Ah, geez. The demon thought they were brothers. Bear shook his head. "You can't tell her no. She's knocked up, all pretty and sparkly, and you can't tell her no." No matter how close Bear and Nessa became, even if she bounced his heart around like a basketball, he would never be this whipped. If Nessa needed to be told no for her safety, he'd say it. "Nick," Bear said sadly.
Nick clapped him on the arm. "We're family, buddy. Suck it up and deal."
Did one of the most dangerous demons on the entire planet just tell him to suck it up? Bear growled.
Simone punched him again and shoved her shoulder beneath his arm, sliding her arm around his waist and snuggling close. "I have been so worried about you. Are you better?"
He paused. "Yes." Nessa had healed him. Oh, he wasn't at a hundred percent yet, but he was feeling damn good.
"Excellent," Simone said cheerfully. At almost six feet tall, she brushed his cheekbone with her forehead. "Also, you are mated. I just couldn't stay home and wait this out. Somebody must welcome her to the family."
Nick flashed sharp teeth in a smile. "Simone really wanted to come to make sure you didn't screw it up." Simone smacked her mate, and he grabbed her hand, lifting it to his lips. "Watch it, little bunny."
Bear gagged. While the nickname for his tough-as-nails sister was hilarious, Bear didn't need to see them all cooing. He might actually puke. "No flirting."
"How do you think I knocked her up?" Nick asked easily, amusement curving his lips.
The other two helicopters landed, and soldiers poured out of all three. Garrett and Logan met with a Realm soldier carrying an impressive number of guns. They began pointing out areas on the land to him.
Bear's hackles rose. "What is happening?"
"Protection detail," Nick said easily. "We trust your people, but mine will be on close detail for the day we're here. Covering Simone and the babe."
Demons and vampires. Bear couldn't breathe. "There are witches on my perimeter. Now demons and vampires close in. Oh God. It's purgatory. I'm in fucking purgatory. I have to move. There must be property in Antarctica you haven't found." His head spun.
Simone patted his chest. "Hey. You're all badass and full of muscles again. Nessa has cured you."
Bear stilled. "Did you say just one day?"
Nick grinned. "You're welcome. I needed to come check on the boys, and Simone was determined to interfere in your personal life, so I agreed to twenty-four hours only. That's it."
Bear brightened. "All right, then."
Simone pouted. "You donna' want me here?"
He instantly pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I want you here any time and all times." He meant every word. "But not with Apollo darts around. Once I take down the manufacturer, you and the babe can come stay here. Live here. It'll be great."
Simone bit her lip, her dark eyes sparkling. "What about Nick?"
"He can visit," Bear said softly. "Once a year."
She laughed.
Bear's chest eased, and his body relaxed. He'd made his sister laugh. That was good.
Logan and Garrett jogged over, each giving Nick a quick hug before reaching for Simone. She good-naturedly hugged them both, pulling on Logan's ear hard enough he winced.
"We gave Max key locations to cover, and he's having the soldiers fan out. After that, he wants access to the computer and surveillance equipment for maximum coverage," Logan said, brushing his dark hair back.
Bear sucked in air. "I'll think about it."
Simone patted him again. "Cooperate. It's just for a day."
He didn't answer, but they both knew he'd do as she asked.
"How are they doing?" Nick asked, all serious, jerking his head toward Garrett and Logan.
The boys paused and looked his way.
"I'm sending a grocery bill to the king," Bear said, messing with them.
Neither twitched, and no expression crossed their hard faces. But they did watch him closely. They also seemed to have stopped breathing.
Oh, all right. Bear let them off the hook. "Other than that, the boys have done an excellent job. They're good hunters and fighters, and their computer skills are helping enormously." Especially since his three key lieutenants hadn't been located yet. Logan was conducting his own searches, and Bear appreciated the initiative. "They can stay as long as they want."
Simone gasped quietly.
Yeah, that was the highest praise he could give. Bear rolled his eyes. "Would you like to start interfering now? Nessa is in the war room." The most secure room in the entire facility was a good place to put both of the women in his life. "Tonight you can stay in the river house in the same room as last time." He drew Simone toward the bar and looked over his shoulder at Nick. "You'll probably want to patrol or something."