Page 155 of Dark Lover

“Yes, dear, you are.” Tabby suddenly hugged her. “And you have Ian now.”

Sam took a breath. “Tabby, I do love him. But he’s got a ton of scars. Everything that’s happened doesn’t mean we’re going to live happily ever after fighting the war on evil together, like you and Guy, or Brie and Aidan.”

“Of course it does!” Tabby cried happily. “He’s your other half. I’m not going to say it will be easy, because he has a long road of healing ahead. But he has taken the first steps. And you have learned compassion. The two of you are meant to be each other’s teachers. You are each other’s soul mates.”

Sam sat down on a gold brocade chair. “He left me.”

“Really?” Tabby gave her a look. “Well, you’re certainly a couple now if I ever saw one.”

Before Sam could object, Brie came into the room. She rushed to Sam and hugged her. “You’re still the strongest woman I’ve ever met. I’m so proud of you.”

“Me?” Sam laughed, and she actually hugged her back. “Look at you! All grown up, so pretty—so centered! Where is my shy geek?”

Brie laughed. “She grew up, fast. Oh, Sam. We’re all so lucky, aren’t we?” Tears came to her eyes.

Sam thought about the three of them and Allie. She thought about Ian and Guy and Aidan. She thought about her mother. “Yeah, we’re so lucky.”

Brie gave her a motherly look. “And you are going back to work for Nick.”

Sam bit her lip. “Well, if he grovels, I suppose I do need an income. And he is handing over Ian’s file with no strings.”

“See, he isn’t that bad.” Brie laughed, then sobered. “We have to go.”

Sam tensed, looking at Tabby.

“It’s not forever,” her sister said. “And this is a good thing, because you need to start your life with Ian.”

“Since when did you become so wise? But I guess a couple of centuries will do that to a Rose.” Sam walked them both to the door. Okay, so it did hurt a little. “Do you really have to go right now?”

“Yes, we do,” Tabby said. “Innocence is in need in 1527. And I miss home.”

“Okay, my lady, but it’s not goodbye. It’s see you soon.”

“In L.A.,” Brie retorted. “You owe us dinner.”

Sam laughed.

When Brie and Tabby were gone, Sam pulled on her jeans and tank top, oddly happy and excited. She already missed them, of course she did. But every Rose woman had a destiny, and hers was Ian Maclean.

She went still.

Her destiny was so much more than slaying. She felt it deep in her bones.

And he loved her, too. She’d heard him. When she was dying, she’d heard him thinking about how he couldn’t live without her. It was mutual.

Sam felt his presence and power. She looked up. Ian stood in the doorway, clearly just having showered, his hair still damp. He was clad in jeans and a black polo and that Cartier watch, so sexy, so elegant, still somehow dangerous—the best sight she’d ever seen. But they were both entering territory they’d never dared enter before.

And his expression was so somber, so searching. What did that mean? “Hey.”

“Hi.” He came forward. “How do ye feel?”

“Better than ever,” she said softly, aware that her heart was exulting. “Care to join me for a drink?”

“I want to talk first.” He walked forward and pulled her into his arms.

Sam was surprised by the display of affection. But his hard body had an instant effect on her. “Hey. Are you okay?”

He was thoughtful. “Today, I faced my worst tormentors and recalled the worst moments of my past.”