“Is the plan with the antiserum to return all the Unholy being held in the Basement at the Pen to their human selves and enlist their help?”
“No. Humans are no match for Gargoyles. That would be akin to putting babies in a fence with wolves, for lack of a better analogy. Once they are given the antiserum, they will remain in prison until it can be determined where their minds are. I hate to say it, but most will likely remain incarcerated.”
“Then why turn them back? Why waste the resources on someone you don’t plan on setting free?”
“It’s the humane thing to do. I can’t imagine being trapped inside a monster. If they’re more human, they can be rehabilitated. At least some of them. As they are, they’re no more than unfeeling killing machines.”
Josie couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that Joseph Mooneyham was really Jonas Montague, and that Tessa was the baby who had been cloned. Kai had done his best to fill her in on everything he could think regarding the Clan.
“You never did show me you could fly.” Kai telling her about patrolling for Unholy and flying over the city had reminded her of his promise.
“I could do that now, but it’s safer at night. With satellites everywhere, it’s too much of a risk to do so during daylight. Not that we don’t fly during the day, but only if it’s absolutely necessary, or we are in an area we deem safe.”
“I can wait. Man, I can’t believe Sixx’s son is Desmond Rothchild. I listen to Cyanide Sweetness all the time.”
“You do?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. I love hard rock as much as the next girl.”
“I can see it now. You and Trevor are going to be best friends. We’ll have to see when they’re playing close by, and Jasper and I can take you and Trevor to a show. Desi will get us backstage.”
“Really? I can’t remember the last concert I went to. It was… hmm. I think it was my senior year of high school.”
“Then I’d say it’s past time you saw another one. What else is on your bucket list?”
“I have no idea. My life has been nothing but work these last eight years, and I didn’t see that changing anytime soon, so I didn’t bother to think about things I couldn’t have. This is exciting! Except…”
“Except what? If you’re worried about the threat with Drago, don’t be. We can’t put our lives on hold because of him and what might happen. We just have to remain cautious to our surroundings.”
“It’s not that. You’re making plans to open your business soon, and we need to focus on that.”
“Don’t worry, Sunshine. Yes, I want to open my training center, but you come first. I don’t want you to ever hold back from telling me your dreams or desires. Besides, my business is now your business. Everything I own is yours. If I know Julian, and I do, he has already prepared documentation to that effect.”
“Then what I have is yours, too.”
“You know, I’ll be focused on training, and I’m going to need someone good with computers to run the business side of things.”
Josie cocked her head and stared at the gorgeous landscaping. If she wanted it, this could be hers. “Who takes care of all this?” She waved her arm out, indicating the pool and all the vegetation. Kai frowned, and it took a second for Josie to realize she’d changed the subject. “Oh, I’d be happy to work with you at the training center, but I admit I know nothing about boxing, fighting stuff. I’ve never used software for things like memberships or dues or paying invoices, but I’d be willing to learn. If that’s what you were hinting at. I mean, if it’s my gym too, then I need to be involved, right? Because I seriously don’t want you hiring some sexy female with mad fighting skills to help out. You aren’t going to be training women, are you? If so, I know what my next hobby is going to be. Do they make gloves in pink? Not that pink’s my favorite color. It’s not. I prefer blue. Or green. Do you have a pool boy? Because that water is really clear.”
Kai’s eyes were alit with mirth. Josie ducked her chin and mumbled, “Sorry.”
Kai pulled Josie onto his lap and tucked her head beneath his chin. “Gods, you’re cute. Let’s see. Yes, there is a pool boy and gardener. There is also a housekeeper who cleans twice a month. I would prefer you helping out in the office, if that’s something you wouldn’t mind doing. I have no doubt you’re smart enough to figure out the software, but if you need help, Julian can assist. As for training women, I never thought about it, really, but if one were serious about it, I would rather not turn them away. I will gladly teach you anything that has to do with martial arts as long as it’s something you’re really interested in and not something you think you have to do. If there are women in our club, they will be introduced to you as both co-owner and mate. But I think we need to say you’re my wife instead because humans tend to frown on the term mate. You are the only female I want, and you never have to worry about me straying. I’ve not looked at another female sexually in a very long time. I’m talking a couple hundred years. I’m not built for one-night stands.
“The same goes for any men who come in to train. They will know you are mine, and as such, will never disrespect you. One strike and they’re
