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Darcy gave a startled blink "You’re that certain?"

Abby halted before a closed door "Yes, but not because I’ave a soft chuckle "Just the opposite, in fact But once a va another woht we beca in her heart

A pang she at last realized was envy

Hoould it feel to have such absolute confidence in a companion? To know beyond a doubt that he would always be at your side? That he would never stray, never waver in his affection, and never decide to abandon you for another?

For a woman who had never had such security in her life, it sounded just like heaven to Darcy

"You’re a very lucky woman," she said, with a wistful smile

"Yes, I know" Abby tilted her head to one side "Not that I want you to believe it’s all been soht, but no love To be honest, in the beginning most days I just wanted to punch Dante in the nose"

Darcy laughed "I know the feeling all too well"

"Styx?" the woh "There are htfulI know, he’s tossing around orders and using his va’

"A typical vaaze squarely "I need to know that I can trust him"

"Yes, you do Until then, you are more than welcome to stay without to push open the door "These will be your rooh the door on your left, and I have ordered a vegetarian dinner to be brought up Why don’t you have a nice soak and I’ll bring you sohed "That would be lovely"

"And don’t worry," Abby said, with a smile "While you’re here you’re perfectly safe"

Darcy sht"

"Oh?"

"She said I would like you veryis entirely o enjoy your bath"

Chapter Sixteen

"Bloody hell" Styx turned to glare at the va at his side "You’re sure she’s here?"

Santiago gave a respectful bow of his head "Yes, master The woman you seek is within the house"

"Da as possible, Viper clapped hiht side, ancient one, you orried that Darcy er Now you’ve discovered she is in the safest place possible in all the world for her to be"

Styx gave a low hiss Certainly he was relieved that Darcy was safe Profoundly relieved

And, of course, he was pleased that she was not in the company of the damn Weres

Still, he wasn’t a fool

For all his power he was no oddess

If Abby desired to keep hi he could do about it

"What the devil was Dante thinking?" His cold glare shifted to the loo for Darcy, not hiding her"

"I do not doubt that Dante is even now scouring the streets for yourcaptive," Viper soothed "This smells far more of Abby and my own dear mate"

Styx’s hand closed around the led to control the power that raced through hie to battle his way to Darcy’s side was as dangerous as it was ridiculous

It revealed just how difficult it was to control his unruly emotions

"Why would they interfere in vampire business?" he deave a lift of his hands, his expression resigned Not surprising Discussing wo that expression to ether far more fiercely than any other creature and will tear a poor man to shreds if he dares to harine I intend to harm Darcy"

There was a silent beat before Viper carefully cleared his throat "Master, you did kidnap Darcy with the sole intent of bartering her to the olves You can’t blaht be"

Styx’s fangs flashed in the darkness "Salvatore will never have her Never"