“You’re damn straight it’s nothappening.”
“What’s not happening?” Taylor asked,a look of confusion on her face.
I gave Corbin an exasperated look. “Did youtell anybody that they were getting married and who theywere marrying tonight?"
“I thought it best to let them get a goodlook at each other first.” Corbin seemed to be trying to smother asmile. “You must admit, they appear to be well suited.”
“Well suited? She’s a vamp and he’s awere—they’re mortal enemies!” I exclaimed. “His pack will rip herapart!”
Taylor went pale. “Addison? What are youtalking about? I’m not actually supposed to marry a man I don’teven know, am I?”
“As your new Master, I say you will,” Corbinsaid sternly, before I could reply. “And do not worry aboutVictor’s packmates—he has none—that is one reason I chose him. Heis what the weres call a ‘lone wolf’.”
“But he’s still a wolf,” I pointed out. “Andshe’s still a vamp.”
“Ah well.” Corbin shrugged philosophically.“The course of true love never did run smooth.”
“Ha-ha. Very funny,” I snapped. “Corbin,this is ridiculous and you know it.”
“Very well.” He took a step back and spreadhis hands. “If you can think of a better way to put your friend outof Roderick’s reach then by all means, let me hear it. Please bearin mind, though, that he will be here within the hour.”
“Roderick?” Taylor turned even whiter untilshe was really as pale as a ghost. She looked at Corbinappealingly. “Oh please, you said he would never…that I never hadto go with him again.”
“And you don’t,” he said firmly. “As long asyou do as I say.”
“I don’t know what you guys are talkingabout but I’m out of here.” Victor started to shoulder his way outthe door.
“You’re not going anywhere unless you havethe cash to pay me back at once.” Corbin was suddenly standing infront of the other man, blocking his escape. “Fifty thousanddollars plus interest please,” he said pleasantly.
Victor scowled. “You know I don’t have it—Ijust got my company off the ground. You have to give me time.”
“Time is what I do not have.” Corbin staredat him implacably. “Make your choice—pay the money or bind yourselfto my underling. Those are your only two choices.”
The big were ran a hand through his curlyblack hair and took a step back.
“This is crazy! I don’t understand youfucking vamps—I don’t even know her.” He cast a glance atTaylor who had her arms wrapped around herself and was staring atthe floor.
“And Taylor’s been through a lot,” I put in.“Why can’t she just hide out at my place until Roderickleaves?”
“Your house would be the first place hewould look, darling. And he wouldn’t stop looking until he foundher,” Corbin said, but he was still staring at Victor. “Well?” heasked.
“Ah, hell…” Victor rubbed the back of hisneck. “Damnit, Corbin, if I had known you were gonna pull this kindof shit on me, I never would have asked you for a loan. This is theweirdest fucking thing I’ve ever heard of.”
“It seems strange to me, too.” Taylor liftedher head at last and looked at Corbin. “I understand that you wantto put me out of harm’s way, Master, but I want to be sure ofsomething before I do this.”
“You may speak,” Corbin nodded at her. “Whatis your concern, Taylor?”
“I…” She took a deep breath. “I want to besure I’m not going from one awful situation to a worse one. WhatRoderick did was…it was bad.” Her voice was trembling and Isqueezed her hand. She squeezed back and somehow seemed to find thewill to go on. “But how do I know that he…” She nodded at Victor.“Won’t do the same or worse to me? At least…at least I know what toexpect with Roderick.”
“I believe Victor to be a decent man or Iwould not have chosen him for you,” Corbin said quietly. “But I canmake him swear an oath not to harm you if it would make you feelbetter.”
“Hey, I’m no fucking abuser,” Victorgrowled. “I don’t hit women, ever.” He frowned. “And anyway,it’s not like I agreed to this.”
“But you will,” Corbin told him. “Besides,my friend, this is only a temporary arrangement. Three months areall that is needed to satisfy the laws of ownership. After that youand Taylor can go your separate ways.”
“Wait a minute,” I said. “Ownership?As in, he will legally own her? What kind of medieval laws arethese?”
“In fact, they are from medievaltimes when a woman was considered little more than property,”Corbin said. “But they have since been modified—in effect, Taylorand Victor will own each other and no one may come between them. Atleast until they separate after three months, which shouldhopefully be enough time for Roderick to forget her and moveon.”
“Three months, huh?” Victor frowned andrubbed his chin. “Well, I guess that’s not as bad as ‘til death dous part.” He shot a glance at Taylor. “Which it never wouldbecause—” He stopped abruptly but Taylor finished for him.
“Because I’m already dead. Isn’t that whatyou were going to say?” she demanded, lifting her chin.
“Well…yeah.” Victor rumbled. “Sorry, I justdon’t like fangers very much.”
Corbin raised an eyebrow at him. “You likethem well enough to borrow their money.”
“Point taken.” The big were sighed. “Allright, let’s get this over with.” He looked at Corbin. “But I don’thave any place to put her right now. My house isn't finishedyet."
“Just binding her to you will keep her safeenough,” Corbin assured him. “Though I do expect you to take heroff my hands as soon as you can.”
“Corbin—” I started to protest but Taylortouched my arm lightly, stopping me.
“It’s all right,” she said, her voiceshaking only a little. “I’ll do it if it will keep Roderick awayfrom me.” She looked at Corbin. “But I want him to swear—to take anoath like you said, Master. Especially if he’s going to be my‘owner’.”
“You will be his owner too,” Corbin remindedher.
Victor’s eyes turned molten gold. “And Itold you, I don’t hit women.”
“Yes, but you also said you don’t like‘fangers’.” Taylor’s blue eyes flashed. “If you’re rude enough tocall me names to my face, I don’t know what else you might or mightnot do. I don’t know you.”
“I don’t know
