Page 84 of Incipient

I stared back at him for a moment, internally debating whether I wanted to make him suffer a little longer just for shits and giggles, and then put him out of his misery. “I love you, Trace,” I admitted openly and without abandon, unable to stifle it any longer. “I loved you then and I love you now, and I’ll probably love you for the rest of my life.”

His eyes slid shut as though my words had touched his very soul and then he pressed his lips against mine in a searing kiss that went on forever, and as much as I wanted to bask in the closeness, in the love that was freely flowing between us, I couldn’t help but feel that little voice at the back of my mind.

The one that was silently praying I would not go to my grave regretting those words.

34. LAST CHANCE

The rain was tapping gently against the windows when I woke up in Trace’s arms the next morning, my body humming serenely as though it had just spent the night cradled in the arms of its other half. Though, I supposed if Trace was right about that whole soulmates deal, that was precisely what my body had just done.

Doing my best imitation of a cat-burglar, I attempted to carefully slid his arm off my waist and creep out of bed, though immediately froze as he stirred awake beside me.

Tightening his hold on me, he scooped me in closer. “What time is it?” he asked sleepily. The poor guy could barely keep those gorgeous eyes of his open.

“It’s early,” I said, working hard not to sink into the thrumming heat of his body. “I’m going to take a quick shower, but you should go back to bed…sleep that hangover off,” I suggested and then dropped a kiss on his lips as he mumbled something about joining me in the shower and then fell back asleep.

I stifled a laugh and then quietly climbed out of bed. As much as I would’ve enjoyed sleeping in or maybe even taking the whole day off altogether, I knew I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it. Not with Nikki Parker out there, living freely and without consequence for the bullshit she pulled last night.

It was time to pay the piper.

After a quick shower and a granola bar to go, I jumped in my car and headed straight for Nikki’s house. I was done playing nice with her and giving her the benefit of the doubt. She clearly only cared about her damn self and that sick obsession she had of winning Trace back, even though he had zero interest in her since pretty much forever.

It was time to put the bitch back in her lane and I fully intended on being the one to put her there.

Pulling into her driveway, I put my car in park and then marched up her front steps to the front door and then proceeded to pound my fist against it like I was the lead on a SWAT team. Within a few seconds, the door swung open and an unfamiliar red-haired woman appeared at the threshold, glaring at me.

Under normal circumstances, I would’ve simply assumed she was part of that ‘out of town’ family Morgan was talking about, except for the fact that I instantly felt that familiar pang in the pit of my stomach that warned me whenever I was close to a vampire or a demon. In this case, a demon since it was daylight and she wasn’t bursting into flames. Yeah, I was a regularSherlock Holmeswith my deducing skills.

“In proditor,” she hissed at me as blackness filled her eyes from pupil to iris.

Apparently, thesensingwent both ways.

“I don’t know what that means, but I’m guessing it isn’t anything nice,” I said as I edged my hand into my jacket and wrapped my fingers around my Sword of Angelus. “I’m looking for Nikki. Is she in there?” I asked and then twisted the sword out from its sheath and plunged it into her stomach, the movement so fast she barely had a chance to realize what was happening before it was over. “Never mind. I’ll find her myself.” I took a step forward and then stopped in my tracks.

As if manifesting out of thin air, four more black-eyed demons appeared at the entrance, causing me to jump back a step and reevaluate my very rash decision to act before casing out the house.

Rookie mistake on my part. I should’ve known better. Demons of the non-feather always tended to flock together.

Squaring my shoulders, I brought the blade back to my side and smiled.This wouldn’t be a problem. I’d handled far greater hives than this and lived to talk about it.

“Leave us,” demanded Nikki from somewhere over their shoulder.

The four demons froze at her demand, as though she were the reigning queen of the underworld. I supposed carrying Lucifer’s baby might get you that kind of status.

“Butmistress, she isin proditorSlayer,” complained one of the demons—an older woman with red matted hair.

“She’ll kill you all before you make it outside,” she answered as she pushed her way to the front. “Now leave us!”

Keeping my weapon ready, I watched as they made a big show of snarling and hissing at me before finally retreating into the foyer as Nikki ordered.

“Nice friends,Mistress,” I said tartly as I took in her obscenely large baby bump. Good lord. How many babies was she carrying in there anyway?

Her gaze snapped to my sword and I tightened my hold on it. “I figured you might show up today. I guess you already heard the news from Trace?” She smiled smugly as though she’d half done it just to piss me off.

Well, two could play that game. “He told me as soon as he came home last night.”

She faltered. “Home?”

“Mm hmm.” I fluttered my eyelashes at her. “Didn’t you know we’re staying together now? No? Oops, my bad.”

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