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Kyle ca up, he switched on the bedside lamp, then turned to see if Mara was asleep, only to find her side of the bed was eh the hotel suite, turning on the lights as he went There was no sign of her Frowning, he returned to the living rooone at this tima True, he had only known her a short time, but she surprised him on a daily basis She looked to be about twenty years old, but there were times when he would have sworn she was older Much older He son that she’d had a face-lift or other cosery, but her body was toned and taut, her skin flawless

And then there were the people he had ht It had been all he could do to hide his astonishment when he overheard one of the Cordova brothers call Vince Cordova “Dad” Until then, Kyle had assumed that Vince was another brother Impossible as it seemed, all of them—men and women alike—appeared to be in their late twenties or early thirties

His thoughts turned to Mara again Since the day he ht of little else She was like an addiction he couldn’t shake, a thirst he couldn’t quench A riddle he couldn’t solve

He reypt They had been in his hotel roo an old movie about Antony and Cleopatra They had discussed the movie when it was over Kyle had made a comment about Cleopatra He couldn’t remember nohat he’d said, but Mara had corrected hiypt’s most famous queen Kyle was no expert on the subject He’d had no way of knowing if what Mara had told hi she had said carried the ring of truth It was alyptian queen personally It reht Zone episode in which a beautiful woman mesmerized men, then, with the help of a beetle, took their life force, thereby keeping herself forever young

Chiding hihts and went back to bed If there was one thing he did know about Mara, it was that she loved the night No doubt she had just gone out for a walk in the ht

Chapter Forty-Two

It was late afternoon when Savanah awoke Sitting up, she glanced around the guest roo; the rooray and blue with red accents, looked like it had been taken frolanced at her watch Since staying here with Rane’s parents, she found herself waking later and later each day She supposed she would have to adjust her hours to Rane’s, though now that he could coether was no longer a problem

She wondered if he ake yet, and if he was as nervous as she was

Today was their wedding day She had always drea down a flower-strewn aisle on her father’s arm, but that wasn’t possible now

“Oh, Daddy,” she , she ran her hand over the gown hanging on the back of the closet door The dress made her feel beautiful Would Rane think the sa, she pulled on a pair of shorts and a shirt and went into the kitchen The house was quiet, leading her to believe that everyone else was still asleep She poured herself a glass of orange juice, then stood at the sink, staring out theShe had avenged her father’s death Tonight, she would ask Mara if she knew the nahts for a bride-to-be, she e

Rane and his parents rose just before sunset Since Savanah had decided to get dressed at the house, Cara shooed the roo That simple little superstition soht be Vaed to retain their humanity

It wasn’t until she was dressed and realized there were no et dressed at home instead of at the church