And he was, more than fine. He was already healed from the worst of the gunshot wounds, and he had his Breedmate secure in his arms. He couldn’t think of anything else in the world he might need.
As if she could feel the depth of his contentment, Leni smiled up at him.
Because, yes, of course, she could feel that.
She had to feel just how desperately he loved her too.
The paramedic cleared his throat. “All right then. We’ll be heading out shortly.”
As he returned to the ambulances, another vehicle rolled through the open gate of the property. The large black Land Rover with Massachusetts plates came to stop not far from Knox and Leni.
A pair of Breed males in patrol gear climbed out. The passenger had the demeanor of a leader, his ice-blue eyes shrewd beneath the military-cut of his golden hair. His companion behind the wheel was ebony-haired and immense, an obvious Gen One soldier with the catlike prowl of a stealth killer. A former Hunter, Knox had no doubt.
He stiffened. “What’s the Order doing here?”
“I asked Razor to send them to Parrish Falls,” Leni said. “I called him as I left the safe house to come after you.”
Part of him was grateful for his mate’s smart thinking. Another part of him would have been happy never to see the Order at all. If the two warriors had any doubts about his fitness to look after Leni and Riley, or had thoughts about removing them for their own safety, there would be a second battle yet to come tonight.
The lighter-haired warrior strode toward them, his expression grave. “You must be Knox. And Lenora.”
“Leni,” she said, offering the male a kind smile.
“I’m Sterling Chase, commander of the Order’s Boston operation.” He gestured to the formidable male beside him. “This is my team captain, Nathan.”
Knox nodded at them both.
“Looks like we arrived too late,” Chase said, glancing at the scene. “You handled this all on your own?”
“No.” Knox shook his head. “I had a partner. My mate, Leni.”
The commander’s mouth tugged into a faint grin. “Good work. Both of you.”
The Hunter called Nathan extended his hand. “Good to meet you, brother.”
Knox took it, exhaling the tight breath that had been dammed up in his lungs. “You too.”
A history of sins and regrets spilled through the brief connection with his fellow former assassin, but they were old scars on Nathan’s soul. What he saw in the warrior’s steady gaze was honor. He saw an unspoken understanding there as well, a kinship. One that only Knox and another of his laboratory-born brethren could share.
Nathan’s glance slid to Leni. “It appears my brother is well-mated.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, her arms going tighter around Knox. “I’m well-mated too.”
Chase nodded. “Razor briefed us about the situation along the way here. The Order is grateful for your work and intel, both of you. Not only have you saved the lives of those victims tonight, but we’re hopeful you can help us and law enforcement dismantle this ring all the way to its source.”
“I’ll be glad to do whatever I can,” Knox replied.
Maybe if they could follow the trail from the Parrishes to whomever they were working with across the border and elsewhere, they might also find the truth about what happened to Shannon.
After the ugliness of what he’d read in each of the Parrishes’ hearts, Knox loathed to think where those answers might lead. But he knew Leni needed them.
In time, when he was old enough, Riley would need them too.
“Much appreciated,” Chase said. He held out his big hand to Leni first, giving hers a gentle shake. Then he offered the same to Knox. “You have our thanks. That’s coming all the way down from Lucan Thorne as well.”
Knox gave the commander a sober nod.
“You know,” Chase added, as he let go of his hand. “I’d be more than willing to make a place for you on the team in Boston. Or put a good word in for you with the Commander of operations in Montreal, if you prefer.”
