“My pleasure.”
“Larry’s staying?” Summer asked, feeling like she missed a shred of something.
“With Lukas stepping up as my Lieutenant, he won’t be able to stay here. So for a few weeks, Larry’s going to be here, and we’ll get you a replacement guard until he returns.” Jinx slipped his arm around her, and Claire pressed her hand against him. “We’ll see you again soon, and if anything should arise you know how to reach me.”
Summer pushed the tears away and swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. With one last halfhearted smile, she let Jinx lead her up the steps and into the plane, Jackson and Lukas at their heels.
“I know your heart is breaking because I can feel the pain as if it was my own,” Jinx said, his voice soft. “Distance isn’t going to change things with you and Ben. He’ll still come running if you need him. The bond between you isn’t one that will be broken easily.”
“It’s just so sad.” She let herself take comfort from his embrace. “I’ll be okay. I know you need to get to the cockpit.”
“Actually, I’m going to let Lukas handle this one. My family needs me more.” He led her to one of the small sofas. Sliding into their seats, he put his arm around her and let her snuggle against him. “Everything is going to be fine.”
“I know.” Claire snuggled between them, half on each of their legs, nearly asleep. “Claire must think so too, or she just has faith we can protect her from anything that might come up.” She nodded to their now sleeping daughter.
“She knows we wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her.” His finger teased along Summer’s jawline, bringing her face to his and kissing her. When the kiss ended, their faces still close, he whispered. “You should get some sleep, you’ve been doing too much lately.”
“I’m not tired…”
* * *
The plane touched down but Jinx couldn’t bring himself to wake Summer until the last moment. She looked so peaceful sleeping there with Claire curled around her. Their kind always enjoyed sleeping in a big pile.
“My sweet lass,” he whispered, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Umm.”
“We’re here, lass.”
Her eyes shot open and she started to jump up before she realized Claire was on her lap. “Oh. I’m not ready.”
“Lass…” He picked Claire up, careful not to wake her, and pulled Summer to her feet. “They’re going to love you. Come meet our clan.”
“I should freshen up.”
“You look great. Now come on.” He tugged her to the door and down the steps. Jackson and Carson stood at the bottom of the steps waiting for her. Everyone else stood gathered around the landing strip. “Look, everyone’s here to meet you and Claire.”
“Why?”
“Because this is your clan, you’re Alpha Female. They are happy to have you here with us. Now come meet our family.” Climbing down the steps, be felt like the world was his. He had everything anyone could ever want. In that moment he didn’t worry about the rogues that were still out there, or the future of their kind. He only enjoyed what he had with him.
“They’re all here,” Summer mumbled, stifling a yawn.
“We’ll go inside to the ballroom, that’s where we’ll make our announcements and mingle,” Jinx said. “We have a busy few hours ahead of us while every tries to get a moment with you. I hope you are up to it.”
“I’ll be fine.” She glanced at Claire in his arms. “Wonder if she’s going to be okay with so many new people.”
“If it becomes too much, we’ll end it. I think she’ll be fine as long as we’re with her. She’s going to have to get used to the clan. This is her home now. Our home.” He squeezed his arm around her waist tighter and they descended the stairs.
At the bottom of the stairs, with Carson on his right and Jackson on the other side of Summer, he stopped. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out on this cold evening to welcome Summer and Claire to the clan. I ask that we make our way into the ballroom. I have a couple announcements, and then I promise we’ll mingle giving everyone a chance to meet her.” Some of the ground guards began to urge everyone toward the ballroom.
Summer glanced over the land, surprised how much it reminded her of Texas with the farms surrounding it, and the rolling hills of endless space. The biggest difference was the cold. It was freezing. They arrived at the perfect time. The sun was just setting, casting an exquisite glow of reds and yellows over the area.