Oliver's Hunger (Scanguards Vampires #7) by Tina Folsom Page A

eye on everything he did because of his uncontrollable hunger for blood. If he now jeopardized Scanguards by not verifying Ursula’s story first, then his boss would have his hide.
    “We need to know about your background so we can confirm who you are,” he said, feeling just a little bit guilty for not believing her.
    The disappointed look she shot him cut through him like a knife. Yep, there was no way in hell she would ever sleep with him—not now, not after he’d disappointed her. It shouldn’t matter, but it did. Because the kiss she’d given him had held such promise and made him hungry for more. Was he doomed to fight yet another hunger he had no way of satisfying?
    Her voice sounded resigned when she finally addressed him again. “What do you want to know?”
    “Your name, name of your parents, where you lived. When you were abducted and where.” Then he nodded to Cain. “Cain, make notes. I want you to search for anything you can find. There would be police reports and possibly newspaper articles of Ursula’s kidnapping.”
    He hoped so, because he didn’t like the idea that she was a liar and trying to trick them. However, he liked the idea even less that she had lived in captivity for three years, subjected to a group of vampires who fed from her whenever they pleased, and probably even worse.
    He knew what went along with a feeding, the sexual arousal it produced in both the host and the vampire. If her story was true, they would have raped her countless times. Violently.
    But he couldn’t bring himself to ask her. For his own sake: because knowing that somebody might have used her that way, violated her body not just by taking her blood, but by sexually assaulting her, made his blood boil. He would have to kill somebody then.
     

11
     
    After Ursula had given them the details Oliver had asked for, Cain nodded and headed for the door. “I’ll get back to you with my findings as soon as I can.”
    “Thanks, I appreciate it,” Oliver answered.
    The entrance door fell shut behind Cain, and Oliver’s gaze fell on Maya who picked up her black doctor’s bag.
    “Blake, Oliver, a word.” She motioned them into the foyer, but turned before they reached it to look back at Ursula. “Everything will turn out all right. One way or another.”
    Oliver noticed Ursula’s doubting look, then followed Maya, pulling the door halfway shut after Blake had joined them.
    “Yes?” Oliver asked tightly.
    “I’ll be speaking with Gabriel about this.”
    “Why bother him? He’s busy in New York right now.” He’d rather not have Gabriel find out about this when there were so many things that weren’t clear yet.
    “Just because he’s gone for a few days doesn’t mean anybody is going to keep anything from him. You should know that.” She gave him a stern look. “You’re both responsible for the girl’s wellbeing. Keep a close eye on her, and don’t allow her to leave. It’s for her own safety. Do we understand each other?”
    Blake nodded.
    Oliver grunted. As if he needed to be told. He knew what the drill was. “I’ve got it covered. This is my case.”
    Maya raised a surprised eyebrow. “Gabriel will decide that. In the meantime, do as I say.” Then she put her hand on the door handle. “And Oliver, I’m really sorry I accused you earlier. But if you bite her now, Gabriel will have your ass.”
    Oliver huffed angrily. “I have no intention of biting her!”
    “I’ve seen the way you looked at her.”
    Blake put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and opened the door in her stead. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he doesn’t touch her.”
    “Thanks, Blake.”
    When the door closed behind her, Blake grinned at him. “Well, let’s see how we can make our charge a little more comfortable.”
    Before he could reach the door to the living room, Oliver pulled him back. “Oh, I know what you’re doing.”
    His half-brother glanced over his shoulder. “Just saving a pretty girl from the big