“As good as she is at poker, she’s even better at shooting pool,” Gregor praised. Tabitha was good too, having learned from one of the best, but she was nowhere near as good as her mother. Tessa could make a month’s salary from one night in a pool hall.
Daniel stood. “Can someone show me which room is mine? I’d like to turn in.”
“I will.” Tabitha led him to one of the empty bedrooms and bade him goodnight. When she returned to the den, Tessa and Gregor had cleaned up the poker chips and their empties.
Gregor wrapped Tabitha in a hug, brushing a kiss to her hair. “You two turn in. Your mom and I are going to sit by the fire and keep watch.”
“Where’s Zane?”
“He’s getting some shuteye.”
Major shook Gregor’s hand, told Tessa goodnight, then took Tabitha’s hand and led her to her bedroom. He closed and locked the door, not pretending he was going to sleep anywhere else. At some point during the day, he had moved his toiletries into her bathroom, so they brushed their teeth together. Once they had changed into sleep clothes – her in one of his T-shirts and panties, him in his briefs – they slid under the covers where he held her close.
“I’m not having sex with your dad in the next room,” Major whispered against her ear.
Tabitha nuzzled his bare chest. “You think I haven’t heard them going at it more times than I can count over the years?”
“Same. Not your parents, but mine. Still…”
“I get it. Though if we did, my mother would high-five me in the morning. She’s a nut.”
Major ran his hand under her shirt and slid his fingers down the back of her panties, palming her ass cheek, and leaving it there. If she moved a fraction, his fingers would make their way to her happy place, but since they were not having sex, Tabitha remained still. Sex with her mate was out of this world spectacular, but snuggling was good too. His heartbeat was strong under her cheek, and her Goyle rumbled in contentment. Major’s Gryphon purred in return.
After a few minutes, Tabitha broke the silence. “I feel sorry for Daniel. I can’t imagine losing as much as he has. I don’t blame him for going off the rails. That’s a lot for one person to go through.”
“It is, but it sounds like he’s in a better place now. Getting away from Craig will be good for him. He’ll be able to find himself without Craig’s notoriety overshadowing him.”
Tabitha pressed a kiss to Major’s chest before settling in. “Sing for me.” Major didn’t have the best voice in the world, but it was soothing when he chose his favorite love song.
She hadn’t been asleep long when Major shook Tabitha’s shoulder. “Wake up, Sweetness. Something’s going on outside.”
Tabitha threw the covers back and rolled to her feet. Major, who was already dressed, tossed her jeans to her. She slipped them on before removing his tee so she could put on a bra. She wasn’t fighting with her boobs swinging. Once clothed, they rushed through the house to find Tessa standing in the middle of the living room with a sword in her hand.
“What’s going on?” Tabitha asked as she calledforth her own weapon from the bracelets on her arm. She chose two short swords.
“A helicopter keeps flying over the manor. Your father and Zane are outside. He’s already called Mason, and I’ve alerted the Trio.”
“I’m going to patrol in my Eagle and see if there’s anyone lurking on the ground.” Major took off through the back of the house.
“Get our guests in the saferoom,” Gregor called from outside.
Tabitha went to Craig’s room first since it was closest. She returned her weapons to her bracelets, then knocked on the door and pushed it open. “Craig, I need you to come with me.”
“What’s going on?” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
“A helicopter is flying around. We’re taking precautions.”
When Craig stood, he grabbed his pants and pulled them on. He followed Tabitha down the hallway to where she woke Daniel. He didn’t question her, just followed quietly. She led them to the panic room. “Hopefully it’s nothing, but wait in here, just in case.”
Once they were inside, she closed the door behind them, and the locks clicked in place. Tabitha detoured to her room and removed her handgun from the closet where she’d stowed it the first night. Mason had given it to her after hers had been taken in the homicide investigation. When she returned to her mom, Tessa grinned. “You look good as a badass.”
Tabitha rolled her eyes. Looking good was one thing, but taking on the bad guys was what she’d trained her whole life for. So was protecting those she loved, and right then, two of the most important men inher life were outside facing an unknown threat. Gregor was a Goyle, so she wasn’t worried about him, but Major was vulnerable, and Tabitha didn’t like it one bit.
Her phone rang. Considering the early hour and the helicopter flying around, it couldn’t be good.
“Carleigh?”
“Oh good, you’re awake. We have a problem.”
