Our little demon obediently stopped chewing. “Family?”
“He’s my father.” I scooped her up.
“Why he mean to Daddy Fabian?”
“‘Cause he’s silly.”
Dad eyed Fabian with a distinct lack of favor. “Your mother warned me about
him.”
“Any Dragos or just Fabian?”
“She said if I allowed you to become a slayer, a Dragos would claim you.”
Whoa! Mom had predicted it? “It’s a done deal, Dad. Can’t you be happy for me?”
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He scowled and jabbed his shotgun at Fabian. “Once you’re married, I’ll be tickled
pink.”
I rolled my eyes. “A shotgun wedding is a little old-fashioned, don’t you think?”
“He screwed you, he marries you.”
“Dang. That’s a bit rude. You owe me an apology.”
Without a hint of remorse, Dad responded, “Do I?”
“Show Mariah the proper respect, old man, or—”
My father punched Fabian in the mouth, knocking him down. “You think you can
take me?”
“Holy fucking shit, Dad!”
Fabian wiped the blood off his mouth and climbed to his feet. “I know I can, old
man.”
I planted myself between the two men and held out my hand. “Give me the gun.
This nonsense has gone on long enough.”
“A police officer never allows himself to be disarmed,” my father stated, taking a
step back.
“God, what is wrong with you?”
“You broke your word.”
Arrgh! It was like talking to a brick wall. I linked mentally with my grandmother.
“Dad’s here, and if you want those grandkids, you’ll keep him from shooting Fabian.”
Poof! Grams and Serafina teleported in.
“Put that shotgun down. Now!” Grams commanded.
Serafina gestured. A whirlwind of sparkling yellow magic engulfed Dad. When it
faded my father was a Chihuahua.
The shotgun crashed to the floor. Boom! A gaping hole appeared in my wall. Just
fucking terrific.
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Growling ferociously, the Chihuahua immediately attacked Fabian.
My unhappy mate knocked him away and jumped on the bed. “Stop your attack
dog, or I will.”
“Turn him back!” I yelled at Serafina.
She sniffed. “He dared to point a weapon at my grandson.”
Xero leaped out of my arms and chased the now yipping Chihuahua around the
room.
Oh, dear God. “Bad Xero. Dad is not a chew toy.”
Dad disappeared under the bed.
Xero chased after him. A dogfight broke out.
“Do not eat my dad.”
Grams squared off with her rival. “I want my son-in-law back in human form.”
“No,” Serafina said defiantly.
“Tempore est quaedam monstrata,” Grams intoned.
“No, Grams!”
A thin red mist swirled around Fabian, and shazam! He was transformed into a
ten-year-old girl wearing a spiffy princess outfit. She stomped her foot. “Cazzo cagna.”
The princess had a potty mouth.
Grams pointed a finger at Princess Fabian. “Not another word, or I’ll tan your
butt.”
“Try it and I’ll transform you into a braying ass,” Serafina warned.
My family belonged in an insane asylum. I let out an ear-shattering whistle. “You
want grandkids?”
They both nodded.
“Then turn them back.”
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“As you wish,” they said in unison, and with a wave of their hands everyone
became human again.
Unfortunately, Fabian was still wearing his princess dress.
Dad yelped, “I’m stuck.” He shoved frantically at the bed which, of course, didn’t
move an inch. Not with a hundred and ninety pounds of pissed-off male standing on it.
I glared at Fabian. “Get off.”
The bed suddenly hurtled upward, throwing Fabian across the room.
Xero, in demon form, dragged my father out by his leg. “Me help silly dad.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” With a gasp of horror, I quickly clapped a hand over my eyes.
Ewww. I had just seen Dad’s man parts. “Clothes. Dad needs clothes.”
A touch of amusement in his voice, Fabian said, “You can look now.”
I peeped through my fingers. Dad was wearing a suit and tie.
Serafina gestured at Fabian. Presto. The princess gown was replaced by a tuxedo.
“What’s up with the tux?”
“He needs it for the wedding,” Serafina said.
Did I even want to ask? I bit the bullet. “Let me guess. Our wedding?”
“Yes, we agree with your father. We don’t want our grandchildren to grow up as
bastards.” Grams waved her hand.
Presto! I was the proud owner of a hideous pink wedding dress straight out of the
Civil War era. It even had a bustle and hoops. “Gee, thanks, Grams. The wedding dress
of my dreams.”
“Something borrowed, my dear,” Grams answered.
Fabian grinned. “All that’s missing are ringlets.”
An instant later I sported an updo with ringlets.
I gave Fabian the stink eye. “Not helping.” I turned my attention back to my
father. “Can’t we talk about this?”
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“No,” Dad said emphatically.
Didn’t think so. “You have a church picked out?”
Grams smiled. “We do. The Vizzini clan chapel.”
“That trashy place in Vegas?”
There was a flash of black, and we were standing in the wedding chapel. Elvis in a
red sequined jumpsuit stood at the podium.
“Oh, dear God! Have you all lost your tiny little minds? There’s no way in hell
Elvis is marrying us.”
“The sooner we’re married, the sooner we can start our honeymoon,” Fabian
pointed out.
True, but… “Elvis?”
Fabian swept me into his arms and took my lips in a devastating blend of hunger
and gentleness. “Marry me. Now. I love you.”
“I love you too. Okay, let’s get it done.” We walked up to the podium.
“Love Stinks” suddenly blared from the loudspeakers.
The giggles hit me. “Demon guts, zombies, purgatory, and a rotting Apache god,
and we still fell in love.”
“Don’t forget the hell breath.” Fabian laughed.
Dad studied us. “Are you two drunk, or did the witch put a spell on you?”
“Drunk on love. No magic involved,” I assured him.
Fabian motioned to Elvis. “We’re ready.”
Elvis beamed. “Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two
lives. Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in
marriage, shush!”
Grams threw a warning glare around the room.
Dad shifted uneasily, but kept his mouth shut.
CATCHING DRAGOS | 125
Elvis looked at me. “Please repeat after me. I, Mariah Smith, take you, Fabian
Dragos, to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love.”
I said my vows.
The minister turned to Fabian. “Repeat after me. I, Fabian Dragos, take you,
Mariah Smith, to be my wife, my partner in life, and my one true love. I will cherish our
friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.”
Fabian recited it obediently.
My father grudgingly handed Fabian my mother’s wedding ring.
“She wanted you to have it,” Dad said, kissing my cheek.
Fabian placed the diamond eternity ring on my finger.
“Mom was the best.”
Tears formed in my father’s eyes. “She was the love of my life.”
Serafina’s power filled the room, and a yellow light danced over Fabian’s left
hand. A simple gold ring appeared on his finger.
I linked with my mate. “Your father’s ring?”
“No, my great grandfather’s. He was killed keeping a horde of Drak demons from invading
Paris.”
“These wedding rings are an unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of
this couple in marriage. By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you man and
wife. You may kiss your bride,” Elvis proclaimed.
Planting a quick smooch on Fabian’s mouth, I whispered, “Let’s blow this joint.”
We ran out the doors.
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Chapter Sixteen
Fabian owned the Tahitian island of Hiva Oa. A tropical paradise complete with
white sand beaches and a turquoise-blue lagoon. His glass villa was furnished with
colorful rattan furniture in an airy blend of outdoor and indoor living. Potted hibiscus
in a variety of colors dotted the red tile patio. From the upstairs balcony I could admire
the tranquil seas or a waterfall tumbling down a fern-covered cliff.
“This is perfect. No grandmothers or demons or things that go bump in the night.”
“Or gun-toting fathers,” Fabian added.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’ve always wanted to do it on the beach.”
“Anything my bride wishes.” His mouth claimed mine in a long, lazy kiss.
Xero suddenly asked, “What you doing?”
“I’m showing Mariah how much I love her,” Fabian answered, releasing me.
“Love me too?”
“We do, but in a different way.” I scooped Xero and ruffled her fur. “What are you
doing here?”
“Brought present.”
I noticed a chewed-up box on the floor. “Gee, a wedding gift or something else?”
Fabian picked it up and removed the card. “It’s from your grandmother. She says,