Mariana left her phone in place and poured two glasses of wine this time, taking one over to Raine on the sofa. “I owe you an apology.”
He took the glass. “Don’t worry about it.”
She gingerly touched his arm and waited until he turned to face her. “I’m very sorry I made light of your illness. Honestly, I thought you were lying. It all seems so bizarre.” But comparing the genetic illness to Huntington’s or Alzheimer’s did bring the reality home. “I don’t want you to die.”
His lip quirked. “Sorry. Now you have to be the one to pull the plug.”
She dropped her head. “I’m sorry.”
“I was just kidding. Don’t worry about it. I understand that it’s all crazy, and since I’m not telling you some details, I’m sure this doesn’t make sense. I don’t want to die, believe me. But I think I made the most of what time I was given.”
She set down her full wineglass. “What’s the treatment you don’t want to try?” If she was in the same boat, she’d probably try any treatment to stay alive, unless it was so horrible it wasn’t worth it.
He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I’m not going to use the treatment, so there’s no reason to discuss it.”
She leaned into him as one of the teams scored a goal and the crowd went nuts on the television. “Is the treatment painful? Experimental?”
He rubbed his knuckle along her jawline, sending nice tingles through her face. “Can we not discuss this any longer? I don’t like talking about any of this, and honestly, this is as open as I’ve been in a long while. Let’s just enjoy a few moments of wine and a game, and then we can get back to your case. I really do want to take this stalker out before I have to head home.” He turned to her, set an arm over her shoulders, and tugged her against him.
She stiffened for the briefest of seconds and then snuggled into his side. It felt right. They felt right. Why couldn’t she take time to explore this? “Please tell me about the treatments. Maybe there’s something I could do.”
His chest moved as he chuckled. “How about you just relax and enjoy the moment with me?” Then he leaned them both over and reclaimed her wine glass to set in her hand before settling back.
It wasn’t too much for him to ask. “Okay. One more question. You said the disease only affects male members of your family. Do you have any brothers and have they already gone through this?” She took a sip of the drink, her mind still reeling.
“Yeah. I have six brothers, and I’m the oldest. The disease has hit me first in this generation.” He kissed the top of her head and then kicked his legs out to relax. “My offer of sex as we work this case is still on the table.”
She choked on her wine even as her body perked right up.
The doorbell rang, and she jumped. “I’ll get it.”
“No.” He released her and set his wine down. “I’ve got it.” He stretched to his feet, appearing so healthy and virile that it hurt to look at him.
She peered over her shoulder at the door when he opened it and paused.
“Who are these from?” he asked.
Her stomach dropped, and she craned her neck to see better. A teenager handed Raine a bouquet of at least three dozen white roses.
The kid shrugged. “I’m just the delivery guy, but there is a card.”
Raine tipped him and then shut the door, looking at the roses. He tugged out a card and flipped it open. His jaw clenched.
“What does it say?” Mariana whispered.
He looked up, and his eyes burned a bright green. “It says: Mariana, I’m sorry our date was interrupted. I’ll see you soon.”
Chapter 7
Raine sensed the demoness before he saw her. After pacing the kitchen for about an hour, the hair on the back of his neck stood up. He paused and looked toward his bedroom. Sighing, he turned and walked inside the room, shutting the door. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Tabi sat on his bed, her legs crossed at the ankles of shiny boots. Her white-blond hair was wet from the rain, but a raincoat had been placed over the deckchair, so at least she wasn’t getting the bed wet. The window remained open to show the darkened night. “You smelled off earlier today, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.” Her black eyes appraised him. “You’re still off. Like an ill human. I’m confused.”
Well. All he needed was to deal with a confused and slightly crazy demoness. “Where’s your mate?” he asked, looking toward the darkened night.
“Right here.” Evan came into view through the window, standing right outside. “I was scouting the area and didn’t feel comfortable infiltrating your bedroom.” He gave his mate a look.
Raine couldn’t help the grin. “I appreciate the kindness, Evan. Want to tell me what your mate is doing on my bed?”
Tabi sighed. “What’s wrong with you? Vampires don’t get sick, and neither do demons, and yet…” She delicately sniffed the air and then her gaze pinpointed on his neck. “I’ll read your mind if I have to, but I’ll need to attack it to get in. Sure you want me to do that?”
Evan put his hand on the sill as rain dropped onto his hair. “There will be no demon mind attacks, Tabitha.”
The demoness pouted.
Raine smiled his thanks at his friend. Oh, it wasn’t as if Tabi had an obedient bone in her body. Rather, Evan had the ability to shield his mind and others from a mind attack, and apparently he was willing to do so for Raine. “I appreciate it. Sure am glad you mated the demoness here. How’s immortality going for you, E?” When an enhanced human mated an immortal, their chromosomal pairs increased to immortality. An enhanced human male was a feared anomaly because of the sudden strength and power.
Evan shrugged. “I feel better than I did as human, but I did accidentally break a window by sneezing the other day.”
Tabi sighed. “We’re keeping him under wraps to avoid the multitude of assassins that would come out of the woodwork. I swear, I had no idea it was so rare to find somebody like Evan. But we’re handling it, just like we’ll handle whatever is going on with you. Start talking, Raine.”
“Can’t. Blood oath,” he said quietly, knowing a demon would back off.
“Too bad. I can smell illness, and that makes zero sense,” she returned, power all but cascading from her. “I will fry your mind.”
Evan sighed. “No, you won’t. I already have him shielded, so stop pushing against my mind. It isn’t nice, Tab. If Raine wants privacy, we’re going to give it to him.”
Yep. Even as a deadly emerging immortal, the ex-cop was a good guy. Raine forced a smile. “I’m fine, Tabi. If and when I need help, I will call you immediately. Right now, I have to keep my vow of silence. Besides, there isn’t anything else you can do.” He glanced pointedly at his watch. “It’s after midnight, and I need sleep.” Mariana had gone to bed at least an hour or so before. “Thanks for visiting.”
Tabi crossed her arms over her chest. “I am not leaving until you tell us what’s going on.”
Raine didn’t want to fight with her, and he really didn’t want to take on Evan right now. “Later, Tabs. Give me some time.”