Cass rubbed the back of his head, unlit cigarette still dangling from his mouth. “You know, sirens are strong. Bringing them down the first time wasn’t easy.”
I glared at my bestie. “Not you too,” I growled, shoving my foot into a boot.
He blanched, which was hard for a pink-furred creature. “What? You said you wanted this baby, so now I’m trying to keep you safe.”
After getting my boots on, I searched the room for my gun and badge. Hunter law dictated my badge needed to be in full view for the perp when we brought her down, but I couldn’t find it.
“I’m fine,” I answered distractedly, while I searched. “I’m better than fine. I’m juiced up on alpha blood, and I feel amazing. Baby shit costs money. I need this gig, so we’re going. I’m pregnant, not handicapped.”
Hell, even if I were handicapped it wouldn’t keep me from hunting. Carl down at the academy had only one leg and he’d brought down more perps than I could count.
Cass looked like he wanted to argue. Considering my pants were nearly hanging off my usually round ass, I knew why, but I needed this. And not just for the money. I needed to prove I wasn’t some frail knocked-up chick.
Cass finally stood, rubbing his belly with his free hand. “Alright, but if you don’t feel well, we leave. And I’ll be the one to take her down, you only cuff her.”
“Deal.” I still had Gran’s potions. I could take this bitch down, no problem, but if Cass wanted her, I’d allow it.
I stood with renewed strength. I wasn’t going to be a minivan mom. I was going to be a badass bounty hunting mom.
Swinging the door wide, ready to take on this siren, I came face to face with Brock.
“Going somewhere?” His arms were crossed, as he barred the door like a security guard.
I swallowed hard. He looked hot as fuck like that, his bicep muscles bulging.
“Yeah, we got a tip,” I answered, in the cheeriest voice I could manage. “I’m feeling better, so we’re going to follow up on it.”
His eyebrows hit his hairline. “A tip? You’re going out to work? Now?” He checked his watch as if I had a curfew.
Okay, clearly this was going to take some finessing.
Cass squeezed against my leg and slipped out into the hallway. “Going to smoke. Meet you at the Jeep.”
“You can’t smoke around her!” Brock called after him.
Cass’ middle finger shot up into the air, and I grinned. “I know that, Alpha!” he barked.
I chuckled, I couldn’t help it.
I knew from my studies at the academy, and past relationships, that werewolves needed to be dealt with delicately, so I laid a tender hand on the wolf’s bicep. “Brock, I feel amazing. The blood thing is working. The baby is a healthy little ball of cells. My life is going to go on as normal until I’m too fat to run. Then I’m going to kick up my shoes, watch Netflix all day, and make you bring me food until I push us out a baby…”
He grinned.
“Butuntil that day, I need normal, or I’m going to lose my shit. Understood?”
Reaching up, he grabbed the scruff around his jaw and gave it a rub. Damn, he was sexy. I was going to have to figure out that whole situation soon. This guy was about to be in my life for the next… forever. I didn’t want to complicate it.
“Can I come with you? Make sure you’re safe?” he asked.
Hah! I tried not to laugh. “A giant alpha werewolf, come with me to a vampire seethe? Are you drunk?”
He didn’t like that. A low growl loosed from his throat as he puffed out his chest. “Fine. Then I’m sending two of my guys to tail you.”
“Fine.” I crossed my arms. “And I’ll need my badge and my gun.”
His jaw twitched. “Maybe we should double check with Sab—”
“Brock.” My voice was firm. This was our showdown. He was going to give me my badge and gun, and let me go back to work or hell would rain down on his life.
