Wicked Bite (Realm Enforcers #5)(60)

She reached the door and stepped inside. It instantly shut behind her, and the lights turned on to reveal a small waiting area with a sofa in front of three private planes. Four soldiers guarded the planes with automatic weapons in their hands and green laser guns at their waists.

George sat on the sofa, a gun pointed at her. For the meet, he'd worn dress slacks, a button-down shirt, and brown boots. His wavy dark hair curled around his ears. "Nessa. It's good to see you again."

"I canna' say the same," she said, her brogue deepening. "Where is Boon?"

George stood and moved toward her, tucking his gun away. "If you move, they'll shoot you." Then he brushed her hair back.

She showed her teeth.

"Please." He tugged out her earbud and then scrutinized her. "There it is." With deft fingers, he removed the camera button from her shirt. Then he casually tossed the camera and bud on the floor, crushing them beneath his boot. "This isn't my first op."

"This isn't an op," she hissed. "Where is my uncle?"

"Safe," George said. "You can have him the second we mate."

She relaxed her stance. George wasn't paying attention, or he'd sense her mating. She all but smelled of Bear. If needed, she could jump to the side and go for her gun. "Not garna happen. So hand over Boon, and I won't put the Guard or Coven Nine on your ass." 

George sighed. "You have always been such a bitch. Why can't you just see how strong we'd be together?" He took one step away from her. "Even your uncle agrees."

Nessa snorted. "He most certainly does not."

A tall figure exited the nearest plane. "That's not exactly true, sugar plum." Her uncle smiled as he crossed the painted concrete toward her.

Her breath deserted her. Completely. "Boondock?" she whispered.

He smiled, a handsome man in full health. "Aye." Instead of being a bloody disaster, he was clean-shaven, with his dark hair slicked back. His movements were smooth in his pressed green slacks and gray Armani shirt. "You might want to step away from her, George. She can get violent when riled."

George took another step back.

Heat clawed down Nessa's throat. What was happening? She shook her head, trying to get a grip on reality.

George sniffed her.

She shoved him farther away with one hand.

He frowned and sniffed her again. "Sonuvabitch. You smell like bear. A blooming bear."

Heat climbed into her face.

"Nessa?" Boondock asked, reaching the sofa. "Please tell me I'm not too late."

George slammed his hands on his hips. "You said you'd talk her into mating me if I helped you. You promised."

Boondock rolled his eyes. "Please. You can't handle a woman like my niece. She'd chew you up, spit you out, and then bat you around for fun. You're an idiot, George. Always have been."

George's face turned a mottled red. "Oh yeah? Shoot them!"

Nessa set her stance and reached for her gun, but nobody else twitched. She paused.

"They're my soldiers," Boondock said smoothly. "Guard soldiers."

Nessa looked at the four. She didn't recognize any of them.

Boondock took in her surprised expression. "They cover Australia. There's no reason you'd recognize them."

Realization started to dawn. "You didn't. Please tell me you did not set this whole situation up just to get me here. Uncle?" Her temples pounded. "I cried about you."

"Ah, that's sweet." He quite wisely kept his distance. "I don't like being unaware of your location."

Anger ripped through her so quickly her entire throat felt scorched. "I was on mission."

"Yes, but I didn't know where." His smile twinkled in his eyes. "When I got Jasper drunk, he may have let your whole mating plan slip."

"You got Jasper drunk?" she snapped. Not Jasper. He was the one who'd told her about the kidnapping. "He's in on this?" That betrayal cut deep.

"Of course not." Boondock waved a hand. "We legitimately had him beat up trying to protect me. The boy gave it a good shot, I'll have you know. Took out three of my men." Boondock puffed out his chest. "You two are well trained, if I do say so myself. I did a good job."

Oh, she was going to kill him. Her hands trembled, and not from fear. "How could you?"

He sobered. His shoulders went back. "How could I? Are you jesting? You fly all the way across the world, by yourself, on a mission? One involving Apollo and PK? One where you might mate a bear shifter? A shifter." He moved toward her, his eyes blazing. "How could I not? You've lost your bloomin' mind."

George sniffed again. "She mated the shifter. I can smell it."