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"You have a point," Gabriel acknowledged. "Please do not misunderstand, Skyler. Francesca
and I want you to have a housekeeper because we want to ensure your comfort and safety, not
because we don't trust you. We are wealthy, little one, and you may become a target because
of that. Francesca would spend an inordinate amount of time worrying if we did not adequately
protect you."
Skyler's eyes were fixed on his face while she determined whether he was telling her the truth.
Eventually she nodded. "I didn't think of that. I wouldn't want either of you to worry about
me."
Francesca's touch was soothing, as always. "Try it for a while, honey. If they don't work out,
we'll find someone you like."
Skyler made an attempt to ease the concern on Francesca's expressive face. "Aren't you
worried about spoiling me just a little?"
At once Francesca smiled, her dark eyes brilliant with laughter. "I hope that we do. It will be
such fun."
"You don't know the first thing about parenting, do you?" Skyler chastised. "I'm going to have
to be the one to run things around here." .
The doorbell cut off any further byplay between them, wiping the smile from Skyler's face.
Francesca immediately circled the young woman's too-thin shoulders with a comforting arm.
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"They're here, aren't they?" Skyler whispered it, as if she were afraid to speak any louder.
Francesca could feel her small body trembling.
She glanced at Gabriel, clearly worried."Perhaps we are pushing her too hard, expecting her to
accept too many people in her life too fast."
"She must be protected, my love. Our only other choice is to command her acceptance and we both
agreed we would not do so unless necessary."Gabriel reached over to take Skyler's hand. "I do
not like strangers in my home either, little one. Perhaps you will be my strength while
Francesca performs her magic. If neither of us feels anything wrong with these people, we will
attempt to integrate them into our home. Is that a deal?"
"What if I don't like the man?" Skyler asked, voicing her worst fear.
"Understand this, Skyler," he said softly. "If you ever have misgivings about any man, myself
included, whether you have concrete reason or not, go directly to Francesca. Do not think
about it, or worry about it, or hesitate in any way. Tell her immediately. Promise me you will do
that." His voice was magical, so gentle and perfect it was impossible to resist.
Skyler stood still for a moment before she nodded solemnly. She found herself gripping
Gabriel's and Francesca's hands as they moved through the house to the front door. Somehow,
physical contact with them made her calmer. There was something extremely soothing about
the couple. When she was between them, their peace seemed to fill her up and keep her fears
at bay. She couldn't remember a time in her life when she wasn't afraid. Not until Francesca
had found her huddled inside her own mind and had swamped her with waves of warmth and
reassurance. Even the fact that Gabriel was a very overwhelming male didn't bother her. She
knew he was powerful, she could feel it when she was close to him, yet Skyler found Gabriel's
power comforting. He had given her his word and she believed him. She believed in both of
them. They were determined to make her whole again, make her understand love and kindness
and what true safety was.
Above Skyler's bent head, Francesca's black gaze met Gabriel's dark one in mute
understanding. Both of them easily read the teenager's thoughts. Gabriel smiled his
reassurance, wishing he could take Francesca into his arms and hold her close within the
shelter of his heart and his mind, in the shelter of his body. She always thought of others,
always wanted to help those in need, and her compassion was slowly rubbing off on him.
"I love you very much, Francesca."The emotion was so intense, the words spilled over from his
mind, into hers.
Francesca felt the color rising in her cheeks. Gabriel could make her feel like a teenager, her
heart fluttering at the brush of his hand. Sometimes he allowed himself to be so vulnerable. It
was a very unusual trait in a Carpathian male.
His soft laughter echoed in her mind as she opened the front door."You do not know the first
thing about the Carpathian male."
Francesca gave him her haughtiest look when what she really wanted was to fling herself into
his arms. Instead she smiled a welcome at the couple standing on her porch. "Please come in.
Aidan sent word to expect you. It's very kind of you to help us out when we are in such great
need."
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The man stepped forward with an easy smile and held out his hand deliberately to Gabriel.
"I'm Santino and this is my wife, Brasilia." He was clearly at ease despite the fact that he
suspected what they were. He was completely unafraid to have Gabriel "read" him, and
Gabriel liked him for that.
Santino was a good man with a sense of duty and a determination to do whatever it took to
protect his family. He had been through sieges with vampires and their minions and knew the
danger and what it took for the hunters to protect humans and Carpathians. He had willingly
joined the ranks of the fighters by accepting the responsibility that came with knowing that
vampires really existed. He had a quiet confidence about him, an air of capability that Gabriel
liked immediately.
Gabriel could almost see Francesca's inward sigh of relief. Skyler was very quiet during the
introductions, her face very pale, but both Santino and his wife were extraordinarily gentle with
her. Drusilla was a small woman, with much the same build as Skyler, only rounder and
soft-looking. She was more nervous than her husband, but neither Carpathian could detect
anything other than sincere compassion for Skyler and determination to be of assistance to a
child in distress. Francesca liked her immediately for that. Skyler obviously read only good in
the couple because she began to slowly relax, loosening her death grip on their hands and even
managing a faint smile once or twice in the course of the conversation.
Francesca showed the couple around the house, purposely excluding Skyler's bedroom. It was
important the young woman felt she had her own privacy, a sanctuary no one would intrude on
without permission or invitation. Drusilla was particularly happy with the kitchen and garden
area. Santino was unhappy with the easy access from the street. To him protecting the
household was a logistical nightmare. Both spoke French fluently with a distinctly American
accent.
It was impossible not to feel at home and at peace in Francesca's home. There was something
soothing and tranquil about the house. Drusilla smiled at her husband, suddenly happy with the
decision they had made. It had not been an easy one. Their two children were in college and
they were ready for a change, but coming to France had not been in their plans at all.
It had been the thought of the little girl so terribly abused and in need of someone to love and
care for her that had tipped their decision in favor of the move. Still, it had been particular
frightening for Drusilla. She loved Aidan and his wife Alexandria, but she had known them a
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