Carpathian 10 - Dark Symphony

dispersing it immediately. Misters on timers began a soft spray of the plants.
    "Where are you?" Tasha demanded. "I swear they came in here," she said to the captain.
    "Antonietta? Byron? Diego is here. You don't mind me calling you Diego, do you?" Her voice was sultry with heat.
    Byron lowered Antonietta carefully to the ground, holding her until her legs stopped shaking enough to take her weight.
    "There's her dog." Tasha spotted Celt. "Antonietta hasn't gone anywhere without that dog since she got him a few days ago. She's in here somewhere. She loves the exotic plants. Over this way."
    Antonietta stiffened, buried her face on Byron's shoulder. She was completely naked and only a large leafy plant separated her cousin and the policeman from her. Byron's large hands cupped her buttocks, pressed her tightly to him. They cannot see us here. Have no fear of discovery. He reluctantly let her go to drag her shirt over her head and settle her dark glasses back on her nose.
    Antonietta stood in silence and darkness while he retrieved her slacks. She jumped when his hand slipped between her legs, his finger pushing inside of her. I want to be alone with you, cara mia. I hate that we can never be alone. His finger stroked deep. Her highly sensitized feminine muscles convulsed around him. She clung to him while her body went up in flames again.
    Byron's hair brushed her face as he leaned close to help her into her slacks. You are my life mate, always in my care. He was fully clothed.
    I don't think I can breathe. Carry me upstairs. Let's run away together.
    His mouth settled over hers, a long, leisurely kiss.
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    Dark Symphony
    Page 105 of 188
    "What in the world is this?" Tasha picked up the package lying in the middle of the floor.
    There was a smear of blood on the brown wrapper.
    I fear it is too late, my love. Byron moved them so that they appeared together, walking around a giant potted palm, hands linked. Tasha found the package, and we need to know what is inside of it. We must reveal ourselves.
    Antonietta tried to appear calm and cool and not at all as if she'd been having wild sex only moments earlier. Laughter was bubbling up, a very unlike Antonietta characteristic. She hardly recognized herself anymore.
    "Grazie, Tasha." Byron took the package right out of her hands and gave it to Antonietta.
    "I was not certain where we left that. Good evening, Captain Vantilla." Byron bowed low at the waist.
    "Signer Justicano, its good you were there to rescue Si-gnora Scarletti."
    Tasha made a sound of annoyance. "Diego, didn't you listen to a single word I said?
    What were you doing wandering the grove so late at night, Byron?"
    "Tasha, you go too far," Antonietta said quietly. "I want you to stop. There is more at stake here than your petty jealousies."
    Tasha's breath hissed out. "Call it what you will. That man is dangerous, and I refuse to allow you get involved with him."
    Byron studied her scarlet face. She was humiliated in front of the captain, yet she persisted in spite of Antonietta's warning. It seemed at odds with her sense of self-preservation. Could she really be afraid for you?
    You're the one who reads minds.
    She would know. If I push beyond her barriers, she would know I was there. I am uncertain if I could fog her memory enough to make it worthwhile.
    Who knows why Tasha does and says the things she does? Antonietta sounded weary enough that Byron swept his arm around her and dragged her to him, giving her shelter against the steady rhythm of his heart.
    "You do not seemed surprised, Captain," Byron said. "Is this the first kill? You must tell us what you know."
    The captain pushed his hand through his hair, a clear sign of agitation. "This is not the first person killed in this way."
    "Do you mean to say you've known of this creature, and you didn't warn everyone?"
    Antonietta was outraged.
    "It has been in the newspapers, signorina. We brought in the best trackers we could find.
    The cat has not been found."
    "In the meantime, my cousin's wife could have been killed. That's completely unacceptable." There was a soft whip in Antonietta's voice. "I have employees who walk from the city to my home daily. I don't want to lose any of them to such a hideous fate as a wild animal killing them."
    "It doesn't bear