“You got yourself a good one here.” Dane stabbed a thumb at Hawk.
“What do you want, mutt?” I asked, though my piss-poor mood wasn’t directed at him. He just happened to be in my line of fire.
Layla handed me Orion. “Say goodbye to your son.”
As soon as Orion was cradled against me, I felt a spark of energy electrocute me. I beamed at my son. “Well, now. Your magic is strong.”
Layla marched up to Dane, who didn’t make any effort to move.
“I can feel their magic from here,” he said. “Powerful.”
The prophecy came to mind. But I quickly banished the thought. I needed to get the fuck out of here. Time was ticking away.
“Dane, we have a favor to ask you,” Layla said. “Sam is being hunted by the guardian force. He needs a place to hide.”
Dane belted out a laugh. “Your vampire laws are fucked-up.” He glanced over Layla’s head at me. “Aren’t you powerful? You can handle your own kind.”
“I could hand myself over and be done with it. But that isn’t happening. Believe it or not, my government wants to use me as a scapegoat. And I’m not staying to fight. Those fuckers will light my ass up like a towering inferno.” Truth.
Layla fastened her hands on her hips. “We’re wasting time. Look, Dane. You see that boy Sam is holding? And the girls in the bassinets. They need their father. If these guardians capture him, I’m afraid we’ll never see Sam again.” Her shoulder rose along with her voice on every breath between sentences. “As my husband said, he could be used as a scapegoat or rot in prison. Also, let’s not forget, Intech wants shifter DNA just as much as vampire DNA. Your pack and every shifter pack are at risk. And don’t get me started on the media. Supernaturals need to unite. Yes or no, Dane?”
“Fine,” Dane acquiesced. “But you’ll have to convince my pack of the reason we should open our compound to a vampire. If you stay, bloodsucker, you’ll be pitching a tent. Otherwise, I hope you have a plan B.”
The mountains north of my sister’s house in Maine was the only spot I had in mind, and that would work for the short-term until I could figure out a longer-term solution.
For now, I would put on my Mason charm and persuade the wolves that they should hide me. I had my work cut out for me. Shifters were freaky about their territory, and it didn’t help that they hated my kind. I didn’t have any love for them either, but we did have to unite as a team if we wanted to coexist with humanity.
“This should be fun,” I said sarcastically even though I was appreciative.
“Good. Then it’s settled.” Layla returned to my side, took Orion, and set him in his bassinet. “Now get your vampire ass out of here.”
“The queen has spoken,” I teased, pulling her to me, basking in her cherry fragrance. “I love you, baby doll.”
She craned her neck up at me, tears pooling in her ball-squeezing blue eyes. “This separation isn’t permanent. And don’t you irritate Dane’s pack. Play nice.” She rose up on her toes and kissed me. “You are my sun, moon, and stars, Sam Mason. I’ll see you in my dreams.” She giggled on the last line.
I whispered in her ear. “I’ll let you come up with the next fantasy.” I gave her one last short kiss then ran out as fast as I could. If I didn’t, I would never leave.
23
LAYLA
Late July in Maine was absolutely wonderful. The days were warm and the nights cool. I’d been here for two solid weeks. My entourage and I left the base the day after Sam and I said goodbye in the nursery. Since then, Sam and I had managed to video chat twice through a secure connection, keeping our time brief but long enough to catch up and for him to see his babies. Sawyer had assured us we wouldn’t be compromised, but I didn’t trust fate, which had a way of fucking with Sam and me.
I stared out the passenger window at the Atlantic to my right. George, Webb’s longtime friend who took care of the Maine house, was driving. Jo was in the passenger’s seat in front of me, and Conrad sat beside me.
I’d met the former scout in Montana months ago when Sam had shown up unexpectedly at my uncle Jack’s ranch. For years, Conrad had been assigned by the vampire government to watch the Aberdeen family and report on our hunting activities. Now, the black-haired vampire was assigned as my bodyguard.
While my babies were napping, we were on our way to look at a house that had recently been listed on the market. Aunt Jordyn, Aunt Harley, and Cousin Abbey were babysitting along with five vampire sheriff deputies plus one shifter. Sergeant Rebekah Whyte had joined my security detail the night before. She’d offered to replace Harley, who had to return to base tomorrow to resume her role as Webb’s assistant.
I hated that Harley had to leave, but I was happy Rebekah was here. Vampires had sharp senses, but Rebekah could scent danger faster and better than bloodsuckers—in my opinion anyway. She was also a medic, and having her and Jo’s skills made me feel even more comfortable in the event something happened to the babies or any of us.
Jo peeked around the seat, her silver eyes sparkling in the morning light. “Are you doing okay?”
I nodded. “I’m good.”
When Jordyn heard George telling Jo about the house for sale, my sister encouraged me to take a look, mainly to cheer me up. Postpartum had been hitting me hard. I hated to admit that I, Layla Aberdeen Mason, tough as nails, could be susceptible to mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. But I had to call a spade a spade.
The beautiful scenery, the soothing sounds of the ocean, and working out on the beach in the early-morning hours was a prescription to ease my anxiety, but it wasn’t enough to wipe out postpartum depression altogether.
