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Mila didn’t look scared, only curious. “I’m not surprised. If vampires are humans that were turned, then that would mean they could be good or evil. Unless turning changes everything about your personality.”

“No, we are mostly the same person,” Gio said.

Mila pinned him with her gaze. “I’m still upset you didn’t tell me, but I understand why.”

Relief made Gio feel dizzy. “You’re not scared? You won’t leave?”

Gio was startled by the look of pure anger that tightened Mila’s features.

“I know I’m just some hick from South Dakota and not a sophisticated and smart city girl like Coraline was,” she said. He could tell she was deliberately making her Midwestern accent thick, almost sounding Canadian. “But I’m smart enough to know when I’m in danger.”

“Not always,” Carter grumbled.

Mila turned rage filled eyes on Carter. “I don’t want to hear anything from you, Mr. I-Tried-To-Get-Myself-Killed! The girls told me all about Faith being a knitter. Harper admitted that if Faith had to spend the night, then you were probably close to death!”

Carter blinked, probably as surprised as Gio by Mila’s forceful tone. “I had you and Gio feeding me,” Carter said. “I wasn’t going to die.”

Mila shook her head slowly. “What would've happened if I hadn’t decided to drive back to Joy because I was hoping to talk to you more? Those men in the alley would’ve killed you!”

“The magic drew you to where you needed to be,” Carter said. “That’s how it works.”

Gio could tell Mila didn’t like that answer. “You will never do anything so stupid again.” She poked him in the chest. “Ever!”

“Yes, Mila,” Carter agreed obediently.

She turned her sparking eyes on him. “You will stop feeling guilty for Coraline’s death. The bitch deserved what she got.”

“You’re honestly not scared of me,” Gio marveled, overjoyed at Mila’s anger. If she’d been faking her affections, she’d probably pretend she was happy and not raging at them.

Mila huffed. “Of course not! You’ve had plenty of opportunities to do horrible things to me, but you’ve been nothing but wonderful. I love you both, but you’re not forgiven yet. It’s going to take some groveling.”

Gio grinned at her. “I’ll buy knee pads, and we’ll grovel until you're satisfied."

Mila giggled. “Good!” She looked back and forth between him and Carter. “Can I see the real Gio and Carter?”

Gio could feel Carter vibrating with eagerness.

“Yes!” Then he stood up, tossed Gio over his shoulder, and strode out of the kitchen. “We need more room for this!”

Chapter 23

Mila

“You guys really like carrying people that way,” she teased as she hurried to follow. Babette danced around them, barking joyfully.

She burst into laughter at Gio’s annoyed expression as he looked up from where he dangled over Carter’s broad shoulder.

“Carter started it!” Gio claimed. “Remember when he almost died? I cradled him against my chest! I was nice!”

Carter slapped Gio’s butt. “Stop complaining, you know you love it!”

Once he got to the living room, Carter dumped Gio on the couch, then grabbed the couch and pushed.

“Carter!” Gio said as he scrambled off the moving couch.

“I need room!” Carter declared. When the couch was against the wall, he grabbed the coffee table to set it off to the side.

“Should we go outside?” Mila asked as Gio grabbed a lamp and set it aside.