by Donna Grant
“We’ll come to check on you when we can.” He scratched at his cheek, longing for a shave. “However, the Moonstone pack have promised to keep an eye on you, too.”
Minka glanced inside the door to the couch that Addison slept on. “What about y’all? What happens now? We both know Delphine won’t give up. There are plenty of witches around for her to use.”
“No,” he replied with a weary sigh. “She won’t give up, but I’m hoping the other factions saw us working with the witches. That could go a long way in convincing the others to join us in defeating Delphine.”
“Watch out for my coven. They can’t be trusted.”
“Isn’t that said of all witches?” he teased.
There was no smile on her face. “And keep a close eye on Addison.”
“You don’t have to worry.” He looked inside, his gaze locking on his woman. “I wasn’t looking to find someone, and then she walked into my life. Now, I can’t live without her.”
“Then don’t. You two have something special, something most crave with every fiber of their being.” Minka pushed away from the railing. “Now, get in there and let her know you’re all right.”
Myles chuckled, but took her advice and walked into the house. He sat on the edge of the couch, marveling at his woman. He lifted a lock of champagne blond hair and twirled it around his finger.
Addison cracked open one eye and saw Myles. She sat up and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “You’re alive. You’re really alive.”
He held her firmly. “I’m alive.”
“I thought I’d lost you.”
“For a moment there, I thought I was gone.”
She sniffed and buried her head in his neck. “That was the scariest night of my life.”
Myles pulled back and cupped her face in his hands. “Addison, I love you with every ounce of my being, but this is my life. I risk it all every night -”
“I know.”
“-to help those that need it. If it’s too much-”
“It’s not.”
“-then I understand. There isn’t just the hunting, it’s also my family being werewolves. And lest we forget, there’s Delphine.”
“Are you listening to me?” Addison demanded as he pulled his hands away. “I know it’s dangerous. I know this is your life. I know you’re a werewolf, and that if we ever have children, they will be, as well. I know there’s Delphine, and vampires, witches, djinn,, and demons. I know all of it, and I still remain beside you.”
He stared at her for a full minute.
Addison shook her head as she looked up at him. “You saved my life. You saved Minka’s life. How many people have you and your family saved, Myles?”
“I don’t know,” he said with a shrug.
“You bear a curse not of your doing. That in itself is amazing,” she said. “But then you go the extra mile and protect the Quarter, at the peril of your own life. I know what’s out there now. I’ll never look at the Quarter the same again, but knowing you and your brothers are there to protect as many as you can makes me smile.”
He was the luckiest bastard to ever walk the earth. Myles kissed her hard and quick. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
“Good,” she said with a wicked smile. “It’s taken you long enough.”
“I can be a little slow at times, but I eventually come around.”
“Hm,” Addison said as she smoothed her hands down his chest. “I think I’d like to see more of your place.”
“I can make that happen.”
Riley made a noise at the back of her throat. “Yes, please do. You’re making all of us sick with this love talk.”
Myles looked over and saw all three of his brothers standing behind Riley and Minka. Addison blushed and dropped her head onto Myles’s shoulder as everyone laughed.
Today was a good day. The LaRues learned to grasp each one tightly because they never knew when the next might come around.
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later…
Two hours before opening, Addison was laughing as she and Myles came out of the kitchen at Gator Bait. She had moved into Myles’s place, and though he asked her every day to marry him, she had yet to say yes. She was going to. She just wanted a little more time with him. Everything had happened so fast, but she had no doubt she was meant to be his.
“So you stole the materials out of Tulane and learned to be an accountant that way?” she asked in disbelief.
Myles set the box of rum on the bar and shrugged. “We’d just bought the bar, and each of us had our jobs. I’ve always liked numbers, just not school. Plus, I didn’t want to put a strain on my brothers by going to college.”
“How do you know you’re not screwing things up?” she asked as she took a bottle of rum from his hand and climbed the stool to stock it on a shelf.
“I hire a CPA every few years to double check me.”
She raised a brow. “So you’re that smart.”
“He was asked to join Mensa,” Solomon shouted from the kitchen.
Addison gaped at him. “Mensa? Seriously? The International High IQ Society?”
Myles shrugged and handed her another two bottles.
“Tell me again why you haven’t gone back and gotten your degree?” she asked.
“Not interested. It’d be repeating things.”
“Yes, but you’d actually have your degree.”
“That’s what you’re for.”
She paused in setting the last bottle in place. Then she slowly looked at him. “What?”
He grabbed her by the waist and swung her to the ground. Keeping his hands on her, Myles brought her against him. “You’ve got one year left. Let me help you finish. We can do the accounting together.”
It was in her nature to refuse any handouts, and yet this wasn’t a handout. This was from the man she loved, the man she would spend the rest of her life with. How could she refuse him?
“Don’t answer now,” he said when she hesitated. “Think it over.”
Addison rose up on her toes and kissed him. “I love you, Myles LaRue.”
“And I love you, Addison Moore, though that should be Addison LaRue.”
She laughed as they kissed again. They were interrupted by a throat clearing.
Addison turned her head to see a man with dark hair and bright blue eyes. She didn’t need to be told this was a Chiasson. She could see the resemblance between him and Riley.
“Myles,” the man said with a smile.
Myles was smiling, his head cocked to the side. “Well, I’ll be damned. If it isn’t Beau Chiasson.”
The two met at the end of the bar and clapped each other on the back in a quick embrace. Addison saw the way Beau looked around and how Myles watched him.
“What brings you to town?” Myles asked.
Beau started to answer when he turned his head toward the kitchen and saw Solomon, Court, and Kane walking out.
Addison walked to Myles and linked her hand with his. In her weeks at Gator Bait, she had come to value Riley’s friendship. Riley was still finding her way, and Addison didn’t intend to let any of Riley’s family – including the LaRues – force Riley to return to Texas.
“Riley,” Beau finally answered. “I’ve come for Riley.”
Kane crossed his arms over his chest. “Why do you think she’d come here?”
“Where else would she go?” Beau answered with a crooked smile. “Look, I just want to know she’s all right. Vin is losing his mind, and Linc is ready to start scouring Louisiana for her. Christian is in Austin hoping that’s where she’s at, but I know Riley the best. She was hurt.”
“Damn straight I was,” Riley said as she came out of the back.
Beau let out a relieved sigh. “Thank God you’re all right.”
“I’m not going back,” Riley stated.
Beau held up his hands. “I’m not here to make you. I intended to, but Davena set my ass straight quick enough. We did yo
u wrong, Riley. Vin isn’t ready to admit that, but it’s the truth. Take whatever time you need before you return to Texas.”
Riley rolled her eyes. “Did you not hear me? I’m not going back. I’ve no need to return to Texas, dumbass. I’ve already graduated!”
Addison had to turn away to keep from laughing at Beau’s dumbfounded expression.
“You really fucked up there, cuz,” Court told Beau.
Beau ignored him and walked to Riley. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “I’m sorry, sis. Let me make it up to you?”
“How?” she asked.
“I won’t tell them I found you. Call tomorrow and let Vin know things are fine.”
Riley was shaking her head before he finished. “No, Vin and Linc will look for me.”
“You have my word they won’t. Olivia is still angry with Vin, and she won’t let him force you to do anything. As for Lincoln, he’s not about to do anything to upset Ava again.”
Riley stared at him a moment before she sniffed and discreetly wiped at her eyes. “Since you’re here, you might as well stay and eat. Where is Davena? I wanted to meet her?”
“She wasn’t ready to come to New Orleans just yet after her last run in with Delphine,” Beau said as he took a stool at the bar.
Myles glanced at Addison. “She should get ready to do so.”
Beau’s eyes hardened. “What’s happened?”
The rest of the LaRues sat around Beau and began to recount everything. Addison watched it all with interest. If she was going to be a LaRue, it meant the Chiassons were also part of her family.
“What are you smiling at?” Myles whispered in her ear.
“The fact that I’ve gone from an only child to having an entire family.”
Myles turned to look at her. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Yes,” she said with a smile.
Myles let out a whoop and gathered Addison in his arms. “We’re getting married!” he shouted.
The two were swarmed by Riley, Solomon, Court, Kane, and Beau congratulating them. Addison couldn’t take her eyes from Myles. He was her best friend, her lover, her soon-to-be husband, and her werewolf.
Life couldn’t get any better.
Look for the next story in the Chiasson/LaRue series with MOON THRALL – Coming February 9, 2015!
Until then, read on for the sneak peek at HOT BLOODED, the fourth book in the Dark King series out December 30, 2014…
Dreagan Industries
June
Laith leaned back in the chair with his hands behind his head as he looked around Constantine’s office. There were only a handful of Dragon Kings in the large room. Some were on various missions regarding the Dark Fae, Ulrik, and others that only Con knew about.
Still other Kings were on the sixty thousand acres of Dreagan property tending to livestock, overseeing their famous Dreagan whisky, and patrolling their borders. Because even though their dragon magic kept most humans and other beings out, some still tried to gain entrance.
As a race of shape-shifting immortals who had been around since the dawn of time, the Dragon Kings weren’t without their share of enemies. And the list kept growing as the months went by.
Each King was powerful in his own right or he would never have been chosen to rule his dragons, but there was one who was King of Kings—Constantine.
Con with his surfer boy golden blond hair and soulless black eyes could be a cold son of a bitch. He did what was necessary, regardless of who was hurt, in order to keep the secret of Dreagan from leaking to the humans.
While turning the gold dragon-head cuff links at his wrist, Con sat patiently behind his desk staring at a file folder while everyone took their seats.
“What’s up?” Ryder leaned over to whisper before promptly taking a bite of a jelly-filled donut.
Laith shrugged. It could be anything, and he learned long ago not to try and guess what was going on in Con’s head or try to figure out Con’s thinking when he did something. The fact Con wouldn’t look up from the folder meant that whatever was inside was troubling indeed.
Kellan was the last to enter Con’s office. After a quick look around, Kellan closed the door behind him. The Keeper of the History remained as he was, leaning against the door instead of taking a chair.
Another sign that something bad had happened. Laith took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Besides Ryder, Con, and Kellan there was Rhys, Warrick, Hal, and Tristan. Everyone looked at ease. Except for Rhys.
There was something going on with his friend, but so far Rhys hadn’t shared it with anyone. The lines of strain around Rhys’s mouth said that whatever bothered him was taking a hard toll.
Rhys ran a hand through his long dark hair, his gaze meeting Laith’s. A heartbeat later, Rhys’s gaze skated away. Laith scratched his chin, the two-day’s growth of beard itching, as he considered how hard to push to get Rhys to tell him—or someone—what was wrong.
“Come on, Con,” Tristan said as he bent a leg to set his ankle atop his knee. “Stop stalling. Why did you call us in here?”
Con’s black eyes slowly lifted to meet Tristan’s. He let the silence lengthen before Con leaned forward and stabbed a finger on the file folder. “This.”
“And what is that?” Hal’s voice was calm, but as one of six Kings who had taken mates, he was anything but. His gaze was riveted on Con, his bearing anxious and worried.
Con sighed and got to his feet. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his navy slacks. “I’d hoped we would have a reprieve. I’d hoped that Kiril and Shara would have more time to themselves being newly mated.”
“For the love of all that’s holy, spit it out,” Ryder stated, unable to wait any longer.
A muscle in Con’s jaw jumped. “John Campbell was found dead this morning.”
Everyone stilled, their faces expressing shock, surprise, and disbelief as Con’s words penetrated. No one said a word as they comprehended what John’s death meant to Dreagan.
Laith closed his eyes, feeling remorse for John’s death. The Campbells had owned the fifty acres bordering Dreagan for countless generations. It began shortly after the war with the humans, once the Kings sent the dragons to another realm. There was a doorway onto Dreagan, it was hidden, but could be used by their enemies. Since no Dragon King’s magic could touch the area around the doorway, it became apparent that they would have to trust a human to do it for them.
The Campbells, one of the few groups of humans who didn’t wage war on Dreagan stepped forward. And so the watch of the Campbells had begun.
Only the head of the family, the one responsible for ensuring no one accidentally stumbled upon the doorway, knew the secret of Dreagan and what it was being guarded. It continued in that vein for thousands of years through wars and invasions. The Campbells kept the Dragon Kings’ secret, and the Kings, in turn, protected them.
How Laith was going to miss John’s laughter and his jokes. John hadn’t just protected Dreagan, he’d become a friend.
“Who’s going to guard the land?” Laith asked.
Kellan glanced at Con. “John has a daughter, Iona.”
“That’s right. I forgot about her,” Rhys said.
Hal frowned as he sat forward and rested his arms on his legs. “She’s been gone for a while, aye?”
“A verra long while,” Con said. “Twenty years in fact.”
Laith shifted to get comfortable in the chair. “John often talked of Iona. He showed me her photographs when he’d come into the pub. For as long as I knew him, and as often as we chatted, he never told me what happened with his wife.”
Con stood and walked behind his tall chair, leaning his arms upon the back. “One of John’s responsibilities was to remain on the land.”
“He remained when his wife left and took Iona,” Hal said softly.
Laith shifted his gaze back to Con. “He could’ve left for that.”
“He took his oath to us seriously,” Kellan explain
ed. “To help with the pain of his loss, he buried himself in his writing after that.”
Warrick nodded slowly. “He was an excellent writer.”
“That he was.” Con looked at the file folder again.
Laith dropped his arms to his lap. “What’s in the file, Con? If it was only a matter of ensuring his daughter take up her father’s duties, we wouldna been called here.”
“Iona stepping into her duties is another matter entirely. I’ll get to that in a moment. What’s in the folder is a report. John didna die by natural causes,” Con said as he locked his gaze on Laith’s. “He was murdered.”
Thank you for reading Moon Kissed. I hope you enjoyed it! If you liked this book – or any of my other releases – please consider rating the book at the online retailer of your choice. Your ratings and reviews help other readers find new favorites, and of course there is no better or more appreciated support for an author than word of mouth recommendations from happy readers. Thanks again for your interest in my books!
Donna Grant
www.DonnaGrant.com
Want to stay informed of new releases and special subscriber-only exclusive content?
Be sure to visit
www.DonnaGrant.com
and sign up for Donna’s private email newsletter!
Don’t miss these other spellbinding novels by
DONNA GRANT
LaRue Series
Moon Kissed
Chiasson Series
Wild Fever
Wild Dream
Wild Need
Rogues of Scotland Series
The Craving
The Hunger
Dark King Series
Dark Heat (3 novella compilation)