Page 91 of The Huntress

She’d always assumed she was a burr on her captain’s backside.

“She’ll continue as a justice warrior. The only difference is that she’sminenow.”

“You had a suckblood on the force for over a week, Captain. I’m more than willing to do interviews if it will help your image.” Callie looped an arm around Gabe’s waist.

“Since the vampire is you, that makes it tolerable, Callie.”

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” Callie teased.

Metcalfe blushed, and at her dismissive gesture, Callie dragged Gabe out the door.

That went better than I expected.Gabe laced his fingers through hers.

Metcalfe isn’t stupid. She sees the benefits of working closely with the Crimson Corps.

The what?He arched a brow.

She flashed him a smile.Thinking of names for the new police. How about Suckblood Squad?

He shook his head.

Blood Battalion?

He chuckled, drawing her against him for a sideways hug.

Vamp Force?

Better.

He kissed her then and there, in front of her ex-colleagues. They whooped and whistled, so she introduced Gabe as her husband. That shut them up before they crowded her to pound her back in congratulations.

Chapter Thirty-Four

THE STRATEGY OF ANCIENTS

Callieaddedextrasugarto her coffee, needing the sweetness after a trying day. Spending hours with Syl and Metcalfe yelling at each other had drained her. Typical of her ex-boss not to fear the king of suckbloods. Many a time, she’d thought this was the end for Metcalfe, but Syl had reined in his temper and the negotiations had continued. Leo, the coward, had disappeared an hour into the planning session. Callie wished she could’ve done the same.

With the claim bond between them, Gabe shared any conversations on the pseudo-battle planned, often asking her opinion. She was redundant, like a fifth wheel. Even though they all tried to include her in the decisions, the plan evolved and steamed ahead without her.

Dimitri had whisked George away at Rhys’s suggestion. Surrounded by Dimitri’s fingers, she was in no danger while she played with the Knights Ridge’s children. Her home was empty, but she shoved the loneliness aside knowing George needed the interaction with other children, and Gabe needed to feel as if he protected his family. Still, twiddling her thumbs was a new experience for her.

A hot bath sounded enticing, and she giggled, a mischievous idea forming. She meandered to the bathroom and filled the tub with a wave of her hand before placing her coffee cup down. She projected teasing images of her undressing. Gabe rewarded her with sensual thoughts for her efforts.

Woman!He flashed a suitable punishment, but it didn’t deter her.

I’m just having a bath. Little old me, all alone. What’s an aroused girl supposed to do?She released an overdramatic sigh.Play with myself?

Callie, please.The plea in his voice gripped her with sadness, longing, and acceptance.Wait for me.

She climbed into the bath and sipped her coffee, no longer tormenting her husband. The bath had lost its appeal, and as soon as she’d finished her coffee, she stepped out of the water. With another swipe of her hand, her hair was dry and braided, her body in boring pajamas.

“Damn it.” She stamped a slippered foot. “I’ve got to find a hobby.”

The all-consuming burn of anger came next, and she stomped to the exercise room. There she worked through the stances Dimitri had taught her. When had her life become so dull? She married and lost who she was? What bullshit. She learned something new though—don’t wear silk pajamas when exercising.

With sweat drenching her body and the silk clinging to her, she strode toward the kitchen in search of bottled water. Yes, she could make it appear out of the ether, or wherever, but it made no sense to do so when she was thirsty. Wouldn’t it dehydrate her further? A question for another time. She grabbed a bottle out of the fridge and drained it.

Gabe stacked the fridge with the usual sachets of blood, but alongside those were snacks, juice, milk, fresh fruit, and vegetables for George. It was a visual sign of how things had changed for him.

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