Saving the Beast(66)

“When do we leave?” Murphy asked.

“How soon?” Diane added. “We’ve got tests running and files, not to mention live samples we’ll need to see about relocating.”

“I’d say within the month,” Tah told them. “If anyone doesn’t want to go, please take the time to come to me. I don’t want to lose anyone. You’re all family.”

He looked around the room and met all their eyes. Diane had no doubt that she and her mate would be traveling west. She hoped everyone else would, as well. The thought of anyone of the people she’d grown to know and love leaving made her sad. The irony of that wasn’t lost on her. She’d been ready to leave just a few short days ago. But that was when Zane was gone. Now, with him there and mated to her, she didn’t even consider leaving.

“We’re in,” Murphy said, and Finn nodded in agreement.

“We’ll go with you, as well,” Griffin answered for him and Ariel.

“Diane?” Zane asked.

“Of course, we’re going,” she said.

“I’m glad to hear it. That just leaves Vic, Holt and Kenzie,” Tah said. “I’ll talk to them today. In the meantime, we all have jobs to do. Security will be increased for the next four weeks that we’re here. I want no chances of hunters getting in here. Logan has a schedule of the new rotation we want set up. Any indications of a breach, call immediately. Hell, I want you to report if you have a bad feeling about something. Understood?”

Everyone nodded.

“Ariel, Griffin, see Logan to be added to the schedule. He’ll fill you in on everything you need to know.”

Everyone began heading out of the room, Ariel and Griffin following Logan and Clara. Reno was with Murphy and Finn. Diane eased up from Zane’s lap to go check on Abby before heading down to consult with the Professor and Orsai on Gideon.

“Zane, I’d like you to stay,” Tah said.

Zane shared a look with Diane, and she knew the same thing was going through both their minds. Tah was going to talk about Kenzie. Diane needed to make a point of hunting for her friend and making sure she was okay.

“I’m going to check on Abby then head to the storage area to see your Uncle and the Professor,” Diane told her mate.

“I’m here if you need me,” Zane whispered in her ear as he bent to her.

“I always need you,” she whispered back and loved the way his lips quirked up in a smile.

“Same here, baby,” he told her then dropped a chaste kiss on her lips.

“We’ll go in the office,” Tah said and Zane nodded.

Diane hurried down the hall toward Tah and Abby’s bedroom. One quick peek and she needed to get to the basement storage rooms. There was a lot to do before they left Colorado behind.





Chapter Fifteen





Zane followed Tah to his office, walking through the door and heading toward the comfortable seating area. If Tah planned to delve into what Zane expected then he planned to be comfortable. On one level, Kenzie would be upset about them discussing her without her there. Zane knew her well enough to know she expected it, though. She also knew they cared for her and would only talk about her in order to help protect her and keep her safe. He’d made a promise to her mate, and he intended to keep it.

He heard the door click shut behind him and Tah joined him, dropping into one of the chairs beside Zane.

“What happened with Kenzie?” Tah asked.

“Have you spoken with her?” Zane questioned.

Tah shook his head. “Reno said she looked haunted when she got back last night. She apologized and went to her room. I don’t think she’s been out since. Reno said there was something off about her.”

“Last night?” Zane asked.

Tah lifted a brow. “She didn’t get here until after my daughter was born and you and Diane were downstairs for the night.”

Zane felt like cursing. Where had she been the whole time? God, he hated feeling useless when it came to comforting her. “Did Angel mention anything about her to you?”

Tah sat forward then. “He asked if she was important to me. I told him she was family. He seemed satisfied with that, told me he’d given you a number if anyone ever needed to get in touch with him. What the hell’s going on, Zane?”

Damn it! It wasn’t his place to divulge what had happened. Angel should have been the one to let Tah know what was going on. Barring that, it should be Kenzie. Of course, Zane had seen for himself how devastated Kenzie was that Angel had mated her and left. Fuck!

“You’re making me uneasy,” Tah warned.

“I don’t know what happened when Angel went in after Kenzie. I was with Diane. I know neither of them came out the same.” Zane blew out his breath and met Tah’s gaze. “I also know Kenzie came out with a bite mark on her neck she didn’t have before.”