Wicked Bite (Realm Enforcers #5)(87)

"Nessa?" Simone asked softly.

Nessa looked toward her new sister-in-law. "Yes?"

"If you hurt him, really hurt him, I'll gut you before I burn you to a smoldering pile of screaming ash."

Nessa grinned. "Your imagery is impressive."

"Aye. So is my ability to gut people and throw fire," Simone said seriously.

"Understood." Nessa stretched her arms over her head. "He asked me to stay."

Simone turned her chair. "He did? Like, really asked you?"

Nessa thought through the words. "Aye. Said to make a choice now, because it's absolute. If I decide to stay, then there's no leaving." 

Simone pressed her hands to her chest. "That is so sweet. And so many words for Bear to say at one time."

Nessa frowned. "He's kinda bossy."

"Just wait until you get pregnant," Simone murmured. "It gets a lot worse. But they're worth it."

Aye, but only if love was involved. Bear hadn't said he loved her-not once. Sure, they'd had wild sex, and he might've said he liked her at some point. But they had much different lives, and they needed more than sex and liking. She needed more. Looking at Simone's contentment, Nessa realized she wanted more. All of it. Could she have that with Bear?

"You're mated," Simone said, her lips curving. "Stop thinking like you're just dating. If you want him, you have to go for it."

Hadn't she done that just last night?

"I have surveillance of Slam Bar and intel on the wolf pack." Lucas texted something on his phone, and within a minute Bear and Nick loped into the room.

"Slam's on the rough side of town-very rough." Anticipation lit Lucas's eyes as he stood. "There are twenty known members of the gang, and we took out ten the other day. But they might have local friends as well."

Bear nodded. "Get me the schematics of the bar and the entire neighborhood. We want to go in small: the boys, Lucas, Nick, and me." He looked toward Nessa. "Jasper will be in charge of your protection, while Max will be in charge of Simone's. Both are outside coordinating with troops."

"Isn't it nice when we all work together?" Simone asked dryly.

"Nessa. Come outside," Bear said, turning around and disappearing.

"See? Bossy." Nessa pushed away from the table and followed her mate, flexing her fingers. She'd been writing all day and could use a good training session or jog to let off some steam.

He waited for her, his big body leaning on the pool table. "You figure anything out?"

"Still working on it." Both work and personal issues.

"All right." He'd changed into black cargo pants with a dark shirt, and his combat boots appeared to be around a size eighteen. "So. I was thinking."

"That doesn't bode well for me."

He grinned. "Funny."

She fought the urge to preen. For goodness' sake. "You were saying?" Could her voice sound any more prim?

He brushed her hair away from her shoulder. "When I said that if you decide to stay, that's the final decision?"

Her breath caught. Had he changed his mind? "Yes?"

"I thought I should tell you that I want you to stay. I'd like for you to make that decision." He kicked a cushion out of the way. "Thought you should know."

Her heart did a funny somersault. She smiled.

He tapped her lip. "Okay. Back to business. I have snipers set up in multiple locations, ground forces in place, and satellite backup around the clock. You and Simone will be safe here tonight until we return."

"I won't let anything happen to your sister, Bear," Nessa said softly. "Stop worrying."

The knife secured to his thigh glinted when he shifted his weight. "You're both vulnerable to Apollo." He frowned. "Just because one dart didn't harm you doesn't mean several won't."

"I know. Did you call the doctor to come take blood? I kind of promised the queen."

"Yes. We'll overnight it to the queen to take a look and see what's what. But under no circumstances are you to use yourself as a guinea pig," he said.



       
         
       
        

Even if she had access to Apollo, which she did not in her present location, she wouldn't stick the stuff in her veins. "No worries there."

"Good. Sometimes the queen takes research too far, and I won't allow that to happen with you." Arrogance was stamped hard on his rugged face. "Now, come here. Please."

Her abdomen did a little wiggle. She stepped toward him, her boot tips touching his. "I'm here."