“That depends. What’s on your mind?”
Atticus sat on the edge of his desk. “The baby’s heartbeat was abnormally fast. It might have been the adrenaline, but I’m concerned. She doesn’t have a mate, correct?”
“Melody never mentioned how nosy you are.”
“Without a mate, Joy may not have adequate care—someone who checks in on her that she can confide in.”
“Careful, Vampire. I’m her alpha, and I take care of my pack.”
Packmasters were often preoccupied with other matters, and Tak had his own pregnant mate. Who was closely watching over Joy? Who was ensuring her well-being and looking after the baby?
He stared across the room at the two leather sofas. “I’ll place a guard on her whenever she’s here.”
“Maybe you should ban the troublemakers.”
Atticus stifled a laugh. “I’d wind up banning half the town, and that’s no good for business. Because of her delicate condition, you might consider an escort whenever she goes out—a strong wolf who can protect her. After all, she can’t heal or defend herself, and that makes her especially vulnerable. We can’t be too careful.”
“You make a fair point, and I’ll let that insinuation about my decision-making slide. As for reparations for what happened there tonight, there’s something I’d like more than a catered steak dinner.”
“Name it, and it’s yours.”
“That jackass’s address.”
Chapter 7
Shivering a bit, I slipped into a black sweater and leggings. Yesterday’s events had kept me tossing and turning all night. Coming clean with the pack, Tak’s words during our private meeting, discovering that my baby was special, that buffoon hitting me, and then… Atticus.
Why was he so invested in making me happy? He knew virtually nothing about me. Was it guilt? I recalled the time when he generously catered lunch for Cecilia and me at her bookstore. Even last night, right before the confrontation, he silently instructed his bartender to whip up a costly dessert for me. He waived the bill for our most recent lunch and even added cantaloupe, knowing it was my favorite. Yet his compliments made me uneasy. Vampires always had ulterior motives.
What rattled me more was that Iwantedto trust him. So many people I’d trusted had turned their backs on me, and because of that, I felt my walls going up.
A knock at my bedroom door yanked me out of my thoughts. When I opened it, Lakota laughed at my black outfit.
He pointed to his black pants and long-sleeved shirt. “Maybe I should change. Between us and Lucian, it looks like we’reattending a funeral today.” He leaned against the doorjamb. “Although, that might be the case.”
“What do you mean?”
His long brown hair slipped forward when he tilted his head. “Tak is paying that man a visit—the one from the bar. If I had been there with you, I would have knocked his lights out. Why didn’t Virgil jump in?”
I chuckled softly. “Virgil was in outer space and not very alert. Then he shifted and ran through the club, chasing after that man. It would have been disastrous if he’d killed him. Mercy had to borrow someone’s belt to make a leash so we could take him home.”
“I hope he at least got a bite.” Lakota shook his head. “Tak sent me up to let you know that, uh… you and Hope will have your own private bodyguard whenever you go out.”
“Are you teasing?”
He played with the choker around his neck. “Nope. He wants to assign someone with a powerful animal. Mel volunteered, but my wolf is stronger than hers. She’s stubborn—thinks she can take on the world.” Lakota suddenly jolted forward, eyes wide.
Melody peered inside with her index finger pointed at Lakota as if she’d poked him from behind. “And who says I can’t,husband?”
He put his arm around her. “Because, Freckles, your wolf is more likely to lick someone’s face to death.”
“I have my bow and impalement wood.”
Lakota smiled at her. “And how is that going to stop a Mage?”
She lifted her chin defiantly but was clearly fighting back a laugh. “If you had bought me those stunner arrowheads last Christmas, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“Those are illegal to buy,wife.”
