One year later:
The screen door opened by itself. Tiny bare feet pattered across the porch and stopped. Don’t turn around. Don’t look. For God’s sake, don’t laugh. Mica will go ballistic.
Sticky fingers tugged at his hand. “Daddy, I did it!”
Killian allowed himself a fleeting moment of pride before scooping up his namesake and pressing him nose to nose. The boy giggled, but his father chided, “Killian, you know you aren’t allowed to do that. Someone might see you and get scared. We only use our powers when we are working. And you, my boy, are still wearing diapers. Toilet training is a job requirement. So knock it off!”
The small boy wasn’t impressed with his father’s scowl or his hard tone. He simply nodded seriously and pulled the smoky Ray Bans off of Killian’s nose.
“It’s getting worse, you know. You’re going to have to tell Grandpa Raphael,” Mica mused as she plopped down on the swing beside them.
“I’ve got it under control, babe. They’ll be fine.”
Three hours later, the grill was smoking, the music was playing, and the kids were screaming. The boys were one year old today. Their extended family had shown up to make sure they made it to year two. There were days when that was in doubt...Killian Leahy, Jr., Michael Declan Leahy, and Sean Raphael Leahy were currently careening across the lawn with Domino, Abby, and Monica in slow pursuit. Sean Michael shoved himself out of his mother’s arms and raced off to join his cousins.
Aisling turned to Sean and said, “You’ve totally corrupted him. All he wants to do is wrestle.”
Sean took a deep breath. He’d been learning anger management from Mica. Killian could practically hear his brother counting to ten before he answered his overprotective baby mama.
“Ais, you need to buy a parenting book. Boys like to wrestle. It’s how they learn to control their strength. Good Lord, woman, he’s Primani. Do you expect him to say he’s sorry after he whacks a demon?”
Flushing with anger, she opened her mouth to argue when Mica intervened. “Aisling, I know you’re only here for a few weeks, but I was hoping you’d come in and help me teach a few classes. I could really use your help; one of our instructors quit.”
Killian wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist and settled her butt against his lap. She was wearing a purple sundress that showed off her sexy shoulders and long legs. He was content to share her with the family for now, but he had plans for her later. Breathing in the citrusy scent of her hair, he stomped down the caveman urge to toss her over his shoulder and keep her busy for a while. Instead he sat back and enjoyed the perfection of the day. It just didn’t get any better than this.
Sean raised a bottle and winked at him as they listened to the women talk. Killian closed his eyes, and let the sound of their voices wash over him as his mind drifted. Life was good. Aisling had finally agreed to share custody with Sean, after Gabriel intervened, and had flown to New York to spend some time together. She was still living in England, but was thinking of moving closer. The past year had been good for her. She’d lost some of the chip on her shoulder and wasn’t as defensive. Mica and Dani had worn her down too. Flooding her with baby pictures and calling every week, they managed to make her like them in spite of herself. Withdrawn and private before, she chattered away with the other two women like they were old friends.
He caught the word ‘classes’ and his ears perked up again. What would Aisling say? Mica wanted Aisling to help with her classes in the studio she just opened. She’d barely made it home from the hospital before she picked up her workout routine again. She was as fit and strong as before she got pregnant. She’d shocked him by announcing she wanted to open a self-defense studio for women. He shouldn’t have been surprised. Had he expected her to stay home and be a wife and mother? Give up her powers?
Nah, not her style. Oh, she’d been a patient, caring mom so far, but he knew teaching women to defend themselves was a passion for her. She glowed like a torch every time someone asked her about it. No way would she let anything keep her from doing both. She’d be a mom and a business owner. Also a demon killer, when needed. That was his wife. She was just that talented. Naturally, Dani was all in as soon as she brought it up. Dani had been the one to come up with the marketing plan and made it her mission to go to the battered women’s shelters and jails to spread the word. Classes were brutal, but cheap; free if the girls were too broke to pay. They’d had the grand opening a month ago.
It was late afternoon when Mica elbowed him awake and snorted, “That girl’s got no sense. Look at her!”
Michael had curled up on her lap and dozed against her chest. He clutched a bit of her shirt in his chubby fist and jammed it in his mouth. Rafe was curled on Killian’s lap, his head lolling and pink mouth open in complete abandon. These boys slept like the dead. On the other hand, Mini Killian was still chasing Domino around the yard. The boy was like the Energizer Bunny. His heart swelled with pride. Black haired, blue eyed, and golden skinned, they were identical down to their fingernails. Although their appearances were identical, their personalities and temperaments were completely unique. Once you got to know them, it was impossible to mix them up. They were beautiful babies, just like he’d promised her.
Killian followed Mica’s finger and had to laugh. As soon as her parents drove away, Abby had cornered Dec and pinned him in place with one hand wrapped around his bicep. His back was pressed against a tree. He looked miserable. Her lips were angled towards his in a blatant invitation. Killian could practically feel the panic ebbing from the trees. Over the past six months, Abby had followed Dec around with a single purpose. She’d filled out nicely and was convinced he should notice. Dec got a haunted look in his eyes every time she came over. Right now, he swiveled around looking for help. Dani stood with arms crossed, pretending to ignore him--again. Dani was a slippery fish and he’d not reeled her in yet. Every time he tried to make something happen, she gave him an amused little smile and sashayed away. Judging by the frown on her pretty face right now though, she might be having second thoughts. Hmm, that was interesting.
Mica stood and handed the sleeping toddler to him. It was nap time for everyone. Brushing his lips over hers, he smiled at her startled glance. Since the boys were sleeping, he tugged her a little closer and deepened the kiss until she swayed against him.
“Come take a nap?” he purred with a hand roaming over her back.
“I’m not tired.”
“You will be.”
The crack of lightning shattered the moment and everyone jumped. Both boys snapped to attention and shoved at their parents’ hands to get down. Killian handed Rafe to Mica with a heavy sigh.
Well, shit.
“Daddy!”
Out in the sunny yard, his oldest son staggered with his little mouth hanging open in shock as the last remnants of electricity sparked across his fingertips.
He called the lightning.
He had no idea what to do with it.
####
A Note from Laurie
I write dark urban fantasy romance that blends the fast action and world building of urban fantasy with steamy sex, deep emotional connection, and strongly bonded characters. In my Primani series, the men lean toward alpha without the chest thumping and peeing on the doorposts. Powerful, ruthless, immortal, they’ve been known to take charge and show a woman a good time… sometimes for eternity! Between their wicked weapons and supernatural powers, they’ve got the demon problem under control--mostly.
When I’m not writing, I’m hanging out with friends, reading, or catching up on my “Supernatural” fix. I’ll be the first to admit to a fan girl obsession with Dean Winchester. There’s no way to deny it. It’s sad really. He’s my guilty pleasure… maybe with a glass of Jim Beam… and my spotted muse, Dalmatian Princess Domino.
Thank you so much for taking a chance on a new author! I write to create an escape. I hope I’ve done that for you. If you loved the books in The Lost Soul Trilogy, please consider wr
iting a review on your favorite sites. Reviews are so helpful to Indie authors!
Peace, Love, and Happily Ever After to You!
Books by Laurie Olerich
The Primani Series contains The Lost Soul Trilogy and stand-alone titles.
The Lost Soul Trilogy
Primani
Call the Lightning
Stone Angels
Stand-alone Titles
Broken Souls
Book 5 (Coming in Feb 2015)
Follow Laurie for the latest information on book releases and meet up with other fans!
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Bonus Material
Craving more Primani? Enjoy this taste of Broken Souls!
“HEY, YOU’RE AWAKE.” Moving slowly so he wouldn’t scare her, Dec leaned into her field of vision from a chair next to the bed.
His little mystery woman had been out for hours. Just now easing awake, she was disoriented and groggy. Intending to comfort her, he wrapped his fingers around her cold hand. Flinching like he’d shocked her, she jerked her hand away with a gasp.
“Sorry, sweetheart.”
Oops. He needed to dial it back some. Their saol did that to people if they didn’t rein it in before contact. She scooted against the headboard, eyes wide with fear and confusion. As they darted around the room, he got a good look at them. Cognac? No. Bourbon. Definitely bourbon. Her eyes were the shade of top shelf Kentucky bourbon. Tilted up at the corners, heavily lashed, with thick black rings around her pupils, they were stunning. Cheetah eyes. Beautiful and hypnotic. Exotic. He couldn’t look away. For the first time ever, he was speechless.
His eyes drifted over the rest of her face, taking in the pallor and dark circles. She frowned, shielding herself with the sheet as if it would protect her. Nothing could protect her from him. He could do anything he wanted. But he wouldn’t. He didn’t have it in him. Her vulnerability called to the warrior in him. He sensed her emotions as easily as he read her expression. She was scared, confused, and desperately trying to remember how she’d gotten here. He should say something… anything. He had a pretty speech all planned out until she opened her eyes and destroyed his ability to think.
She watched the man’s eyes linger on her face and tried to force her own expression to stay blank. Who was he? Where was she? When? Her mind raced in a mad scramble for information. This was not good. She wasn’t where she was supposed to be. How did she get here? This hadn’t happened before. She always woke up where she fell asleep. Glancing around the room, she searched for a clock or a calendar… anything with a date on it.
The Lost Soul Trilogy (Primani Book 5) Page 115