Lennon watched as the crowd surged. He knew that the second they stepped through the door, he'd lose Lyla. Taking her hand, Lennon frowned when she protested.

"Lyl's, you've got to learn how to trust me. This protesting at everything that happens is wearing thin."

"I'm never going to trust you."

"Then maybe I'm never going to find your daughter. This is a two-way street, and you'd better start walking down it. Otherwise, we'll be going nowhere."

Giving her hand a gentle yank, Lennon dragged the human through the crowd. The smile was barely restrained when she huddled into him. Hungry patrons and a delicious human tended not to mix. They would not attack her; Lennon knew that she was safe, but that was only because he was there. If she were on her own, then it would be a different story. If they were separated, it could be deadly for Lyla.

Lyla felt that she could finally breathe freely when they reached the exterior of the club. The only vampires that watched her now were Lennon and the bouncer. She glanced around the quiet street, finding Adley fairly quickly.

It was pretty easy because he stood out.

"God, would you look at that."

Lyla turned to look at the woman that purred the sentence with pure lust to her tone. She matched Lyla for height, but she noted that the woman was in a pair of pumps that had one hell of a heel on them. The woman flicked the long brown hair off her neck, fanning her face as she smiled.

Her gaze was directed to Adley, heat in her dark eyes as she stared. Lyla looked back at the werewolf, thinking he was reasonably handsome, but giant fur balls were not her thing. Adley was not covered in fur, but she believed he soon would be.

"Merissa, honey!" Lennon said eagerly.

Her eyes snapped to him in a second. The lust turned to a scowl. Lyla's eyes widened when the woman slapped Lennon across the cheek.

"What was that for?"

Merissa's head tilted and an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah, okay. Sorry."

"Another flea riddled lounge?" Lyla asked mockingly.

"Nah, I just banged a chick that Ris was after, right baby?"

"Yeah, and you only survived because I wasn't that interested. There was something more entertaining hanging around."

Lyla looked at Merissa. Her gaze lingered on the figure that was making his way down the sidewalk.

"Maybe next time we could just make a big area and,"

"Lennon," Ris chided, sliding her hands up his chest. "I know you all too well. You just want to get in on the amazing action that I find because you're too lazy to find your own."

She turned to look at Lyla, offering a seductive smile.

"Although, you've managed to land something wonderful tonight. Humans aren't usually your style. What's going on?"

"Ris, this is Lyla. She's looking for her daughter that walked the mile."

Merissa moved to face Lyla better, her arm sliding behind Lennon's neck. The vampire was always an opportunist, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"Walked the mile, and you're looking for her which means you believe she's still alive."

"I know she's alive. Braxton sent a confirmation."

"Is that so?" Ris hummed softly.

Lennon mutely nodded, wishing that Merissa didn't have that intrigued glint in her eyes.

"Come on," she chided with a smile.

"Nah. Let's see if you can guess. The missing girl is young, pretty and probably initially lied about her age."

"That could be any vampire within a ten-kilometre radius of this street. Give me more information."

"Boss man guessed in an instant."

Merissa stared at Lennon as the horrid sinking sensation of reality hit her.

"You're not serious, are you?"

"Sadly, I am. Seen him around lately?"

"Oddly enough, yes. Come on, where's your car?"

Adley nodded to the car at the end of the block. Lyla rolled her eyes as the group began to move towards it.

"I am not getting in that car with Adley driving again."

"Adley drove?" Merissa asked, somewhat shocked.

"Yeah, he's doing great for his first night on the job."

Lyla stared, completely stunned. Merissa looked at the parking job and wondered how many dings the car had before Adley took it on an adventure. She believed the answer would be zero.

"You know, I'm inclined to agree. I'm driving, though."

Lyla smiled until she realised that the brute would not fit in the back of the cabin and that she'd have to be squished into the seat with Lennon.

"I really don't want to suggest it, but can we find a bigger car?"

"No time. Whispers spread like fire in the vampire world. Get in."

Lennon was already stretched out on the back seat, looking as if he was king of the world. As she leaned down to get in, Lyla frowned at him.

"Move your feet."

"There ain't no space in the footwell. Sit between my legs."

"I will not be going anywhere near you."

Lyla turned to the gruff sound. She began to lose her balance as Adley helped her into the car.

"I said,"

"Enough human, you're giving me a headache," Merissa complained. "Just get in between his legs. He won't bite hard."

Lyla yelped when Lennon wrapped his arms around her torso.

"I'm a gentle lover." he purred seductively. "I can play-bite if you're into a little pain."

She struggled, ramming her elbow into his gut. Lennon chuckled as he let go.

"You sure are easy to bait and reel in."

Ignoring the statement, Lyla wrestled with her legs, shifting on the seat to try and sit comfortably. It wasn't happening. She cast a sideward glance at the vampire who was watching her with a broad smile on his face.

Lennon opened his arms with a smugness that was adorable to most and thoroughly annoying to one.

"Not a chance in hell."

"Pretty sure you are in hell, Lyl's."

Lyla looked at the vampire, and even though it pained her to do so, she nodded in agreement. Yes, she was in hell. Not just because of this moment and being stuck in a tiny car with two vampires and a werewolf but because of Eloise.

Sadness filled her face as her head lowered.

"I just want my little girl home where she will be safe," Lyla whispered.

"You can't protect her all the time."

"I can try."

"No one's arguing with you on that one. The problem is that she's at an age where defiance is a part of who they are. They think they know everything and that they are infallible. Don't be surprised if she argues or tries to resist."

Again, Lyla nodded in agreement. Twice in as many minutes, it had to be a first for the night.