Brodan’s sharp eyes narrowed. “I hate that you need him.”
“Me too,” she said, though the words weren’t as quick to leave her tongue as they should’ve been. “But it won’t be much longer.”
He splashed water on his face. “It should’ve been me.”
His words stilled her. “What do you mean?”
“I should’ve been the one to help you.”
“Brodan—”
“I know. I know. I get the biological connection.” He took a deep breath and blew it out. “I just wish . . . shit . . .”
“What?”
His eyes came up and locked on hers. “I just wish it could’ve been me.”
Her insides tightened. It wasn’t a surprise to hear, and in fact she’d thought the same thing a million times over the past few months. Brodan would be an incredible father. Loyal and loving. Fun and generous with his time and attention.
“Hey,” he said, dropping his chin, giving her a soft look.
“What?”
“I didn’t say that to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“I know. And I’m not.” She gave him a small smile. “You’ll be an incredible father. And mate.”
“To some lucky shifter female?” he said with a grin. “Is that where you’re going, Pets? Because if you are, I’m not sure I’m ready to hear it.”
She shook her head. “No, that’s not where I was going.”
His brows lifted. “Interesting.” His eyes warmed. “So, have you decided what you’re going to do after the baby is born? Where you want to be? And with whom?” His eyes roamed her face. “What would be best for the cub?”
“Vampire,” came a male voice behind her.
Petra gasped, her gaze flying to the bank, her hands flying to her chest as she scrambled to cover herself.
Backlit by the intense white moonlight was Synjon Wise. “Not cub,” he said. His arms were crossed over his chest, his broad, heavily muscled chest.
“Syn—,” she breathed.
“You remember my name, love,” he remarked dryly. “Even as you float around naked with the doctor here. Well, I suppose that’s something.”
“How did you . . . ?” She glanced past him to the house in the distance. Panic bubbled within her. “Where are they? Sasha and Val? What did you do to them?”
He shrugged. “I told you, as I told them, that I’m expecting guests this evening.”
Brodan, who had been farther away from the shore, was hauling ass out of the water, nearly in midshift.
“No!” Petra called out to him. “Brodan, wait.”
The male paused and looked back at her, gave her a quick growl.
She shook her head at him. “No. Please. I don’t want anyone hurt.”
Synjon nodded, his tone and manner utterly controlled, as emotionless as always. “She’s a wise one, Dr. Feelgood. The blood of a bear has always intrigued me.”
Tearing his gaze from Petra, Brodan inched closer, growling with menace.
“Syn,” Petra said warningly. “My brothers.”
“Are fine. Just a bit tied up at the moment.” He shrugged at the easy joke, then pulled in a breath. “They really are decent blokes. Protective of their family. I respect that. But the jokes, love, and all that male braying. Gets tedious.”
They weren’t hurt. Only tied up. Relief spilled through Petra and she sank an inch farther under the water. It wasn’t as though she was surprised. Somehow she’d known he would find a way out of his captivity. Somehow she’d known that even with that moment they’d had that afternoon, his hand to her belly, feeling the movement of the
She looked up, found his gaze, and held it tightly. “So, what is this? Your visit to the river’s edge? You came to say good-bye?”
He didn’t answer. And for a split second he looked confused.
“Or to interrupt two people enjoying a swim?” Petra pushed, wishing he weren’t so close and she wasn’t so hungry.
His brows lifted and he said with a streak of arrogance, “I interrupted something, did I?”
“Yes,” Brodan ground out, his eyes flashing with irritation, as he stood in the shallow end of the river halfway between Syn and Petra.
“Planning your future?” Syn added, his eyes locked on Petra.
She shrugged, “Maybe,” the tops of her breasts surfacing at the water’s edge.
An action that didn’t go unnoticed by either male.
“With the good doctor here,” Syn continued. “Home every night for dinner. And you serving up a lovely raw steak.” He lowered his voice. “While you’re secretly dying to drink his blood.”
“No secret required, Pets,” Brodan said, though his gaze remained on Synjon. “My blood is yours. Always has been. And the cub’s.”
“Vampire!” Syn snapped. He glared at Brodan, his fangs descending.
Brodan froze and so did Petra. Only the sound of the river slapping against the rocks could be heard. Within a few seconds, Synjon’s fangs retracted, along with any expression of anger.
It was almost as though it had never happened.
Almost.
“What the hell was that?” Petra said, shivers moving up her back and into her neck. Shivers that had nothing to do with the cooling night air.
“What?” Synjon found her gaze again, the mask of emotionless male back in place.
“Your emotions . . .”
He stepped back. “I have no emotions.”
She shook her head, her mouth dry. “I saw—”
“You saw nothing.”
“I don’t understand, Syn—”
“Enjoy your swim,” he interrupted. “And a healthy fuck, if you’re so inclined.”
And with one last look in Petra’s direction, he flashed from the riverbank.
Petra wasted no time in pulling her shaky body out of the river, yanking her clothes on, saying a hasty good-bye to Brodan, and rushing back to the cabin. She had to see it for herself. See that her brothers were safe and unharmed. Synjon’s word meant so little to her now. He had no reason to keep her family in good health.
Especially if the ones in question had attacked him twice already.
She jogged up the steps, dashed into the silent house, and ran down the hall. “Sash? Val?” she called, searching the hidey-holes of each bedroom. Finally, inside the small closet in the main bedroom, she found them. Both Sasha and Val were just as Syn had claimed: fine, tied up, with a bit of their pride squashed.
Petra made quick work of the gags and rope. But when they were free, both sat unmoving inside the closet.
“I’m so sorry, Pets,” Sasha said mournfully.
“Stop.”
Val grimaced. “We totally failed you.”
“No, you didn’t.” She gave Val a pat on the back. “He’s a trained spy, in the military . . .”
“But we took him down in his apartment,” Valentin said, shaking his head.
“By surprise,” Sasha amended. “We’ve been fools. Arrogant asses. Didn’t prepare. Not in any real way. Wise
