“Understood. I’ve known you long enough to know there’s no arguing with you.” Richard extended his arm, and Dominic gripped his forearm in the fashion of the Amoveo warrior. “Thank you, my friend.”
“Listen, I’m happy to fill in for you while you take sugar lips back to her pimp daddy,” Zachary said. “But I heard there’s a Guardian gig in Hawaii, and since I’m not a big fan of Montana winters, you better not get your sorry ass killed.”
Dominic let out a short laugh and shook his head, but his smile faded as Tatiana called to him from the barn. I’d like to connect with Obsidian now, but I’d feel better if you were here.
Of course. I’ll be there in a minute. Dominic shielded his mind from her after responding.
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t discuss this plan with Tatiana.” Dominic’s jaw set. “She’s already worried about Courtney, and she is going to connect with one of the horses, so the last thing I want is for her to be distracted. I’ll tell her about the plan, but I’d like to do it on my terms.”
They all nodded, but Daniella let out a snort of derision.
“Zachary,” Richard said without looking at Daniella. “Please take the prisoner into the house but keep her confined to the kitchen. I find her to be… irritating.”
“No problem, chief.” Zachary nudged Daniella toward the house.
“Dominic, let me know what happens with Tatiana and her attempt to connect with the horses. To be honest, I’m hoping the Purists were responsible for what happened to Spirit. The idea of worrying about the Caedo as well doesn’t thrill me,” Richard said. “In the meantime, Malcolm and Eric will patrol the property. Layla and William will watch over Courtney and Steven, while Dante and Kerry are available to help Tatiana. I will leave for a while to visit with Salinda and the others in New York.”
“Richard,” Malcolm added. “I’d like to expand the patrols farther into the mountains if you don’t mind. When we were there yesterday, I believe I picked up remnants of another signature, but I’d like to go back and double-check. It may only have been an echo of the Purists who attacked yesterday, but I’d like to be certain.”
“Of course. I trust all of you to do whatever is necessary.” Richard slapped him on the shoulder and handed his gun to Eric. “I won’t need this, and I doubt the vampires would appreciate it if I came into their territory armed.”
Richard uttered the ancient language and vanished in a rush of static electricity.
“I’ll be in the barn with Tatiana,” Dominic said. “I’ll let you know if she discovers anything else.”
“You want backup?” Eric asked. “Malcolm can handle patrol on his own for a while.”
“No.” Dominic shook his head but kept his gaze fixed on the barn. “You two do as the prince asked and patrol the property. Eric, why don’t you cover the main area, and Malcolm, you can shift into your eagle and get a broader view from the air.”
“You got it, boss.” Eric gave a small salute and headed down the gravel drive toward the cabins.
“Eric,” Dominic shouted. “Don’t keep information from me again. We’re a team, but we can’t do that if everyone’s not on the same page.”
Eric said nothing but nodded and waved as he went on his way.
“He was quite concerned about you and Tatiana,” Malcolm added quietly. “It has to be challenging for him, Dominic. He’s still unmated, and I’m sure he offered you the same space he would undoubtedly want for himself when the time comes.”
“He thinks it’s a challenge now?” Dominic scoffed and gave Malcolm a knowing look. “Wait until he finds his mate, then he’ll really know what a challenge is.”
“Truer words were never spoken.” Malcolm laughed loudly and slapped Dominic on the arm before handing him his rifle. “I won’t be taking this with me on my flight.”
Dominic took the rifle and slung it over his shoulder as Malcolm spread his arms wide, tilted his face to the sky, and whispered, “Verto.” Dominic watched as the air shimmered, and Malcolm shifted into the form of his golden eagle. He screeched loudly, and his yellow eyes glowed brightly as he stretched his wings wide, showing off an impressive six-foot wingspan.
Dominic gave him a look of approval as Malcolm pumped his enormous, bronze wings and shot into the sky like a bullet. He watched as his friend soared across the pale blue sky.
Don’t worry, Dominic. Malcolm’s voice, strong and steady, filled his head and put him at ease. I’ll keep you posted. He knew that between Eric and Malcolm, the property would be well-watched, and both men would spring into action without needing to be told what to do.
As he walked toward the barn, he glanced back over his shoulder, but Eric was no longer in sight, and one thing nagged at him. This was the first time Eric kept information from him, and Dominic wondered if there was more to it than he let on.
Did Eric really want to give him and Tatiana space, or did he question Dominic’s effectiveness? He stopped outside the stables as that sense of impending dread crawled up his back. Was it possible that Eric and the others believed he was no longer suitable to serve as Guardian?
Chapter 11
Tatiana sensed Dominic the instant he was nearby and found herself comforted. She smiled at him as he strode through the open doors of the stable, and her heart skipped a beat. Wearing his usual ensemble of a black T-shirt, camo pants, and boots, he was all muscle, bone, and sinew as he stalked toward her.
The man’s face was a mask of chiseled concentration, and he had a predatory look in his eye that made her wet and wanting. Images of his perfectly sculpted male body wrapped around hers flooded Tatiana’s mind. Blood rushed to her cheeks as memories from last night came roaring to life.
Dominic’s lovemaking had been both tender and savage. Driving her to tears with achingly gentle kisses one minute and then devouring her with unrestrained passion the next. His tanned, well-muscled arms that had been tangled up with her in bed were now draped with not one but two guns.
Tatiana’s smile faltered as the dichotomy of who Dominic was came vividly to life.
This man, who could be heartbreakingly tender, touch her and cherish her as though she was made of the finest china, was also a stone-cold killer. He was a predator capable of destroying his enemies in the blink of an eye. Any doubt about how dangerous he could be was extinguished when she watched him destroy the Purist in the mountains.
In that instant, she realized something as powerful as it was frightening. She was enamored with the sensitive, vulnerable man who snuggled babies, made her midnight breakfast, and bared his soul to her. However, she was also instinctively and irrevocably attracted to the dangerous, feral beast that would kill to keep her safe.
Man and beast. Lover and killer.
Tatiana desired both sides She didn’t simply desire him—she respected him. Maybe she even…
“The horses seem better.” Kerry’s voice snapped her from her thoughts. “Only one of them—Dover, the young stallion—hasn’t gotten his appetite back, at least not as much as the others. So, does this mean you’ll leave us soon and head to Oregon?”
“What?” Tatiana asked without taking her eyes off Dominic, who had stopped to speak with Dante. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” She laughed and looked back at Kerry, embarrassed she might have known what she was thinking.
“Are you going back to Oregon?” Kerry asked gently. Her large dark eyes crinkled at the corners as she adjusted her long, black ponytail. “Or might you be persuaded to relocate here?”
Tatiana’s heart thudded in her chest as the reality of that question hit her. She was going to have to choose. Either go home to Oregon or stay here with Dominic?