She’d seen numerous commercials and internet ads for the Las Vegas Forever Home program. The first couple of times, she hadn’t thought much of it, assuming it was some kind of animal shelter. In a way, it was. Only, instead of dogs, cats, and guinea pigs, Gemini could adopt a human pet from the LVFH.
The information had shocked her, and it had also led her to dig deeper. She’d spent hours researching online, careful not to use search terms that might arouse suspicion. She hadn’t liked what she’d found.
Cade had tried to tell her how the paranormal population viewed humans. While she hadn’t disbelieved him, she was ashamed to say she had considered the idea that he might have been exaggerating. If anything, his descriptions had been grossly understated. With the cities left to largely govern themselves, she couldn’t speak to all of them, but in Las Vegas, humans had about as many rights as a cockroach.
Oh, they dressed it up with pretty language, but that didn’t change the fact that humans were nothing more than property. They had no rights under the laws of the city, and their protection extended only as far as the mercy of their owners. She could kill Cade in the middle of the Strip in broad daylight, and the worst consequence she might face would be a fine for littering if he bled too much. If someone else killed him, it would be no different than if they’d slashed the tires on her car.
It was disgusting and vile, and even if her mate wasn’t human, she could never be happy in a society where she prospered because of the misery of others.
When she didn’t answer right away, Cade took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m not judging you, baby. Whatever you’re feeling, you can tell me.”
Mackenna blinked.
All the couples back at the safe house had little nicknames for each other, especially the males. Deke called Roux “kitten.” Cute. Rhys referred to Thea as “angel.” Sweet. She’d even heard Luca address Abby as “dracca.” While she didn’t know what that meant exactly, it had been said with affection.
Cade didn’t have a nickname for her. He always just called her by her name, usually the shortened version, which a lot of people did. Not a big deal. That sort of thing had never mattered to her, especially not when Cade expressed his feelings every day through actions.
Still, she had to admit she liked that he’d called her baby. It was simple but sweet, and the way he’d said it made her feel special.
“Mack?”
She mentally shook herself and focused on the conversation. “I won’t deny that I like some of the freedoms and luxuries. I mean, who wouldn’t?”
He dipped his head. “True. You won’t hear me complaining about glazed pork chops or all-access sports channels.”
Chuckling, she brought his hand to her lips and brushed a kiss over the back of it. “But no, Cade, I don’t want to stay. I want no part of what they’re doing here.”
He’d promised no judgment, and maybe he’d meant it, but his relief at her denouncement of the city was palpable. The tension in his shoulders drained away, his pulse steadied, and the anxiety faded from his scent.
“Then, why are you so adamant about not leaving until morning?”
She sighed. “The truth is I’m afraid to be on the road at night. It didn’t work out so well for me last time.” It made her sound weak, and she hated admitting it out loud, but she knew she had to be honest. “Mostly, though, I’m just worried about you.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.” His tone softened with sympathy and something that sounded too close to pity for her liking. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re stubborn.” And exasperating. “I thought you were going to die.” Logically, she knew another twelve hours wouldn’t make any significant difference, but logic and fear rarely coexisted.
“You know, if you keep treating me like I might break, it’s going to give me a complex.”
“I’m not trying to coddle you. I just…” She trailed off and chewed her bottom lip. “I need you to be okay. I need you to let me take care of you, just for a little bit.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why? Because I’m human? Because I—”
“No,” she growled. “Because I love you.”
Well, that shut him up.
Then, annoyingly, after a heartbeat of stunned silence, he started to laugh. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear you say that. I thought I was going crazy for the longest time.”
She didn’t know exactly what she’d expected, but that certainly hadn’t been it. “I have no idea what that means.”
“Come here.” Opening his arms, he wiggled his fingers, encouraging her closer. When she complied, he brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her temple. “I loved you the moment I saw you. It made no sense. I couldn’t explain it, and as you know, I’m not a big fan of things I can’t explain.”
“Understatement.”
Other than a quirked eyebrow, he ignored her. “I finally realized that it doesn’t matter if I can explain it or not. Having all the answers wouldn’t change the way I feel.” Taking her by the arms, he dragged her onto his lap until she straddled his thighs, then captured her face between his hands. “I love you, Mackenna, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to keep you safe.”
Her heart thundered inside her chest, and she couldn’t hold back the tears that gathered in her eyes. “So, you understand why I need to keep you safe, too.”
“I do get it.” He brushed a tear off her cheek with his thumb. “Don’t cry, baby. I promise I’m just fine.” He gave her a crooked grin and arched up to brush a kiss over her lips. “You can’t
