Page 71 of Don't Tempt Me (Nora Jacobs 4)

I’m glad to see his eyes are no longer all black. He must be feeling better now that both Rook and Wulf have woken up. Well, Wulf’s still asleep, but he woke up and shifted. He’ll be all right.

Surprise washes over Enzo’s face as Terrance’s words register in his head. He sits there staring at me, unable to do or say anything. I squeeze his hand and give him a welcoming smile. His thoughts are a whirlwind so jumbled he might actually be in shock.

Why would she do that? She has so many men already. She couldn’t need any more. Her clan is so close. Closer than most clans who are formed by blood. They’re more than a clan. They’re a family. They can’t possibly want me to be part of that family. They must be kidding. They’re all so strong, so powerful. Why would they let me in? Is this a dream? I’ve been alone for so long. Could I really be accepted as one of them?

I squeeze his hand again. “Of course you’re one of us. Like Rook said the other night, you’re basically family already. I just wanted to make it official. Everyone agreed. We’d love to have you join us.”

Enzo looks around our group and only finds encouraging smiles. He swallows hard, then brings the back of my hand to his forehead and bows low over it. “It would be my honor,” he murmurs, voice thick with emotion. “I thank you.”

I wait until he raises his head again and then give him a crooked smile. “No thanks necessary. Consider us even.”

“As a member of this clan,” Terrance says, sounding official still, “you are entitled to a room in the den amongst your family. Though, if you choose to stay in your own home, we will not be offended.”

Enzo blinks again and stares at Terrance. “You wish me to join you?” he asks in awe. “In your home?”

“Family is family,” I say quietly.

His gaze sweeps to me and he bows again, first to me, then to Terrance, Oliver, and Rook. “I would very much like that.”

My chest warms with happiness. Something about having Enzo with us fills a void in my heart. My family is more complete with him in it. But then a thought crosses my mind, and I wince. “Our clan is in danger right now,” I warn him. “Joining us will put a giant target on your back.”

He pulls his shoulders back, and a look of fierce determination sweeps across his face. “And I will fight with all of you as best as I can. Your burdens are mine.”

My face is not the only one that softens. My guys are all as touched by the gentle shaman’s bold declaration as I am.

Parker walks over just in time to hear Enzo’s promise. He must have heard more of our conversation with his excellent hearing, because he clasps Enzo’s shoulder and says, “Welcome to the clan, brother.”

Enzo’s eyes gloss over.

“Wulf accepted the invite, too!” I blurt out, my heart bursting with happiness despite our troubling times. “He wants to stay at his place, but he said yes to joining the clan.”

The guys all smile at that, but after a beat of silence, Parker gets down to business. “The assailant was not one of Henry’s vampires. According to his ID, he was from St. Louis.”

So far away.

Rook snorts, then groans like it hurt. “I guess Illren’s reputation has its limits after all.”

“Speaking of the fey assassin,” Parker says, “Did anyone call him and Charlie? Do we know if they’re safe?”

Wondering where Illren and Charlie are, I decided to test the theory that I could find Charlie through my link to him. I concentrate inside myself where I always feel his emotions. He’s anxious right now. I send him waves of reassurance, trying to let him know that everything is okay. I feel relief return to me and then a feeling of joy as if he’s happy that I reached out to him through our mate bond.

“They’re safe,” I answer.

Closing my eyes in concentration, I feel for him just as he and Illren come bursting through the door. Charlie gapes at the destruction all around us with a sense of shock and awe. I guess he’s never seen an angry troll before. Illren’s eyes are on his clan members. He studies Rook, Wulf, and Nick, and finally his gaze falls on me. In two strides he’s in front of me, cradling my face in his hands. “Is any of this blood yours?” he asks, unable, for once, to conceal his rage.

“No.”

I only get the one word out before Illren smashes his lips on mine. The kiss is rough, passionate. Full of anger and relief. When he pulls back, he doesn’t let go of my face, and his eyes blaze at me with a fire that promises certain death to the person pulling the strings behind this hit on our clan. I understand the sentiment completely, and seeing his anger brings back my own. “We will end this collector,” Illren promises.

“Yes. We will.”

“The problem is finding him,” Oliver says. “He’s covered his tracks too well.”

“Then we give him what he wants,” I say, intuition sparking. “We tempt him out of hiding.”

My men erupt into a chorus of refusals.

“We are not giving you to him,” Terrance growls. “I’m sick and tired of using you as bait.”

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