“Of course not. Dane Vanderale and his little sidekick are known for their eccentricities. It doesn’t mean you have to follow suit,” she hissed.
He was glad to see the end of the path and the wide front porch where Dane leaned casually against the railing, a slim cigar clenched between his teeth.
Dane Vanderale was an enigma, even among enigmas. With his rough, almost savage good looks, overly long light brown hair and mocking brown eyes, he could have been a Breed himself, instead of merely a supporter. Beside him, darker brown and lazily relaxed, his bodyguard and friend, Ryan Desalvo, watched as Seth and Caroline stepped onto the porch.
“Caro, sweetheart, you get prettier every time.” Dane flashed her a smile before pulling her to him, smacking a kiss on her glossy red lips and smearing the brilliant lipstick.
“Really, Dane!” She pushed away from his chest, but the offended tone of her voice held a shade more interest than Seth was certain she wanted known. “You’re insane.”
Dane replaced the cigar between his teeth and chuckled before holding his hand out to Seth and glancing over his shoulder at the Breeds.
“Pulled in reinforcements, did you?” he questioned. “I wondered if you would.”
Dane was one of the few people aware of the attempts on Seth’s life over the past months. Seth grinned back at the Breeds, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
“It’s good to see you, Dane.” Seth restrained his own grin at Caroline’s obvious attraction to Dane.
“Seth, sweetheart, I’m going to go make certain everyone is settling in. I’ll see you later.” She reached up, kissed his cheek and moved to the opened doors leading into the mansion.
Seth’s jaw clenched at the feel of her lipstick against his skin. He couldn’t wipe it off fast enough, though he pretended nonchalance as he did just that.
Dane watched closely, his eyes narrowed. “Made up your mind yet?” he asked, and Seth knew what he was talking about.
“I might as well.” He shifted his shoulders loosely. “I’m not getting any younger.”
Dane shook his head slowly. “Some things a man has to fight for, Seth.”
“And sometimes a man has to know when the battle is done,” Seth said softly.
“I bet Dawn would be beautiful here.”
Seth swung around, his eyes narrowing as Cassie stepped onto the landing to the porch, dressed in jeans and a tank top, her parents following close behind.
He heard the emphasis on “Dawn.” She wasn’t talking about the f**king sunrise.
“Cassie. Dash, Elizabeth, meet Dane Vanderale, heir to the Vanderale Legacy in Africa. His sometimes bodyguard and friend Ryan Desalvo.”
Cassie paused in front of Dane, her eyes so blue they glowed as a little smile tugged at her lips and Dane seemed to tense.
“Hello, Cassie,” he drawled, the African accent thickening his words and giving them a lazy, almost sensual sound. “Dash Sinclair. We met at Scheme and Tanner’s engagement party. And his lovely wife, Elizabeth.” He shook Dash’s hand, but he was careful to not touch Elizabeth as he made a show of brushing her cheek with his lips.
“Dane, you’re a flirt.” Elizabeth smiled as Dash’s dark face creased into a scowl. Dash was a Breed. Fully mated. But even fully mated Breeds were known to be intensely jealous over their women.
“He likes to live dangerously,” Dash commented mockingly, though he pulled Cassie back as she edged closer to the other man.
Cassie flipped her hair over her shoulder and shot her father a frown that had Seth grinning. Cassie was inquisitive, sometimes too much. And Seth hadn’t missed it.
“So I’ve been told regularly,” Dane laughed. He flipped the fire off the end of the cigar and tapped it into his palm before sliding it into the worn pocket of his bush shirt. “And I believe we’ll let the delectable little Caro show us to our rooms now. We’ll catch up with you later, Seth. Dash.” He nodded to both of them before strolling back into the house.
All eyes turned to Cassie as she narrowed her gaze and watched him silently. The girl often saw things…
“He’s like, cute. For an old man.” Her brows lifted as she quickly sidestepped her father’s swatting hand and laughed in delight.
“Richard.” Seth motioned to the house steward lingering close by. “The Sinclairs are very special guests. Make certain they’re comfortable.”
“Seth.” Dash nodded in acceptance of the compliment. “We’ll talk later.”
Yeah, they would.