He grasped her hand and pulled it away from his skin. "No healing."
"I can't right now," she said simply. "I'm probably out of commission for a week or so. Recharging batteries and all that." She forced a smile. "I was just touching."
"In that case." He put her hand back on his face. "Touch all you want."
She studied him. There was a hardness to him that hadn't been there before. Or rather, that had been hidden behind charm and crankiness before. Now it was out for all to see. "Are you all right?"
"Yes. The wolf bar was a setup. Obviously." His lip curled.
"Wasn't your fault." She grasped his shoulder. "You know that, right?"
He looked toward Simone. "How are you doing?"
"Fine, and the babe is well." Simone's smile was tired but relieved.
"Good." Bear's hands flexed on Nessa's legs. "I'll find out who set us up."
Nick put his napkin on his plate. "Speaking of which, I think I should head that, ah, investigation. It'd be better all around." His gaze flicked to Nessa and back.
"No," Bear said shortly. "You and Simone are allowed to stay as long as she wants, but the rest of your soldiers need to be out of my territory within the hour. Or we start shooting."
Nessa's mouth gaped open and she quickly shut it. "What are you talking about?"
"Grizzlies only." He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her nose. "And one healing witch. That's it."
She tried to make sense of his words. "I don't understand. Why are you making everyone leave? A lot of their soldiers saved us last night. They fought hard."
"The only way I can control this area is to control it with my people." He ran a knuckle along her chin. "I'm not forcing you, but I have to know if you really are resigning from the Guard."
She nodded numbly. "I don't have a choice. It's done."
"In that case, I want you to resign now. The sooner we get it over, the less danger you'll be in." He kept her gaze.
Too much was happening all at once. "Right now?"
"Yes." His implacable face had no give in it. None.
She missed his laid-back attitude. "Even if I resign, I might be a target."
"Maybe, but it's one box checked. What needs to happen?" he asked.
She looked around, her gaze seeking, trying to concentrate. What was wrong with him? He seemed so . . . distant. "I, ah, need to sign a Declaration of Resignation and do so in Coven Nine headquarters in Dublin."
"No." Bear looked to his sister. "She'll sign the letter and do so via video from here. Will that suffice for the Council?"
Simone watched him carefully. "Yes. Bear, you need to take a step back and breathe for a moment. Think everything through. I know you're angry-"
"I'm not angry." Bear turned back toward Nessa. "Finish your breakfast, and I'll have the video room set up for you. Remain here until I come for you."
"I, ah, need my uniform," she whispered.
He looked at his sister. "Get her one." With that, he stalked across the living room toward one of the rec rooms in the back.
"What is wrong with him?" Nessa asked, watching his broad back.
"He almost lost you last night," Nick said, taking a drink of his coffee. "And he almost lost his sister and his niece. He's trying to hold it together, but he's going to blow. Get ready for the explosion."
Nessa shuddered. She couldn't take another explosion, not right now. "Is there anything I can do?"
Nick shook his head, his jaw incredibly tight. "No, and there's no way I'm letting any of my soldiers leave until I take Simone with me, whether Bear likes it or not."
Nessa exchanged a worried look with Simone. Perhaps Bear wasn't the only one about to explode.
Her phone buzzed and she lifted it to her ear just as Simone and Nick both reached for their phones. Her body settled and her mind cleared, her adrenaline starting to hum. "Lansa," she answered.
"Ma'am? The chatter went silent across the world. However, undercover operatives are calling with signs of movement around possible targets," one of her soldiers said, his voice low.
"Affirmative." She held the phone away from her head and focused on Simone. "Whoever is after us is making the move now. You getting the same intel?"
Simone pushed back from the table. "Aye. We need the war room."
Nick stood, stopping her. "Are you all right to move? To do this?"