“You do have great brothers. So what did Dante’s little cocktail do for me?”
“You’re not going to be dancing anytime soon, but your lungs responded to a therapy, although not an intense one, that I would have used on my brothers in the same situation. So you’re mending, and given time, will be as good as new. For now no straining, no heavy lifting and sleep when your body tells you too. I have meds for you to take that will help. Keep eating the Rowl and see your friendly neighborhood doctor.”
She gave a tired laugh. “I think I can manage all of that. How long do I have to stay in bed?”
“You can get up tomorrow, as long as you heed my warnings.”
“Can I leave the house, with Niko, if I need too?”
“As long as you do not over do it.”
“You should rest now. I will go tell everyone that you’re going to pull through.”
“Kitten, I am going to go downstairs. I will be back soon. Sleep.” He leaned over and kissed her before following Nicolas out.
“Is she really going to be fine?”
Nicolas had stopped to wait for him at the top of the stairs.
“She should pull through no problems.”
“Then why do you look like that?”
“First Aran gets shot, from a bullet made on the planet Yulen, although most Yulens would never use a bullet like that. Then Rena is threatened, followed by Dee being kidnapped and now shot. I think someone is after us. This anger, it feels personal, like he wants to destroy us. What’s the best way to destroy the created?”
“Kill his Mate.”
Chapter Twenty
“Nicolas is here, carrying a bouquet of flowers. Would someone like to explain that to me?”
Dee threw Nicolas a devious smile and started to laugh. The two of them had been making out in the family room when Nicolas walked in. Making out, was all she could manage, but soon she would be well.
“Dee are you trying to get me killed?”
“He won’t kill you, yet. He likes to collect evidence first.”
“Not where you’re concerned. Tell him. Now.”
“Nicolas you take all of the fun out of life.” She loved to see Niko get possessive and she knew he wouldn’t hurt Nicolas.
“I like keeping the life in my life.” He grumbled putting the flowers down next to her, where she sat on Nikos lap, effectively keeping him from getting up and hurting Nicolas.
“The flowers are for Mr. Cohen. He’s a nice gentleman who is elderly. Every year for his birthday, his wife gave him flowers. She died several months ago and this year he will not have any flowers.” She shrugged and blinked fast. “Everybody should have flowers.”
Niko stared up at her, his eyes brimming with love. Nicolas’s mouth hung open as he stared at her, respect shining deep in his eyes.
“I want that.” The whispered confession was so low that only Niko heard him. Nicolas met Niko’s gaze with eyes that were slightly shiny. “I want someone with a heart like your mate and my sister.”
Niko inclined his head barely, letting him know he had heard and understood.
“So how do we deliver the flowers, kitten?”
“We go to the coffee shop.” She got up with a little more energy than she had earlier that day.
She went to the stairs with a pep in her step, wondering if she could manage to run up them.
“Take it easy, doctor’s orders.” Nicolas called out after her. Her laughter was all they heard in response.
“How’s she doing?”
“She gets stronger every day and then she wants to do more.” Niko Replied. “How do you think she is doing?”
“For a female who should have died on the table I think she is doing remarkably well. She is recovering quicker than I thought she would, even with Dante’s herbs. When will you complete the claiming?”
“I am waiting for her to recover.”
“Until you claim her, she is in more danger.”
Niko looked down and examined the pattern of the rug for a minute. Funny, he never really paid attention to it.
“Nicolas, I still need to explain to her what that will mean for her. Also, I need for her to be well before I decide to bite.”
Nicolas heard him, but he heard the unspoken words louder. Niko wanted to be, needed to be, balls deep in his mate before he bit her. It was a biologic imperative, a trait they all shared to some degree. It was something none of them thought they could fight.
“Are you guys ready?” Dee asked coming into the room.
She had slipped into a pair of jeans that hugged her ass and made Niko lick his lips. She had topped it with a red top that showed off her chocolate skin. She looked good enough to eat.