His eyes locked on mine. “I love you both, too,” he said.
I swallowed. “But?”
He rubbed his temples, his eyes narrowing as if the dim light hurt. “I need time, Kate. I need time to figure out who I am again. Hell, I need time to figure out what I am.”
“You’re a good man. A good father. You’re the guy on deck as the business guru of this school. You’re my husband. And I love you.”
He nodded slowly, but said nothing, and something in his eyes made my chest ache. For years, he’d seen only what I’d shown him of my demon-hunting life, and that had been exactly zilch. I’d kept it a secret for far too long, keeping him from seeing the real me.
Now, he sees too much. And I have to wonder how much he’s seen of me. Of Eric. There was only that one, foolish, desperate time when I’d believed that Stuart was gone forever. But it had been enough to slide Eric back into my heart and my dreams. And my desires.
Did Stuart see that?
Did I secretly want him to? Because then, at least, maybe I’d jar some emotion out of him? Maybe the bland shell that fate and a high-demon had wrapped around him would shatter, and we’d have it out—accusations and secrets and kisses and anger hurled like glass to shatter. But at least it would be there.
But I can’t go there now. Not when everything between us is so damn fragile. Not when it might just be my guilt that makes me think that he already knows.
Because if he doesn’t, I don’t want to tell him. Not yet. Not until he’s stronger. Especially since it was just that one time.
“Go get some sleep,” he said. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got budget reports to review in the morning anyway. New semester means new expenses.”
I almost laughed. Because there he was. The Stuart I’d married, peeking past the shell. Not because he wanted his wife, but his work awaited.
“Fine,” I said crisply, and was almost to the door when his voice stopped me.
“Kate.”
I turned back.
“We’re going to be okay,” he said quietly, but with a certainty that surprised me.
“Is that what your visions tell you?”
A ghost of a smile crossed his face—the first real smile I’d seen from him in weeks. “No. It’s what my heart says.”
I stood there for a moment, caught between wanting to go back to him and knowing I shouldn’t. And knowing that he’d probably push me away again, anyway.
Instead, I matched his smile. “Goodnight, Stuart.”
“Goodnight, Kate.”
I closed the door softly behind me and stood in the dark hallway, pressing my back against the wall, trying to remember how to breathe.
Antonio Russo was dead. A powerful demon was lurking about. We had a prophecy that nobody understood, but that clearly involved Eric, Allie, or Jared. I’d walked in on my daughter in bed with her vampire boyfriend, and three new students would be arriving in less than fourteen hours.
Just another day in my overly complicated life.
But whatever that prophecy foretold, I intended to be ready.
Because Kate Connor didn’t play defense.
I played to win.
Especially when my daughter was in the crosshairs.
5
ALLIE
