A dark shadow crossed the younger woman’s expression. “I know,” Tamsin said, venom chilling her tone. “I hope I get a chance to use that man’s head as a football.”
Ken swallowed back his revulsion over that mental image even while not blaming her in the slightest.
Because Dewi would likely join her in that game.
“There’s a scene you won’t see on Ted Lasso,” Nami snarked, and Ken clapped a hand over his mouth to stifle his nervous, braying laughter.
Beck and Dewi returned, both of them smiling. “As of fifteen minutes ago, Adair Godwin Bleacke is here and screaming her head off, according to Peyton. Mother and daughter are both great, although Gillian wants to neuter Peyton.”
Nami softly snorted. “That’s natural,” she said, dropping Ken a wink. “I heard you wanted to neuter Ken, didn’t you? I know I wanted to neuter Beck.”
Beck laughed and took the seat on Nami’s other side. “Thank the Goddess you let me off the hook.”
“Of course, wolf man.” She tipped her face up to receive a kiss from him.
Dewi walked over and sat next to Ken, kissing him. “Yeah, at first I did.” As their gazes met, his heart raced, the way it always did, that primordial and yet mundane magic of love flowing through them. “But if I do that, we can’t have another baby,” she said.
He nuzzled her forehead with his. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.” She rested a hand on his thigh. “And Peyton said Asia will give birth literally any time now. The doc said she’s really close to going into labor and might even have the baby before we arrive. Since she’s had several easy births, it’s likely to go very quickly.”
Ken noted Tamsin still looked…wistful.
So did Dewi. “What’s wrong, Tam?” she asked.
“Oh, nothing. As I was telling them, I almost wish I didn’t have to return to England, and that Trevor and Elizabeth would move here. You all are family to me now, and there are all these sweet little ones Maisie’s age she could grow up with.”
“Nami didn’t spill it, did she?” Dewi silently asked Ken through their mate bond.
“No, but she’s struggling.”
“Got it.” Dewi smiled at Tamsin. “Look, nothing’s settled. You can’t go back until everything’s resolved. They would have to divert resources and personnel they’re using to hunt Faegan to protect you. But I bet we can arrange to bring Elizabeth over for a long visit. We’ll talk to Peyton and Trevor.”
Tamsin brightened. “Really? Oh, that would be so wonderful!”
“Can you really promise her that?” Ken silently asked.
“I sorta kinda just did, and do you see her smile?” Dewi spoke aloud. “Let’s get through this visit first, and we’ll figure something out.”
Ken strangled a thought wanting to sneak free, that maybe none of them should be leaving the country, much less going to Europe, until they had more answers.
And had Faegan Lewis’ head mounted over Trevor’s fireplace.
The flight was uneventful, and their plane change thankfully even more so. By the time they’d loaded into the large passenger van Dewi rented for them in Spokane, Ken neared exhaustion. It was late afternoon Florida time, and Ken felt every minute of it. Dewi had assumed command of the keys and driving duties, and no way would Ken argue with her. For starters, he wasn’t comfortable trying to drive a vehicle this large, and he felt too exhausted to even try.
Beck didn’t argue with her, either, and instead took the front passenger seat. Badger and Duncan would pick up two smaller rental cars upon their arrival and drive them to the compound so they’d have additional vehicles to use during their stay.
“Let’s keep the van on the road, mmkay?” Nami tensely joked from the second row, glancing back to where Ken sat in the third seat with Lyssa.
Tamsin had taken the back row with Maisie. “I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been,” Tamsin said.
“It wasn’t fun,” Ken agreed. “I’m with Nami that I’d rather not repeat that experience. Ever.”
Beck snorted. “Yeah, well, not that I’m happy it happened, but that had to be the best driving ever, Ken. You two literally walked away from it. Not a danged thing wrong with that. I don’t know if I could have done a better job than you did.”
As they made their way out of Spokane and headed toward Idaho, Ken watched the scenery pass outside his window. It was pretty out here, and while he’d miss Florida and their family there, if Dewi ever so much as hinted at wanting to move here, he’d immediately jump on that and pack them before she could reconsider.
And that wasn’t something he ever thought he’d say.
