"Merry, you're up. How are you feeling?"
"A little hungover," I admitted. "But better now that I've had some coffee and toast."
"Good." She cocked her head to the side as she studied me. "You look more relaxed than the last time I saw you."
My face heated. Shit. Could they tell that Marcus and I had sex?
Marcus glanced at me and I realized he'd heard that stray thought. Mostly because he gave a short, almost invisible nod. Holy crap. Everyone knew.
I hid behind my coffee cup and tried to pretend that I wasn't now aware of this knowledge.
"Since I need permission, I'd like to talk to you about observing the Fallon Group and their activities," Callum said to Macgrath.
Macgrath and Marcus both scowled at him.
"Let's go outside," Macgrath said.
Harrison got up from the table and followed the three vampires outside.
Ava went to the fridge and took a bottle of water out before she came to sit at the table facing me. "They're probably going to spar to let off some steam," she commented, cracking the seal on the bottle. "If we give them five or ten minutes, they'll probably strip off their shirts."
I laughed. "So, are we going to ogle the men?"
"Why not?"
"Good point." I fell silent. "Do you really think all of you will be safe?" I asked.
She nodded. "I do. At least for now. And if we're not safe in the future, we'll know better than to assume we're safe just because we're not dealing with supernatural creatures." She paused. "So...you and Marcus?"
I groaned. "Is it that obvious?"
Ava shook her head. "Not to most people, but we're not humans." She paused. "You look happy, even though you're still half sick from the drugs they gave you."
"I am."
"You can tell me to mind my business, but are you planning to stay?"
"I won't tell you to mind your business. You've been the closest thing I've had to a female friend in years." I sipped my coffee. "And I am staying. At least for now."
"You're planning to leave eventually?" she asked.
I shrugged. "Not exactly."
Her mouth twitched as though she wanted to smile. "Then, what are you planning?"
"Um, on staying until Marcus kicks me out?"
She did smile then. "You realize that won't ever happen, right? When vampires mate, they take it very seriously. Especially when they're mating for love."
"Vampires don't mate for love?" I asked.
"They do, but they also mate for power, money, or other reasons, just like humans do."
I nodded. I understood that.
"So, if you're going to wait for Marcus to kick you out, it won't happen. He's crazy about you. Anyone can see that." Ava's eyes were alert as they scanned my face. "But you already know because of the bond, don't you?"
"I'm having trouble believing it," I admitted. "We barely know each other."
