Aric nodded. “Nothing Opus would like better than to fan the flames of paranoia by creating an epidemic of Breed-on-human attacks.”
“Which usually results in retaliation from the other side,” Rafe added. “Not to mention the power it gives to hate-based gangbangers like Angus Mackie to keep bringing in fresh recruits to their cause.”
Nikolai grunted. “Vicious circle. One we’ve been fighting for a long damned time.”
Aric and Rafe agreed in unison. Although they were new to the battle, both of their fathers had been engulfed in it along with Niko and the rest of the Order since the beginning.
The Order’s work had been tremendous, as was their success, but the war was far from over. Aric had a feeling this new fight was going to get a hell of a lot uglier than anything the world had seen before. He intended to meet it on the front lines, and that was just one more reason to be glad that Kaya had slammed the brakes on whatever it was that had been taking shape between them.
Still, that didn’t keep his gaze from straying to her as she stood next to him behind the bar, her arms crossed and pretty brown eyes distant, troubled. As haunted as he’d ever seen them.
“Nikolai,” she murmured after what seemed the longest time. “Do you think I could talk to you priv--”
The commander’s sudden, sharp groan cut her question short. His expression constricted into one of agony. “Ah, Christ.” He bit off a curse and thrust out his hand, gripping the edge of the bar.
“Are you okay?” Rafe reached for his arm. “Niko, let me help you.”
“Can’t.” He shook his head, pain radiating off him.
“What’s happening?” Kaya asked, rushing around from behind the counter with Aric.
The immense Breed warrior staggered, sweat popping out on his brow. “Renata.” He uttered his mate’s name through gritted teeth and fangs. “Holy hell. It’s the baby. He’s coming. Right now.”
Aric shot an urgent glance at Rafe. “I’ll get the vehicle.”
“No time.” Niko gave a harsh shake of his head. And through his anguish, an excited grin pulled his lips away from his emerged fangs. He chuckled, wonder shining in his ice-blue eyes despite the intense physical pain he shared with his Breedmate through their blood bond. “Holy fuck, it’s really happening. I’m outta here. I’ll get home faster on foot.”
He didn’t waste another second. In a blur of movement, Nikolai bolted out of the bar and vanished into the night.
CHAPTER 19
Nikolai didn’t slow his speed until his boots hit the polished marble of the command center’s foyer. His Breed genetics had carried him in a few scant minutes across the miles of pavement between Dorval and the mansion at the top of Summit Hill; now his blood bond to Renata sent him rushing through the residence and down to the infirmary housed in the Montreal base’s nerve center below.
Kellan stood in the corridor outside the medical room, his comm unit in hand. “I just tried to call you to let you know it’s showtime.” The younger Breed warrior gave him a sympathetic smile. “Should’ve known your bond would give you the heads-up before anyone else needed to. Everything happened so fast.”
“How is she?”
Kellan chuckled. “Been issuing orders like a drill sergeant since her water broke a few minutes ago. And threatening to skewer you with all four of her favorite blades if you didn’t make it back here before the baby does.”
In other words, Renata was fine. Niko heaved out the breath he hadn’t been aware he was holding. “That’s my girl.”
Kellan nodded. “As for your other girl, I called Mira right after I tried to reach you. She’s on the way back now with her team.”
“Thanks.” Niko clapped his adopted daughter’s mate on the shoulder. “Now, I’d better haul my ass inside before my female decides to carve me a new one.”
His gaze strayed past the male to halfway up the passageway. Siobhan carried a large stack of folded towels in her arms as she hurried toward Nikolai and Kellan.
“I thought these might be helpful,” she said, the petite Breedmate nearly out of breath as she approached. “Is there anything at all I can do? You’ve all been so kind to me, and I just feel a bit useless and in the way since I’ve arrived here.”
The commander in him was on the verge of informing the doe-eyed civilian that she was in an area restricted to members of the Order, but she looked so earnest with her offer of help that Nikolai checked the impulse. Barely.
Giving her a curt nod of acknowledgment, he glanced pointedly at his comrade.
Kellan smoothly stepped in. “I’ll take those for you, Siobhan. Come on, I’ll show you the way back upstairs to wait for Rafe and the others. Awfully easy to get lost down here if you don’t know where you’re going.”
Niko appreciated the diplomatic assist. Right now he didn’t have the patience for anything but getting to Renata’s side. The shared pain of another of her sharp contractions tore through him as he stepped away from Kellan and Siobhan to reach for the latch on the infirmary door.
Gritting his teeth against the burn of her agony, he entered Renata’s delivery room.
