Free Never More by Dana Marie Bell

met.” Martin’s easygoing smile morphed into a concerned frown. “He’s not pressuring you or anything, is he?”
    “Nah.” She patted his hand. The guy was sweet to worry about her. “I can handle someone like him.”
    “If you say so.” Martin sighed. “But if anything happens, you let Matt or me know. Matt and I will help, okay?”
    She patted his cheek. “You’re sweet.”
    “I’m available too.” He shot her a sweet, puppy-dog look. “Take me home?” He put his head on her shoulder and looked at her soulfully, his dark lashes fluttering over surprisingly light colored eyes. They were so light a blue they appeared almost silver. “I don’t eat much, and I’m house trained.”
    Amanda laughed, amused. “You’re cute.” The cawing sound began again, so loud she winced. She shook her head, trying to get it to stop, but nothing she did silenced the stupid thing.
    What the fuck had Raven put on her ear, some kind of radio receiver?
    “Amanda!”
    Amanda blinked, startled to find herself surrounded. Matt, Martin and Melissa looked concerned. The Dunne brothers looked amused, and the Dunne women seemed sympathetic.
    It was Robin who caught her attention though. He glared at Martin, his blue eyes turning rapidly green. For some reason, Amanda felt the urge to protect poor Martin from whatever Robin had planned for him.
    She winced and held her hand out to Robin, absolutely certain that there was only one way to save the poor boy from a beating. “My head hurts.”
    Robin immediately focused back on her. “Ah, my dear. Allow me.” He pressed a finger to her ear, and with a final squawk the earpiece went silent. “Better now?”
    She nodded, relieved. “Yeah. What the hell did he put on me?”
    Robin’s expression went blank. “All will be revealed in time, my dear. Trust me, Raven would sooner cut off body parts than harm you.”
    “Why?”
    Robin totally flabbergasted her when he laughed merrily. “Why, because you are his, of course.”
    Amanda scowled. Of course my lily white ass. Now she was certain something weird was going on. Was this a goddamn cult or something her bestie had gotten sucked into? Why did all of the Dunnes seem okay with Robin’s pronouncement, like they’d all expected something like that to come out of his mouth?
    And why was a secret part of her agreeing with them?
    Damn it, Amanda wanted answers, and she was going to get them no matter what.
    “Guard her, Father.” The taste of Amanda’s skin was still on his lips, tantalizing him with what a deeper sampling would be like. The thought of dipping between her lips to sip at her inner sweetness nearly stopped him in his tracks.
    But he had an enemy to find and a brother to end, or any dreams of Amanda becoming his would be dashed.
    “Is she yours?”
    Raven was nodding yes before his father finished the question. “I’m certain of it.”
    Robin, staring at Raven with something akin to pride, nodded. “Then I shall guard her with my life.”
    That was good enough for him. Nothing would harm Amanda with Robin on lookout.
    It didn’t take long for Raven to find where Sayyid was staying. The asshole was in one of the most charming B&Bs in Omaha, a quaint little inn meant for honeymooners, anniversaries and quiet weekend getaways. Not the place you expected to find a top-notch assassin.
    Raven landed on the roof and touched his nose to the raven perched there. Images of Sayyid sleeping filtered through his mind. The image was hazy, but undoubtedly his brother. The black Ourobos that marked him as one of Titannia’s Chosen was clear to see on his arm. “Good,” Raven murmured, petting the bird’s head. “Go sleep.”
    The bird disappeared into the night.
    Raven crouched, the air swirling around him as he sought the tiny cracks and crevices of the house.
    There. One he could use, and not far from Sayyid’s room. He’d have to be careful not to alert the humans staying in the bed and breakfast. The last thing he