She worried her bottom lip. “No. I’m the only one who is suspicious of him. Even Abbey didn’t get a bad vibe.”
I picked up a pen. “If he was working for Roman, you wouldn’t be there, nor would Abbey or our children.” I pressed the pen’s cap down over and over again, the clicking sound helping me think. “No signs of others with him?” I hated to drop the bad news about the contract on my head, and I’d told Tripp not to share that with anyone. I wanted to tell Layla myself.
“No. Stan and his deputies George and Conrad scoured the town. The deputies even followed Collier until he got on the highway toward Boston.” She played with the end of her braid. “I’m probably overly paranoid. My hormones are out of control, Sam.”
“Baby doll, hormones or not, I want you to have your radar on at all times. I’ll have a chat with Dane. You and the babies might be better off here.” Especially with the new development.
“Maybe, but it’s not a good time. If we are being watched, I’ll only lead them to you. Rebekah came up last night because Harley has to return to work, so we have shifter skills.”
Rebekah’s shifter and military background brought an added level of comfort, but supernaturals weren’t impenetrable. Wolfsbane was their kryptonite as cobalt was ours. I didn’t even want to think about a toxin like Edmund Rain had used as a weapon on us. Ben had mentioned that a toxin might’ve caused the deaths of Intech’s human guards who had stayed behind at the now burned-down West Virginia facility.
Her tongue licked out to run along her bottom lip. “I miss you terribly, vampire. You look sweaty and dirty. Are you still chopping wood?” Laughter rolled from her luscious lips.
“Every day. The wolves are preparing for winter. I also have to report for kitchen duty shortly.”
“Cooper says you look funny in a hairnet.” She was holding in a laugh.
I rolled my eyes. “Just think, baby doll. Me naked except for a hairnet and rubber gloves.”
She burst into laughter. “You might have to model that for me.”
“Your wish is my command. Well, when the time is right.” I had to shuck the images of us naked that were playing out like a porn movie in my head. “How are my children?”
She glanced over her shoulder briefly. “They’ve just been fed and are napping. Hold on.” She rose, then took the computer over to the cribs and moved it so the camera was panning over my sweet babies. “Can you see them?”
“I can.” My voice cracked as emotions clogged my throat.
Four innocent souls sound asleep. I was ready to bawl my eyes out. I should be there with them. I should be protecting them.
“Call me crazy, but they look bigger, and their hair grew in more.” Or was I seeing things? Rorie and Ellie had more reddish-brown hair than I remembered.
Layla giggled. “They’re gaining weight. It’s still too early to tell if their growth will follow the same pattern now that they’re born.” She turned the screen back toward her and was on the move until she sat down again.
“How are your morning workouts? Any signs of magical powers? And my blood isn’t having a negative impact on you, is it?”
“You ask me the same questions each time we chat.” She stood up. “Is anyone around you?”
I shook my head. “I’m alone.”
She lifted her sundress and twirled around in her yellow lace bra and panties. “How do you think my workouts are going?” She ran her hands down her curves, shaping her waist, then her stomach as she stuck out her massive tits.
I swallowed thickly, biting back a growl as lust curled around my cock. Her thighs were toned, her stomach had flattened but not by much yet, and her arms were well-defined. But her physical features would always be beautiful no matter if she was skinny, fat, or pregnant. I was more concerned about her strength and her ability to fight and protect herself and the kids.
I adjusted my dick just the same despite my priorities as she lowered her sundress, covering her beauty.
She returned to her seat with a flirty smile. “What say you, husband?”
I whisked a hand through my hair. “You’re gorgeous, and I’m proud of you. You’ll be in fighting shape before long.” I leaned over the desk toward the screen. “You know what I’m dying to do?”
She felt her breasts. “You want these.”
My wife knew me well. I swallowed down my lust. “Bingo.”
Her sweet laughter slid over my skin, sinking in and drugging me into a deeper lustful state. “They don’t hurt anymore. I’m ready for you, vampire.”
My cock was painfully hard, and I had blue balls for sure. “Back to my blood. I’m assuming it isn’t making you pass out or sick?” I had to change the subject. Otherwise, I would blow my load in my jeans.
“At first, I felt queasy, but I haven’t passed out like I did in the infirmary. Doc called yesterday to check on things, and I asked if he had the results from the mislabeled vials. Remember the one I drank that I thought was yours? Anyway, with Carly and my uncle Jack in the infirmary and the craziness on base, he hasn’t been able to deal with much else. Before you ask, Carly still can’t speak. Doc says she’s improving little by little though. Whatever is in the serum is not good. I’m just thankful the amount Rianne injected me with when I was her prisoner wasn’t enough to do any damage to me or the babies.”
