“We often eat at the bar.”
His brother laughed. “Understood. Get comfortable.”
Darkness crossed the room and took a seat on the couch. Kat was playing with Salvation, using blocks to form some sort of structure. He enjoyed seeing her interact with a Species young. She still considered the boy a baby at the age of three but she’d learn if he wanted to show off his physical prowess by playing rough with her. He wouldn’t allow it to happen. She could get hurt.
Fury sat in a chair a few feet away. “You look happy.”
“He is.” Kat turned her head. “When he isn’t trying to pretend otherwise. You know how he can get.”
“I do.” Fury relaxed in the chair. “How are you adjusting to Homeland, Kat?”
“I’m loving it. I start teaching classes next week.”
“I didn’t want her working Security,” Darkness confided.
“He’s afraid I’ll blow shit up.” She winced, glancing at Salvation. “Sorry. Stuff. Shit is a bad word.”
“He’s heard way worse.” Ellie walked out of the kitchen. “Don’t worry about it. My son could probably teach you some you’ve never heard before. We don’t sweat a few occasional slips. It’s when people start combining them that we draw the line.” She pointed at Salvation. “Don’t give her an example.”
Salvation giggled. “Darn.”
Ellie winked at him and moved behind Fury’s chair. She bent, coming up with a gift bag. “We have a present for you both.”
Darkness tried to hide his surprise. “Is a gift exchange expected?”
“No.” Fury pulled Ellie onto his lap. “My mate just wanted to do something to show how happy we are for both of you.”
Kat climbed to her feet and took a seat next to Darkness on the couch. “That’s so sweet.”
“It’s nothing major but it’s becoming a kind of tradition around here.” Ellie leaned forward and passed the bag to Darkness. “Careful. It’s breakable.”
Darkness handed it to Kat. “You reach inside.” He was afraid he might damage the gift if it were fragile. He watched her face, liking the joy she expressed.
Kat opened the bag and removed a glass frame. Darkness leaned in, pressing his body against her smaller one. He enjoyed touching Kat and found any reason to do it. It wasn’t a photo inside the frame but a copy of their signed mate papers. Kat turned her face and lifted her chin. Tears glimmered in her eyes.
“Look.” She held it as if it were precious. “How cool is this?” She shifted her attention to Ellie and Fury. “Thank you!”
“We keep ours over our bed.” Fury pointedly stared at Darkness. “Just glue it to the wall. We learned the hard way that it can fall down if the headboard bangs too much.”
Ellie blushed. “Too much info. They could have figured that out themselves without you mentioning it.”
“I’m his brother. It’s my job to help him avoid making the mistakes I have.” Fury snorted. “We went through three frames before I made sure it couldn’t fall.” He nodded at Darkness. “Use super glue. Just plaster the entire back of it directly to the wall.”
Ellie wiggled off his lap. “I think the roast should be done. Ready to eat?”
“Do you need help?” Kat rose to follow and placed the framed document down. “I suck at cooking but I follow directions well.”
Ellie’s eyes widened. “Do you want to learn? I give cooking classes at the women’s dorm.”
“That would be great. My classes are going to be held at the bar.”
“What are you going to teach?”
Kat flashed a playful look at Darkness. “According to him, it’s to reiterate how all humans are criminals.” She laughed. “Human nature. It seems a lot of New Species are curious about us. I’ll give Security some tips but I want them to be able to ask me anything they want.”
“Not everything,” Darkness reminded her. “The males better watch what they ask.”
Kat arched an eyebrow. “No one is going to hit on me. They are too afraid of you. I don’t tell you how to do your job. Ditto, baby.”
Ellie grabbed her hand. “Come with me. He’s going to start snarling. Did he warn you about how possessive a mate can be?”
“No need. I caught on fast.”
Darkness watched the females enter the kitchen. He stared at the frame Kat had placed on the table. It was proof that he’d taken every step with his female. They were mated and not using condoms. She could get pregnant. He studied Salvation. The young male was content with his blocks.
“This life might be yours soon,” Fury rasped. “It’s fantastic having a mate and a child.”
Darkness stared at his brother. “I still don’t know if I’m going to be good at it.”
“Is making Kat happy your first priority?”
“Yes.” He could answer that without hesitation or thought.
“Do you love her?”
He nodded. “With everything that I am.”
Fury leaned forward. “You have a family. You’re never going to be alone again. It is a good thing, isn’t it?”
Darkness contemplated his life before and after Kat. He also felt grateful he’d finally allowed Fury into his life. “Yes.”
“You’ll do great then.” Fury stood. “Let’s go eat. You know this is going to become a regular event, right? We want you over at least once a week to share a meal and Ellie celebrates human holidays. Deal with it. I do. It’s not so bad.” He scooped his son off the floor and tossed him at Darkness. “Catch.”Darkness was amazed that the boy laughed. He hugged him close, cradling him against his chest. “You throw him at people?”
“He likes it. I knew you wouldn’t drop him. Tell him, Sal.”
The boy beamed. “I love it, Uncle Darkness. It’s fun!”
Something inside Darkness’ chest melted. The trust the boy showed, the way he relaxed against him, felt right. He suddenly wasn’t so afraid of the concept of having young of his own.
“It’s not so alarming, is it?” Fury regarded him. “I can see it in your eyes. Tomorrow Sal and I are going to the park. Meet us there at seven in the morning. You’ll need some practice before it happens. I had none.” He laughed. “It worked out but I’m going to give you an advantage for when your time comes. What do you say?”
“I’ll be there.”
Fury opened his arms. “Do you want to toss him back?”
His hold tightened on the boy. “I think I’ll carry him into your dining room.”
Fury winked. “Good. You know your mate is going to see you with him and all bets are off if you have talked her into waiting to have babies. We make adorable offspring.”
Darkness was willing to risk it.
About Laurann Dohner
I’m a full-time “in-house supervisor” (sounds much better than plain ol’ housewife), mother and writer. I’m addicted to caramel iced coffee, the occasional candy bar (or two) and trying to get at least five hours of sleep at night.
I love to write all kinds of stories. I think the best part about writing is the fact that real life is always uncertain, always tossing things at us that we have no control over, but when you write, you can make sure there’s always a happy ending. I love that about writing. I love to sit down at my computer desk, put on my headphones and listen to loud music to block out the world around me, so I can create worlds in front of me.
Laurann welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at ellorascave.
Tell Us What You Think
We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email the author directly or you can email us at Serviceellorascave (when contacting Customer Service, be sure to state the book title and author).
Also by Laurann Dohner