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Luca introduced me to a few others, but my mind stayed focused on the she-wolf that stormed away. An uneasy feeling settled inside my chest.
After eating a plate of pork chops and mashed potatoes, I patted my belly and leaned back from the table.
Luca leaned toward me and whispered. “If you are finished, I have a surprise for you.”
A surprise? I felt like a giddy little girl. Did I like surprises? Apparently so. “What is it?” I asked eagerly.
“Come on,” He smiled and took my hand, leading me away from prying eyes.
“There you are,” Trace smiled, handing me a new cell phone. “A replacement.”
“Thanks,” I said, taking it from his outstretched hand. My heart thundered as I wondered for a moment when Luca had time to arrange for me to get another one. That’s when I realized he had everything set up before approaching me in the basement. Had anyone ever been so thoughtful before? Emotions churned inside me as I switched the phone on and stared at the message icon. Four messages.
Jackson: Did you find anything?
Jackson: Saskia, check in.
Jackson: I’m giving you thirty minutes to check in and then I’m deploying the recovery squad.
“Oh shit! Jackson activated the squad!” And then I read another text.
Jackson: Mr. Blackthorn informed me that your phone has been shattered. Let me know when you activate your new one. I’m assuming you will keep this number.
Saskia: Phone activated. The vampire from last night has been destroyed.
Jackson: Good to hear from you. Mr. Blackthorn filled me in on the details. Take the next couple of weeks off and recover. I’ll text you then.
“What the hell?” My angry glare landed on Luca. “What did you tell Jackson that made him give me two weeks off?”
“I told him of my suspicions that you were the target and that your roommate almost died.”
“I can’t take two weeks off! For one, I have bills to pay. And two, I have to find out who’s behind all of this.”
Luca reached for my hand, and I almost jerked away on instinct. Almost.
“Ivy, someone may be targeting you. Take a two-week break and let us help you take control of your magic. And then we will help you track the vampire.”
My emotions were all over the place. One minute of anger, another minute of happiness, confusion, even fucking jealousy. Grrr…my life used to be so simple. Boring but simple.
Sitting back and doing nothing went against my nature. I wasn’t weak and I certainly wasn’t used to letting someone else handle things. The need to deliver justice drove me to hunt the bad guys…err, bad vampires.
I knew there was wisdom in not running into a situation blind. And if I could use my magic at will—even better. But I would go crazy sitting around doing nothing. Not doing nothing, I reminded myself. Learning to use magic. I did need control and with any luck, Trace would find out what the hell I was—besides half wolf shifter. And even if I never admitted it aloud, spending time with Luca wasn’t so bad. Did it scare me? Yes. Did it excite me? Hell yes! Did I want to jump his bones and fight him for dominance in the bedroom again? Double hell yes! Maybe that’s why I agreed so easily with a nod. I didn’t trust my voice to speak but I had no doubt that he could smell my lust.
“Good,” Luca said and then cleared his throat.
A slow grin spread across my face when I noticed the distinct bulge in his pants. Trace adverted his gaze and stared at his hands. “So,” I started, “when are we heading out?”
“Whenever you’re ready. Rage and Devon are waiting out front.”
I shrugged. “Now is good.”
I followed Luca as we headed for the door. Rage and Devon were indeed waiting for us near a black Range Rover. People were milling around outside. Women—men—women eye fucking the three men with me. My anger shot up when I noticed the same busty brunette with red pouty lips who was dressed in a slip of red fabric that showed off her ample breasts and barely covered her ass.Violet.
“Luca,” she called out, heading our way. “Luca…” Did she not learn her fucking lesson an hour ago?
Luca ignored her and ushered me inside the vehicle before following me in. He slammed the door, effectively cutting her off.
“Who are all of those people?” I asked, nodding to the group. Lori had explained some of it to me, but I had a feeling there was more to it.
