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“Yes, it does concern her. It is your destiny to face what comes for you. It is hers to face it by your side.”

Dominique bared his emerging fangs and growled a challenge to the fates. “Jamais. Never.”

The old vampire’s eyes glistened with sudden and uncharacteristic moisture. “If you deny her, blood-child…I shall forever mourn you both.”

6

Another Way

If you’re lucky, he’ll move on.

Jackson’s loathsome words would not leave her. No matter how busy she kept herself, they echoed in the back of her head like a drumbeat, rattled her soul, and cut into her confidence.

If you’re lucky, he’ll move on.

People always moved on and out of Cassidy’s life. Some by betrayal, as Jackson had, others, like her father, because he couldn’t handle the reality of the incurable disease that claimed her mother. There had never been close family to rely on, and friends soon faded away too, busy with lives that bore no resemblance to her responsibility-packed existence. By the time she started college and met Jackson, she was determined to charge at life solo. He persuaded her to give him a chance anyway. She barely lived to regret it.

Then again, if not for Jackson, she wouldn’t have met Dominique. And Dominique was the only one she trusted never to betray her.

At least until last night.

If you’re lucky, he’ll move on.

She sucked in a breath between clamped teeth and scrubbed both hands over her face. No, Dominique would figure it out, whatever it was. When he was ready to face this new demon, she would be ready to face it with him. For all that Jackson knew about vampires, he knew nothing about Dominique.

Something pushed at her side with small, sharp-clawed hands. Eddie. The enormous cat lay wedged between her and the back of the sofa she had passed out on when she got home and exhaustion finally caught up to her. His green eyes were slits of warning, clearly displeased with her anxiety.

“I’m sorry, buddy. Go back to sleep,” she said and scratched his shaggy head until a contended purr rumbled to life.

With her free hand, she checked her phone. No messages, and sunset had been an hour ago. Around her, the house was quiet and empty.

Before her thoughts could spiral again, she carefully separated from the cat, got up, and padded to the kitchen. Her mushroom and cheese omelet dinner was almost ready when she heard the front door open.

“Salut,” she said without turning around.

“Bon soir, mon amour,” Dominique replied, his voice as tender as his words.

She bit her lip to keep from running into his arms. His wintery scent enveloped her as he came closer, making her dizzy with a longing that transcended the merely physical.

He moved to the counter next to her and busied himself cutting up the ingredients she had laid out for a salad. “How was your day?”

“Complicated,” she allowed. The confusion still swirled, though not so thick now that he was by her side, and the tang of peppers and onions began to overpower his intoxicating fragrance.

“What happened?”

Cassidy smiled through her bitterness. Now, there was a question they never asked each other. They didn’t need to. Not when their bond was intact.

She shook her head a little. “Nothing I want to talk about.”

The knife dicing a cucumber stilled. Then he was behind her, solid as a wall, his powerful arms gently coming around her. With a deep sigh, she leaned against him, feeling safe for the first time in twenty-four hours.

He kissed her temple, drawing her closer. She turned her head to press a cheek against his sand-dusted shoulder and bare her neck to him. No, she wouldn’t ask again, much less beg. But neither could she tell him in words what only emotion could convey—her uncertainty, her longing…her love.

His breath caressed her skin as he savored her aroma, making her shiver with anticipation of those razor-sharp teeth sliding into her flesh. They didn’t. Instead, he whispered in her ear. “Come ride with me tonight.”

It took a moment for the words to penetrate her disappointment. “Ride with you on your bike?”

“Oui.”