"Nice kids," Boondock said, his eyes twinkling. "You sure you're not hungry?"
"No. Sit down." Bear motioned to the living room with the huge stone fireplace and comfortable couches. The house had come with the land when he'd purchased another twenty acres on his perimeter last year, and so far he'd just let guests crash there. It had five bedrooms, more than five bathrooms, and a couple of rec rooms. "You're a prisoner, damn it."
"Eh." Boondock untied his apron and followed Bear into the living room, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.
Bear took the coffee. "How old are you?"
"Couple thousand years," Boondock said easily, looking about thirty-five. He was fit, with intelligent blue eyes-the exact hue of Nessa's eyes. "Where's my niece?"
"Sleeping," Bear said shortly, his ears heating. "She's the commissioner of the Guard." He still couldn't believe she'd kept that little tidbit to herself.
"Aye." Boondock wiped his hands down his black dress pants. With his polo shirt, he looked like he was off for a day of golfing. His dark hair was slicked back. The guy could be a banker. "Nessa is a special girl and always has been. She's made strategic and fundamental changes to the Guard that has made our entire species safer. The woman is brilliant."
"But the Guard Commissioner," Bear said quietly.
Boon smiled. "Aye. She's gifted, but she really has wanted nothing more than to have a big family and love all around."
"So she joined the Guard?" Bear growled.
"Yes," Boon said. "The Guard is a tight organization full of loyalty. Even if most of her troops didn't know who she was, she took care of them. Nurtured them. Was part of something bigger. It's all she's ever wanted."
Bear shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. "I see."
"Isn't that why you joined the grizzly nation and then created this motorcycle club?" Intelligence shone hot and bright in Boon's eyes.
Bear shrugged. If Nessa wanted a family, a real one, he could give her that. Give her security and a lot of lost shifters to watch after and nurture. "Why the hell did you set her up to be in danger? The whole kidnapping thing? She could've been killed."
Boondock flushed a hot red. "I had George and his men in hand. Never, in a million heartbeats, would I have expected a kill force armed with Apollo darts to show up." He shook his head. "I've been over and over who could've possibly known we'd be in that warehouse in Oregon."
"Besides you?" Bear snapped.
George lifted his head, his gaze direct and sober. "Absolutely not. Nessa is my only family. I'd die for her." His gaze probed deep into Bear. "As would you, apparently."
Seemed to be telling the truth. "The attack force was after her and not you, so you weren't the target."
"I noticed." Boondock rubbed the back of his neck.
"Any ideas about who?" Since Nessa was the leader of the Guard, the reasons didn't matter. Bear just needed the who, to go take them out for good.
"No. George wouldn't have done that, but I don't know about his men. Maybe somebody got to them." Boondock's chin firmed. "It could've been one of your people."
"Never," Bear said. "None of my people would be involved with Apollo or want Nessa harmed. They just met her." Although now he could see it, since they'd gotten to know her. He bit back a grin.
"That's what I figured." Boondock cleared his throat. "What are your intentions toward my niece?"
Bear took a long drink of coffee, letting the fragrant liquid burn down his throat. "I'm not sure. She mated me for business reasons. To gain fire."
Boondock threw back his head and laughed. "That's hilarious."
Bear frowned. "Excuse me?"
Boondock wiped his eyes. "She might have convinced herself of her grand plan, but no way would my little girl mate just for business. She must've seen something in you. Sensed something. The woman is not that logical and cold."
"You think?" There was nothing cold about Nessa. She also didn't seem all that logical. Bear's heart thumped hard. Was there more to their mating for her, too?
Boondock smiled. "You've got it bad."
Yeah, he did. And he might have screwed it all up the night before. There was no doubt she wasn't safe with him. The woman deserved better. "I'm still pissed about your little escapade," Bear said, searching for heat to add to his words.
"Understood," Boondock said cheerfully.
"You made her cry. She was worried," Bear snapped.
Boondock sobered. "I didn't mean to make her cry. Shoot. Sometimes I forget how sweet she really is." He sighed. "She's going to miss the Guard so much."