at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas Friday night, and I will wait there for you until Sunday evening. It’s your choice whether you show or not, but I hope you do, milaya. Just know I will be there.”
“What are you trying to do now?” she whispered.
“Show up and find out.”
“I’m hanging up now.” Abruptly, she disconnected.
He stood contemplating the messes he had made. The shattered plate of food, the blood on the counter, his life.
A text came in from Molly. I don’t know if I’m coming. I need to think, so give me some space. Don’t call or text.
Acknowledged, he replied.
Instinctively, he knew now would not be a good time to push. As hard as it was to give up those evening interchanges, he turned his attention to work and kept it there, only taking time enough away to lay the elaborate travel plans that would hide his true destination from any potential onlookers.
Would she come? Thoughts of her consumed him. Belatedly, he realized just how much of a danger he had become, to himself and his coven.
Friday evening, after he had checked in at the Venetian, he texted her the suite number. She didn’t respond. She was staying somewhere on the coast, so it was possible she was still in midflight.
He showered, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, ordered a steak from room service and let it grow cold while he cast protection spells around the suite. Then he paced the spacious cream-and-taupe interior like a caged animal, raging at the restrictions he had set on himself.
He would not text her again. He would wait, as he had promised.
Close to nine o’clock, a knock sounded at the door. Lunging, he yanked it open. She stood in the hall with a handbag on her shoulder, wearing sandals, a loose cotton shirt, and flowing capri pants. She did not have a weekend bag, and her expression was strained and white.
He soaked in every detail, his mouth held tight. The things she put him through. She was here, but just barely. She was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen.
Finally he asked with a grim smile, “Did you miss the shit out of me?”
Her eyes blazed. She looked like she didn’t know whether to laugh or hit him.
He stood back, holding the door wide. She stalked in like a tigress and flung her purse onto a chair.
Then she rounded on him. “What?” she snapped. “Why am I here?”
She was very angry. But she was still here.
He told her gravely, “Only you can answer why you came, milaya.”
She gestured impatiently. “There were things you needed to say in person. So say them.”
He wanted to leap at her, drag her to the carpeted floor, bite her neck. At the unruly thought, his cock hardened, and he turned away. Every inch of her body shouted she would not welcome a physical overture right now, as she had in New Orleans.
He was so close to losing her, if he had not done so already. She didn’t have a bag with her, which meant she wasn’t here as a lover. She might only be present as the mother of his child.
Instead of approaching, he paced restlessly through the expansive suite. “You said you weren’t waiting. Have you started to date?”
She exploded. “What the fuck is wrong with you? I’m pregnant. You and I were just together a couple of weeks ago. My husband died last month! Who do you think I am? And anyway, it’s none of your business.”
He had reached the floor-to-ceiling windows and crossed his arms while he stared out at the evening lights. Las Vegas sparkled at night. Even in his faint reflection in the glass, he could see how his eyes burned.
Don’t turn, don’t let her see what is in your face.
When he could trust himself to sound restrained, he replied, “You get to date who and when you want. You said yourself that you and Sullivan hadn’t been in a real marriage for a long time. As far as who I think you are, I think you’re a beautiful woman with strength and integrity. You’re a woman of your word. You told me some pretty sweeping and important things, and I’m asking you for clarification.”
Silence throbbed. “I have no interest in dating,” she told him, her voice stilted with held-back emotion. “I’ve barely begun my training with Sarah, and as I just pointed out, my life is complicated.”
He nodded. His hands were clenched into fists underneath his crossed arms. “Would