Page 116 of Twilight Destiny

“Saintcrow went to see Rhinehart. Luca has pretty much taken over the hunter’s body. And his mind.”

“Oh, no.”

“Izabela thinks she might have a way to trap his spirit if we can catch him between hosts.”

“How will you convince Luca to leave Paul’s body?”

“That’s the problem. We’ll probably have to kill him.”

She stared at him, her expression troubled. “Doesn’t that bother you? Even a little?”

“It’s him or us. You make the choice.”

“That’s not fair!”

“I have an idea. Whether it will work or not … ” He shrugged. “Only time will tell.”

Rosa lay in bed that night struggling with her feelings. Jake had gone in search of prey. She didn’t like the tension between them. She understood where he was coming from. They had to do something before Luca got any stronger, but to kill Paul … He had a wife and three kids. She bit down on her lower lip. What if killing Paul was the only way to protect his wife and family? If Luca had taken over his mind and body, that might be the only option. But what if something went wrong? What if Luca was stronger than they thought? What if … She thrust the troubling thoughts from her mind, refusing to think the worst.

She scooted over as Jake materialized in the bedroom.

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, Kincaid toed off his boots and undressed down to his briefs, then slid in beside her, unsure of his welcome. He had sensed her thoughts on the way home. Relief washed through him when she rolled onto her side and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I know this isn’t your fault. I guess it’s really Paul’s fault for getting mixed up with Luca in the first place.” She traced his lower lip with her fingertips. “Make love to me, Jake.”

“Always my pleasure,” he murmured.

She clung to him, raining kisses on his face and neck, his shoulders, moaning with pleasure as he kissed and caressed her in return. She stilled when she felt his fangs at her throat, sighed with pleasure as he bit her, ever so gently. And for that moment, all her fears of the future were forgotten. There was only Jake, telling her with every kiss and caress that he loved her.

Kincaid opened the bond between them as he held her close, heard her gasp when the pleasure between them increased as each experienced what the other was feeling.

Later, sated and satisfied, Rosa asked, “How did you do that?”

“We’ve shared blood,” he explained. “It makes the bond between us stronger. Deeper.”

“Why didn’t I feel it on our wedding night?”

He grinned at her. “I wasn’t sure I wanted you to know what I was thinking.”

“Oh?”

“I was afraid the intensity of what I was thinking and feeling might frighten you,” he admitted, somewhat sheepishly.

Rosa stared at him, not knowing if he was serious or not.

He kissed the tip of her nose, held her close until her eyelids fluttered down. When he was sure she was asleep, he slid out of bed, pulled on a pair of sweat pants, and went outside.

Dark clouds shrouded both moon and stars. With his preternatural vision, he could see the silhouettes of the buildings on Main Street, as well as a few of the residential porch lights. Standing there, he felt the night wrap around him, enfolding him in her dark embrace. He preferred the night to the day, the darkness to the light, but for Rosa, he endured the daylight hours. He smiled faintly. He would do anything for her, he thought. He, who had spent his whole existence with nothing and no one to tie him down, was now bound to a beautiful young mortal female, and he would live and die for her.

He smiled a self-mocking smile as he returned to the house and slid into bed beside the only woman who had ever captured his heart and his soul.

It was mid-afternoon the next day when Kincaid heard from the witch.

“I think I have what you need,” she said. “You and Saintcrow may come by tonight, if you wish.”

“We’ll be there, say, eight o’clock?”

“Until then.”

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