His dark eyebrows lifted, and he tilted his head to the side, surprised. “She means something to you. That woman.”
He didn’t ask, but I felt compelled to answer. “More than I ever expected,” I admitted.
He nodded. “Then I should tell you what I picked up.”
I inhaled deeply and folded my arms across my chest, standing firmly with my legs apart. The inflection in my cousin’s voice let me know that I wasn’t going to appreciate the news he was about to deliver.
“There is danger surrounding that one, Bright Sun. Be careful with her. If she means something to you, keep her close. Protect her.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing.”
He nodded and looked out into the distance. There was a far off look in his eyes.
“We’re not the only ones in danger,” I commented.
Slowly his gaze found me again, and he nodded. “The young ones do not understand. They think because times have been good, they will always be this way. They’re untrained and undisciplined.”
I frowned, not liking the sound of anything that was coming out of Chael’s mouth. My cousin didn’t do fear. I wouldn’t call what I read in his gaze fear, per se. Concern? Dread? Emotions akin to fear but separate at the same time.
“Is there anything we can do?”
Chael let out a puff of air. “As their leader, I will prepare my tribe for whatever comes. They will be ready. You,” he paused to look me dead in the eye, leaning in, “be ready for what is coming your way. That woman more than means something to you. You’re not ready to admit this, but I see more than what is coming from your lips.”
I inhaled deeply and pushed out the breath slowly, my nostrils flaring with the varying emotions that flowed through me.
“We’re done talking about this.” I knew Chael wouldn’t reveal more than what he could, even if he did know the exact turn of events that were to come. His powers didn’t work in that way. I gritted my teeth at the thought of Jodi being in harm’s way, although I’d been expecting it. Whoever it was that broke into her home was still out there.
More than that, the person who was behind the scenes, pulling strings, remained a mystery. I didn’t believe for one second the shithead who broke into Jodi’s home was the mastermind behind all of this. He’d want to remove himself from the fray as much as possible. He’d hire out.
“Are you staying for dinner? We’re going to that Mexican place down the road.”
Chael made a disgusted face, and for the first time since his arrival, I cracked a smile. Not a big one, but a smile nonetheless.
“You know better than that, cousin. I’m heading back home but give the family my regards. It’s been too long since we’ve seen Ace and Gabe.”
We embraced. “I’ll tell them to get their asses out here at some point to visit.”
“You do that. Stay well, Bright Sun.”
I nodded and watched him head off toward the front of the hotel, where I assumed he parked. I used my room key to allow me back into the hotel and headed back up to the room.
“That was quick,” Jodi stated as she stood from the bed. “Your cousin left?”
I glared at her as she stretched to look around my shoulder. I wasn’t a fucking fool. I knew by most women’s standards, Chael would be considered handsome or whatever. But it chapped my ass to see Jodi’s eyes light up even a little when she first saw him.
I wrapped my hands around her arms, pulling her to me, kissing the hell out of her. She moaned at the back of her throat.
“I’m the only motherfucker you need to be concerned about.”
That devilish grin crept across her face, and my stomach muscles tightened. “I think your cousin was right.” She sniffed the air, similar to how Chael had. “There’s some jealousy up in here.”
“Don’t get Chael’s ass kicked.”
She giggled. “Stop trying to be a bully. He’s your family.” She reached up on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “Is he related on your mother’s side or Joel’s?”
“Mother’s, and family or not, I’d beat the shit out of him over you.” Lowering my lips to hers, I ran my hand over her hips and around to her ass, hating the material of the jeans she wore that prevented me from feeling her soft skin.
“Let’s order in for dinner,” I said against her lips.
