Forsaking (Vampire Assassin League Book 26) (10 page)

“Oh, no. No. I forgot.”

“What did you forget, my dear?’ Akron asked her.

“The third ex-Missus Stimson. Her name is Susan, too. Oh! Oh! Bramwell! How could I have been so stupid?”

“You were not stupid, Miss O’Donnall. You were a necessary part of this. Wasn’t she, Bramwell?”

Bram hadn’t moved. He had a thunderstruck look on his face. Shock must have affected him a lot differently.

“Don’t you see? Bramwell! He’s not going to execute you! The assignment is for a forty-two year-old woman. Not the Susan I know.”

“You knew?” Bram’s voice was low and rumbling as he addressed his boss. “You knew I had the wrong assumption? And you still put me through hell?”

“You were willing to die rather than hurt a child, Bramwell. Lose your newfound love. Leave her to a lifetime of loneliness. Cease existing. And why? Because you needed to. That is what you required for your redemption. So. I gave it to you.”

“I…don’t know what to say.”

“You are a beautiful couple. Congratulations. I’d take her shopping if I were you, Bramwell. You two really need to update your style. Now. If you will excuse me, I’ve got a little drink to spike. A death to oversee. And then a flight back to New York. Good bye.”

He didn’t leave. He just dematerialized. Or something close. Marielle was looking open-mouthed at the desk where he’d been one moment, and the next he was gone. She felt like she’d just gone through the wringer on an old washing machine. Over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Passed through a hurricane. And somehow survived all of it unscathed.

Physically.

“Marielle?”

“Yes?”

“I truly don’t know what to say.”

“Your boss is an asshole.”

“That works.”

He snorted. And then he was laughing. And then he was spinning with her in his arms. They left the floor. She didn’t miss it. He didn’t have to tell her to hold on this time, either. She wasn’t going anywhere but with him.

Period.

-o0o-

Jackie Ivie lives in the enormous state of Alaska with her husband and three very spoiled pets.  She started her writing career writing hot highland historical romances for Kensington Publishing.  There are now ten “Clans series” books, available in seven languages.  Keeping her head in the clouds most of the time, Jackie now spends her time researching, developing, and writing her paranormal series – the Vampire Assassin League, as well as her other historical line – the Brocade Collection.

Jackie loves hearing from fans, who can contact her at
www.jackieivie.com
or
www.VampireAssassinLeague.com

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