“You sound like you know her?More than just as a son-in-law?”she asked, her eyes hazy with confusion.
“I do.I’m a lot older than Ryan,” Trip explained with a smile.“I knew his parents before he did.”
Ryan rolled his eyes.“And they never got over the fact you weren’t their son and I was.”
Trip pshawed.“Because they don’t cosset you enough as it is.”
He couldn’t withhold his wide grin, and ruefully, he scraped a hand across his jaw.“Checkmate.”
Trip winked at him, then, to El explained, “It’s well known in the Pride that Ryan’s mom is… well, she’s a bit of a nightmare.You might have a bit of trouble dealing with her.”
“Oh boy,” El grumbled on a deep sigh.“Three mothers-in-law and only God knows how many fathers-in-law.”
It warmed his heart to hear that she was accepting of their mate bond.Maybe that admission surprised even her because her eyes were wide when Trip explained, “Five.I’m from a three-to-one partnership but Marc’s mom was the Shifter too.You’re in luck.”
“Luck…” El dazedly peered around her.“That’s one way of putting it.”
Trip snorted.“When you’re a little more at ease, all of this will start to make sense.I promise.”
She stared up at him, her five feet nothing height insubstantial to Trip’s six-six.“You mean that?”
His smile was tender, and he reached out to chuck her gently under the chin.“I always keep my promises.”
Ryan wasn’t sure what was buried in his Triad brother’s gaze, but whatever it was, it had El shuddering a little by way of response.When Trip lifted an arm and settled it on her shoulders, she didn’t pull back.If anything, she let him gently lead her from the sofa over to the door.
Before they made it out, she turned back to Ryan and asked, “I’ll see you in the morning?”
“Just try and stop me,” he replied with a smile.
Her eyes were big and scared and far too tired as she stared at him, but relief settled in them at his words.“Thank you for tonight, Ryan.For saving me.”
“It’s my honor.An honor that needs no thanks.”
She blinked at him.“Night,” she whispered softly.
“Night.”
As the door started to close behind them, Trip shot Ryan a look.Grimly, they nodded at one another before he led El to the bedroom that had been proportioned expressly for her.
Getting to his feet, he headed for the drinks’ tray.Ryan wanted nothing more than to go upstairs with her.But this was her time with Trip.He had no problem sharing.He shared most things with his Triad brothers, but in this, he’d need patience.
Until all three of them shared an equal connection with her, they’d have to set out times unique to each of them so that the bond could flourish between them all.
The three of them had no desire to share her sexually.That wasn’t how this worked.They were the satellites around El’s earth.They were in her orbit.
For now, they’d have to remain singular beings, but when she was relaxed around them, accepting of the bond and understanding it, they could all show her their love together.
He looked forward to that day and wished it was now.She needed him to kiss her good night.How he knew that, he put down to the bond.But it was Trip’s time to connect with her…
Gritting his teeth, he poured himself another drink, and as he sank it back, decided that the best thing to do was head down to Pride House.At least there he could do some good with the cops.
Chapter 4
Shawn rarely felt unease.He’d seen too much.Done too much in his many years of service that very little managed to rattle him.
But the corpse in El’s car?
Yeah, that rattled him.
