Page 70 of The Incubus and the Bodyguard

Delphine knew he meant the words in more than one sense.

Tarang rumbled and pressed affectionately against Yuliy’s leg.

The older man’s shoulders loosened. He released Vlad and stroked the tiger’s head, his face softening.

Yuliy met Delphine’s gaze. “Thanks for keeping them safe.”

She dipped her head curtly. “Just doing my job.”

She’d changed into her business suit, her hair tied back in a slick ponytail.

Delphine caught the look Vlad shot her way and refused to acknowledge it. Her mission was over and she was going back to Washington.

That prospect should have pleased her.

Yet the only thing she was feeling was a hollowness that was growing deeper with every passing hour. She knew damn well the cause of it was the man watching her with a guarded expression.

Lena served breakfast in the dining room overlooking the marina while Vlad gave his uncle a debrief about the night’s events.

Though Yuliy had been furious about the DEA operation and Wei Chen’s involvement in it when they’d spoken with him before putting together a team to go after Santana, he’d agreed that having the Triad leader and the federal agency in their debt would serve them well in the long run.

They broached the topic of the peace negotiations between Wei Chen and the Lucianos presently.

“Maybe I should ask Miss Dubois to stick around for the next meeting,” Yuliy suggested. His shrewd gaze swung between Delphine and Vlad.

Lena paused expectantly, coffeepot half tilted toward theBlack Devils’ leader’s cup. The piece of bacon poised on the tip of Gustav’s fork hovered near his mouth as he stared.

“You will have to discuss that with Gideon,” Delphine said in a level voice. “Besides, I believe Ilya and Milo will be back in action by then, so you won’t be in need of my services.” She focused on her plate, conscious of Vlad’s frown.

“Does that mean you’re leaving New York?” the incubus asked stiffly.

“Yes.”

His frown deepened. “When?”

“It depends.”

He crushed the napkin in his hand. “On what?” he fairly growled.

Yuliy, Gustav, and Lena watched with bated breath, their gazes swinging across the table. So did Tarang’s.

Heat crawled up Delphine’s neck. She narrowed her eyes at Vlad.

“I don’t owe you an answer.”

Her cool tone made his jaw tighten. “I see.”

Vlad pushed back his chair and strode out of the room, his spine rigid. Tarang hesitated before leaving his plate of steak and padding after him. A nervous huff left the tiger as he glanced at Delphine over his shoulder.

Delphine closed her eyes briefly.

This is why I don’t do relationships. They complicate everything.

Yet the thought of walking away from what she and Vlad had started made her chest ache in a way she’d never experienced before. She hated to admit it, but she cared for the incubus.

And the tiger. And even theBlack Devils.

“Dammit,” she muttered.

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