“She did. I stuck to the story of what happened to Teona. It’s easier to tell the truth as much as possible. If she investigated it, she would find there was a man from Ukraine who shot his wife and himself. He had also shot his daughter, but she disappeared. Her body has never been found. I was very up-front that no one could know I was alive or else those who brought us here would demand I pay my parents’ debts and I would never be free.”
“Very clever. You knew she would investigate.”
Maya nodded. “She had to know if I lied. She was letting me into her parents’ home. Into her sacred circle. She didn’t tell her parents. Her friends were anonymous for the most part, especially at first. They participated remotely, some from other parts of the country. She let me stay in her house. It was an enormous risk she took. I couldn’t believe my luck. She taught me so much. Everything from my computer skills to driving cars. She treated me like a sister even though I wasn’t at all very trusting in the beginning.”
Gorya could tell she was a little ashamed that Lexie didn’t know her real name. She really cared about the woman.
“Not giving her your real name was as much for her protection as it was for yours,” he reminded her gently.
“I know, but it still feels wrong. She’s all I’ve got.”
“You have me.”
And me.Rogue spoke directly to Maya.And Wraith.
Maya looked startled. “I do, don’t I?”
“You do.” Gorya was decisive. “We’ll find a way to make this work.”
“You always sound so sure that we can do it, but I know you’re not that certain, Gorya.”
“I wasn’t,” he admitted. “But Rogue said something to me that made sense.” He flashed a fleeting smile at her. “He does that on rare occasions—make sense. I don’t like admitting it where he can overhear me, because he’s a smug bastard, but in this case, I have to give him credit.”
Those long pale lashes fluttered, drawing his attention. He really loved her lashes. Her lips curved, giving him the idea that kissing her before they went to bed might be a good habit to start.
“What could your leopard have said to you that made sense?”
“He said we belonged together, and he trusted me towork out any problems because I always did. Shifters always overthink things.”
She burst out laughing. “That simple?”
“He knows it isn’t quite that simple, but he said whatever it took, he would help.”
Her eyes went silvery blue. “I think I’m going to like your leopard.”
He hoped so. If he had his way, they’d be together a lifetime.
8
Thefood was delicious. Gorya knew it would be. Gedeon was amazing at grilling anything, from vegetables to steak. Gorya and Maya sat in the comfortable lounge chairs under the stars, eating with Gedeon, Meiling, Matvei, Rodion and Kyanite. The fire pit wasn’t necessary as the night was cool but not really cold. Still, it added ambience.
Maya looked calm and relaxed, not in the least uneasy surrounded by men she knew were not only leopard butbratvaand had been raised in the Amurov lairs. Gorya knew differently. She hadn’t shut him out of her mind, and he felt her discomfort.
I can make an excuse to take our dinner inside.He made the offer sincerely. He didn’t like that she was in the least uncomfortable. There was no need for it.You’ve been through enough today.
Her eyes met his, the moon catching her just right, sothat her blue eyes shone like gleaming jewels. His gut reacted with a strange roll.
I’ve never had anyone looking out for me before. It feels odd.
Odd good or bad?he prompted.
Her smile washed through his mind. Intimate. Only for him. It was such a new concept for both to have someone else to think about. To worry about. To care for. He liked that he was continuously uppermost in her mind. He couldn’t get her out of his.
Good, I think. I could get used to it.She glanced at the circle of people in the chairs around the fire pit.These men are the ones looking after you. I need to get used to them. Get to know them. Eventually, I’ll feel more at ease with them. It’s important for me to know for myself that they would never betray you.
He was in her mind, so he knew she was hoping what she said was true, but she didn’t think it would come to pass. She didn’t believe she’d ever be truly comfortable around men, especially a large group of them, humans or shifters.
It’s us. They would never betray us. If you’re certain you don’t want to go inside.
