Page 73 of The Incubus and the Bodyguard

Vlad smiled. “Like what you see?”

Delphine’s eyes darkened. “Very much so. I told you I like you, didn’t I?”

Heat pooled in Vlad’s belly at her words. He rose and crossed the room, conscious of her gaze tracking his movements as he wrapped the blanket around his waist.

“You did.” He settled beside her and stole her coffee. “Though I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”

Delphine narrowed her eyes. “Don’t push your luck.”

Vlad laughed and handed her mug back. “Want a fresh cup?”

They ended up curled on the couch and telling each other their life stories.

“Do all super soldiers know how to fight like that?” Vlad twisted a strand of her hair around his finger as she lay in his arms.

“The Immortals trained us.” She took a sip of her coffee and rested her head comfortably on his shoulder. “After they rescued us from Greenland, they sent us to foster families all over the world, mostly Immortals, some humans. The older children like Serena were worried it was to isolate us at first. But it didn’t take us long to realize that they only wanted us to experience everything we had missed out on and garner a wealth of knowledge and understanding from different cultures and ways of life that would serve us in the future.”

“Is that where your accent comes from?” Vlad said curiously.

“Yes.” Delphine’s expression softened. “I grew up in France. My adoptive family owned a vineyard in Bordeaux.”

Vlad watched her face. “You miss them.”

“Every day.” She smiled faintly. “My grandfather likes to fart the French national anthem at the family Christmas dinner. And I have an uncle who’s rescued about twenty dogs.” A chuckle left her lips. “My mom is a terrible cook, so much so she is banned from ever hosting our family dinners.” Her expression tuned wistful. “I try to see them once a year.”

Vlad propped his chin on her head. “How did you guys end up in a mercenary corps together?”

“The Immortals made sure we all met up regularly since we were kids, so we knew one another long before the corps was formed.” Her tone grew nostalgic. “After all, those of us who survived the events in Greenland were family, bound by more than just blood. The ones who saved us insisted we should not be stopped from getting to know one another, however much the Immortal Societies feared we might form an alliance and try and take revenge on them.”

Vlad sobered at that. Though Serena and Jared had spoken about the Immortals who had spearheaded the daring rescue mission, he still didn’t know much about them. Judging from Delphine’s words, the super soldiers held them in the highest regard.

“It was Alexa King who suggested Gideon form the corps. He’s the smartest one among us.”

Vlad startled. “Mila Jackson’s mother?”

Delphine stared at him over her shoulder. “You guys met?”

Vlad nodded. “In Philadelphia.” He paused. “Did everyone join the corps?”

Delphine shook her head and settled against him again. “Only those who wanted to. We work independently, but we also support the Immortals on critical missions.” She put her coffee down, turned until she was lying face down on top of him, and propped her chin on his chest. “What about you? What was it like growing up with Yuliy?”

“It was”—Vlad’s mouth curved at the memories—“everything my mother could ever have wished for me. We lived on a grand estate outside St. Petersburg. Gustav and Lena helped Yuliy take care of me when I was growing up. My uncle brought Tarang home when I was six, as an apology for spanking me after I broke my dead mother’s favorite hairbrush.”

Delphine arched an eyebrow. “The tiger was an apology gift?”

“Yuliy rescued him from a traveling circus.” Vlad’s expression softened. “No one was more surprised than my uncle when Tarang turned out to be the perfect match for my powers.”

Delphine’s eyes sparkled. “I can imagine. You suit each other.”

She leaned up to kiss him.

Desire licked through Vlad’s veins. His hand found her thigh beneath his shirt.

The doorbell rang.

They froze.

“Are you expecting someone?” Delphine said against his lips.

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