FORTY TWO

Kivrayn

My phone buzzes and I pick it up quickly to stifle the sound. Loren has only just fallen asleep after hours of restlessness. Gently, I extricate myself from her arms and slip out of the room.

I keep my voice lowered as I answer. “Yes?”

“Sir, this is Sergeant O’Connoll from HPD. I’m calling about the report you filed earlier this evening.”

“Yes. Thank you. I thought I would have received a call before now. Do you require additional information? A statement?”

The police officer clears her throat. “Uh yes, sir. That is, we usually require a report to be filed by the injured party.”

“Well, my mate is asleep. I won’t wake her for this. I can answer any questions you might have myself.” I peer back into the room just to make sure she’s still sleeping. She looks as peaceful as I could hope, though her arm is thrown over her face as if to protect herself even in sleep.

“Sir, I’ll do what I can with the information you provided, but we won’t be able to begin a formal investigation until we’ve heard from Ms. Carandang herself.”

I growl. I might have known human authorities couldn’t be trusted to handle something like this. The trouble is that supes like me have been hunted down for any actions we’ve taken against humans who have wronged us in the past.

“I’d think very carefully about making this case a priority,” I say in a hushed snarl. “Because if you ignore it and something happens in the meantime, I will make it my mission to sue the city for negligence.”

“Sir, I promise HPD is doing everything we can to keep you and your mate safe—”

“Forget about me. It’s her who matters. I want your assurance that you’re trying to find these criminals and bring them to justice.”

“Please understand, sir, that we’re working on limited evidence here. You allege there was a drink poisoned, but that’s hard to prove.”

“What about the threats? The messages?”

“You provided evidence of one message, sir, and I must tell you there was nothing particularly incriminating about it.”

“This is ridiculous. I want to speak with your supervisor. You’re clearly too much of an imbecile to work on this case.”

“Sir, I’ll remind you that I’m merely doing my job, and I’m entitled to your respect. If you can’t be civil, I’ll be forced to end this phone call.”

“Fine. I’m wasting my breath speaking to you anyway. Call me back when you have taken some action on this.” I hang up the phone, belatedly realizing my voice has gone well beyond a whisper and smoke is billowing from my nose.

A tug on my tail makes a snarl rise in my throat, despite the sweet, familiar scent that tells me who is responsible. I very nearly spin and pin her to the wall. Only the thought of the night she’s had prevents me. Instead, I take a deep breath in and turn slowly. “I would be more careful if I were you, brat.”

She lifts a brow, managing somehow to look sleep rumpled and sassy at the same time. “Oh, I’m being careful to make sure you don’t combust and burn the house down.”

“I’m fine.”

She just looks at me until I grumble.

“Alright, I’m a little grouchy.”

“A little?” She runs her hands up my belly, and I’m suddenly a whole lot less grouchy.

“Yes, a little.”

“What was it?”

I frown. She doesn’t need to be burdened with this right now. “Work. An international seller.”

She nods. “Come back to bed.”

Impossible to resist when she takes my hand and drags me back with her. Not that I want to resist. The only problem is that tucking myself around her presses her perfect curves up against me and makes my cocks harden in anticipation. I ignore them.

That’s not what she needs right now.

When she wriggles against me, I know she’s felt them. “Shhh. Sleep.”

She sighs but relents. Soon she’s breathing deeply, her head cradled on my arm and my wing tucked over her.

I stroke her hair softly and wonder at how vulnerable she is like this. How small. It’s hard to remember just how small she is when she’s awake. She’s always so full of fire. Like this she’s quiet, and it strikes me how she fits so neatly into the space in my arms, tucked under my chin.

The universe gave me a human mate to test me. That’s why it took me so long to accept her. Now that I have, I couldn’t imagine another way. I will just have to work harder to be what she deserves. To protect her. To keep her safe. It’s clear that I should have done more.

I can’t believe I didn’t anticipate this attack. I have no doubt Jenny’s children are behind this. One of them anyway. I resolve to wait until she’s fast asleep and make some calls to contacts in England. I would arrange to return there myself, only I don’t think I could last that long without being close to Loren. Not after this. And taking her with me is not an option. I’m not bringing her closer to danger.

I will have to do what I can to resolve the threat from here. Because I need her with me in my den. Tomorrow I will employ more security and have someone come out to check the cameras and alarms. I’ll lock this place down so tightly, nothing will get in or out without my say so.

In her sleep, Loren twitches, pulling away from me. I release her to let her roll onto her belly and tuck the covers higher over her shoulders. She sighs.

A little piece of my heart melts at the sight of her sleeping in my bed, though it’s not the first time. Perhaps I’ll feel this stupidly sentimental about it every night for the rest of my life.

She is more precious than any of my treasures. I should have been more careful. I won’t make that mistake again.

Loren sleeps late the following morning. I am already up, typing emails and scheduling online meetings, when she sits, rubbing her eyes.

“What time is it?”

“Almost ten. Are you hungry?”

“Mmm.” Her stomach rumbles. “Starving.”

I smile. “I’ll have my kitchen staff bring breakfast. How are you feeling?”

“Odd. I guess I should go to the police today or something.”

“No need. I have taken care of it.”

She frowns. “You did? When?”

“Last night. Think no more about it.”

“Kiv, I really think—”

I cut her off. “I will order breakfast. You are starving, remember? We will talk about this later.”

I can tell she’s winding up to argue with me about it. So I set my laptop aside, locking the screen so she doesn’t need to worry and get off the bed. Using the intercom system, I order breakfast, then I shrug on a shirt and begin fastening the buttons. “Where are your keys? I will send someone to collect your things today. We can start moving you in here. Do you think you will have enough room in my closet, or shall I have something made to accommodate you?”

She stares at me. “Kiv, we haven’t talked about me moving in! ”

“What is there to talk about? You are my mate. Be reasonable. Here is the only place I can properly keep you safe.”

“Overreacting much? You don’t even know if that drink was actually poisoned, or who did it.”

“I am not overreacting!” Black smoke explodes from my mouth as I shout.

“Kiv, relax, OK? The police are on it, you said. They’ll work it out. Don’t you think it’s a good sign I haven’t had any more messages? I’ll stay here tonight if that will make you feel better. But I’m going home tomorrow.”

“You’re not going anywhere!” Flame licks from my mouth with my words. “This is your home now.” I turn before my flames get out of control and actually hurt her. I need to get control of myself. Of course Loren is fighting me. That’s just who she is. She will realize I’m right when she thinks about it.

I stride to the door and turn back for a moment. “I’m going to check in with my security team. When you’re feeling more reasonable, we’ll talk about this again.”

“You can’t just do—”

I leave, closing the door behind me and locking it to ensure she stays put. A little time and some food will make her see.