Victor remained in the office for several more minutes, focusing on the information Clarence had passed on and attempting to calm himself before returning to Kimber. He had to appear calm and in control because he knew she would pick up on it if he wasn’t. Staring out the window toward Central Park he allowed himself to bask in the feelings that she brought forth in him: inner peace, happiness, and love. If he focused on those he was certain he could mask the fear that was battling away inside him.

He wanted, no . . . craved to go on the hunt for the person who dared to be a danger to the person he loved with every fiber of his being. He longed to find this cocksucker and tear him limb from limb before finally ripping his heart from his chest and stuffing it down his throat. That option wasn’t on the table, however, so he had to appear as if nothing were amiss and play things cool. He’d have to put his best game face on and make Kimber think their impromptu trip wasn’t due to anything other than his wanting to take her somewhere he thought she’d love.

The fact that she would love where they were going was moot. The only thing Victor cared about was the defensibility of the property and the point that there was nothing for many miles around it. They could blow the entire area to kingdom come and nobody would be any the wiser and that’s just what he was counting on. It would give him and his men free reign to do whatever was necessary to keep his Bloodmate safe and wreak bloody vengeance on anyone who sought to do her harm.

Cracking his neck, he strode to the door, pasting a smile on his face as he opened it and walked out, just in case Kimber was nearby. She wasn’t. He found her still in the kitchen being fed by Nellie, laughing as the old Fae regaled her with tales of her youth. He had to admit the old woman had led a merry life before she’d come to live with him, Kimber’s eyes streaming with tears because she was laughing so hard.

“Victor,” Kimber jumped up, rushing toward him, “is everything all right?”

“Yes, darling,” Victor wrapped her in his arms, patting her back. “Clarence was just giving me a report on Skotall and the details were rather gruesome. He didn’t want to upset you, that’s all.”

She looked up, the skin between her eyebrows puckering, and her eyes looking unsure of his answer. “Hmm, are you sure that’s all it was? He looked pretty upset to me and I’m not entirely convinced that’s what he was here about.”

“Collins is a Brit, baby, he gets upset at talking about those sorts of things in front of a lady.” Victor looked over at Nellie. “Isn’t that right?”

Nellie glared at him for a moment before relenting. “He’s very old too, from an age where ladies swooned at the sight of blood or if a man so much as said the word damn.”

“Really?” Kimber turned to Nellie for affirmation and when she did Victor gave her a quick nod to continue.

“Yes, really.” Nellie turned to the sink but carried on talking. “Clarence is a typical gentleman who wouldn’t discuss such things in front of you, Kimber. He still holds to times when these things are only talked of with men so the women aren’t distressed.”

“Man, that’s just so old fashioned and wrong,” Kimber grumbled as she swiveled back to Victor. “Did Skotall give anything useful up?”

“No, not really. He’s a lowlife and not got much of a brain. You could tell that with the company he kept . . . couldn’t you?”

“Well, yeah, but he managed to track me down and corner me in the park.” Kimber looked thoughtful for a moment before cocking her head to the side. “He wasn’t utterly useless because I’ve been on my own for a long time and I know how to cover my tracks. I have no idea how he found me here in New York. I had a job and was settled for a few months and then he turned up out of the blue. It’s strange how he tracked me down. As you say he’s not that bright so how did he manage it?”

Victor leaned down, covering her mouth with his as he realized he’d made a huge error. Causing her to actually think of how things had played out instead of just trying to make her forget about Collins and Skotall. Sinking his tongue between her lips, he pulled her tight against his body, allowing his hands to drop and cup her ass. Her breathing picked up, her heart beating wildly in her chest before a loud cough interrupted them.

Kimber reluctantly broke contact, her face flushed and her eyes full of desire as Nellie chuckled. “You want a tray of food to go?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Victor replied. “We’ve got to pack, as do you. We’re going to the lake house for a while. I want to show it to Kimber. I think she’ll love it. Don’t you, Nellie?”

“What?” Kimber asked, looking confused and a little shell shocked. “We’re going on a trip? When did you decide that?”

“Earlier when we were in the pool.” He winked down at her. “You love the water and that property sits right on the edge of a beautiful lake and at this time of year, it’s at its best. It’s not too hot, in fact it’s just right and it’s in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by forest and nature. I thought you could show me your Dragon there . . . if you want to that is?”

He was being underhand and he knew it. Using her Dragon against her, he hated himself for doing so but he had to get her mind off the reason for him just announcing their impromptu vacation. And it appeared it was working, her eyes sparkling brightly as she grinned up at him. “Is it okay for me to shift there?”

“Sure is, baby. There’s nothing for miles and miles all around my place and you can even fly if you want to.” Victor’s stomach clenched, feeling like a heel for his deception. It was the last thing he wanted between them but he’d do whatever it took to keep her safe and he was sure that New York wasn’t the place to do that. There were too many variables he couldn’t control here, too many humans in the mix that made it dangerous . . . for them and Kimber.

“That would be wonderful. I’ve not managed to shift for ages and I’d love to show you . . . but don’t be disappointed. I’m not big in Dragon form, nothing like my brother was, but I can still burn your ass if you make any jokes.”

He couldn’t help chuckling at her threat, chucking under her chin. “I’ll remember that but I’d never joke about seeing your Dragon, darling. I can’t wait to see it. I bet it’s glorious and beautiful. Just like you.”

Her cheeks blushed as she grabbed onto the front of his robe. “Thank you. When do we leave?”

“This evening, but Flint will be here soon to put your tag in. I don’t want you leaving without that in place. The property is huge and if you get lost I want to be able to locate you.”

“Oh, I’d forgotten about that.” She nibbled her lip. “It won’t hurt too much, will it?”

Nellie answered as she passed by, “No, honey, just a quick nip and it’s over with. I’ll see you two later. I’ll go and get packed. I assume the house will be stocked for our arrival?”

Victor gave her a nod. “Of course. It’s all taken care of. There’ll be the usual donor blood for the men and plenty of food for the Wolves that’ll be coming along.”

“Thank goodness,” Nellie retorted. “They can also go out hunting and bring me back some game.”

“You can give them your orders when we arrive,” Victor told her as she left.

“Don’t you worry. I will,” she threw over her shoulder before she disappeared.

“So, are you ready to go and pack?” Victor asked.

Kimber grinned up at him. “Yes. How are we getting there?”

“My jet will be ready and waiting. I have a strip about a mile from the property and then it’s a short drive. We’ll be there in time for your supper.”

She jumped back, her eyes wide and excited. “A jet? A private jet? Well, damn! That’s going to be a first for me.”

“It might be the first time, Kimber, but it won’t be the last, so get used to it.” Victor held out his hand. “You’re my Bloodmate and wherever I go, you do too, and I don’t fly commercial.”

“Shit!” Kimber linked her fingers with his. “I might get used to this.”

“You better.” He smiled. “It’s the only way you’ll travel from now on. Let’s go and pack. If we hurry we might have time for a swim before we leave.”

Kimber’s eyes sparked with desire as she followed him. “That sounds like a great idea to me.”

“Me too.” He squeezed her hand, already fantasizing about what they could get up to in the pool before they had to leave.