Page 24 of Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck

Muffled voices came from the kitchen before Henry’s voice became clear once more.

“What on earth would possess you to try to play cupid with them? I hate the Nightshade Clan. So does my entire family,” said Henry.

“Henry, you and your uncle hate them,” corrected Amice. “You are merely two members of the Frankenstein family. You are not the whole of it. Victor doesn’t hate them. In fact, when I wrote to Victor telling him Drest was the new Hunter assigned to the family, he was happy to hear as much. And maybe, just maybe, it’s beyond time this family and the Nightshade Clan bury the hatchet.”

“Never,” spat Henry. “I forbid you from continuing this fool’s mission and don’t you dare bring Victor’s name into this conversation. And so help me God, Amice, if you push for something to blossom between my sister and that…Fae, I will not take kindly to it.”

Silence followed for what felt like forever.

Rachael’s attention was on the door. She lowered the chair and released it.

Drest used that moment to tuck the chair back in and step closer to her. Much to his delight, Rachael filled the gap between them as she stared toward the kitchen door. When she turned her attention to Drest, her huge dark eyes held concern.

“He might have really done it now,” she said. “He doesn’t normally ever get this far out of hand. I think she’s really upset with him.”

“Good,” said Drest. “I know I am.”

Amice’s voice was jumbled as she said something to Henry.

“Amice,” said Henry loudly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I love you. Can you please stop stabbing the roast with that fork? I have the feeling you’re picturing stabbing me instead.”

“Oh look, a tongue that can cut to the quickandsmart enough to know what his wife is currently thinking,” said Amice loudly. “I wasn’t aware you were multi-talented,husband.”

Drest’s lips twitched. “I should intervene if for no other reason than to save your brother’s life.”

Rachael blinked and then touched her chin lightly before lifting her finger as if to ask Drest to wait a moment. “Or we could just let her stab him with the fork. He’d maybe learn his lesson then.”

Drest chuckled, his hand easing forward on its own, finding Rachael’s in return. “Doubtful. I find the Frankensteins to be a rather stubborn lot.”

She canted her head, lacing her fingers through Drest’s. She gave a tight squeeze. “Is that so?”

“Um, I feel like going in the kitchen with Amice, who is apparently armed and dangerous, is a smarter move than answering that question,” said Drest.

Rachael laughed softly, some of the blush she’d had fading away. “You might not be wrong.”

Drest tugged her closer and lowered his head, wanting to kiss her but resisting. For now. “Rachael.”

“Yes?”

“I still think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes upon,” he said. “And I’m hoping you’re angry enough with your brother right now to agree to go out on a date with me just to spite him.”

She snorted. “That may be the strangest pickup line I’ve ever gotten.”

“Yes, but is it working?” questioned Drest.

“Oddly, yes,” she answered, only to frown. “But there are rules against it. Against you and I going out on an official date.”

Drest no longer gave two shits about the rules. He only wanted her. To hell with the Nightshade Clan. How would they even find out? It wasn’t as if he was planning on telling them. “What about going out on a date with me unofficially?”

“I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying,” replied Rachael.

“Hmm, what if I felt there was a need to check in more with you? That perhaps you needed more of a guiding hand during your transition back from London?” asked Drest, all smiles.

Rachael licked her lips. “You’re saying you want to label me a problem case so you can take me on a date?”

“Lots of dates, I hope,” he corrected.

“I don’t know. That seems kind of reckless,” she said. “Like we’d be begging for trouble. And what if other Hunters really end up thinking I’m a problem case? I’ve heard horror stories of what your kind have done to mine.”

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