around in her head, making her laugh, keeping her calm. But he wouldn’t talk to her either, and their blood bond wasn’t nearly as strong as the one he had with Duncan.
Her mother sighed. “Jaden.”
She had one last chance to prove her theory wrong. The men had lived together for a century. She
“I think it has everything to do with Jaden’s leaving.”
“Why would you think that, Ma?” She was nearly on the edge of her seat, the sensation that she was about to fall down the rabbit hole stronger than ever.
“Because I think Jaden is Duncan’s, and your, unfulfilled bond.”
She’d known it, but it was still something of a shock to hear her suspicions confirmed. “You think all three of us are true bonds?” She scowled. “How in the name of all that is holy could they have
“It’s entirely possible the blood bond they share held off the worst effects of an interrupted bond. It’s also possible that they’ve never started Claiming one another. If they’ve never shared a kiss the both of them could believe that any attraction they feel is due to the blood bond.” Aileen sighed. “I’m not as up on my vampire bonding as you are, but from the way you described it that’s what I’m guessing has happened. The three of you need to get together and find out for certain, though.”
“Damn.” She shook her head, totally confused. “But how would their interrupted bond affect
“That’s the problem. Jaden blood bonded both you and Duncan before Duncan Claimed you. Did Jaden ever kiss you?”
She touched her lips again. She’d dreamed that Jaden had kissed her the night he’d come to kidnap Ruby. What if he really had?
What if, with one simple touch of his lips, he’d Claimed her without even meaning to?
“I think so, but I was pretty out of it. What would that mean for all of us if he started Claiming me?”
“It means you’ve got a tribond.”
Moira rubbed her forehead.
“Moira. How do you feel about Duncan?”
“How do you feel about Jaden?”
“And men are?”
Moira’s lips curled up in a silly grin. “Daft.”
“So?”
Filled with new resolve, Moira sat up straight. “I’ll fix this, Ma.”
“That’s my girl.”
Chapter Three
Jaden stopped at the edge of the drive, suddenly uncertain of his welcome. He’d shut Moira and Duncan out of his life, shoved them out of his head with force at times. He wasn’t sure how they’d react to his sudden return, necessary though it was. He definitely wasn’t certain how Duncan would react when he found out Jaden had started working for Robin Goodfellow full time. How would his bond brother take Jaden’s defection from the family?
At the time it had looked like the only thing to do. He would be away from his biggest heartache yet still be able to keep Duncan and Moira safe. Keeping those two safe was more important to him than any White Court acceptance, any Black Court blandishments waved in his face. It was more important to him than his own life.
Not that he planned on laying that particular commodity on the table any time soon. He kind of liked his skin wrapped around his bones, thank you very much.
He studied the front of the brick mansion and smiled. Duncan had gone all out on the whole holiday thing. Lights were strung everywhere. He bet when night fell the house would be a beacon of cheer for anyone passing by.
The relief and anger that washed through him staggered him in its intensity.
That cold Malmayne temper of Duncan’s was roused. How bad were things going to get once Duncan realized that Jaden’s return was merely temporary? He figured the fireworks, once started, might actually be kind of fun. It would certainly provide him with even more of an excuse to leave when the task was done.
He got out of the car, careful to put a carefree expression on his face. He wanted Duncan to think he’d been out on the town, partying with and fucking anything that moved. He couldn’t allow Duncan to know the truth. Not yet, maybe not ever.
God, being noble sucked ass. Thank God Robin had gotten him a bite to eat before bundling him on the plane for Nebraska. Too bad he’d been unable to enjoy more than the bite. He could have used the relief sex would have brought, but the little redhead had reminded him too much of Moira. He’d eaten, but he hadn’t really enjoyed it. Robin had to be aware of that, damn him. He’d even offered to join Jaden in the big bed behind him, romping together just the three of them.
Jaden had said no. He never,
Hell, even after a hundred years Jaden couldn’t classify himself as a party animal. He was by no means celibate, but even during the seventies he’d kept it in his pants more often than not, only giving in when the hunger for sex and blood became more than he could bear.
Wouldn’t Duncan be shocked to find
The door was flung open by none other than Lord Malmayne himself. Jaden frowned.
It was the first time anyone but another vampire had blooded him, actually.
“Where the
He blinked and sat up. Damn, Duncan had hit him
“Where were you?”
If anything, his flippant answer seemed to have pissed off his bond brother even more. “Here. There. Everywhere.” He leered at his friend. “Thinking about you and Moira’s underwear.” He waggled his brows, hoping for a laugh. A smile. Hell, just a little less hostility would be nice.