Dark Beauty (The Deadly Beauties Live On 1)

“And that’s for saving my sister without me,” she adds, sounding a little angry.

Kane’s lips twitch, but he says nothing before returning his attention back to Kimber.

“I hate to break up the reunion,” Thad says, his voice strained as though he’s been emotional, “but Sadie told us there’s a part two to this plan of yours. We need to be filled in on this.”

I nod, and everyone starts standing. “Just give me a minute,” I tell them.

Alyssa comes up and hugs me, and I feel nothing but platonic emotions for her. It’s amazing what happens when you find the person you’re actually meant for. It makes you see things for what they truly are.

“Thank you,” she whispers softly.

I squeeze her side in acknowledgment as she walks off, and Kane comes up to me, his green eyes unreadable.

“I was wrong, Gage. I don’t usually admit it, but I was. You’re good for her. And I’m fairly positive she’s crazy in love with you. Thank you,” he says, but he walks away before I can acknowledge it, and he wraps his arms around his wife before kissing her in a way that use to spark envy. Now I can smile and understand why Alyssa couldn’t let him go. It’s real love.

“You can fill me in on everything later,” Dice says, getting closer to Karma and wrapping her up in his arms. “She only has me. I don’t want her to wake up without me.”

Alyssa’s smile breaks across her face, and she shoots me a look. Yeah, I’m a little surprised by the doting incubus as well.

“She has a family, Dice,” Kane says. “You don’t go through something like this and not have a family. Kimber will consider her a sister now.”

Dice smiles lightly, kissing the top of her head. “And my sister’s sister is my sister,” Ella says, smiling over at him before kissing Kimber on the cheek.

She walks toward me and points a finger at me. “You don’t ever do anything like that without me again.”

“He wanted me to bring you, Ella. He wants you.”

Chaz steps up, interrupting whatever retort she is about to have. “And I won’t let you walk into a trap. So shut up and get off him. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me. It was my plan.”

She tilts her head. “What happened? What did you do?”

He wraps his arm around her shoulders, steering her out. “What we had to. It’s all a matter of misdirection. Let’s focus on the problem instead of the rescue.”

I have no idea why he needs this to be a secret, because everyone here would accept him without fail. But it’s not my secret to tell, and he risked everything to save Kimber, so I won’t press him to risk more.

I go to climb into the bed beside Kimber, and I pull her to me, breathing her in and feeling her safely tucked in my arms. I pushed her away to keep her safe, but apparently I can’t keep her safe enough no matter what I do.

Considering I left her defenseless in my quest to keep her safe, I decide the necklace has to go. With a soft touch, it breaks off, and I float it over to a drawer and tuck it away.

“Always wondered if we’d end up in bed together with two hot chicks,” Dice says, and the illusion of him being a normal immortal being is shattered as I snort out a laugh.

Then his face grows serious once again. “Thank you. I couldn’t have saved her. Thank you for doing it for me.”

“I’d have saved her regardless, but in some twisted way, you’re family. I would have saved her for you even if I wasn’t the type of guy I am.”

His smile spreads, and he shuts his eyes while inhaling Karma like he can’t get enough.

“Thanks, brother.”

Dice giving me a genuine thanks and calling me brother. This world really is fucked up.

Chapter 26

KIMBER

The room is dark when I wake up, and I take the first easy breath I’ve had in so long. Glancing over, I see Dice and Karma curled up with each other, and I can’t help but smile. Then my mind turns to thoughts of Gage who isn’t in here, and my heart sinks as I scramble out of the bed.

Hushed voices find me as I reach the stairs, but my heart is thudding in my ears. The second I reach the bottom of the stairs, I head into the living room, running full speed, and my eyes immediately find the dark user.