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Liam was all too happy to answer the second part of her question. “Soren and his brother, Kyrell, are your new chiefs of security.”

Vivian swiveled her head in an eerie manner, turning the full force of her ire on Liam. “What do you mean? What happened to Schneider?”

Liam tucked a cigar into the corner of his mouth, mumbling, “I fired him. Fired all of them, in fact.” All day, he’d waited to see what her reaction would be.Lay it on me, honey. Show me what you’ve got.

Not one to disappoint, Vivian narrowed her eyes to frigid slits. Icicles hung off her upturned nose as she snarled, “You what?”

Savoring her reaction, Liam took his time answering. He plucked the cigar from his mouth, snuffed it out in Dove’s ashtray, and parked it there. “Seeing as how you put me in charge of your safety, I took the necessary precautions needed to secure your home.”

“Without consulting me?” Though she didn’t raise her voice, the malice in her tone had the back of his neck prickling.

“You were otherwise occupied, what with the wax, spackle, and war paint going on upstairs. Figured I’d take care of a few things while I had some time on my hands.”

At his glib response, Vivian’s features softened into a mask of false sympathy. “Pauvre bébé.Were you feeling neglected?”

Soren coughed into his hand, and the tops of Liam’s ears burned. He spoke through gritted teeth. “Would you rather have a bunch of knuckleheads out there whose only skills lie in kissing your sweet ass or someone who can actually keep you safe?”

Vivian batted her thick lashes, offering Soren a coy smile. “Who says I can’t have both?” Fuck, but she was a chameleon, changing in an instant to suit her audience.

Soren grinned back, and a low growl rose in Liam’s chest.

Once Vivian had finished curling the blue-eyed bastard around her little finger, she once more granted Liam her attention. “I assume you’ve checked their references?”

“Yeah, got their résumé right here.” Liam smacked his ass. “Far as references go, my word is all you need. Worked with Soren and Kyrell plenty over the years. They’re the best in the business.”

To Soren, she said, “I suppose, based on Liam’sglowing recommendation, I have no choice but to keep you on. However, I will need your assurance that you’ll be discreet. I’ll not have my home looking like a war zone.”

Soren offered a slight bow. “I understand completely,mademoiselle. I promise you’ll never even know we are here.”

“Very well then.” She dipped her head, then turned, gesturing to her transfixed entourage. “This is Armond and Dove. Other than Gilbert, my butler, no one else is to enter my home this evening. I trust you’ll keep them safe in my absence.”

“Rest assured, all will be well,” Soren answered.

“D’accord,” she agreed. “I’d like to meet your brother before we leave.”

Liam glowered at the two of them. Just like that, Vivian had taken complete control of the situation. How the hell she’d done it so quickly had him dumbfounded. “They’re identical twins,” he growled. “Once you’ve met one, you’ve met them both.”

“I’m the handsome one,” Soren said, a flirtatious smirk on his lips.

“Twins,” Dove said, sidling closer to the blue-eyed vampire. “That must be what I’m picking up.” Since coming down the stairs, she hadn’t taken her eyes off the male. “You have a unique connection to your brother. The colors of your combined auras are breathtaking.”

Liam studied the enchanted expression on her face and frowned. His former Chosen, Alex, had never used her gift so openly or with such confidence. She sure as hell didn’t go around blathering on about auras.

Soren offered the girl a patient smile before saying to Vivian, “I’ll inform Kyrell you’re leaving. He’ll see you through the gate.”

“Very well,” Vivian said her goodbyes, and they headed outside.

Parked in the curving drive was a dark sedan. At their approach, Gilbert exited the driver’s seat and hustled to open the door for them. Why did it seem the male was everywhere, lurking in every shadow in the place? It was creepy as fuck.

In the back seat, Vivian smoothed her skirt and folded her hands in her lap.

Liam settled next to her, waiting for the impending explosion. Looked forward to it even. After the state she’d left him in last night, he was looking to ruffle her feathers a bit. Her little striptease had left him hard enough to split wood. Then, when things were just getting interesting, she’d all but slammed the door in his face. Though it had killed him, he hadn’t rubbed one out.

Mistress forbade it.Why did that order have his cock stirring to life again?

Fucking Vivian.

This was his punishment for denying her all these years. Two weeks of blue balls. Gods, he was screwed. Two weeks of this, and his nuts would fall off. Vivian could make earrings out of them. Add them to her vast collection of jewels.