Page 66 of Protector Unmatched

“I guess.”

“So what’s the big news?”

“They’re waiting for you in the command center. I’ll let them explain. I’m on my way to the safe house to relieve Ryder.”

“Where my brother is?” Daphne asked. “Is he okay? Is he healing?”

Grayson nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Ryder said he’s already looking better.” Then he walked past them toward the door that led into the lobby. “See you later.”

“See you,” Pearce called after him.

The moment Grayson closed the door behind him, Daphne looked at Pearce. “So, he’s a vampire?”

“A hybrid vampire, just like Ryder. Both are good guys. You won’t have to worry about your brother.”

To her surprise, she hadn’t even thought about her brother until now. Guilt rose to the surface. She was a bad sister, leaving the care for her brother to two strangers, two vampires. “Maybe I should check on Tim.”

“He’s probably sleeping right now. We can go see him tomorrow, okay?”

She contemplated a protest, but Pearce was probably right. There was no use in going to the safe house now and waking Tim. He needed his sleep to heal from the wounds the two thugs had inflicted.

“Okay.”

They continued walking along several long hallways, passing doors and stairs.

“How big is this place?”

“Big. Several stories, both above and below ground.”

“It looks like an old castle.”

“It kind of is.”

“And you really live here?”

“I’ll show you my private quarters later. You can shower there and get some rest, but I’ve gotta see the guys first to find out what’s so urgent.”

Footsteps suddenly came from a corridor to their left. Daphne glanced toward it and saw a woman with flaming red hair walk toward them. When their gazes met, the woman gasped and stopped in her tracks. She looked as if she’d seen a ghost.

“You,” the redhead said.

“Winter,” Pearce called out to her.

Slowly, she approached, her gaze not wavering, still fixed on Daphne. “You brought her.”

Something in her tone of voice sounded like an accusation. Just like Grayson hadn’t been pleased to find Daphne here in the compound. And one other thing was evident: Winter recognized her. How or why was unclear.

Pearce nodded. “Something is up. I couldn’t leave her out there unprotected.”

Winter didn’t immediately answer; instead she ran her eyes over Daphne, until they fixed on the messenger bag she’d slung across her torso.

“Any weapons in there?” she asked.

“Weapons?” Daphne asked, stunned. “Just my computer and a change of clothes.”

Winter looked at Pearce, but said nothing.

“She’s not armed, Winter. Relax.”