Toni gaped at the top floor of the hotel, at what she could see through the billowing black smoke and occasional licking flames shooting from the shattered windows. "You set the room on fire." She still couldn't believe it. When Thaddeus had hurried them out of the suite, she'd wondered at his haste. Did he fear another attack? Were the authorities on their way, alerted by other guests of the strange goings on? Not exactly. It turned out her vampire was a bit of a pyro. "We couldn't leave evidence behind, namely traces of DNA or the ghoul. There is only one sure way to erase it." "But the other guestsÉ" She waved her hands. "Will be fine, I'm sure. Maybe a little smoke inhalation and hysterics, but this place was built out of cement and steel. It helps contain fiery mishaps so that they don't completely destroy the structure." "I'm sure that's a relief to them," Marc added, his sarcasm evident. The newest member of their group, Sasha, grinned.

After that odd, yet intense conversation, they got back on the road, to where Thaddeus wouldn't say, which, of course ,drove Marc nuts. "Why are you being so closemouthed?" "The less you know, the less you can tell my enemies." "Are you sure you don't want to blindfold us then?" was Marc's sarcastic retort. "Not necessary, although I am seriously thinking about duct taping your mouth shut." To the sound of their bickering, Toni, exhausted by recent events, slept, her head pillowed in Marc's lap, his hand lightly stroking her hair from her face as he continued to bait the vampire. It was crazy how comforted she felt in his presence. How safe. Don't get her wrong, she still had a thing for Marc, which made it initially too sensitive for her to lie across his legs, but she tamped down her interest and let the drone of the car engine and Marc's soothing touch, not to mention the oddly reassuring sound of both men bantering, put her to sleep. A drea

The moment had arrived. A moment she'd vaguely fantasized about, especially since Marc planted in her head the idea of being with two men. Thing was he'd meant wolves, and despite his fangs, Thaddeus was definitely no canine. However, he was right when he said she wanted him. Wanted him and his darkness. Him and his take-charge, no-bullshit attitude. Just like she wanted Marc, so desperate to keep her safe. Mark who'd shown himself gentle and caring and so obviously willing to do anything for her. Polar opposites, in looks and temperament, yet they both called to something in her. She wasn't sure yet if she wanted a forever after with them. She did know that her body desperately craved release. She needed a physical connection, and an emotional one, to these two men. Was it the fact that they'd fought a few times and faced death that made her feel this way? Was it her new Lycan side changing who she was, making her want more out of life than just a mundane nine-to-fiv

Wakening to one side of Toni, while Thad slumbered on the other, didn't freak Marc out as much as he feared. What began as a dislike and rivalry with the vampire had transitioned. He wouldn't exactly claim to like the guy, but he did have more respect for him and could now see him as a person instead of just a vampire. It also helped that Toni made it clear she wanted both of them, or neither of them. She wouldn't tolerate jealous bickering. Or, as she told them when they entered into a staring, growling match, "Behave, or I'll take my pussy and play with it myself." Nothing like the threat of no sex to calm them the fuck down. Then again, Marc wasn't serious about staking the bloodsucker and sticking him out in the sun for a tan, but a guy had to have some fun. Easing out of the bed, careful to let her eke out as many minutes of sleep as possible, Marc took first turn in the shower then headed off to scrounge up some breakfast. Within a half-hour, Toni arrived in the kitchen, he

Marc had only seconds to call upon his wolf, which meant bye-bye to yet another set of clothes. However, if he managed to get out of this ambush naked but alive, he'd count himself lucky. His initial estimate of half a dozen to the left proved accurate, but not so for the right. Marc only had a moment to realize Thad was going to get swarmed before his first ghoul attacked. Knowing what to expect this time, he didn't waste time grappling; he went for weak spots. Throat if he could reach it to tear it out. A close second was the legs. If they couldn't walk, it made them less of a threat. His strategy proved effective. While ghouls twitched on the ground and reached for him, he managed to keep to his four furry feet and cause some damage, enough that he felt the need to leave his group of ghouls and head to help Thaddeus, who was practically buried in them. He had to hand it to the old bloodsucker though. Thaddeus wasn't going down without a hell of a fight. Partway the