Chapter 20

Tyler waited with Jessica at her apartment, her living room was an average-sized sitting room that was neatly furnished, oozing elegance all over the place. Tyler looked around and was amazed at the paintings that stood on the walls. Jessica never appeared to him as a woman with high taste in art. The atmosphere in the house was hostile, everyone was tensed as they sat in opposite directions to each other.



"You never struck me as a woman of art, Ms. Jessica," Jessica raised her face to look at her visitor who tried to relieve the tension that was in their hearts.



"What did you take me for?" She asked as she took a proper look at Tyler.



"I don't know, maybe a career woman who is more focused on her job, it isn't a bad thing," Tyler said as he rested his back on one of the chairs that were neatly arranged in Jessica's sitting room.



"Now you believe that I am not interested in my job anymore," Jessica smiled as she watched Tyler scratch his head searching for answers. "Worry not to answer me, besides I drew most of them," Jessica said as she sat down opposite Tyler with only a glass table between the two of them.



Tyler could not believe what he had just heard. He stood up from the sofa and walked towards what he presumed to be his favorite piece. It was a painting of a woman's perfectly curved body with the strings of a guitar drawn from her bosom down to her vagina. Though the boobs and vagina were substituted with the headstock and bridge of the guitar.



Tyler was certain that this was a work of art. "Tell me about this painting," he said as he looked back at Jessica.



"As you can see, it was inspired by the woman's body" Tyler nodded his head in affirmation. "I believe a woman's body is like the guitar, it could play you happy or sad hits. Depending on how you choose to draw the strings," Jessica stood up and walked towards Tyler.



"Wow, I have never thought about it in that manner. But I believe the same thing is applied to the men," Jessica shook her head in disbelief. "I even believe men have more strings than women" she added.



"What about this one?" Tyler pointed to another painting. Tyler hoped his method of drifting from the current debate would work.



"This is my favorite work," she said as she ran her hands through the painting, feeling the golden frame. It was a gift from Ashley and it is a painting of Jessica.



"I just hope she is okay," Tyler gave her a sad smile.



"I pray s because I won't forgive myself if anything happens to her," tears began to run down Jessica's cheeks. Tyler stepped closer to Jessica, removed his white handkerchief from his back pocket, and cleaned the tear on her face. She held onto his hand and looked Tyler into his ocean-blue eyes.



____



Logan was angry that his plan hadn't worked the way he had planned. He had forgotten to put into consideration that Eric's clan was the fastest clan of vampires to exist in Central city. To top it all, they were the strongest and smartest because they interacted with both humans, werewolves, and their fellow vampires unlike the rest that only interacted with vampires and saw the others as fugitives and prey.



Logan was only happy with the fact that he spotted one of the vampires that came to pick up the humans and the money Eric had requested for. The plan was to put a tracker on their car and raid wherever they stayed the following day. Logan had directed only a few werewolves to put tabs on any car that comes close to the parameter of his club. Unfortunately for all of them, the vampires did not approach the club in the car but they came on their feet using their speed as an advantage. Logan was cautious enough to not let any one of them sight him because that might be the end of his lover, Ashley. He had a choice but to call his best friend.



"Hello, Logan," Logan could feel the anticipation in Tyler's voice like a father waiting on a doctor to tell him the news of his newborn baby.



"We were not able to get the tracker on their car."



"Fuck!" Tyler cursed.



"What went wrong?"



"They did not come along with cars. Just a bunch of fast vampires."



"And we could not let them know we were out there." Tyler completed the statement.



"Exactly... " After a long pause, Tyler asked. "Do you know what?"



"What?"



"Stay where you are. I am on my way," Tyler did not even wait for his response before cutting the call. Logan couldn't help but wonder about his next move. Ashley needed to come back alive, he needed to step on his game because if he played and act like an average person. He would lose the love of his life to the vampire. Logan thought about telling his subordinates what was happening. Logan contemplated if it was letting everyone know he was in love with a human.



"I am coming," Tyler said.



"Where are you going to?" He could see the disappointment on Jessica's face.



"To meet Logan," he tried hard to escape her stern look that was thrown in his direction by trying to go and t carry the car keys that were on Jessica's center table.



"What is wrong? Did everything go as planned? I hope everything is okay. Talk to me Tyler," Jessica said as she looked at him walk away from her.



"Yes, everything is okay. Just a few setbacks but everything will be fine."



"You talk keenly like we did not just give innocent souls away."



"I thought we were doing them a favor. They were on death row for crying out loud. Just relieved them of the pain of rotting in a cell," Tyler said, looking at her.



Only Jessica's long sofa stood between the two of them.

"What next?" She folded her arms and heaved a frustrated sigh.



"We figure out our next step."



"I can't believe you guys are doing a trial and error with my best friend's life," Jessica placed her hands on her wide waist.



"Young woman, Ashley is also my friend. I like her, she is cool and amazing to be with. Don't you think Logan is hurting too? You know we are all broken," Jessica was silent for a moment as she heard him speak. "We will try our best to make sure she comes in one piece. You can trust and believe in us."



"Not like I am left with any option" Jessica pouted her lips. Tyler smiled and went close to her. "We will continue this conversation under favorable conditions. He kissed her cheeks and walked out.



____



The engine sound of the car revealed Tyler's presence. Logan went round the passenger's seat and entered.



"Drive," he ordered.



"To where?" Tyler asked.



"Somewhere away from the city," the reeving of the engine was all that was heard, and then their disappearance.