Runs in the Blood, Chapter Seventy-seven

Chapter Seventy-seven

Anton was standing downstairs, waiting for Bryn. Earlier he and Bryn had dropped Max off with Nate and Lindy. Earlier she and Jess had gone out shopping, and she had bought a new dress. Wanting it to be a surprise, he had been evicted from the bedroom while she got ready. "Bryn? Are you going to be much longer?"
She came down the stairs with a sigh, still trying to put on her shoes. The silky gown she wore was long and flowing from the thighs down, and tight and clingy up to her v-neck halter-top bust. Lace decorated her bosom, and the satin of her dress was almost painted--like a beautiful Monet of springtime greens and golds, melting into each other, accentuating her curves.
"I'm sorry, sugar, I couldn't figure out what shoes to wear, and my hair wasn't cooperating." She pushed her hair out of her eyes, nearly tripping over her long gown, and grabbed the iron railing to stop her fall. Giving him a frustrated look, she plopped down on one of the stairs and hiked her skirt up, reaching for the strappy shoe she'd dropped. "I hope this evening gets better, because it's not starting out so great."
"Wow, Bryn." Anton looked her up and down. "You look...you look...wow." She was always beautiful to him, but it so was rare for her to get dressed up like this, he forgot how devastating she could look. Hurrying to the stairs, he grabbed the shoe from her hands "Let me, my dear." Kneeling before her on the stairs, he slipped the shoe on her foot.
She stared at him, swallowing heavily. "I suddenly feel like Cinderella." She smiled and wiggled her pink-lacquered toes. "Thank you, my love. You look absolutely amazing. I'm not sure if I want to take you out and show you off, or lock you in the bedroom with me."
Anton grinned up at her. "Both options sound awfully good to me, my dear." He stood up and then helped her to her feet. He made sure the jacket of his suit was hanging straight. He rarely wore the black suit and white shirt and black and gold tie unless he needed to impress a client. Or wished to show off. And right now he wanted to do nothing more than show off his beautiful wife.
He offered her his arm. "Shall we, my dear?"
"Wait. Come here." She reached for him, still standing on the stair above him and better able to meet his gaze. Her lips were slicked with peachy-pink gloss, her dark hair falling in waves around her face, and she cupped his jaw with delicate hands. Leaning forward, just a breath away from his face, she said, "I want to kiss you...you look as if you need it as badly as I do."
His hands cupped her head, being careful not to mess up her hair. "You look like a dream that strayed into reality, my dear." Gently, he pressed his lips to hers, softly sucking her upper lip between his. He nibbled lightly enjoying the taste and feel of her against him.
Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she moaned softly against his mouth. She tickled his lower lip with her tongue, seeking entrance, and deepened the kiss to taste his mouth. She pressed her body tightly against his, feeling beautiful, elegant, all of the things he saw in her and she was almost afraid to see in herself. She felt it, all the way down to her toes. And what's more, she felt as if she was his match, his perfect mate, his equal. That felt better than anything.
After a few moments she pulled back to meet his gaze, tears in her eyes, and smiled tremulously at him. "I love you so much I could burst, Anton Rudenko."
"I love you too, Sabryn Rudenko." He smiled as she rubbed her thumb over his lips, wiping away her lip gloss. "I don't know how I got so lucky as to have you, my dear." He smiled and grabbed her around the hips and swung her off the stairs. "All I know is that I'm going to do my damnedest to keep you by my side forever." He gently placed her on her feet in front of him. "Are you ready to go, my dear?"
She nodded, reaching for his hand and the small silver evening bag she'd set on the couch earlier. "I'm ready to go make every other woman in the room jealous beyond reasoning." She led him down the hallway towards the garage, her fingers tightly laced with his. "Are you going to tell me where you're taking me, or is it a surprise?"
There was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "It's not a surprise, my dear. I'll just let you know when we get there." He opened the door and half bowed towards you, arms pointing to the Jaguar. "My dear, your chariot awaits."
She gave him a hundred watt grin, walking over and taking his hand as he helped her into the car. She breathed in deeply. "It even has that new car smell--you got your car detailed? Just for me? Sugar...you're so good to me. I might just have to keep you."

Lindy pulled on her old sweater and pulled her ponytail free from the collar. She peeked into her purse, making sure that her keys were there. Reassured they were, she put it back down and walked upstairs to their bedroom. She could hear the sound of cardboard rustling, as well as Liam babbling happily away. "How's it going, Nate?"
"Huh? Uh--okay." His words were followed by a heavy clunking sound and then, "Damn it!"
Eyes slightly narrowed, she walked into the room with her arms crossed. "You're teaching the kids to swear, Nate."
He looked up from the mess on the floor and frowned. "Sorry. I can't get this screw to go in without stripping it. I think it's crooked."
She shook her head. Liam was playing an enthusiastic game of peek-a-boo from inside the discarded box, making Petunia wag her tail every time he popped up to look at her. Lindy grinned. Max, lying in the middle of the bed, slept deeply, fist in his mouth, hugging a soft blue blanket.
"Do we have a bigger screwdriver?" Nate whined. "This one's not working."
"What is it with guys and the size of their tools?" She smirked at him. "Move over and let me try." Getting down in the floor, she took the leg of the telescope's tripod, the base, the screw in question and the screwdriver. "Hmmm..." Fiddling with it for a few minutes and from a few different angles, she got the screw to go smoothly into the tripod, fitting the leg solidly to it. "There." She handed it back to Nate. "You want me to do the other two legs, or do you want to give it a shot?" She reached over and tousled Petunia's ears, making a face whenever Liam popped out of the box.
Nate glanced at her, sour-faced, and stared back at the tripod. "Why did it work for you? God damned--"
Lindy raised an eyebrow.
"Darned...piece of poo," Nate finished, annoyed. He sighed, setting down the screw driver. He stood up carefully, not disturbing his mess, and grabbed her shoulders. "I guess this doesn't have to be done right this minute. Do you have to leave already? I think you should just stay here with me. I'm more fun. Cuter too."
"Yes you are." She kissed the tip of his nose. "But that doesn't get the finance forms signed off. I'll be there an hour tops. And then I'm yours for the night." She patted Liam on the head, and then gently stroked Max's cheek. "The sooner I go, the sooner I'm back."
Nate's voice got whiny again. "Are you sure it can't wait until tomorrow? What if Max wakes up and they both start crying? And then Petunia eats the cat, and I go so insane my head literally explodes? You gotta stay here so that doesn't happen Lindy. I don't want my brain to go splat!"
"What makes you think it already hasn't?" She pecked his lips once, ignoring his pout. "Look, this is stuff I don't want hanging over my head for when I go back to work. I can get it done, and then I'm yours for the rest of tonight, and all of tomorrow. It won't take over an hour. I promise I'll be right back. Besides, one of us has to be the responsible one."
He made a face at her and stuck his tongue out. "See if you get a goodbye kiss from me now."
Now it was Lindy's turn to pout. "Come on, Nate, please? The longer we stand here, the less time we'll have to look at the stars." She closed her eyes and puckered her lips.
Smiling to himself, he stepped closer and settled his hands on her waist, leaning close, and gently kissed her mouth. He lingered against her lips, gently plucking her lower lip with his. After a moment, he leisurely opened his eyes and gave her a smug smile. "You want me. You can't stand it, you want me so much. And I think maybe if you hurry home, I'll let you have me."
She smiled, eyes shut. "You read my mind." Opening her eyes, she took a reluctant step back. "Hold that thought for me, Nathaniel?" Her smile got wider as he nodded. "I'll be back in an hour and a half at the longest." She started walking to the door, pausing to look back at him. "I love you, Nathaniel."
He gave her a wide smile. "I love you, too, gorgeous. I'll have the champagne waiting, kids fed and changed, and some soft music on the radio. You just hurry home."
Her grin grew wider as well. "I will, beloved." She blew soft kiss at him. "I'll be back in a little bit. Lindy turned and walked out the door of their bedroom.

The closer to the water they got, the more Bryn sat up in her seat. She could feel her heart racing as they reached the piers, and she couldn't seem to stop smiling. Hand on Anton's thigh, she said, "We're going to a restaurant down here?"
"You'll see. Just sit down until I find a parking space."
She checked her face in the mirror on the sun visor, making sure she didn't have any lip gloss smeared. "I was thinking that a picnic near the water would be nice. Is that what we're doing?"
"Not quite, my dear." Anton pulled into the parking lot. Motioning for her to wait, he got out of the car and hurried to the other side. He opened the door with a slight flourish. With a sly grin, he offered her his arm.
They walked down past the stores and crowds of Pier 39. Past several crowded restaurants filled with revelers and party goers. He stopped on at the gangplank to the Blue and Gold Fleet's slip, which was blocked by a velvet rope and a guard. He produced two tickets and handed them to the guard, who then unclipped the rope. "After you, my dear."
Bryn gave him an odd look before walking on to the ship. She waited until he joined her, then leaned closer. "We're going to see Alcatraz? No offense, sugar, but that isn't exactly my idea of a romantic evening."
"And it's not mine either, my dear." He led her over to the railing and leaned against it. "Every year, the Blue and Gold Fleet does a special New Year's Eve cruise around the Bay. Dinner, live music, dancing, and a great view of the fireworks on the Bay are included." The devilish grin was back on his face. "Although if you want to go see Alcatraz, I'm sure arrangements could be made."
She grinned, blushing, and leaned her forehead against his chest. "I don't think so, sugar, but thanks anyway." Meeting his gaze, she kissed him briefly and then lifting up on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. "Although I'm sure it's exciting, I don't think Alcatraz could impress me nearly as much as going on a cruise with my best friend in the whole world. This is perfect and I love it. Thank you."
"You're welcome, my dear." He gently kissed her. "I wanted to show you off, my dear, and thought you would enjoy this. You haven't seen much of the Bay despite how long you've lived here, and thought this would be a good way to do so."
"It's wonderful." Settling back to her feet, she took his hands and led him with her to the long cushioned bench along the railing. Sitting down, she continued to hold her grip on him. "I haven't even been this close to the water since we were in Santa Cruz." She was quiet for a minute, her gaze on their joined hands. "I never dared to imagine that night that I might end up here with you. Did you? Did you ever think this might happen?"
"I hoped that it would," he said, squeezing her hands. "I dreamed that it would. But I didn't let myself believe it until I saw you in Baltimore." He rubbed his thumbs back and forth over her fingers. "And ever since then, it's felt so right. Even when we were fighting, I knew this was where I should be. By your side." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Bryn."
"I love you, too, Anton." She scooted a bit closer, placing her hand on his knee. "I've been thinking...it would be nice if every year, on our anniversary, we got married again. It wouldn't have to be anything fancy, unless we wanted it to...or it could be completely private, just between you and me. Either way, just renewing our vows, having a little ceremony, I think it would keep us as close as possible. Maybe we could even have something as part of the tradition, like planting a new flower or making a gold chain out of a new link every year. What do you think?"
He put his arm around her, pulling her even closer. "That sounds wonderful, my dear." He pressed his lips to her forehead again. "And maybe would you like to recreate as much as we can the wedding ceremonies I had with my other wives? We wouldn't have to do it the first few years, and we'll create our own traditions as well, honoring the past as well as the future."
She grinned. "I'd like that very much." Looking up to meet his gaze, her expression grew more serious. "If it wouldn't make you uncomfortable, some day I'd like to marry you in Russia, in the home where you grew up. And if you'd teach me, I'd like to recite our vows in Medieval Russian. Would you mind?"
"No, Bryn. I'd love to. And when we're there, I'll show you where we made our vows under the stars, and where you saved my life" He squeezed her hands again, jumping slightly as the horn sounded, signaling that the boat was about to leave the dock. They watched as the gangplank was raised and the horn sounded again. "Looks like we're about to get underway, my dear."
She bounced excitedly next to him, scooting even closer still. She looked around at the nicely dressed people, who she'd only barely noticed since sitting down with Anton. They were a mixed group, but most of them looked to be in their thirties or so. She suddenly felt very young. And a bit self-conscious when she noticed some of the people staring at them.
Trying to be inconspicuous, she whispered, "Do we look odd or something? Those guys over there are staring at us."
"Not exactly, my dear," he whispered back. "They are staring at you. And I can't blame them for wanting to look at such a beautiful woman. In fact, I can't take my eyes off of you, Bryn." He stood up, helping her to her feet. "So what would you like to start with? A little wine? Dinner? Dancing?"
"Something to drink would be nice, but I'm not sure if I should have wine or sparkling cider. I'm still nursing, remember?" She glanced back at the men again, her eyebrow raised. "Anton, are you sure they're staring at me? I mean, they're two men and I'm not all that sure they have female dates. If you ask me, I think they're staring at you."
A slight flush crept up Anton's cheeks. "Well, this is San Francisco, after all..." he muttered.
She let out a small laugh, then grabbed his arm and squeezed. "You're embarrassed! I don't think I've ever seen you blush before! Look at how cute you are. It's no wonder they were staring...you have to be the most gorgeous guy on this boat."
Anton smiled and shifted a bit uncomfortably. While he had tired to exist by a 'live and let live' policy, even this long after being assaulted, he wasn't comfortable with attention from the same sex.
She sensed a shift in his demeanor and stopped smiling. "I'm sorry, sugar, I--I wasn't thinking. Why don't I just save our seats here and you can get us something to drink. Then we can have something to eat a little later, once we've relaxed a little."
Grateful for an out, Anton kissed her once lightly. "Okay. Cranberry juice, my dear?" When she nodded, he took a step back. "I'll be right back, Bryn." He turned and walked over to the wet bar set up. He knew that they would have to discuss his reaction sometime, but not tonight.

Oddly, for New Year's Eve, the road to their home was quiet with light traffic. She had the urge to speed up and hurry back to spend her evening with Nate and kids, but if she were ever to get a ticket on this road, this would most assuredly be the night.
No sooner had the thought drifted through Lindy's mind than she saw a blinding, flashing light in her rearview mirror.
"Damn," she whispered. Turning down her Tragically Hip CD, she pulled over to the side of the road and shut off the engine. She reached into her purse, pulling out her wallet which had her license and insurance card in it. Rolling down the window, she saw the officer get out of his car, flashlight in hand. She put up an arm to shield her arm as he came nearer, trying to screen out the glare. "Yes, officer?"
"Ma'am, put your arm down, please." Lindy sighed inwardly but did as he asked, squinting. She couldn't see his face, or even how tall he was. All she could see was brilliant light. "I'll need you to give me your driver's license."
Wanting to comply and get home as quickly as possible, she reached into her wallet and pulled out her license. She handed it over, wishing the cop wouldn't shine the flashlight in her eyes. The police officer flicked the light over the license and then back to her face. "Please step out of the car, ma'am." Biting her lip, Lindy undid her seat belt and opened the car door. Stumbling a little since she couldn't see, she climbed out of her car.
"Turn around and face the car, please."
He waited until she did and quietly closed the car door as he stepped closer. Although it could've been a polite gesture to save her car battery, something in that simple movement made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
"Do you have any idea how fast you were going, Ma'am? Fifteen miles per hour over the limit. Now, you don't look like you've been drinking this evening, and after a simple test I might have sent you on your way with a warning. But you're also driving with an expired license. I'm afraid I'm going to have to give you a citation for both."
"I'm sorry?" She might have been speeding and not realized it; she was willing to give him that. But she knew her license hadn't expired, because she had gone down to the department of motor vehicles to get her name on it changed to her married name and had renewed at the same time. Something was feeling off about this situation to her, and that feeling was growing stronger by the minute.
Lindy half-twisted to look at the officer to argue, but stopped even before he barked "Turn back around," at her. She had gotten a glimpse of him in that brief second. The 'officer' was wearing jeans and a dark T-shirt, not a uniform. [He's not a cop!] Her mind spun to the rash of officer impersonation crimes that had happened in the recent past. She tried to keep from outwardly tensing, especially when she heard the clink of metal.
"I'm going to put these handcuffs on you for your safety as well as mine," the stranger said, grabbing one of her wrists. Afraid of being trapped, Lindy broke away from his grip and turned, leading with a clenched fist that caught the man squarely on the jaw, just like Walter had taught her.
He grunted and stumbled backwards, shaking his head to clear his vision. The low growl he released made her body jolt even as she scrambled to open the car door.
[Marrok!]
She tripped over his foot but quickly recovered, shoving the door open, pushing her way inside, only to scream in pain as he threw his weight against the door and smashed her hand. The audible crunch of breaking bones was sickening. She put all of her strength in her legs, bucking him off long enough to rescue her shattered hand, pulling it back against her body and cradling it protectively. She had less than a second before he charged again.
She was slammed against her car, striking her head against the window. Stunned, she didn't resist as Marrok grabbed her good hand and snapped the handcuff on it. She screamed in pain when he forced her injured left hand behind her. Twisting around, she kicked out with her right leg, catching him in the knee. He swore and stumbled, giving her half a second to get free of him.
She ran, unaware of her own scream, around his car and into the woods, with him only two or three steps behind her and never slowing. She dodged trees, crashed through brush, sticks gouging her face until she bled, ankles twisting as she stumbled over debris on the forest floor. Even as it started to heal, her broken hand hit every branch in her path and she whimpered in absolute pain.
His breath heavy behind her, he ran swiftly, almost silently, like the fleet-footed predator she once was. He made a grab for her hair and she screamed as a large clump was torn from her head.
As she ran, her mind desperately sought a way to dodge him. She didn't have much of a chance to evade a werewolf. What she wanted was a little distance so she could stand her ground, grab something as a weapon. She knew all a werewolf's soft spots, but she needed room to work, something she wouldn't get with Marrok on her heels.
He never tired. Even when she started wheezing, her lungs freezing and raw in the cold, he was only inches behind her.
She panicked when saw the log blocking her path. She might've veered left or right, but it's size was so great she'd need to change direction altogether, wasting precious time. Instinct took over and she prepared to jump over it, picking up speed on shaky legs, ready to spring, and then she leapt...and was knocked out of mid air, hitting the ground hard, his weight skidding her body on the wet earth, grinding her face against moss, dirt, pine needles and rock, forcing the breath right out of her.
Forcing her arms under her, almost biting through her lip from the pain in her broken hand, she tried to scramble out from beneath him. She didn't see his hand come around and grab her hair, slamming her head to the ground. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and her body went slack beneath him. She thought she heard him say, "God damned walking corpse," before the blackness overtook her.

Jess walked outside, restless although she couldn't say exactly why. Deciding she needed some time to herself, away from Alex, Walter, and Amanda, who were watching a movie to celebrate the new year, she excused herself. Although a big fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000, her heart wasn't in it tonight.
Slipping into the barn, she walked blinked at the sudden brightness as she turned on the lights. Smiling, she walked over to Whisky and Ale's stall. She reached over to pat the mare and scratch the colt. "It's going to be tough when it comes time to wean you," she murmured.
She was so intent on petting the colt, it didn't register at first when Lilly let out a whicker. Turning around to see what had caught the mare's attention, she gasped in surprise. There was a woman standing there in the stable. A woman who looked almost exactly like her, but with long hair and blue eyes. She blinked. And in that split second, the woman disappeared.
Jess didn't bother to search for the stranger. The woman she had glimpsed wasn't a woman at all, but a spirit. Or ghost. Or guardian angel depending on one's point of view. Her dead sister Rachel, who always seemed to appear just before a disaster in her life.
Shivering and suddenly afraid, she quickly walked the length of the barn. She forced herself not to start at the small sounds of the night as she crossed the yard and headed back to her home. Quietly she stepped into the house and shut the door, leaning against it for support.
Alex looked up from the movie. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Jess nodded, eyes troubled. "I just did."

Bryn couldn't help but be quiet during dinner. They sat at one of the tables indoors, cloth napkins on their laps and live music just across the room. The view from the windows was incredible, the food was good, and the mood was festive...but she couldn't believe that comment she'd made just after boarding the ship.
She knew about Anton's past, was only one of three who knew he'd been molested as a child, and she'd completely forgotten herself when she made the comment about the two men staring at him. It should've occurred to her that he might be uncomfortable receiving attention from other men--women who were rape victims often felt the same way. And even if he hadn't been physically penetrated, he'd been raped all the same.
Oddly, Anton seemed unfazed by the time they went to eat. It was if he'd shut it out of his mind entirely. He kept up conversation, held her hand across the table, and smiled as if nothing had happened. And although she was considerably quieter than she had been before, she tried her hardest to do the same.
She swallowed a bite of her steak, then reached for her glass before saying, "I wonder how Max is doing."
"Me too," he said, picking up his fork. "I'd suggest that we call and see how he is, but I left the cell phone in the car." He took a bite of the chicken and swallowed. He knew that Bryn was trying to act like he hadn't been uncomfortable earlier, and deeply appreciated it. He knew that it would be something they would have to talk about, but not tonight. "How's your steak, my dear?"
"Very good," she said, nodding. "Would you like a bite?"
"Of course." He grinned. Handing her his fork, he waited for her to cut loose a piece before feeding it to him. Taking the fork back, he bit into the juicy marinated steak and let out a soft moan. He finished before saying, "That is good. What's on it?"
"Lemon juice and rosemary. At this rate, I can't wait to taste the dessert." She glanced outside the window, watching a few stray firework pop in the sky. She wondered if they'd be able to see the warehouse, or at least the vicinity it was in, sometime during the night. "Do you miss going to work? Seeing your employees or dealing with retailers?"
"Yes, sometimes," Anton admitted. "More seeing the employees than dealing with retailers," he grinned. "It's not that I don't want to be home with you and Max. It's a change in routine that I'm still adapting to."
She nodded. "I didn't really think you would like staying at home as much--you need to be doing something. Otherwise you wouldn't still be the boss. You would've maintained ownership, but given management to Lindy." She cut another piece of steak, but held the fork against the plate for a moment. "Anton, if you want to go back to work, don't feel like you have to stay home just to please me. I can handle things just fine. Max may be a handful, but I do have two hands. If you want to work, do it."
Anton nodded. "Maybe later next week, and for half days at first? I know we don't have much time when Max will be this small, and I want to treasure every moment of it." He gave her a wistful half smile. "He's gotten bigger already."
"Yeah, I know. I don't really like the idea of being away from him either, but I think I'm going to have to go to an aerobics class sooner or later. If I didn't have those support--well, if I didn't have support period, I never would've fit into this dress. I'm still stretching the seams a bit in places." She took another piece of steak, chewing and swallowing before saying, "You'll need to teach me about the business eventually, anyway, and I'd like Max there with me around half of that time. So you wouldn't be away from him all day."
"True, my dear." He took another bite of the chicken. "When would you like to start at work, Bryn? And have you thought any about what you want to do there?" He looked down at his plate. "Sometimes I feel guilty about you stopping taking classes. Have you thought about taking some here in the community colleges?"
"No, I haven't really thought about either. I thought you might just add me in where you need help at warehouse, but I guess now that I think about it you already have all of the employees you need. So, I guess looking into some classes wouldn't be such a bad idea." She set down her fork, feeling full. "I don't really know what I'm going to do."
"You don't have to give me an answer right now, Bryn. I just wanted to let you know that if you want to go back to school, I'd be happy to help you go back. Or if you want to work in a specific area in the warehouse, that's no problem. Or if you want to be a full time stay at home mother, that's fine too." He leaned forward a bit. "I guess I'm trying to say I don't know what your dreams are, and I want to learn them so I can help you towards making them come true."
She stared out the window, absently watching the waves roll away from the ship. "I wish I could tell you what I want. I'm not sure I even know that myself. Sometimes I think I want to be nothing but a great painter, but my creativity comes in short burst and sometimes it can be a really long and boring wait in between. I always resisted it when people used to tell me I needed something else to fall back on. I guess now I know what they were talking about."
She was quiet for a moment, sipping her juice. "I used to be really jealous of Lindy, because she got to spend so much time with you. And now I know that's only a professional thing, but...I still sometimes think to myself, 'that should be me.' That because it's your own business, and I'm your wife, I should be helping you run it." She nodded slightly, her eyes growing slightly sad. "But she does a great job there, and even if I started now, I'd never know as much about the business as she does.
"So, I don't know what I'm going to do. The idea of having a real career scares me. But then, so does the idea of being a full time mother. I know they have a lot of responsibilities and their always busy, but all I can see when I think of that is me getting fat on the couch eating bon bons and watching TV, while the kids turn into little terrors and color on the walls.
"There are a lot of things I'd like to do, but I'm not sure if any of them would hold my interest for more than a week at most." She shook her head. "I just don't know."
Pushing his plate slightly to one side, he reached out and took one of her hands in his. "Bryn, my dear, you can do whatever it is you want. If you try something and it only lasts a week, but it gives you joy for that time, then it was worth the trial. And remember, long term has a slightly different meaning to me than most people." He waited for her laughter at his joke to die down a bit. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that if there is something you want to try, I'm there to support you. And you will have time to try many things, my dear. But you don't have to feel you have to keep them going out of obligation or duty."
She squeezed his hand. "Thank you. No one ever made think of it that way. I thought that if I quit something or failed at it, that it made me less of a person." She tucked a curly strand of hair behind her ear, then stared down at his fingernail as she traced it with her thumb. "I'd never really thought of trying a job just for the sake of having fun. It was always about money and security, but I guess I have those now. And I have your support, so if I do fail at something, it's okay. I can't tell you how much that means to me. It feels so good to just be accepted for who I am." She sucked in a shuddering breath. "Thank you, Anton. I love you so much."
"I love you too, Bryn. I just want to see you happy." He looked out through the crowd at one of the forward windows. "Are you finished with dinner, my dear?" He stood up and offered her his arm. "Then may I have the honor of having this dance with the most beautiful woman on this boat?"
She smiled and stood up to take his arm. "I want to know how you got to be so charming, Anton. You could teach classes on how to be a gentleman," she said, as they stepped out onto the deck.
He shook his head and smiled as he led her to the dance floor set up in the night air. "Maybe I'll start a finishing school for young men when I get too bored with the antiques business."
"Aren't finishing schools mostly for young ladies?"
"Yes, but it's the 21st century. Equality of the sexes should work both ways, don't you think?"
"Hmm...somehow I doubt you'll find many students with the skateboard-riding, cocaine-smoking boys of this century. Maybe if we went back in time." Placing her hand on his shoulder and scooting close to him, she laid her head against him and closed her eyes, letting him lead her as they softly swayed to the music. "Sometimes I wish we could go back in time. If I could take it back, I never would've left you in Santa Cruz. Maybe if I'd stayed, we'd have two children by now."
"Maybe. But maybe we both needed that time apart to appreciate what we have now." He slowly led her around the dance floor. "Bryn, what did you do that day you left? I spent the day cursing the fact that the sun was up and by the time I could leave you'd be long gone. And cursing myself for not finding out your last name."
She was quiet for a moment, and when she spoke her voice was pained with the memory. "I went back to the hotel room I was sharing with Caroline. She hadn't woken up yet, and I was so relieved by that. I walked into the bathroom and took a shower, to muffle the sound so I could cry without her knowing. I got so upset that I couldn't breathe and it made me sick. I had to stumble out of the shower stall so I could vomit in the toilet."
Bryn squeezed him tighter against her, gripping his shoulders from behind. "It didn't matter that I'd tried to cry without her hearing me, because I couldn't stop even when she was awake. I cried when I bandaged my neck, when we got to the airport, on the plane. At the airport I kept wishing that I'd turn around and see you, that somehow you'd get there and beg me stay. But I didn't think you really wanted me the way I wanted you to. I didn't trust that you could love me that much."
He held her tighter and kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry I caused you that pain, Bryn. If there had been a way I could have followed you, I would have. I am so glad that when I found you again, that we didn't make the same mistakes a second time." He gave her a crooked grin. "Although I could have done without some of the new mistakes we made then."
She opened her mouth to ask what he meant, when she realized he was talking about the night with Lindy. "The mistakes we made the second time were nothing compared to the things we did right." She held his gaze, her expression sober. "When I saw you at the gallery, I thought I was hallucinating. And then I saw Lindy, and I thought my worst nightmare had come true--that you found someone else and moved on. For a whole year I'd been so depressed and lonely, and I was certain that I was wishing for something that would never happen. Then you were there and for one minute I was stunned, then devastated...and then you followed me into that office and I couldn't get close enough to you. And when you told me she was just your associate, I got so excited I thought I might pass out. So I had to lean on the desk."
"We did a lot more on that desk, if I recall correctly." He ran his hand up and down her back, looking softly into her eyes. "I was so happy to see you, and so devastated when I saw John standing with you. I thought the same thing - that you had found someone else and were moving on. I am so glad that we both were wrong." He kissed her forehead. "I felt that I had been walking around for that year with a hole in my soul, one that only you could fill. You complete me, Bryn. And I love you so much."
"We complete each other, and I love *you* so much." She lifted up on her tiptoes for a chaste but lingering kiss, smiling brightly when it ended. "I wish we could go home tonight and recreate that moment with the desk. I guess we'll have to settle for a close second. And maybe, I could go to sleep lying on your chest?"
"That sounds wonderful, my dear." He nuzzled her cheek, lips brushing softly over her skin. He turned to gaze over the water when several booming noises started. "Look, they've started the fireworks."
They walked closer to the railing, watching the sky and the water as the brilliant explosions lit up the night. Bryn sighed happily, leaning back against Anton and squeezing his arms as they wrapped around her. A small group had formed around them, but she hardly noticed. Murmuring softly, but loud enough for him to hear, she said, "It's just like our wedding night."
A woman standing nearby started to snicker.
Anton rocked her gently. "Yeah, that was an incredible night. And every night since that Fourth of July." They watched the fireworks for a few more minutes in silence. "Have I mentioned lately how much I love you, Bryn?"
She smiled widely, lacing her fingers together with his on both hands. "About five minutes ago...but it wouldn't hurt for you to say it again. Or for me to say it. I love you enormously and eternally, Anton. You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

When she came to, she had a headache. Lindy wondered why she was on the floor instead of in bed with her husband. Or for that matter, why the floor was bare concrete instead of carpeted. Shaking her head she sat up, and then tried to stand. That was when she discovered the chain around her ankle.
The memories came flooding back. Driving home, being pulled over, and running through the trees on the side of the road, fleeing from Marrok. [Obviously, I didn't get away.] Finding the chain on her right ankle, she began following the length of it back to where it was attached into the wall. She gave it a light, then a more firm, and finally a rough tug. [Damn!]
Watching discreetly from the window, Marrok bit his lip to keep from laughing. Had she still been part wolf, she might've chewed her own leg off just to get free. Unfortunately, she was useless vampire, a weak and disgusting animated corpse, and she could do nothing to save her own life. [Unlife...death...whatever.]
Walking to the door, he removed the heavy steel bolts locking it in place and pushed it inward. Although the night was wasting away towards dawn, he left the door ajar. [Let her squirm, make her sweat...give her the hope she just might escape.]
He stood looming in the entrance, staring down at her, nothing but a dark silhouette to her eyes. "Good evening. I would call you by name, but you didn't come with a toe tag, and I'm not psychic. So I'll just call you 'bitch'. Doesn't have the same connotation as it once did, in your case, but I'd say it's still more than appropriate."
Hiding the fact that she had been startled by his approach, she turned and looked at him, letting her fangs grow and her eyes flame. "You're not impressing me, bitch. We both know exactly who is in control here."
Lindy closed her eyes, letting the flames die down before she opened them again. "First of all, don't bother lying to me. You saw my license, and you know who I am. I've also got a good idea of who you are."
"Really? And who would I be?"
"You're Marrok Deschamps, Liam's father."
His hands clenched into fists, but he quickly resumed speaking, not letting her know she'd shocked him. "Liam? You named my son Liam? What the hell were you thinking? He's French-Canadian, not...Irish." He spat the last word out in contempt, almost as much as he felt for vampires. "Once he's returned to me, he'll get a real name. And a living family."
"He already has one. And if you were so concerned about him, why weren't you around helping raise him? When his mother was dying?" She took a step forward, ignoring the rattle of the chain.
"Because *that* bitch never informed me she was pregnant. And I don't have to explain myself to you. If you've forgotten, you're the one chained the wall. So you answer to me--why did you take the boy? He wasn't yours to claim."
Lindy glared up into his eyes. "We didn't 'claim' him like a lost piece of luggage. We loved him like he was our own. He was abandoned in the same stable you attacked my friend in. In fact, she was the reason Liam is still alive, because she was the one who found him. She knew she couldn't raise a werewolf, so she asked us to take care of him. And what thanks did she get from you? Almost being killed and being Changed against her will."
He gave her a charming smile, amusement making his chest shake. "You make it sound as if she was doomed. She'll live a much fuller life now. What I gave her was a gift, compared to your 'transformation'. Your friend will have superior senses, and have rich healthy blood running through her veins. She's not dead, unlike you. She won't be forced to feed on the living--the innocent--to *survive*. No, she was blessed...it was you who was cursed."
"Blessed? I'd like to see you tell Chandra that. And you're one to talk about the innocent, Marrok. You attacked a woman, a pregnant human woman, who was baby sitting Liam. Were you planning on 'blessing' her too, or just slaughtering her if she stayed in your way?
"Do you mean the necrophiliac? The one carrying her dead lover's vampire spawn? As if we don't have enough of the walking dead already?" He shook his head, tsking. "You should know me better than that, bitch." His voice became low and menacing, his eyes narrowing. "I don't like vampires. In fact, I hate them. *Loathe* them. I wouldn't hesitate to get rid of any one of them, including you. If she'd gotten in my way, hell yes! I would've killed her. And her vampire whelp."
"Then why am I still around?" She didn't use the word alive. She didn't want to antagonize him any further than she had to. "You obviously had a chance to stake me, but I'm still standing. Why haven't you destroyed me? And why do you hate vampires so much?"
"You're here as my collateral. You see, I'm sick of taking my chances with your stupid husband. This time I'm making him an offer he can't refuse." He reached out to stroke her cheek, grinning when she slapped his hand away. "If your vampire mate doesn't hand over my son in exchange for his bitch, I will stake you. That's a promise."
His words chilled her, but she didn't let it show. Then she remembered that he was probably smelling every shift in her emotions. "And how do we know that if he gives you Liam that you won't stake me anyway? Since you hate vampires so much, what's to say that Nate keeps his end of the bargain and gets a box of ash back?"
He chuckled softly. "What's to say, indeed? I imagine it will depend on my mood that day. I suggest you do your best to keep me happy. Maybe then I'll let you walk." Crossing his arms over his chest, he tilted his head and stared at her with probing hazel eyes. "I'm well aware that you'll try to escape. Best wishes. If you manage to break your chain--and that's a big, impossible 'if'--you'll notice that the window doesn't have a shade. And I'll be sure to check on you often during the night. You might say your chances are looking very slim."
"About as slim as your chances if Nate or my family get their fangs into you." She drew herself up to full height, glaring up at him. "If you think that once you have Liam that we'll be leaving you alone, you're dead wrong. We'll hunt you down and do what it takes to get our son back."
He mock shuddered. "And here I am, shaking in my boots. You'll have to find me first, bitch. If you think I'm just going to sit around waiting for you, you're crazy." He nodded towards the door. "I really should be going now. I have a date with the living. I trust you'll find plenty to eat when the rats come out of hiding."
She glared at him as he nonchalantly turned and walked away. The door slammed, and the noise echoed in her mind. She looked up with concern at the uncovered window. [Only a couple hours until dawn.] From its position, she didn't think that any direct sunlight would fall on her. if she stayed in the corner, she should be safe, light hitting the opposite wall.
She took a deep breath. "Oh God, Nate. What are we going to do?"
End Chapter Seventy-seven

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