Carlie cleared her throat. “I’m sure you have a running tally of ‘what-ifs’ going through your head, but you can’t do that to yourself. You know better than anyone your gift is not precise. You warned your mates repeatedly about the site. All you can do in this life is gently inform people of their obstacles. You can’t force them to listen or heed your advice.”
Melinda met Carlie’s gaze. “You can lead a horse to water…” She smiled. The woman was right. “But Keegan is my mate.”
“And from my understanding, he fought you at every turn.”
“He did.”
Sharon leaned forward, taking Melinda’s hand in hers. “You are not to blame for anything that happened. I heard you tell Keegan exactly that earlier this morning. It applies to you too.”
Melinda hadn’t realized Sharon had been nearby when she’d lectured Keegan about his lack of blame where Mitch was concerned. It was the same. The kind women were both right. Mitch was Keegan’s boss. There was no reason for Keegan to have doubted his intentions. The man had gone to great lengths to keep his true involvement under tight rein.
Even Melinda had gotten very few vibes from Mitch. Other than an initial unease when she met him, she hadn’t experienced anything remotely indicative of his involvement until he’d visited Keegan’s house yesterday. That bothered her more than anything. And she wondered if it had occurred to Keegan that she was just as to blame for not recognizing the danger in his boss as he was.
The truth was Melinda had felt a twinge of something in her stomach when she met Mitch, but since she’d only ever seen the man at the casino, it had been impossible to separate one evil from another. Half the people at the casino site made her nervous. She assumed it was the site, not the people. Even the site foreman had made her cringe.
“What do you think will happen to the casino now?” Sharon asked as she released Melinda’s hand and changed the subject.
“God, I hope they plow it under and abandon it. I detest that monstrosity with a passion.”
“Maybe you’ll get your wish.”
•●•
It was late afternoon when Trace followed Zachary and Keegan back into the house. He knew Melinda had stayed inside the entire day, and he was beyond grateful she’d taken the precaution seriously. It made it possible for the three men to run full out, releasing pent up stress without fear for their mate’s safety.
Melinda leaped from the couch as they walked in the back door. She skipped across the room and flung herself headlong into both himself and Keegan.
The little imp packed enough force to knock the breath out of Trace’s lungs. He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arm around her. “Have you eaten, baby?” he asked as he threaded his fingers into her thick black hair, relishing the silky feel of it running across his knuckles—a completely feminine softness that was perfect for taking the edge off the massive burst of testosterone he’d exuded for the last several hours.
She nodded. “Yes. Did you?” She turned toward Keegan. “I’m sure there wasn’t room in your body for lunch,” she teased.
Keegan pulled part of her into his side, not tugging her out of Trace’s grasp but claiming his share. “Funny. And yes, we stopped for lunch.”
Trace stepped farther into the kitchen, grazing his fingers down her arm until he held her hand. “Let’s take a nap.” He tugged gently, happy when she simply bit her lower lip and let him lead her down the hall to his childhood bedroom. The space had long ago been updated, turning it into more of a guest room. The bed was a queen, so the fit would be tight, but right then he couldn’t care less as long as he could feel her body against his.
Life affirming. That’s what he needed. And he knew Keegan needed it even more.
As they reached the bedroom, Trace closed the door with a snick and pressed Melinda into the wood. He let his rigid cock rest against her belly.
She moaned around her next words. “A nap? Is that what they call it these days?”
Keegan chuckled. “I was about to say the same thing, but then I got distracted when your eyes rolled back. I love it when you do that.”
She flushed a deep red.
Trace’s dick hardened further. “He’s right. It’s fucking sexy to watch you come undone.” He nibbled a path from across her shoulder and up her neck until he took her mouth deeply. His tongue tangled with hers in a dance he’d grown to love in the last week. Her taste was intoxicating, making his knees weak. He swore he could come from kissing her if he didn’t put every effort into keeping his dick at bay.