Maddox nudged Nix. “I shouldn’t ask, but we could use you.”
“I’ll have to talk to River first, but I’m in,” he said. Yup, it felt right.
Maddox and Zander looked at one another, and then they both nodded and turned their attention back to Dax. “I’m in,” Maddox told them. “And Finn will probably want to come, although we need someone at the station. Maybe Dad can take over.”
Dax smiled at him. “Congratulations, brother. And welcome to the family. We’ll have you home in time for River to deliver, or my cousin will have my head.”
Ronin snorted. “That’s the damn truth.”
“I’ll talk to River, but if he’s against it, I may have to sit this one out.”
Maddox’s brow went up, and Nix was expecting to be teased. Instead, his friend said, “Lucky bastard.”
He really was. And even if this wouldn’t get him any answers, he had his mate who was expecting their child. Fuck, he’d never had so much to lose before.
Chapter Three
River
The ride back to the house was a quiet one. River kept looking over to Nix; he could sense that he had a lot on his mind, and he didn’t want to interfere with his thoughts. He knew Nix would speak to him when he was ready. They hadn’t been mated for very long, but his mate had made himself an open book to River. One of the most amazing parts of being mated was not only feeling your mate in your soul. Feeling complete. But also hearing their thoughts, feeling what they felt. But you could control it. So if he was consciously blocking River from picking up something from his mind now, then he knew it must be because Nix wasn’t ready to talk about it yet.
When they got home, his mate headed straight to the kitchen. Nix had told him once how much he enjoyed cooking and that he’d taught himself how to throw easy and delicious meals together after years of being forced to eat whatever scraps he was served, first in foster care and later in the army.
The banging of the pots and pans had him walking to the kitchen, where he paused in the doorway. He didn’t say a word at first but simply watched his mate in concern. River knew that Phoenix was aware of his presence, but apparently, this was going to be one of those times he had to push. “What’s on your mind, babe?” River walked up and wrapped his arms around Phoenix’s waist, resting his head on his back.
Nix drew in a breath, then let it out slowly. “Am I that obvious?”
River snorted and Nix chuckled. “Well, the fighting with the pots and pans was a dead giveaway.” He tightened his arms around Phoenix. “Besides, I’m your mate, which means it’s my job,”—he shook his head because that didn’t feel like enough—“more than that, it’s my privilege to know and be there for you when something is troubling you.” He slipped around so he was now facing Nix but still holding on to him. “Aside from the fact I can feel you doing your best to block something from coming through the mating bond, the ride home was as deadly silent as it could possibly be. So, what’s the matter?”
Nix sighed and placed his nose where he’d marked River, then drew in a deep breath. He couldn’t help smiling because it meant everything to him that his scent soothed his mate. “Can we not talk about it yet? Let’s talk about you. How did it go with Ollie, Amelia, and Matthew? Are you even more excited about having our baby now or more scared?”
River went with it. “It was nice. Ollie and I talked some, and I can’t wait to get to know him better. He’s perfect for Ro.”
“You’re perfect for me.” Nix’s voice was a whisper. He wrapped his hand around the back of River’s as he lowered his lips for a kiss.River fell into him, and his mate deepened the kiss but then suddenly pulled back.
“I’m completely on board with that mode of changing the subject,” River teased.
Nix smiled. “You don’t need to worry about me, you know. I’m fine.” He lifted River like he weighed nothing, carrying him out of the kitchen and up the stairs to their bedroom.
Phoenix made to lower him, but River tightened his legs around his mate’s waist. “I want us to always be honest with each other, even when things are hard.” He held Nix’s gaze. “I know it’s easy to go deal with things by yourself, but you don’t have to anymore. We have each other now, right?”
He held his breath, waiting for Phoenix to reply. “You’re right.”
Phoenix walked them over to the bed and sat down, positioning River in his lap. He leaned back so he could look his mate in the eye.
“I love you,” River said and stole a kiss from his mate. It was sweet and gentle, more about comfort than passion. When he pulled back, Nix’s lips curved slightly. “I love you too, baby. So much,” he sighed.
River smiled, knowing he would never get tired of hearing those words from his mate’s lips. But he also knew it couldn’t be just words; actions would have to follow. “You can tell me anything.” Cupping his mate’s bearded cheek, he asked, “What’s on your mind, babe?”
Nix lowered his head to River’s shoulder and let out a sigh. River rubbed his back and waited patiently until Phoenix finally lifted his head again to meet River’s gaze. “Dax wants us to go out on a job together.”
Even if he hadn’t been sitting on his mate’s lap, his legs wrapped around his waist, River still would have seen the tension in Nix’s body and the concern in his eyes. He studied Phoenix for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Alright. When?” he asked.
Nix’s eyes narrowed, like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he replied, “Very soon.”
“What’s the job?” River asked. “Can you tell me?”
Phoenix nodded. “Of course I can, this isn’t the military, so it’s not exactly top secret.” He blinked before adding, “Plus, I trust you, babe.”
