Hueys and a doc to ride in each. Once we get to Vegas, we’ll land at our usual hangar and take a van and the SUV. Any questions?”
Jax had one. “What about Kira and Kalen?”
“They’ll ride along, but they won’t participate. Maybe next time for Kalen.”
The Sorcerer nodded his agreement.
“I think Kira should stay here,” her lover protested with a scowl.
“We need her there, just in case. Anything else?” Subject closed. Nobody spoke. “Then we’ll go wheels up in forty-eight. Get your rest; you’re all going to need the energy.”
As the meeting broke up, Kira playfully punched Jax in the arm. “Come on, don’t get pissy. Nick wouldn’t have let me come if it wasn’t safe.”
“He can’t interfere in free will—you know that,” he said in a low, unhappy voice. “If something bad was going to go down, he couldn’t change the fact. Besides, I just don’t want you anywhere near that building.”
“I’ll be fine. I promise to stay out of the way, like he ordered.”
“You’d better or I’ll put you over my knee.” He made the threat sound like fun, and followed it with a half smile.
“Haven’t I told you not to threaten me with a good time if you don’t intend to follow through?”
“Hey, it’s not a threat—it’s a sure thing.”
“We’ll see about that, big guy.”
“Oh, yes. We will.”
His grin sent a sizzle to her nipples, fingers, and toes. And everywhere in between.
She couldn’t wait.
Jaxon went in search of his wayward woman, though he had little doubt where to find her.
When they weren’t testing the durability of his mattress and bed frame, she could be found in Block R working with Chup-Chup, as she’d named the mischievous little gremlin critter for the sound it made, socializing it and teaching it all kinds of stuff. First and foremost, to go outside to do his business and not to bite the hand that fed him. He had to admit, she’d already begun to make good progress.
With the aid of a sturdy pair of gloves to protect her from nips and scratches.
“You’re in an awful big hurry. Guess I don’t have to ask why.”
He looked up to see Nick in his path, stopped and gave his boss a sheepish grin. “Guess not.”
“How’re things going with you two?”
“Fine. As long as we avoid the subject of mating,” he said with a grimace. “I was always the one who was downright against creating a forever kind of bond with any woman—even Beryl—and now that I’ve found my Bondmate she won’t even discuss it with me. She shies from the subject when I bring it up. Ironic, huh?”
“Give her time. She’ll come around.”
“Nicky, in spite of what I told Kira, I don’t
“You hurting bad?”
He nearly lied. It was on the tip of his tongue to say he was A-okay, no problems. But holding the man’s gaze, he couldn’t do it. Besides, he knew he looked terrible and couldn’t fool his boss. “Yeah. Pretty fucking bad. You don’t know how much this sucks.”
“I have some idea.” Nick sighed. “Listen, you’re not going to want to hear this, but—”
“Then don’t say it. I’m not staying here tonight, especially when Kira’s going to be with you guys. In danger.”
“You’re in no shape to travel, much less fight if the need arises. I want you to stay here.”
“Is that an order?”
“Would you follow it?”
“Not if Kira’s going. Surely you can understand where I’m coming from.”
“You know I do.” The older man pushed a hand through his dark hair. “And you know damned well I’m forbidden to keep mates apart. Even if they haven’t made the union official.”
Actually, he hadn’t known because it wasn’t as if there were tons of mated pairs around, but the rule made sense. And as a born shifter, Nick would know more than the rest of them in some areas. “I’ll pull my weight, watch my back and theirs. No worries.”
“Why don’t I feel better?” he grumbled. “Be at the hangar in three hours.”
“With bells on.”
Nick left him to his own devices and Jax continued in the direction he’d been headed. Now he had an excuse to find Kira, not that he needed one. It was enough to long to see her sweet face, hear her laugh at something that stupid gremlin did, or chatter away with Sariel, Mac, or any number of the friends she seemed to have so easily made here. The sight of her settling in, happy, made his heart clench with joy and also fear that she’d never belong to him.
God, he was such a sap.
Block R was quiet as he entered the corridor. Raven was mercifully asleep, curled up with his bushy black tail over his nose, the only time the poor bastard ever knew any peace. Belial, on the other hand, had chosen to be in human form today, and was dressed in simple jeans and a T-shirt, pacing his cell like the caged beast he was. Jax felt bad for the basilisk, but they couldn’t yet trust a lethal snake shifter loose in the compound.
Even Kira’s honest charm was no match for the sneaky wiles of that one.
When he reached Chup-Chup’s cell, it was empty, the door standing open. Alarmed, he glanced in each cell again and then headed out of Block R. Where could they be? If that little shit had bitten her again, he’d tear its head off and eat it for a midnight snack.
Growing more concerned with every step, he diverted his course to the clinic. Mac was leaning over the front desk talking to the receptionist when he stomped in.
“Where’s Kira and that little demon? I’m going to rip his teeth out if—”
“Hold on, Cujo.” Mac straightened, eyes sparkling with humor. “Last I saw them, she was taking Chup outside for some fresh air. They were getting along fine, so get your boxers out of a knot.”
“Fresh air? What if he runs off? Attacks a hiker or something? Jesus H., that woman is going to be the death of me!” With an effort, he willed himself to calm down. “Where’d they go, exactly?”
“I’m not telling if you’re going to approach them like this,” she informed him. “You’ll scare poor Chup to death and put Kira back at square one.”
Damn it. She was right.
“I’ll be the perfect gentleman. Promise.” He smiled for effect, earning him the evil eye from the good-natured doc.
After a few seconds of debate, she relented. “They’re out on the lawn, on the side by the rec area.”
“Thanks, Mac.”
“Don’t mention it,” she called to his departing back.
All the way across the building, he couldn’t help but worry. As he crossed the rec room, Aric glanced up from the war game he and Zan were playing on the Wii.
“Better get out there before the furball steals your girl,” he said, going back to the game.
Not bothering to answer, he ducked down the hallway on the other side of the room, made a turn, and pushed out the side door leading to the area where their pool, tennis court, and covered barbecue/outdoor kitchen area was located. There, just beyond the covered patio, lying flat on her back on a quilt in the sunshine, was his woman.
And sprawled on her stomach, tiny, furry legs hanging on each side of her like a cat sunning on a branch, was Chup-Chup. Unnoticed by either of them, he stopped and stared. Her little friend was making a sort of whirring, hiccupy noise nobody could mistake as anything but sheer bliss. His round body, which almost resembled a baby
