“Will you be with me for the interview, Ozzy?”

“No, it’s a private interview, and the goddamn director better not stray from the guidelines.”

Sam blinked his large brown eyes and said, “Milagro, just tell him what you remember or don’t. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, ask for a break and come see us.”

Oswald took a breath and said, “Ready?”

“Absolutely, I can’t wait to be done with this.”

Oswald and I went to the living room, where Gabriel and Lily were sitting on a sofa, a bottle of red wine and glasses on the cocktail table in front of them.

Across from them in a leather club chair was a man with dark curly hair, wearing a flawless black suit and an immaculate white shirt. His dark eyes had hooded lids, his nose was aquiline, and he had a full, sensual mouth.

I thought he was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.

Oswald’s expression grew tight and he said, “Let me introduce you. Milagro, this is the director from our family’s organization, the Council, Ian Ducharme.”

The man stood up and gave me a languid look, as intimate as a caress, that made all my girl parts clench and throb in a flight-or-flirt instinct.

He smiled slightly when he saw my earrings. As he came close to shake hands, I smelled his fragrance … like leather, spice, old books, a wood fire.

He said “Hello, Milagro” in a low, rich voice that made me think sex, sex, sex.

Then Oswald glared at him and said, “Ian, you’re just in time to hear the good news. Milagro and I are engaged.”

sixteen

Zombies and Vamps, Oh, Please

Even though Ian Ducharme didn’t react to Oswald’s announcement, the room seemed to grow cold and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Ian smiled, showing white teeth, teeth that made me think about biting into flesh, and said, “Congratulations, Oswald. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to begin.” He spoke English like someone who had learned it from his British tutor.

Gabriel said, “We’ll be in the study.” He gave his cousin a sharp look, and Oswald said, “Yes, in the study. Come on, Lily.”

After they left, Ian went to the sofa and said, “Come sit close to me so I can see you.”

“Said the wolf to Little Red Riding Hood.”

His laugh was a seductive rumble, and I sat at the other end of the sofa. He poured red wine into glasses and when he handed one to me, I saw something that looked like sorrow in his deep brown eyes.

We clinked glasses and he said, “Sanatate.”

“Back atcha.”

“Dr. Harrison’s given me a quite disturbing report of your condition.”

“Don’t quote me, but Lily’s a bit of a drama queen. She takes things too seriously. I keep trying to emphasize the importance of fun to her.”