Page 74 of Hextreme Measures

Death was about to take over the house, but Ofelia smiled all the same. She cast a look toward Pascal, who had offered her a party, and wondered if it would be rude to postpone the party until after they returned from their honeymoon.

Pascal gave her a soft smile. “The party can wait.”

Since that was what she wanted to hear, she nodded. “That sounds like an amazing plan to me.”

“I thought you would like it.” Sully pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. “I knew you would find me.”

“Always,” she said. “Never doubt that.”

“I will never doubt you.”

She sighed into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. “I can’t wait to marry you.”

He escorted her out of the room without looking back. Tansy and Pascal would be efficient but not cruel when taking out Shirley. That was the most either of them could ask for.

“Marrying you is going to be the best thing in my life,” he said. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“Ever?”

“Oh, Ofelia, I wanted you before I even knew to want you.”

“That’s kind of schmaltzy.”

He laughed. “What can I say? That’s how I roll.”

18

EIGHTEEN

The street was bursting with activity when Ofelia and Sully emerged from the house. Horrible things were going on behind them, but they were only looking forward. Sully kept Ofelia close at his side, and amazement swept through him when he saw the people who had gathered to help his fiancée. There were so many of them, faces he didn’t even know, and they all stood in a circle to greet him.

“Zacharias!” Madeline pushed past Zeke and a few other shifters and threw her arms around her son’s neck. She was so exuberant that she knocked Ofelia back two steps. “I can’t believe you’re alive!”

Sully made a face over his mother’s shoulder, and it had Ofelia grinning. “I’m fine, Mother. I was never in any real danger.”

“Of course you were,” Madeline countered. “That’s why your father and I had to rush to your rescue.”

“I’m fairly certain that my wife is the one who ran to my rescue.”

“Your fiancée,” Madeline corrected.

Sully shook his head. “My wife.” He was firm. “She’s my wife, now and forever.”

Madeline opened her mouth, then shut it. Her only response was a nod. Ofelia took that as a good sign. Her future mother-in-law might have wanted a shifter for a daughter-in-law. She’d come to terms with reality, though. Finally.

“Your wife,” Madeline echoed, offering Ofelia a small smile.

Ofelia returned it, then left Sully to talk to his parents about what had happened. She took the opportunity to scan the banshees, who were fighting the vampires with everything they had, teeth bared. She found the one she was looking for right away.

“This one.” Her stomach hollowed out, but she forced herself to be strong. “This is the one who attacked Angelique.”

The banshee in question fought harder against the vampire keeping her in check, but her fate was already sealed. Ofelia glanced up as Pascal moved in. He’d obviously made short work of Shirley. “You don’t have to,” she said. “I can do it.”

“Not today.” Pascal was firm. “I will handle it. Her first. Then the others. I will also take Biff to Jack. You don’t have to worry about it.”

Ofelia nodded. She appreciated what he was doing for her, more than he could ever know. “Thank you.”

“No thanks are required.” Pascal pressed a firm kiss to her forehead. “Go home. Check on Angelique. Rest up.” His eyes moved to Sully. “You’ll be a wife in less than 36 hours.”