Мишель Роуэн - Tall, Dark & Fangsome

“You’re still lying.”

He looked down at me with those silver eyes. “You know me.”

“A little. But I’m very willing to learn more.”

“I think that can be arranged.”

Five Days Later

Do you, Janelle Parker, take Michael Quinn as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish until death do you part?”

Janie, who was wearing a gorgeous white cocktail dress, smiled so widely I thought her face might actually split in half. “I do. And then some.”

The justice of the peace turned to Quinn. “Do you, Michael Quinn, take Janelle Parker as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish until death do you part?”

“Hell, yeah.” He cleared his throat and grinned. “I mean, I do.”

“Then, with the power vested in me by the province of Ontario, I pronounce you husband and wife. Quinn, you may kiss your bride.”

And he did. With gusto.

I didn’t think tongue was appropriate for the occasion, but that was just my opinion.

Even with the porn-star kiss I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. They looked so happy and glowing.

Two vampire hunters turned vampires about to begin eternity together.

I’d have thrown rice or confetti if that act didn’t come with a fine. Instead, we blew bubbles as the bride and groom left City Hall.

Everyone was there… well, everyone who counted. Me and Thierry. Barry and Amy.

George and his date, Jeremy the human resources guy, who had been my potential blind date hook-up only last week. I guess they did have chemistry after all, because George looked happier than I’d seen him in… well, ever, really. Even Janie’s sister Angela and her boyfriend—one of my ex-bodyguards—Lenny had flown up from Florida for the ceremony and dinner at the 300 Restaurant at the top of the CN Tower.

It still looked like a stake to me.

Veronique had returned to Europe the day before yesterday. After everything that had happened, and despite some ill feelings toward her that still lingered for me, I’d decided to forgive her. She couldn’t help who she was. At the end of the day, I do think there was more good than bad in her. Everybody’s entitled to forgiveness for a few bad choices they make in their lives. Before she left, she made a point to find me, kiss me on both of my cheeks, and wish me and “her husband” well for the future.

“Hey.” I ran my hand down Thierry’s arm. “I was wondering if I could get my ring back now that we don’t have to hide the fact that we’re together anymore. Are you still carrying it in your pocket?”

He shook his head. “That won’t be possible, I’m afraid.”

He’d always promised that he’d give me back the eternity band—my promise ring from him—when everything was okay again. I opened my mouth to say something, to question him on what he meant, but before I could Quinn and Janie came over to us.

Thierry shook Quinn’s hand firmly. “Congratulations to you. I mean that.”

“Thanks.” Quinn gave him a half-smile. “I know we’ve had our difficulties. I know I gave you a hard time in the beginning—”

“Hunters typically give vampires a hard time.”

Quinn snorted at that. “That’s an understatement if ever I’ve heard one. But… if it hadn’t been for you,” he looked at me, “for you both… I… I wouldn’t be here. Like, at all. I would be dead and buried. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to embrace my second chance at life. And I wouldn’t have connected with Janie.”

“Fate,” I said with a smile.

“You believe in that? Fate?”

I chewed my bottom lip. “Not always, but it sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?”

“It does.” Quinn gave me a very strong hug that actually lifted me off the ground. “Thank you, Sarah. For everything.”

My throat felt thick with emotion. “You’re very welcome. Janie’s very lucky to have you.

I hope she knows that.”

When he released me, Janie eyed me, but it wasn’t with jealousy anymore. “I am lucky, no question about it. Wow, I’d do the group hug thing but I’m so not into that.”

“No problem.”

She grinned. “Glad I didn’t have to kill you, after all.”

“You and me both.”

Amy ran over to us. “Sarah, want me to order you any appetizers at the restaurant? We’re heading over now.”

“Can’t eat,” I said. “Solid food and me don’t get along anymore, remember?”

She frowned. “Why do I always forget that? Sorry! I don’t mean to rub it in.”

“Not a problem. I’ve totally made my peace with it, really. But I’d love a Tequila

Sunrise.”

“Sure thing.” She ran back over to join her husband, who nodded curtly at me. Ah, Barry.

We’d never be buddies, but we’d definitely come to an understanding. Since Amy came away from the Gideon experience relatively unfazed, he didn’t overtly hate me anymore.

Baby steps.

“Weddings make me think about the future,” George said.

Yeah, him and me both. “I know.”

“Now that you’re a business owner, do you think you might be paying me rent any time soon? Since I’m still unemployed, I’m kind of strapped for cash. Twenty bucks and a few dimes is enough of a wedding gift, right?”

Gideon hadn’t been kidding. He’d really bought Darkside for me—the papers were in my name and everything was legal. I’d considered selling it, but changed my mind. I’d been a waitress and a bartender, so there was no reason I couldn’t be an owner/operator/waitress/bartender.

Plus, it was a piece of Gideon. An odd thing to hold on to, I know, but thanks to Gideon

Chase, there’d still be a place in the city vamps could go to have some fun until other clubs got back on their feet again. It was a strange tribute to the hard-to-forget leader of the vampire hunters.

I grimaced. “I’m sorry, George. I know I’ve been a mooch. But I appreciate your patience. And I thought you were going to work for me at the club?”

His eyebrows raised. “There has not yet been a formal offer of employment.”

“Consider this formal. You can be my manager.”

He gave me a big hug. “I totally accept. And when it comes to our current living arrangements… well, maybe it’s finally time for you to shack up with tall, dark, and fangsome over there. As far as I’m concerned, it’s way overdue.”

I glanced over at Thierry. “We’ll have to see about that.”

The fact that Mr. Fangsome wasn’t giving me back my promise ring was a sign any shacking up might not be in the cards. But I tried not to think about it for the moment.

Today was all about Janie and Quinn and the eternity that had just begun for them.

Everyone began leaving for the restaurant in two separate cabs, but Thierry held me back.

“I wanted a chance to speak with you privately first.”

My stomach clenched. “That sounds very ominous.”

He held his hand out to me. “Walk with me.”

If I’d known we were going to be doing any power walking I would not have worn these heels, but I could handle it for a little while. I took his hand and walked with him over to

Nathan Phillips Square near the outdoor skating rink.

Here it goes, I thought. He was going to break up with me. Officially. It was over. I’d kept telling him that I was trouble and a burden. After everything we’d been through over the last few months, he’d obviously decided I was right.

Maybe he wanted to see other people.

That was it.

Hell, if Veronique didn’t care if he dated other women… vampire chicks or even humans… then why wouldn’t he want to?

He obviously wanted to make up for lost time. About six hundred years’ worth.

It was okay. Really. I could handle it. I wouldn’t demean myself and cry when he ended things. I was an independent vampiress. I owned my own business now, even though I’d come by it in a very unusual way. I planned to throw all of my energy into keeping