“I’m glad he’s out,” Cassidy said. “But why not look online?”
Aida tore off the top of the blood bag and poured it into a mug. “We already did, but there might be something in the paper that’s not online. I know it’s unlikely, but I like to cover all my bases. Besides, Owen had a big showing last night at a gallery in the Back Bay. I’d like to see if it made the papers.”
“Who’s Owen?” Dante asked.
“He’s an artist I used to work with; I’ve handled a couple of showings at the gallery where I work,” Aida said.
“Aida is an extremely talented photographer, and she’s just as talented when it comes to setting up galleries to display art,” Cassidy said.
Aida gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “You give me too much credit.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit sometimes,” Cassidy said.
Aida grinned at her as she put the mug into the microwave. “You’re right; I am pretty amazing.” She turned away from the microwave to focus on Dante. “Julian and I have been saving money in the hopes of opening a gallery. Unfortunately, rent is an issue. Boston’s not cheap.”
“No, it’s not,” Dante agreed.
Cassidy squeezed his arm. “I’m going to change.”
“Okay,” he said.
She released his arm and rushed down the hallway. Julian wouldn’t be gone long, and she planned to escape before he returned. She couldn’t avoid her brothers forever, but she wouldn’t mind a few more hours without them.
Cassidy changed before heading to the bathroom to brush her teeth, wash her face, and pull her hair into a ponytail. She reemerged to discover Dante standing at the counter with Aida and flipping through one of her photo books.
“You are really talented,” he said.
“I like you.” Aida looked up to wink at Cassidy as she walked over to join them. “Cassidy better keep you around.”
“I agree,” Dante said.
“We should go, or we’re going to be late.” And my brothers will be here soon. As soon as she thought it, the doorknob rattled and turned.
She bit back a groan when Julian entered the apartment with a few newspapers tucked under his arm. However, it wasn’t enough that her older brother had returned, but somewhere along the way, he also found her twin.
Cassidy almost smacked herself in the forehead. She should have dressed faster, but they probably would have run into them on the street. At least on the street, she could have grabbed Dante and run the other way; now, there was nowhere for her to run.
Julian and Kyle stopped walking the second their eyes landed on her, and then those eyes traveled to Dante.
“We were just leaving,” Cassidy blurted. “We have an appointment.”
Her brothers looked back to her as Dante closed the album and straightened away from the counter. The amusement in their eyes caused a ball of dread to form in her stomach.
“Oh, I’m sure you have a few minutes to spare,” Kyle said as he kicked the door shut with his heel.
When he grinned at Cassidy, she ground her teeth together until she was sure they’d break. He was smiling now, but she would make him pay for this. Oh yes, she would make him pay.
“I’m sure Dante wants to tell us more about himself,” Kyle said.
Dante glanced at his watch. He wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea of her brothers barraging him with questions, but he’d rather face it now than later because he wasn’t going anywhere.
“I’ve got five minutes to spare. What would you like to know?” Dante asked.
“See, sis,” Kyle said. “Dante doesn’t mind if we get to know him better.”
Cassidy plotted her revenge as Kyle rubbed his chin, and Julian walked around the counter to give Aida the papers. She handed him his breakfast and rose on her toes to kiss him.
“What are your intentions with our sister?” Kyle asked.
Cassidy lowered her head into her hands as Julian laughed. “Don’t answer that,” Cassidy said.
“We only have your best interests at heart,” Kyle said.
“I’m going to make you pay.”
Fear flashed through Kyle’s eyes, but he quickly covered it up, and Julian laughed. When Cassidy turned her scowl on him, he held his hands up.
“Hey, I am not messing with the queen of the prank wars,” Julian said.
“Prank wars?” Dante asked.
Cassidy smiled sweetly at Kyle, who gulped. “I told you we like to torment each other,” Cassidy said. “We used to pull pranks on each other, which escalated over time.”
“And Cassidy came out the victor,” Julian said.
“She’s devious and mean,” Kyle said.
“I had to be if I was going to survive with you guys,” she protested.
“You didn’t have to dump rats on me!” Kyle exclaimed.
Cassidy rolled her eyes. “They were fake rats.”
“They squeaked, and they had real fur. Real, bristly fur, and scaly tails.” Kyle shuddered.
“You’re such a baby.”
Kyle gave her the finger, and Cassidy returned it.
“As you can see, we’re a pretty close-knit family,” Julian said to Dante. “So we like to learn as much as possible about anyone our sisters and brothers date.”
“I bet you can’t tell me the name of one of the countless women Kyle has been with,” Cassidy retorted.
“It’s not countless,” Kyle said.
Cassidy gave him a disbelieving look, and Julian appeared dubious.
“Besides, we’re not talking about me right now,” Kyle said. “We’re discussing you and Dante. So, what are your intentions, Dante?”
Oh yes, she was going to make him pay.
“I intend to make her happy,” Dante said.
The words were so unexpected they broke through her irritation with Kyle and stole her breath. She had no idea how to respond, so she stood with her jaw hanging open.
They hadn’t exchanged blood, so the mate bond wasn’t complete, but at that moment, she had no doubt what he was to her. And then, unable to resist, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
Dante pulled her close and closed his eyes as he rested his chin on top of her head. She felt so unbelievably right in his arms.
