rogue shifter 06 - torn apart by gayle parness Read Free Book Online Page B

couple of hours. I can handle heating the appetizers. Come back when you're ready."
    "I'll return in an hour." He gave me a nod and Sasha a look , then beamed out.
    "Why can't you two get along?" I asked, giving Sash a playful shove for good measure. He took it in stride, leaning back against the kitchen counter, smiling.
    And when Sasha smiled, or even when he didn't, it was hard to take your eyes off of him. A 6'2" blonde, blue-eyed Adonis with the body and skills of an incredible martial artist, he was definitely more than just eye candy. Sash was Garrett's second in the nest and deserved that position, having risked his life many times to protect us.
    Garrett's first encounters with Sasha had not been happy ones, since Sash was Eleanor's primary enforcer and therefore in charge of torturing many of her innocent victims. He and Heinrich had been compelled to torture Garrett several times as well, but my mate understood that they'd abhorred the job and despised the female who'd forced them to behave like monsters. So when Garrett took down Eleanor in a duel, he gave them a choice. They could join his nest and live by his rules, a rigid set that protected innocent lives, or they could die. They both chose life, and under Garrett's leadership, they've found a certain degree of happiness.
    Sash shrugged. "Liam's great to have along on a job, but he's too uptight with Charlie."
    "He's a Dad himself now, so it's normal for him to be protective of Charlie, too."
    "He told me the other night that I shouldn't take the kid up to my studio. I asked him why and he said because the paint fumes might affect Charlie's health. I told him that I wouldn't open the paint tubes and he told me there were still residual fumes. I told him I'd open the windows and he still said no. Then I told him to fuck off. I don't think he liked that very much."
    "Why don't you set up a couple of easels outside on the patio. Or start him off sketching with charcoal. That way he gets to draw and we keep the peace with Liam."
    "Your son's already asked about drawing and painting. I think he'd like to learn." We took a look toward Charlie's room when we heard Aislin knock. Farrell must have finished his shift and gone home to Faerie.
    Charlie opened the door and squealed. "Lady Aislin, look what Jay and me can do! Daddy's helping." She nodded in our direction with a smile and then went inside. Charlie peeked at me then closed the door again.
    "Are the sisters coming tonight?" Sash was referring to the fae warriors, Kaera, and her younger sister, Brina. Vampires were attracted to the fae, because their blood was considered not only powerful, but unbelievably delicious. Plus fae females were not uptight at all about sex, making them ideal companions for a couple of promiscuous vampires, especially two that had proven themselves to be capable warriors. The sisters were particular in that way.
    "They sent gifts so I assume, no. Lord Caelen will be here so try to keep you clothes on during the party."
    Sasha broke out in laughter. "Jacqueline, a risqué joke? Really? I'm proud of you."
    "It was regarding proper decorum."
    "Can I take my shirt off when I'm dancing?" His voice was a little husky, making my cheeks warm. He always got such a kick out of watching me blush.
    "Depends on what you call dancing." His smile and sparkling eyes told me everything I needed to know and a lot I'd rather not. "If Lord Caelen is still here, please leave it on. After midnight, do whatever. The kids'll be asleep by then." Sash and Rick had invited a couple of female shifters to the party—and vamps will be vamps.
    All the children were having a sleep-over in the large family room in our basement, guarded by Aislin and her cousin Noriene. We'd set up folding cots and had movies stacked up for them to choose from, hoping that they'd fall asleep around ten or eleven. Their parents were also invited to sleep over in one of our guest bedrooms, but I had a sneaky feeling that most of them