“Was Braga that way? A rogue?”
“Pretty much.”
“If I ever get like that . . .”
“You won’t. I’ll never let that happen. What’s wrong?”
“Braga. He’s still out there somewhere. It’s horrible to wish anyone dead, yet we’ll always be wondering where he is, won’t we?”
“I’ve got his scent. If he’s around, we’ll know it. Saintcrow, too.” Micah looked from her to the young man, one brow raised, a silent query in his eyes.
Holly eased her hold on the man’s shoulders and again bent her head to his neck. She drank quickly and took only a little, feeling guilty all the while.
When she stepped away, Micah wiped the memory from the couple’s minds, then took Holly’s hand in his. “Come on, sunshine. Let’s go home.”
Holly had assumed Micah meant Arizona when he mentioned home; instead, he transported them back to Shirley’s house in Morgan Creek.
He made love to her that night, as gently and tenderly as ever a man had loved a woman, making her feel cherished, desirable. In some way she couldn’t explain, it made her feel human again. And though she couldn’t put it into words, he knew what she was thinking, feeling.
That morning, when the dark sleep carried her away, she was still smiling.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Micah and Holly went to see his parents the next night.
Holly sat at the big dining room table with his whole family present while they went over the list of days the church was available. When they had the dates narrowed down to four, Holly called her parents to see which date worked best for them.
They settled on a Saturday night the second week in November, just two weeks away.
Holly’s father insisted on paying for the flowers and the limo and the reception.
“I won’t take no for an answer,” Arthur said. “Just send me the bills.”
Lena invited Holly’s parents to stay with them, but when Holly extended the invitation, her father declined, saying they would rent a hotel room.
Holly breathed a sigh of relief when she disconnected the call.
“So, we’re all set then?” Micah asked.
“Except for bridesmaids’ dresses for the girls,” Lena said. “And something for the mother of the bride, and a tux for your dad and your brothers.”
“I guess we’re not quite all set,” Micah muttered.
“What color were you thinking of for the bridesmaids?” Sofia asked. “I was thinking red.”
“Bloodred?” Micah asked dryly, and everybody laughed.
“Actually, I think red would be wonderful,” Holly said. “After all, Christmas is right around the corner.”
* * *
“Two weeks,” Micah grumbled as he crawled into bed beside Holly. They had returned to Morgan Creek late last night. His parents had wanted them to stay, but Micah had declined.
“It’s not that long. If we were having a traditional wedding, with all the trimmings, it would take months to plan. You’re lucky we’re just having family. What’s the rush, anyway?”
“I want to make you mine.”
“I’m already yours.”
“I want it in writing,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “Written proof to show the world.”
Holly brushed a lock of hair from his brow. “That’s very romantic.”
“Well, I’m a very romantic kind of guy.” He rained a trail of kisses along the side of her neck. “Haven’t you noticed?”
“Not lately,” she teased.
“No?” With a ferocious growl, he tucked her beneath him, his clever hands, his fiery kisses, branding her his in a way a piece of paper never could.
* * *
Hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans, Rylan Saintcrow strolled along the deserted streets of Morgan Creek. He loved this time of the night, when the world around him lay asleep. And quiet. He had been a vampire long enough that it was now second nature to shut out the barrage of noise that had once threatened to drive him insane. Vampires tended to move silently, to speak in low tones so as not to draw unwanted attention. Humans were a noisy bunch.
He wondered how Holly was adapting to her new life. He had made few friends in his time, but he counted himself lucky to have Micah and Holly among them.
He paused, surprised to find himself nearing the cemetery. He had buried a lot of people there. But for Kadie, the number would have been a lot higher. She had reawakened the humanity within him, guilted him into freeing the men and women the vampires were preying on.
But there were times, though few and far between these days, when he just wanted to surrender to the hunger inside, to hunt some mortal and take what he wanted, to drink and drink until he was sated. But he wouldn’t, because Kadie would never forgive him. And he didn’t want to live without her.
Stepping through the gate, he wandered among the graves. He remembered all of the deceased, some more than others.
Saintcrow lifted his head when he caught Micah’s scent. He found him standing by Shirley’s marker, hands shoved into his pockets.
“What are you doing out here?” Micah asked.
Saintcrow shrugged. “I could ask you the same question.”
“I stopped by your place. Kadie said you’d gone for a walk. She said you seemed troubled about something.”
Saintcrow frowned at Micah. “You looking out for me now?”
“Do I need to?”
“No. I was just reminiscing.”
“A man as old as you are, I guess you’ve got a lot to remember.”
“A hell of a lot more than I want to.” Saintcrow made a gesture that encompassed the cemetery. “I’ve got a lot of blood on my hands.”
“Don’t we all?”
Saintcrow nodded. “All but Kadie and Holly. We spared them that, you and I. Maybe that will count in our favor on the day of judgment.” He slapped Micah on the shoulder. “This is no time for morbid recollections. You’re getting married.”
* * *
Micah thought about his conversation with Saintcrow while strolling back to Shirley’s house. He had a lot of blood on his hands, too. Oh, not nearly as much as Saintcrow, but enough. Kadie had saved Saintcrow. Saintcrow had saved him. He had saved Holly’s life. And she had saved him, he thought. Saved him from a lifetime of regret and loneliness.
“What goes around comes around,” he murmured, thinking he would be forever grateful that Holly had mistaken him for the late Joseph Burke.
But that was all in the past. Undressing, he climbed into bed beside his bride-to-be and slipped his arm around her. He’d come so close to losing her. Thirteen days to the wedding. Thirteen. Not a lucky number. Where was Braga? Micah cursed softly. The vampire was still out there, somewhere. Micah could almost feel him lurking in the distance, waiting for just the right moment to strike again. Next time they met, one of them would die.
* * *
For Holly, the next two weeks passed in a flurry of activity—at least from 5 PM to 9. There were bridesmaids dresses to decide on, new lingerie for Holly to wear under her gown, a sheer, sexy nightgown for the wedding night. Since she couldn’t sample any of the wedding cakes, Rosa and Sofia were given that task. They chose a four-tier cake, with each layer a different flavor—chocolate, strawberry, white, and carrot. Holly decided on a buffet for the reception and left the menu to Lena. Knowing that her mother felt left out, Holly asked her to select the flowers for the bridal party and for table decorations, and asked her father to choose the wine and the champagne for the bridal toast.
Micah was less busy. His only duty was to find a tux and make sure his father, his brothers, and Saintcrow coordinated with him. His brother Sergio was in charge of finding a band, Enzo in charge of renting limos for the bridal party.
To Holly’s amazement, everything came together beautifully.
The night before the wedding, lying in Micah’s arms, she confessed, “I never thought we’d pull it off.”
“With our mother
s in charge?” he said, chuckling. “Never a doubt.”
“I love your family. They’re so open and outspoken about everything. I always wanted brothers and sisters, but . . .” She blew out a sigh. “I’ve wondered my whole life if having me was so awful that my parents decided they didn’t want any more kids.”
“Holly! I’m sure that’s not true. Maybe your mother couldn’t have any more.”
“Maybe. I almost worked up the nerve to ask my mom about it once, but I chickened out.”
“Well, by this time tomorrow night you’ll be part of the Ravenwood clan. Try not to get lost in the crowd.”
“I love you, Micah.”
He stroked her cheek, then kissed her lightly. “I love you, too, sunshine. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
* * *
Holly came awake with a start, as she had every evening since becoming a vampire. As always, the assault on her senses was a little disconcerting. She knew that it was a little after five, that the moon was full, that it was sixty-nine degrees, that Micah was awake, his body curled around hers.
Smiling, she rolled over to face him. “Hello, groom.”
“Hello, bride.”
“We need to get up.”
“I’m already up.”
Stifling a grin, she said, “So, I see. You can stay in bed if you want. I have a lot to do before seven.” Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she headed for the bathroom. “Your mother’s probably wondering where I am.”
Groaning softly, Micah let her go. The female half of the wedding party was getting ready at his parents’ house; the male half was meeting at Sergio’s.
Holly emerged from the bathroom twenty minutes later. She grabbed the garment bag that held her dress and a small makeup case. “Don’t be late,” she warned.
“Not a chance.”
“Good.” A quick kiss and she was gone.
* * *
Chaos reigned at the Ravenwood home. The house was crowded with Micah’s sisters, nieces, and nephews, all talking at once.
Rosa grabbed Holly’s hand. “This way. We reserved a room for you upstairs. Sofie’s already up there.”
Holly followed Rosa up the stairs into one of the bedrooms. Sofia sat at a dressing table applying her makeup.
“Are you nervous?” Sofia asked, meeting her gaze in the mirror.
“Terrified,” Holly said.
“Well, you’re marrying Micah,” his sister, Delia, said. “Who could blame you?”
Laughing, Holly unzipped her garment bag and carefully removed her gown. A few minutes later, her mother and Lena burst into the room. Holly thought her head might explode as the five women fluttered around her, helping her into her dress, arranging her hair, setting the veil in place. An hour and a half later, everyone was dressed and ready to go. Micah’s four sisters looked lovely in their tea-length red dresses and matching heels. They wore fingertip veils and carried bouquets of red and white roses.
“Where’s your maid of honor?” her mother asked.
“She’s meeting us at the church.” Kadie’s dress was the same as the bridesmaids’, except it was floor-length.
Vivian gave her daughter’s hand a squeeze. “You make a beautiful bride, Holly. I’ve never seen you looking so radiant.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I wish you every happiness.”
“I don’t think I could be any happier.”
“I’m so glad you’re going to be part of our family,” Sofie said.
“Me, too,” Holly said.
“Okay,” Lena said briskly. “If we don’t leave right now, we’ll be late!”
* * *
Micah stood in the middle of a circle of his brothers, enduring their juvenile jokes about married life, the whole “happy wife, happy life” speech, and warnings to remember to put the toilet seat down, to take out the trash, to beware of PMS.
Micah snorted, then frowned. Did female vampires suffer from PMS? If so, he could be in a world of hurt.
“All right, you idiots,” his father said. “It’s time to go. One thing I do know is that being late to your own wedding is no way to start a marriage.”
“You speaking from experience, Dad?” Mario asked.
“Of course,” Luciano said with a broad grin. “That’s how I know. Let’s go.”
* * *
Saintcrow met Micah on the steps of the church.
“Where’s Kadie?” Micah asked.
“She’s in the bride’s room with the rest of the women. You ready, bridegroom?”
Micah took a deep breath. “I wish we’d gone to Vegas.”
“I hear ya.” Saintcrow clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s get it over with.”
* * *
Micah followed his brothers and Saintcrow through the side door into the chapel, felt a rush of nervous tension as they took their places in front of the altar.
His gaze swept the room. He had expected family only, but his side of the church was crowded with old friends and neighbors. There were maybe a dozen people on the bride’s side. His mother smiled at him through her tears while his sister Angela patted her on the shoulder. His nieces and nephews, all dressed in their Sunday best, wriggled in their seats.
Saintcrow nudged Micah. “This is it,” he whispered, so low no mortal ear could hear.
“Yeah.”
“Not too late to change your mind.”
“It was too late from the first time I saw her.” Micah frowned as Saintcrow went suddenly still. “What’s wrong?”
“Do you smell that?”
Micah lifted his head, nostrils flaring. It was hard to smell anything but flowers and perfume. He opened his preternatural senses.... Braga. He’d know that stink anywhere. “You don’t think he’d . . .” Micah’s voice trailed off as the organ began to play the wedding march.
When Holly and her father appeared in the doorway, he forgot all about Leandro Braga. Never, in all his life, had he seen anything as beautiful as the woman who would soon be his wife. Cheeks flushed, her golden hair framing her face, she was a vision to behold, an angel clad in silk and sunshine. A veil as delicate as a spider’s web trailed behind her.
He couldn’t stop looking at her, couldn’t believe she was really here. Really his.
“Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”
“Her mother and I do.” Arthur spoke clearly as he placed his daughter’s hand in Micah’s.
Micah was hardly aware of the priest’s words until he said, “Repeat after me. I, Micah, take thee, Holly, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, from this day forward, so long as we both shall live.”
Taking both of Holly’s hands in his, Micah repeated the words.
Holly gazed deep into Micah’s eyes as she repeated the words that made her his wife, thinking that her marriage was every bit as life-altering as becoming a vampire. She was bound to him now, not only by blood, but by the vows they had exchanged.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the priest said solemnly. “You may kiss the bride.”
Micah smiled at her as he drew her into his arms. “I will love you forever,” he murmured.
“And I you.”
Her eyelids fluttered down as he claimed his first husbandly kiss.
Holly couldn’t stop smiling as they left the church. Mrs. Micah Ravenwood, she thought. As long as they lived. Little did the priest know how long that might be.
Outside, they were surrounded by their families, all eager to wish them well.
Holly breathed a sigh of relief as they climbed into the limo. She looked at Micah, eager to be in his arms, frowned at the tight lines around his mouth. “Are you all right?”
He glanced out the window. Should he tell her there was a chance Braga was in the area? He hated to worry her on this, of all days. But she needed to know. “Braga might be here.”
“Here?”
Micah nodded. “Saintcrow caught his scent. So did I.”
/> “What are we going to do?”
“Just stay close to me and keep your eyes open.” He took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I can’t imagine he’d be dumb enough to try anything at the reception. Not with that many people around.”
“I guess you’re right.” She chewed on her thumbnail, then muttered a very unladylike word. “Well, if he’s here, tell him to bring it on!”
Micah folded his hands over her shoulders and kissed her soundly. “That’s my little hellcat.”
“I mean it. I’m tired of waiting and wondering when he’s going to strike again.” She flashed her fangs. “I’m not afraid of him.”
“Good,” Micah said. “Because I am.”
“You are?” She stared at him. “I don’t believe it.”
“Good. Because I aim to rip out his heart and feed it to him.”
“My hero.”
“Damn right.”
When they reached the site of the reception, Holly pushed all thought of Leandro Braga into a compartment in the corner of her mind and shut the door. If he was here, they would deal with it. In the meantime, she was going to enjoy this night. After all, she was only going to get married once, and she wanted to enjoy every minute of being a bride.
The room was beautiful. Pristine white cloths covered the tables. There were flowers everywhere. Tiny colored lights flickered from the ceiling, casting rainbow shadows. Several long buffet tables lined the back wall. Soft music filled the air.
“There’s a lot of people here,” Micah remarked as they made their way to the receiving line. “What happened to the whole ‘family only’ thing?”
“I don’t know. It just sort of got out of hand.”
Holly stood beside Micah in the receiving line as they greeted their guests. Most were friends and relatives of the Ravenwoods; the rest were from Holly’s side of the family, including a few of her mother’s friends who lived in the area.
She hugged Sofia, who leaned forward and whispered, “Where’s that good-looking cousin of yours? You promised to introduce me.”
Holly shrugged. “I know. I’m sorry, but I guess he couldn’t make it.”
“You owe me one,” Sofia said, grinning. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks, sweetie. So do you.”