Page 78 of Moretti Blood Brothers: Vol. One Books #1-4

“ C raig, stop,” she called out. He stilled, but didn’t turn. “Please talk to me.”

“You made the right decision. You should return to your life if that is how you feel.”

She walked up and around him so he was now facing her.

“You don’t love me, Craig. I think you are just being overprotective. It’s your thing.”

He frowned and placed a hand on her cheek. “Don’t tell me my feelings, little human. I am still trying to work them out myself.”

“But you had a mate.”

“Perhaps. Maybe. Fuck, I don’t know.”

She scrunched up her forehead. From what she knew, his mating was a foregone conclusion. How did he not know?

“You either did or you didn’t, right? Isn’t that how it works?”

He let out a big sigh.

“Yes. But I never got the rings around my irises like Brayden has. Like Willow has.” She had noticed those, but thought they were just a vampire thing.

“Oh.”

Did that mean...?

“So, you’re single?”

He let out a little laugh and nodded.

“I...yes, of course I’m single. Humans.” He shook his head, mocking her dumb joke. “But I don’t know for sure. The way I felt, the things I did. Unforgiveable things.”

She chewed her lip, not understanding what he meant.

“So she might be?”

He nodded.

About seventy-five emotions flooded her, and she dropped her eyes. As always, Craig reacted to her, pulling her into his arms.

“You’re not in love with me either, Brianna Jones.”

She didn’t know what to say. They’d been intimate for only a few days. He drove her crazy. She couldn’t stop thinking about him, desiring him, needing his touch. But he was a vampire.

Willow wasn’t wrong. She needed to go home and live her human life.

“If I’m not your mate...”

And even if she were, what did that mean?

She felt Craig stiffen.

“You should go home, Bri.”

He released her, gave her one last look, and walked out the doors.

Brianna stood in the courtyard, feeling as though someone had just ripped her heart out of her chest. First, she felt panic stirring, then a flood of grief hit her. She fell to the floor as tears poured from her eyes.

Oh God, what had she done?

Sobbing, she stood and walked to the seat, shaking.

“Bri, do...”

Willow raced over to her.

“Are you okay?” She pulled her into her arms in a warm hug.

“No.” They sat there hugging as Bri cried into her friend’s shoulder. “I’m going to miss you.” A stupid thing to say because they both knew she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t remember Willow, Craig, or any of them.

“Oh, honey, I’m going to miss you forever. Literally,” Willow said, her own tears falling.

“It’s been an adventure, though. I’m glad I got to share this new life with you, even if only for a short time.” Bri hiccupped.

“Me too, but not at the cost of your humanity.”

She nodded.

“When I saw the look on Craig’s face after the ceremony, I freaked out.”

Huh?

“What look?” she asked, suddenly blinking.

Willow waved her hand. “I know I went off, and I’m sorry, but it reminded me of the way Brayden looks at me.”

Brianna had seen the looks Brayden gave Willow. They were pure love. Did Craig love her? Was she his mate?

Did she love him? The way she’d collapsed after he’d walked away told her one thing—that she had stronger feelings for him than she had been willing to face. Surely she couldn’t leave before they worked this out? If he’d still have her.

The doors banged open, and Brayden came flying through once again.

“Change of plans. I need both of you to come with me. About a dozen bombs have just exploded in our Spanish castle.”