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"Never o answered without hesitation, a s his lips "And she’s a very special clan chief"

"You got me there," Viper ad hed at his companion’s petulant tone "Why, Viper, I didn’t know you cared"

Viper snorted "You’re a pain in the ass, but you’re one of the bestto replace you at the club?"

"Tonya"

Viper hesitated, considering Santiago’s recommendation with a frown "She has the brains," he slowly conceded "But she’s distinctly lacking the brawn"

Santiago shrugged He didn’t doubt for a minute that the shrewd imp could easily fill his shoes And he owed her one Not only for what had happened with Gaius, but because of the fact he’d failed to realize she’d hoped for more than a mere employer-employee relationship

"You have plenty of brawn," Santiago pointed out "What you need is someone co cal to hell" He folded his arms over his chest "And it doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful enough to ive her a chance," Viper conceded

"Good" He slapped his friend on the back "Of course, you’ll need to keep an eye on her"

"Why?"

"Because there are several other club owners who have tried to lure her away over the years," he said "And withoutpresence to keep her loyal"

Viper was o could even finish

Santiago chuckled, then sensing the approach of his soon-to-be ing her close to his side

Mine

She readily leaned against him, a serene s?"

"Business"

She gave an absent nod, clearly so toa swift kiss Just because he could "And before you start worrying about my brothers, I intend to return and visit if and when I findher to see the love that consumed hihter than the sun spread across her face, her hand reaching to grab his fingers in a tight grip "Are you ready?"

"For you?" He held her tight as the world began to lass of blood as he watched Santiago and Nefri disappear fro time

Styx had commanded that he attend the stupid party, despite his foulaside his glass, Roke was on the point of slipping through a side door when the cool wash of poarned him of his Anasso’s approach

"Roke," Styx drawled "Surely you’re not going to run away so soon?"

Forced to halt, Roke scowled at his king, earing a white silk shirt and black dress pants that didn’t make him any more civilized than usual

Not that Roke had any roo his custoh moccasins

"I told you I didn’t want to conac

"You tell s"

"And you never listen"

"Well, you’ll be pleased to know that as soon as Sally is feeling up to traveling you’re free to go in search of her father"

Roke’s scowl deepened

Pleased?

Of course he should be pleased

He should be dancing with joy

He’d been straining at the leash to leave this damned lair so he could track down Sally’s father How else could he break the ely, he’d devoted the past three days to ignoring Sally’s pleas to be released so she could begin the hunt, telling hi

He’d also assured hi bond with the fe her lie as still as death after her battle with the spirit

Twelve hours, sixteenshe’d been unconscious He’d counted every tick of the clock as he stood guard by her bed He wasn’t going through that again

Period

"Why now?" he growled