I HAD PUT ON MY armor today with care. My heels were my highest, adding five inches to my height. My killer outfit was Calvin Klein skinny black jeans, my best push-up bra with my Hell Bunny fitted classic blue fifties style top. My hair was straightened to perfection and my make-up was flawless.
Ignoring the whistles as I walked into the school with a tense Arron on Monday, I calmed my nerves by breathing deeply. I was sure that when I made it into the office I’d find at least one Silverman. There’s no way a family hounded you all weekend and didn’t leave you alone at the one place they had access to you.
Arron’s fingers gripped my arm as we walked through the office door and they tightened as I saw a group of people that I just knew were the cursed Silverman. “Oh for fuck’s sake,” I muttered. There wasn’t just one or two of them. There were frigging seven.
The big giant I’d met at the hospital was there. He was hard to miss. He was huge and stood out like a sore thumb. Ryder. I’d learned his name from Kyle, one of the guys that manned the gate this weekend. I could have looked into them on the internet, but I didn’t want to know anything more than I did about the Silverman family. I had no intention of seeing them or having anything to do with any of them again. Unfortunately, I wasn’t that lucky and they obviously didn’t get the hint from me ignoring them on the weekend. The dipshit kids that started all this shit were there along with two older women and men. What looked to be bodyguards covered the windows and exits of the office and I had the urge to turn and run. Holy crap. Who the hell did these people think they were that they needed this much security? It was a damn school for Christ’s sake.
The older lady, dressed in what I considered older people’s designer wear, stepped forward. She eyed me up and down and raised her eyebrow. She seemed to be fighting a smile. I learned thanks to my father to watch for even the slightest movements or emotion. He wasn’t one to show any.
“Miss Stamon?” Her eyebrow fell when I nodded. “You’re a hard woman to get in contact with.” I still didn’t say anything, waiting for her to continue. “I believe my son Andrew, and nephew Oakley, owe you an apology.” She huffed a very delicate sound. She held out her hand. “I’m Gillian, Andrew’s mother. I would like to personally say I don’t condone my son’s behavior and he’s being punished for it. We Silvermans would like to personally apologize.”
I shook her hand. “Thank you.”
The two dipshit kids stepped forward and both apologized. I just bet the cocky one who tried to give me a hug was Gillian’s son Andrew. I spun when I heard a growling noise when the little shit got close to me and saw Ryder glaring at his nephew.
Even after the apologies the Silvermans stood around, still staring at me and Arron. I wasn’t sure what else they wanted me to say or do. There was no way I was going to get Arron to apologize, not when he only did what he did to protect me. So I pasted a fake smile on my face and thanked them again, making sure I caught all the Silvermans’ gazes, bar the big guy, Ryder. “Well, thanks. Now all that’s done, if you’ll excuse us, we’ll get out of your way.”
I gripped Arron’s hand in mine and tried to go around the group to the office ladies, who I noticed had watched the whole scene with interest. It was Gillian’s delicate cleared throat and, “I beg your pardon.” That had me stopping and turning back to the Silvermans.
These people were really starting to annoy me. Narrowing my gaze, I glared at Gillian. “You are pardoned.”
Gillian’s gasp wasn’t delicate and I couldn’t hold back my small giggle when I heard a deep chuckle, and I just knew it was Ryder. My giggle stopped though and a shiver ran through me when, in that same deep voice, I heard, “That’s my woman. Mine.”
Holy crap, that deep voice was dangerous. My pussy pulsed and I hoped my face wasn’t red.
The other woman stepped forward, a huge smile on her face, and she beamed at me like I was the Goddamn sun. “Oh, you don’t know how long I’ve waited to meet you!”
What the hell? “Um, well, I don’t think a weekend is that long to wait.” I shrugged, but maybe for rich people it was like, forever. “Look, I forgive everything. Arron is going to get transferred to another school, so nothing like this can happen again and we won’t have to have any issues, or meet, again.”
Ryder growled, “No. Mine.” His arms wrapped around me and on instinct my years of training kicked in. I stomped down on his foot trying not to think of how this was wrecking my shoes, elbowed his rock-hard stomach and spun and kicked him in the family jewels.
The two teens that apologized broke out into hysterical laughter. “Oh, man. I love this woman,” howled Andrew.
“Bro, she got you good,” the other said.
Arron huffed and came to stand in front of me blocking my view. “You all need to stay the hell away from us.”
My elbow was killing me and I was so angry because my gorgeous shoes were ruined. I’d stomped so hard the heel was loose. Moving back around I glared at the idiot who touched me and was now clutching his nuts. “You fucking arse. You are replacing these shoes. They’re a favorite.”
Chuckles and giggles were mixed through the Silverman group.
Gillian sniffed. “I like her, Ryder. Good luck.” With that I watched her link her arm with the older man that looked like Andrew and walk by Arron and me. She stopped at the exit door. “Go to class now, Andrew and remember you’re already on restrictions. Don’t make them worse.”
Andrew groaned and left towards the classrooms.
“Oakley, go too, please,” said the woman who said she’d been waiting to meet me. The woman turned back to me and beamed at me again. “I’m Oakley and Ryder’s mother, Carol. You can call me Mum, or Mother.”
Oh. My. God. This woman was crazy. I was starting to think the whole family was all a little loopy. “Ah, er, thanks Mrs. Silverman.”
Carol sighed, looked down at her oldest son who still looked in pain from my blow to the groin. “Good luck with this one. She’s a tough one.” She held the hand of the other older man and walked to the exit. She stopped by Ryder and rubbed his back “Are you sure you still don’t need any security detail?” Ryder’s nodded groan pleased her enough to keep moving.
I gazed around the room now to see all the bodyguards gone. Ryder was staring at me warily, but he couldn’t hide the interest that shone in his eyes. I needed to ignore him. Turning from Ryder, I went over to the office ladies. “Show’s over now. I’d like to get my brother’s paperwork so I can organize a transfer for him.”
She was a little vixen. I knew I had a stupid grin on my face. My soulmate was going to be fun. She was a feisty little thing and had a mouth on her like a trucker. The high heels she wore added some decent height, but she was still a lot shorter than me. Without her shoes on she wouldn’t even come to my shoulders.
I liked that she had fire. That she tried to fight our chemistry. She had her back turned talking to the office ladies. My groin was still aching, but I’d suffer through it. I wasn’t going to leave without her. If I had to use my handcuffs on her I would. I was barely holding on by a thread, my caveman instinct was riding me hard. Her attack had caught me off guard. I trained, and even taught self-defense, so I knew how to get out of her hold. Now I knew she knew how to defend herself, I would be more careful on my next approach.
Palming my cuffs in my hand, I slowly went up behind her while she was distracted by the office ladies. My woman was tough and I knew she wouldn’t come with me unless I fought dirty. Easing the cuffs down I hooked one onto myself and the other around her wrist. It didn’t take her long to freak, she spun and opened her mouth but I beat her to it before she could get a word out. “You’re under arrest for assaulting an officer of the law.”
“Mother fucker,” she growled and tugged at her arm. “You’re not on duty, wanker.”
Leaning down I whispered in her ear, “Oh, my little vixen, I’m always on duty.” I kissed her neck and her body relaxed against me for a moment before she seemed to realize what she’d done and grunted and pushed herself away turning to glare at me. I already really liked my mate. “Are you going to come willingly and quietly?”
“Fuck no,” she hissed.
Out the corner of my eyes I saw Divinity’s brother, Arron, about to attack. “I wouldn’t do that kid. Not unless you want to be in a shit loud of trouble. I promise that your sister will not be hurt.”
The kid hesitated and looked from me to his sister. He took a step towards Divinity shaking his head and I raised my eyebrow. “I can’t leave my sister with you. I’m more scared of her than you.”
Glancing at my vixen she sent a smug grin my way before giving her brother an approving nod. The chuckle that escaped my lips turned into a deep belly laugh when my feisty woman went to attack me, but this time I was ready for her and blocked her. Holding my struggling woman against me I glared at the brother. “Do I call for back-up, or will you be a good boy and go to class? I promise you’ll see your sister this afternoon.”
This time Arron seemed to actually consider what I said. Divinity pounded on my chest and my feet avoided hers in the dangerous heels. I covered her mouth with my hand and she attempted to bite it.
Arron looked around him and saw no one was willing to intervene or help him. Sure, they were all watching, but they knew never to mess with a Silverman. “Fine.” Arron threw his hands up. “I know I’m going to regret this. But I’m telling you now if you hurt her, you’ll not just have me to answer to, but our father and a lot of Army men.” The kid gave me a glare that was pretty scary, but I’d seen much better in my line of work.
Not bothering to reply I gave him a nod, gathered up my wild woman and left the school office building. As soon as my hand left Divinity’s mouth the obscene langue started. By the time I reached my car, even I was impressed with some of the curse words she called me but, I’d never admit it, I was going to have to look up what some even meant. What the hell was a fuck Muppet? Or her telling me I’m a cactus?
Opening the passenger door and avoiding her body parts as she attacked me, I took the cuff hooked to me off and secured it to the door. I didn’t even try to put her in the car. I knew she wouldn’t get in yet. So I went around to the driver side and got in, put my keys in the ignition and waited.
“If you think for one-minute fucktard that I’m willingly getting in this car, you’re dumb as dog shit.”
I started the car, and she squealed when I put the car into gear and glanced over at her. I crept forward, careful not to go too fast. She got her arse in the car though, quick smart. I sped up as she closed the door.
She leaned over and punched my arm. “You’re really a wanker. You know that, right?”
“You have quite the mouth on you, don’t ya?”
“So what if I do? I don’t know what my anything has to do with you.”
“Oh, my little vixen, everything of yours has to do with me. Because you’re mine.”
The snort was very unladylike, not that any of her behavior so far had been, but the hysterical laugh that came after the snort became my favorite sound in the world.
“Oh. My. God. You’re fucking hilarious. Are you on something?” she wheezed out between fits of laughter. “Why on earth would you say shit like that?”
“I’m not on anything. I said it because it’s true. You, Divinity Stamon, are my soulmate. The perfect woman for me.”
“Ha, you really are a fuck Muppet. I’m not your soulmate. Trust me when I say you wouldn’t want me to be.” She sighed and was quiet for a moment or two. “Where are you taking me, ‘cause we’ve passed at least one police station and I have a feeling you’ve got a few loose screws.” I could feel her gaze on me as she seemed to access me. “You’re big. Well, I know a lot of big guys, and most are just brawn and nothing upstairs. I’m starting to think you fall in that category.” I growled at the idea of her knowing any men. “I do have to be at work in like an hour and half or so. I told my boss I’d be late as I had stuff with Arron to sort out and she said take an extra couple of hours or so. Um, before work I have to go home and change my shoes. These are not working-all-day–on-my-feet shoes. These are take-no-crap-from-anyone-while-being-super-tall shoes.”
“Those shoes have some power,” I muttered.
I didn’t need to turn to feel her glare on me. “Why yes, they do.” She huffed. “Are you gonna answer about where the hell you’re taking me?”
“I’m taking you to my place. Our home.”
“I hope you know that that kind of talk doesn’t calm my fears about you being sane. I’m sure what you’re doing falls under like, false arrest, or some such shit. So really, you’re like, kidnapping me, and you should be the one arrested.”
I waited a moment for the, ha, I was sure would follow, but didn’t, then shot a smirk at her. “It’s good to be a cop and a Silverman. So many privileges.” I gave an exaggerated sigh and enjoyed the squeal of pure frustrated anger from Divinity. Holding in my chuckle, I turned down my street and leaned down to get the remote to open the gates, pressed it, and drove through. Shutting the gates, I didn’t bother parking in the garage. We both had to be at work. I wanted to show her her new home and explain what was going to happen.
Getting out of the car I went around to her side. She’d opened the door and stood awkwardly, still connected to the car by the cuffs. Standing just out of reach, I drank her in. She really was a little thing, but with curves in all the right places. Her black hair finished at her very fine arse. Her make-up was flawless and finished her outfit perfectly. She was beyond gorgeous. I knew she was going to be trouble with a capital T.
“If I come closer and undo the cuffs do you promise not to attack me?”
“No. I promise nothing.” She tilted her head up.
“I’m not letting you free until I get a promise from you. I’d like to say I have all day to wait on you to agree, but not only do you have work, I do, too.” I held up my hands in surrender and took a small step towards her. “I promise I won’t hurt you. All I want to do is show you the house and explain what is going on. I promise I’ll take you to work after. I’ll even talk to your boss if you’d like so you don’t get in trouble.”
She glanced down at her cuffed hand and then back at me studying me with shrewd scrutiny. “Okay. I won’t attack you.”
She didn’t promise, but from what I’d learned so far of my mate, she didn’t promise something unless she meant it. Slowly, I approached Divinity and undid her cuff. As soon as she was free she bolted as best she could for the front door. I was impressed with how good she was in the heels.
The door was locked. The momentary look of defeat that flashed over her face had my heart sinking. This wasn’t what I wanted. I hadn’t wanted to be like my cousins and uncle and scare my mate. I’d wanted to try and be a bit more rational. I didn’t want to resort to kidnapping and I hoped that because I was taking her to work in an hour or so that it wouldn’t count.
Going to the door I flashed a smile at her and told her the security code. “I’ll also give you a key once we get inside,” I added.
Divinity didn’t say anything. She pushed past me when the door opened and I followed behind her. “It’s not what I expected,” she muttered.
“What did you expect?”
She jumped, seeming surprised I was so closely following her. She shrugged. “It’s actually quite homey. I expected something this extravagant to be…I don’t know, well, a show home really. All whites and browns. Bland and…” she eyed me up and down. “Manly.”
Puffing my chest out, I winked at her. “It’s manly.”
The smile that spread over her face for a moment turned her from gorgeous to breathtakingly beautiful. “Oh, you look manly, but your home has been decorated to be a home. I like what I’m seeing. Whoever did this, has good taste.”
“It’s our house.”
Her smile disappeared and she sighed. “And there is the crazy.” She walked down the hall past the lounge room and kitchen out to the rumpus room and sat on the couch that looked over the beach. “Come on. Let’s get this talk out of the way so I can get back to my real life.”
I went to sit next to her, but she pointed to the recliner. Sitting down on it I leaned forward and took a deep breath in and tried to think of how to start the explanation for everything that was between us without sounding crazy. “Before I start this, I want you admit something.”
She rolled her eyes and groaned, “Fine. If agreeing to something will move this along, then tell me what you want me to admit.”
“You feel it. The spark between us.”
Divinity wriggled back into the seat, closed her eyes and sighed loudly. After a moment or two she massaged her forehead. Her eyes popped open and she crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. She was adorable. “I’ll admit I feel something for you. Annoyance. Displeasure. And, oh I don’t know, anger. I’m not sure about a spark, but maybe my desire to Taser you ninety percent of the time is coming through our connection you ‘feel’ we have.”
She was witty and such a smart arse. I was loving that she wasn’t scared of me. She didn’t give a rat’s arse about who I was or who my family was, and I loved it. My smile since taking her felt like a permanent fixture. “See, you’re not scared ether. I’ve kidnapped you and don’t you find it strange that you’re not scared or terrified?”
I watched as she realized what I was saying was true. Right now, she was vulnerable and should be scared out of her mind, but she was still bossy and sassy. Her eyes scanned me before looking at her surrounding and then coming back to me. After a while I saw the realization that something wasn’t right come over her. She uncrossed her arms and threw them up in the air. “Oh all right, you’ve made your frigging point. Tell me now what the hell is fucking going on.”
Yes, I had her. Now to convince her of the curse and try not to have her think I’d lost my Goddamn marbles. Relaxing back into my seat, I started at the beginning.
Ryder had a few screws loose. He’d just spent a good fifteen minutes telling me about his family back in the ‘old country’ helping a group of gypsies and them repaying the Silverman family by giving them the gift to know who their soulmate is. But, supposedly the curse is a double-edged sword, because when a Silverman finds his mate, he becomes, for the best explanation, a possessive caveman. I really wasn’t finding his story very realistic, or if it was real, anything I wanted to be involved with. I had enough alpha men in my life, thank you very much, there was no way I was going to add anymore. Ryder may be hot with a capital H, but not only was he a lunatic, he was way too alpha for me. I liked my men without that gene.
The men I’d been involved with before, were easy going, under six feet, of smaller build, and they definitely didn’t have muscles like Ryder. Or tats. Actually, none of the guys I’ve been on a date with had any tattoos that were visible or I knew about. It wasn’t that I didn’t like tats, I’d just never been with a man who’d had them. Err, not that I’d been with many men at all. Ryder’s tats were had to miss. He’d have to wear a long sleeve turtle neck and long pants to cover his up.
Staring at Ryder, I tried to take in everything he’d told me. As my mind was processing, my gaze devoured the gorgeous man sitting across from me. It was a pity I didn’t like my men all ‘He-man alpha,’ because, Ryder was a very yummy specimen. His head was almost shaved, expect for the dark stubble like growth. He looked as if he hadn’t shaved his face in a day or two with the dark five o’clock shadow. His eyes were the most intense dark green I’d ever seen. His cheeks were high and his jaw square. He was huge, all muscle, but in proportion to his six foot something height. He was the picture-perfect example of masculine beauty.
I shook my head trying to expel those thoughts. I knew that Ryder was going to be trouble. He was going to be a weakness.
“Okay, so I’m your ‘soul mate’ because of some gift gypsies gave your family. Riiiggghtttt. You’ve explained. Can you now take me home so I can change for work?”
“For fuck’s sake. You think I’m crazy? I know that tone.” He ran his hand over his head.
Oh, I totally thought he was looney, but I didn’t have time to debate or talk to him more about his crazy explanation. I needed to get to work. I was already a couple of hours late. Work had been amazing about the trouble with my brother, but I didn’t want to push my luck. Ignoring his question, I asked my own. “Are you going to keep your word? You said you’d take me home once you explained.”
Ryder stood and paced back and forth in front of me. For some strange reason, I wasn’t scared of him, but I wasn’t an idiot so I knew to wait and watch him. To stay cautious. I knew about the Silverman family, but I didn’t know them. A growl sounded from him and he threw up his hands. “Fine. I’ll take you home to change your shoes.” His gaze narrowed. “I’m picking you up from work.”
“Ah, no. I’m driving to work and getting my own arse home tonight.” I was done with all this. I was done with Silvermans. Walking towards the front door, I hoped he’d get the hint that I was done. I’d listened to him and I hadn’t attacked him. I needed time to think and Ryder just added more confusion and questions when I was around him.
I didn’t get far before his strong arms circled my waist and flung me over his shoulder. His hand came down on my arse and I growled when he squeezed. Oh yeah, I was so done with Ryder. I could never be with an alpha man like Ryder. He would drive me insane.
Divinity was trouble. I didn’t want to make the mistakes my cousins and uncle made by kidnapping their mates. I wanted Divinity to know I would support what she wanted and not just jump in and take control of her or her choices. I wanted to become a part of her soul, become an extension to what and who she was. I wanted her to move in with me but I still wanted her to work if she chose to and still see her family and friends. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to become her whole world, but I also understood that she needed to still be the person she was. She was different though, not something I have ever had to deal with when it came to women. I wasn’t sure how I was going to, not only handle explaining this to her, but handle her in general.
I didn’t get my way, which was unusual for me. I wasn’t picking Divinity up from work. She was shifty. I should have known with how the Silverman name meant nothing to the Army. I wasn’t allowed onto the base. I’d taken Divinity there assuming I’d go with her to her house when she changed her shoes, but I wasn’t given access in. They’d known me at the gate entry and they weren’t impressed with my last name. Divinity enjoyed how they treated me and as she got in a golf cart she yelled in a singsong voice, “Sucker. Good luck, next time Silverman. I hope I don’t have the pleasure to see you again.”
I hated to admit it, but I did have a begrudging respect for my soulmate. She was cheeky. I was eager to see my woman again, but I intended to give her a night or two before I came at her again.
Work wasn’t happy with me. I had been slacking since I found Divinity. I was supposed to be working on the new drugs that were killing people. I had to go into work and pick up my occasional partner Holden. I usually worked alone because I didn’t work well with a partner, or so my boss told me. But some projects I needed a partner and Holden was one of the men I got on with. If they made me take a partner permanently, I could take Holden without issue. I knew on this case I was going need help, especially when my morning calls had been about more people overdosing. It was time to go speak to the biker gang, The Devil’s Queens. They were well known for their dealings with drugs, and they were definitely not a fan of my family. I needed back up if I had to talk to them and with so many people dying I knew I couldn’t put it off.
Holden waited for me outside of the precinct. I left my car at work and got in with him. We drove towards The Devil’s Queens club house, stopped a couple of blocks away and put on our bullet proof vests and all our safety equipment. The Devil’s Queens despised my family and had shot at me and my family members, so I wasn’t taking chances of not covering myself. Jade, my cousin’s wife, had put away some of their members and another cousin had put away even more. The Devil’s Queens were the reason why my cousins still had so much security.
“I do love that there are people out there that don’t fall at the Silvermans’ feet.” Holden chuckled.
I shot a glare at the middle-aged man, who was supposed to be a friend. He knew I wanted to go into the club house about as much as I wanted to walk on fire. The club house was in the warehouse district and surrounded by a huge fence. Security cameras were visible and I knew that the bikers already knew Holden and I were coming. I wasn’t an idiot. The bikers had insiders in the force feeding them police information.
The acting president, Jericho, came out and greeted us at the gate. Jade’s and Bailey’s testimony had put the previous president and a bunch of other club members in jail.
“Silverman. You’re not very smart coming here. You have a death wish?”
I couldn’t show fear. They would eat me alive if I did. I was heading into a lion’s den, walking towards people who had tried to kill members of my family. I had my vest on, but a shot to the head would end me. I could feel eyes on me and had no doubt that someone had a weapon trained on me. Firearms were illegal in Australia for civilians, but there was a black market. I had a gun that was registered for my job. I also had a police issued weapon, but I handed that one in with each end of my shift.
Holden nudged my side and I knew he felt the weapons on us too. It was also his way of telling me we weren’t going any further.
Raising my brow, I smirked at Jericho. I’d dealt with him many times before. He was a piece of work who cared for no one but himself. I ignored Jericho’s question. “You know why we’re here Jericho. Wanna cut all the bullshit and just answer my questions?”
The smile that spread over Jericho’s face had me biting back a curse. The arsehole was up to something. “Sure, Detective Silverman.” His mocking tone grated and I resisted the urge to clench my fist. I couldn’t show how they got to me. “What questions would those be?”
“Where is your new supply from?” I narrowed my gaze. Jericho knew what I was talking about without going into more detail.
Jericho shrugged. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Six people have overdosed. I’m told it’s your shit that’s doing it.”
I saw a slight reaction of anger flash in Jericho’s gaze before he put the cold smile back in place. “Your info is wrong Silverman. If I was you, I’d watch who you accuse, because there are already targets on you and your family. The Silvermans are becoming a problem and if business keeps declining…” He trailed off and I didn’t need to hear the rest. I got the picture. “I’ll give you something, but I expect you to stay away from The Devil’s Queens.” He raised his brow waiting for my answer.
Debating for a moment, I wondered how badly I wanted info. The Devil’s Queens would be idiots if they attacked my family again. We had already put their president and three others in jail. A lot of the members were on probation. My family all had security and didn’t take unnecessary risks. An image of my gorgeous soul mate Divinity flashed before me. I would get her bodyguards, too.
I had nothing. My only lead on this case was The Devil’s Queens. On a sigh, I nodded. “I’ll stay away if your info is correct. For a while.”
He studied me, assessing if that would be the best deal he could get. He must have seen it was. “Look in your department. You have a rat and he’s not ours. I’m told that we have a common enemy.” I waited while he paused, drawing out his words. “They have our territory, but I’ve been told these people you’re looking for aren’t fans of Silvermans either, especially you.”
Fucking hell. Jericho wasn’t bull shitting me. I could hear the ring of truth in his words. “I know we’re not friends or ever going to be. The shooter you have aimed on me is proof enough. I didn’t know though, that my family had any enemies willing to kill us besides your club. So now you’re telling me that you’ve lost your territory and the people who’ve taken it hate my family, specifically me, more than your club?”
“Any more accusations and you may have more targets at your back.” Jericho turned and walked to the club house, but not before his hand flicked down and I knew he’d given the signal. Diving for the ground, I avoided the shot which hit the dirt near my foot. I rolled and crawled to safety. Holden, who’d stayed quiet throughout the exchange, swore and dived for cover before me.
Getting to safety, I got in my car and Holden got in the passenger side. I drove to the precinct where his car was.
“Well, that went well,” Holden muttered. “Silvermans have more enemies than I thought.” He chuckled. “Here I thought everyone liked you.” I shot a glare his way before focusing back on the road. He sighed. “Do you want me to bother phoning in the shots and what happened? We both know by the time we get search warrants that no weapons will be there and no one will have seen or heard anything.”
I hated it, but Holden was right. I growled and shook my head. “You’re right.” He nodded and we both stayed silent thinking of what we’d just learned.
With the new information, I knew Holden would be working with me until we could at least confirm that I had someone trying to get my attention. I drove into the precinct carpark and before we got out of the car I turned to him. “I need to make a call before I head in and we update everyone on what we just learned. Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll be up.”
Holden gave me a chin lift. “Sure. I get it. If I was you I’d warn my family too.”
I nodded, not about to tell him that my first call was going to be about getting protection for my soulmate. I grabbed my phone from the glove compartment and dialed my cousin Richard, not bothering to listen to his pleasantries when he answered. “I want bodyguards for my mate.” The chuckle on the other end had me gritting my teeth.
“Why hello to you to too cousin. How am I? How’s Bailey and Sebastian you ask? Good. No, not just good. We’re fan-fucking-tasic and I love running on four hours sleep. What? Only four you say? Yes. The hospital let Bailey and Sebastian come home Saturday at lunch time since they were, er, are doing so well and she has so much support. Bailey won’t let Sebastian out of her sight unless he’s with me and she’s made me promise no nannies. So, yes four hours sleep because my son is hungry and needs to be fed every four hours and he has a set of lungs on him.”
I listened to his rambling speech and realized that if he needed to get something off his chest, I couldn’t rush him. When he’d finished I asked, “So you like fatherhood?”
There was a loud sigh through the phone. “I love it. Bailey and I sometimes just sit and watch him sleep. It’s part of the reason we’re so tired. Instead of sleeping we’ve been staring at him, amazed at how perfect he is. And Ryder, I’m in awe of Bailey. She’s taken to motherhood like a duck to water.”
My heart filled with happiness for my cousin. I was so glad he found Bailey and I now couldn’t wait to have with my vixen, what Richard had with his wife. “I’m glad it’s all worked out. I’m sorry I was so rude.”
“Nah, it’s alright Ryder. I’ve been expecting your call since mother told me you found your one. I’ll send you two guards. One you know and he’s been waiting to hear from you. Expect a call in the next halfa. Take care. I got go get this sorted and I want to check Bailey is sleeping like she should be while Sebastian is. Bye.” Richard disconnected before I could reply. I pocketed my phone, got out of the car, locked it, and went up to the offices.