Between Timur’s intensity and Gorya’s struggle with having so many males close to Maya when he was feeling vulnerable, he might have reprimanded Rogue, but Maya’s soft laughter entered his mind like rays of pure sunshine.
“I appreciate your coming, Timur,” Gorya said, ignoring his cat. “Although I warn you, other than those right here in this circle, you can’t trust anyone in this lair or, for that matter, the territory. Not even the locals. They made far too much money in trafficking. Shutting it down has made me very unpopular.”
“I brought Arman and Kiriil with me, and if we need more, we can send for them,” Timur said, indicating the men behind him. “Ashe is with me as well.”
Maya stood, and Gorya took her hand, drawing her beneath his shoulder. She seemed much smaller standing that close to him. “This is Maya, my woman. Maya, my cousin Timur; his wife, Ashe; and two of the men from his security, Kiriil and Arman.”
Maya smiled at them a little tentatively. She appeared the picture of innocence, the young girl next door. It would be difficult to identify her as a shifter. Timur didn’t bother to hide his frown as he looked her over. He’d obviouslybeen hoping for a warrior to aid his cousin, and looking at Maya, his hopes had been dashed.
Ashe gave her a welcoming smile. “I’m so pleased to meet you. Evangeline and Fyodor send their greetings. They were eager to come, but Timur wanted to check out how safe it was first. They have children, and we’re a little protective of them.”
Maya gave her a small smile. “It’s nice to meet you.” There was just the smallest hesitation in her voice, as if she might be intimidated by Timur, Ashe and their companions.
Gedeon and Meiling exchanged frowns. Matvei, Rodion and Kyanite appeared protective and concerned.
It was easy to view Maya through the lens she wanted others to see. She had perfected the image since she was a child. She looked and sounded vulnerable and nonthreatening. She projected the feeling of needing care, causing those around her to want to protect her. Gorya didn’t see that Timur had that reaction to her, but Ashe did.
“Are you hungry?” Gedeon asked. “There’s plenty.”
Timur inclined his head. “Very.”
“He’s always hungry,” Ashe said. “I’m the world’s worst cook. If there’s food in the vicinity, he’s got to take advantage.”
The men broke out in laughter at Ashe’s confession as they added chairs to widen the circle around the fire pit.
Gorya explained to Maya as they sat down, “Ashe tried to help Evangeline with the bakery when Evangeline was too sick to go in one morning and nearly burned it down.”
Ashe nodded solemnly when the men continued to laugh. She didn’t look in the least offended. “They can laugh all they want, but don’t let anyone tell you baking is easy. Evangeline is a miracle worker. She should be given a medal. I’d like to see any of you do what she does. I’m not in the least ashamed of what happened. In any case, that horrible Jeremiah was distracting me.”
“Jeremiah?” Maya asked, knowing it was required of her.
“Jeremiah Wheating is our problem child,” Gorya explained. “He wouldn’t be if the women didn’t spoil him rotten. Where is he, Timur? I half expected you to bring him along, especially since Ashe treats him like a sibling. She jumps to his defense the moment anyone dares to reprimand him for his million and one mistakes.”
Ashe gave a little sniff of disdain. “I donot,” she denied.
A chorus of “bullshits” went up from the men around the fire pit. Gedeon had taken orders and was busy at the grill, but even he turned back to lift an eyebrow as if to say Ashe might not be telling the truth.
“She does,” Timur confirmed. “The kid is originally from Panama, from a big family, and I think his sisters and momma spoiled him.”
There was no change in Maya’s outward appearance, but Gorya felt her sudden stillness. He captured her hand, pressing her palm to his thigh.
What is it?
Not here. Wait until we’re alone.
He didn’t like waiting. He had patience when he needed to be patient, but she was really disturbed, and he wasn’t sure why. Jeremiah? He knew the kid.
Jeremiah saved my life. I’m not the only shifter he’s saved over the last couple of years.
Jeremiah had put his life on the line dozens of times for other shifters. He was eager to learn, eager to prove himself—a little too eager, which got him into trouble, but that was just his youth. What kid wasn’t? He wanted action all the time. He’d nearly been killed in Panama when he was protecting a female shifter, and he’d never speak exactly the same again. Gorya didn’t push Maya to tell him what was wrong, knowing it wouldn’t do any good.
Ashe sent Timur a little grin. “Jeremiah is a goof. He saved Gorya’s life and mine.”
“You saved his,” Timur corrected. He went to the grill to help Gedeon plate the food for his men and Ashe.
“See, if Jeremiah were here right now,” Ashe said, “he wouldn’t be able to resist commenting that Timur never has to worry about being poisoned after eating so many of my meals. He’d say he’s built up a cast-iron stomach or something equally as obnoxious as that.”
Timur frowned and lifted one eyebrow. “I can eat anything thanks to you, Ashe. Are you telling me this entire time you didn’t ruin all those meals on purpose?”
