Page 64 of Draco's Defiance
“Looks like you need to keep your ‘little girl’ in line, Draco.” Balthazar sounded unreasonably conceited at Moira’s quip, but rather than rile Draco, his brother’s teasing only strengthened the appeal of his new lover. Anyone who could trigger Balthazar was definitely worth the investment of his time.
“We’re doing just fine.” Pulling her into an embrace, he kissed Moira’s brow, surprised at his swell of feelings. Maybe he was really falling for her? “Though you might pay for that one, little girl.”
“Little girl?” Sebastian smiled. “That’s what I call Rebecca.”
“And what Cole calls me.” Eden giggled, twisting to face her man.
“That’s another thing we have in common.” Balthazar looked at the sleeping Cherie. “We all have a proclivity for power exchange, and apparently, the associated pet names.”
“I didn’t know there was a genetic link.” Moira glanced around at Draco’s brothers. I can’t believe all of them are into this!
“Oh, yes.” Eden grinned. “I can confirm there is.”
“Any other strange genetic links I should know about?” Moira waited as Balthazar and Sebastian exchanged glances.
“If you guys are thinking about the telepathy, then Moira already knows.” It was incredible how much Draco had divulged to her in such a rapid amount of time. He supposed he should be concerned, but sitting there with her, all he sensed was the simmering contentment between them. He might not understand the connection they shared, but there was no doubt in his mind; it was a living, tangible thing.
Sebastian snorted. “Is there anything Moira doesn’t know?”
“Wow, Draco.” Cole’s brow rose. “You’re not usually such a big sharer.”
“Moira’s different.” Draco scarcely recognized the words coming from his mouth. A few intense and pleasurable hours with the woman and he’d experienced a complete one-hundred and eighty-degree turnaround. The man who’d once sworn by his single life was suddenly smitten.
“Thank you.” Turning to him, she whispered the words. “That means a lot.” I can’t believe I feel this way.
Snaking his arm around her, he was inclined to agree. “The strange thing is, Moira and I have the same connection.”
“Telepathy?” Sebastian straightened.
“That’s right.” Draco met Sebastian’s eyes. “Or, at least I can hear her thoughts.”
“We have the same.” Balthazar caressed Cherie’s hair. “The connection just makes it even better.”
“Cole definitely hears mine.” Eden sat upright, tucking her dark curls behind her ears. “That can get me into trouble.”
“Same.” Moira chuckled. She was starting to like Eden more and more.
“Since we’re sharing, here’s something else you might like to know.” Balthazar’s expression shifted, and as though she sensed his mood, Cherie roused, stretching as she smiled at the group. “It’s about Dad.”
“Oh.” Draco caught sight of Moira out of the corner of his eye. Her interest was also piqued by the mention of their father.
“What about him?” Sebastian asked.
“This is going to sound weird.” Balthazar fidgeted on his chair, clearly uncomfortable. “But I still see him.”
“You see him?” Draco couldn’t resist his skeptical tone. Balthazar prided himself on being the sensible one of the four brothers, but was announcing that he saw their dead father. That didn’t sound very rational. “How?”
“It started on the mountain peaks.” Balthazar glanced out at the dark night sky, his longing for Fireside obvious even without mind-reading. It was another connection the Vaughns shared.
“What happened, Balthazar?” Cole probed.
“He came to me.” Balthazar shrugged. “It was ethereal at first, but he’s becoming stronger. He’s worried about us.”
“You talk to him?” Draco’s brow furrowed. Even for the Vaughn family, Balthazar’s story was weird.
“Yes.” Balthazar’s lips curled. “Like us, via telepathy.”
“And it’s definitely not only in your mind?” Cole’s voice was playful. “Because I know a good therapist for that.”