“Seriously?”
“Oh yes. Pono’s mate will give Tessa a run for her money. We should probably keep an eye on them if they put their heads together. Sefina even gives Pono headaches. She grew up on the island, and the two of them were destined to be together. Yes, they are mates, but that isn’t something that is usually figured out until after the transition. Sefina saw Pono and our brother Ranger wrestling one day. Pono was only eight, but he was already strong, so scrapping with the older boys was nothing new. Still, Sefina saw Ranger push Pono, and she flew at him like a banshee. It took both our mothers to pull her off Ranger. Instead of being embarrassed a female tried to take his brother down on his behalf, Pono was smitten. They’ve been thick as thieves ever since.”
“Ranger seems an odd name for a Samoan.”
“His real name is Rangi. Since he traveled some before he was mated, he adopted the nickname. My birth name is Manaia, but when I moved to the States, I began using Malakai. It’s less likely for someone to question where I’m from.”
Frey stepped onto the patio and strode to his mate. Abbi was sitting on the side of the pool, her feet dangling in the water. Frey bent and picked her up, carrying her bridal-style. Abbi wrapped her arms around his neck, and Frey kissed her deeply, not caring who was watching. “Let’s go, Little One. Time for supper.”
“Okay, Daddy.” Amelia told all her new friends she’d see them later, and when Frey remained where he was looking at each of them, that was their cue to head inside. The Gargoyles surrounded the mates and children as they went as one entity back upstairs.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Rafael placed his hand on Kaya’s hair. His heart was torn. He was sad and angry at what happened to his mate, while he also rejoiced she was alive and would eventually recover. She was in a medically induced coma to allow Jonas and all the various surgeons to operate and repair the damage while giving Kaya time to heal. It wasn’t fair to Sebastian and Priscilla for him to keep them sequestered at the hospital, but now that he knew what was happening outside, he couldn’t allow them to be anywhere other than at his side.
Caroline was keeping Priscilla company. She had gone shopping for the three of them, bringing them clothes and toiletries as well as formula, diapers, and all the various things a baby needed. Sebastian was only missing one thing and that was his momma.
Rafael promised both his mate and son Drago Kostas would pay for stealing their time, their home, and putting Kaya in a coma.
On top of Drago’s treachery, the mates’ plane had been sabotaged. He didn’t question whether or not Bryce was certain that was the cause of the engine failure. The male had been the Clan’s pilot for almost four decades. Rafe was thankful Julian and Bryce had designed the ejectable pod. If the plane hadn’t been equipped as such, Rafael hated to think of how the outcome would have been different. Now, if he could find his wayward cousin and help get Julian’s head on straight. Frey and Nikolas had received no answer when they called their brother. Maybe it was time for Rafe to use the King card. Julian might ignore his brothers or even his mate, but he wouldn’t disobey a direct order from Rafael. Rafe didn’t want to upset Kaya by talking to Julian about what happened because he felt she could hear him. He also didn’t want to leave her side, so he opted to try sending a text.
Rafael: Your Clan needs you. I need you. As your cousin, I’m telling you I forgive whatever transgressions you feel you have committed. As your King, I’m ordering you to contact Frey and get back to doing what you do best, and that is helping. Too many lives are at stake, and one of these is Katherine’s.
Julian answered immediately. Yes, my King
Rafael’s phone had been crushed in the explosion, but he’d been able to order a new one, and the technician had recovered everything from the old one. It should have been Julian who transferred everything over. Rafe didn’t trust anyone else with his private information, but he’d had no choice. Without it, he wouldn’t have been in touch with Frey. Now that he knew Kaya was going to eventually be okay, Rafael wanted updates on what his Clan was enduring and how they were faring.
Rafael felt Priscilla and Sebastian before he heard her footsteps. The room next to Kaya’s was as comfortable as it could be considering the circumstances. Priscilla watched over Sebastian while the baby slept, but Rafael wanted his son’s waking hours.
“There’s your papa,” Priscilla cooed.
Rafael smiled at the older woman when he stood to greet them both. He had offered for Priscilla to go home with Caroline, just to give her the opportunity to see something besides the bland walls of the hospital, but she refused, and Rafael loved her for it.
Rafael took Kaya’s hand that wasn’t casted and placed it against Sebastian’s cheek. Bas cooed, kicking his legs. Even in a coma, her touch was what Sebastian needed. Rafael needed it too. Priscilla slipped quietly from the room, giving the three of them some alone time. Rafael settled back in the chair, and as he did every time they were alone, he sang to them. His voice wasn’t anywhere as good as Gregor’s, but his little family enjoyed it.
The door to the conference room opened, and instead of it being Remy, Deacon entered, his smile showing his straight, white teeth. “You’re not going to believe this,”
