Léopold's Wicked Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans) by Kym Grosso Page A

here. It’s not like we don’t have crime on the streets,” Dimitri noted. “A human officer is welcome. The second you start bringin’ in more supes, badge or not, the wolves are gonna know something’s not right.”
    Ava started to cry and Samantha stood, rocking her back and forth.
    “Sounds like someone’s hungry,” Wynter said. “Let me get her bottle.”
    “Sydney stays tonight with the Alpha and his mate. Any other comments? Suggestions?” Léopold was met with deafening silence. They all knew it wasn’t the best plan but they didn’t know the danger that was coming for them. Léopold stood and crossed the room, extending his arms to Samantha. “May I?”
    “Of course.” The witch kissed the fussy infant’s forehead and gently placed the baby into Léopold’s waiting arms.
    Léopold knew they were all watching him, astounded that someone who they perceived to be the hand of death had the capability to show mercy and compassion toward a child. He ignored their stares and focused on Ava. None of them would be able to fathom the excruciating, churning memories that flared within him. The warmth of Ava’s tiny body spread through his hands, spearing grief through his dark heart, cleaving it open where he’d sealed his painful past. When he looked into her blue eyes, a spark of healing gave way to hope. Could I ever have what was stolen from me all those years ago? He closed his eyes for a second, imagining that his ability to love could be resuscitated, renewed.
    As he lifted his lids, he caught Laryssa’s insightful gaze. Was it possible that she’d felt his pain? That perhaps he couldn’t hide the darkness of his past any longer? Goddess, no. He couldn’t afford to acknowledge the sliver of faith he clutched to like a thread at the end of the rope. Awkwardly, he blinked and turned away, trying to avoid the erupting feelings that clutched at his chest. An expert at cloaking his emotions, Léopold smiled at Ava. None of them would find out what lay deep in the recesses of his mind. Like an actor, he’d pull off the grand façade and protect Ava. Then as soon as it was all over, he’d leave for another city, resuming his empty but immortal life.

Chapter Five
    As Léopold rocked the baby, Wynter and Laryssa stood in the doorway, observing from a distance. They’d set up a crib inside their master bedroom so they could watch over the infant at night. Wynter quietly closed the door to the bedroom so that she could talk to the stranger who’d come to their home.
    “Can I talk to you a minute? Um, this is kind of hard to ask, but what’s going on with you and Léopold? I mean I thought he just met you. It just seems like there is something there…something more,” Wynter stammered, unable to find the words she needed to articulate her concerns. She had no sire relationship to Léopold, but the man had saved her life; his blood ran through her veins. Like her connection to her mate and the pack, it was as if she could sense how Léopold was feeling, which at the moment felt like torment.
    “Well, yes. We met last night but it was just…you see, I fell off a stool. I was waiting for a friend and he was there when it happened. And he kind of caught me…both times. I actually fell twice. It was kind of embarrassing.” She rubbed her hand over her eyes, wishing she could crawl into a hole. “You’re friends, right?”
    Wynter laughed. “Yeah, I guess we are friends. You know Laryssa, as much as I only have eyes for my Alpha, I won’t deny that Léopold is a really good looking guy. But he’s also dangerous. Very, very dangerous,” she whispered. “Listen, I’m not going to tell you what to do, but just be careful. I saw the way you were looking at him and…”
    “I wasn’t looking at him like anything. It’s just that he’s the only one I know…really, that’s all it is,” Laryssa lied.
    “He saved my life.”
    “Sorry?”
    “Léopold. He saved my life. I was dying…died. He