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“Satan’s balls, he found me. Quick, hide me under your skirt,” Liam muttered, tugging the hem of her red dress.

“Behave.” She choked a laugh, smacking his hand away.

While Armond had returned to her after his extended vacation, Dove declined, not wanting to leave Marcus. Apparently, she’d grown to care for the damaged vampire and wanted to stay on with him. While her former Chosen seemed far from content, Vivian supported her decision.

Armond flopped into the chair next to them, perched his laptop on his thighs, and flipped it open. “I have some pictures I’d like to show you.”

He angled the screen in Liam’s direction.

“What’s this?” Liam asked.

“My vision for the Howlers remodel. Now, for the stools, I was thinking something—”

Liam groaned loud enough to silence him. “This again. I don’t see what the problem is with the old ones. Been holding people’s asses just fine for years.”

Armond cast a pleading glance toward the ceiling, pinched his thumb and forefingers together in a zen-like pose, and uttered a prayer. That done, he faced Liam again. “For starters, duct tape is not a color.”

“Viv, will you please talk to your progeny,” Liam grated.

She patted Liam’s cheek. “Not to worry,mon coeur.Armond and I will take care of everything. I’m sure we can come to some sort of compromise.”

At her assurance, Liam’s frown deepened. “Just promise me you won’t touch my office.”

Armond pressed his hand to his chest, aghast. Vivian widened her eyes, sending her progeny a pointed look. “Armond wouldn’t dream of laying a finger on your office. Right, Armond?”

Through gritted teeth, her beloved assistant said, “But that’s where the walk-in humidor was going to go.”

“Armond?” she countered. Tone thick with warning.

He forced his lips into a pained smile. “Of course, your office can stay. I wouldn’t dream of altering a single thing. After all, every male needs a hideous man cave that reeks of sweaty socks to call his own.”

With that, Armond lurched to his feet. “Excuse me, but I need to call the contractor. Tell him we’ll need yetanotherchange to the construction plans.”

Once Armond was out of earshot, Liam ran his finger down her arm. “Those moves you were showing the girls when I walked in… Any chance I’ll get to see some of them later?”

“Perhaps. If you’re good,” she purred.

“And if I’m bad?” The husky timbre in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

“Then you’ll be wearing my ropes when I dance for you.” Her sex pulsed at the thought.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Still trying to trap me in that web of yours.”

She cupped his cheek, saying earnestly, “Just making up for lost time.”

His smile dimmed. “We wasted a lot of it, you and I.”

“We did. And I won’t waste a minute more.” She pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. Conscious of their sensitive audience, she used their telepathic link. “Meet me in the playroom at midnight?”

The warmth of her mate’s emotions flooded their connection. No longer would there be walls between them.

“Pack of hellhounds couldn’t keep me away,”he assured her through their bond, lids heavy.

“Mistress Vivian,” one of the new employees called out from across the room. “There’s someone here to see you. She says it’s urgent.”

Vivian turned her head and gasped, “Dove?”

Liam stood and set her on her feet just as Dove shot across the auditorium and flung herself into her arms.

“Darling, what’s wrong?” Vivian hugged the shivering woman.

Dove hiccupped a sob, shaking her head, too distraught to answer.

Vivian grasped Dove’s upper arms and peeled the girl away from her torso. Her former Chosen peered back at her, eyes swollen from crying, expression anguished.

“Darling, I can’t help you if you won’t tell me what happened.”

Dove wiped the tears from her cheek, drawing a deep breath. “It’s Marcus. I’ve come here seeking asylum.”

TheEndBeginning