Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

M organ woke up in the middle of the night, the sound of Wade up moving around. At least he assumed it was Wade and not a vampire, because the other side of the bed was empty and why would a vampire be…

Searing off a steak?

They probably wouldn't do that.

He sniffed, trying to decide if that smell was good, or revolting.

The cookies had been perfect. And there were more. So maybe Wade could have the steak, and he could sit with him and have tea and cookies.

He wrapped himself in the big comfy robe that Wade had brought for him, heading down the stairs, nose working hard. "Are you hungry, dragon? Are you okay?"

Are you staying? Are you mad at me?

"It occurred to me a bit ago that I had only had a few cookies." Wade smiled for him, those almost black eyes glinting in the low light of the kitchen. "So I thought I would make some steak, but I wasn't sure what smells were doing to you these days."

He moved to sit at the through bar, putting his feet up on the rung of the stool. "So far so good. If I think too hard about tuna fish, I get queasy."

"Good thing I brought no tuna…" Wade winked, then flipped his steak before going to start the kettle. "So where is your brother? Didn't you say this was his house?"

Morgan frowned. "I did. And he never goes anywhere. So it's weird he's not here." More than weird. Worrisome. He'd tried calling over and over, too, and hadn't gotten Max.

Or Marcus.

"No one is answering me. I hate this. He never leaves the house for any length of time." But this time, he sure had. "I can't reach Marcus either. I don't understand."

"Could they be together?"

"They could, sure, but they rarely are."

"Hmmm."

"What about your sister?" Morgan asked. "Have you heard from her?"

"She doesn't live here." Wade blinked as if he didn't understand the question.

He waved a hand. "I know. She lives in France, you dork. I've met her. But have you talked to her lately?"

Now it was Wade's turn to frown. "No. In fact, when I called her to tell her I was coming here, she didn't answer."

"Maybe it's vampires." It popped out before he could stop it.

"Okay, love. What's the obsession with vamps all of a sudden?"

"Pregnancy hormones." He said it with perfect certainty. "I never once worried about it before."

"Yeah, that was kinda what I thought. Seriously, honey, how long have we been alive? And I've never met one." Wade pulled off the steak to let it rest. "What kind of tea?"

"I have an apple caramel decaf." He pointed.

"Gotcha." Wade pulled cookies out of the tin he'd put them in.

"Do you think something's wrong with them? I mean, we don't live close, but we're not…distant." He loved his brothers, as weird as they were, and he knew Wade adored his sister. "They wouldn't just up and disappear."

"I don't know, love." Wade shrugged. "I guess we can hunt for clues as to where Max went and see where that leads us."

He could tell Wade was trying to comfort him, but now his neck was at that angle that meant it itched.

Morgan put a hand on his belly. "Maybe I shouldn't have come here. But I knew I couldn't stay in the condo. It would be too noticeable."

"No, you did the right thing." Wade put the cookies in front of him, then put a tea bag in a mug. "You needed to get somewhere familiar and safe, and this was it. I'm here now too. I'll protect you."

He sure hoped so, but he wasn't certain he knew what was going on, so how could they know if Wade could keep them safe?

Still, if anyone could, it was Wade. He was as strong as three dragons, and he breathed an impressive cone of fire.

In fact, he was going to believe that Wade could protect them, dammit. He had to, because he was going to lose his damn mind worrying about vampires.

"Nope. No losing your mind."

"Are you hearing my every thought?" That was a disturbing idea.

"God no. Just the really loud ones." Wade snorted. "And the obsessive ones."

"I can't seem to help it."

"Maybe you need more red meat. Maybe that's what your instincts mean with the vamp stuff."

"Ugh. You know I've always been a veggie dragon."

"But the baby is half cave buddy."

Morgan touched his belly, and he knew he was smiling. "He is, isn't he?"

"A boy?"

"I don't know." But he did. "But yes. I think so. Our son. Is that weird?"

It felt a little weird, if he was honest.

"No. It's amazing. Not that it wouldn't be amazing if it was a girl. I mean, I can imagine my sister and your brother being in one body." Wade grinned at his expression, which was probably horrified.

"I can't imagine that. Or at least I shouldn't." He sipped his tea, which was perfect. "Thanks for this."

"No problem. Eat your cookies, veggie dragon."

"Okay." He munched. "Do you have the stuff to make oatmeal ones?"

"I do. Not scotchies, though. But I have to run to town to get baby stuff."

"Baby stuff?" Oh, that made him feel a little sparkly inside. "Are you serious?"

"Of course! Our baby needs—things."

He chuckled. "You have no idea what, huh?"

"No, of course I know. Diapers. Bottles. Changing tab les."

"I know the cradle from when we were kids here. Max saved that much from the old house."

"Well, that's handy, since mine is somewhere like freaking Versailles."

"Well, your family did aspire to greatness for a bit."

"Mmm. Damn peasants." Wade winked, then sat with his steak. "You sure this isn't going to bother you?"

He sniffed hard. "Nah."

"Okay, but don't look. It might be a bit bloody."

"Oh, blah." He'd never liked that, pregnant or not, so he concentrated on dunking a cookie and getting the chocolate to the perfect level of meltiness without actually getting into his tea.

"I know. You're kind of squeamish that way. Also, kids need toys."

"Oh, no, I see now. You just want an excuse to buy weird stuff."

"Absolutely!" Wade munched his steak, so cheerful it was impossible not to smile. "I love toys."

"I know." Wade adored automatons, and he had found dozens of them for Wade over the years—from students at writing desks, ballerinas, Santa handing out toys, even a tailor making a suit. They had made Wade smile, every time.

"I should retrieve them from my place, shouldn't I? My hoard, the toys, my clothes—maybe a better couch."

"Maybe—not yet, though. I'm not tired of having you here yet." He wanted Wade close enough to touch.

"I won't leave you until there's someone who can watch you while I'm gone." Wade shook his head, then ate the last few bites of steak. "Can I have a cookie too?"

"As long as you make more when they're all gone."

"Totally." Wade beamed. "I'm glad you like them."

"You've always been a good baker." Better than he was, though he was a much better cook. Morgan could make a mean soup. They complemented each other well.

"Thanks, baby." Wade grinned. "Well. Whatever should we do now?"

"Go back to bed?"

"Should I bring a notebook so we can make lists? That should keep you from obsessing about vamps."

"Shut up, dragon." He nodded, reaching out to squeeze Wade's fingers. "I'm just so worried, all the time. I'm glad you're here."

"Me too." Wade kissed him, then put the dishes in the sink, grabbing his hand and his teacup. "Come on, love. Back to bed with you."

"Oh, but I could do the?—"

"Nope. I'll clean up in the morning."

He liked this new side to Wade. Offering to clean. He would see how it went. "I'll let you."

And he followed Wade to bed.