“Yeah, right,” he threw himself down onto the tiny bed, his feet hanging off the bottom so he had to lie on his side and bend his knees. “Relax you say? As if that’s going to happen anytime soon. Not until Sherman can release me from this fucking spell some bastard’s sicced on me. That’s when I’ll be able to relax and not a second before.”
Danko turned over, his back to Zohar. “Hey, I’m here, I’ll make sure you don’t go crazy enough to be carted off to our illustrious prison. Well, hopefully. Goodnight, Zohar, I’m bushed and need some beauty sleep so try and keep your grumbling to a minimum, please.”
“If you can stop snoring like a damn steam train,” Zohar retorted, closing his eyes and trying to get some much needed rest.
The last thing he saw in his mind’s eye before being drawn over into the darkness of slumber was impossibly green eyes staring into his as they sobbed beside a grave. His heart lurching in his chest as he felt her raw grief wash over him. One thought cascading through his mind . . . mine.
Danko smirked to himself as he turned away from Zohar, curling up to get himself comfy on the bed not made for someone as large as he was.
His plan was coming together . . . if not particularly nicely, it was still heading in the right direction. In other words, he had Zohar still trapped here with Maisy. He’d been right there watching intently while she’d been at Libby’s grave and seen Zohar’s beast arrive. Although surprised, he’d been entranced when the Wolf had approached and it was now clearer than ever to him that Zohar and Maisy were fated mates.
Now all he had to do was keep Zohar here and have the two of them constantly in each other’s presence and let the Goddess’ gift do the rest. Easy. Probably not, but he’d do whatever it took to help Zohar, and Maisy.
The girl deserved this as much as his friend did. There was no mistake about that and Danko would work as hard at this mission as he did any other. Or die trying. Hell, if Zohar’s anger earlier was anything to go by, that might not be out with the bounds of possibility.
His mind whirled around coming up with scenarios for the next day in which he’d have Maisy and Zohar together. Not until he’d fine-tuned his scheming did he allow himself to fall over into much needed rest, hoping that his friend didn’t call and check whether Sherman was indeed away on another job.
Shoot, that would certainly put the cat amongst the canaries if he did. As far as Danko knew, Sherman was back at base doing absolutely nothing. Then again, he could be on another case, just not the one he’d concocted.
His mind closing down, the smile remained on his face as sleep pulled him under. Flights of fancy running through his dreams where the mighty and fearsome Zohar ran through the forest chasing after a child . . . a boy that bore a striking resemblance to the Enforcer.
Danko was rudely awakened by Zohar shaking him roughly. “Wake up and stop mumbling about babies!”
“What?” Danko rubbed his eyes then glared up at a Zohar who was obviously fresh from the shower, towel drying his hair and already dressed.
“You were talking in your sleep,” Zohar grumbled. “Something about babies and some other mushy stuff. I tried to shut you up and gave you a prod or two, but you just kept on and on. What the hell is going on with you?”
“Me?” Danko unfurled himself from the bed, cracking his neck as he rose. “Nothing, nothing at all. Wait, what is that glorious smell? Food, wonderful food. I won’t be long.”
He rushed into the steam filled bathroom and had a quick shower, returning to an empty room. Zohar was probably already in the kitchen, eating. No wonder, if he’d been wakened earlier he’d already be headed in the direction of those mouthwatering aromas.
Danko threw on some fresh clothes, grateful for his shaved head and the time it saved him, as he sped out of the room and toward the kitchen. As he suspected, he found Zohar already filling his face with a hearty breakfast, Gwenola fussing over him as if he were visiting royalty.
“Morning.” He grinned before sitting down. “This is amazing, far better than what we get back at base.”
Gwenola handed him a plate, “Help yourself, there’s plenty to go ‘round.”
“Thanks.” Danko didn’t need telling twice, piling his plate full as Gwenola gave him fresh brewed coffee.
“Where are your daughters this morning?” Danko looked around.
“Katel is resting, she didn’t have a good night,” Gwenola said sadly. “She has nightmares sometimes and last night was one of those nights. Florine and Jacinthe are taking inventory of what’s in our warehouse. We have no idea what’s there because, well, my asshole of an ex never allowed anyone but himself, or his men, access to it. We need to know what’s there and then Zohar will be better equipped to start dealing with the mess Jermaine has left.”
Zohar looked up from his food, surprised. “That’s good thinking on your part, Gwenola, I’m grateful. I was going to send a couple of my men to start that task today so it saves some time.”
Gwenola’s face flushed but instead of stepping away she came forward, lowering her eyes and asking, “If I may, Alpha, I have some ideas I’d like to run by you?”
Danko watched as Zohar bristled at the title before agreeing. “What’s on your mind?”
“This used to
