Page 66 of Touch Of Fate
“How old are you?” she scolds.
“You don’t want to know,” he says. She opens her mouth to respond, but the woman walks toward the counter.
“I’m not giving up,” she threatens.
“I don’t expect you to,” he says, and I laugh. I never thought we would have moments like this. We have been alone for so long, and Rome and Archer have brought laughter back into our lives.
Rome pulls me close, and I press my face to his chest. I won’t let anyone take him away from me.
Rome sprawled in the passenger side seat of my car, silent on the way home. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but I wondered what he was thinking about. He’s worried about my safety. I should be more concerned than I am. Someone is going to try to kill me. I trust Adeline and her gift. The key point is that I won’t die. She would have told us if she knew I would. If all of the men are human, it should be an easy fight. Rome’s powers are extraordinary, and he’ll do anything to keep me safe. I’m not that naive though. Things can happen; I have lived through scenarios that shouldn’t have happened.
I pull into my driveway and park. The silence remains as I let us into the house. I watch Rome as he stops at the kitchen counter. I assumed he would try to seduce me, and it wouldn’t take much, but he’s frowning.
“I’ve never cared much about anyone,” he says suddenly. I shut the door and move slowly toward him. “I don’t particularly like the sensation of being afraid. I haven’t felt fear since I was young. My magic has protected me, and since I’ve gained power, I know not many can beat me.” I sit on the stool. “My need to make you stay away from these men is fierce. I know you are capable. I’ve seen what you can do, and I’m proud of how far you have come. It makes my skin itch thinking about you in the room with them, even though I’ll be with you. Your spells will protect you. I will too. Why am I feeling like this?”
“It’s natural to worry about people you care about,” I whisper.
“That doesn’t seem right,” he mumbles.
“What?” Did I get it wrong? I’m falling in love with the man, and I hope he feels the same way.
“That word. It’s not how I feel.” He rubs his chest. “It’s much more than that.” My heart thuds, and his gaze becomes intense. “This is nothing like what I felt for those women in my past. If one of those men gets past me, or we react too slowly, and they hurt you, I’ll show no mercy. I’ve hidden my magic, never using too much, but it will consume me if Adeline is right. She is hardly ever wrong, so it goes against all of my instincts to continue.” He rolls his shoulders. “Gavin sent me the location. It’s in a house. They hold gatherings there, so there will be twice as many men. I don’t want you to touch them.”
“Why? We need to know their intentions and crimes.” I’m not looking forward to the emotions.
“We can guess. If they are associated with Jerry, most likely they are the same, if not worse. I’m powerful, but I’ll have to control the room. If you are feeling their sins, I may not be able to take them from you.” He grabs my hand, caressing my fingers. “We should have practiced fending off the emotions.”
“We can try with Lace,” I suggest.
“Are you ready for that?”
“I’m confident I can figure it out. I’ve been working against my spells; now we are flowing together. I can guide them how I want.” I’m not excited about the possibility of seeing my sister's thoughts, yet she is the safest person to test on. “I doubt I want to feel what Archer feels.” He widens his eyes.
“Probably not,” he says.
“I have to trust in my magic,” I whisper, squeezing his hand. “Just like I trust you.”
“Yeah?” he asks roughly.
“More than anyone since my mom. I haven’t believed in fate. Her death was devastating, and I couldn’t understand why the universe I was supposed to trust would take her away. I’m beginning to believe again,” I confess.
“My Mara,” he says softly. “You—” He looks at the door as it opens, and Lace walks through. Archer isn’t far behind.
“I hope you're hungry. Archer bought everything on the menu,” Lace says.
“Famished,” Rome grits out. I look at him, and his gaze travels over my face. A flush brushes over my body.
“Did the shifter message you?” Archer asks.
“Yes. It’s in a large home. I haven’t been around any of the men, and Mara hasn’t touched them, so I can’t do a location spell. I don’t like it, but we’ll have to plan in the moment,” Rome says, pulling away.
“We’ve done it in the past,” Archer snorts.
“Really?” Lace asks as she spreads the food on the coffee table.
“Rome, you haven’t told them about the visits to the police station,” Archer taunts, sitting on the floor.
“We are not talking about that,” Rome grumbles.
