Heart of Vengeance (Alice Worth #6) - Lisa Edmonds Page 0,164

and tired, but only in a normal way—not the gnawing feeling caused by the sorcerer magic.

So this is what you’re like when you’re happy, Ronan said in my head when we were about ten minutes away from the farmhouse. I like it.

Don’t get fooled into thinking I’m all sunshine and rainbows, I warned him.

He snorted. You’re all sunshine and rainbows tonight, woman, he told me. When I started to argue, he added, As well you should be, returning victorious from battle to the man you love. You slayed your enemies—now pour the wine.

I couldn’t argue with that.

We made the final turn onto the road where the farmhouse was. My heart thudded in my ears, and I could barely breathe. I spotted lights up ahead in the darkness. Sean had installed a fence along the road, and a gate. It was open.

The long driveway was lined with small solar-powered lights. Several unfamiliar vehicles were parked off to the side of the driveway next to Sean’s Maclin Security SUV. My eyes were on the man standing in the front yard watching us come up the drive.

Ronan slowed as we approached the house. I took off my helmet and handed it to him. Before he was even fully stopped, I jumped from the back of the Harley, left my backpack on the ground, and ran.

In a Pink Floyd T-shirt I’d bought him and jeans, Sean met me halfway across the yard. I would never forget the way he looked at me as long as I lived: worry, relief, happiness, love, and so much heat that I felt it all the way to my soul.

I leaped into his arms, wrapped my legs around his hips, and kissed him hard.

He held me with his hands under my butt and kissed me back, his mouth hungry and demanding. His stubble scoured the skin around my lips. He smelled like forest and wolf and wildness and home.

When we came up for air, his eyes were bright gold. “I love you.”

I rested my forehead on his. “Love you too.”

He squeezed my butt. “You’re a mess, and you stink.”

“Oh, God, I know.” I let out a half-laugh, half-sob. “I’m sorry. I haven’t showered since—”

I was silenced by his mouth on mine.

The next time we broke apart, I noticed the front door had opened and an unfamiliar older man and woman had appeared on the porch. We had an audience. I hadn’t thought twice about jumping into Sean’s arms in front of Ronan, but Sean had company.

I wiggled to let him know I wanted down. With obvious reluctance, he set me on my feet.

I turned to introduce Ronan, only to find the driveway empty. Esme sat next to my backpack, washing her paw.

Sean growled. Shifter magic prickled on my skin. “Where did he go?”

“Ronan?” I called.

Silence.

“Don’t take off until we have a chance to talk, okay?” I added. “Or at least until I can say goodbye.”

Still no answer. I sighed. “Well, maybe he’ll come back at some point. He does this sort of thing a lot. It’s complicated. I’ll explain after I’ve showered and gotten something to eat. And some coffee.”

Sean went to get my backpack. Esme hissed at him. He glanced back at me, brow furrowed. “Is this yours? Do we have a cat now?”

“That’s Esme. Yes, she’s my…uh, cat.”

He put my bag on his shoulder, rejoined me, and took my hand. “Let me guess: that’s complicated too.”

“Super complicated,” I confirmed.

“Does she need to come inside?”

“Nah, she’ll be fine.”

“There are coyotes around,” he warned.

I smiled. “Trust me—she’ll be fine.”

Sean kissed the tip of my nose. “Come on, then. There are some people here I’d like you to meet.”

I looked down at my bloody, filthy clothes. “Are you serious?” I demanded under my breath. “Can’t I clean up first?”

“They’ve already seen you,” he pointed out. “And you wouldn’t want to give them the wrong impression by being all clean and dressed up, would you? Not when this is more like how you normally look.”

I glared at him. He chuckled and squeezed my hand.

As we climbed the front steps, the older man held out his hand. “Want me to get that bag?”

I expected Sean to say no. Instead, he surprised me by handing it over. “Thanks, Dad.”

I froze in mid-step.

Fighting back a grin, Sean slid his hand around my waist and pulled me up to the porch. “Mom, Dad, this is Alice. Alice, my parents, Les and Rita.”

I would kill him. I would absolutely one hundred percent kill him. And Malcolm