Craig's Heart Read Online Free PDF

in my tiny kitchen when he just seemed to appear out of my bathroom.”
    Fear made her sweat and terror almost closed her throat. “He talked to me at first and I thought maybe I could fight him and escape.” She gave a bitter laugh. “I had no idea what I was up against. I don’t remember much. I fought him, but he laughed. He bit my neck and drank my blood. Just when I thought I was going to die, he told me I was his for all eternity. I have a vague memory of him forcing me to drink his blood.”
    “It’s okay, Evie. You don’t have to do this now.”
    She jerked away from Craig and stood. “Yes, I do. I don’t know how long I was a prisoner in my apartment. Hours. Days. It’s all a blur. I was sick, so sick. I thought I would die.”
    “I know.”
    And she realized he did. Craig was one of the few people in the world who did understand what she’d been through. “Maybe he thought I was still too weak to do anything. Whatever the reason, he went out one night. I pretended to be passed out so he didn’t tie me up or anything. I figured he didn’t plan on being away for long. As soon as I was sure he was gone, I dragged myself out of there. I’ve been running ever since.”
    “Do you remember what he looks like?”
    Evie rubbed her brow. “Yes. I’ll never forget his face.” It was etched on her memory for all times and starred in her nightmares every night.
    “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. I have a friend. His name is Damek.”
    “You mentioned him when you were dying. Told me to call him.” Evie was getting a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Who is he?”
    “Someone who can help us.”
    She shook her head. “No, I don’t want anyone else involved.” She couldn’t live with herself if another person got hurt because of her. As it was, she’d have to live with what she’d done to Craig for the rest of her life. Granted, she didn’t expect that to be much longer than it took to kill the bastard who’d done this to her. No way did she want to exist for centuries as a monster attacking innocent people. She’d rather die.
    “Evie.” Craig stood slowly, and when he wavered on his feet she went to his side to steady him.
    “You need to rest some more.” She was worried about him, knew he’d need blood and soon. “You might not remember it right now, but you’ve been really sick.”
    “I need to get help from someone who knows how.”
    Maybe he did know someone who could help. “And this Damek can do that?” She nibbled on her bottom lip and thought about it. “He knows what vampires are?”
    Craig offered her a reassuring smile that did nothing to quell her anxiety. “I’d say he knows more about vampires than anyone else in the world.”
    “And you just happen to know him?” It made her suspicious and she took a few steps away.
    “Yeah. We’re actually friends.” Craig held out his hand to her. “Don’t be afraid. Not all vampires are monsters.”
    Could she dare to even believe him? How could she not? Craig needed help she couldn’t give him. And if there was a chance this Damek could give her the knowledge she needed to avenge her death, she really had no choice but to take it.
    “Call him.”
     
    Craig slipped his hand into his back pocket, pulled out his phone and hit the second number on his contact list. It was answered on the first ring.
    “Where have you been?” The imperious voice, so deep and commanding made him smile.
    “I’ve got a bit of a problem.”
    “What do you need?” Damek demanded. “Where are you?”
    Craig knew Evie was listening to every word of the conversation and could easily hear both sides, so he kept the exchange as neutral as possible. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her away. He wasn’t up to chasing her. “I need to meet you somewhere private. Somewhere safe.”
    “I will come to you.”
    Craig eased the phone away and stared at her. “Where are we?”
    “Who are you with,” Damek demanded.
    Evie