Page 31 of Christmas Embrace

Luca took a deep breath and blew it out. “Yes.”

“Let’s do this,” Kade ushered Luca toward the door. As his friend walked past him to meet his bride, a twinge of jealousy stung Kade, knowing Sydney might never want to get married.

“How long?” Luca asked, nervously tapping his foot. “Where’s my bride?”

“She’s in the guest room off the patio where she will be making her entrance. Don’t worry. Everything is on schedule.” The mousy blonde wedding planner checked her cell phone for the tenth time. “In approximately five minutes, I’ll come back to get you. You wait here in the den. All guests are accounted for and are in the courtyard. They’ll be finding their seats shortly.”

Kade set his hand on Luca’s shoulder. “Nip of cognac?”

“No. I’ve got this. Just a little nervous.” Luca closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

“Gentlemen. I’ll be right back. No leaving the office. I can’t risk you coming into contact with the bridal party. Bad luck and such. Stay put,” she told them, her voice firm like a primary school teacher speaking to third graders.

“She’s a tough one,” Tristan commented as she left the room. “I bet she’s the kind of girl who’s working all day long with brides, all demure and shit, then comes home, takes off her glasses, lets her hair down and breaks out a whip. Giddy up!”

“It’s always the quiet ones,” Kade commented as he reached for the brandy and set two snifters on the bar. “You want a glass?”

“Hell yes,” Tristen responded, easing into an oversized chair.

“Look, everyone is outside already. Maybe we can move to the foyer. Meet her there.” Luca paced toward the door and peeked into the hallway. “I can’t believe I’m listening to a human. This is utterly ridiculous.”

Kade handed a glass to Tristan. “Cheers, mate.”

“To Luca and his beautiful bride.”

“Indeed.” As the warm smooth liquor slid over his tongue, Kade stilled as a loud chime sounded from the hallway.

“More guests?” Tristan guessed.

“The planner just said they were all here. I don’t know who else would be ringing at this hour.” Kade blew out a breath and set his glass back onto the bar. The bell rang once again. “Well shit.”

“I can go get it if you want me to,” Tristan offered.

“No….” A chill stabbed through Kade as he checked the time. “I’ll just be a minute.”

“She just said stay in the office,” Tristan began, but before he could finish, they both headed out of the den. “Hey, where you goin’?”

Luca didn’t answer as he headed into the hallway.

“Aw…come on. Samantha’s going to kick all our asses,” Tristan said under his breath. He set his glass on the end table and shook his head in confusion before heading out after them.

The scent of sulfur drifted in the air as Kade opened the door. An eerie silence blanketed the driveway. A ripple of wind blowing from the east caught his attention yet not a soul was present.

“Something’s not right. Someone was here. I can smell them.” Kade sniffed. “Demon energy.”

“The house is guarded. Yours and mine. Ever since the attack in my garden, Samantha set up barriers. Tougher wards are in place,” Luca reminded him. “Tonight will draw attention, so she added extra protections.”

“What are you thinkin’?” Tristan asked Kade.

“I’m thinking some wolves were killed today, and my son is still alive. Maybe whoever had a hand in it is testing the waters.”

“Someone’s playin’ ding dong dash.” Tristan craned his head around the door to get a better look. “I smell it too, but I’m not feeling anything.”

Kade withdrew his phone and tapped at the security app. “Fucking hell.”

“What?” Luca asked.

“Look for yourselves.” Kade played the clip. Black smoke swirled into a human form, yet never fully materialized. “It’s there and then it’s not.”