Page 78 of The Huntress

“No, not that I can remember. But even if you did, you’re more than welcome to tell me again.” Her sassy mouth curled into that joyful smile he adored.

“Moon above, Callie, don’t ever leave me again.”

“You say that as if I had a choice, Gabe?” With a quick kiss to his mouth, she lowered her legs.

He stepped back but kept his hands on her hips, not quite ready to release her.

“Tomorrow, you train me. If any asshole wants a piece of me, I’m going to give him a fight he’ll remember.” She paused to trace her bare toe over the shiny marble tile. “What happened to Darius? I have a vague recollection of him headless?”

“I killed him,” Gabriel said, his voice devoid of emotion. He searched her face. She was law enforcement, after all, but he couldn’t keep it a secret, not with an eternal bond. None knew of its origin, but the strength of such a telepathic bond meant no memories or thoughts remained hidden. He would share his centuries of existence, as she would share her life’s adventures with him.

“How? Suckbloods are immortal.” She rested her hands on his forearms, her thumbs stroking his hair there.

He loved her doing that, as if she needed to touch him.

“It’s called bolting. I sliced off his head and summoned lightning to disintegrate his body.”

“Summoned lightning?” Her mouth gaped, and the tempting dark pink called to him.

He dipped his head for a kiss, inhaling her breath as if he could merge their souls.

“A vampire can summon any form of nature. If not lightning, then fire will do. It was nighttime and in the middle of a street, so creating a storm was more appropriate.” He feathered kisses to her earlobe before nipping at it.

“There was a man named Dimitri? He found me first?” Her voice was throaty and arousing.

Gabriel adored her flushed face, trailing caresses along her jaw. Confusion flitted across her eyes, and he nodded, understanding that her recollection of last night might not be clear. He could take the time to assuage her doubts or concerns. Not for long, though. He couldn’t resist the temptation of her parted thighs and soft skin pressed against him.

“Yes, it’s forbidden to hunt in another Hold’s territory, even for a de Winter. Leo asked his permission, and he decided to help with hispal’tsy.They are excellent at hunting. He’ll visit tonight, along with your sister, Mike, and Leo.”

“Do you know Stavros?”

She scraped her nails over his nipples, and he growled, yanking up her leg to nestle his arousal, wanting…no, needing to bury himself in her again.

“Stavros is a thorn in mine and Dimitri’s side. I should’ve killed him when I had the chance.” Regret, a bitter pill to swallow and one that could linger for centuries.

“Why didn’t you?”

A question he had asked himself too many times in the last day. “He’s Abigail’s brother. She was a woman I loved. It’s my fault she died, and my fault Stavros plagues me.”

Chapter Thirty

OLD LOVE, NEW LOVE

“What?”Calliegasped.“Thewoman you loved?”

She jerked back. Jealousy was swift, lancing through her before her pragmatic mind had a chance to warn her. She wanted to push him away, but the desire pooling in her core wouldn’t tolerate that. Torn between her heart and her body, with the latter winning, she kept him close. She’d give him a chance to explain. Then he’d better finish what he’d started.

“Many years ago, I fell in love with a human. When I revealed what I was, she ran from me. Stavros confronted me, and we fought. It wasn’t my proudest moment. I was stronger than him, but the need to take the arrogant upstart down a peg drove me. Neither of us knows who killed her. She tried to come between us, but one of us threw her back. She smacked her head on a rock when she fell.” He grimaced, his eyes shrouding in shadow as he remembered. “Stavros begged me to convert her, to save her, but she drew her last breath before the conversion took hold.”

“He blames you.” Callie’s heart broke at the sorrow in Gabe’s eyes. “You blame yourself.”

He nodded, his lips pinching white. He pulled away from her, but she tightened her legs, trapping him. Cupping his face, she kept his focus on her. His intense gray eyes shimmered with sadness, self-recrimination, and unforgiveness.

“Gabe, this was years ago. You can’t let it beat you up like this. Abigail’s death wasn’t your fault. Don’t assume the blame for Darius’s actions either. Stop. Analyze it from all angles before you accept accountability. From my perspective, as an ex-victim, I don’t blame you at all. I doubt Abigail would have. You did try to save her.” She feathered a kiss across his lips. “You’re my hero, Gabriel de Winter.” Her voice cracked under the potent emotions that claimed her chest, but she didn’t care to analyze them.

“I am?” A hesitant smile formed. “But I failed you.”

“Did you? You claimed me when you could’ve left me to die. You found me and killed Darius. Or am I dreaming I’m in your arms, enjoying your touch? How much you’ve pampered me in the last hour?” She drew in a shuddering sigh, gyrating her hips to enhance the sensations of his erection against her.

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