“No, it didn’t. Just sounds more like them.” Ronan chuckled. “Trying to make light of it she asked if we were super heroes or something. I told her no, I was a Wolf shifter and my dad was a Wolf, my mom was a Lion, you were a Bear and we even had Gator shifters and Dragons. She got a kick out of it and thought I was just teasing.”
“Wait until she figures out you’re serious.”
“We’ll see how that goes over, then. But in the meantime, Bam put an app that connects me to the surveillance system at the shelter on my phone, so I spend a lot of time watching it when I’m not there.”
“That helps at least.”
“Yeah it does.”
“That it?” Brandt asked.
“That’s it. I’m having Valentine’s Day dinner with her and the kids at the steakhouse. Matteo, he’s the younger boy — hewanted to know if we could have the meat I sent home with them the other night. So, that’s where we’re going.”
Brandt laughed. “A man knows what he wants even when he’s a little man!”
“Yes, he does. And Leo, he’s such a sweetheart. He attached himself to me when I stopped by there this evening on my way home. I’m telling you, Brandt. I love these kids already.”
“Sounds like they’re attached to you, too.”
“They are.”
“Looking forward to when they’re here full time. Wish she’d just give in and move in there with you until we get your house ready.”
“Me, too. But I can’t push her or I’ll just send off red flags of the situation she’s running from already.”
“I get that. In the meantime, keep me posted. I’ll let everybody else know what you’re dealing with, what we might eventually be dealing with, and let me know if anything goes down.”
“I will.”
“Alright, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later,” Ronan said.
“Hey! Wait!” Brandt said.
“Yeah? I’m still here.”
“How are you going to get from here to there if something goes down? It’s a twenty-five minute drive.”
“That’s why I wanted to be there every night but I was outvoted. I just figure they’ve got it until I get there.”
“Something happens, you come here, or call me. Me and Tempest will be there in a second. She’ll get you there in two seconds more.”
“Deal! Hope I don’t ever have to take you up on that, but don’t think I won’t.”
“Later!” Brandt said.
“Later!” Ronan answered. He stared at the TV for a few seconds, then checked the security app on his phone. There was nothing to report there, so he put his head back and did his best to rest. “I’m never going to get any sleep tonight,” he grumbled.
Hours later he came awake out of a dead sleep, sitting straight upright. Ronan sat perfectly still, looking around his house to try to determine what woke him. But there was nothing. Then he felt it — a nudge at his subconscious. He focused on it, and realized it was his father. He opened his mind and let him in, expected just a gentle nudge to let him know everything was okay. But instead, he got three words only.Get here now!
Ronan sprang to his feet, groggy from sleeping heavy for a few hours and slapped his pockets, searching for his phone. Dropping down to the floor he finally found it under the table where it had fallen. He dialed Brandt, nearly panicking until he answered.
“Ronan?” Brandt asked, his voice roughened with sleep.
“Now! They’re at the shelter now! I need Tempest!”
“We’re coming!” Brandt said, ending the call.
