[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
them, right?
She smiled as her words came back to haunt her. Yeah.
Then hush. We don t have much time.
Jonas bent his head down to her breast, and as soon as his breath hit her skin, all the other
cares melted away.
* * * *
144
Blane pulled on his pants and headed down the hallway toward the front desk while
Christiana was in the shower. The driver had delivered their clothes for the ball.
Mr. Simon, the lady behind the desk said in Italian, smiling. I have your clothes. You
surprise me with green hair and fancy clothes. Are you a rock star?
He smiled and shook his head. No. Nosy old battle-axe. Thank you, he said, taking
the clothes from the hooks on the wall.
Opposites attract.
He stopped, but didn t turn. Instead, he moved back down the hallway toward the room.
That s how they saw it, wasn t it? A big, mean-looking guy with green hair walking with a
woman who looked like royalty. Yeah, that s what it felt like from his end, too.
Khalil would probably see it the same way. Of course, he wanted more for his daughter
than a vampiro black marketeer for her. Blane couldn t blame him. He d spent most of his time
trying to outsmart them all, playing the part of the halfwit thug. But now he needed to look like
the smart, capable person he d been hiding. He needed the respect to keep Christiana from
looking like she d been slumming in America.
He went into the room and hung the clothes on the coat rack on the wall. If he was going
to make this work, there d have to be changes. Starting with his hair.
* * * *
Christiana stepped out of the bathroom in the long, midnight blue gown the human had
delivered to the front desk during the day. It was the one that matched the custom mask, and had
a line of matching plumed feathers that went around the side and back of the neck to make a
feather collar. The rest of the gown was sheer and flowing with enough beading to make her
sparkle. She d waited months to wear it and couldn t have been happier with the design.
145
Rudolpho really knew how to make a dress.
Wow.
She glanced to the bed where Blane sat in his black tux, mask in hand, and more
handsome than she d ever seen him. His hair was pushed back from his face, and the green was
gone. What did you do to your hair?
I had the green cut off.
That s where you disappeared to? She came closer and felt his hands slide up her hips
as she stepped between his knees. She slid her hands through his hair. But why?
So it looks like we belong together.
Blane, I liked it the way it was. She caught his face in her hands. I don t want you to
change.
Maybe it s time I do.
Why?
I ve been trying to be something I m not because of other people.
And now you re changing because of those same people.
He caught her hand and held it in his. I m not going to hide anymore.
She smiled down at him. She knew exactly what he meant. She d been hiding, too. Not
once had she done the things she d wanted to do or really relaxed until she d been with him.
I m not going to either. We can t exactly turn this off, so we ll make the most of it. Fuck em
all.
He laughed at her attempt at Texas slang. I guess we should go and get it over with.
We ll tell Khalil and Michael first. Then I ll get rid of Vincenzo. She fought back a
cringe. Now, in the face of something real, the idea of her online romance made her feel pathetic.
146
How could she have been so desperate?
Christiana took his hand and led him toward the door. Well, it should be an exciting
night.
147
Chapter Fifteen
Christiana let Blane lead her into the grand ballroom. Masked faces turned toward them
as they pushed through the crowded entry. She couldn t have been happier to have her own mask
to hide behind, even if they still knew who she was. Those with the right gifts would know their
secret, but the others would gawk and whisper. The thought made her laugh.
Inside the large baroque room, couples twirled and moved in their intricate dances. On
the left, seated at a long table, Khalil and Michael chatted. No sooner than she d spotted them,
they both glanced up. Neither face looked particularly happy.
Blane s hand tightened on hers. He must have noticed them, too, but he walked straight
toward them, only stopping when they reached the table. To their left, Jonas stood with Elena.
Even in their elaborate clothes and half-masks, Jonas s white hair and tattoos made them easy to
spot. Jonas offered her a wink and a smile that matched the warm sentiments radiating from him.
It was odd after hearing the conversation Blane had with him. He seemed genuinely glad to see
them together. Good luck, he whispered.
She nodded, then turned her attention to her creatore. Good evening, Khalil. We would
like
He stood suddenly, and it made her heart stop. Then Michael stood and followed him
toward a side room. Blane pulled her along behind the two men.
Now, facing down the moment of truth, she wasn t ready. No. She wanted to run
screaming from the room instead of having whatever punishment they chose forced upon her.
* * * *
Inside the little side room, Blane held tight to Christiana s hand while they both took off
148
their masks with their free hands. He forced the door shut behind them, but Blane s use of his
power didn t surprise the other men. Only Christiana jumped at the sound.
Khalil moved to sit on the edge of a table. I already know what happened. His jaw
clenched, then flexed. What I want to know is what the hell you two were thinking.
Blane pulled Christiana behind him a little. If this went badly, he might be able to protect
her for a little while. Long enough to help her get out.
Christiana spoke up before he could decide what to say. The same that everyone else
thinks when they choose the vincolo.
Did it ever occur to you that I might have other plans for you?
Blane started to open his mouth, then closed it again. No one had officially told her. Only
Isabella had blabbed it. So she couldn t get in trouble for knowingly embarrassing him. He
fought back a smile.
Christiana pulled away from him, then walked toward Khalil. She reached for his hand
and took it without waiting for permission. I m sorry. We do want this, but we didn t actually
mean for it to happen when it did. You know I would have asked your permission.
Khalil glanced from her to Blane. Michael spoke up this time, I know you have more
self control than this.
I do. He sighed. There was no excuse. And I ll take whatever punishment is
necessary. But I ask that you leave Christiana out of this. She isn t as experienced as me, and she
had little control.
Michael laughed. Yes, you will do whatever Khalil decides. I have given him my
blessing for whatever he chooses and asked for your actions not to be a reflection on our cosca.
They all turned to watch Khalil. He watched Christiana, then turned his eyes toward
149
Blane. I am furious that you have taken her without my permission. He took a breath, then
continued. But there is nothing I can do to change it. Killing you would bring her an eternity of
mourning. Anything I do to you will also hurt her.
He sighed. And she does love you. I saw it before even she did. Khalil pushed off the
desk and walked toward him, pulling Christiana with him. Since I had promised her to someone
else, as you well know, I am forced to make a decision that best protects my own power. Your
binding will force my hand.
He put her hand on Blane s and held it there. Isabella was punished for drugging her.
Christiana gasped.
She has lost her territory in Ravenna, and all she owns. You will move immediately into
her estate on the coast and take control of the cosca there. They are, for the most part, neonato.
Where is Isabella? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl exclamation.htw.pl
them, right?
She smiled as her words came back to haunt her. Yeah.
Then hush. We don t have much time.
Jonas bent his head down to her breast, and as soon as his breath hit her skin, all the other
cares melted away.
* * * *
144
Blane pulled on his pants and headed down the hallway toward the front desk while
Christiana was in the shower. The driver had delivered their clothes for the ball.
Mr. Simon, the lady behind the desk said in Italian, smiling. I have your clothes. You
surprise me with green hair and fancy clothes. Are you a rock star?
He smiled and shook his head. No. Nosy old battle-axe. Thank you, he said, taking
the clothes from the hooks on the wall.
Opposites attract.
He stopped, but didn t turn. Instead, he moved back down the hallway toward the room.
That s how they saw it, wasn t it? A big, mean-looking guy with green hair walking with a
woman who looked like royalty. Yeah, that s what it felt like from his end, too.
Khalil would probably see it the same way. Of course, he wanted more for his daughter
than a vampiro black marketeer for her. Blane couldn t blame him. He d spent most of his time
trying to outsmart them all, playing the part of the halfwit thug. But now he needed to look like
the smart, capable person he d been hiding. He needed the respect to keep Christiana from
looking like she d been slumming in America.
He went into the room and hung the clothes on the coat rack on the wall. If he was going
to make this work, there d have to be changes. Starting with his hair.
* * * *
Christiana stepped out of the bathroom in the long, midnight blue gown the human had
delivered to the front desk during the day. It was the one that matched the custom mask, and had
a line of matching plumed feathers that went around the side and back of the neck to make a
feather collar. The rest of the gown was sheer and flowing with enough beading to make her
sparkle. She d waited months to wear it and couldn t have been happier with the design.
145
Rudolpho really knew how to make a dress.
Wow.
She glanced to the bed where Blane sat in his black tux, mask in hand, and more
handsome than she d ever seen him. His hair was pushed back from his face, and the green was
gone. What did you do to your hair?
I had the green cut off.
That s where you disappeared to? She came closer and felt his hands slide up her hips
as she stepped between his knees. She slid her hands through his hair. But why?
So it looks like we belong together.
Blane, I liked it the way it was. She caught his face in her hands. I don t want you to
change.
Maybe it s time I do.
Why?
I ve been trying to be something I m not because of other people.
And now you re changing because of those same people.
He caught her hand and held it in his. I m not going to hide anymore.
She smiled down at him. She knew exactly what he meant. She d been hiding, too. Not
once had she done the things she d wanted to do or really relaxed until she d been with him.
I m not going to either. We can t exactly turn this off, so we ll make the most of it. Fuck em
all.
He laughed at her attempt at Texas slang. I guess we should go and get it over with.
We ll tell Khalil and Michael first. Then I ll get rid of Vincenzo. She fought back a
cringe. Now, in the face of something real, the idea of her online romance made her feel pathetic.
146
How could she have been so desperate?
Christiana took his hand and led him toward the door. Well, it should be an exciting
night.
147
Chapter Fifteen
Christiana let Blane lead her into the grand ballroom. Masked faces turned toward them
as they pushed through the crowded entry. She couldn t have been happier to have her own mask
to hide behind, even if they still knew who she was. Those with the right gifts would know their
secret, but the others would gawk and whisper. The thought made her laugh.
Inside the large baroque room, couples twirled and moved in their intricate dances. On
the left, seated at a long table, Khalil and Michael chatted. No sooner than she d spotted them,
they both glanced up. Neither face looked particularly happy.
Blane s hand tightened on hers. He must have noticed them, too, but he walked straight
toward them, only stopping when they reached the table. To their left, Jonas stood with Elena.
Even in their elaborate clothes and half-masks, Jonas s white hair and tattoos made them easy to
spot. Jonas offered her a wink and a smile that matched the warm sentiments radiating from him.
It was odd after hearing the conversation Blane had with him. He seemed genuinely glad to see
them together. Good luck, he whispered.
She nodded, then turned her attention to her creatore. Good evening, Khalil. We would
like
He stood suddenly, and it made her heart stop. Then Michael stood and followed him
toward a side room. Blane pulled her along behind the two men.
Now, facing down the moment of truth, she wasn t ready. No. She wanted to run
screaming from the room instead of having whatever punishment they chose forced upon her.
* * * *
Inside the little side room, Blane held tight to Christiana s hand while they both took off
148
their masks with their free hands. He forced the door shut behind them, but Blane s use of his
power didn t surprise the other men. Only Christiana jumped at the sound.
Khalil moved to sit on the edge of a table. I already know what happened. His jaw
clenched, then flexed. What I want to know is what the hell you two were thinking.
Blane pulled Christiana behind him a little. If this went badly, he might be able to protect
her for a little while. Long enough to help her get out.
Christiana spoke up before he could decide what to say. The same that everyone else
thinks when they choose the vincolo.
Did it ever occur to you that I might have other plans for you?
Blane started to open his mouth, then closed it again. No one had officially told her. Only
Isabella had blabbed it. So she couldn t get in trouble for knowingly embarrassing him. He
fought back a smile.
Christiana pulled away from him, then walked toward Khalil. She reached for his hand
and took it without waiting for permission. I m sorry. We do want this, but we didn t actually
mean for it to happen when it did. You know I would have asked your permission.
Khalil glanced from her to Blane. Michael spoke up this time, I know you have more
self control than this.
I do. He sighed. There was no excuse. And I ll take whatever punishment is
necessary. But I ask that you leave Christiana out of this. She isn t as experienced as me, and she
had little control.
Michael laughed. Yes, you will do whatever Khalil decides. I have given him my
blessing for whatever he chooses and asked for your actions not to be a reflection on our cosca.
They all turned to watch Khalil. He watched Christiana, then turned his eyes toward
149
Blane. I am furious that you have taken her without my permission. He took a breath, then
continued. But there is nothing I can do to change it. Killing you would bring her an eternity of
mourning. Anything I do to you will also hurt her.
He sighed. And she does love you. I saw it before even she did. Khalil pushed off the
desk and walked toward him, pulling Christiana with him. Since I had promised her to someone
else, as you well know, I am forced to make a decision that best protects my own power. Your
binding will force my hand.
He put her hand on Blane s and held it there. Isabella was punished for drugging her.
Christiana gasped.
She has lost her territory in Ravenna, and all she owns. You will move immediately into
her estate on the coast and take control of the cosca there. They are, for the most part, neonato.
Where is Isabella? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]