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“Yeah?” The last, residual hurt melted away. In a way, Victorine had done us both a favor. I’m not sure I would’ve been ready for a mate two years ago. I’d had some growing up to do, and so had Zoe.
I wrapped my fingers around her nape. “Well, you’re stuck with me now. Because I’m not leaving. Ever.”
We kissed, and then I reluctantly released her and picked up my phone again. “Give me fifteen minutes, and I’m all yours.”
“I’ll just wait outside.”
She backed away, but I caught her and pulled her onto my lap. “Stay. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Your father won’t mind that I’m listening?”
“If he does, he’ll have to deal. We’re mates, remember?”
Her face softened in a way that gutted me. Because I saw love there.
Real, forever love.
“Yeah,” she said. “We’re mates.”
It was almost two a.m. in Paris, which made it a little before sunset in New York. I started to enter my father’s number again, until I recalled that Tomas had said all calls were being routed through him.
So instead, I phoned my mom. If he wasn’t with her, she’d know how to find him.
She answered immediately. “Yes?”
“It’s me. Rafe.”
“You’re all right? Where are you?”
“I’m fine.” I broke into a smile. “How are you?”
“I’m good, cher. What have you been up to?”
My smile broadened. It was just so nice to hear her voice. She sounded so normal. Motherly. Asking about my news like I hadn’t been imprisoned by a vampire for several days—although of course, she didn’t know that, and I wasn’t going to tell her.
“I’m in Paris,” I said.
“Is that Rafe?” my father asked.
“Father’s with you?” Even better.
“We’re out on Montauk with Gabriel.”
“What are you two doing in Montauk?” My dad wasn’t exactly a beach person, and even Gabriel didn’t use his beach place very much. He’d built it for Mila Vittore, and then she’d left.
“It’s been a busy couple of weeks,” my mom said dryly, and brought me up to date on Gabriel and Mila.
It seemed Tomas had told the truth about her coming back. And this time, Gabriel was keeping her.
“Good for Gabriel.” I swallowed and wrapped my arm tighter around Zoe. “I have some news, too. I took a mate. Zoe Tremblay. She’s with me now.”
There was a stunned silence. Mom wasn’t easily surprised—she’d raised three dhampir sons, after all—but I’d clearly succeeded.
“PrincessZoe? The prima’s daughter?”
Zoe had her hand under my T-shirt, stroking my abs like she couldn’t get enough of me. Now she stiffened and withdrew her hand.
“It’s okay,” I mouthed and brought her hand back to my stomach. To my mother, I said, “I’m sorry you couldn’t be there, but we had to do it quickly. I’ll explain when I get home.”
