Read Compelled (Vampires in America #10.5) for Free Online Page A

to be serious about this, let’s just go. You can brief me on the way.” She started to open the driver’s side door on the Escalade, but he stopped her.
    “I’ll agree to the truck, but I’m driving.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I’m the man, darling.”
    She blew out a dismissive breath. “Neanderthal.”
    “It’s our honeymoon. I’ll let you drive when we’re old and gray.”
    “In your dreams.”
    THE BRILEY RESIDENCE was a few miles out of the city, a big, gray stone house surrounded by a large wooded lot, with a long, gravel driveway leading off the main road. Cyn glimpsed an enclosed sun porch on the back of the house, overlooking the woods and what was probably a natural water source—a pond or small lake. She figured they probably needed the enclosed porch to keep the mosquitoes from eating them alive during the summer. Or whatever.
    “Do they have mosquitoes in Kansas?” she asked Nick idly.
    “How the hell would I know?”
    She laughed. “Wasn’t that covered in sorcerer school? You know, bugs of the world or something?”
    “Sorcerer school? Are you probing, babe?”
    “You can’t blame me for being curious, babe. How many years did I know you, and not once did you mention the whole ancient sorcerer thing.”
    He shrugged. “It wasn’t really relevant. Did your vampire tell you his life’s history?”
    “In fact, he did.” She didn’t mention that it took months for Raphael to get around to it, and that it was after he nearly tore them apart.
    “Bully for him.” He pulled up in front of the Briley home and jammed the gearshift into park. “For this afternoon, you’re mine. Don’t forget it.”
    “Don’t worry about me. I may not be a professional liar like some people, but I can hold my own.”
    “When did I ever lie to you?” he demanded.
    “Oh, did you think I meant you?” she asked innocently.
    “Very funny. Come on, wife. Try to pretend like you love me.”
    She put her hand on his arm. “I do love you, Nick. I just wish I knew you better.”
    He stared at her hand on his arm, then lifted his gaze to meet hers. For a brief moment, she saw a terrible sadness in his whiskey-colored eyes, and then he grinned and it was gone. “I don’t think the dark and broody one would approve, darling.”
    She shook her head lightly. There was clearly a lot more to Nick than she’d ever known. But now wasn’t the time for a heart-to-heart between old lovers. They had a job to do.
    “Let’s do this,” she said. “What do I call you?”
    “Baby, darling, honey.”
    “Nick, I’m serious.”
    “Me, too,” he insisted then grinned. “Nick will do. There’s no reason not to use our real names. Nick and Cindy Clark.”
    “Why do I have to be Cindy? I hate that.”
    “Because Cyn is too unique. And it’s only for an hour or so.”
    “The things I do . . .”
    He laughed. “Yeah, this is a real sacrifice. Come on.”
    He met her in front of the Escalade and took her hand, squeezing slightly. Cyn felt . . . odd, holding another man’s hand, especially a man who’d once been her lover. But even she couldn’t object to the gesture. A real married couple would hold hands, especially a young couple on a trip they’d probably planned for a while. Maybe even a delayed honeymoon. Yeah, you’re probably overthinking this one, Cyn. She smiled slightly at the thought.
    Nick led her up the short walk to a tall set of wooden doors with cut-glass inserts. She could hear the doorbell as it sounded inside, and then footsteps before a woman’s voice called, “I’m coming.”
    Cyn shook her head at the woman’s response. Before she’d shacked up with Raphael, she’d barely answered her front door, and then only after verifying the visitor’s identity on her security video. If she didn’t know the person, she didn’t bother answering. And she sure as hell never announced her presence to strangers.
    The door opened to reveal a pleasant-looking woman of sixty or so, wearing dark