Sweeter than Wine

CHAPTER 8

The days went by all too fast. Each night, the men gathered to discuss plans while Christy spent time with Hiro, learning the basics of self-defense with her new agility and strength. Sometimes Sebastian would join them, sometimes Matt, but each night after the training session and after the planners left, Christy would spend time with Sebastian. They'd sit and talk, or take a walk over the grounds and he'd teach her things she needed to know about being a vampire.

On one such night a few days after that first strategy session, they walked through the woods surrounding Sebastian's home. It was an estate, really, up in a secluded area of the hills. The place was a mansion, but not ostentatious at all. On the contrary, from the outside, the appearance of the house was very low-key, blending in nicely with the surrounding woodlands. Inside, of course, the house was a home. Comfy and lived in, she felt at ease there once she learned the layout of the many rooms in the vast space.

This night, Christy knew Matt prowled the woods. He'd stayed nearby more often since the news broke about just who might be gunning for them. Matt took the Venifucus threat very seriously and more were became involved in the case-at least those who would work with bloodletters. That was a term she'd heard them call Sebastian from time to time. It didn't sound very nice, but Sebastian seemed to prefer it to the word vampire. She didn't much care what word was used. Though «vampire» brought to mind Bella Lugosi and late night horror flicks, it was the word that sounded most modern to her.

Something the men had said the night before caught at her memory. She turned to Sebastian, gazing up at him in the dappled moonlight. He really was the most handsome man she'd ever seen.

«I'm glad you think so.» He'd undoubtedly read the thought in her mind before she had a chance to speak.

«I know we're sharing a brain and all, but would you at least let me get a word out from time to time?» She shook her head in mock indignation as he tucked his arm around her shoulder, drawing her close as they walked along.

«I'm sorry, my love. I'll endeavor to do better from now on.»

«You're not sorry at all. This mind reading thing goes both ways, you know.»

Sebastian stopped and pulled her into his arms for a quick kiss. «You can read my mind anytime.»

«Honestly.» She sighed. «What I was going to ask, was if you knew how to shapeshift.»

Sebastian let go of her arms and faced her. «It's something most of our kind take centuries to master. I became proficient early on, but only truly mastered the technique in the last century or so. Atticus and the others are older than me though, and have been shifting form for a long time.»

«Really?» She grew excited by the idea. She'd seen Matt shift a few times and each time, she wondered what it would be like to walk on four paws instead of two feet. «What form can you take?»

Sebastian leaned against a tree, watching her with amusement clear on his handsome face. «I prefer the form of a wolf, but I can shift into almost anything. I can even be fog.»

«Fog? Really?» The very thought of it amazed her. «I didn't know anyone could do that. So, it took you a while to learn, huh?»

«Actually, it wasn't the learning that took time, so much as the building of power. It takes a great deal of a certain kind of magic to be able to shift form. The were are born with it, but our kind must earn it and learn it over the centuries. Each new form takes a while to learn.»

«Do you think I'll ever be able to do it?» She hated to get her hopes up, but it was something she'd thought about more and more since her conversion.

Sebastian straightened and put his hands on her shoulders, his expression quite serious. «I think you could probably do it right now, my love. It's one of the reasons I asked Matt to feed you in those first days. I was able to shift much sooner than most newly turned because my own first meal was from a wolf shifter. I knew feeding from Matt would give you the same advantage.»

«Is that why you prefer the wolf form? Because your first meal was from a werewolf?»

«You know, I never quite thought of it that way, but perhaps you're right. I like the speed, agility and cunning of the wolf, not to mention the strength and deadly acuity. But my first blood might've had something to do with that preference, now you mention it.»

«How do you do it? How do you shift?»

«You want to try?»

Her heart leapt with excitement. «Oh, yes. But what will I turn into?»

«It's very important to have a clear idea of what you'll become. You must hold the image of your new form in your mind's eye while you release the magic to change shape. Since you've seen Matt change and have a taste of his magic, why don't you try for a cat this first time?»

«All right.» She closed her eyes picturing the form as clearly as she could in her mind.

Sebastian talked her through the process, coaching her to keep the image of the cat foremost in her mind as she gathered and released the energy that would cause the change.

He felt her focusing her will and was awed by the strength she already had for one so young. She shimmered and her form shifted, a moment later he was looking at a small, fluffy, white cat, no bigger than the common house cat.

Sebastian burst out laughing.

«What is it?»

«Oh, my love,» he couldn't contain the laughter, «I was expecting a cougar and you give me a kitten. Only you.»

She stumbled on her uncoordinated paws. Sebastian chuckled as he bent to pick her up and stroked her soft fur.

«Of course,» he mused aloud as she scratched her head along his sleeve, «it is rather a propos. You being a pussy cat, I mean.» He chuckled as he walked back to the house, greeting the cougar that waited for them like a carved statue on the steps to the small stone terrace.

«Who's your little friend?» Matt asked in the back of their minds.

«Meet your creation.» He dumped the fluffy white kitty onto the stone patio. She teetered to one side, unused to having four legs under her as the cougar bent down to sniff at her. «I give you, Lady Christina, the pussy cat.»

«You've got to be kidding.» Matt's reply was both shocked and amused. «She's not much more than a mouthful, is she?»

«Back off, big guy.» Christy groused as she tried to steady herself on dainty paws.

Matt sat back, just looking at her. «You're a vampire, sweetheart. You can take almost any form you want, and you choose this?» The cougar shook his head from side to side, making a coughing noise that sounded a bit like rough laughter.

«He said to try for a cat. I'm a cat, aren't I?» She jerked her furry little head in Sebastian's direction. He couldn't help his amusement at her feline indignation.

«Well, you're cute, I'll give you that.» Matt bent his head and touched her with one massive paw. «But not very functional, are you? And not well camouflaged for night work either.»

«He's got a point. Can you change color, my love?» Sebastian thought it would be a good exercise of her new powers to try.

«How?» A plaintive meow accompanied her question.

«You must've had the image of this white puss in your mind when you shifted, right? Now imagine a black cat instead. Same cat, just color her black in your mind. It should only take a touch of magic this time. Not as much as you needed to shift fully, just a little zap to change color. Can you manage it?» He bent to stroke her soft fur, offering comfort as he monitored the struggle to control this intricate little detail in her mind.

As his hand brushed down her flank, the soft fur beneath his palm turned from snow white to purest black. Her glistening green eyes stared up at him with triumph. «Did it work? It feels like it did.»

Sebastian scooped her into his arms. «It worked my love. My talented little mate. You're a natural.» He held her close in his embrace, petting her silky coat.

«That is so cool.» Matt sounded impressed. «Wish I could do that.»

«You can't?» The black cat held out a little paw toward the cougar, her tail swishing lazily back and forth.

«No, sweetheart. That takes a different kind of magic than what I've got. What you see is what you get.»

The black cat yawned, showing off her tiny, sharp teeth. Sebastian petted her, enjoying the slight purr of satisfaction under his fingers.

«I know you're tired. Shifting can be draining when you're new to it. What say you shift back and we'll rest up a bit?»

«Only a few hours to dawn, my friends,» Matt observed as he stood and loped down the steps leading to the woods beyond the terrace. «My advice to you…make the most of it.»

«Oh, we plan to.» Sebastian didn't bother watching the big cat go, already heading indoors with the purring black pussy cat in his arms.

«If she needs any help shifting back, call me. I coached my little sister through it her first time.»

«Thanks, Matt.» Christy spoke in all their minds. «You're a good friend.»

«I'll call if we need any help,» Sebastian added with a chuckle, heading for their private getaway beneath the house.

Seeing the world through cat's eyes was a new and disorienting experience for Christy, but even stranger was the sensation of walking on four paws. She loved the way Sebastian's big hands could wrap completely around her furry body and each stroke of his fingers down her length sent shivers of delight through her from head to toe.

Having a tail was different too, and Christy knew she'd need to practice a bit in this form if she wanted to be able to walk straight. It made her think about other forms she could take. She honestly hadn't thought of herself as a cougar, but realized now it probably would have been a better alternative. Still, when Sebastian had talked about imagining a cat, she hadn't thought of Matt's beautiful, fierce and very masculine cougar. No, she'd thought of her neighbor's housecat. Silly her.

She'd always wanted a cat, but Jeff had been against it. He didn't want pets or children for that matter. At least not until he was ready.

Christy would have loved a baby, but was willing to wait to start a family. They'd married right out of college, so it made sense back then. Later, when Jeff started getting unpredictable, she realized it might be dangerous to bring a child into a home with his increasingly violent nature. Still, she'd dreamed about a baby, but that dream had been denied her. Hell, the selfish bastard she'd married wouldn't even agree to a pet.

«It's all behind you now, my love.» Sebastian kissed the top of her feline head as he cradled her close. She knew he was sharing her thoughts. She wasn't used to that yet, but it was getting easier. It was comforting in a way, to know she was never alone, and she learned incredible things from looking into his memories. Still, she figured it could take a lifetime-maybe several-before she knew everything about the new man in her life.

And just having a new man in her life was a huge adjustment. The idea was intensely liberating. She almost didn't believe it, but for the new freedoms living with Sebastian brought her. Not to mention the magic.

Sebastian was the purest form of magic to her. He was love. He was hope. He represented everything she'd dreamed of but never had before…and so much more she couldn't even have begun to imagine.

«Are you about ready to try changing back?» He placed her in the center of the large bed, stroking her fur as he lay down next to her.

Her tail moved of its own accord, a sensuous sway behind her body. «I'll try.»

Using images in their shared minds as well as coaxing, coaching words, he talked her through the energy build-up and the change that came with dispersal of the magic. When she blinked, she was looking at his beloved face once again through her own eyes.

And she was naked.

«What happened to my clothes?»

«Who cares?» Sebastian laughed and drew her into his arms. She slapped at his arm to get his attention and he drew back, sighing. «You have to think them back with you when you change back. That's another thing were can't do, but we can. It takes practice, my sweet, but you'll get there. For now though…» he swooped down and nibbled on her neck, «…I like you just the way you are.»

«Mmm. Me too.»

About a week after their first encounter with Cameron, Christy was asked to forego training with Hiro one night and sit with Sebastian and his guests. That was new. She'd been sent to the dojo with Hiro to train every night while the men gathered to plot and plan. She'd used her time well with the vampire sensei, and had skills now she never would have dreamed of before.

But then, everything had changed for her in a short span of time. Jeffs complete loss of control had wrought repercussions he would never fully realize. Christy was still learning about her new life and her new abilities, though she was good enough now with her new skills, she didn't fear Jeffs physical strength anymore. She was way stronger than he'd ever be and intellectually she knew he wouldn't be able to raise a hand against her ever again, but emotionally it was still hard for her. She couldn't completely control her fear when the Master Vampire proposed they move on with the next step in the plan.

She had to confront Jeff for them-and even more importantly-for herself. She had to move forward with the divorce, and get her stuff. There were things in the house she wanted. Family photos and mementos from her childhood and college days. Jeff would relinquish them, she vowed, or he would regret it.

«Are you all right?» Sebastian stood behind her as she paused at the entry to the living room where the men were gathered. «I admire your determination, but you know, you aren't in this alone, my love. I'll be with you. If Jeff so much as looks at you funny, he won't know what hit him.»

She turned and hugged him. Sebastian was her anchor, her safe haven, but more importantly, he gave her confidence she'd never had before. He complimented her shy nature and brought out the backbone Jeff had done his best to grind into the dirt. Sebastian was good for her.

«I love you, you know.»

He kissed the top of her head. «I do. Almost as much as I love you.»

«You guys about done with the mushy stuff?» Matt's voice came to them from the living room archway, making them laugh. He had been a good friend to them both in this crisis. Christy was a little shocked at how comfortable Matt was in their lives-especially after the way he'd been introduced to her. Christy wasn't in the habit of confronting former lovers every time she turned around, but then, she'd only had sex with three men in her entire life. Jeff, the bastard. Matt. And Sebastian.

Two out of three wasn't bad. No, she smiled as she walked into the room on Sebastian's arm, not bad at all.

Matt walked beside her, giving her a little tap on the butt that made her squeak. She sat on the couch between the two men. Matt hadn't been intimate with her since the night Sebastian and she had joined fully, but he'd been around the house. She knew he was guarding her-guarding them both actually. Matt obviously cared a great deal for Sebastian. She'd sifted through some of the memories of their friendship in Sebastian's mind and knew Matt was a very special man who'd faced his own demons. His willingness to put himself in harm's way for his friend spoke a lot about his character.

«Hiro says you've made good progress.» Marc spoke as the meeting came to order. Hiro was seated in an overstuffed chair near the windows leading to the veranda. He nodded as the focus shifted to him, and Christy felt the weight of his approval. It gave her a warm sensation to know this patient, skilled man thought she'd done well under his tutelage.

«I feel good,» she agreed. «I know you want me to go see Jeff and I think I'm ready. He's got some things of mine in the house I want.» She twined her hand with Sebastian's at her side, drawing strength from his solid presence.

«That's good, and it fits well with our plans,» Marc said, motioning to a man walking in from the patio. «Ah, Mr. Hastings, what do you have for us this evening?»

The were detective was bare-chested, but had on a pair of jeans he must've had stashed in the yard.

«We've got taps on the phone lines and a satellite trace on Kinsey's cell phone. If he makes the call, we'll have a decent shot at locating the other party.» Hastings took a seat and Christy could see the lines of fatigue around his eyes. «We've got a positive I.D. on the second man in that photo. He's still going by the name Mario Gonzalez, but like Steel, he's hard to trace. Looks like he hooked up with Steel after the action in Montana, though. We were able to find no connection prior to last Yule, but after that, they show up fairly regularly together and in each sighting, there was something a little more sinister afoot.»

«Such as?» Atticus prompted the man.

Hastings sighed and sat forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. His expression was not reassuring.

«Late last December they hooked up in New Mexico. During the last week in December, a newly mated werewolf couple were found shot to death, execution style, with silver bullets, in their own home. A hefty bounty is still out for the murderer, but there was no trace of entry or exit and the pack scented strong, foreign magic at the crime scene.»

«That's not good.» Matt's face was grim.

«It gets worse. The next time I can confirm a sighting of the two men together is late March in Tampa. A week later, a family of werepanthers were found hanging from a tree in the Everglades. Mother, father, and six cubs of varying ages. Poisoned with silver and strung up to die.»

«That's horrible!» Christy couldn't help the shudder of horror that passed down her spine. «Who would do such a thing?»

«Venifucus are ruthless, ma'am,» Hastings answered, grim resignation in his eyes. «I hadn't seen it before in my lifetime, but these murders match up to descriptions of things done in the distant past. These aren't the only incidents. Were clans and tribes from around the world have reported an increase of murderous deaths in the past year when I sent out the request for information. Normally we don't have all that much interaction, but now that the red flag's been raised, the current Lords are going to do something about it. They're calling a Gathering.»

«That's going to be dangerous.» Matt looked truly upset.

Hastings nodded. «Which is why I'd like to have this matter cleared up before the leaders come together. If we can eliminate at least this one threat, perhaps we can make the Gathering that much safer.»

«When are they meeting?» Marc asked quickly, then held up a hand. «I know you won't give me specifics, but we need a round estimate so we know what our parameters are here. And I want one of you to carry a message back to your Lords.» Marc's stern gaze passed from Matt to Hastings and back again. «I want a meeting. Venifucus threaten both our people. I'd like to work with the were to counter that threat.» Marc laughed at the shocked looks on both were faces. «It's not unprecedented. Read your histories, boys. Elspeth was banished before only when all supernatural races worked in concert against her. I, for one, won't wait until I'm looking into her damned eyes to form an alliance. You tell your Lords, I'm looking to broker a deal between us for mutual cooperation and protection. The sooner we get comfortable working together, the better we'll be able to face the coming threat.»

Sebastian nodded in agreement. «Marc's right. This situation is a case in point. Working together, we'll be more of a match for whatever's coming than if we each try to work separately. I think it's a good idea.»

«All right,» Hastings said, his expression wary, «I'll try to set up a conference call.»

«Thank you.» Marc looked relieved, if Christy was any judge. He leaned back in his chair, more at ease. «Now, what other terrible things have followed Steel and his buddy, Mario, around?»

Hastings shook himself, getting back to his report and Christy feared what he had to say by the look in his eyes. «Outside of Boston, May of this year. A week after Steel and Gonzalez were confirmed in the area, a den of vampires were staked out in the sun. Twelve in all, mostly women and two young.»

«Good Lord!» Sebastian's hand squeezed hers as the news hit him hard.

«And in July, after the last confirmed sighting, a very strong magical attack was made against one of your kin, Cameron.» Hastings nodded toward the back of the room where Cameron had snuck in at some point without her realizing it.

«Who?» he demanded.

«Duncan,» Hastings sighed, «but his vamp buddy, Dante d'Angleterre, was there to help and he escaped mostly unharmed. Just a bit singed from what I heard. Turns out, since the action up North with the WereLords and their Lady, Dante and Duncan have been hanging around together. Good thing for your kin, in this case.»

«I last saw Dante decades ago,» Atticus mused. «I had no idea he'd hooked up with a fey.»

«Half-fey,» Cameron corrected. «Last I heard, Duncan was banished to the Isle of Nevermore for pissing off Queen Mab. Had to be some pretty powerful magic to get him into this realm.»

Hastings nodded. «The new priestess brought him here. She's formidable, from all accounts.»

«So are you, my love.» Sebastian's voice sounded through her mind as his fingers squeezed hers in reassurance.

«All right. This is good to know. We need to take this threat as seriously as possible and we all might just live through it.» Marc took charge of the meeting once more. «We need to catch these two. We need to know if Steel is the Venifucus or if Gonzalez is the infiltrator.»

«Or both,» Atticus put in dryly from the side of the room.

«Or both,» Marc agreed. «But we need to find them first. That's where you come in, Christy. If you're sure you're up to it.»

Swallowing hard, Christy sat up a little straighter. «I'm up to it. I need to face Jeff and set the wheels in motion. I want a divorce and I want my stuff. It's as simple as that.»

Sebastian folded her hand into his and held it against his chest. «Then it's a good thing I asked my lawyer to come here tonight. She's already started the paperwork and I want you to sit down with her and go over the particulars.» Christy was surprised, but she read the real shock on Matt's face when Sebastian turned and spoke to him. «Would you be so kind as to let her in, Matt? I believe she's coming through the forest as we speak. Show her to the gold guest room. She sent her things ahead.»

«She's a shifter?» Matt's expression screamed curiosity, as did the expressions of some of the other men in the room. «You been holding out on me, old friend?»

«She's a long-time associate who's been hiding out, more or less, for the past several years. I respected her right to inform the were community of her presence when she was ready. It appears, that time is now.» Sebastian sighed. «She's been my lawyer for the past five years, but I didn't want her connected to me publicly, for her sake. So far she's managed to live under everyone's radar.»

Christy was curious about the woman she could now see in her lover's mind. He felt a fondness for the girl, but it was more like fatherly interest than that of a man for a woman. She looked a bit deeper and realized Sebastian had played a large role in this woman's life, rescuing her when her family was killed and supporting her while she finished high school, then college and eventually law school, all from behind the scenes.

She saw more about the woman in her mate's mind and a smile spread slowly over her features. Matt was going to be in for a shock.

Matt's head lifted and he sniffed the air, zeroing in on the big patio doors. Quickly he stood and opened the nearest one.

Head and tail held high, a sleek Florida panther padded daintily into the room, surprising everyone but Sebastian and Christy. The cat stood on the threshold, seeming a little skittish when faced with so many people. Matt crouched down and held out one hand towards her.

«Where've you been hiding, little lady?» Christy saw Matt wink, his charm coming to the rescue. «I'm Matt. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to your things.»

With a regal nod of her feline head, the cat assented and followed silently after the big man. Sebastian smiled indulgently, waving once to the cat, before turning back to Christy.

«Give her about five minutes, then go save her from Matt's curiosity, will you?» A smile played about his handsome face. «You two should discuss the legal aspects of your divorce in private.» «Plus,» he added in her mind, «as you can probably guess, she's shy around other supernaturals, especially shifters. I'd rather not everyone here see her human face so she can retain at least a little anonymity in this.»

«I understand.» Christy leaned in to place a soft kiss on Sebastian's cheek. «You're a good man, Sebastian. Morgan is lucky to have you for a champion.»

«Morgan?» Matt's triumphant tone sounded through their minds. «So that's this little panther's name? Sebastian, you realize she could be under cougar clan protection, right? She's a related species. A cousin, more or less.»

«That's up to her, Matt.» Sebastian's voice was firm. «She's been through a lot and doesn't have much trust for anyone. Not even her fellow shifters.»

«That's a shame, Sebastian. Truly.» Matt sounded genuinely upset at the idea. «But I'll have to tell my brother Grif. He could at least keep an eye out for her from a distance, if nothing else.»

«Why do you think I asked you to escort her, Matt? She needs her own kind, even if she doesn't quite realize it yet. Take it slow, my friend. Tonight you've met. Next time, perhaps you can take it a bit farther. Believe me, it was hard enough to get her to agree to outing herself even this much. She would rather have stayed hidden for the rest of her days, but that's no way to live. Not when there are other were like her nearby, willing to accept her for who she is. Just tread lightly. That's all I'm asking.»

«Heard and understood, my friend.»

Christy checked her watch and realized enough time had passed. She stood gracefully and gave Sebastian a peck on the cheek before excusing herself from the room full of men. Following Matt's scent, she found him pacing outside a door in one of the far hallways.

«She's changing,» he said quietly, a hurt and troubled expression on his face. «Ordered me right out of the room with an imperious tail wag. This little kitty isn't used to being around other shifters.»

Christy went up to him and hugged him. It was the comfort she would offer any friend. Regardless of how they'd met, and the intimacies they'd shared, she knew they would always be friends. He'd given her a part of himself and she would be forever grateful to him for his generosity of spirit, loyalty, and incredible strength of character.

With a reassuring smile, she stepped back and knocked on the door. «Morgan? It's Christy. Matt's here too. May we come in?»

The door opened and a gorgeous young woman stood there, looking a bit nervous as her topaz eyes darted from Christy to Matt and back again. When they made no move forward, she relaxed a bit and seemed to get a hold of herself. She stepped back for them to enter.

Christy went in first, but stopped Matt just inside the door. «Matt's not staying, but Sebastian thought you should meet.»

The woman nodded, swallowing hard. «So he said on the phone. I'm Morgan Chase.»

Matt towered over both women, though Morgan was quite a bit taller than Christy. He held out one hand to the woman and gave her his best roguish grin. «Matt Redstone.» They shook hands and Morgan seemed to ratchet down her nerves another notch. «I want to extend a little invitation to you, Ms. Chase. My oldest brother is Alpha of the cougar clan in these parts. Your breed is like a cousin to ours and you'd be welcome in the clan.

If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to call.» Matt reached into his pocket and fished out a business card, handing it to Morgan. «You can reach me or any of my brothers through Redstone Construction at any time. All of the office staff are were, so you can talk freely to anyone who answers the phone.»

Morgan examined the card then tucked it away in her pocket, her expression thoughtful. «That's very kind of you, Mr. Redstone. I can't say for certain whether I'll take you up on the offer, but I'll definitely think about it.»

Matt nodded, not entirely happy with the answer, Christy could tell from the tightening of his mouth, but willing to move in slow steps, as Sebastian had requested. He backed toward the door, leaving the women to their business.

«I'll be here all night either talking with the guys or prowling the perimeter. Perhaps I'll see you on your way out?»

Morgan nodded, seeming not entirely pleased by the idea. «Perhaps. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Redstone.»

«And you, Ms. Chase.» Matt winked at Christy then headed back down the corridor toward the living room. Christy closed the door and leaned against it.

«I understand you're Sebastian's lawyer.» Christy opened the conversation with an innocuous observation, hoping to get the tense woman to relax a bit.

Morgan nodded as she moved toward the small sitting area that had a low table and several chairs. «Sebastian saved my life when I was a teen. He put me through college and law school.»

«I know.» Christy moved nearer the other woman and took a seat, satisfied with the surprise on Morgan's face. «Sebastian and I are joined. It's very new to me, but I can read his memories, and I've seen you in them. He's very fond of you, you know.»

Morgan seemed troubled as she sat opposite Christy and pulled out a large brown folder, setting it on the table between them. «It's nothing romantic. He's like an older brother or father figure to me.»

Christy decided to cut Morgan some slack. «Oh, I know that. Don't worry. I can access his feelings too. I know he loves you like a kid sister. It's very different from the love he and I share. I just wanted you to know where we all stand. This vampire business…and the were…it's all very new to me. I didn't know a thing about any of this supernatural stuff until a few days ago.»

«When your husband beat you to death.»

It wasn't a question and Christy realized this woman didn't pull her punches. Her momentary good mood shattered, Christy nodded.

Morgan opened the big envelope and started sorting through papers. «Well, the good news is, we have a good case for divorce. Even with the altered medical reports, there's still enough evidence to prove he mistreated you, and your testimony will clinch it, if he wants to fight you in court. Any lawyer worth his salt will tell your husband to give you what you want because you could easily pursue criminal charges against him, not only for the assault and battery, but also for raiding your bank accounts. Did you know he's made you a pauper?»

«What?» Dismay filled her. She knew Jeff was a rat, but she wouldn't have thought he'd be bold enough to rob her blind.

Morgan nodded. «I've followed the paper trail and it's pretty clear he's been setting this up for a while. He's been siphoning money off the trust your parents left to you for the past year or so, but now he's come out in the open and started making huge withdrawals. If you were a corporation, I'd call Jeff Kinsey an embezzler. But since you're still married, the law is tricky.»

Christy sat back in her chair and puffed out air, trying to control her anger and dismay. She was angry at Jeff and even angrier at herself for being so stupid.

A perfunctory knock sounded before Sebastian opened the door and entered. He moved straight to the small loveseat Christy sat on and pulled her into his arms, kissing her temple and drawing her close. A knowing look passed between the lawyer and Sebastian. He'd known what Morgan had discovered already.

«It'll be all right, my love. We'll fix this. Don't worry.»

«But all my money-«

Sebastian shushed her with soothing strokes of his hands down her arms. «I have all the money we'll ever need, Christina, but Morgan will see to it that Jeff makes restitution. Won't you, my dear?»

Morgan nodded, a cunning feline smile lighting her tawny eyes. «With pleasure. Sebastian's right, Mrs. Kinsey. Your husband wasn't very smart about the way he took your money. I have more than enough evidence to get him to do pretty much anything we want.»

«Don't call me that. Call me Christy, okay? I don't ever want to be called by his name again.»

Morgan smiled, an understanding light in her tawny eyes. «All right, Christy. Shall I start the paperwork to change everything back to your maiden name then?»

«No,» Sebastian objected. «She'll be taking my name. As soon as possible, we're getting married.»

Congratulations were offered by the young attorney and Christy basked in the fond feelings Sebastian directed her way. She also reveled in the idea this would be no quickie wedding like the one she'd had with Jeff in Las Vegas. No, this time would be for keeps. Forever. With their friends gathered to witness their happiness.

Sebastian left a few minutes later and the women got down to the nitty gritty of the divorce papers. There were certain provisions Christy wanted to insist upon and others that didn't really matter. The house for example. She didn't want anything to do with that house. Jeff had chosen and bought it without her input and it held nothing but bad memories for her.

They talked over the specifics for about an hour. Christy liked Morgan's quick mind and dry humor. She was efficient, witty and a little ruthless, which was a good quality in a lawyer, and Christy thought perhaps, she'd made a new friend in the young were woman.