“A tetanus booster,” Tah said, but Zane shook his head.
“Nope. He gave her something to force ovulation, thinking it would bring us together quicker.”
“What?” Tah roared again.
“He sent her out there like a lamb to slaughter, knowing I was primal and making the situation even worse by forcing her into heat.”
“That conniving bastard,” Tah muttered, hands fisting at his sides. “When will he learn to stop meddling in everything?”
“She was a virgin,” Zane added softly.
Tah’s gaze flew to his and locked on. “You didn’t hurt her, did you?”
Zane shook his head. “But no matter what the Professor says, he couldn’t have known for sure that I wouldn’t.”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” Tah said. “I know it would have destroyed you if you had.”
Zane nodded. It would have. Hurting Diane would kill him.
“Seems like the Professor and I need to have another talk now that I’m not so easily distracted by my concern for Abby.”
“I know I don’t have the right, but I’d like to ask you a favor,” Zane said.
Tah shook his head. “You can ask me a favor anytime. If I can, I’ll do it for you.”
“Will you talk to Kenzie before you tell everyone?”
“Of course, I will,” Tah stated. “You didn’t even need to ask.”
“One more thing,” Zane said. “Something Angel made a point of making me aware of.”
“Making sure all of us can defend ourselves,” Tah grunted. “Yeah, he told me.” The look on Tah’s face made Zane think it hadn’t been a pleasant conversation. “I was remiss in that. We’ll take care of it.”
Zane nodded and stood. “I’ll go check in with Logan then see where you have me in the rotation.”
“We didn’t put you in, yet,” Tah said. “How do you feel? How’s the fever?”
“Still there,” Zane admitted. “But eased. I’m back at peace within myself for now.”
“As long as you’re with your mate?” Tah asked and Zane nodded again. “I think it might be better for now if you stay close to the house. We’ll take it day by day and see how you feel as more time passes.”
Zane hated the idea of not pulling his weight. “As long as there’s something I can do around here to help out.”
“We’ll be packing most of the house over the next few weeks,” Tah said. “Not to mention with hunters getting that close to us, I want tighter security inside the house. No one gets in. No one.”
“I’d be happy to keep an eye on the house,” Zane said.
Tah nodded. “Plus Abby will have to go to Denver before we leave to take care of the paperwork involved with inheriting the money from the Professor’s estate. I’d like for you to go with us.”
“I’d be honored,” Zane said.
“I’d like you and Logan with me, along with Clara, and I’m guessing Diane,” Tah said, and Zane agreed.
He wouldn’t be comfortable leaving Diane behind.
“I’ll leave Reno in charge here with everyone else. Once everything is signed and taken care of, we’ll leave.”
“Are you okay with leaving here?” Zane asked.
Tah shrugged. “We don’t have a choice. I think we all knew it was only a matter of time before the hunters discovered where we are. We’ve been lucky they didn’t come sooner. I just hope they continue to flounder until we’re able to leave.”
“Me, too,” Zane agreed. One thing was certain, he’d do anything required to protect his mate. Anything.
Diane knocked softly and stuck her head around the door to peek in. Abby and Amia sat on the bed while Abby held the baby to her breast.
“Diane, come in,” Abby said. “Join us.”
Diane crossed to the bed and took in the rosy color on Abby’s cheeks before glancing down at the baby.
“You both look good,” she said. “Healthy. How are you feeling?”
“Fantastic,” Abby said with an engaging grin.
“I’d like to take a few minutes and check on you, if you don’t mind. Just to be sure everything is healing as it should,” Diane said.
“Can you wait until I’m done feeding Regan?”
“Regan? What a beautiful name,” Diane said.
“Regan Marie,” Abby said. “Regan is for Reno and Logan, and Marie for the Professor.”
“Marie?” Diane asked, not understanding how that name related to Professor Mueller.
“It was his wife’s name. I wasn’t going to use it in case Jess wanted to, but his whole face lit up when I mentioned it. So Regan Marie it is,” Abby stated.