Page 16 of A Killer Crescent Valentine

Her wings shuddered as she folded them into her back, trying to push the blanket from her shoulders so she could rise. But Brannigan left my side and swept her into his arms, ignoring her deep huff that very clearly said she could get onto the bed herself.

“Here,” Slasher said, patting a space in the middle of the pile of blankets and pillows, scanning her every few seconds to make sure she was okay. “This is the best spot.”

They were fussing, and it was so sweet.

Ven grumbled in the back of her throat as Brannigan placed her down, her violet eyes narrowed in such a human expression that I smiled. I suddenly, inexplicably, wanted to cry. How long had she been living in the woods alone, struggling, starving?

Dean was at my side the second tears lined my eyes. I leaned my head on his shoulder, watching the guys get Ven settled, much to her annoyance. She snapped her teeth and I chuckled.

“It’ll be easier and quicker if you just let them be,” I told her fondly. “They’re men, they love to fuss.”

“Hey,” Hugh and Brannigan complained at once.

“Rude,” Slasher said with a pout.

Edison just levelled a look on me that told me I’d pay for that remark later.

“Am I wrong?” I challenged.

“No,” Hugh muttered, scowling.

I laughed.

Vengeance watched us all, her stare flitting around the room, eyelids a little heavier-looking than they’d been minutes ago. She was warm and had a full belly; sleep was calling and her body badly needed rest.

“Sleep,” Dean told her, seeing what I did. “You’re safe here. We’ll watch over you.”

She tried to snap her teeth but ended up yawning, which made me yawn. I sank into the chair she’d vacated—or been air-lifted from—but kept my eyes on her, watching her feathers rustle as she settled down. My chest nearly burst when Slasher leaned over the mass of pillows and kissed her head, earning a sleepy baleful glare.

One by one my mates joined me by the heater, Hugh sitting on the carpeted floor and leaning back against me, his head on my thigh.

“So,” I said quietly. “Show of hands. Who wants to adopt her.”

By the time I got my hand in the air, there were five others too. That was decided then. Vengeance was ours.