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Damian laughed.‘You’re attracted to his arrogance . . . and mine.’
The glare I sent in his direction increased his humor.
“Then why didn’t you know who I was when we first met, Gabriel?”
“I was distracted. Your scent confused me. In my head, I pictured a younger girl in pigtails, her mother always chasing her and calling out, Cassandra!”
He laughed at the memory.
“I didn’t realize the feisty beauty in front of me who went by Cassie was the same girl.” His gaze softened. “Not until we reached Howe Manor. The years are swift for immortals. I lost track of time with my clan.”
“But my scent. Wouldn’t that confirm my identity? My bloodline?”
“Yes. That’s why I became confused. It all made sense when we arrived outside the gates of Howe Manor. Then I understood why my wolf responded to you so fiercely.”
“Your wolf?”
“My beast and I share many secrets.” His lips lifted in a grin, showing off his dimple.
Ryder took this moment to interject. “Angel, we’re all here because the ancestors have chosen us. Each bloodline is beholden to the Howe family. We’re here to protect you as long as we’re needed.”
Beholden? “What do you mean?”
“At some point in the past, one of our ancestors, orus,” Damian divulged, “owed the Howe family a debt. We accepted this arrangement as payment.”
“It’s not wise to piss off generations of witches,” Ryder joked. “Anyway, we’re all here to ensure you’re safe.”
“For how long?” I asked, confident the answer was one I wouldn’t like.
Ryder didn’t answer, staring down at his hands.
Gabriel cleared his throat awkwardly. “For as long as we’re needed.”
“Which is?”
The damn vampire was the one that spoke up, a little too much vehemence in his voice. “Until the contract expires, pet.” His eyes still glowed red.‘If I’m stuck with you forever, little Raven, I want all the perks, and I’ll have them.’
Just in case I was uncertain about what he meant, Damian’s hand lowered, hovering over his crotch, then moved away so quickly that I was the only one who noticed.
“So, that’s your motivation?” Sex?
He nodded, a leer on his lips.‘Oh yes, my pet.’
Damian acted as if he wanted to use me and nothing more, but I remembered his tears when he thought I was dying. He wanted me to live.
‘I needed you to live to ensure my own survival. Nothing more.’
Could that be true?
His words upset me. What he thought or wanted shouldn’t matter to me as much as it did. Damian meant nothing to me. I barely knew the vampire.
‘Exactly. I have permission to enter your home now. You’re all mine, pet.’
“Leave her alone,” Gabriel roared, noticing my discomfort. “You’re upsetting Cassie.”
Damian’s self-indulgent smile plastered across his chiseled features. I swear he got off on putting people at odds. What an ass!
‘Careful, pet.’
