“No, I need to say this now before I chicken out,” Renee said. “When my chopper went into a spin, I was convinced that was the end. And the one thing that ran through my mind was I hadn’t told you guys how much I like you. Um, heaps. I’ve hesitated telling you because it happened so fast. The strength of it scared me. That’s all. We can go now.”
The silence in the SUV almost deafened her. Had she made a mistake telling them? She risked a glance at Calian, and her breath caught on seeing his expression. His face shone with pride and satisfaction and…
Renee sneaked a glance into the back seat. Each of the three brothers grinned at her.
“Renee?” Dakota asked. “Are you trying to say you love us?”
Renee’s throat worked in a swallow. “Ah… Maybe.”
“Would it make things easier if we fessed up first?” Matto asked.
Kansas cleared his throat. “You should know none of us would consider running through the middle of a storm for anyone else. All the running almost killed me. I’m never letting myself get that unfit again.”
“Renee, I love you,” Calian said without hesitation. “My younger brothers love you too, although I’m sure they’d be happy to tell you themselves.”
Renee gave each of them a quick glance. While they were making fun of her, she thought they were telling the truth. “Okay. We can go now.”
“Just so you know, sweetheart. Our wolf sides have already claimed you.” Calian reached over to take her left hand in his. He squeezed a fraction, careful of her injuries. “Remember how each of us bit your neck during lovemaking?”
“Yes.”
“While we haven’t claimed you fully because you didn’t know our secret, we are very serious about our relationship with you.”
A chorus of agreement came from the rear seat, and Renee relaxed. For so long she’d lived one day at a time, never thinking of her future because danger stalked her. Now, thanks to the Taktuq brothers, she had a series of tomorrows and hope. Such a precious thing.
Renee smiled as Calian drove down the main street of Churchill. She had love too. All she needed to do was trust in Calian, Kansas, Dakota, and Matto, close her eyes and jump.
15 – Misty And A Future
“I spoke to Misty,” Calian said. “She isn’t thrilled with what I told her. She wants to speak to all of us.”
Renee studied each of the brothers, only listening with half concentration. She shifted her bodyweight, attempting to get comfortable. The sling on her right arm annoyed the heck out of her. Already, she counted the days until she no longer required the support for her arm.
“Translation: our sister had a hissy fit,” Matto suggested.
Calian ran a hand through his hair. “I told her we’d call her together.”
Something she didn’t wish to witness. Renee stood. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“No.” Calian grasped her left hand, tugging her to a halt. “She wants to speak to you most of all.”
“Why?” That had emerged with a whining air. She paused, freed her hand and squared her shoulders.
Calian pushed out a breath. “No idea. Misty marches to her own rules.”
“It’s better to get this over with then we can enjoy ourselves.” Kansas’s eyes gleamed leaving her in no doubt as to his meaning.
“Renee.” Dakota rose and reached her side in two rapid steps. He placed his hands on her shoulders, his gaze solemn. Ever the peacemaker. “Misty can’t hurt you. Yes, she has a sharp tongue. Yes, she’s obstinate. Yes, she expects loyalty from us. But remember this, each of us has claimed you. We believe you and Hunter were friends and nothing more.”
While Dakota was working his peace magic on her galloping nerves, Calian used a tablet to call Misty. With butterflies doing trampoline bounces in her stomach, Renee forced the military part of herself to the fore. The experience with the army aided her during stressful times. Now would be no different.
Hunter had shown her pictures of his wife. He’d kept a photo in his billfold and one by his bed wherever the army sent him. But seeing her via a live call propelled a different response. Still beautiful. Still sexy. Yet now, the woman’s force of nature jumped from the screen.
“Hello.” Misty’s low, rich voice pounced into the hotel room. “Is she present?”
“I have a name,” Renee snapped.
Dakota squeezed her hand in support and sat on the chair Renee had been using. He grasped her hips and settled her on his knee.
