Simone's eyes gleamed. "I already have our techs on a deep background check. But he's not the enemy to focus on."
"I'm aware," Bear muttered, not able to look away from the too-quiet woman on his bed. "Somebody wants her dead."
"Yes." Simone sobered. "We'll start an investigation immediately."
Bear focused. "You don't know anything? No leads or clues?"
"No," Simone said, meeting his gaze evenly. "This is definitely unexpected. Also, I'm not sure if you're aware, but yesterday there was a dramatic increase in worldwide chatter. Movements of operatives and a lot of Internet correspondence and positioning."
Bear's head dropped. Why hadn't he just stayed in the woods? "You think the attack is coming together." They'd known from the onset of the Apollo trafficking that there would be a full-out assault against the witch nation at some point.
"Aye," Simone said. "We're pulling in informants and trying to find a pattern, but nothing so far. We're on full alert."
"I'll get my people up to speed," Bear said.
"Good. For now, I'll send the Enforcers over to escort Nessa back home."
Nessa stirred. "I'm not leaving," she said, her eyes remaining closed. "Bear isn't healed yet."
Relief shook Bear so hard he barely bit back a gasp. "Ness? You okay?"
"Just tired," she said sleepily. "Don't want to leave."
"You don't have to leave, baby." Bear had made a promise to take out George Flanders, and now he made a mental vow to destroy whoever was trying to kill her. He focused back on his sister. "She stays here."
"Really?" Simone drawled, her dark eyes sparkling.
Bear kept his gaze stoic. "We have a business arrangement." That had involved more than a couple of kisses. "We're on lockdown here with full patrols. Assure the Council, Enforcers, and Guard that Nessa is safe in Grizzly territory." The idea of her leaving made his chest feel hollow, but she couldn't stay long-term. Once he made her safe, he'd have to deal with that fact. He made a mental note to have the patrols tripled.
Nessa rolled over, sighing into what looked like a deep sleep.
"She'll be fine after she sleeps and heals her brain," Simone said. "Stop worrying."
"I'm not. I'm pissed. They blew up my truck." Bear lowered his chin and studied his sister, now that he'd issued the orders. "You look pale. How are you feeling?"
She smiled, and her face was transformed from beautiful to unbelievably stunning. "I feel fine. Carrying a demon baby isn't for wimps. The kid is already doing somersaults in there."
"And your mate?" Bear asked. Truth be told, he'd liked Nick Veis from the beginning, even though he was a demon soldier-the top soldier for the demon nation, right alongside his best friend, their leader, Zane Kyllwood. "Is he preparing for this kid? Could be a girl, you know."
Simone nodded. "Nick is driving me crazy. Did you know there are little plugs humans put in electrical outlets? They're impossible to remove, even for an adult."
Amusement swept over Bear. "You still have five months to go. Why plug the outlets now?"
She leaned in. "I have no idea. He's lost his mind." Love filled her words. "Crazy demon."
Oh, there was no doubt insanity ran in the demon nation. But Nick would keep Simone safe, and that's what mattered to Bear. "You mated him," he reminded her.
"Aye, I did." Her smile was happy. That's all Bear had ever wanted for her.
He sighed. "I have work, sis. Call with updates tonight."
"Wait." She leaned in. "What's going on with you and Nessa? I mean, I thought maybe you two might-"
He clicked off. His personal life was just that. Sliding the phone into his pocket, he felt Nessa's pulse at her wrist. Steady. Good. He stood and paused, staring down at her. Her hair was splayed all over the pillow in a silky mass. Beneath the blanket he'd draped over her, she looked small. Defenseless.
Something harsh and fierce rose in him. "You'll be safe here." Without a thought, he leaned over and kissed her brow, inhaling the scent of Irish roses-the wild ones that grew in the high country. "I promise." She didn't move.
He turned and strode for the door, shoving his way outside to find a light snow falling in the dim afternoon. The first snow of the season. It'd disappear within an hour, but soon it'd be winter. He nodded at the guards on the porch-two of the men who'd been Grizzly brothers of his for more than three decades. They both still looked twenty-five and were in excellent physical shape. "Nobody gets in there."