n her belly, Isabelle rubbed at the little one trying to

thunder started in the distance, setting her psychic te

t, Jasper agreed. "No, I don't like any of this either, but I don't

nemy coming up before them, she rolled

soon, baby. We're stuck with that smart mouth for at least another decade. Shit! That boy

poked him in his side. "Don't make

her to walk through. "I know, baby. I'm scared too, but if we c

den door of the Idrissi mansion, he used the

w. "Watch your tongues tonight, children. It isn't acceptable in their cultu

shook her head at the idea of being controlled. "Well, that's just great! I'm not eve

the sky. "This is a mistake. That child's never been able to keep her mo

rm. "Not another word, young lady. You might have your father wrapped around your finger,

t could bring an abrupt halt to her mouth, but she knew better than to find herself

ddy glanced over at her. 'That nose wiggling thi

ancient creatures tried to wiggle their way loose in

and the ominous static of his aura seeped out b

room with dark marble flooring and Grecian statues. It was a bit vulgar

he joined her in admiring his things.

lips as she glanced up to him and nodded. "T

s arm around his shoulder. "Rafik, perhaps you would like to spend some t

ast, Rafik held out his hand to her

d around them, the rush of joy shot through her veins, and she

the palpable uneasiness rising inside his gut.

es, Omar shook his head no. "They're out ha

et moved as fast as they could. The impending storm swirled around them as he r

and slid his fingertips down her cheek, aching to sample her

her and peeled his hand from her cheek. "

er and took her hands in his. He wanted to say so many things to her, but they would have to wa

't sounding like much fun, so she stepped back and

o do what was right, but as she stood

particularly her mate, had immunity. Trying to convince himself of his ability to d

her eyes studied his face. "What in t

ed her into his chest again as the reason tonight was so important c

he placed her hand on his chest. "Someday, w

s worried mind and solidified h

osed her eyes and let go of every doubt she had about their union, she flinched when his lips took hers. He started ge

ste of love is always the best

rs. Needing to prepare her for what awaited them, Rafik breathed against her

intuition, she nodded her approval

nd his father's voice, Rafik left he

him in the garden, he held her hand as they walk

ave a warm, toothy grin. "Well, I suppo

oy's stony demeanor sent warnings through his mind. Fearing that negotiations may fall apart

riefly before taking Jasper's

glad that the two of you found each other early. It took me

ry danger in the world, causing Teddy to snicker to himself quietly. Rafik wore the bright, glowing aura of a peace

afik and Tessa slowly followed behind, savoring

e remains of his garden kisses were still sweet when she licked them from her mouth and thought back to

fik wiped a tear from his eye and smiled as he tried to fight away the voic

re pang of guilt dripped into her chest. Her eyes dropped to th

nto his side. "Don't be sorry. Other than y

scorted her to her seat beside Teddy, and

er nose as she tried to avoid touching it. He

ntently at Jasper as he spoke with hi

of her dessert and shot one of her mother's evil eyes his way. His hands trembled agains

ced at her, and the terror in hi

n the hundred wicked voices whispered the bitter truth to her, her hand slid down to

s together and held o

shed to the top of Isabelle's round belly. One last breath left h

r faced his children, and the dark red stream fell from hi