do next. She really wasn't used to having company.
It was Johanna who took the problem right out of her hands, taking charge of the
situation. "We won't stay long. I just wanted to reassure you that your land was safe.
One of the family companies now owns a large enough chunk in RW Hotels to prevent
them from being a problem."
"How? Why?" Laurel Rose couldn't fathom why they had done such a thing. The
amount of money that they must have spent to acquire a large share of that company
was simply mind-boggling.
Cristofor put his arm around his wife, his pride in her obvious in the adoring look
he gave her. "My wife is quite the force to be reckoned with when it comes to business,
Laurel Rose." He captured her with his laser green gaze. "But as to why, well, you are
family. And a Dalakis protects family above all else."
A sense of rightness, of belonging, of security settled over Laurel Rose. These men
were the real deal. They were the type of men you could rely on to do whatever it took
to get the job done. Their word was their bond. They would make the best of friends
and the deadliest of enemies. A little old-fashioned and overbearing, but that was to be
expected when they so effortlessly wielded such power. Laurel Rose had a feeling that
the women helped keep them from becoming too arrogant and sure of themselves.
But beneath it all, she sensed a bedrock of love and affection. This was a family in
the truest sense of the word and she was now a part of it. Tears welled in her eyes and
she blinked them back. She did not want to cry in front of them. What kind of an
impression would that make?
Johanna cleared her throat. "It was no problem at all." She glanced at Delight and
the other woman approached Laurel Rose.
"We'd like you to come and visit with us once you're settled. I'm sure you have
many questions, and Johanna and I will do our best to answer them all." Behind them,
Laurel Rose heard the men groan. Delight just laughed. "They're always afraid when all
us womenfolk get together," she whispered conspiratorially.
"That's because you cannot stay out of trouble," Lucian groused. "You do not stay
where we tell you to."
Delight sniffed and tilted her nose in the air. "If you thought for one second that
Johanna and I would stay in New York and not come to help Stefan, then you were
sadly mistaken. He is our brother too."
"As I said, you are trouble." Lucian leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips,
silencing her. His gentle actions belied his harsh words. Laurel Rose fought back a
smile. It seemed that Stefan's brothers were very much like him.
"I would like for you to come back home when you can. We could use your
strength and your talents." Behind her, Stefan stiffened as Lucian spoke.
"Trouble?"
"Perhaps." Cristofor shrugged his massive shoulders. "Zane York has been asking
questions again. He resigned from the police force just after you left and went away for
several months. All inquires about our family ceased. But he has recently returned and
has begun asking questions again. And he is not the only one asking questions this
time. There are others as well."
Laurel Rose could sense Stefan's growing agitation. His need to protect his family
was warring with his need to make her happy. She made the decision for them. "Once
we've had a few days to settle things, we'll come for a visit."
Cristofor inclined his head in thanks and both women smiled at her. "We will leave
you then," Lucian said as he leaned forward, clasped her face gently in his hands and
kissed her forehead. "Thank you." His simple but earnest words made her heart swell
with emotion.
He stepped away and swept his wife from the room. Cassidy was right behind
them, giving her a nod as he left. Then it was Cristofor's turn. Clasping her hands in his,
he raised them to his lips. "If there is anything you ever need, you have but to ask."
Then he ushered his wife from the room. Johanna managed to wave as her large
husband scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the night. The door slammed
behind them, leaving the room in sudden silence.
"I think that went well," she said as she stepped out of Stefan's embrace. He was
still frowning at the closed door, but his expression lightened when he turned toward
her.
"They adore you." He slowly began to move toward her, that familiar predatory
gleam in his eyes.
Laurel Rose glanced down, and sure enough there was a large bulge in the front of
his jeans. "You're insatiable." She continued to back away, but he matched her step for
step, stalking her. She felt the familiar need rising up within her. This man was
everything she'd ever wanted and she had a feeling that the powerful need they felt for
each other would only grow over the years instead of diminishing.
He lunged so quickly, he was but a blur of motion as he scooped her up into his
arms and bounded back up the stairs. "I am insatiable for you, Laurel Rose. Only for
you." His eyes were dark and tender as he carried her into the bedroom. "I love you."
The door slammed behind them, shutting out the world. For now, there was only
the two of them and a love that would last for all time, as only a Dalakis love could.
* * *