Aileen slumped to the ground, dazed, as Moira continued forward.
“I thought you preferred brunettes?” Ruby asked, obviously trying to get his attention off Moira.
Jaden kept his eyes on what he suspected was the real prize in the Dunne house. “Sorry, sweet. I’ve always had a thing for feisty redheads.” Moira started to step over the threshold and into the vampire’s waiting arms.
“Oh, hell.” Ruby ran forward, pushing in front of Moira. “Leave her alone, Bunnicula, I’m here.”
Jaden blinked, accidentally breaking his thrall on Moira. “Bunnicula? Bunnicula? Do I look like the type to suck on carrots?”
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Dana Marie Bell
Moira shuddered and stepped back. “I don’t know. Bunnicula seems pretty appropriate. How many carrots have you sucked on?” And she smirked in that annoying way that men everywhere recognized.
“Women.” Jaden shook his head sadly. “They don’t pay me enough for this shit.” He glared at Ruby.
“Come on out here and let’s get this over with.”
“No.” Moira pulled Ruby back, once again standing in front of her.
Jaden sighed. Damn. Now I’m going to have to bruise that porcelain skin. “You know, I tried to do this nicely. Now I’m just going to have to do it the other way.” And with that, he stepped over the threshold, his eyes once again glowing red.
“Um, I thought he couldn’t come in here without an invitation.” Ruby backed up warily.
“Wrong kind of vampire, apparently,” Moira breathed, backing up along with her.
“Apparently.” Jaden crooked a finger at Ruby, allowing the nail to grow into a long, black claw. He had no intention of actually using his claws on either girl, but damn if they weren’t great for intimidation.
He only hoped they worked. “Come here, girl. Someone wants to see you.”
“No!” And Moira rushed him, determination in every line of her small body.
Moira knew some kick boxing from the way she used her feet. Jaden was beyond impressed. She lashed out with a spinning heel kick that would have knocked the head off a lesser being, one not meant to be a soldier in the Dark Queen’s army.
Fortunately, thanks to his son-of-a-bitch sire, her ploy didn’t work. All it did was rock his head on his neck. He moved to block her next strike, holding his greater strength in check. It had to be obvious to Moira that she was going to lose. He could see it in her face that she knew she couldn’t defeat him, but that rock solid determination to keep him away from her sister-in-law still burned brightly enough to really impress him.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ruby dash out of the house, screaming for lover-boy at the top of her lungs.
Perfect.
Time to end this. Jaden put Moira down as gently as he could, knocking her out with the least amount of damage he could inflict.
He stared down at Moira with a wicked smile. “Beautiful, brave Moira.” He brushed his hands through her hair, reluctant to leave her behind.
She’d proven herself to him. Now he was going to prove himself to her.
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips just before he sank his teeth into her neck.
That kiss promised that they weren’t done. Not by a long shot.
“You shouldn’t have interfered, beautiful.” He stroked her hair away from her forehead, his expression hot and possessive. He licked her sweet leprechaun blood from his lips. He’d forgotten that 98
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Dare to Believe
about her, though he’d never forget it again. He pressed a soft kiss to her unresponsive lips. “I’ll be seeing you soon.”
“Leo! Leo! Help me!” Ruby ran screaming, knowing somehow that hiding wouldn’t work against the creature that pursued her.
Ruby felt a strong wind pass her by and she stopped, hoping against hope that Sean was heading back to the house.
The roar that came from the Dunne house had the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. The ground beneath her feet buckled and heaved. Sean was letting loose his anger in a very visible way. Ruby gasped out a sob and turned back towards the house, every fiber of her being calling out for her mate.
“Ruby?” She turned, nearly falling. Leo’s arms came around her, protecting her. “Shhh. It’s okay, kitten, I have you.”
“There’s a vampire in the house with your mother and sister,” she gasped out, falling against him and hugging him to her so tightly she was surprised his ribs didn’t crack.
She felt him stiffen. “Vampire? In Dad’s house?”
She nodded, still gasping for breath. Running was so not her forte. “Uh-huh. Moira fought him.”
“Holy hell.” And Leo took off running towards the house.
Leaving her alone on the dark driveway, half a mile from the house. “Oh no.”
A dark figure stepped onto the driveway, its eyes glowing an eerie red. “Hello, beautiful.” The vampire sighed, his voice pulling her into his arms.