King's Throne(16)

Gina tugged on a string that had been tucked next to the doorframe and the little flap came down over the vent. With that done, she stepped back to invite the man inside. He accepted her invitation, shaking snow off his boots on the doormat before entering, his arms laden with a basket that looked more suited to a picnic than camping. He handed it over as soon as the door was closed behind him.
“Joan sent some fresh bread and a few other things,” he said in a pleasant voice. “I see your patient is awake.” Mr. Miller focused on Mitch and he felt the piercing gaze of another Alpha.
Mitch was at a decided disadvantage, but he stood his ground. He recognized the look of the man. He was Alpha. Gina had said Miller had been a Royal Guard in his time. Mitch decided to go on the offensive—in what small way he could, weak as he was.
“I’m Mitch Thorburn.” He held out his hand and Miller grasped it for a firm shake, informing Mitch that his first name was Tom. “Thanks for helping get me here. Gina told me about the snowmobile ride.” Mitch smiled slightly, showing his teeth. He liked what he saw of the older man and knew this Alpha had been quite a tiger in his day. He was older now, but he didn’t seem to have lost any of his strength.
“Gina tells me you’re Royal Guard,” the man said with a measuring look in his eyes.
“I am,” Mitch confirmed but didn’t go into detail. The less people who knew about the Nyx being in the area, the better.
“Me too,” Miller confirmed, stepping back, giving Mitch space. “So is my wife. Our children guarded Gina when she was young.”
“Quite a family,” Mitch complimented the older man with a nod.
Being a Royal Guard was a very special thing. It required not only Alpha traits but a particular temperament that wasn’t common. It required selflessness and the instinct to protect others that not all Alphas could claim.
“The big guy said you work for panthers.” Again, Miller treated Mitch to a statement that sounded more like a question.
“I’ve decided to resign my post. I’m a liability now that I’ve been seen, though the attackers probably think I’m dead. I’d be more effective elsewhere for now.” Mitch looked at Gina, but her expression was unreadable.
“That’s more or less what Gina’s dad said as well,” Miller agreed. “But you have time to heal here, and after you’re back on your feet, we’ll discuss a great many things.”
Now that sounded promising. Mitch was taken by surprise by the new, welcoming tone in Miller’s voice.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Miller backed away, turning to Gina for a few quiet words about the supplies while Mitch pondered the undercurrents in the man’s words. It sounded like Gina’s dad was already thinking along the same lines as Mitch. If the tiger king was interested in secrecy, what better way to make sure Mitch didn’t give away his location than by taking him into his employ?
Miller stayed for a few minutes more, chatting with Gina in low tones. Mitch could hear them talk, but it was mostly about Miller’s children and how they were doing. He left a short while later without much further ado, shaking Mitch’s hand before taking his leave. All the same, Mitch was glad to see him go.#p#分页标题#e#
Mitch’s strength was failing again and the moment he was certain the door was secure, he sank back on the bed, grateful for its support. Gina came over to check on him, but he couldn’t rouse the energy to even open his eyelids.
 
The next thing Mitch knew, he woke up what felt like it had to be hours later. Time was a fluid thing when you were on the mend, Mitch knew. And with the blackout curtains blocking all light, it was even harder to tell what time it was inside the cabin.
Mitch had lost track of how many days it had been since the attack. Had it only been two? Three? Four or more? He wasn’t really sure.
But what did it matter really? He was out of the action for now. Well out of it. Contacting his teammates would only serve to possibly put Gina and her family in danger. There was nothing Mitch could do from here to help the Nyx. Cade, no doubt, had the situation well in hand. There wasn’t a more capable Royal Guard than his soon-to-be former partner.
Mitch was better off laying low for now, healing and doing the best he could to protect Gina and her family from discovery. That was about all he was capable of at the moment. Which made him wonder where Gina was.
Mitch sat up in bed. It was a lot easier this morning and the room didn’t tilt. In fact, his head was clearer than it had been since he’d been attacked. Moving carefully, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat for a moment.