Page 31 of The Incubus and the Bodyguard

Delphine closed her eyes.

Kill me. Kill me now.

She opened them again and found herself the focus of the incubus’s triumphant gaze and a battery of shocked stares.

“It was an accident,” she said levelly. “A one-night stand. I didn’t know who Vlad was and I doubt he knew of my identity either.”

Yuliy recovered first.

“I trust whatever happened between you won’t compromise this arrangement,” he said carefully, his gaze swinging between them.

“It won’t,” Vlad grunted. “Like she said, it was a one-night stand.”

Irritation tightened Delphine’s chest for a moment. “He’s right. Also, I believe this attack wasn’t just about taking Vlad’s powers. The timing of it and the leaked footage makes it clear whoever is after him wanted people to see him fail.”

The way Vlad’s knuckles whitened in his lap told Delphine her insight had struck uncomfortably close to home again.

Yuliy’s face tightened as he absorbed the meaning behind her words.

“TheBlack Devilsmaintain peace in this city by being the biggest predator in the pond,” he said slowly. “And we now have a new role to play as a negotiator between the most influential crime families in New York.” His eyes darkened. “Showing weakness, even for a moment?—”

“Makes you a target,” Delphine finished. “Not only that, it will bring down the reputation of theBlack Devils, which could be one of their goals.” She leveled a sharp gaze at Vlad and Yuliy. “I’m going to need complete access to your security protocols and personnel files, and a detailed layout of all the properties Vlad frequents.”

CHAPTERELEVEN

Despite Vlad’sreservations on the matter, Yuliy and Delphine decided that the best place for her to be was at his side twenty-four seven. Which was why he was currently watching the super soldier climb the stairs of his penthouse to one of his guest rooms, a suitcase in hand.

Tarang’s tail swished beside him, the tiger’s satisfaction humming faintly through their muted connection.

Vlad shot his familiar an accusing look.

“Would it kill you to pretend that this is a problem?” he muttered.

Tarang ignored him and padded toward the kitchen.

Vlad listened to the sound of Delphine settling in upstairs.

He would have offered to take her things up but he suspected the suggestion would have offended her. Delphine in work mode was even more daunting a prospect than she’d been last night.

It made Vlad wonder if all super soldiers were as cold and detached as she was. Though she’d been a fearsome fighter who could easily take down a group of demons, Serena Blake had carried a hint of softness in her eyes and her words.

Then again, she’s married and a mother.

Memories of how Delphine had looked last night flitted past his vision and tightened his belly.

The super soldier had been anything but cold in his arms.

What she’d said at the end of their meeting at the mansion brought a faint frown to his face as he headed for the kitchen.

“Whoever came after Vlad knew exactly what he was and how to neutralize him. Which means your enemy has dealings with the criminal underworldandthe world of magic.” The super soldier had paused, as if carefully choosing her next words. “Do you suspect the Lucianos or theRed DragonTriad of being involved in this incident?”

“We’ve looked into that and we believe the answer is no,” Yuliy had replied. “Giovanni and Wei Chen may be good actors but it was clear they feared for their sons’ lives that night.” He’d pursed his lips. “Still, we’ll keep that line of inquiry open.”

Vlad was getting stuff ready for lunch when Delphine came downstairs.

“I’m going to sweep the place,” she said, strolling to a stop in the archway. “Check entry points, establish secure zones.” Her tone was pure professional efficiency. She looked at Tarang. “Will he stay visible to me at all times from now on?”

Tarang stretched languidly from the floor and yawned.

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