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  “Tassanee. You are too gorgeous. And way too curvy. And I am not immune. I am your mate, remember? Everything about you calls to me. It’s like a never-ending signal. So. Right now? It would be mucho appreciated if you wouldn’t call my attention to the fact that you don’t wear enough and never have. And where in the hell is your cloak, anyway?”

  “Down there.”

  She pointed. The both looked down in time to watch the plane explode again, this time with less sound and debris, although it sent more flames and black smoke out the sides and then billowing up. And coming out of the sides of the area were small figures toting equally small guns. They looked like little ants swarming an ant hill.

  “Well. Look at that. A bonfire. And I didn’t even bring marshmallows. I would say this is another prime example of Hunter intelligence. And lack, thereof.”

  “What is?”

  “They think we’re still down there. They’re waiting to stake your heart and put a bullet through mine, should we make it through the flames. Not one of them thinks we’re fast enough or smart enough to escape an RPG. I’m telling you. Some days they don’t demonstrate the brains Mother Nature gave an onion.”

  “Onions don’t have brains.”

  “Yeah. I know.”

  She laughed. “I get it. I do. You’re very funny.”

  “You’d think Chester would teach his minions some fiscal responsibility, wouldn’t you? Then again...maybe he doesn’t care how many English pounds they blow up. Must be nice to have so much money you need to burn it.”

  “They must want you really bad, Leonard.”

  “Oh no. Not me. More you. But I think their real objective is Akron. They look like ants on an ant hill, don’t they?”

  She caught his eye.

  “What?” he asked.

  “I was just thinking that.”

  “Wow. I think there’s hope for us yet, babe.”

  “That looks like more than a code eight on the threat level, Leonard.”

  “Well. We didn’t check for updates. But you’re right. This is getting close to a sixteen.”

  “In that case, it’s a good thing we went with your original plan.”

  “Oh, we did, did we?”

  “Wasn’t I supposed to fly up out of the way and hide?”

  He grinned. “Oh. Yeah. Good one.”

  Sounds of gunfire started erupting below them. They both looked down again, although Len rocked a bit on his perch before steadying himself.

  “Hey. Check it out. A 4D Team has finally decided to rescue us. About time. Man. I almost wish I had popcorn. Talk about a front row seat. And look. Isn’t that Stanislaw at the front? In the khaki outfit?”

  “What’s a 4D Team?”

  “A group that excels in mayhem, death, and dismemberment. Looks like they sent us the Blue Team. Our operative, Sasha, leads that one. With her not-so-attractive mate, Stuart. And that really is Stan with them. Will wonders never cease? Because rescuing him was my next objective. Nice to know I can move onto the next one.”

  “Why is it called 4D if they deal in mayhem, death, and dismemberment?”

  “You are way too sharp, babe. It’s actually Deploy, Destroy, Disinfect, and then Disappear. I like to name things different, just because it makes me different. Makes me a little more than your average guy.”

  “But you aren’t that.”

  “I love you. If I forget to say it later, remind me.”

  “Oh. Len.”

  “You’re not going to cry are you? I might be out of tissues. Nope. Got one left. Oh come on. What’s wrong with a few blood droplets between vampires and almost-vampires?”

  He grimaced at the packet and put it back. “You know, Tassanee. You are really good in a tight spot. Really good.”

  “I am?”

  His praise made everything go warm and constrictive warm about her heart.

  “Well. Yeah. I mean, I wouldn’t trade you. Not even for a signed baseball from the 1918 Cubs-Red Sox series. The season with the huge scandal. And babe. Trust me. If I could find one of those, I’d be in sports memorabilia heaven.”

  “You’d trade me?”

  “Oh hell no. What I meant was I wouldn’t trade you. Ever.”

  “Ever?”

  “You’re going to make me do this now, aren’t you?”

  “What?”

  “My next objective. From twenty-plus stories in the air, atop a six inch iron beam. I’m telling you. It’s a woman thing. It has to be.”

  “I don’t think it’s that high, Leonard, and—what are you doing?”

  He was shifting, using his arms to push up so he could balance on his knees. And then he lifted his right leg, and slid his boot to the spot directly in front of his left knee. And then he straightened his back and regarded her, with an elbow atop his bent thigh. He looked wobbly. Unsure.

  “What am I doing? I’m proposing. Why? What does it look like I’m doing?”

  “Oh. Leonard.”

  He cleared his throat and locked gazes with her. “Tassanee. I love you. I want to marry you. Be with you. For now. And Forever. No matter what the future holds. Including the vampire side. So. What do you say? You in?”

  She should have taken the tissue. Her eyes were filled and overflowing. And it felt like warmth wrapped her. Everywhere.

  “Is this a yes? Because they’ve stopped the action down there, and we’re getting noticed. And this is probably going to be all over the VAL video feed, if I don’t miss my guess.”

  “Would you care?”

  He tipped his head and scrunched one side of his face as if pondering it. And then he sobered.

  “That will depend entirely on your answer. Yes? No? I’ll think about it? Go to hell. Something?”

  “Oh yes, Leonard! Yes! And another yes! Yes!”

  She leaped into his arms, and then had to grab the bars behind him to keep them from careening into space. But nothing had ever felt as secure and protective and wondrous as his arms wrapped about her, holding her tight. She stuck her nose into his collar and breathed deeply.

  “I’m sure glad that was a yes. And I’m doubly glad that we didn’t fall. You have no idea.”

  “I don’t?”

  “Turn around, babe. Take a look.”

  She pulled her nose out of his jacket collar and turned. There were at least a dozen vampires hovering in the space behind them. And several had their cell phones held out at arm-length.

  “Hello Sasha. And look. There’s the better half, Findlay. You guys filming this, are you?” Len asked.

  “Well. Akron did ask us to. He said this would happen.”

  A stunning dark haired woman answered. She was wearing a black mini skirt and matching suit jacket. And really high stiletto heels. And she already looked tall.

  “Figures. You’re getting this right?”

  “Oh yes.”

  “With sound?”

  “These are top of the line phones, Len.”

  “Well, then. Akron? I have to hand it to you. You were right. And when you’re right...oh. To hell with it. Bug off. All of you.” Len turned back to Tassanee, matched his nose to hers, and kissed her.

  Soundly.

  -o0o-

  Jackie Ivie lives in Alaska with her husband and three pets. She started her writing career with hot Highland historical romances from Kensington. Her eleventh, LAIRD BALLANCLAIRE, is set for publication October 2013. Keeping her head in the clouds most of the time, Jackie spends most of her time researching, developing, and writing her paranormal series - Vampire Assassin League -because there's just something about a hot vampire with a mate fixation. Jackie loves to hear from fans at http://www.jackieivie.com/

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

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  Jackie Ivie, Now or Forever