Cade groaned. “The Kurjans are monitoring for mating marks. That actually makes sense.” He turned and looked at her again. “You’re not supposed to share that kind of information, Mariana.”
She gaped at him. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Cade turned to his brother and grinned. “I like her. Lots of spunk. Mom will love her.”
Raine zipped onto the Interstate. “Would you just shut up?” He flipped a switch and increased the speed on the windshield wipers. The rain and wind increased in force.
Mariana kicked the back of his chair. “Are you a demon?” She could not even believe she asked that question.
Raine sighed. “Let’s talk about it when we get to your place. You’re going to need to pack. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to move again.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she burst out. “Start talking now.”
“No.” Raine flicked on the lights to battle the storm.
She barely kept from kicking him again. “You are the most stubborn bastard I have ever met.”
Cade nodded. “Yep. We all say that.”
Mariana turned to him. “Are you a demon?”
Cade grinned. “It sounds like the Kurjans educated you a little bit.”
“A lot,” she countered. “Although I didn’t believe them until Jon pulled the knife out of his neck and healed himself. So it’s all true?”
Cade nodded. “It’s all true, and we Maxwells do have some demon blood but are mainly vampires. Immortal species usually take on one aspect of their heritage.”
Vampires. Oh God. “You’re going to kill me and drain my blood.” She could feel it draining from her face and head right now.
Cade burst out laughing, and Raine gave her a look in the mirror.
“What?” she asked.
Raine shook his head. “We don’t need your blood, we’re not going to kill you, and you can’t be a vampire. We’re just another species, and we’re absolutely fine in the sun. We also eat normal food and only take blood during battle or sex.”
Battle or sex. Her abdomen did a silly jumpy move it only did around him. Oh, no way. Never again. She crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re kidnappers now.”
Cade turned toward her and winced. “About that. I should apologize for kidnapping you the other night and taking you to the barn. My twin and I thought that if you and Raine spent some time together that he’d come to his senses. He didn’t.”
None of this made sense and she didn’t care. Wait a minute. “You kidnapped me?”
“Yes. Sorry,” Cade said.
It was too much. She kicked the back of Raine’s chair again. “I want out of this car.”
“No,” Raine said.
She growled this time. Actually growled.
Cade laughed out loud again.
Until Raine punched him in the face.
Chapter 13
Raine watched his brother drive off from Mariana’s porch while she packed up her belongings. He sent healing cells to his ribs, which he’d ignored since the fight. The sight of the Kurjan soldier grabbing Mariana would haunt him until the end of days. He turned and headed back inside to help her pack.
She sat on the sofa with a glass of red wine and a very set jaw. A stubborn, delicate, firm jaw.
