Page 74 of Too Lethal to Love

“Yes, and yes.”

“Well, there’s two ways you can think of it. First, curses aren’t real and it’s just coincidence those three boys died, but it doesn’t seem like you believe that.”

“I’m getting there, but there’s more to my madness than being afraid my next boyfriend will die.”

“You’re afraid to lose someone again, and it’s hard to separate your fears.”

“Yes,” Beth whispered. The truth she’d realized last night burned in her mind like gospel instead of a fluttering hope. “Why can’t I just accept that curses aren’t real, bad things happen for no good reason, and life moves on?”

“Because you have deep, powerful emotions, and you know how I know that? Because I saw the way you looked at my grandson and I hear the worry in your voice now.”

The truth squeezed at her heart. “What’s the second way to think of my bad luck?”

“Maybe the universe sent those boys to you because you’re special. Maybe they were angels sent down for a reason, on a mission, and you gave them what they needed to complete their work here on earth. Maybe you were their blessing.”

A shiver ran through Beth that had nothing to do with God or the Holy Ghost but the realization of what dwelled within her heart. “I never thought of it that way. There’s always been a piece of me, the emotional, or maybe the spiritual side or whatever, that thinks I’m part of something I can’t explain. And I never thought to look for a positive explanation.” A sense of peace hummed like a choir within her. “Who knows. Maybe there is one.”

“I knew you were a smart girl.”

“Smart enough to know it’s about damn time the universe rewarded me for putting up with its bullshit.” She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry, Gran.”

“If you’re going to be hanging around with my grandson and his VIPER buddies, you’d better up your profanity game. God knows I have. And I do think the universe is repaying you for being part of something bigger than yourself. That is, if you’re ready to take a leap of faith and claim your reward.”

“And Kane is my reward.” Her heart swelled to the size of the gigantic wreath on the church door.

“Yes. You know how I know that? ’Cause my Kane is special, and fate wouldn’t just match him with anyone ordinary. And Beth, I don’t think you have to worry about Kanebeing an angel called back to heaven and leaving you alone here on earth. Trust me, that boy ain’t no saint.”

No, he wasn’t, and that’s what she liked about him.

A noise, like metal scraping metal, sounded from the basement. As she spun toward the sound, the first notes of a Christmas carol permeated the walls of the room. The door seemed to shake with the vibrations from the powerful organ on the balcony above her as her phone vibrated with an incoming call.

Kane?

Hope rose in her chest.

“Gran, I have to go. Merry Christmas.”

As she lowered the phone, the door to the basement opened. Beth gasped as a familiar face appeared in the shadows.

“Go time,” Ryan said in Kane’s head as he and his brothers neared the vacant building where Dr. Sable was being held in an office on the first floor. With efficiency and stealth, they flanked to their positions. Adrenaline hummed through him as he switched to warrior mode. Beth was safe, but Dr. Sable wasn’t, and he’d promised his woman he’d bring her friend home.

His woman.

The thought was caveman-like, but fuck, he liked the sound of it. He tamped down the thought of how he’d satisfied her twice last night and took out two of the guards stationed at the warehouse with successive V-Strikes. A minute later, he received confirmation all the hostiles outside the building were down.

Silently, like the well-trained team they were, they entered the building and fanned out to their predetermined paths. Kane hurled twin V-Strikes at the Diablos outside a door. They fell as Nic and Linc entered the room.

Metal glinted in Kane’s periphery. Spinning, he landed aroundhouse kick with his steel to a thick chest. The Diablo flew into the wall and crashed to the ground.

“On your six.”

Kane ducked and spun at Chris’s warning. The barrel of a rifle came into view. Firing a V-Strike from his thigh, he visualized it hitting his target’s gut. It found its mark.

“All clear,”Chris said, emerging from the stairwell.

Kane scanned the hallway.“All Clear.”

“Sable is secure,”Nic said as Kaneslowly entered the room.

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