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I don’t hesitate to question why his “maid” is wearing a slinky evening dress with a neckline cut so low her cleavage feels vaguely threatening. I’m so worried that her small breasts are about to pop out while she’s drawing me a glass of water, in fact, that I’m not paying attention to the rest of our interaction the way I should.
I miss the shift in her body language until it’s too late.
By the time I realize she’s a vampire—and a bite-y one at that—I’m already on the floor, admiring the expert installation of the tile border beneath the dishwasher as her fangs go for my throat.
Chapter Four
Darcy
I haven’t overslept in decades.
But I was up late with Colin, running numbers for the wedding gift he wants to give Annie—a lump sum for her family and a chest filled with priceless jewelry and first edition books—and didn’t get tucked into my bed in the cottage basement until nearly daybreak.
And then rest wouldn’t settle in my bones. I was plagued by regret for not realizing my brother was planning to sacrifice himself until it was too late and the vague feeling that something wasn’t right in my home.
Now, as I burst from the basement, racing with supernatural speed toward the sounds of a scuffle in the kitchen, I realize exactly where that “not right” feeling was coming from.
“Janet, stop!” I boom, making my ex flinch and glance over her shoulder with a guilty expression. Her fangs are out, and her entire body tensed to strike, but she hasn’t started to feed just yet.
Thank God.
If Blaire Wonderfully’s blood were spilled on my watch, my brother would never forgive me. He made it clear last night that he intends to protect these women like his own and that he wants my help spreading the word around town that anyone who trifles with the sisters will answer to the Blackmore clan.
Reaching down, I circle Janet’s elbow with my fingers and haul her off the much shorter woman beneath her.
The moment she’s free, Blaire scrambles to her feet, snatches a knife from the block on the island, and points it at Janet’s chest. “I thought I told you I wasn’t a breakfast quiche, asshole,” she shouts, her breath coming faster as Janet lunges forward, fangs once again aimed at Blaire’s neck.
“Stop it,” I say through clenched teeth, gripping both of her elbows from behind and dragging her toward the door.
“But she smells so good,” Janet whines, “and you always used to share your humans with me. Please, Darcy. Take me back. I’m sorry about the thing with Steve. He was just a bit of fun. You’re the one I want to be with.”
“I don’t care what you want, Janet,” I say, opening the door and letting out a sharp whistle. “And I don’t care what you did or didn’t do with Steve. I told you when we first started seeing each other that I’m not interested in anything long term.”
“But you didn’t mean it,” she says, pale pink tears streaming down her cheeks as she contemplates the bright autumn day outside. “You aren’t going to toss me into the sun, are you?”
“You invaded my sanctuary,” I rumble, angry enough to keep her in suspense about her fate for a little longer. “By vampire law, I have every right to force you into the sun.”
“I’ll die if you do, Darcy,” she says, sobbing so hard now that her breasts threaten to leap from the neck of the ridiculous dress she’s wearing. “I’m not strong enough to survive the trip across the lawn to the main house. I haven’t fed yet. If you’re going to do this, at least let me feed on your human first so I have a chance.”
“I’m not his anything,” Blaire says from the doorway leading into the kitchen, her knife still in hand. “And if you get those fangs anywhere near me again, I will carve out your heart and feed it to the hummingbirds in my backyard.”
A sharp meow sounds from behind her and a moment later, Guinevere, my notoriously jealous black cat, who has hated every woman I’ve brought home since she was a kitten, slinks from the kitchen to wind around Blaire’s feet, purring as she rubs against the rough-looking fabric of her overalls.
Blaire glances down, nodding at the cat before she shifts her focus back to Janet. “Or I can feed it to the cat. She says she wouldn’t mind getting in on that action.”
My brows shoot up but before I can comment, Vivian appears outside the door, a giant black umbrella held overhead. “You called?” the petite blonde asks, shooting a judgmental look between Janet and myself. Vivian has been a loyal Blackmore servant for decades and has earned the right to be pissy with me for disturbing her routine with my personal affairs.
But this time it truly isn’t my fault.
“She was hiding here without my permission,” I explain, “and attacked my guest. Please escort her to the main house and lock her in the deprivation chamber for the rest of the day.”
“No, please,” Janet warbles. “I’m descended from a noble line, too, Darcy. It isn’t fair. How was I supposed to know the little bitch was off-limits?”
“Watch your mouth,” I say, shoving her under the umbrella beside Vivian. “From now on, you’ll speak respectfully to our guests. And if you enter my home without permission again, you won’t leave it alive. Same if you lay a hand on Blaire or interfere with her or her family in any way. Make that mistake and I promise it will be your last.”
Rage flashes in her eyes, but I don’t regret the words. And I’ve already wasted enough time with old lovers who refuse to accept that our time together is over.
I thank Vivian and shut the door, turning back to find Blaire watching me with narrowed eyes. “I don’t need you to defend me. Or my sister.”
