That was the only reason they weren’t jumping down her throat about going to a vamp bar and why they weren’t vowing to beat Dante to death. They’d been around enough mated vampires and knew the rules; if they hurt him, they hurt her, and they would never do that.
Besides, no one wanted to drive someone’s mate away. Now was a tricky time, and if she didn’t navigate it carefully, she could lose everything, including her life. Her brothers weren’t willing to risk that.
* * *
“Doyou want me to come with you?” Kyle asked from where he sat beside her on the couch.
“About as much as I want a hole in the head.” And then, to soften her words, Cassidy paused in tying her boots to smile at him. “I know you’re worried about me, but I can take care of myself.”
Kyle’s deep blue eyes, the same color as hers, revealed his apprehension as he smiled at her. “I know you can, but I could charm this girl into telling you every one of her secrets.”
“If anyone could, it would be you, but I prefer to go alone.”
“Just don’t go into any more vamp bars alone, okay?”
“I didn’t go in alone last night.”
Kyle tugged at his wheat blond hair as he gave her an exasperated look. “How about, no more vamp bars without Julian or me.”
Cassidy finished tying her boot and sat back. “So, if I have to take you, does that mean you’ll take me the next time you go to one?”
Kyle grimaced before covering up his reaction. “It’s not the same.”
She knew that, but it was the principle of the matter. However, she didn’t want to be anywhere near a bar where her brother was hanging out instead of working. She had fully matured, but Kyle hadn’t. When he did, his already heightened need for sex would strengthen.
Cassidy dreaded the day it happened. There were times Kyle felt a little out of control now; she couldn’t imagine what it would be like when his purebred instincts fully kicked into hyperdrive. If he couldn’t control it, she could lose him, and that would devastate her.
They’d been together since conception; Kyle knew her better than anyone, was her best friend, and the idea of losing him caused a sob to lodge in her throat. He would stop aging soon, and once he did, things would change.
“No, it’s not the same,” she agreed. “I don’t plan on entering any vamp bars anytime soon. Besides, Opal told us she only has one party still going.”
“Opal’s only one of the players in town,” he told her.
“There’s more?”
“There’s money to make in it, so there will always be more. Opal’s parties are the best run and the safest.”
“Have you been to any of the others?”
He hesitated before answering. “Yes.”
“Why is it okay for you to put yourself in danger but not me?”
“We’re different, Cassidy.”
“And how is that? And if you say it’s because you’re a guy and I’m a girl, I’m going to punch you.”
At least he was smart enough to look embarrassed as he glanced away. He was also smart enough not to answer. She punched him once when they were twelve and knocked him out cold. It had taken him half an hour to wake up, and by then, she’d turned every piece of furniture he had upside down and glued all his toys to the ceiling. He never called her a bitch again.
“It’s the twenty-first century, Kyle, and I’m stronger than you are right now.”
He shot her a look, and she glowered back at him. They were still glaring at each other when Julian entered the living room.
“Are we about to have a twin showdown?” Julian asked as he stopped near the couch. “My money’s on Cassidy; she’s meaner.”
They both turned their glares on him. He grinned as he ran a hand through his tousled hair. She loved that her brother and Aida were so happy together, but she was not in the mood for it right now.
“Oh, bite me,” she muttered.
