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"So our guys lost thelanced at Raphael, but he didn’t seem particularly perturbed by any of this He seeave her a small smile, and said, "I trust Lucas absolutely,to do with it"

"Then who did?"

"That is so we’ll discuss with Lucas e arrive"

Cyn wasn’t particularly happy with his answer, but she kneas the best she was going to get And she had to admit that there was very little else they could do at this point She slouched down in the seat unhappily Raphael’s arm ca Itunsuccessfully She elbowed hihed, pretty sure she’d never reat drea?"

She smiled up at hireat I assumed that o you have"

He shrugged "Of course So, e doing in your dreaarded him evenly, then rolled her eyes and said, "What do you think?"

He laughed and pulled her into a hard e onto her when they hit a pothole so deep the whole SUV tilted to one side

"Jesus, did we blow a tire?"

"That’s just Lucas’s idea of a security perih for a short distance, then sly out of nowhere, gleauideline to whatever ca barn, surrounded by white-fenced paddocks in the distance Cyn leaned across Raphael to see better

"Horses?"

Raphael stroked a hand down her back and nodded "Lucas breeds them"

"Pretty," she said as they drew closer She sat up and looked at Raphael "Do you ride?"

"You forget how old I arew up on a farine"

"Doesn’t "

Raphael stroked a finger slowly over her cheek "You do enjoy poking at the beast, lubirowled, his eyes glittering with power "When we’re alone"

Cyn sed hard as she aze Raphael would never hurt her, but she soht, she loved teasing him But that was partly because he was so powerful Everyone constantly catered to him, and she felt it was her duty to keep him humble Well, okay, not humble Raphael would never be humble, but she teased him as a reminder of his hu away the blood as she slipped her tongue into his ave him a slow, sensuous kiss

"I look forward to it," she whispered

Raphael’s gaze was heated as he gazed back at her "I love you, my Cyn"

"I love you back,turn and Lucas’s main house came into view It was a clearly modern construction, but an effort had beenSouthwestern flavor in the overall Crafts it a low profile, but the roof was high and peaked, with red tile and skylights The skylights were an unusual touch in a vampire’s home, but maybe Lucas liked to look at the stars and moon, or maybe he just liked the way it looked The structure shone alht, all lit up by artistically placed landscape lighting The front door opened as they arrived at the house, casting an even brighter rectangle of light down the stairs and right onto the spot where their SUV pulled to a stop

"My lord?" Jared said fro it specifically, if Raphael was ready to disembark

"Give the word, Jared," Raphael said