Damian's Assassin

And then he thought of how he'd felt when he thought the vamps took her from his condo. Cold fury replaced the regret, and he knew he'd do anything to keep her from danger. The safest place she could be was with him, and he'd nearly gotten her killed by lowering his guard.

There was a reason he'd severed his connection to his emotions all those years ago. He didn't need the distraction, but Gods, he wanted her in a way he'd never wanted anyone else! The safest thing for both of them was for him to keep his distance and remain objective. After all, he didn't think he'd survive the weekend.

He returned to the house to await Darian, not surprised to see Bianca's black and white cat darting down the stairs. It slinked down the hall and slid into the narrow space of the cracked door of the library.

He almost preferred the idea of death at Czerno's hands to the mayhem his wards caused. Reminded he didn't give Bianca the rules he gave Darian and Sofi, he retrieved his phone.

Rules of the house: 1- u don't leave w/o permission & escort; 2- obey Toni & the other Guardians when I'm out; 3- assume I'll find out, no matter what u do; 4- ask b4 u do anything or don't do it.

She grimaced as she reread the text, torn between amusement and disappointment. Darian was right about Dusty being a dictator. His scent still lingered on her skin, even though she'd taken a shower earlier. He'd wanted her, but he kept his distance. His rules made it clear she was just another of his duties.

She didn't expect it to bother her as much as it did. Maybe that was why she couldn't stop making cookies.

"Look, sis!"

She shoved the phone in her pocket and forced herself to smile as she faced Jonny, who'd been in training since shortly after she awoke. His face was excited as he held out the contents of his hands.

"A gun?" she gasped. "They gave you a gun?"

"Isn't it awesome?"

"Jonny, you shouldn't have a gun! You're only twenty!"

"Old enough to buy a prostitute in Vegas, old enough to own a gun," one of the Guardians she recognized as Toni replied as he grabbed a handful of cookies from the counter.

"He's not getting a prostitute, either!" she replied. "Toni, I don't think he should have a gun!"

"Overruled."

"Are you going to teach him to use it?"

"Yep," Toni said.

Jonny was grinning. "It's not loaded, sis."

"Yes, it is," Toni said, glancing at him. "Why would you carry a gun that's not loaded?"