Page 71 of Enchant the Dawn

“It’s a long story. Let’s just say all’s well that ended well.”

“Tell me.”

“As near as I can figure, Jasper managed to sneak up on me and knock me out. When I came to, you were gone and I was Claret’s prisoner. She threatened to kill you if I tried to escape or tried to get in touch with Ava.” He caressed her cheek with his knuckles. “How did you get away?”

“I don’t know. I was just so afraid. Two men were watching me. They never spoke, just stood there, hardly blinking. I concentrated on the two of them, trying to make some sort of connection. I’m not sure how I did it, but I finally got through to one of them and convinced him to let me go. It was strange, but the other one didn’t try to stop me. I don’t remember leaving the house or much of what happened after that.” She shivered. “Take me home, Dominic.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“I don’t know. I don’t care. I just want to be in my own house, sleep in my own bed.” She looked up at him, her eyes haunted. “You’ll stay with me, won’t you? I don’t want to be alone.”

He nodded. He could understand her need to go home, to be surrounded by things that were familiar and reassuring. Whether they were at his place or hers, he intended to stay close to her.

* * *

At home, Maddy went upstairs. She felt unclean, somehow, as if she had been in the presence of evil. And perhaps she had. She made the water as hot as she could stand, added a healthy amount of bubble bath, and stepped into the tub.

* * *

Dominic sat on the sofa, his head cocked to the side as he listened to Maddy fill the tub. He heard the soft whisper of cloth against skin as she undressed, the faint splash as she slid into the tub, a sigh as the water closed over her. She’d been through hell, he thought, and although he wasn’t to blame for Claret’s actions, he felt guilty just the same.

He frowned when the doorbell rang. What the hell was Ava doing here? Thinking there might be trouble, he opened the door and stepped out on the porch. “What’s up? I just left a few minutes ago.”

“I know, but we need to talk.”

“You could have called.” When her gaze slid away from his, he asked, “Is something bothering you?”

“In a way.” She folded her arms, her expression somber. “I’ve been thinking it might be time for us to leave New Orleans.”

“What?”

“Now that Claret’s had a taste of you, she’s not going to be happy until she gets her hands on you again.”

Dominic nodded. He’d thought of that, of course.

“Your life is in danger here. For that matter, so is Maddy’s as long as you’re around. I think it would be best for all concerned if you and I went home. Your father can send someone else to take your place here.”

“I’m not leaving the country,” he said adamantly. “Not without Maddy.”

“Then we’ll go to my place in Oregon and take her with us.”

“Ava . . .”

“This isn’t open for discussion!” she snapped.

Dominic reared back as her power slammed into him. “Dammit, woman, what the hell are you doing?”

“Reminding you of who’s in charge here.”

Throwing up his arms in a gesture of surrender, he said, “All right, all right. I get the message. I’ll discuss it with Maddy tomorrow. I didn’t know you had a place in Oregon,” he said with a disarming smile.

Chapter 28

Claret bit out an oath as she stared at the cage and the two bodies sprawled inside. “Damn fools,” she muttered. Not that she could fault them for trying. A taste of Dominic’s blood was worth the risk. But that was neither here nor there. The only thing that mattered now was that Dominic was gone. No telling if or when she would ever be lucky enough to have him in her clutches again. More’s the pity.

With a rueful shake of her head, she left the house. Had her vampires survived Dominic’s escape, they would have been just as dead for daring to lay their hands on what was hers and hers alone.

Only they would have met their end by her hand instead of his.

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