Page 100 of Twilight Destiny

“Not just now. I think I’ll stay here with my Mom for a few days. I’m the only unmarried daughter she has left, and I don’t think she should be home alone right now.” The doctors wanted to keep her father in the hospital for a day or two for additional testing.

Saintcrow nodded. “Call me if you need me.”

Going up on her tiptoes, Rosa kissed his cheek. “Thank you for everything. If you see Jake … ”

“I’ll tell him where you are.” Not that it would be necessary, Saintcrow thought as he left the hospital. Kincaid already knew where Rosa was, but then, he would always know, whether she liked it or not.

Chapter Forty-One

Kincaid prowled the rooms in Blair House, his mind in turmoil as he tried to decide what to do about Rosa. He loved her. He wanted her. He needed her. He thought she loved him. But was that enough? She didn’t want to be a vampire, at least not for the next few years, and that was fine. He loved her as she was. The blood she had so generously given him had cooled his rage and quieted his need to lash out. She had forgiven him for almost killing her. But could he ever forgive himself? He wasn’t accustomed to worrying about or caring for anyone but himself. For centuries, he’d gone through life like a bat out of hell, doing what he wanted when he wanted, never considering the consequences, never stopping to think or give a damn about how his actions might affect others.

Until now.

Until Rosa Ravenwood drove across the bridge into Morgan Creek looking for a vampire.

He blew out a sigh. It took some doing to admit that the real problem was his pride. She had seen him at his worst, seen him locked up like some kind of wild animal, shackled and impotent, and when she had risked her life to help him, how had he thanked her? He had buried his fangs deep in her throat. Lord, he could have killed her. He had thought of little else since it happened.

He raked his hands through his hair. If not for Saintcrow’s timely interference, Rosa would likely be dead now. What if it happened again? What if Saintcrow wasn’t there to stop him the next time? How could he stay with her and put her life in danger? Hurting her would destroy him as surely as a stake in his heart. What the hell was he going to do?

Chapter Forty-Two

Rosa yawned and sat up. It seemed strange to wake up in her old bedroom, the one she had once shared with Sofia. Mama hadn’t changed a thing—the bedspreads, the curtains, and the paint were all the same. The books she and her sister had loved remained on a shelf, along with a jar of shells they had collected at the beach one summer. Sofia’s stuffed animals lined her headboard, a little dusty but as cute as always. The teddy bear that an old boyfriend had given Rosa one Valentine’s Day still occupied the place of honor on her pillow.

She let out a sigh as she swung her legs over the edge of the mattress. It seemed like an eternity since she had lived at home, even though it had only been a year or so. She hadn’t realized how easy she’d had it, living here with her parents. No real worries except to wonder if her current boyfriend would call, no responsibilities except for helping with the dishes and keeping her room clean.

A noise in the kitchen told her that her mother was up and making breakfast. Rosa had left a few items of clothing behind when she moved out. Now, she pulled on an old bathrobe and shuffled downstairs. “Morning, Mama.”

Lena smiled at her.

She looked tired, Rosa thought. No doubt she hadn’t gotten much sleep last night even though the doctors had assured them that Luciano would recover fully.

“Waffles okay?” Lena asked.

“Sounds good.” Rosa set the table and poured the orange juice. And wondered where Jake was and how he was doing. Was he still in Montana? What did the future hold for them? Did they even have a future?

“The doctor called,” Lena said as she set a platter of waffles on the table. “He said Papa can come home tomorrow. Now that everyone is home from vacation, we’ll have to plan a big family dinner.”

“Sounds like fun,” Rosa said. “It’s been a while since we all got together.”

Lena nodded. “Do you think Mr. Saintcrow would come?”

“I don’t know. I can ask him.”

“He’s really a very nice man, for a vampire,” her mother said, taking a seat at the table.

“I think so, too,” Rosa agreed, smiling as she took the opposite chair. “I’ll bet you never thought you’d have four vampires in the family, did you?”

“I never thought we’d have one,” Lena said drily. And then frowned. “Rosa, you aren’t … ?”

“I need to tell you something.”

Lena’s eyes widened. “You haven’t … ?”

“No. But I’ve been thinking about it. The reason I didn’t go to Italy was because I went to Morgan Creek looking to meet a vampire.”

“Why? Why in the name of all that’s holy would you do that?”

“I thought it was what I wanted. Micah and Sofia wouldn’t change me, so I went to see Saintcrow. But he wouldn’t do it, either. But I met Jake while I was there … ”

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