Krys set down her glass and uncurled herself from the chair. “Time for me to go. Glory and I will be across the street with Melissa; Mark’s asleep for the night, I hope. Aidan wants to meet with the lieutenants and Omega Force team, and we’re not invited.” She looked up as Glory returned with Nik and Robin, talking nonstop about the high points of the kitchen. “Speaking of which, what do you think of the new people?”
“I like them,” Cage said without hesitation. He’d been surprised at how much he did like them and how quickly they’d won him over. He didn’t usually trust easily, but Nik, especially, had impressed him. So had Robin, but he wasn’t sure which part of his anatomy was more intrigued with the shifter, and one head’s opinion didn’t count as much as the other’s. “Nik’s kind of reserved, but comes across as very competent and serious and in control. Robin’s . . .” Sexy as hell. Scarier than Satan himself. “Robin’s interesting.”
“I didn’t know shape-shifters existed. Of course, a year ago I didn’t know vampires existed, and now, I am one.” Krys’s laughter sounded forced. “Robin seems, I don’t know, kind of confrontational.”
Cage followed Krys’s gaze to the kitchen doorway, where Robin stared up at Mirren with her fists propped on her hips and daggers shooting from her eyes. “You have no idea.”
Her tour-guide duty done, Glory sat next to Cage and wrapped her arms around him, and he kissed her cheek. She had filled out again after getting sick in Omega, and it was a good look for her with her strong Native American features. She had a wide sweet streak and was genuinely kind. Glory Cummings was way too good for Mirren—but fortunately, the big guy knew it.
Only now, she looked worried, too. “I’m glad you’re home, Cage. Mirren was afraid you’d stay in London, and he wanted you back here. We all did.”
Her words lit a warm fire in Cage’s chest. When was the last time so many people had been happy to see him, the eternal loner both by choice and by occupation? That would be never. Still, one thing about Glory’s statement didn’t ring true, so he raised an eyebrow. “Let me get some clarification here. Mirren said those actual words? He said, ‘I miss Cage and want him to come home’?”
Glory looked over at her preoccupied mate in the next room and grinned. He was now mimicking Robin, standing with his hands stuck on his hips, scowling down at the shifter with his should-be-patented Slayer expression. “Well, not those exact words, but I knew what he meant.” She shook her head. “Those two are going to be entertaining. I don’t think Robin knows what she’s up against.”
Yeah, well, Cage had felt that way earlier. Now, he had a feeling Mirren might have met his match. “I’m giving them even odds. It could go either way.”
Glory patted his knee before standing up. “Krys, you ready to leave and let the big dogs make their plans?”
“Guess so.” Krys stood up and turned back to Cage. “By the way, I had a talk with your friend Fen Patrick earlier tonight. He was exploring the old cotton mill. Seems like a nice guy if you don’t mind the cheese factor. He’s trying awfully hard to be charming.”
Cage had worked with Fen. He’d lived alongside him in close quarters. He’d seen the ugly side of the man, and Fen had seen Cage’s ugliness in return. They were both capable of brutality, both got a rush from danger, both were wandering souls. But friends? “I’d call us acquaintances. I didn’t even know he’d been turned vampire until last night. Hadn’t seen him in more than a decade, and suddenly there he is, on the side of the highway. He’s trying hard to win everyone over here, but he needs to prove himself.”
“Exactly what Aidan said.” Krys looked at her mate and nodded. “Fen told me he was turned about five years ago. I can fill you in later or he can tell you himself, but Aidan’s giving me the look. We’ve gotta go.”
As Krys and Glory headed out the front door, Aidan and Mirren joined Cage in the common area near the fireplace. Nik and Robin remained in the doorway to the kitchen as if unsure whether to join in. Cage was surprised that Robin had the self-restraint to wait and see if they were invited to this party—until she elbowed Nik in the ribs. When they moved apart, Cage saw that Nik had a firm grip on the back of her shirt collar, holding her in place.
Brave man, Nik.
“We have some stuff to talk about.” At Aidan’s voice, everyone stilled, even Robin. “We have some decisions to make. But I have to first remind everyone that what’s said here tonight stays here.”