Now I know keeping things bottled up inside only lets the truth slide by.

Baby, no matter what life deals us, we'll get through it...

You've changed my life, my heart, my peace, made me whole and set me free.

You've given me what I need, you fill me up so completely.

You're my everything and I don't wanna lose it.

Mmmmm, hummmm, baby...you are my music.

From day one you saw right through to the rhythm within me. It took me a while to see what you see.

You've shown me life is about taking risks. When the day is done I'll have no regrets.

In return, I've given you my heart, my soul, my blood...'cause there's no question you're the only one.

You've changed my life, my heart, my peace, made me whole and set me free.

You've opened my eyes, made me feel. Oh, I've never felt so real.

You're the color missing in my life... that's all there is to it.

Mmmmm hmmmmm, you are my music. Yeah, baby, you are my music.

As the music faded away and the stage lights came back on, Duncan looked right at her and said, "I love you, Rose. You are and will always be...the music in my soul."

The female fans in the room gave a collective sigh as the romantic song ended, then deafening screams and cheers for an encore ensued as they begged for more.

Choking back tears, her heart full of love, Rose put a shaky hand over her mouth. Duncan finally sang a song he wrote and composed. Just for her. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd meet a man who would take hold of her heart like this one did.

He stood and while a stagehand removed the stool, Duncan handed his guitar to another roadie. Then Duncan removed the mike from the stand and spoke to the crowd.

"I'd like to introduce you to Jake Harris. Come on out here, Jake."

A young, dark-haired man in his mid-twenties walked on stage, carrying his electric guitar. He had an engaging smile as he waved to the audience greeting him. Duncan turned back to the crowd. "Jake's an up-and-comer who has a voice unlike any I've ever heard. The band's going to back him up as he sings." He gave the fans a devastating smile. "I'll let you all decide for yourselves."

Duncan set the mike back in the stand and clapped the younger man on the shoulder. "They're all yours, Jake."

After the concert, Rose took Duncan's family over to Rosco's to wait for Duncan to join them. As they filed into a circular booth in the corner of the bar, Michelle made sure to sit next to Rose...or more specifically next to Mark. Rose chuckled at Michelle. The girl was incorrigible when it came to men. Mark didn't seem to mind at all, if the heated looks he kept giving Michelle were any indication.

She doesn't know any of us are vampires, Mark. I'd like to keep it that way for now, Rose warned him mentally.

When Mark glanced her way and nodded his understanding, she frowned at the pink gash on his cheek. It was a wound he had to have received recently.

Where'd that come from? she asked.

Your Anima, he replied in a dry tone. He had me up at the crack of dawn this morning, working on battle techniques. Said my training was long overdue.

Rose chuckled. Be careful what you wish for.

I'll drink to that. Mark gave her a wry smile as he picked up his longneck and took a swig.

When Tressa asked Mark a question, drawing his attention, Michelle elbowed Rose and whispered, "What do you know about Duncan's friend, Mark? That blond hair and sexy smile makes my stomach flutter."

"He's a cop and a good man."

"A cop?" An excited expression lit Michelle's eyes and she dug her hand in her jeans front pocket. "I almost forgot. I cut this out of the paper today. Didn't you say the boy's name who took advantage of you in high school was Jeff Greer?"

Her gut clenched at Michelle's mention of Jeff's name, but Rose couldn't keep herself from looking at the newspaper clipping.

Jeff Greer turned himself into the authorities yesterday. After he was treated for a broken arm and cracked ribs, Mr. Greer confessed to being the serial rapist the police have tried to capture the last eight years. Mr. Greer said he started out date raping, but quickly learned the rush wasn't enough. Then he moved on to rape in his need to escalate the fear in his victims. Since his confession, several of his victims have come forward. Mr. Greer is being held without bond as he awaits his trial date.

Rose's gaze jerked to Duncan's as he walked up to their table. The look on her face must've clued him in something was up. He glanced down at the clipping in her hand then met her gaze with an unapologetic one. His amber eyes narrowed as he slid in the booth next to her.

I'll always protect what's mine, Roisin.

All I want to know is one answer. Was he guilty of those other crimes? Her stomach tensed at the answer she might receive.

Duncan raised his eyebrow at her question. "Yes."

Relief flooded through her and Rose reached over and kissed him on the cheek, whispering in his mind, Thank you for looking out for me.

"By the way, your client, Mr. Reed-his phone number has been disconnected. I wasn't able to find him."

"Duncan!" She didn't like the fact he'd taken the information from her mind, even if she understood his motivation.

"As I said, I look out for my own," he replied as he kissed her on the temple.

While Duncan spoke to his parents, Rose was too happy to be angry with him. She crumpled the newspaper in her hand and put in on the table before she tapped Michelle on the shoulder. When Michelle turned to her, she hugged her best friend. "Thank you for telling me about the article. I've been kind of out of the loop with the news lately."

Michelle pulled back from her hug and spoke over the loud music playing in the bar. "You never did tell me...did you learn any more about your mother while you were in Ireland?"

Rose smiled. "I learned that my mother had wonderful friends."

"You are going to take me with you when you go to Ireland again, right?" Michelle asked, an expectant look on her face.

"You bet, Mish."

"Good." Michelle grinned. "Now, I've got a pressing matter to attend to...and that's how to entice a certain sexy blond cop onto the dance floor."

Rose glanced at Mark as he said to Duncan, "That was a helluva show, Duncan." She noted that was the first time Mark had taken his gaze off Michelle.

"Somehow, I don't think that'll be a problem." She winked at Mish.

Mark turned his gaze Michelle's way. "Would you like to dance?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Michelle laughed as she clasped his hand.

Rose and Duncan moved to let Mark and Michelle out of the booth, then settled back in their seats beside Ian and Jax.

"Nice show, Dunc," Ian said.

Duncan gave his brother a broad smile. "Thanks."

"I'm just so proud of you," Tressa said. "Thank you for inviting us, son," Marcus agreed.

Duncan grinned. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, especially since I'll be mostly behind the scenes from now on."

Rose glanced at Duncan in surprise. "What?"

He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. "I meant what I said. You are my music, Rose. That's why I was late. Nigel and I were talking in his office."

"And?" She waited, resisting the urge to jump in his head and extract the answer herself.

"Your uncle wants to go back to Ireland for a while. He plans to spend half his time here and half his time there. So he's going to need someone to help him run the Five Star."

"You can't give up your music, Duncan. It means too much to you." She felt her chest begin to tighten.

"I'm not giving it up. I'm going to be doing what I love most-creating and producing songs. I've held the band back long enough. Being what I am...you know I can't put myself out there on a national level. But with Jake, the band can see their full potential. You saw yourself how Jake had the crowd eating out of his hand tonight."

Rose tilted her head to the side, realization dawning. "Several of the songs he sang tonight...those were yours, weren't they?"

Duncan gave her a sheepish smile. "Yeah, they were mine. And this time around, you'll hear them on the radio, too. Jake just signed a recording contract and wants me to collaborate on this album."

Duncan clasped her hand. "I can't do this without you, Rose. You know this casino better than anyone. Nigel hoped I could convince you to join the family business."

"I'll do everything in my power to help Nigel find happiness," she vowed.

"Even giving up your PI business?" he asked.

Rose laughed. "My PI business paid the bills. I'll be a bit busy helping run the Five Star to continue it."

Duncan grinned, then kissed her hand. "I love you."

Rose's heart jumped at the look of desire in his gaze.

Tressa and Marcus moved to slide out of the booth. "Well, boys, we're going home," Tressa announced.

Duncan slid out of the booth, saying, "I'll walk you out."

Once they walked outside and the door closed behind them, muffling the loud music in the bar, Tressa hugged Duncan. "You put on a wonderful show. I'm thrilled to see you so happy."

Before his mother pulled away, Duncan met her gaze. "I've been meaning to ask you. Why didn't you tell me Rose was a psychic vampire when you told me the history of the Atruan priestesses?"

Tressa smiled up at her son as she stepped into her mate's arms. "I was inside your head, Duncan, remember? I learned what method you planned to employ to get Rose to mate with you." She raised her eyebrow. "I just wanted Rose to have her own ace up her sleeve."

Duncan laughed outright at her comment, then looked at his father. "Are we always going to be one-upped by our women?"

"Get used to it," Ian said from behind him.

Duncan turned to see his brother with his arm wrapped around Jax's waist.

"You leaving too?"

Ian nodded. "I'm impressed as hell at your talent. Call me tomorrow."

Duncan nodded his agreement. After his family left, Duncan walked back inside to get Rose.

When he slid in the booth, Rose was watching Michelle and Mark dance.

"Do you think he'll take her blood?" she asked in a tense voice.

"Only if she wishes it," Duncan replied. "But out of deference to you, he'll erase her memory of her blood being taken."

He clasped her hand in his. "Why are you so reluctant for your uncle to become a vampire and for your best friend to know what you are?"

Rose glanced up at him and squeezed his hand. "I'm happy for my uncle. It's not that I'm against him becoming a vampire. I just didn't want him to become a vampire while two rogue vampires threatened my life. I'd already lost my father. I didn't want to pull him into this and lose my uncle, too."

She glanced at Michelle and Mark, continuing with a sigh, "As for Michelle, she's very impetuous and has a mischievous streak a mile wide. Who knows what she'd do if she knew. I guess I'd like to wait until she matures a little more before I'll tell her."

Relief washed over him that it wasn't because she regretted being converted to a Ruean herself. The question had nagged at him ever since she'd first refused to tell her uncle about his and her vampire status.

She cut her gaze his way, a confused look on her face. "How did you know about Jeff Greer and Mr. Reed but not about my uncle and Michelle?"

Duncan gave her a wry smile. "Your mind has facets I've yet to break through. But don't think I'll give up trying." Tugging on her hand, he slid out of the booth. "Let's get out of here."

Rose squeezed his hand as she stood. Duncan smiled at the sound of her heart racing. "I've got to tell Michelle I'm leaving."

Duncan looked at Mark and spoke in his mind, then he glanced back at Rose, smiling. "It's done."

Rose smiled up at him, then followed him out of the bar.

Rose lay on the hammock, swinging slowly and enjoying the warm wind blowing in the trees. A thunderstorm threatened, the scent of rain hung heavy in the air.