He’d just have to make sure he took better care of her from now on. He didn’t like it when his little kitten was all tuckered out for the wrong reasons.
He hadn’t understood why Ruby had glared at his sister when they’d finally headed down, until he’d heard her mutter under her breath that his butt was fine, thank you very much. He’d nearly burst out laughing.
Dinner had been a unique mixture of tension and curiosity. No mention was made of Shane or his kidnapping at the table. Instead everyone had focused on Ruby. They’d done their best to make her feel welcome, but there’d been no denying the gentle inquisition his parents had put her through. But his kitten was tough. She’d answered each question with dignity and a light touch of humor that had won over both of his parents. He hadn’t needed to see his father’s nod of approval or his mother’s smile to know they’d both liked her tremendously.
Moira, however, seemed to be reserving judgment. Oh, she liked Ruby, and made that plain. Yet in that odd sisterly sort of way she’d managed to convey that she wasn’t certain that Ruby was good enough for him. He wondered if he’d be as big a pain in the ass when she brought her mate home to meet them one day, and shuddered. The thought of his baby sister letting a man touch her made him want to punch something.
His family was waiting for him in the kitchen, Mom making a pot of coffee, Dad chatting quietly with Moira. They all looked at him when he entered, and suddenly he knew how Dad, and to some extent Shane, felt during these family meetings. Each of them was staring at him like he could somehow make everything right. He took his seat, accepting the coffee his mother handed him with a small smile.
“Is Ruby settled in then?”
The lyrical notes of his mother’s tongue flowed over him, soothing something in his spirit he hadn’t even realized had been abraded. “Aye, Mum. She’s sleeping peacefully.” The language, so long unused, came to him easily, surprising him.
“You’re sure she’s the one, then?” Moira’s question, though not unexpected, still grated.
“Aye, I’m sure. Everything about her calls to my senses in a way no other woman ever has.”
The confidence in his voice had Moira sitting back, nodding thoughtfully. “Does she know of us?”
“You mean does she know that when we aren’t glamoured we sprout pointy ears and speak in Sidhe?
No, I haven’t told her that yet, considering I just finally got her into my bed last night.”
Moira unconsciously fingered the delicately tapered point of one ear. “When do you plan on telling her? Before or after the ceremony?”
“Moira. Enough.” Sean’s voice was stern. “Ruby’s human. Leo will need to lead her up to it.”
“Rent Lord of the Rings first, it might help.” Moira grinned at him, that cheeky one that never failed to worry him. She leaned forward. “Ask her if she thinks Legolas is hot.”
“I can’t wait to see who you mate, Moira. I hope he’s human.” Leo bopped her on the head with an oven mitt, making her giggle. “Maybe he’ll think Legolas is hot.”
She bared her teeth at him in a smiling snarl. Aileen took the oven mitt from her before Moira could bop him back. “Enough. Leo, let us know if you need help explaining things to her.”
Meaning, explain them soon, before you head back to D.C.
“Yes, Mum.”
Sean stood, and all eyes turned to him. Leo’s dad was one of the most easygoing men he knew, until one of his own was threatened. Leo had sensed the tremendous anger Sean was hiding the moment he’d stepped foot on his father’s land.
It was never, ever wise to piss off an earth sprite.
“I’ve got feelers out to all of my cousins in this country and Ireland, just to be safe,” Sean said. He’d planted his feet wide, his thumbs hooked into the loops on his jeans, his face stern. He looked like a warrior readying his troops for battle. “The earth spirits allied with us will keep me apprised of what’s going on. If he’s anywhere near one of them, they’ll let me know.”
“I’ve contacted some of the Sidhe who still speak with me, and they’ve assured me they’ve heard no mention of Shane.” Aileen’s face was calm and composed. Her hands were white-knuckled around her mug. She took a deep breath, her jaw determined, her eyes hard, and Leo was suddenly, inexplicably afraid.
“There’s someone who owes me a favor—”
“No, Aileen.”
The iron in his father’s voice surprised him. “Who?” His parents shared a long, unreadable look.
“Who owes you a favor, Mum? If they can find Shane, we should call them.”
“That favor may come at a price we’re not prepared to pay, Leo.”
Leo turned to his father, but Sean’s stern gaze never left Aileen.
“He owes me, Sean.”
“And he’ll turn that to his advantage.”
“He can find my baby, Sean Patrick! Let him find my baby!”
Aileen finally broke, tears running silently down her face. Sean’s eyes closed at the sight of his mate’s fear and pain. The helplessness he obviously felt in the face of her grief was something Leo hoped he’d never suffer through with Ruby. Bad enough his brother was missing. If it was his child, the child of his beloved mate? He didn’t know if he’d be in any better shape than his mother was in.
Leo huffed out a breath and exchanged his own glance with Moira. Who the hell was his mother talking about?
“You’ve called him?” Sean’s voice was weary.
“Aye.”
Sean nodded at his wife’s whispered response. “So be it, then.”
“Who are you two talking about?”
The sudden gust of wind heralded the advent of a tornado of power in the middle of the Dunne kitchen. Out of that tornado stepped a tall, slender man with waist length red hair and laughing blue eyes in a face that would have made Michelangelo weep. The tornado was dressed in a dark blue poet’s shirt that matched his eyes and tight leather pants that showcased a slim build. Knee-high leather boots completed the look.
Every hair on Leo’s body stood on end at the sight of that slender young man.
“Robin Goodfellow, for my sins,” the figure said, bowing extravagantly. He looked up from his bow, cocked his head at Sean, and laughed out loud.
“Shit. Shit. Robin-fucking-Goodfellow owes Mom a favor? ” Leo paced back and forth in the front yard, wiping at his face wearily.
“Ah, but I’m not fucking at the moment, dear fellow, although I might wish I was.”
Leo swung around and gulped. Robin Goodfellow was sitting on the hood of his Navigator, legs crossed Indian style, a leer on those boyish features. “You see, when I received that call from your absolutely ravishing mother, I was hip deep in a pool with a pair of Naiad twins. Alas and alack, I doubt the lovely ladies waited for my return.” With an exaggerated sigh, Robin brushed his long red hair back with an effeminate sweep of his hand. Leo noticed that the Hob’s nails were painted black. “Now, if I had a prime piece waiting in my bed for me the way you do, I doubt I’d be out here worrying about someone like me.”
“Stay away from Ruby.” Leo didn’t even recognize the growl that erupted from his throat.
Those brilliant blue eyes flashed completely green before auburn lashes drifted down, hiding them.