“Oh, of course. It wouldn’t do to have anyone else see her like this,” Aunt Judy tittered. “I’m sure the police won’t be too much of a bother. I’ll go next door to let them know our dear Thana is safe and sound with you.”
Kieran pulled me closer into his side. “Please do. The quicker we answer their questions, the sooner you can be off on your voyage.”
She clapped her hands together. “I’ll also be sure to let them know the Thackers are overreacting. They’ve spoiled Jonathan all his life. He probably ran off to drown his sorrows because he’s never had to handle rejection before.”
“I appreciate your help in dealing with them.” Kieran moved to the door and opened it. “I’ll have my assistant reach out to you to arrange the particulars for your trip.”
My aunt was so focused on what she could get out of Kieran that she didn’t realize he’d literally shown her the door. When he shut it behind her, I asked, “What are we going to tell the police?”
“Your aunt’s idea is as good as anything I might have come up with.” Kieran shrugged before walking over to me and pressing a kiss to my forehead. “When they stop by, I’ll persuade them into believing that’s what happened. Then I’ll pay the Thackers a little visit to ensure they buy the story as well.”
Remembering what he’d told me about a vampire’s strengths last night, I realized why he didn’t seem concerned. “Sending my aunt on a European tour was a stroke of genius, but you could have just compelled her into being nicer or something.”
“As awful as she is, she’s your only living relative. I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about me messing with her head like that,” he explained as he led me toward the back of the house. “And I didn’t want to spend every visit with her using compulsion so she wouldn’t say something that incited me to end her miserable life. Sending her away killed two birds with one stone. The second being that her presence simply pisses me the fuck off.”
Smiling up at him, I urged, “Feel free to do whatever it takes to keep her out of our hair.”
“Consider it done.” He paused to kiss the daylights out of me. “Now that we have that settled, I think it’s high time we celebrate your birthday.”
It had been so long since anyone had cared about my big day that I had forgotten what it felt like. “By taking care of Aunt Judy, you’ve already given me the best gift I’ve received in years.”
“Then brace yourself”—he gave me a squeeze before nudging me forward—“because I’m about to set a high standard for future birthdays.”
We entered the kitchen, and there was a breakfast feast fit for a queen spread out on the counter and a mountain of brightly wrapped presents piled on the table. “Wow, you weren’t kidding.”
“Don’t worry, baby.” He flashed me a cocky grin. “I’ll figure out a way to keep raising the bar in the years to come.”
Since I was convinced Kieran could accomplish the impossible, I had no doubt he was right.8KieranI wasn’t used to being up so early in the day, but Thana’s excitement and happiness were all I needed to chase away my tiredness. Watching her delight as she opened each present made it worth every penny I spent arranging for everything to be here in such a short amount of time. Not that it mattered. We would never have to worry about money. One thousand years was a very long time to build up wealth, and my brothers and I were all savvy with the stock market.
As though he knew I was thinking about my brothers, Athan’s voice popped into my head just as Thana was opening her last present. Except for the one burning a hole in my pocket.
Oh, good. You’re awake. The council called and they want one of us to escort a consort to her mate tonight. I have classes to teach—
You’ll have to ask Stephan, I growled back, interrupting him. Athan worked as a trainer for young daywalkers in our area. He taught them how to fight and defend against nightwalkers and any other threats they might face in their immortal existence, which meant he was only available for escort or patrol on certain nights. Stephan was between jobs—hobbies, really—so he could take the assignment, allowing me to stay with Thana.
He’s busy with—
I don’t give a fuck what he’s busy with. I’m needed at home.
You sound different. You’re being your usual grumpy ass, but...
Get Stephan to do it. And don’t bother me again for a couple of days. I shut my mind to further communication after my firm reply.
Thana popped up from the table and ran at me, jumping into my open arms. I wrapped her up tight and chuckled when she rained kisses all over my face. “You didn’t need to do all of this,” she breathed once she finished. Her blue eyes sparkled, and I knew I would do anything to put that look on her face over and over again. “I would have been ecstatic with just the beautiful breakfast.”