To Tempt A Tiger(41)
He glanced at Alexis, then back to her. “There are a few of the elders who…more or less agreed with my father’s stance on interbreeding between humans and tigers. They assumed all offspring would be human, and defective, driving tigers to extinction faster. Zoe isn’t human, but…”
“But like your brothers, it might only make things worse because it means the ‘defective’ human gene can hide in a shifter.”
Alexis scowled. “Stupid. That supposed human gene is already part of our DNA, since recent revelations prove the myth is true. Those ancient shifters from the mythical couple had to have mated with other shifters. Which is why you and your mother could have babies with humans.”
“And you think that logic will do anything to change their minds?” Vlad asked. “You know it won’t.”
Rose raised a hand to get their attention. “What does this mean for Zoe?”
“It means I wanted to have a plan in place before going to the elders,” Vlad said. “Some leverage. I wanted to have an arrangement with the ones who aren’t opposed to human-tiger matings to make sure you and Zoe were protected before I got you anywhere near their compound—where you’d be surrounded by tigers.”
“I can speak for Elizaveta,” Alexis said. “You’ll have her support. And all by herself, she’s a force to be reckoned with.”
“I want it in writing,” Vlad said. “I want guarantees they’ll be protected while we’re there. I’m not taking chances with their lives.”
“Keeping them away now is riskier. After Nila, the elders have set a precedent for protecting hybrids. You don’t have any of those protections out here, not without their official backing.”
“I have my own resources and ways of keeping them hidden.”
“I’m not going into hiding,” Rose said, stepping closer to Vlad. “I have a family and responsibilities and a life.”
“Your parents will understand.”
“Yes, they will. In fact, they might even encourage it once I have a chance to tell them everything that’s going on. That doesn’t mean I’m going to do it.”
“You sure you want them to know…everything?”
“Yes. This is their precious granddaughter. They need to know. Besides, she’s three. It’s not like she’s going to keep the ability to turn into a tiger to herself around them. I might, and I mean might, be able to convince her to keep the secret around most people, but with her grandparents, no chance. Even if she tries, it’ll pop out. They’re very close.”
Vlad ran a hand through his sleep-mussed hair, making him look even sexier. She was already having a hard time ignoring the fact that his flannel shirt was hanging open, giving her a lovely view of his chest and six-pack abs. She’d always loved his body, but in the middle of discussing their daughter’s future, it seemed wrong to be admiring his physique—especially after discovering he’d been keeping information from her.
The little voice that encouraged her to take risks and go after the adrenaline rushes she loved so much whispered, You know you still want him. After the last few days, there’s no doubt he wants you. If you seduce him, he’s yours.
That voice was going to get her into trouble. Again. How the hell could she still want him this much, have this much trouble resisting him, when she still couldn’t trust him? She pushed the lust and confusion to the side and tried to focus. “How much longer can we delay taking Zoe to your elders?”
“Not long,” Alexis said before Vlad could answer. “Not if you want to stop your brothers. I wouldn’t even go back to Phoenix. You should head straight to West Virginia.”
Rose squeezed her eyes shut, a hint of an exhaustion headache building in her temples. “Are my parents in danger?”
“Not until they know the truth,” Vlad said. “And only then if we tell them before Zoe has the elders’ protection. After, they’ll be included in the arrangement we make with the elders. I’ll make sure of it.”
She opened her eyes. “Fine. To keep Zoe safe, we’ll do what you think is best. I’ll tell my parents we’re getting specialized help for her. They won’t be happy that they can’t come with us, but for Zoe they’ll curb their suspicions.” She looked at Alexis. “How long will it take to teach her what she needs to learn?”
“To get started and go through her first few shifts, a couple of days maybe. Depends on her, really.”
“Fine. That gives you enough time to arrange things?” she asked Vlad.