I hadn’t had a job to call my own since I’d met Sam, and even before that time, I hadn’t had any steady employment.
“You will be fantastic at it.” He traced a finger over my eyebrow. “I love you, baby doll. Why don’t we go see our kids, and I’ll fill you in on other things.”
“You mean our vampire witches?”
He angled his head. “Have you talked to Doc?”
I fixed my wild hair into a messy bun. “Yep.”
As we left the room, we talked about our children, the Mystic, and everything that had happened in his meeting.
By the time we entered the lab and set our sights on four beautiful precious beings, I didn’t care about the Mystic or Adam’s threats. The only thing that mattered was giving Orion, Luna, Ellie, and Rorie our undivided attention.
Sam strutted over to the four strollers by a lab bench where our children were watching Dr. Vieira wave a bubble wand around.
Sam lifted Ellie up. “I’ve missed you, baby girl.” He peppered kisses all over her face, then hugged her like she was the only person in his world.
If anyone could reduce the arrogant, formidable Sam Mason to a puddle of water, it was his children.
I picked up Rorie, and the minute she was in my arms, I felt complete. Even more so when I laid eyes on Luna and Orion.
We had our children back. For the first time, I felt that sense of family as love poured out of Sam and me.
19
LAYLA
Seven long days had passed, and Jordyn remained in a life-and-death battle. When I wasn’t at her bedside, talking her ear off, or reminiscing about the good times we’d had growing up, I was busy with my children. I’d also volunteered to sift through bags of letters that were coming in after Violet Keller’s interview with Sam, Steven, and Eugene Delgado, a human government representative.
Steven had officially offered me the liaison position, and I couldn’t be happier. In preparation for my start date, which was still up in the air, I thought reading through the correspondence would give me a chance to understand the mood of the public. In turn, I could advise Steven on ideas and strategies that might help foster a relationship between us and humans.
I’d already read through a bin of letters, and so far, the common themes had been that they were shocked that vampires existed, they loved Steven and Sam’s message to help those who couldn’t protect themselves, and they hoped Steven, Sam, and Eugene could stop Adam Emery.
On top of that, I’d also read several letters from women and some men who were in love with Steven or Sam. That didn’t shock me. They were both handsome. I also wasn’t surprised to read how Sam had a growing number of followers. Initially, he’d gotten a bad rap from many folks around the country, thanks in part to Adam Emery. However, people feared what they didn’t know. At first, humans had seen a man with fangs on television who had been accused of compelling me into falling in love with him.
On the other hand, we also had naysayers who thought vampires were an abomination who should be wiped off the face of the earth. We certainly had our work cut out for us, and our strategy needed to focus on turning the cynics into believers. One way to do that was to make sure we followed through on everything we promised.
I opened my brand-new laptop Steven had given me and powered it on. Then I moved my piles of opened letters to one side of the table, ensuring that I didn’t disrupt my filing system. I had three stacks—read again, save for Steven to read, and file away. I didn’t want to throw any letters out yet.
The city lights of Boston twinkled outside the window. The room was eerily quiet until my cell vibrated on the table.
I opened the text app.
Sam:Baby doll, I made it to our apartment. Things on the naval base seem normal except we still have a group of humans outside the gate. I don’t think they’ll leave anytime soon. But we do have more guards around the perimeters and on rooftops. I feel comfortable that you and the kids will be safe here. I’ll call you later. Love ya.
My cheeks flushed as I sent him several heart emoji, then a text.
Me:Has Greta shown up with all our belongings yet?
The she-wolf we’d stayed with at the shifter compound had offered to personally bring us all our stuff we had at her cabin. Her trip also involved Dane. He’d shifted and had taken off into the city a week ago. Since then, he hadn’t returned, and he hadn’t shown up at his compound either. Cooper had said it wasn’t unusual for Dane to disappear for a few days when something bothered him. But Dane’s pack was worried, and considering Greta was an expert tracker, she’d volunteered. How she would find Dane was beyond me. The three-day rainstorm in Boston had probably washed away his scent. Not to mention how difficult it would be to find Dane in a large city such as Boston.
Sam:She just arrived.
I turned my attention to my computer as I slid into a soft leather chair.
Agnes was watching the babies in my room in the unused wing of the medical facility with two guards outside my door. It wasn’t that we didn’t trust Agnes. In fact, Jo had read Agnes’s mind the minute she’d stepped out of the SUV when we’d arrived, and Jo had continued to do so anytime she was with Agnes.
According to Jo, Agnes’s emotional pain ran deep, and she was desperate to be a part of my life as well as Jordyn’s and Abbey’s. Sam had been apprehensive about trusting in mind reading. Those who knew about Jo’s or Steven’s supernatural ability could easily find a way to block them. But Agnes’s thoughts matched her actions, and she also knew she had to prove herself if she wanted to be a part of our lives.
