Carpathian 03 - Dark Gold

now."
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    He reached out and tugged a lock of her hair. "True, piccola , but that is not the point. I had to research the school very quickly, and while Stefan checked it out for me, I really have not had a chance to evaluate it for myself. This will be a good opportunity to do so."
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    "You're guarding me." She made it an accusation.
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    He shrugged lazily. He saw no reason to deny it. "That, too."
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    She flashed him a resentful look. All at once tears were burning behind her eyes, and that only made her more angry. "I don't need a guard."
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    "I know better."
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    She caught him by the arm. "Joshua, hurry and finish your breakfast, then brush your teeth.
    Aidan and I are going to talk. Come into the living room when you're ready to leave."
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    "Okay, Alex," Joshua replied.
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    Though her small fingers wrapped barely halfway around his powerful wrist, she dragged Aidan out of the kitchen. "You can't keep me prisoner, Aidan. And I know you aren't guarding me to Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    keep me safe. What's out there that would hurt me? You said yourself vampires can't be out past the dawn. I can go with Joshua alone."
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    "You have no idea what you are facing. The light, even the early-morning light, will hurt your eyes, and the sun will burn your skin. You will have to wear especially dark glasses and get used to the sun gradually. As your lifemate, I am responsible for your health and safety, and I must protect you at all times, even from yourself. If you wish to accompany Joshua to his school, than I will go also."
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    "You're making certain I return. Your coming with us has nothing to do with Joshua's school or my safety. You think I'm going to take Josh and run for the nearest airport. If I had any brains at all, I would. You can just stay here, Aidan, and let me take care of my brother. I've been doing it for years." Her blue eyes were flashing at him, fiery with determination and defiance.
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    Aidan allowed a slow, masculine smile of amusement to soften his mouth. "And a very good job you have done, Alexandria. Joshua is a fine boy. He has stolen the hearts of all of us who reside here. But I would be remiss in not escorting the boy at least once to his new school. Apparently he has had problems in the past with a bully or two, and he made it clear that a show of force could be very helpful in establishing better relationships. I will have Stefan bring the limo around."
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    "You aren't listening to me, Aidan." But he had successfully defused her anger. She wanted Joshua to be happy. She had been only too aware of his troubles at the old school. If he wanted the big car and a few big adults around to back him up and make a strong first impression, then who was she to deny him?
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    "I don't think I like you very much, Aidan. You always seem to get your way," she capitulated reluctantly.
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    He ruffled her hair as if she were Joshua. "Get used to it, piccola . Everyone obeys me."
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    "I'm not afraid of you the way they are."
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    "Perhaps not in the same way, Alexandria, but you are most definitely afraid. Otherwise you would not try to run away from me, from us, the way you do." The teasing note in his voice was doing things to her insides she didn't want to acknowledge. She had to escape. It was the only way. The only way.
    
    Marie stuck her head in the doorway. "The phone, Alexandria. Your young man again." She winked. "He is eager, this one."
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    "He is not Alexandria's young man, Marie," Aidan said, annoyed. "He's old enough to be her father."
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    Marie only laughed as she sailed back toward the kitchen, ignoring his bad mood.
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    "Hello?" With deliberate malice, Alexandria sounded as sweet as she could as she took Thomas Ivan's call. "Oh, Thomas!" Her eyes were on Aidan as she gushed the other man's name. "The theater? Tonight? It's short notice, and I don't know if I'm quite ready for a night out."
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    Aidan could easily hear the suave, persuasive voice on the other end of the line. "We would just sit quietly, Alex, and I'd bring you straight home. An early night."

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    
    She closed her eyes. A night away from all the tension. A night in the real world. Her world. It was appealing. And by accepting she would also learn whether she was a prisoner or not. "That sounds wonderful, Thomas. But straight home afterward—I don't want the