Yes, dear.

I don't need to turn to see his smile. It came through loud and clear.

"Hi, Vivian." Joanna sounds tired too. Good.

She doesn't know I literally held her mind in my hand. The same hand she so calmly holds between both of hers right now. Rolling a fellow vampire without their consent, while very rare and hard to do, is a crime still decreed by the ancients to be punishable by death.

I let Joanna know everything that happened, exactly when it happened, letting her think it was herself running that situation and not me controlling her. She walked away feeling very brave and proud of what she accomplished. Unfortunately, she also feels an exceptionally strong connection to me she can't explain away easily in her subconscious.

d.a.m.n. This is a bad week.

"Hey, Joanna. How are you feeling?"

"I'm good. Feeling really solid right now. Does that sound odd?" She gives me a soft, calm smile.

She had a good bit of my blood, maybe two ounces. I bet she feels great.

"Nah, no worries, Viv. I'm right as rain. Even better, I swear."

"Well, that's good, love."

I look frantically toward the north wing, hoping for some kind of reprieve. There. I see gray sweats.

"Sorry. I'm in the middle of a meeting," I nod my head at Jon. "We can talk later, 'kay?"

Coward. Rafe's liquid voice stirs up what didn't quiet with Jon leaving the room. I feel my panties getting damp. Something I never expected tonight, that's for sure.

"Sure," Joanna replies. She reaches out, to grab my left hand, now holding both of mine in an earnest grip. "I'd like to stay after Liam returns to Europe. May I?"

Criminy! Another one who wants to stay here. What the h.e.l.l is this? A boarding house for the chronically lost, damaged and undead or a d.a.m.n hotel? Maybe I'm not a big enough b.i.t.c.h. Why do they all want to come play in my sandbox?

Because, you throw a d.a.m.n good party, Rafe inserts smoothly. Now buck up and be nice to the young woman. It won't kill you.

Jon arrives at that second. The biggest, fakest smile I can muster on short notice comes blazing out for Joanna.

"How about we talk about it tomorrow. Okay, Joanna?"

"That's fine." She lets go of my hands.

Finally. That was getting creepy.

"I'll see you later." Joanna leans forward, kisses one of my cheeks, and swings across to kiss the other in quick succession.

I don't think I can handle more vampires here on a permanent basis. Truly, I don't.

"You done teasing," Jon, who apparently only has eyes for Rafe and I tonight, glances after the statuesque blond like she was wearing a garbage bag, "and flirting for the night?" He decides to live dangerously and continue in the same taunting tone. "Or do you want to hear what Bunny said to do with Paul?"

Chapter Twenty-nine.

"Well, of course I want to know what happened, you a.s.s." I hold back from smacking him, but barely. Does he think I enjoy this c.r.a.p?

Get it out, I command into Jon's mind. Before I yank it out.

Jon does a funny imitation of a crack addict for a second. His arms flail like a fool at the voice sounding in his head, his eyes go round, and his body gives a sharp jerk before he can quiet his reaction.

"Holy s.h.i.t. That part was real, huh?" For the first time all night, I feel him pull his aura of s.e.x back in. "I'm sorry. Real sorry if you, um... read things... that I... um."

The room's overall tension level returns to the excited happy state it was in right after the danger pa.s.sed. I nod in understanding because I did see a lot of things he may not have wanted me to see.

"Part of me thought I imagined that portion," he continues. "How long have you been able to talk in my head?"

"Seven years." I let out a tired sigh upon seeing the hope flare in his eyes. "From the moment I first fed from you. I only opened the connection now out of necessity. I will sever the link tonight while you sleep."

Jon's carefree armor firmly back in place, he gives me a crooked smile. "Don't go rushing to cut the link on my account. I'm always open to any nasty little thoughts you might want to share."

"I'll keep that in mind," I smile at the handsome man. "Back to business. What's the verdict with Bunny and Paul?"

Cheering near the front windows reaches a crescendo and firelight spills in from outside. The bonfire, with Ivan's body and head, roars to life on the driveway. Why does no one but the ex-enforcer in the room think this is freaky?

Let it go, liebling... Rafe pushes out with his calm, soothing my mind in a gentle touch. They need to do this to put an end to the horror of the last day.

Jon turns back to face us once the initial bloodthirsty cheer dies down.

"Bunny said she will accept Paul into their lives after you vouch for his control over his bloodl.u.s.t."

"Good. I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome."

It will be a lot of work to train him, so yes, I could have hoped for an easier solution. Easier, would be if she'd said no and I killed him. Not good for Paul, but easy for me.

"Where is Paul, right now?" Jon asks.

Rafe responds, aware I'm complaining in my own mind and leaving me to it. "Asa carried him down to the bas.e.m.e.nt right after the change. He's still out cold."

Jon grunts in acknowledgement. "Asa turned out to be pretty handy with a gun at the end. That's a hard shot to make with silver bullets." His face turns speculative at the mention of the silver. "How do you think he did it?"

"I think," I answer, nodding in Asa's direction by the fireplace, "that he has the beginnings of telekinesis. Silver bullets are highly inaccurate over any distance. Asa's talent manifests right now in his ability to control exactly where his shots land-with pinpoint accuracy."

Jon lets out a low whistle.

"Do you think we need to be worried?"

"No. I think he's loyal and will remain that way."

Rafe grips my shoulder tight in agreement. "Asa's a good guy. He'll be here to stay."

"For how long?" Jon asks.

d.a.m.n, he always has to push.

I look him dead in the eyes, allowing no emotion to show. "Until I say he can leave. Or until he dies."

Jon's hands come up in a stop gesture. "Okay, queen b.i.t.c.h. I was just asking."

With that parting shot, Jon turns on his heel and leaves us.

He worries about sharing you. With only one rival for your affections, he sits firmly in the second spot. Adding more men riles his wolf.

There is only one spot. It's you. I turn to face my lover, wrapping my arms around his neck as I lean in to kiss him. Asa as well as all the other newcomers in the seethe will all need to know that. My lips brush Rafe's in a gentle expression of love.

"Sorry to interrupt." Sal's smooth tenor pulls me out of our tender moment.

Yeah, I bet he's sorry.

Later, my love, we'll be alone soon.

Rafe uncoils my arms from him, turning me to face Sal. He knows I need the nudge. I'm so tired-I'd gratefully have ignored the old vampire.

"Yes? What can I help you with?" My smooth innkeeper voice reveals none of my true feelings.

"I'd like to arrange the transport of John Pierre back to Washington. He has family and friends who will need a proper burial to say goodbye."

"The front desk can handle all the details. It will be done in time for your departure tomorrow."

"About that-do you think we can stay a bit longer?" Salvador asks. "This trip has been exactly what Theresa and I needed."

"I think we can arrange something. Please check with Miranda, she'll make sure we can accommodate your party."

"Thanks, Vivian." A true smile lights the vampire's face. "Your properties have always been breathtaking, but this place is a gem."

I nod my head in thanks and he moves on to confirm his plans with Miranda at the front desk. My body sags back against Rafe. His arms come up to wrap around me in a comforting hug.

Loud cheers start again as Jerry walks into the lobby from the north wing. He must have entered through the back door and then made his way up here where all the noise is. Jerry gets the hero's welcome he deserves. Hearty claps on the back and a mug of beer thrust in his hand within thirty seconds of arrival.

I need to get out of here. Think they'll survive if we ditch out?

Rafe leans down to place a soft kiss on the back of my head. I don't think they'll notice we're gone.

We slip into the dining room and head through the small commercial kitchen. The door to our private quarters stands open. We walk in, closing the door behind us, and start to strip. My sodden clothes fall to the floor as I make my way to the back door in our kitchenette.

All I want is to relax in a hot tub right now. You game, baby?

Rafe's hard, calloused hand cups my bare bottom as I reach to open the door. When do I ever deny you anything?

The cold, harsh air slams into both of us. Whew! Nothing like an Arctic wind to wake you up!

Race you!

Rafe's muscular form flies past me, b.u.mping me slightly in his haste to get by. I step out from the shelter of the building on to the asphalt walkway. I have no desire to race him. Besides, if he gets there first, he'll have to open the cover while standing there buck naked in the cold. Silly man.

Steam rises off the water, leaving a vapor cloud to hang above the tub. I catch sight of Rafe's powerful thighs flexing in a jump as he leaps into the tub.

"d.a.m.n! It burns when you're in the cold for too long."

"Too true."

With languid movements, I mount the short steps to enter the spa. I sit on the side to swing my legs over.

"Why do you get in so slow?" Rafe asks. "The burn in your toes has got to be killer."

"On the contrary," I state as I slide one foot into the hundred-degree water. The ensuing burn from being in the cold before plunging in sends shockwaves of pain coursing up my foot. "It reminds me that I'm not dead. If I never truly died when I turned, what did I become?"

This is a conversation we've had before. One that neither of us has a definitive answer for, but one we speculate on now and then. Vampires can die-as the dear departed burning Ivan is proof of-so we are not immortal. Perhaps semi-immortal would be a better term.

I lower my second foot into the hot water. Relishing the pain like a confirmation in my mind. I feel alive, therefore I am. I never died, so my soul remains intact. I will be judged by all of the actions in my life, not only by the bodies I have left behind me. This is what I believe-it is the mantra I hold to my heart as the hot water surrounds me.

Rafe glides forward in the tub, wrapping strong arms around me and pulling me close. He wants me to feel exactly how happy he is that this whole mess is over and we're finally alone.

"You became exactly what I need." Rafe whispers his answer to me. "You are my life." His arousal presses into my middle.

I open my legs to straddle his lap. Eager hands lift me into position. I tilt my head at a slight angle to press my mouth to his. Our kiss deepens in intensity while the tip of him pushes at my entrance.

"Mmmm..." I pull back to speak. "To think that ten minutes ago, I was too tired to think straight. Amazing what some cold air, hot water, and a hard man can do to change that."

The sound of a throat clearing brings both of us whipping around.

Asa looks uncomfortable standing about ten feet from the stairs. "I... uh... umm. A call came in right after you left. Miranda put it through to me in your absence."

My look could cut steel right now. This better be quick.

"Yes? Get on with it? We're kind of in the middle of something."

Asa manages to stare at a point about six feet above our heads. "Yes, ma'am. Unbeknownst to me, Drew took it upon himself to call the tribunal and report his kill."

"d.a.m.n fool!"

I push slightly away from Rafe in my anger. No need to ruin the moment completely by dragging him down too.

"I was planning on being with him when he made the call. Jesus, couldn't he wait a few d.a.m.n hours?"

Asa doesn't answer my rhetorical question. Points go to him for biting his tongue on that one.