When she’d told Vlad she intended to pick up a few guns before going to the elders’ compound, she’d fully expected a fight. After all, this was the US seat of his people’s governing body. Strangers bringing weapons into the center of power for a government was typically frowned upon.
He surprised her by encouraging the idea, even offering his own contacts for weapons and ammunition.
“We’ll make sure to pick up any gear we might possibly need,” he said. “I want us ready for any contingency. You armed with more than your various black belts will be good.”
“You should have an escape plan in place, too,” Alexis added. “In case everything goes wrong. Victor, myself, and the few people we’re trusting with your safety will be able to help and cover your backs, but if things get out of hand, leave the compound and go into hiding until we can work out a better plan.”
“Jesus, why are we doing this?” Rose asked, not for the first time.
They were sitting in front of the fire, Zoe napping on the rug. All the tiger play wiped her out and ensured she slept well at night as well as took a nap during the day. Rose smiled at her. Zoe hadn’t taken regular naps since she was two—except after episodes. Seeing her sleep because of simple exhaustion from playing made Rose’s heart happy.
There hadn’t been even a hint of an episode since Zoe had learned how to let her tiger out. Vlad was even teaching her the “play” hunting, which tiger cubs all apparently learned, because she’d taken to being a tiger so well.
If it weren’t for the threat and complication of introducing her to a greater tiger shifter world—a place where she’d be revered, valued, seen as a commodity, and reviled as an abomination all at once—Rose would be completely content with the way things had gone.
She glanced at Vlad. “We can’t just run away and hide, huh?”
He smiled faintly and shook his head. “Though, I have considered it. More than once.” He shrugged. “A lot actually.”
The fact that he was thinking the same things she was made her feel better. The last three days had been so wonderful, almost dream-like. This was what she’d imagined her life would be like with him. Well, without the tiger part of course. Her days with Zoe and Vlad as a close family; her nights in bed with the man she loved, finding new ways to excite and please each other.
The contentment of the last few days made her feelings for the tigers complicated. If not for the threat Vlad’s brothers posed, would he have returned to them? Would they all be here together?
A part of her still wondered if he’d stay. When all was said and done, when the thrill of the danger wore off, when the reality of parenting sank in, would he still want this life? Vlad was as much of an adrenaline junkie as she was.
And he’d left before.
She shoved down that mean little voice. He’d left because he’d believed she’d cheated on him, and while he should have known better, at the time he couldn’t have realized Zoe was possible. Rose had to let go of her resentment for his distrust if they were to have a future together. But the pain of his abandonment still lingered and made trusting him so difficult.
Going into the elders’ compound meant she was putting her life and the life of her daughter in his hands. She knew he’d guard their backs, and that was at least something, a level of trust that was a good start. She just had to find a way to give in to it and stop doubting that the contentment of the last few days could be their future.
“You all packed?” Alexis asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“We’re ready. I think Zoe would like to stay here and keep running around in the snow, but she’s pretty excited about being on an airplane, too.”
They were all leaving early the next morning, driving directly to Sky Harbor airport. Vlad’s brothers had left the area the day before. One had gone to Alaska of all places. The other two were back on the east coast. So going into Phoenix was safe for the moment.
Rose was more nervous than she’d ever been about any trip she’d ever taken. Zoe just saw the adventure.
She was definitely her mother’s daughter.
Alexis stretched her arms over her head and sighed. “I need to go for a run if we’re going to be on the road all day tomorrow. I’ll be back in a few hours.” Before standing, she patted Rose’s knee. “Don’t worry.” She left the cabin wearing only a long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and boots.
“She’s going running like that?” Rose asked.
“She’ll hike to a place with privacy and turn tiger.”
“How long can you go without letting your tigers out?”