“I’d kill for you, Kylie Galen. But more than that, I’d die for you.”She felt a tear roll down her cheek. “You’d better not die on me, Lucas Parker.”

“Did you want me to stay?"Kylie's yes and Lucas' no chimed out at the same time."Sorry," Lucas said, not sounding sorry as he looked at Della. "But I need Kylie's full attention to teach her, and you would just distract her.""Right," Della said in a tone of complete disbelief.Lucas frowned at the vamp."Okay," Della said. "I'll just mosey along.”

“But I have to go. Thank you, Kylie Galen. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for teaching me to think beyond myself. Thank you for everything.”

“I...I'm sorry," Kylie mumbled."Don't you even try to talk your way out of me being pissed!" Burnett growled. "Not a word!""I just...""That's two words and I said not one!" he snapped, and he swiped his hand through the air for emphasis.Kylie bit down on her lip, and wouldn't you know it that's when the tears started flowing. Big, fat, and fast tears. She sniffled and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. Her breath caught in her chest. But damn it. Why couldn't this have happened when she was alone?"Those tears do not affect me, young lady!" He pointed a finger at her. While she couldn't hear his heart beat to the rhythm of a lie, she heard it in his voice. ***"I just...""Did I say you could talk?" he asked. He did three more pacing laps, as if working off steam, before he looked at her again. "Where were you going, Kylie?"When she just looked at him, he bit out, "Answer me.""You said I couldn't talk.”

“I'm find," her voice squeaked out. Remembering the maggots-and not one hundred percent sure the ghost had taken them with her-Kylie leapt up, yanked the covers off the bed, and tossed them on the floor, she backed away from the pile of bedding."Yeah. You look just fine," Della said sarcastically.Kylie jumped from foot to foot and brushed off imaginary maggots that she felt crawling on her skin.Della stood there in Mickey Mouse pajamas, staring at her as if she didn't' know whether to laugh or run.Kylie stopped dancing and tried to breathe normally. "If I die, promise me I'll be cremated."Della frowned. "Die?""Not that I'm planning to die anytime soon." She gave her arm one more swipe. "But still."Della shook her head. "I don't know why you pretend you're okay.”

“Sometimes this just happens,” Kylie said, much calmer now that she had a sneak preview of hiscomeuppance.“Just happens?” Burnett bellowed out. “Are you freaking kidding me! If you have sex, you useprotection. It’s that simple. This shit doesn’t have to happen! This is nothing but carelessness. It’sirresponsible. It’s unforgivable.”“Burnett!” Holiday rolled her eyes at Kylie and frowned. The fae knew exactly what Kylie was upto now.But Kylie wasn’t finished yet. “Maybe we should put a rule in place. Any male who impregnates agirl should be neutered.”“Enough,” Holiday snapped.“Actually, that’s not a bad plan!” he growled.“Burnett!” Holiday said in a stern voice. “Shut up before you embarrass yourself more than youalready have.” When the vampire looked at Holiday, she continued, “Kylie didn’t buy the pregnancytests for Miranda. She bought them for me.”Kylie flopped back against the seat again, enjoying the look of disbelief on the vampire’s face alittle too much. “Would you like a name of a good doctor who will schedule your little snip-snipoperation?” she bit out.”

“Kylie bit down on her lip. Burnett took a step forward. He squared his shoulders, empathy filling his eyes. He took a deep, apparent heartfelt breath and looked at Kylie. She nodded at him as if giving him the lead. He looked back at Holiday and, in a deep voice, said, "Kylie has something to tell you."Kylie's mouth fell open and right then she knew it was official. Men sucked at verbal communication especially where anything emotional was concerned.”