Lucky Streak (Lucky 2)

Her vulnerability got to him and he reached out, pulling her close. “It’ll be okay,” he said gruffly. “I’m not going to let him hurt you.”

Protective instincts, as well as baser ones, kicked in as he held her against him. Her soft hair, warm body and fragrant scent tempted and aroused him. Unable to help himself, he bent to kiss her forehead, but she tilted her head and his lips caught hers.

She tasted warm and sweet, but her kiss was anything but innocent, and filled with much more than gratitude. He needed this, needed her, and soon her back was pressed against the wall, his hands braced on her shoulders. All the while, his mouth devoured hers and she returned the kiss with equal fervor.

Until Edward’s shouting penetrated the fog of desire between them. As Mike’s mind cleared, he heard his father’s words more clearly. “I recognize my brother’s car. That woman-stealing rat bastard better not be inside my house!”

Mike stepped back, Amber pulled in a deep breath and the bedroom door opened, as Jason and Uncle Thomas came to see what the commotion was all about. Although it was pretty obvious.

“Why don’t you let me deal with my father,” Mike said to his uncle. Mike could take him into the kitchen to calm him while his uncles slipped out the front door.

“I think it’s time your father and I talked.” Thomas barreled straight past Jason, Mike and Amber, heading directly for the family room. “Edward? Are you looking

for me?”

Mike groaned.

“Let’s go make sure they don’t kill each other,” Jason said needlessly, since they were already following Thomas.

“How could any of you let him into my house?” Edward yelled, the skunk in his hand. “Doesn’t anybody have respect for my authority round here?”

Mike’s stomach churned, not wanting his father to go completely off the deep end. A psychiatrist was no longer optional, it was mandatory, he thought.

Uncle Thomas met his brother in the center of the room. “It’s time we end this ridiculous feud, once and for all.”

“You stole my woman,” Edward yelled, his face beet red.

“She chose me,” Thomas said. “And in case you’ve been too caught up in your own insanity to notice, my life was no bed of roses—” He turned to Jason. “No insult, son. You know what I mean.”

“And he knows why your life sucked eggs. It’s the damn curse at work,” Edward yelled.

Jason nodded, humoring him. The cousins all knew the Corwin-curse saga. They could repeat it in their sleep. Whether they believed it or not was another matter entirely.

Amber suddenly, quietly stepped up beside Edward. “If you think the curse caused it all, then why are you blaming your brother?”

“He could have controlled himself!” Edward still yelled loudly.

“It was over thirty years ago,” Thomas countered. “Get over it already!”

“Over my dead body,” Edward said. “Or better yet, over yours.”

“Edward Corwin, there is no need for invoking evil, and against your own family, no less.” Clara Deveaux burst in from the kitchen.

Gabrielle rushed out after her along with Derek and Mike’s uncle Hank.

Clara strode through to the center of the room, her brightly colored, flowing dress almost a bigger distraction than the woman herself.

“God, this is really going to set my father off,” Mike muttered, intending to pull Edward away from the confrontations.

Amber’s hand on his arm stopped him. “Wait. Let her try to get through to him first.”

“Why not just end this now?” Mike asked, speaking so only she could hear.

“Because I trust her.” Amber met his gaze, her eyes pleading. “And because I think they have something special.”

Mike wasn’t so sure, but he couldn’t say no.

“Who is this woman?” Uncle Thomas asked.