know I’d like to but…’
    ‘But what?’ Caleb asked.
    She looked back at him, not liking the edge of confrontation in his tone. She knew only too well he wasn’t used to people questioning him. ‘Do you want to be the one to go and tell Leila we’re staying a bit longer?’ she asked, a little too curtly.
    He pulled himself away from the wall with a hint of a smirk that did little to reassure her.
    She stepped toward the foot of the bed in a pathetic attempt to block his way. ‘I was kidding,’ she said, unable to contain the panic in her voice. Caleb versus Leila was one face-off they could all do without.
    Caleb folded his arms. ‘Why so anxious, Alisha? What do you think I’m going to do to her?’
    She looked to Jake for reassurance again. The look in his eyes provided anything but. She reverted her attention to Caleb, her inability to read what was going on adding to her unease. ‘I didn’t say you were going to do anything. I just need to think of a way to explain why she needs to stick around.’
    ‘Then I’ll talk to her. You don’t have to leave right away, do you?’
    ‘No, but…’ There was no but . No but except the fact her sister despised vampires more than anything else, and the longer