Raphael considered this. Vampires had superior reflexes and far better night sight than humans. The roads wouldn’t slow them much.
“Very well. When she arrives, I will speak with her myself—”
Cyn spoke up immediately. “Raphael, what if—”
He raised a hand to stop the predictable objection. “We will take all necessary precautions, my Cyn.”
She flushed, but her eyes were full of rebellion when they met his. “Is there coffee around somewhere, Duncan?” she asked, not bothering to hide her irritation.
Duncan glanced at Raphael before saying, “There is a dining room across the way. Wei Chen houses a full shift of daylight guards on the compound, and there are one or two vampire mates who live here as well.”
“Thanks,” she said to Duncan, then shifted her attention to Raphael. “Since I’m not needed here, I’m going to get some caffeine. And then I’d like to ask Wei Chen and others a few questions . . . if that’s all right with you, my lord,” she added sarcastically. And with that, she spun on her heel and left.
Raphael watched her go, enjoying the sway of her hips, even though she was irritated with him. He turned back to Duncan with a wry twist of his mouth. “I think she worries even more than you do, Duncan.”
Duncan grinned. “Impossible, my lord,” he commented, adding, “She loves you deeply.”
“She wants to protect me.”
“Speaking of which, if you permit this Sophia to meet with you—”
Raphael blinked slowly and gave his lieutenant a patient look.
“Ah, that is, when you meet with her, my lord, I believe you should permit Juro and myself to greet her first. I’d like a better sense of her purpose before we admit her to the building, at least, and certainly before she is permitted into your presence.”
“You’re as bad as Cyn.”
“No doubt. And for somewhat the same reasons.”
Raphael arched an eyebrow at him.
“I did say somewhat,” Duncan said dryly.
Raphael flashed a quick grin, sobering almost immediately.
“Very well.” Raphael heard Cyn’s footsteps and looked over his shoulder to see her heading for their private quarters. “I think I’ll have a word with my mate.”
* * * *
Cyn was coming out the large bathroom when Raphael entered their suite. She had a towel in her hands and her face was still damp from a recent wash. She didn’t say anything, just tossed the towel onto a rack, then walked over to the side table and began refastening her shoulder holster, her back to him once more.
Raphael crossed the room silently, taking selfish pleasure from her gasp of surprise as his hand snatched the gun from her fingers before she could slide it into the holster. Sliding the weapon across the table out of her reach, he spun her around to face him. Not that she was cowed by his show of strength. The look she gave him all but dared him to try anything.
“Sweet, sweet Cyn,” he said silkily. He felt her grow perfectly still, saw her eyes flare in alarm as she recognized the danger simmering beneath his quiet voice. The stubbornness fled, replaced by a wary watchfulness. He growled soft and low in his chest. “You are angry because I value your life too much to hide behind you? You are human, my Cyn, and I am Vampire. Which of us do you think more likely to survive an attack by my enemies?”
“Well, thank you very much, oh great one. I won’t trouble you with my useless human efforts on your behalf any longer.”
Raphael tightened his grip, pulling her closer, forcing her up onto her toes. “I don’t need you to protect me,” he insisted, only inches away from her face. “I have hundreds of vampires specifically trained to do that. You know this.”
“And what about all the others?” she snapped back at him, raising her hands between them and pushing ineffectively at his chest. “The thousands of vampires who depend on you for their lives, the thousands who will die if anything happens to you. What about me? How would I live without you?” Her voice cracked with emotion as she fisted one hand and punched his shoulder. “You’re irreplaceable, damn you!”
He stared at her, loosening his hold until he could run gentle hands up and down her arms. “And do you think you’re not?” he asked, his impatience replaced by stunned disbelief. “Do you think I could go on if something happened to you? Do you think I would want to?”
Cyn looked away, a flush of embarrassment staining her lovely cheeks.
“Sweet Cyn,” he murmured, pulling her into his arms. “Lubimaya,” he whispered against her fragrant hair. “I would sooner die at your side than live without you.”
“Me, too” she whispered, tears filling her voice.