Read Night Huntress 02.5 - Happily Never After for Free Online Page B

imagining it was hers instead and wondering how she tasted.
     
    Isa stopped next to her vehicle. Instead of letting her arm go, Chance held on and faced her.
     
    She met his eyes—and quickly looked away. "No luck on, ahem, speaking with Robert?"
     
    "No. He's meeting with several guests who flew in this morning. They're staying at his house and they have their own entourage of guards as well, so it's not an opportune time."
     
    "Probably the Salucci brothers," Isa murmured. "They're another lovely criminal family vying for that oh-so-coveted 'made man' status. They're rivals of Robert's, too, if what I've overheard about them is true. I don't know why they'd stay with him. They don't like each other."
     
    "Probably because to refuse is to admit fear, and then that gives Robert the upper hand. Don't worry. I listened in on them and they'll be gone tomorrow. That means tomorrow night, I'll have my talk with Robert."
     
    Isa shivered. "So many things could go wrong…"
     
    "They won't," Chance said.
     
    She gave him a jaded look. "Sure, you managed to get me to perch on your lap like a kid visiting Santa, but doing that and getting a mobster to spill his secrets is worlds apart. Not to mention that you're the one with the greatest threat of repercussions if you failed. Robert might make things unpleasant for me or Frazier if you can't pull off your hocus-pocus routine, but he'll kill you. You know that, right? Really, I don't understand why you're doing this to begin with."
     
    "I told you it was a matter of honor," Chance replied.
     
    A sharp bark of laughter escaped Isa . "Honor. Who knew anyone still cared about that nowadays?"
     
    Chance didn't reply. Yes, it was true honor was an undervalued commodity according to modern human standards, but in the vampire community, it still had strong merit. Bones had asked him for a favor and Chance had promised to grant it. That meant whatever the risks, he'd take them.
     
    Of course, since he'd spent time with Isa , he knew he'd take those same risks regardless of his sire. He felt drawn to her in ways he hadn't felt for anyone in a long time. In order to see where it led, there were a lot worse dangers Chance would take on than a spoiled-brat mobster.
     
    "I wanted to thank you," Isa said at last, meeting his eyes squarely. "Guess I never have gotten around to doing that. You're taking a huge risk, and whatever your reasons, I really appreciate it."
     
    He smiled. "You're more than welcome, Isabella."
     
    Chance heard her heart begin to thump with an irregular, advanced rhythm. Her gaze flicked to his lips—and stayed there.
     
    His hand was still on her arm. There was less than a foot between them. Isa shivered, but it wasn't cold out. No, the luxuriant new scent drifting from her said she was feeling anything but cold at the moment.
     
    Chance's hand tightened on her arm as he moved closer. Now there wasn't a foot between them, but mere inches. Her pulse sped up even more as he leaned down.
     
    Right before his mouth brushed hers, however, Isa turned her head. Chance didn't follow the movement, but let his lips caress her cheek instead. So soft and warm. It was all he could do to keep his tongue from flicking out and tasting her.
     
    Isa gave a shaky laugh. "I must be really tired. Here I am, engaged to Robert Mini-Mob Bertini , and yet about to make out with a virtual stranger in a public place. For my next idiotic trick, maybe I'll call Robert and dare him to kill Frazier."
     
    Chance's fingers played with the skin on her arm. "Is being in a public place your only objection? Because that can be remedied."
     
    Another sweet wave of scent came off her even as she backed away.
     
    "I-I have to go," Isa stammered, not answering his question. "You'll call me after you speak with Robert, right?"
     
    Chance made no move to stop her. He just stared at her as she got into her car and shut the door a little too hard.
     
    "I'll speak to you as soon as I'm done with