me, and I’m happy for you about the rest. You deserve it.”
Gayle lowered her head in embarrassment but it didn’t stay there for long.
“It’s nice,” she continued. “Especially if I get this job at the charity. I just want to do something fulfilling, you know? For my mind, body, and soul.”
Rann thought for a moment. “You could do me.”
Gayle giggled loud enough that several people glanced over at them. “That only fills one thing,” she pointed out. “Well, maybe two, but not at the same time.”
He snorted with laughter. “And you told me you wanted pure thoughts in here.”
“Shut up,” she laughed, slapping his leg lightly.
“Besides, have enough wine, and maybe I can fill three things too,” he suggested under his breath.
“Not on your life,” Gayle retorted immediately. “Not with that monster between your legs.”
He grinned and opened his mouth to reply, but at the same time, the music started up and everyone turned to face the back. The ceremony was getting under way.
So he leaned down to whisper into her ear instead. “I’m sure we could find something to help me with that.”
Gayle went beet red and stayed that way as a single groomsman and bridesmaid came down the aisle. Rann didn’t recognize them, nor did he truly care. He was here for Gayle, nobody else.
Next came Mikey. Rann smirked as the portly plumber did a double take when he spied him and Gayle, but then the groom resolutely fixed his gaze forward and marched to the altar.
Then, the music switched and everyone rose. Rann purposefully did so last, so that he was still moving as the bride entered through the rear of the church, an older man—presumably her father—escorting her along.
Rann stretched an arm wide, and as he saw the bride’s gaze focus on them, attracted by the movement, he draped his arm over Gayle and grinned broadly. It was a very clear symbol, and he watched the blood fill the bride’s face as she figured it out.
Karen stumbled on her next step down the aisle, and Rann felt Gayle twitch next to him, but it was the only sign of laughter she gave. He admired her for that. Gayle was far more mature than he was because he was grinning wide like an idiot.
As she passed, he was quite positive that the red in her face was no longer from anger but instead embarrassment at her misstep.
Shouldn’t have been a colossal cunt then, Karen. Serves you right.
They sat, and he leaned over to Gayle.
“I think the point has been made.”
His mate nodded. “It was great, wasn’t it?”
Rann nodded, looking down at her. He didn’t have a reason. He just wanted to watch his mate, to admire her beauty. After a few minutes, Gayle realized he was staring at her and tilted her head up at him.
“What?” she asked.
He just shook his head and smiled. “You’re beautiful.”
Gayle blushed again. “Focus up there, mister. They’re about to say I do.”
Rann shrugged and turned his attention to the altar, slumping back into the pew as he did. His brain caught up to the ongoing ceremony, noting that Mikey had just said his ‘I do’s.
“Do you, Karen Smith, take this man, Michael Kostwick, to be your loving husband, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” the priest asked calmly.
Rann stifled a yawn.
Gayle elbowed him.
Karen opened her mouth.
The stained glass window behind the altar exploded inward.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Rann
“Get out of here,” he snarled at Gayle, coming to his feet even as fire blossomed in both hands.
To her credit, Gayle didn’t hesitate to obey. While most people were still staring in shock, she was scrambling for the back door.
“Everyone out!” Rann shouted, but the screams and panic had started.
He thrust a hand forward, and a stream of fire caught the first vampire in the stomach, sending him flying back through the air. Rann snarled savagely as he noted it was Jed, his former informant.
“You picked the wrong place today,” he spat as the others focused on him. “You picked the wrong person. I let you all get away once before, but not today.”
One of the Hunters stalked forward.
“Stay back!” Rann shouted, but Mikey was already moving, and that much mass couldn’t be stopped quickly.
The Hunter backhanded Mikey. There was a mighty crack, and the plumber spun away in a perfect pirouette before collapsing to the ground.
Karen screamed. The female vampire came up to her, looked her up and down, and then sighed. “Your dress is tacky,” she said.
“Never thought I’d find