Again, laughter erupted around them. Ashe joined in, clearly uncaring that it might be at her expense.
Even with the teasing and laughter and the disclosure that Jeremiah had saved Gorya’s life, Maya didn’t relax, but she softened a little toward Timur, watching him serve his wife her food.
He does seem to love her.
Gorya followed her gaze to see Timur brush a kiss on top of Ashe’s head and murmur something that made her blush as he handed her the plate of food.
Ashe is his world. I have no idea what he’d do without her.
Timur went back to the grill to retrieve two more plates for Arman and Kiriil. Gorya could tell Maya was shocked that Timur waited on the two security guards rather than having them wait on him. He could have told her Timur might appear arrogant, but when it came to the men he worked with, he didn’t expect them to do anything that he wasn’t willing to do himself. He knew if Maya observed the behavior for herself, it would have a greater impact on her. He wanted her to like Timur, although his cousin tended to rub people the wrong way at their first meeting.
Don’t worry so much, Gorya. I like that he came to check on you. You matter a lot to him. I don’t have to matter to him. He sees me the way I show myself to him. He wanted someone like Ashe for you.
Gorya choked on his coffee.I’d strangle the woman.
Immediately, he had Timur’s attention. “Everything all right?”
Gorya nodded. “Absolutely. I’m glad you’re here, Timur. This is one fucked-up lair. Not only is everyone in the lair corrupt, but the locals rely on the money coming in from trafficking. I’m slowly unraveling who I can count on and who I can’t, but it isn’t easy.”
Timur had settled in his seat and started eating, but his head went up alertly and he frowned, pausing in the act of bringing his fork to his mouth. “You’ve always been able to discern lies faster than any of the rest of us. How can these people possibly keep the truth from you?”
“The locals can’t,” Gorya said. “But those in the lair have been mixing truth with lies for so long, I think they believe what they say. Many of these men have their mates, yet the women convinced themselves, for whatever reason, that there was nothing wrong in what was being done.”
Ashe scowled at him. “They knew? You’re certain they knew?”
“They knew,” Kyanite answered for Gorya. “It’s been slow, but we’ve uncovered evidence that in a few cases, they helped lure women here to be sold.”
Timur shook his head. “That’s crazy. Women shifters aren’t like that.”
“They can be,” Gorya said. “You should know. You just never wanted to see.”
Be careful, Gorya. Don’t say anything against his mother. What would be the point?Maya advised gently.
He’s living a fantasy. He needs to grow up and face reality.
Why? Why shouldn’t he be able to keep one nice thing for himself? Why shouldn’t he be able to believe his mother loved him? Maybe she did in her own way. Let him have that.
Gorya sighed but changed tactics. Maya was right. He didn’t want her to be, but she was. “Female leopards can be selfish and greedy. They’re leopard, just like males, Timur. If they get used to having too much and don’t want to let go of it, they’re just as capable of being cunning and manipulative.”
Timur switched his attention to Maya as he took Ashe’s empty plate and handed her a cup of coffee. “Are you even of legal age? You look about thirteen.”
Gorya bristled instantly. “What the fuck, Timur? Are you deliberately being rude to my woman?”
“She does look like a little kid. Am I the only one to think that?”
“I do look young, Gorya,” Maya said unnecessarily.
“He doesn’t have to sound so damn belligerent.”
“Is that how I sounded?” Timur asked.
“Yes,” Kyanite confirmed, smirking a little. “Maya, he always sounds like that. He can’t help himself.”
Maya sent Kyanite one of her sweet smiles. “It’s good to know he isn’t disapproving of me, since I’ll be with Gorya a long time.”
Ashe settled back in her chair and regarded Maya over the top of her coffee cup. Both Gorya and Rogue bristled protectively at the speculative look in her eyes.
“Since we’re on the subject, as you must be aware, Timur and Gorya are very close, so naturally, the family investigated you. We couldn’t find a single thing about you. Not one thing. Not even a birth certificate. You’ll have to forgive me, Maya, but that sent up more than one red flag.”
