Lured (Book 4) The Brazil Werewolf Series

Chapter Four-Protection

Hello, Lovelies,

I hope everyone is having a great day!  I did take a few days off due to illness in my family.  Though it didn't effect this book schedule, it did affect my other books schedules.  So, for readers of my other books, the schedule will now resume as normal.  Also, it wasn't Carona just a stomach bug.  Anyway, all is well here.  Thank you so much for your patience. I truly appreciate all of you.  

I do hope you enjoy this chapter.  If you do, please let me know with comments and/or votes.  I am grateful for all of you.  

-XXXX Amanda 

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Aurora, Lilly and Mary Jane left soon after our conversation. The motor home sat positioned in the slot where it would remain for the rest of my parent's stay in the Brazil's motor home park. Tamas breathed a sigh of relief as we stepped inside followed by Mirella. Even though she was still a virtual stranger, I found myself thankful for her presence. Tamas was also there but his joking nature from before had vanished and had been replaced with a dark seriousness that caused me to fidget and I realized it was because he couldn't get the thought of Eli's attempt to kidnap me to flee his mind. His werewolf was taking advantage and was rippling just beneath the surface itching to be set free.

My mother and father didn't return for a while and I was left to talk to Mirella. When they arrived, the man who had been directing them while they parked was with them but there was also a woman who resembled an older version of Mirella with the same wild black hair and caramel colored eyes with striations of sea green.

Tamas gazed at them with obvious affection, "Nadia, these are my parents, Gavriel and Sophia Brazil."

I nodded toward them with a polite incline of my head, "It's nice to meet you," I said, in a tremulous voice.

Sophia smiled and shook her head, "You don't need to lie," she said and patted my cheek, "I understand that my daughter-in-laws told you why you've become an obsession for Eli. I'm sure that because of that it is less than pleasant to meet us."

She possessed a rich and seductive voice that caused me to lean closer to her, "No. You and your family are wonderful," I said, smiling, "But you are right, I could have done without meeting Eli."

Gavriel laughed with a hearty roar and I sensed Tamas relax, "We all wanted to go without that," Gavriel said as he stepped forward and smiled widely, "I know it must not feel like it but welcome to our family."

I took a deep breath and smiled but this time it was genuine, "Thank you," I said and he patted my shoulder before turning to my parents and throwing open his arms as if he were about to hug them.

"Lila and Sidney, you have had an eventful night back, to say the least," Gavriel said, stepping forward and clapping my father on the shoulder, "We are so happy that you and your family are here. For now, you should rest. We have even more eventful days that will follow. The bonfire will be the night after tomorrow."

"Bonfire?" I asked frowning as my gaze shifted from my father to Gavriel.

Tamas turned to me, capturing my attention, "We always celebrate engagements with a bonfire," he said, giving me a lopsided grin, "They announce our engagement there. So after the bonfire, you will be officially engaged to me."

"Everything happens fast with our family because it's needed," Sophia said and then smiled at my expression of fear, "But tonight you should rest and not dwell on anything unpleasant."

I nodded even though I knew that I wouldn't sleep. Too much had happened. Instead, my mind would linger on Eli and his reasons for wanting to kidnap me and on my upcoming marriage. My thoughts would flow to my sister and how I wouldn't be able to get revenge for her because Emilian had died. Then, they would linger on Tamas and stay there. The man was still a mystery and though I had just met him, I realized I was beginning to experience a draw to him. I pushed the thought away with a shake of my head. Everything was happening too fast. It was making me dizzy.

Sophia and Gavriel bid my parents farewell but Tamas lingered. He sighed as he turned to me and for a moment, it seemed as if he didn't want to leave.

"I don't want you to worry," he said, staring into my eyes, "I swear to you that you and your family will be protected. Eli won't come near you. I promise"

I should have doubted him but the determination in his voice wouldn't allow me to. Instead, I believed every word as he turned and left the motor home with me wondering why I trusted him so much when I had met him only a couple of hours before.

**********

As I suspected, sleep wouldn't come no matter how much I tried. Instead of tossing and turning, I sat on the couch and stared out of the window into the darkness. I hadn't noticed the motor home park as we drove through it but now I could tell that it was larger than I assumed. The forest and the mountains sat beyond it and there was a field with a large pit in the middle illuminated by the lights situated around the field. Charred pieces of wood decorated the middle of the pit and I realized the field was where the bonfire would take place. I studied it further to find that there were picnic tables surrounding the pit and I realized they must use the field often. I smiled to myself. The prospect of being in a family that celebrated often warmed me even more to the marriage.

Movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention. I inhaled with a sharp intake of breath and swung my head toward it. I sighed in relief when I found Tamas standing with his back to me, gazing out into the field as if searching for something. I threw the blankets from me and stood, wondering why he was there. I walked to the door and opened it stepping out into the unfamiliar chill in the air of Colorado and shivered. I moved toward the place where I saw him but he was no longer there. I frowned as I wondered if I had imagined it but I shook my head knowing I hadn't.

"What are you doing out here?" Tamas asked behind me and I turned experiencing an odd relief to be in his presence again.

His face was dark in worry as he glanced around searching again for any sign of danger. I crossed my arms over my chest, "I thought I saw something," I whispered.

"Which is why you should stay inside," he scolded, stepping closer as he peered down into my face.

I glanced around as I took a shaky breath, trying to fight the warmth that spread through me at his nearness, "Why are you out here?" I asked as I met his eyes once more.

He pressed his lips together before sighing as if frustrated, "I promised that you and your family would be protected," he said as his face darkened and he poked his chin out, "I'm keeping that promise."

I blinked in surprise as I studied his face. Why would he do that? I shook my head, "So, you're going to stay out here?" I asked, pursing my lips in disapproval, "What if you are attacked?"

He moved closer and I swallowed as his eyes moved over my face, studying me with an intensity that caused my stomach to clench, "Don't worry," he said as his lips twitched, "My brothers are out here too. None of them will let me get hurt though I am sure I can take care of myself."

"Where are they?" I asked, glancing around trying to find any trace of them but finding none. I raised a brow not believing him.

He grinned as he moved to stand next to me. His warmth enveloped me as he spoke, "You won't find them," he said, glancing toward the forest beyond the field where the bonfire pit sat, "They know how to hide."

"How long are you going to stay out here?" I asked as I turned back to him.

"I'll see you in the morning," he said with raised brows giving me the answer I didn't want to hear.

My mouth popped open in shock, "You can't stay up all night," I said horrified that he would do just that.

"Why not?" He asked, raising his brows, "My brothers did for the women who they were betrothed to. I'm capable of the same for you."

I opened my mouth to protest but he reached forward and pushed a strand of my auburn hair behind my ear. My breath stuttered to a stop as I met his eyes forgetting any valid argument I had planned to voice.

"Go inside," he whispered as he moved his hand away, "You and your family are safe."

I nodded and turned moving with reluctant steps back to the door of the motor home. I glanced back but when I did he had vanished into the night. Still, I could sense him watching me. I turned and went inside. I made my way back to bed where I dreamed about emerald green eyes with white interwoven within the irises.