Everyone else had been dispatched to other areas of the compound on jobs.
“I’m exhausted,” Emma said, stretching her arms. “This virus sucks.”
“I’m tired without the virus,” Kane said, tapping his foot on the tile floor even while sitting.
Janie swung her legs, nowhere near reaching the floor. “It was a productive day.” Though a pretty shitty one. “The virus is speeding up, is easier to contract, and so far doesn’t respond to any medication in the petri dishes. Even my mom is infected with the new version of the damn thing.” Her shoulders slumped. “We need a cure.”
Kane nodded and slid from the table. “I’ll go and update Dage. You two, ah, have a nice talk.” He patted Janie’s shoulder as he walked by, grooves cutting into the sides of his mouth.
Janie stilled and frowned. “What was that about? Am I different because Zane is a demon?” God, was she going to unravel into a vegetative state overnight? Panic roared the blood through her head, echoing in her ears. “Emma—”
“No. You’re not different—at least not yet.” Emma cleared her throat, having the same expression on her face as when she’d told Janie her pet turtle had died twenty years ago. “Kane left because he thought you and I should talk alone. I mean, it’s girl talk, and I’m your aunt and have been in your life forever. I love you.”
Emma was babbling. Janie stiffened. “What is going on?”
Emma swallowed. “We did a full blood makeup on everybody.”
“I know.” Janie leaned forward. “Did you find something odd in mine?”
“Not odd.” Emma exhaled slowly. “You’re pregnant, Janie.”
Zane stopped himself from knocking on Janie’s front door and instead smoothly slid the heavy oak open. She’d said to make himself at home, and now they’d mated.
He had a mate.
Truth be told, any time in his life he’d ever considered a mate, he’d always seen Janie’s face, but he’d never really believed he’d live long enough to mark her. Suri had been threatening to kill him for so long, he’d figured his fate had been set.
For the first time in so long, he wanted to kick the ass out of fate. The only way to do so was to take out Suri. But surviving his uncle’s death would definitely be a long shot.
Zane stepped inside and closed the door, immediately scenting a delicious aroma. Long strides ate up the distance to the kitchen, where he stopped short.
Janie stirred something in a Crock-Pot, her butt wiggling as she danced to some tune she hummed.
His lips twitched as he recognized the song as “Baby Got Back.”
She stiffened as if sensing him and slowly turned. Still pale, her skin nearly glowed, while those blue eyes that had haunted his dreams for decades shimmered with wisdom. “Hi.”
“Hi.” A quick glance at the table revealed she’d set places for two. He removed the gun at his waistband. Where should he put it? With a shrug, he placed the weapon on top of the fridge. The gun in his boot and the blades hidden along his body would remain in place. “Smells delicious.” He had to stop talking in incomplete sentences, but he wasn’t sure what to say. They’d only been mated a short time and were still actually getting to know each other.
“Thanks.” She smoothed her hands down worn jeans that hugged her delicious hips. “Um, have a seat.” Turning, she dished out two large bowls of what looked like stew.
“Let me help.” He grabbed a platter of biscuits from the counter as well as a bowl of rice. The woman didn’t need to serve him. “It was nice of you to make dinner.” Could he sound any more damn polite?
She grinned and led the way to the table near a wide expanse of windows. “This is awkward.”
Relief brushed through him. “I know. We’ve been friends for years, and I’ve never had trouble talking to you.” He thought she muttered “just wait” under her breath, but when she sat down, her face remained calm.
She’d placed a beer at his place. “It’s Guinness, but I have other kinds.”
“This is great.” He’d rather have a Scotch, but it was nice of her to get him a drink. “Aren’t you having any?” He nodded at her water glass.
“Ah, no.” She took a bite of stew. “I’m fine with water.”
“Okay.” He took a bite of the stew and nearly moaned out loud. The flavors exploded on his tongue. He was starving. Several moments later, he smiled. “You are an amazing cook.”
A smile lit her pretty face. “It’s just stew, but thanks.” Her fingers drummed on the table. “So, I figured we should talk.”
He nodded. “How are you feeling, anyway?”
