dark side of a war and drive off.”
“But you have to bring me to Hadrian.”
“Hadrian?” The leather steering wheel creaked. “Is that his name?”
“Yes. You need to leave me in his care. You have to, Tucker.”
“Why? Your mother’s alliance? It’s going to cause death and destruction. I’ve only known you for one night and that can’t be something you want. So why?” He laughed, but the sound cut itself off quickly. When he spoke again, his voice was so low she could barely hear it. “Do you have feelings for him? I assumed you didn’t. It sounded like you’ve never met.”
“I don’t.” Why did this exchange seem so deeply important? “We haven’t met and I don’t have feelings for him. In fact, our marriage will be in name only.”
The car swerved a little and he let out a long breath. Several moments passed before he continued. “All right.” His tone was far less tense. “Then why?”
“Because in exchange for wedding Hadrian, he’s going to give me sight.”
Chapter 4
Once an idiot, always an idiot.
For a minute there, he’d actually fancied himself a hero.
Rescuing the damsel in distress.
That had to be why she’d chosen him, right? Out of a room full of capable people. Because she wanted help. Needed to get out of her current predicament of being betrothed to a monster—and Tucker was just the sucker for the job. An easy to convince puppy dog with a set of wheels and hearts in his eyes for the pretty girl, to say nothing of the wood he’d be sporting for the rest of his “life” after holding her in that stairwell.
Damn. The smell of her neck, the taut give of her hip. The way she’d granted him just one single grind of her pussy, before taking it away like forbidden fruit. Was it wishful thinking that she’d wanted to kiss him? Maybe allow him even more? It had to be. Unfortunately, his stiff johnson was all too ready to believe it. And that wasn’t good, because she was forbidden fruit. Betrothed to someone else. Whether for love or underworld clout, there was a wedding set to take place and he wasn’t even the ring bearer, let alone the groom.
Get your head together.
Both of them.
Here was his chance to do something important. To help this beautiful fairy who made his heart feel like it was being ransacked. But his rescue mission had been nothing but a ridiculous scenario he’d created in his own mind. She wanted to be taken to Hadrian.
This vampire could give her sight.
Honestly, if he didn’t laugh about that, he might cry.
Other men always had their trump cards over Tucker. Good looks, job in finance, humanity. But this. Curing her blindness? He hadn’t seen that coming. No pun intended.
They weren’t even out of Coney Island yet and he was already pulling the Impala over.
“He’s going to give you your sight.” He stared at his white-knuckled hands on the steering wheel. “How is he going to do that?”
“Hadrian is a vampire now, but before that, he was a sorcerer. He’s been practicing in the dark arts for a century.” She twisted a button on her shirt. “My family has something of a history with sorcerers. I was born with my sight, but an enemy of my grandfather cursed me before I was born. I lost the ability to see on my first birthday.”
“God, Mary. I’m sorry,” Tucker managed.
“I don’t remember what it was like,” she said quickly. “Normally a powerful fae would be able to restore my sight, but that was part of the curse, you see. That no fae would be able to heal me. Only a formidable sorcerer—and if more of them live, they don’t exactly advertise their existence. My mother, with all of her power and contacts, couldn’t find anyone who could offer me what Hadrian can. She’s been trying my whole life.”
“How do you know he’ll actually do it? How do you know it’s not a false offer?”
“I won’t marry him otherwise.”
“He could force you,” Tucker pointed out.
“He could try.” She tilted her head in his direction, her eyes focused over his shoulder. “But we’ve seen what I can do when my back is against the wall. I was only getting warmed up.”
“Speaking of. Can I get the number for your vocal coach?”
Mary covered her mouth to smother a laugh, her eyes sparkling over the top of her hands. After a moment, she dropped them away. “You’re probably wondering about the scream. The first time it happened