by Jade Kerrion
Clearly, he had been mistaken. Now that he was paying attention, he sensed the air of crisp attention and the sharp edge that no waitress uniform could conceal. They were Zara’s employees—mercenaries, like her.
One of them met his questioning gaze, and jerked her head to the window.
Zara was outside, leaning down to talk to the driver of the silver Jaguar parked in front of the townhouse.
Lucien.
Danyael went to the door and stepped out, but did not move beyond the first step.
Lucien glanced up; his dark hair was slicked back, his handsome face expressionless.
Their eyes met.
Three years of hate could not wipe out the intuitive understanding that emerged from sixteen years of the deepest, truest friendship either man had ever known. At Christmas, there was no place for hate. The warmth of shared memories gave way to quiet regret over a friendship lost.
Lucien inclined his head. Zara stepped away from the car, and the Jaguar pulled away from the curb.
She returned to Danyael’s side. The assessing gleam in her violet eyes did not match her contented half-smile.
“What did Lucien want?” he asked.
“To make peace. I called him this morning, after we got back from the courthouse, and left a message.”
Damn, he was almost afraid to ask. “What did you say?”
“I told him I was now legally entitled to kick his ass if he ever decided to make your life hell.”
“You didn’t actually say that, did you?”
“No, I was a great deal more explicit about what I would do to him and any remaining body parts,” Zara confessed. “It helps reduce misunderstandings later.”
“Zara…”
She threw her head back and laughed. “You’re not actually surprised or disappointed.”
“No, just resigned.” His sigh was part chuckle.
“Anyway, he came by to offer his congratulations on our marriage. I thought it was a wily move on his part, but then again, Lucien’s a political creature. He knows you won’t retaliate, but I most certainly will.”
“Retaliate, you?” He drew her close and nuzzled her hair. “I thought you specialized in preemptive strikes.”
She shrugged. “There’s no point in waiting around for someone to hit you if you can hit him first.” Zara wrapped her arms around his waist before turning to survey the street.
It bustled with the chaos of Christmas Eve, last minute shopping, and family reunions. A mother hustled her four unruly children down the street, her arms laden with bags, and her face set in lines of frustration. A young couple pushed a wailing infant in a stroller. Their voices rose, snapping with annoyance.
Danyael smiled. His empathic powers surged out, mirroring his emotions.
The infant’s cries subsided into a happy gurgle. The young mother looked at her partner, and they exchanged wry smiles. The layers of exhaustion on their faces peeled back, and their quiet laughter rang with affection.
The sound of running feet stampeded across the pavement as the four children charged up the steps of a neighboring townhouse. “Grandma! We’re here!” Their mother’s huff of annoyance melted into a chuckle and then warmed into a laugh as the door opened to admit her brood.
Christmas had arrived, and with it, the joy and peace of the season.
Zara smiled too. She slipped her left hand into his. Their rings touched. “Merry Christmas, darling,” she murmured. “I love you.”
Dedication
To those who always believed that Zara and Danyael would find their way, this novel is for you…
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About the Author
Jade Kerrion holds B.A. degrees in biology and philosophy from the Johns Hopkins University and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia. When not writing or working, she ekes out time for dance and computer games. She resides with her husband and three sons in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Find Jade Kerrion’s other novels:
http://www.amazon.com/author/jadekerrion
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http://www.jadekerrion.com
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