deny it, but nor do you say anything that would confirm it.”
“I think I’ve realized that the harder I protest, the harder he pushes.”
“And while that might not wear down your resolve, it does wear you down.”
Lucas pulled me closer and brushed his lips across the top of my head. “Yes, I’ve noticed that. With you here, I’ve been seeing it though your eyes, imagining how it must look to you, and I haven’t been too pleased with the image I saw reflected.”
“Well, the image I see is fine. Always has been.”
A soft laugh. “That’s good to hear. But I can’t continue that way, running away, avoiding him, hoping he’ll leave me alone. He won’t. I’m his son. He wants some kind of relationship with me, and I think I want the same thing. I need to learn to deal with him on his terms, because he isn’t going to change. Yes, if I associate with my father, some people will take that as a sign of backsliding, but I can’t worry about that. I know I’m not taking over the Cabal. And if you know it, too, then that’s all that matters. Which leads me to another area of resolve. Regarding you. Or, I should say, us.”
“I hope it’s along the same lines,” I said. “Standing firm instead of running.”
“I’ve been resolved on that point for four months. Since the first flicker of interest on your part, I knew I wasn’t going anywhere without a fight.” He paused and frowned, eyes scanning the crowd.
“Talking to two women near the bar,” I said. “Can’t miss that mask.”
“Ah, yes, I see him. Now, what was I…? Resolve. It relates to your participation in my investigations.”
“You don’t want me there. I understand—”
He pressed his forefinger to my lips. “No, my resolve is to see this conversation through to the end, saying what I want to say without backing down for fear of frightening you off with a proposal that may impose upon your need for independence.”
“Uh-huh. Once more, please…in translation.”
He leaned down to my ear. “I’d like…no, I would love for you to be my partner, Paige. In my work, in my life, everything. I know you have your own aspirations, and if you don’t wish to share my life quite so completely, I understand. But if you do, you are more than welcome to play as large a role in my investigations as you want.”
I smiled up at him. “You may regret saying that.”
“No, I don’t think I will. Is that a yes?”
“It’s a ‘we need to discuss this more, but I’m definitely interested.’”
He grinned then, a grin so broad Benicio did a double take from across the room.
Lucas noticed his father’s reaction and laughed softly. “He probably thinks I just proposed.”
I tried to glance over at Benicio, but another couple blocked my view.
“We’d better hurry over and set him straight,” I said. “Before he has a coronary.”
“No, he looks quite pleased,” Lucas said. “I believe he’ll be disappointed when he learns I didn’t propose. He’ll have to wait for that. I know better than to push my luck. I’ll give it some time before I take that plunge.” His grin broadened. “At least a week.”
I laughed, but before I could respond, he checked his watch.
“Speaking of time, we’re late for our rendezvous with the others. We should go—”
“I’ll go. Your dad’s not letting you out of his sight tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”
“Then I’ll track down a couple glasses of champagne for your return.”
We disengaged and I slipped from the dance floor.
I found Jaime alone in our agreed meeting place, a nook between the kitchen and the bathroom hall.
“Sorry I’m late,” I said. “The others get tired of waiting?”
“More worried than impatient,” she said. “Elena didn’t like us all hanging out here where we can’t see what’s going on, so I nominated myself for the job. Not like I can do much else. If I try following them around, I just get in the way. I’ve had stalkers, but never quite developed a talent for it myself, and all four of them are pros.”
“Hunters.”
She shivered. “Yeah, well, I try not to think about that. Werewolves, uh, they only hunt animals, right? The four-legged variety?”
“Pack wolves, yes. Other werewolves…you take your chances.”
“Uh-huh. Well, there’s nothing to report. No sign of Edward. No Natasha, either. I think I’ve seen the last of her. Which leads me to something else. I’m really not doing any good here, Paige. If you think I’m