Craig took his plate from the microwave when it beeped and stood at the island across from Tabitha. Instead of eating, he pushed the food around. “I can’t get in touch with Daniel.”
“Craig, what did you not understand about not contacting anyone?”
“What I understand is that he could be in trouble. If he’s left to his own devices…” Craig caught himself before telling Tabitha about his brother. “I thought that’s why you gave me a burner phone so it would be safe.”
“Who else have you called?”
“My wife.”
When he didn’t continue, Tabitha said, “Craig, we know about your past. We also signed NDAs, so anything you say will stay between us.”
Craig pushed his plate away just as Major joined them. “My father. I’ve called him too. When he sent us to the States, it was my responsibility to look after Daniel, even though he’s older. I went to college, and Daniel drank and did drugs. I got signed on to a modeling career, and he lived off my earnings. I became an actor, and I ‘hired’ him as my manager, hoping it would give him something to focus on besides partying all the time. Things settled down after that, but then I met Olivia. She can’t stand Daniel or the way he uses me, and I get that, but he’s still my brother. If I’m not working on a movie, I don’t see him. If I don’t see him, I can’t keep an eye on him.” Craig took a sip of coffee, then twisted the cup between his hands when he continued.
“I have no idea if he got Carmen pregnant. I have no idea if he pretended to be me when he did so. DNA will show I’m not the father, but if he is the father, it’ll also show some familial similarities, so I’m not sure how much good this will do. Cabretti will still be after me to get to the truth, won’t he?”
Major took the stool next to Tabitha’s and leaned his forearms on the counter. “At what point is Daniel to be held accountable for his actions? How long are you expected to be your brother’s keeper?”
Craig’s shoulders hunched, making him appear like a lost soul instead of the normally cocky man. “According to my father, until I’m dead.” Craig took the plate to the garbage can and scraped the food off. He put the plate in the dishwasher and retreated to his room without another word.
Tabitha propped her elbow on the bar and settled her cheek on her palm. “Damn, no wonder he’s an ass. I don’t understand why Craig is responsible for Daniel when Daniel’s the troublemaker.”
Major reached for Tabitha’s free hand and slotted their fingers. “Well, we don’t know their family dynamics outside of what we’ve seen and what Craig told us. I can’t imagine the pressure of being a royal.”
“Sure, you can. Sebastian is King. So is Tamian, and Harlow’s a princess.”
Major tugged Tabitha’s hand, pulling her off her stool and onto his lap. “I forget that makes you royalty too.”
Tabitha huffed a laugh. “Only slightly. But you’ve met Rafael. He and Kaya didn’t rule the Gargoyles with a heavy hand. Everyone was treated as family. I don’t think there’s anything Bas or Seven could have done forRafael to send them to a different country to save face.”
“I get what you’re saying, but maybe it’s because they’re human royalty. We’ve seen how politics plays a big part in the way people act. The history books are rife with horrific stories of presidents and monarchies causing dissention just to keep their own necks safe. Humans could learn from the way shifters govern their own.”
“Maybe some of them. The polar bears in Alaska weren’t any better than humans. Just ask Lydia’s mate, Beck.”
Major nuzzled Tabitha’s neck, and she angled her head to give him better access. He scraped his teeth against her skin. She was ready to drag him to their bedroom. Instead, she climbed off his lap and put some space between them. “I guess we’re on cooking duty.” She went to the fridge and perused the contents, making a mental note of what they could fix with the groceries Mateo brought. When she opened the freezer, she noted frozen meat that gave them even more time before having to go to the store.
“Yeah, but then Craig will know we can cook.”
Tabitha closed the door and shrugged. “True, but we have to eat.” She walked to the other side of the island so he couldn’t tempt her more than he already was. “So, Mr. Lazlo, where are we going to live?”
Major reached across the counter, his palm up. Tabitha placed hers on his, and he tangled their fingers together. “How about we split our time between the two cities? Marshall can watch after the demons for now. I know you want to be close to Anthony since he just found Elle.”
“I knew I loved you for more than your good looks,”she joked.
Major’s eyes widened, and Tabitha thought about what she said.Love.She didn’t take it back though. He was her fated mate, so of course she loved him. Major released her hand and hopped off his stool. Tabitha braced herself, but Major went to the back door and looked out.
“Do you hear that?”
Tabitha joined him and used her Goyle’s senses to listen. “That buzzing?”
“Yeah. Stay here.” Major exited the back door, and he stopped in the middle of the courtyard, looking up. After a few seconds, he took off running toward the trees. Tabitha wanted to join him, but she remained tucked away, trusting her mate to take care of things. A few minutes later, a large Eagle with red wings swooped down from the sky with a drone clutched in its talons. He dropped it on the ground, and fire burst from his wings. The Eagle opened his beak, and as much as Tabitha wanted to see him blast the drone, she knew they shouldn’t.
“Don’t do it,” Tabitha warned.
Major turned his majestic head her way, squawking once, then pecked at the drone until it was in pieces. He let out three high-pitched whistles and took flight. She would never tire of seeing him in his animal forms. During their weekend together, he had shifted to both his Eagle and Lion. His Gryphon was too large for his house, so she had yet to see it, but she knew it would be magnificent. It really wasn’t fair that she didn’t have any special abilities being a female Goyle other than a long lifespan. At least that was something she could share with him once they were fully mated. Instead of living a couple hundred years, he would live closer to a thousand.
Twenty minutes later, Major stalked out of the trees. Tabitha met him outside so Craig wouldn’t overhear their conversation should he emerge from hiding. Theair was brisk, tossing her loose tendrils of hair about her face. She didn’t bother trying to corral them. “This is supposed to be a no-fly zone for drones.”
“I think the barrier is still working because the drone was quite a ways away. It was hovering in a spot over the far tree line. There was nothing below for it to be focused on. While it might have been innocent enough, I wasn’t taking any chances.”
