Breach (The Blood Bargain) Read Free Page B

that Cole would also have at least one knife in his left boot, a short sword at his hip and a .45 caliber gun tucked in somewhere.  Not that he ever would use the pistol. Cole, unlike yours truly, liked being up close and personal with his kills.
    “Whatever old man.”  He was a jaw dropping four years my senior.  “Brought you lunch.”
    “Have I told you lately how absolutely amazing you are?”  That made me blush.  He started to lean into me, but then his head whipped up.
    “Dude you mind?”   Cole snapped at Liam. The kid was staring down at us like an awkward fifth wheel. Fumbling with his binoculars the boy nodded, and went back to looking out over the wall.
    I frowned, there it was again. That hole in my chest for the one who used to sit in that very spot.
    Cole pulled me gently by the arm away from the tower.  Casually we strolled through the tall grass and away from observation.  In silence we walked on, listening to nothing but the crunch of the brown grass beneath our feet.  The brown patches of earth where cornstalks shot high in the spring came into view to our left.
    “Cutting class?”   He asked me.
    “Parents wanted the little ones back home early today to finish up the canning.  With the early temperature drops I guess most houses are behind schedule this year.”  Winter months were harsh and unforgiving.  There was no longer a grocer you could just pop in on whenever and pick up a meal.  No frozen food, no fridges to store it.  All of our stoves were the old fashioned wood burning kind. Electricity was a mostly forgotten invention at the moment, all of our heat came from fireplaces.  We had two buildings in town that were trialing solar power, but when the roof's got blanketed with snow the panels were useless.
    “Well, that gives you some free time then.”
    “Not really...”  I bit my lower lip, searching for the correct phrasing. “I’m on the council now it looks like.” 
    Cole whistled. “How did that happen between me leaving this morning and now?”
    “Dad cornered me at breakfast. Called it his ‘legacy’.”  I used air quotes.
    “Awesome.”
    “I hate it.”
    “It’s lame then.”  I managed a laugh, tucking a untamed lock of hair behind my ear.
    “I’m going to have to sit in that stuffy room every day with stupid Zack.”  Kicking the grass with my tennis shoe as I said the z word.  Cole bent over, giving me a light kiss on the forehead, snaking a arms possessive around my waist.  It forced me to match his pace as we walked, the longer stride pulling at my leg muscles where I’d been injured.
    “Relax, you’re with me.  He makes a move I’ll put him in his place.”  With a private smile, I knew that to be true.  Cole had already proven he’d beat the guy down for me, and he’d done a hell of a job at it.  A fight neither of them remembered thanks to a little vampire assistance. 
    My feet stopped, legs unable to go another step forward without resting for a while.  In honest this was a nice place for lunch anyway.  On top of the Northwestern hills overlooking the heavy crop zones.  I took in the scenery with a sigh.  It was far more lovely in the spring with all the blooming life.  Now the earth was reduced to a few rogue stalks under a blanket of leaves.
    “I’m sure you will.”  I waved the lunch I had prepared him in front of his face. “How about for now you focus on putting those veggies in their place He-Man?”
    H e practically tore open the metal pail as soon as we sat in the grass.  Tucking my hands under my knees for warmth I quietly observed him devour his lunch. Between massive bites he’d toss me a grin, that proud slightly possessive smile of male affection that was both casual and deadly.
    The whole event ended in a large belch. “Thanks. That really hit the spot.”
    “Don’t mention it.”
    “So, you want to come to my place tonight?”
    “Sick of having to wear pants in the hall?”  I giggled, the