“I’m fairly sure I’ll be able to shift.”
“Do it,” Saber said.“You’ll heal quicker.”
“Not until I speak with Betrys.”
“Are you playing her?”
“What?No!”His denial was an explosion of sound.“It started out that way.You know it did.But once I learned about her son—hell—before that I started to like her.She’s done the best she could to keep her and her son alive.I thought about her situation, and once I decided I would’ve done the same thing, some of my anger faded.”
“Some?”
“If I come face-to-face with Iseult, I’ll be tempted to attack first and ask questions later.”
The door opened and Betrys glided into the room.
“How did it go?”Saber asked.
“She thought it was a good idea and wants me to arrange the meeting for tomorrow.She doesn’t look well.”
“Don’t feel sorry for her,” Leo snapped.
“I don’t.She told me I was here to work, not sleep with the merchandise.Then she implied I was ugly and the man who slept with me needed glasses.”
“Bitch,” Leo said.
“I’m not beautiful.”Betrys sounded neutral.
Damn.She was thinking too hard and coming up with the wrong answers.If only they’d had more privacy.He sighed.“Saber heard from the twins.They’ve reconnoitered and intend to snatch your son tonight.They’ll contact us as soon as they have him safe.”
Betrys nodded, and when he went to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, she stiffened and moved away.
“I’ll arrange five men to see Iseult and explain the circumstances,” Saber said.“Scarlett hasn’t heard back from her contact yet, so we wait.”
“I don’t need to report back to Iseult until dinner hour tonight.Can I have a list by then?”
“I’ll have it ready for you this afternoon.Leo, why don’t you take Betrys to our private beach?I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare a picnic basket for you.”
Relief shot through Leo.Time alone was what they needed.“Make sure we’re not interrupted unless it’s an emergency.”
Saber grinned, and Leo realized his big brother was doing a lot of that lately.Mating with Eva had brought happiness to his brother’s life, and it was rubbing off on all of them.The opportunities their people had now, due to the new businesses Eva and Casey had started, made everyone happier and more settled.They’d even started trading with the Froggish people who lived deep in the jungle, a few days’ trek inland.
“I should stay at the resort and speak with the staff,” Betrys said.
A stubborn woman and a silly one, if she thought he intended to walk away.He was capable of deciding on the woman he’d like as a mate, and physical appearance meant nothing to him.People had judged him all his life on his looks instead of trying to see the man beneath the good genes.He, better than anyone, knew appearances didn’t mean a damn.Pretty and attractive faces didn’t make the person good.Often, it made them selfish and self-centered, and they were qualities he refused to have in his mate.
“No, I want to—need to get out of these rooms before I go crazy.Someone should stay with me in case I have a problem.”
Saber came to his rescue by adding his support.“Would you go with Leo, please, Betrys?I need to speak with my employees and monitor Iseult.From what we’ve learned, I think she’ll stay holed up in her room, but I intend to place a couple of guards on her bungalow.I need to organize that too.If we hear anything further from Sly and Joe, I’ll contact you.Take your com-circle with you.”
“All right,” Betrys said after a long pause.“I’ll babysit Leo.”
Leo bit his tongue, but his big brother laughed under his breath.Betrys never registered, but Leo’s feline senses heard just fine.He shot a warning at Saber and received a wink in return.
“I’ll meet you here late afternoon,” Saber said.
“Can you give me brief details of their physical appearance too?Iseult will ask.She’s rather particular in that way.”
“What type of man does she prefer?”
