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“If we’re getting sentimental, then I should state that I don’t think I have had a heart in this life.” He looked at her from the corner of his eyes, a playful grin tipping the cornerof his mouth. “You claimed that from Mikhail and have possessed it since.”

Said heart fluttered when she shifted closer and laid her head on his shoulder. He kissed her crown, relaxing as the air around them began to lighten. Never could he have imagined love as explosive and powerful as that which Rihanna ignited. It took him no more than that first meeting—in this lifetime—at the club in Hoboken to unlock these deeply stored, and unknown, emotions. Any ideas of love before seemed superficial because nothing drove as deep, consumed him as fully as what he felt for his little bird.

“We’ll check up on Moira in a little while. In the meantime, I need to shower and change. We can grab a bite to eat before I take you somewhere I had planned to later.”

“Oh?”

“Nothing crazy. Promise.”

“I’m still imagining the shower.”

Bryce chuckled even as his blood heated and his cock responded to her taunt. Didn’t help that her voice dipped into that sensual husk that could stroke his desire as powerfully as her hands.

“Might have to do something so you don’t have to imagine it. There’s no fun in that.”

The change was subtle,but enough that she could tell that silvery drop of sweetness possessed…magic. Little things—the sound of snow melting, the details her eyes observed on the winter-bare trees, and the pleasing lack of cold as she stood in the icy air of the fading day—gave her a little boost of giddiness. Who would have ever expected something like this was real? Possible?

That she, Kate Felton, would be allowed such a gift?

Oh, the power that thrummed through her body was addicting. A rush unlike anything she’d done, tasted, experienced in her life.

Di gave her clear instructions as to what she expected. What this deal consisted of. Kate would help find the woman Di searched for who took not only Kate’s man, but Di’s as well. A very clear-cut one-hand-washes-the-other agreement. It was only a matter of time before Bryce would be back with her and this small hiccup in their lives disappeared. She’d bury it deep, forget it, move forward like nothing had happened. She’d forgive him, give him anything and everything he wanted, and more.

Their lives would be what others only dreamed of.

Her wild thoughts ceased when Bryce’s Hummer rounded the curve toward his townhouse. She’d parked along another street and walked to this small patch of trees, hiding behind the wall of trunks and landscape boulders. His vehicle was a fair distance down the road, but she couldn’t risk him spotting her. Not yet.

He pulled into the garage, as he always did. But he didn’t close the garage door today. Out of habit, she squinted to see better, though her eyes were able to pick up the finer details even at this distance. She imagined this was how a vampire in any of those movies and books might see.

If they were real.

Maybe they are. Apparently, Fae are real.

Bryce climbed out the driver’s side, but instead of going into the house, he opened the passenger door.

Her chest tightened. Her teeth clenched. Her nails bit into her knees as she squatted lower between the boulders.

Someone emerged from the seat. Emerged, because there was no way in hell a woman could exit his Hummer withsuch grace. Knee-high leather boots with a stiletto heel. Dark blue jeans slowing off long, narrow legs. A leather jacket that highlighted a perfect waistline. Hair as dark as midnight and as long as her torso.

Her profile alone was fury-stoking because Tessa hadliedto her! Her rival was stunning.

Bryce closed the door, but instead of leading this new woman—this had to be that bitch Rihanna—he braced his hand on the side of his truck, trapping her back to the vehicle as he lifted her chin.

Kate growled under her breath.

Shameful bastard! Shameful whore!

God, the way hekissedher made Kate’s stomach knot and twist until she had to look away. Kissed her like he couldn’tlivewithout her. Jealousy reared its vicious head at the thought of that woman touching her man.Herman! She had no right to know his kiss, his touch, how soft his hair was, the power in his body.

Without thinking, she slammed her fist into the closest tree trunk. Pain speared up her arm. Somehow, she stifled a scream as she shook out her hand. Blood welled along her knuckles, streaming between her fingers. A few drops splattered against the iced-over snow where it hadn’t melted.

When she looked up, Bryce and Rihanna were gone. Gone inside.

“Son of a bitch,” she hissed. Only after she was certain they weren’t outside did she shoot to her feet and storm back to her car. “You’ll both get yours. You just wait. You’ve no idea what’s coming.”

23

“She sleeps?”