was real, huh?” For the first time all night, I feel him pull his aura of sex back in. “I’m sorry. Real sorry if you, um… read things… that I… um.”
The room’s overall tension level returns to the excited happy state it was in right after the danger passed. I nod in understanding because I did see a lot of things he may not have wanted me to see.
“Part of me thought I imagined that portion,” he continues. “How long have you been able to talk in my head?”
“Seven years.” I let out a tired sigh upon seeing the hope flare in his eyes. “From the moment I first fed from you. I only opened the connection now out of necessity. I will sever the link tonight while you sleep.”
Jon’s carefree armor firmly back in place, he gives me a crooked smile. “Don’t go rushing to cut the link on my account. I’m always open to any nasty little thoughts you might want to share.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I smile at the handsome man. “Back to business. What’s the verdict with Bunny and Paul?”
Cheering near the front windows reaches a crescendo and firelight spills in from outside. The bonfire, with Ivan’s body and head, roars to life on the driveway. Why does no one but the ex-enforcer in the room think this is freaky?
Let it go, liebling… Rafe pushes out with his calm, soothing my mind in a gentle touch. They need to do this to put an end to the horror of the last day.
Jon turns back to face us once the initial bloodthirsty cheer dies down.
“Bunny said she will accept Paul into their lives after you vouch for his control over his bloodlust.”
“Good. I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.”
It will be a lot of work to train him, so yes, I could have hoped for an easier solution. Easier, would be if she’d said no and I killed him. Not good for Paul, but easy for me.
“Where is Paul, right now?” Jon asks.
Rafe responds, aware I’m complaining in my own mind and leaving me to it. “Asa carried him down to the basement right after the change. He’s still out cold.”
Jon grunts in acknowledgement. “Asa turned out to be pretty handy with a gun at the end. That’s a hard shot to make with silver bullets.” His face turns speculative at the mention of the silver. “How do you think he did it?”
“I think,” I answer, nodding in Asa’s direction by the fireplace, “that he has the beginnings of telekinesis. Silver bullets are highly inaccurate over any distance. Asa’s talent manifests right now in his ability to control exactly where his shots land—with pinpoint accuracy.”
Jon lets out a low whistle.
“Do you think we need to be worried?”
“No. I think he’s loyal and will remain that way.”
Rafe grips my shoulder tight in agreement. “Asa’s a good guy. He’ll be here to stay.”
“For how long?” Jon asks.
Damn, he always has to push.
I look him dead in the eyes, allowing no emotion to show. “Until I say he can leave. Or until he dies.”
Jon’s hands come up in a stop gesture. “Okay, queen bitch. I was just asking.”
With that parting shot, Jon turns on his heel and leaves us.
He worries about sharing you. With only one rival for your affections, he sits firmly in the second spot. Adding more men riles his wolf.
There is only one spot. It’s you. I turn to face my lover, wrapping my arms around his neck as I lean in to kiss him. Asa as well as all the other newcomers in the seethe will all need to know that. My lips brush Rafe’s in a gentle expression of love.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Sal’s smooth tenor pulls me out of our tender moment.
Yeah, I bet he’s sorry.
Later, my love, we’ll be alone soon.
Rafe uncoils my arms from him, turning me to face Sal. He knows I need the nudge. I’m so tired—I’d gratefully have ignored the old vampire.
“Yes? What can I help you with?” My smooth innkeeper voice reveals none of my true feelings.
“I’d like to arrange the transport of John Pierre back to Washington. He has family and friends who will need a proper burial to say goodbye.”
“The front desk can handle all the details. It will be done in time for your departure tomorrow.”
“About that—do you think we can stay a bit longer?” Salvador asks. “This trip has been exactly what Theresa and I needed.”
“I think we can arrange something. Please check