Their abductor lashed the chain tightly to a wooden perch, which stood next to Samantha’s cage. After some resistance, Malcolm eventually settled onto the perch. He pulled at the chain tied to his leg, but that only got a bigger chuckle from their captor.
“Keep pulling on that chain, Malcolm. You’ll rip your own leg off.” The Punisher stepped back and admired the menagerie that had been collected so far. “Not that I really care,” their enemy said with a rather dismissive wave and turned around to survey the room once more. “Very nice. You see everything is going as planned this time. The binding powder has worked as promised. It will keep you bound in your clan form without any of your abilities for a month—but you’ll be dead long before it wears off.”
The Punisher backed up slowly across the large room and sat in the worn wing chair against the far wall, with the gun still pointed at the helpless captives.
“I’m sure you’re wondering what’s next. Well… now, we wait. We wait for my partner to join us. He’ll keep an eye on you, while I put the final pieces in place for our big finale this evening. I need to be sure we have all the players properly positioned.” The Punisher glanced at the old mantel clock that was somehow still working after so many years abandoned. “We’ve waited all these years… what’s a few more hours?”
Pete drove Dante and Kerry back to the French Quarter in awkward silence. Kerry knew that Pete suspected something, but so far he hadn’t uttered a word. Occasionally, she caught his eye in the rearview mirror, but she couldn’t hold his gaze for long. He was very uncomfortable, not scared, but absolutely unsettled. His nervous energy rippled through the car and gave her a bit of a headache. She looked at Dante, who sat stone still next to her and hadn’t taken his eyes off the passing scenery.
Peter cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. He flicked a glance to them in the backseat. “So, I’ll drop you two at the front of the hotel?”
“Yes,” Dante responded without looking up. “But I want you to meet us back here later and come with us to Jacqueline’s house tonight.”
“You got it, boss.” Peter pulled the car to a stop in front of the Monteleone and turned around to face them. “Do you want me to take a look around Jacqueline’s place? Get a feel for the layout and surrounding area?”
Dante’s serious gaze locked with Pete’s, and he nodded almost imperceptibly. “Absolutely. We’ll meet you in the lobby at five o’clock and walk over together.”
Kerry and Dante got out of the car and watched as Pete drove away. She adjusted the large black bag on her shoulder and linked her arm in his. She watched as the muscles clenched in his jaw, and his eyes scanned the street around them. Kerry’s heart thudded in her chest. She’d never been the focus of such love, devotion, and fierce protection. As a model, she’d had total strangers fantasize about her and various buffoons try to get in her pants, but no one—no man—had ever really loved her. Even more importantly,
she
hadn’t been in love before.
Kerry swallowed hard in an attempt to keep from crying like some ridiculous schoolgirl. “Hey, what do you say we try to go on a date?”
“What?” He looked at her as though she’d said she wanted to run down the street naked covered in chicken feathers. “Now?”
The shocked look on his face had her laughing out loud. She whirled to face him and took his scruffy jaw in her hands. “Yes, you big caveman. Now! I refuse to spend the rest of the day worrying.” She stepped back and placed her hands on her hips, daring him to challenge her. “What else would you like to do? Sit around and watch the minutes tick by until the clock strikes five, and it’s time to go to Jacqueline’s?”
He raised one eyebrow and smiled at her suggestively. “I can think of a few things to help pass the time.” Dante sidled closer and placed a tender kiss on the corner of her mouth.
Kerry giggled and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m sure you can.” She laughed as his large hands slid down and cupped her ass. She gave him the most scolding look she could muster, and grabbing his hands, slipped out of his tempting embrace. “I’m hungry. Women cannot live on sex alone.” She grinned. Kerry walked backwards and pulled her with him. “Malcolm and Samantha aren’t going to be back until later. So let’s just go have some fun. Put all of this craziness out of our minds and go on a date. You know… like normal people do.” She eyed him skeptically and stopped dead in her tracks. “You do know what a date is… right?”
That slow, lopsided smile cracked his handsome face, and his amber eyes twinkled. He threw his head back and let out that deep, rich laugh that she loved, but only rarely heard. “Yes. Contrary to what you love to call me, I am
not
a Neanderthal.” Slowly, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. He placed a warm kiss on her fingers and kept his smiling eyes on hers. “Your wish is my command.”
His intense amber eyes locked on hers and practically devoured her. She had to admit he had the thickest, most spectacular lashes that she’d ever seen on a man.
“You bet your ass it is,” she murmured. “Come on. Let’s go do some sightseeing. Maybe grab some lunch?” She pulled his hand, encouraging him to walk with her. “I’ve been dying to try the coffee at the Café Du Monde, and I’d adore a ride on that riverboat.”
Dante quickly wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. With great contentment, she noticed how easily they stepped in time with one another. She marveled at the way they seemed so perfectly in tune. That dopey line from that Tom Cruise movie kept running through her head—the whole “you complete me” thing. As scary and bizarre as her life had gotten, she wouldn’t trade it for the world. For the first time in her life she did feel complete. Before Dante, she’d been broken and damaged. Alone and drowning in pain. Not anymore.
The dark memory of the letters seeped slowly into her mind and threatened her serenity, but Kerry quickly stuffed it back down. Not now. This minute, this hour, she was just a woman walking in the arms of the man she loved. No matter what happened in the future, she would at least have this—this day, with this man. Kerry smiled wistfully. Her man.
They made their way down Royal Street and turned the corner at St. Louis Cathedral. As they walked down St. Ann Street toward the river, a cool, delicious breeze picked up and washed over them, providing a brief respite from the muggy air. When they entered Jackson Square, the people and the colors seemed brighter. The square, littered with tourists and artists, had the added texture of jugglers and musicians. Kerry liked the organized chaos of the lively square. They walked along, admiring the various paintings, and Kerry couldn’t help but look for Joseph.
“He works evenings. I’m not surprised he isn’t here. Besides, I’m sure the old coot needs a rest after his little display with the gun,” Dante said. His voice held an unmistakable edge of disdain.
She should’ve known he would see right through her. Kerry shrugged, but couldn’t look at him. “I know. I guess I was just hoping… I don’t know what I was hoping.” She sighed.
They reached the edge of the square and crossed to the Café Du Monde for some of their world famous coffee and beignets. Sitting under the green-and-white-striped canopy, Kerry indulged in some fattening, but delicious, sugary goodness. The strong coffee complimented the fried dough perfectly. She licked her fingers and enjoyed every delectable morsel. However, the entire time Dante looked at her as if she were covered in sugar.
The winds picked up, and the sky darkened as storm clouds rolled in. Unfazed by the threat of rain, they remained safely under the canopy. For over two hours, they talked about everything under the sun. He spoke of his business, his family, and regaled her with stories of growing up on their ranch in Montana. She noticed the way his eyes softened as he spoke fondly of his sister, Marianna. Her heart broke when sadness crept into his voice at the mention of memories with his father. As lovely as those times had been, all of it was tarnished by his ultimate betrayal.
“What clan is your sister descended from? You’re from the Fox Clan, like your mother,” she said, hoping that she was keeping it all straight. “But your father was part of the Bear Clan, right?”
“Yes.” Dante nodded solemnly. “So is Marianna. The Kodiak Bear Clan.”
“Oh,” Kerry said with a tight smile. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.
“I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me,” he said quietly. “She thinks that I could’ve done more to save him.” He shrugged. “Maybe she’s right.”
“She’s your sister, Dante. Your twin sister. I don’t have any siblings, but if I did, you can bet I wouldn’t let anything come between us.” Kerry blew on her coffee and took a much needed sip. “Don’t you think that you should tell them the truth about what your father did?”
Dante made a sound of frustration and leaned back in the wrought-iron chair. “I don’t want them involved in all of this,” he said with deadly seriousness. “The less they’re involved and the less they know, then the safer they’ll be.”
Kerry narrowed her eyes and looked at him with curiosity. “Don’t you think they’ll have a few questions when you tell them about me? You know… the fact that your mate is a hybrid like Samantha?” Dante looked away from her, and her heart sank. Something that looked a lot like shame came over his face. Kerry swallowed hard. “They don’t know, do they?” she breathed.
Fear gripped her heart, and she mustered up the courage to ask the question that had been lurking in the back of her mind. Was he ashamed of her? Ashamed that his mate wasn’t a pure-blooded Amoveo? If this thing between them was going to fall apart, better it happened now. Although the truth was she didn’t think her heart could survive that.
She tilted her chin and straightened her back, preparing herself for the worst. “Are you ashamed of me?”
His jaw clenched, and his intense gaze immediately locked again with hers as anger and frustration rippled off of him. His eyes flickered and shifted briefly. “How on earth could you ask me that?” He leaned in and took her hands in his. His eyes softened as he stroked his fingers over hers. “I am not ashamed of you,” he said definitively. “Yes, of course they know about you. You are my mate.
You
are my life now.”
Realization dawned over her with sickening speed. “They’re not happy about it, are they?”
“No,” he said quietly. “Mother has been so caught up in the loss of my father, I’m not sure she’s even registered what’s going on. But Marianna—” He sighed, and his shoulders sagged with defeat. “She not only blames me, but she also blames Samantha.”
“And me,” Kerry said quietly.
Dante shook his head. “No. It’s not your fault, Kerry—or Samantha’s. None of it is. My father chose to be violent and hateful. He made his own fate.” Dante leaned both elbows on the table and lowered his voice. “As far as Marianna is concerned, our father died trying to protect a hybrid. Her feeling is that if hybrids didn’t exist, then our father would still be alive.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers softly. “She’s angry,” he said softly. “She just needs some time.”
“Dante,” Kerry began slowly and kept her steady gaze on his. “I hate to ask you this, but do you think there’s any chance that your sister could be involved with the Purists?”
He sat back slowly, but kept his dark eyes locked with hers. His face remained a mask of stone, and the lines in his forehead deepened. Kerry held her breath as the silence hung thickly between them. She knew it was a risky question to ask. He could flip out and tell her to go to hell for suggesting something like that. Truthfully, she wouldn’t blame him. It was a ballsy thing to ask—but it had to be asked. She studied his face and waited for what felt like eons before he finally answered her.
“That thought has crossed my mind,” he said. “But, no.” He shook his head firmly with his mouth set in a grim line. “I don’t think so. She’s been very busy helping my mother through her grieving and getting all of my father’s affairs in order. She is also next in line to take his place on the Council, and as you can imagine, she’ll have a great deal to learn. Honestly, I doubt she’s had time for much else.” He looked at her through those loving brown eyes and smiled. “I’m sure that once they meet you, they’ll be as enamored with you as I am.”
Kerry nodded and gave Dante a tight smile. “Right.” She nodded. She was glad he felt okay about his sister, but the cold, hard truth was that Kerry didn’t. She didn’t feel alright about her at all. Jeez. Talk about having issues with the in-laws.
The blast of the steamboat
Natchez
had them both jump in their chairs, which promptly caused them to burst out laughing. Dante glanced at his watch and threw some cash down on the table for the bill. “We better hurry up.”
Dante grabbed her hand, and they raced to catch the boat. Within moments of leaving the safety of the canopy, the skies opened up, and the rain came pouring down. They got to the booth and purchased their tickets in the nick of time. She couldn’t help but admire the rivulets of rainwater that traversed the ropy muscles of his arms, or how his black T-shirt had molded to every delicious inch of his broad back. He’d pushed the wet hair off his face, and it left her free to inspect his magnificent profile. If sex, desire, and lust could be molded into a man, then Dante would be it.
Soaking wet, clothing stuck on them like a second skin, and laughing like two little kids, they boarded the old-fashioned riverboat. Taking her hand, Dante led the way to the top level and to the bow of the boat. The rain had discouraged many passengers from taking the ride, and the ones who did decide to go, stayed inside the safety of the ship’s cabin. However, the two of them stood at the railing in the rain and looked out over the choppy, indigo river.