Blade Bound (Chicagoland Vampires 13)

“And they’d be wrong,” I said with a smile, and bit into the chip. “I help keep your ego in check.”

“I am a shy and retiring vampire,” he said, with not one bit of sincerity or believability. “And I keep you from running headlong into danger.”

I gave him a look.

“Well, I try,” he amended. “And is that to be your official Dry Wife Expression? I’d like to go ahead and commit it to memory.”

“You’re hilarious, husband.”

“And you’re beautiful, wife. Headstrong or otherwise.”

A compliment either way.

CHAPTER TEN

WE’LL ALWAYS (NOT) HAVE PARIS

I woke to the smells of chocolate and sugar, but kept my eyes closed, basking in the fantasy that Chicago’s problems had resolved themselves and we’d been whisked away to Paris while we slept. I’d open tall, iron windows to a balcony, a wonderful breeze, and a view of the Eiffel Tower.

“Bonjour, mon amour,” I said.

“You’re still in Chicago,” Ethan reminded me. “And the mayor wants to see us.”

Of course she did. I pulled a pillow over my face. “I can’t hear you. The sun’s still up.”

“The sun has set. And the mayor has beckoned. And I have breakfast.”

I tossed away the pillow, sat up.

Ethan sat beside me on the edge of the bed, naked but for a pair of silk pajama bottoms. The breakfast tray sat on the bedside table with the promised cup of dark, steaming chocolate, and two perfect-looking croissants beside a bowl of perky raspberries.

“Two delicious choices,” I said, leaning up to kiss him. “Good evening, husband.”

He smiled wickedly, kissed me back. “Good evening, wife.”

I plucked up a croissant, tore off the pointy end. “Did the mayor really summon us?”

“She did, as well as your grandfather. We’re all to be at her office as soon as possible.”

The croissant was good, but the thought of dealing with drama again made my mouth dry. Launching myself into a fight? Not altogether unenjoyable. Dealing with a mayor who tended to believe the worst of us? Not as much fun.

“We should have invited her to the wedding,” I said, crossing my legs and picking off another bite.

Ethan chuckled. “We did. Didn’t you see her?”

“No.” I grinned at him. “I only have eyes for you.”

“Mmm-hmm. And carbs.”