Page 98 of Blood on Ice

“Aren’t you?”

“Fuck yes, but that’s never going to stop me from teasing you.”

“Asshole.”

I laughed. “Just wait until you see what I got for you.”

“Wait. We already did wedding gifts.”

“This one is as much for me as it is for you.”

Zeke’s eyes widened. “You didn’t?”

“Whatever you’re thinking, I probably did.”

“The swing?”

I just smiled, and Zeke pushed me away as he opened the passenger door. “Go. Start the car. What are you waiting for?”

DOMINIC

The sound of my grandfather clock striking two drifted into the courtyard through the open French doors. I swirled my glass of brandy and took another sip as I stared out into the darkness.Both of my sons had found love, despite me telling them to never believe in it.

Had I been wrong? Maybe. At least my prejudice hadn’t ruined their chances at happiness. They deserved everything they’d found with Liam and Zeke, but that didn’t change the fact that love wasn’t for me. No matter how tempting it was to imagine having someone who cared the way the boys’ mother had, my role with the family had ruined that for me. No, I’d had to take responsibility, and I’d ruined our relationship. I’d shut her out not knowing how to deal with her addiction, and now the boys were all I had left. The marriage my father had arranged for me had been nothing but a sham, and it had left me literally scarred. I was destined to be alone, and that suited me fine.

My phone rang and I frowned. Who the hell was calling me at this time of night?

Lucien. Fuck. I was going to have to answer.

“I need a favor,” he said the second I accepted the call.

“What kind of favor?” Not that I was likely to refuse. My nephew was doing a great job running the family business, and I had no desire to challenge him.

“I need you to act as bodyguard to a young man who’s in danger.”

That wasn’t what I’d expected. “In danger from whom?”

“I’ll give you more details later, but I need to get him moved to a safe place tomorrow?”

“Why not use a safehouse? We have plenty of men who can guard him. You know I don’t have the skills I used to.”

Lucien huffed. “A few months ago, you landed a perfect shot through the window of your office. I think your current skill level is good enough.”

My aim was still good, it was my agility that fucking sucked. “There have to be better options.”

“This is a favor for X. He wants a personal touch.”

Damn. X was the one man I knew Lucien would never refuse. “You’re sending this young man here, to my house?” I hated house guests. I valued privacy above everything but family.

“Yes.”

“For how long?”

“Until he’s safe.”

So there was no telling how long I’d be stuck with a stranger in my house. “What am I supposed to do with him?”

“You know you’re overworked. Use him as an assistant.”

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