Beau looked down at where Liam was sleeping. His sexy mate seemed to do that a lot especially after sex; but then Liam’s animal was a languorous lion, while his was more a highly-strung bird. Despite the force of his orgasm, Beau’s brain was working too fast for him to sleep, and after ensuring all traces of come and lube were cleaned from his mate’s body, he tucked the covers around him, brushed a kiss over his forehead and tiptoed out of the room.

Striding naked through to the guest bedroom, Beau went to the closet and dropped to his knees. Reaching towards the back, he let his fingers run over the floorboards until he found the little lever he was searching for. One click and a foot wide space opened up in the floor. Inside there was a stack of money, a folder containing two new sets of identity papers and two burner phones. Making a mental note to get a set of papers done up for Liam as well, Beau pulled out one of the phones.

It was still in its box, but it was only a matter of minutes before Beau had it opened and plugged into the charger. Fiddling around with a new SIM card took another couple of minutes; more because of the size of Beau’s fingers than anything else, but it wasn’t long before the phone was operational enough for his needs. Opening his wallet, he dug deep behind his driver’s license, the one showing him at a sexy thirty-eight years of age, pulling out a small slip of paper.

To anyone looking at it, the picture depicted on the small four inch by four inch square would seem like a child’s scribble. In fact, it was a scribble Noah doodled when they discussed having a security plan in a pub, decades before. The paper was yellowing around the edges and they’d both been pretty drunk at the time, but as Beau snapped a picture and sent it to his brother’s number from the new phone, he prayed that Noah would remember what it meant.

At the time the plan was devised, mobile phones hadn’t even been invented. The idea was if one brother delivered the picture to the other in any form possible, the recipient would know someone was a threat to them and that the sender needed his brother. Beau trusted Noah was savvy enough to have burner phones of his own.

With nothing left to do but wait for his brother’s reply, Beau went into the kitchen and made himself some tea. Strong coffee was his drink of choice, but just the thought made his stomach churn. Sitting at the small kitchen table, he rubbed his still flat abs, and couldn’t help but grin. Freaking pregnant. I know I should be freaking out, but Liam was right, it’s wow.

He was surprisingly calm about the whole thing; even excited about bringing new life into the world. He’d had his suspicions just after Liam topped him for the first time. His bird spirit kept sending him dreams of a beautiful boy with his eyes and blond curls. His phoenix confirmed his pregnancy on their earlier flight.

Since meeting the Fates, I never thought I’d ever say that in a sentence, Beau instinctively knew that as far as his mating went, things would be okay. Even the thought of a third mate didn’t phase him; it’s what his kind was used to after all. But the fates were right not to push a new mate their way too soon. Despite his agitated state, Beau had been quick to notice Liam struggled to talk about Theo earlier. He renewed his vow to ensure his mate felt special and loved before he got too big to move around much.

His phone vibrating in his hand, pulled him from his daydreams about his new family. Checking the screen, Beau didn’t recognize the number. He accepted the call and simply said, “Yep.”

“You okay?” At the sound of Noah’s hushed voice, Beau’s shoulders relaxed.

“Dad visited today,” Beau said keeping his sentences short. “Something doesn’t add up. You told me he knew I had two male mates. He came here expecting one.”

“I don’t know how he knew you were mated at all. His call surprised the shit out of me.”

“But is your brain starting to work the way mine is?” Even though they were using burner phones, Beau was staying cautious. Who knew what other tracking devices his father was using.

“Yep. I’m outside the office.”

Good. He and Noah were a lot alike. Being rich and successful meant having powerful enemies. Eschewing normal safeguards like security and bodyguards, they still understood the need for a plan.

“Anything else urgent?” Noah asked.

“Enough to know Liam’s in danger. How soon can you get here?”

“It’s just you and him?”

“Yep.” Beau looked down at his stomach. “Well, apart from the little one I’m carrying. Dad was furious about that.”

The silence on the phone went on for so long, Beau thought the call had dropped. Then Beau heard what sounded suspiciously like a sob. “Noah. Fuck. What’s happened?”

“You’re really pregnant?” Noah’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“Yes, and me and Liam are over the moon about it,” Beau added.

“Fuck, bro, so am I. You have no idea the hell I’ve been going through.”

“Tell me.” Beau wished he could reach through the phone and hold his brother close.

“It’s all good, nothing I can’t fix.” Noah sounded more like himself. “You need to take a third. It’s the only way Liam will be protected.”

“It’s in the pipeline. I’ll tell you all about it when you get here.”

“Get some sleep, I’ll be there at first light.” Noah clicked off. Beau stared at the phone for a moment and then shook his head. He wasn’t the type to pry and he trusted his relationship with his brother enough to know when Noah wanted to talk to him, he would.

Taking the phone with him, Beau went into the bedroom. Liam was sprawled out, his face buried in the pillow Beau usually used. Leaving the phone on the bedside table, he crawled under the covers lifting Liam’s arm, so it was resting on him instead. As their bodies touched, Liam immediately moved forward, wrapping himself around Beau like a giant teddy bear. Remember Liam’s cuddly toy collection, Beau grinned as he closed his eyes. None of the toys Liam had back in his old bedroom, could give him a blowjob before breakfast.