“Not supposed to be. Wearemates.” Taco said, as he slightly peeled up from Gio’s neck.
“Stop doing that, it’s just weird.” Gio hissed, then looked into Cobra’s eyes. “Like I was saying, if we’re going to be mates, then we need to do things as a team. I might not like confrontation, but I’m not weak either. No matter whether it is who’s going to cook and who’s going to do the dishes, or if it’s facing my father. We work together as a team.”
Cobra took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, saying, “I’m a D.O.A. agent, Gio. You can’t go on missions with me. It’s something I was created to do and I won’t have you putting yourself in danger. I know you have a beautiful and loving heart, and killing is not in you. Your abilities might make you a badass, but you’re my mate and I won’t allow you to place yourself in harm’s way or put you in a position where you might have to end someone’s life. Death at one’s hands stains a person. No matter how badly a person needs killing, it still takes a piece of you when you’re put in that position.”
“And I’m not asking you to do that, but I’m not a stupid man. I can help you in other ways, Cobra. It doesn’t have to be on the front line, but I’m really good at brainstorming things. I like my life at the store. I like talking with the people that live in Drago, and I keep really busy helping out where I can, but when it comes to my father, I will be helping take him down whether you like it or not. I might not want him dead, but if that’s what it means, then so be it. However, I will not be put in some room and told to be a good boy and wait until you get back. I know how my father works. I know how he thinks. I can help with this and… and I need to help with this. The idea that something bad could happen to you or Taco about kills me. That man has taken so much from me, Cobra. I will not let him have either of my mates. So, you let me work with you on this and I promise to stay out of D.O.A. business as much as possible. If you can’t do that, then I’ll go it alone.”
Cobra’s jaw clenched. He wasn’t liking what his mate was saying. His job was to go after the bad guy, yes. However, even more important to Cobra, his job was to protect his mate, but the stubborn shit was not giving him any alternative. If he said no, Cobra had no doubt the man would do exactly what he said, and somehow Cobra also knew he could lose his sentience, either by death or the man walking away from their mating.
Just the calm way he said it, and the determination in his eyes, told Cobra that Gio wasn’t making a threat, but giving him a promise. Sighing heavily, Cobra said, “Okay, but you need to remember there is a hierarchy when it comes to D.O.A. and Pit is the big boss. If you want to do something and he says no, then the answer is no. Everyone will listen to your ideas, but the final call is always Pit’s, or the person he puts in charge, and since we are so close to this case, we won’t be the ones running it.”
“But—”
Shaking his head, Cobra didn’t let Gio finish. “We’re compromised. You and I would go after your father using our feelings and not our minds. That is never a good way to go. It leads to someone getting hurt or killed, and I will not allow that to happen. I hate it as much as you, but it’s the only way to make sure we have a chance of coming out of this alive.”
Seeing Gio about to argue, Cobra said firmly, “Don’t you think I want to go after your father with everything I’ve got? I’ve been after that man for years and each and every time he has slipped from my hands. Now… now I have you, Gio, and I know that man will do whatever he has to in order to get his hands on his weapon, and that weapon is you. I can’t allow that… no… I won’t allow that to happen. So, you either agree to follow my lead, or I swear to you I will find a way to keep you out of this case all together.”
Gio never took his gaze from Cobra. After a few seconds, he finally nodded, saying, “I’ll follow your lead.”
Rylee clapped his hands together. “Okay, now that we have that settled, can we go home? Mom was cooking her famous enchiladas, and I’m starving.”
Everyone started walking out of the holding cell area, when Gio whispered. “Mom? I didn’t know Rylee’s mom was in Drago.”
Making their way to the car, Cobra said, “Clara took Rylee in when he was younger, just as she did Bren. They have always considered her their mom.” Giving a soft laugh, Cobra said, “She’s done the same thing to all the D.O.A. as well. She expects us to call her Mom and I have a sneaky suspicion the same will be asked of you.”
“Me? Why?” Gio asked wide-eyed.
Shrugging, Cobra replied, “Because you’re mine, Gio. Clara is the sweetest, most-loving woman, and she only wants to take care and love us. Just don’t cuss in the house. She tends to get a bit upset when we do, and trust me, as loving as the woman is… she scares the hell out of me when she gets upset.”
“Okaaaay.” Gio replied, with a shake of his head.
Hugging his sentience close, Cobra said, “She wouldn’t hurt you, Gio. The thing is… I think we all respect her wishes more so because of “the look” she gives us when we upset her.”
“What look?” Gio asked.
Thinking a bit before answering, Cobra answered, “I can’t speak for everyone, but for me it’s almost like she’s disappointed in me. It hurts my heart to see it. I lost my family so long ago and having this opportunity to have such a beautiful woman, showering me with that love and acceptance, is something I didn’t even know I had been missing until Clara came into our lives. I don’t want to lose it. Do you know what I mean?”
“I think so. I… I never really knew my mom. Everything I knew was from stories my older brothers and sisters told me. I don’t know how to act around someone who would want to take on a mother role to me. What if I screw up and she hates me, Cobra? I don’t want you to lose a mother’s love because I’ve messed up.” Gio whispered.
Cobra stopped walking, and brought Gio into his arms. “Love, there is nothing you could do or say that would mess anything up when it comes to my and Clara’s relationship. She is going to love you. You are sweet, caring, and beautiful in mind, body and soul. Just be you, and trust me, everything will be fine.”
“And if it isn’t?” Gio asked.
“Then we can move out of the house and you never have to see her again.” Cobra replied.
“You’d leave your home because of that?” Gio gasped.
Leaning down, Cobra whispered, “I would do anything to keep you in my life, Gio. You are everything to me and worth anything I would have to give up to keep you. I love you, baby.”
“I love you too, Cobra.” Gio rasped, as Cobra closed the distance and latched his lips onto Gio’s.
The kiss was long, hard, and passionate. If not for Taj clearing his throat, Cobra would have probably stripped his man and taken him on the jailhouse steps right then and there.
“As hot as that is to watch, I think it might be a better plan for you two to continue that conversation back in Drago.” Taj said with a raised brow.
Cobra was about to say something when the wind picked up so strong, debris rolled and clattered all around them and took their motorcycles off their kickstands, dropping them onto the hard pavement.
Everyone looked up in time to see a bolt of lightning streak through the air as a loud clap of thunder rumbled all around. Rylee pointed to his left, shouting, “Holy shit, what the hell is that?”
Turning to where Rylee was pointing, Cobra’s eyes widened as he watched a large funnel, filled with dirt and debris, making its way right towards them all. It had to be at least five feet wide and fifteen feet high, and from the way it swirled around them, Cobra knew they were in deep shit.
