Read Online Possession of Souls by Lacey Weatherford - Free Book Online

up to no good.”
    I figured that was obvious.
    “I won’t leave you, you know?” he said looking at me pointedly.  “Whatever it is he wants you to do, I’m coming with you.”
    “Vance,” I said with warning in my voice as I shook my head.  “You can’t do anything to rock the boat.  I don’t want to give him any reason to break his end of the bargain.  I need to know you and my dad are going to be safe.”
    He snorted in disgust, heat creeping into his eyes, and an angry flush crept over his skin.
    “I hate feeling this way, Portia,” he complained, dragging a hand through his hair in a frustrated gesture.  “I’m completely useless.  It’s like I’m a helpless little boy.”
    I realized his pride was suffering, and my heart broke for him.  I knew it must’ve been terribly difficult to see his father with all this strength and power and know it rightfully belonged to him.
    “Would you hand me that towel, please?” I asked, rising so I could get out of the sunken tub.
    “No,” he sighed.  “Just relax for a while.  You need it.”
    “Vance, I can’t relax with you sitting there all covered in blood.  Now hand me the dang towel!” I snapped, and he looked at me in shock before breaking into a wide grin, laughing.  “What?” I griped, totally confused by his bizarre reaction.
    “I do believe this is the first time I’ve been ordered about by an angry, naked, woman covered in bubbles,” he replied, getting up to grab one of the large fluffy towels off the shelf.
    “You’re such an idiot,” I said with a roll of my eyes, lifting my hand out so he could help me climb from the water without slipping.
    “That may be true,” he said, wrapping the towel around my body carefully, before hugging me to him.  “But I’m your idiot,” he added with a smile.  He leaned in to kiss me lightly on the forehead.
    “And that’s a fact I couldn’t be more thrilled about,” I responded, unable to keep myself from catching his infectious grin.  “Now get yourself into the tub.  It’s my turn to stand guard.” I gave him a playful shove away from me and moved toward the closet.
    “Hey,” he called after me. 
    “Yes?” I looked at him over my shoulder.
    “I like it when you’re bossy.” He gave me an appreciative grin, glancing over my scantily clad form.
    “I know,” I replied, reaching up with a hand to flip a strand of my wet hair behind me and turned to continue into the closet.
    “What do you mean, you know?” He laughed.
    “I mean, I know,” I called back matter-of-factly.  “I’ve discovered there’s nothing about me Vance Mangum doesn’t absolutely adore.”  I bit my lip, smirking as I waited for him to reply and was quickly rewarded with a loud burst of laughter.
    “Touché, baby,” he said, and I peeked back at him, smiling broadly.  He took a step toward me and then paused, looking down at his blood crusted body.  He let out a sigh, gave a shrug and just stared at me, locking gazes with me for several seconds.  “I love you,” he said instead, and I my breath caught because I could see all of his love for me shining through his eyes.
    “I know.” I laughed, continuing my coy charade, and he joined in.  “Get into the tub you filthy guy.  Hop to it!”
    “Yes ma’am!” He began to strip off his bloodied clothing, and I walked away, farther into the dressing room, still enjoying our playful banter.
    I stood there listening to the sounds he made when he entered the tub and started to wash—splashing sounds reaching my ears as he moved about.  I was happy to feel his presence.  Having him near was so soothing to me, and right now, in this moment, everything seemed … normal, like we were living our everyday lives.
    Suddenly, my world tilted in front of me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to start crying.
    I hurried to the door of the closet, and I stepped in behind it, right before the first sound escaped my lips.  I tried to muffle my voice in