Mac came awake slowly. It took her a moment to realize she was still lying on the floor in the corridor of Block R—and that someone had placed her on a cot and put a pillow under her head. She was grateful for the kindness.
It took her another moment to realize that her sex was wet and warm, and she squirmed in discomfort. Lord, she hoped she hadn’t been dreaming out loud! Twisting, she saw A.J. sitting a few feet away, resting against the wall with his eyes closed, rifle propped beside him. He didn’t know she was awake yet, so she settled again to let herself wake up.
She’d been dreaming of Kalen. Of their first time making love, in the Wall-Banger Motel, right after the Sluagh had attacked them outside the Cross-eyed Grizzly. That was when they’d made their child together, and no matter what happened, she could never regret it.
Tears pricked her eyes and she finally sat up, searching the inside of Kalen’s cell. He was lying on the bare mattress, asleep, his chest rising and falling slowly. He looked alone and forlorn. It was so far from the beautiful memory of their first lovemaking, and all the times they’d been together since then, that it made her ache inside.
A.J.’s low voice broke through her sorrow. “You’ve both been out for a while.”
“What time is it?”
“Two in the morning.”
“I’m sorry,” she said contritely. “I didn’t mean to keep you here this late. I know you’re ready to fall into your own bed.”
He shrugged. “Got nobody in my bed to make it worthwhile, so I’m just as good staying here, guarding you and Kalen.”
She was touched. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, watching Kalen. “Melina and Noah brought you the cot and pillow. Said to tell you that Nix is gonna be fine. He’s dehydrated and traumatized, but nowhere near as bad as the shape Micah was in when he was found. He was cracking lame jokes in the emergency room, trying to take the edge off the emotional situation.”
She smiled in spite of everything. “That sounds like Nix. He reminds me a lot of Aric.”
A.J. snorted. “God help us all, then.”
“Not with the snark, necessarily. He’s got a quick wit that’s cutting like Aric’s, but he’s funny at the same time. He’s got the most generous soul of anyone I’ve ever met, and that’s saying a lot considering everyone in the Pack. And he’s a notorious womanizer, too. As soon as he’s healed, I’m sure he’ll round up all the single guys and head to Vegas to party.”
“I’ll be sure not to miss that trip.” He winked at her, and she laughed.
“So, no special lady for you? A.J.’s not going to be the next bachelor to fall?”
“Not on your life,” he said with a cocky smile. “I’ve seen what true luuuv does to you guys, and you’re all insane. I’ll pass, thanks.”
“Hmm. He doth protest too much.”
“Say that with a mouthful of crackers.”
She giggled. She hadn’t really gotten to know A.J. before, and she found she liked him. He was good company, if a bit taciturn sometimes. Though he certainly wasn’t being that way right now, with her.
A low growl caught their attention, and she looked through the bars to see Kalen glaring at A.J. Pushing from the bed, he stalked forward, a bit awkwardly with his hands bound behind his back. Wincing, she hoped his shoulders weren’t too strained from sleeping like that.
He walked up to the bars, leaning his chest against them. His eyes never left the other male’s. “Mine.”
Mac’s breath caught. If he was aware enough to reassert his claim on her to the other man, then there was hope she could reach him. “Yes, mate,” she said softly. “I’m yours.”