18. Cash

"There's no reason to be nervous."

Even without the bitter scent filling Cash's nose, he would've known Ore was anxious about meeting the people coming to their aid. Both of his legs were bouncing up and down as they sat in his truck, waiting for the plane to land. At the most northern edge of their territory, an area had been cleared right after Liam became alpha, and his brother had built his own private hangar so he and his people could visit whenever they wanted without having to drive in from the city.

The place was always locked down tight when not in use, a few SUVs tucked inside and ready for them.

Quinten rarely visited himself since he was busy running his not completely legit business empire, but he and Liam talked on the phone constantly, it seemed like, either through text, phone calls, or video chats. They were so close he'd been surprised to learn they were only stepbrothers. Liam's mom had married Quinten's dad when he was young, and Quinten had helped raise him.

It had taken almost two years before he'd learned that since Liam wasn't exactly a big sharer, but it did explain the tiny airport in their territory. Even if Quinten couldn't come as often as he wanted, he still had a way to send some of his people down to check on his baby brother, whom he was so protective of.

"Sorry," Ore said, throwing him a quick smile that didn't quite reach his beautiful, dark eyes. He stilled his jiggling legs and tucked his hands beneath his thighs to prevent him from fidgeting more. "I am a little nervous, but I'm also kind of excited. Do you know everyone who's coming?"

Cash shook his head. "I know the two guys that Quinten is sending, but I'm not sure who's coming from the Kincaid Pack. I only know a few of his people."

Nodding, Ore leaned forward in his seat to peer up at the sky. "I thought they were supposed to be here by now."

Cash shrugged and leaned back, throwing his arm onto the back of the seat and getting comfortable. "They were supposed to be, but I've learned that dealing with multiple headstrong alphas can cause delays."

Ore shot him a wide-eyed look. "You think one of the alphas got upset? Is there a chance they won't come?"

He thought about it for a second and then shook his head. "Quinten's guys will come no matter what. There's no way he'd let his brother down like that. And Kincaid? Well, let's just say that even if I don't agree with everything he's done in the past year, he still has a reputation for being trustworthy and fair. He gave Liam his word they would help, so I don't think he'd turn his back on us just because he and Quinten—or one of Quinten's guys—got into some sort of pissing match. It probably slowed them down a bit though."

Ore nibbled on his lower lip. "That makes sense. I still don't remember everything that happened last year, but based on what I do recall and the things you've told me about all the changes the Kincaid Pack is making to the parahuman world, and the fact that Quinten is a bad-ass human alpha who takes shit from no one, it's not super surprising the two of them would butt heads."

Cash chuckled. "I'd say that's an understatement. Luckily, Liam seems to play mediator quite well between the two when need be."

"I can see that," Ore said. "He doesn't seem to get riled easily."

"That's the lion in him," Cash said with a grin. "They're laid-back until they're threatened, and then they can become the fiercest protector you've ever met."

Ore scooted closer to him, placing one of his small, delicate hands on Cash's thigh. "I don't know. I'd say you are the fiercest protector I've ever met."

Having his mate touching him and talking about how well he and his panther protected him was all it took for his dick to get interested. Before he could suggest a quickie in his truck, he heard the faint but unmistakable sound of an approaching airplane.

Lifting Ore's hand from where it was sliding upward slowly, he gently kissed each of his knuckles. "No time for that, little bit. They're here."

That distracted Ore immediately as he craned his head around, trying to spot the plane. "Are you sure? I don't see anything. Oh, wait." Ore started vibrating with excitement next to him. "I do see them. They should be here in a minute or so." He gave Cash a pretend pout. "Definitely no time for blowjobs."

Snorting, Cash cupped Ore's face to draw him close, pressing a sweet, lingering kiss on his lips. "Definitely not."

Ore shivered and stared at him with adoring eyes. If he didn't get out of the truck soon, he'd choose spending time with his mate over doing his duty as Enforcer and welcoming their guests.

With one more quick peck, he pulled away and opened his door. He heard a faint sigh from behind him, but Ore didn't say anything, just scooted across the bench seat and hopped down as well. It didn't take long before the plane was landing on the cleared strip, finally coming to a stop next to the single plane hangar.

Cash threaded his fingers between Ore's and led him forward. They stopped a few feet away from where the stairs landed on the ground.

The first face he saw was one he was very familiar with.

Nero was as good-looking as Finlay, which made Cash wonder if all vampires looked like they should be on the cover of magazines rather than ripping people's throats out. Unlike Finlay, Nero grinned widely, rushing down the steps and wrapping Cash in a bear hug. He was wearing a T-shirt that said, "I vant to drink your blood."

Typical Nero.

The guy was as charming and talkative as they came, though based on a few things he'd heard from Liam and some of Quinten's other people, he was pretty sure Nero's main job was killing people for Quinten.

"Cash, my man. How are things?" Nero said as he gave his back a couple of hearty slaps and then pulled back.

"A little tense now, but I think we're going to fix that."

"Hell yeah, we are," Nero said, turning his beautiful smile on Cash's mate, prickling his panther. He had to stop himself from stepping between them. "This the man of the hour?"

Ore gave him a sort of dazed smile, which Cash understood. Seeing someone that good-looking and personable could be a bit overwhelming.

"This is my mate, Ore."

"Hey, little man," Nero said, stepping over and holding out his hand. "Quinten gave us the lowdown on what happened to you. I'm glad you're feeling better."

Ore shook his hand and then blinked a few times as he accepted the handshake. "Right, yes. Thank you. Me too."

"Quit blinding them with your pearly whites and get out of the way," a deep, growly voice said, and Cash suppressed a chuckle as Nero rolled his eyes but did as he was told.

A few steps from the bottom was a copper-skinned man Cash would recognize anywhere.

"Hey, Dare," he said, holding his hand out. As the wolf moved closer to him, he gave him a quick handshake and then pointed at Ore. "This is Ore."

He nodded at him before turning to Cash. "I'm going to get our SUVs ready."

And then he turned and walked into the hangar without saying anything else.

Cash glanced at his mate and wasn't surprised to see the barely disguised horror on his face. It wasn't over Dare's abrupt personality. It was because of the scar that ran down the left side of his face and clouded his left eye. Cash didn't know if he had any vision left in it, but either way, it didn't stop him from being a fierce and very competent second-in-command to Quinten.

Ore met his eyes, and he knew he would have questions later. But more people were coming down the stairs, so they didn't have time to focus on Dare's traumatic life. He hoped his mate didn't expect an answer on how he'd gotten scarred because Cash had no idea, just like he didn't know what had happened to Liam to leave permanent claw marks on him.

The next two to exit the plane were also people he knew.

Nico and his mate, Keegan, had spent a little time with their pack about a year ago. Keegan had been in bad shape, thanks to his fucked-up mom torturing him, and Nico had promised a favor from Rick in exchange for Liam's help and allowing Keegan to stay with them until he was better. Liam had agreed because the last thing he was was a fool. Having the most powerful alpha on the continent owe you a favor was something he couldn't turn down.

Nico was nearly as big and wide as Darius, but he definitely had more of Nero's personality, a grin always at the ready.

"Hey. Cash, right?" Nico said, hurrying down the last few steps and clasping Cash on his upper arm. "Good to see you again, man."

"And you," Cash said, nodding politely.

Nico had only been with them a couple of days before heading back to his pack, and they hadn't spent a lot of time together. He gave a soft smile to Keegan, who was a little shorter than his mate and not as bulky, his skin dark brown compared to Nico's pale white.

"You've been good?" Cash asked, and the witch nodded at him, grinning widely.

"Finally bagged this one," Keegan said, jerking his thumb at his mate. "And then got settled in with the Kincaids just before they decided to… give themselves a little more responsibility."

"One way of putting it," Cash said dryly. He turned to his mate. "Ore, this is Nico and Keegan. They visited us last year for a while."

"It's nice to meet you."

"Same," Nico said as Keegan smiled and nodded and then herded his mate out of the way.

Behind them was someone he wasn't familiar with. He had alabaster skin, freckles, red hair, and was tall, maybe even taller than Liam. He was followed closely by a stockier Latino who Cash was surprised to find was human but not a witch.

An odd choice for Kincaid to send. He didn't want to have to keep an eye on his mate and some human who didn't know how to handle himself around shifters.

"Welcome to Silver Oak," he said, waiting until they both hit the ground before extending his hand.

"I'm Marcus Rivera," the redhead said, "and this is my mate, Robson Medina."

Cash gave them a polite smile. "Thank you for agreeing to help us."

A wide grin spread across Robson's face. "Don't worry, man. I've got some tactical experience from the military and from the Kincaid Pack."

Marcus gave his mate a soft, proud smile. "Robson helps train the betas in our pack as well as any other members who want lessons in fighting."

Cash was impressed. Most humans couldn't stand a chance against even an untrained shifter. He had a feeling he could maybe even learn something from this particularly cocky one.

Two more people stepped out of the plane, and then the man he assumed was the pilot brought up the rear. The woman with wild blonde curls he knew, but the other man behind her he'd never met before. He was younger, so he was guessing a beta and either Latino or Mediterranean based on his dark tan.

"Cash," the blonde said, grinning brightly at him and coming right over to wrap him in a hug. He smelled a surge of anger from his little bit, but Ore didn't say anything.

"Ericka." He loosely wrapped his arms around her, not looking to piss off his mate. "Been a minute."

She laughed, bright and cheery, and stepped back. The lioness had come with Nico last year and then stuck around to keep an eye on Keegan and his sister since she would blend in and was less well-known than the big Enforcer.

"I'll say," she said and shot her dazzling smile at Ore. "From what I hear, you haven't been staying out of trouble."

Ore made a soft, squawking noise. "I'm not trouble!"

She laughed again and then shocked his mate by pulling him in a hug too. "I have a feeling you've completely wrecked his safe, orderly life." She leaned back, resting both hands on his shoulders. "For that, you deserve a damn medal."

Ore's brows were furrowed slightly, and he gave her a confused half smile. "Thanks, I think."

"Ignore her," Cash said. "This one's a troublemaker."

"That's slander," she exclaimed.

The young guy next to her, probably around the same age actually, laughed hard. "Nah, he's got your number for sure." He shouldered the backpack he was carrying and extended his hand. "I'm José."

"Thanks for coming," Cash said, shaking his hand and then letting Ore squeeze up against him and reach across his body to give him a handshake as well.

He slid his arm around his shoulders before he could pull away, wanting to keep his mate as close to him as possible. Looking over their heads at the older man still lingering on the steps, he noted his mostly silver hair and clearly human scent.

"You the pilot?"

The man nodded. "I'm going to hang around here. Just let me know when you all are ready to leave."

Cash thanked him and turned to the small group gathered next to him. Dare was striding toward them from the hangar and posted up next to Nero, arms crossed over his chest.

"Everything good?" Cash asked.

Dare nodded. "Haven't been tampered with."

Ore shot him a look but didn't say anything. Cash gave him a light squeeze before addressing the whole group.

"Alpha Amato is waiting for us back in town, where we'll come up with a strategy that will hopefully get us in and out of California without having to raise a claw to anyone."

A couple of people nodded, but Erica frowned at him. "But what if we want to?"

He shook his head and ignored her and the way Nero reached around a few people to fist-bump her.

"He asked me to express his thanks and gratitude as soon as you got here, but I also want to personally thank each and every one of you," Cash said, the back of his neck heating.

He wasn't used to talking so openly about his feelings, but what they were doing had the potential for danger, and these people barely knew him. They had no real reason to put themselves on the line. But one look down at Ore's sweet face and he knew he'd ask his worst enemy for help if it meant keeping his mate safe and in his life.

"I can't express with words what this means to me, but please know I owe each of you for helping me and my mate."