A shadow fell over them, and Keegan lifted his head to find Trace’s father, Adam, grinning at them. “I hear there’s another imminent mating.”
Trace shook his father’s hand. “Appears that way.”
“Carlie is saying goodbye to most of the guests. I guess you two will be sticking around.”
“Definitely.” Trace didn’t hesitate.
“Seems it’s true, then,” Adam stated.
“What’s that?” Keegan asked.
“This entire generation of Masters must be fated to mate in ménages. I wonder what else Fate has planned?” He pursed his lips, but he didn’t have any more answers than anyone else.
“It’s not like we’re short on females,” Trace said.
Keegan chuckled. It was a mystery. “Genetics?”
They all laughed at that. And then Adam said, “Interesting genes we Masters have.” He patted both their shoulders. “I met your mate, briefly. She’s a sweet woman. I’m very happy for the both of you. Carlie is too. Bring her over for dinner when things calm down.” He winked.
Things. He was referring to the mating frenzy. How long would it take for things to calm down? Keegan needed to call his own parents. His mother would be pissed if she heard about his mating through Carlie.
•●•
Wayne Lassiter picked up the phone on the first ring. “What?” he barked. It was late on a Saturday night. He didn’t like to be disturbed in his home. And he cringed every time he saw this particular number on his caller ID.
“We have a problem, sir.”
Wayne glanced at his wife, who smiled over her glass of Chardonnay. She sat in a leather armchair in the corner of his study, her gorgeous long legs crossed at the ankles, holding the novel she was reading.
It was their usual evening ritual. Because she hated how many hours he worked, they’d come to an agreement years ago that she could occupy herself in his study late at night while he dealt with emails. Deep down, it annoyed the fuck out of Wayne, but it kept his trophy wife happy, so he’d consented to the arrangement.
He wasn’t in love with her. He didn’t think he’d ever been in love with her, or anyone for that matter, but she didn’t know that, and her presence in his life was good for his image. So, he’d kept up the pretense now for eight long years, tolerating her, fucking her, indulging her.
He should be pleased. As far as wives went—from what he heard his friends bitching about—she was low maintenance. She kept her mouth shut when he needed her to, always appeared well groomed—both at home and in pubic—and rarely gave him any lip.
Her brow furrowed as he stood and held up a finger, stepping out of the room for privacy. As the door snicked shut behind him, he spoke again. “What is it?”
“I looked into that guy you mentioned. You were right.”
“Fuck.”
“What do you want me to do, sir?”
“Nothing. I’ll handle it.” He ended the call without another word and turned back to his study.
Penelope looked up with a soft smile as he returned. She twirled a lock of hair around one finger, swinging her crossed leg and sipping her wine. “Everything okay, sweetheart?”
Wayne cringed at the endearment as he nodded. Not even close. He took several long strides to reach his desk. “I have to go out for a while.”
His wife pouted. “Now? It’s so late.”
Wayne didn’t comment. He grabbed his wallet and keys from the corner of the desk and headed out of the room without a word. First he needed to visit the safe in his bedroom.
Worrying about his wife’s chagrin was not on his radar.
Chapter Three
The sound of a baby’s first cry is one of the best sounds in the world. Instead of the stress everyone in the vicinity feels every other time the baby cries for the next several years, the parents and doctors all smile, their shoulders sagging with relief.
As Rebecca held her daughter, the precious bundle wailing at the top of her lungs, her arms and legs flailing about, both her fathers leaned over to kiss the baby’s red, scrunched face.
Melinda grinned hugely from the end of the bed.
“McKenna,” Rebecca declared.
“That’s beautiful.” Miles kissed his mate on her forehead.
“Perfect.” Griffen cupped his mate’s cheek and kissed her lips. “She’s gorgeous. Like her mommy.”
Melinda had tears of happiness in her eyes as she slipped from the room. The second she shut the door and leaned against the wall in the hallway, she entered another world.
She’d managed to ignore the pull toward her mates for the last several hours. But it was time to face them, and her future.