It didn’t seem like the sort of thing he did often. «I don’t mind if there’s an emergency, Alec. With my job, believe me, I’m used to it.»
«Eh, if there’s an emergency, they’ll find me anyway. Can’t hide from psychics and wizards. But if it can wait, I’m going to make it wait.»
She traced one finger over one of the dark lines of ink that curled around his shoulder. «Thank you.»
«For what, honey?»
The stern, serious set of his face had relaxed, and it made it easier to confess the truth. «I don’t know yet, but I’ll think of something.»
A tiny smile curved his lips. «Down payment for what I’m going to do to you when I recover in fifteen minutes?»
«I think…for not fighting anymore.»
«I was never fighting you. You know that, right?»
No, he’d been fighting himself, his own demons and the magic that had bound her. But the end result had been the same. «Doesn’t matter.»
He caught her hand against his chest. «Yeah it does. One’s about not wanting to want you. The other’s about not wanting to hurt you.»
Carmen sat up and leaned over him. «I know who my family is. If you didn’t have any reservations about getting involved with me, then you just weren’t thinking.»
Alec shrugged. «Sure. I had reservations while I was wondering if you were a femme fatale sent to mount my balls in your trophy case. As for the rest of it, hell. If anyone should have reservations, it’s about my family. And yeah, I have my share of those.»
Because of his wife. Even if she wanted to talk about it, that was definitely a conversation for another time. So Carmen propped her chin on his chest and affected a sigh. «Shows what you know. I don’t even have a trophy case.»
His smile widened as he lifted a hand to toy with a lock of her hair. «So where do you keep them? Bookshelf? Bathroom cabinet?»
«Interestingly enough, I usually let men leave my acquaintance still in possession of all their most beloved parts.»
«Makes sense. We’re more useful that way.»
«Exactly.» He was a beautiful man anyway, but when he let his guard down and really smiled… «You’re gorgeous.»
He twisted his finger in her hair and tugged a little. «Not as gorgeous as you.»
Warmth unfurled in her belly. «You want to argue about that now too?»
«Maybe only a little. Unless you’ve got something else in mind?»
She feathered kisses over his chest, from one shoulder to the other. «Maybe. Since you still have all your parts and all.»
If he gave her the night, she’d take it. If he gave her more, she’d take that too, and worry about everything else — including both of their families — later.
After twenty-four straight hours of sex, sleep and a silent cell phone, Alec knew the blissful vacation had to end.
Still, he didn’t expect it to end with eleven voicemails. «Jesus.»
Carmen set an open beer on the table in front of him. «What’s wrong?»
«This.» He held up the phone with its damning message count. «Not sure if the shit hit the fan, or they really missed me.»
She bit her lip. «Just Jackson, or others?»
«Guess we’ll find out.»
First was a message from Jackson, an update that he hadn’t found anything. The next two were from Kat, both accusing him of having forgotten to charge his phone but not leaving any real information. He deleted the one from his father without listening.
The fifth message made him sit upright, apprehension unfurling in his gut. His cousin’s voice — the only cousin he actually liked, and the one who lived on a ranch in Wyoming. The ranch where the Alpha’s daughters lived.
«Hey, Alec. It’s Gus. Michelle wanted me to call and ask if you can bring someone named Dr. Mendoza up here to the ranch as soon as possible. She didn’t say much else, just that the magic stuff could be bad, and coming from Michelle…» He’d paused to clear his throat. «Well, it’s the stuff she doesn’t say that scares the hell out of me. So watch yourself, and be careful.»
Alec hung up the phone without listening to the other messages.
Carmen stood, one hand clenched around the back of a kitchen chair, staring at him. «Alec, what is it? What happened?»
He needed to stay calm. Not panic, and not make her panic. «You know about Seers?»
She nodded jerkily. «Of course. Shapeshifters with magic. The Alpha’s daughter is one.»
«Michelle Peyton. She sent a message through one of my cousins. She knows a little about what’s happened to you, and thinks it might be a good idea if you come up so she can take a look.»
Carmen’s chest rose and fell with rapid, shallow breaths, but she only said, «I’ll pack a bag.»
Damn it all. He could hide his alarm behind all the straight-faced stoicism he wanted, but Carmen would be able to feel it. «I overreact,» he said quietly. «Worrying is what I do. Doesn’t mean things are dire.»
«I know.» She smiled, a shaky expression that she didn’t try to hold. «I should probably hit Google, see how cold it is in New York this time of year.»
«Right idea, wrong place.» Alec shoved his chair back and rose. «Wyoming. Michelle lives on a ranch there. It’s a long story.»
«It always seems to be.» Carmen caught his hand and stared up at him. «I should have already thought of it. I, of all people, should know that feeling fine doesn’t necessarily make you fine.»
Alec leaned down and brushed his lips over her forehead. «No should-haves and could-haves now. I know someone who can fly us up to Wyoming tomorrow morning, first thing. If your stomach can handle tiny planes, that is.»
«I don’t get airsick.»
«Or nervous?» He tried to find a smile. To pretend everything was going to be fine. «Ever had a wizard pilot?»
«If so, I didn’t know.» She released him and stepped back. «Do you need to go home and pick up some things too?»
It would be easier to make all the necessary arrangements, but the thought was surprisingly unappealing. He didn’t like the idea of leaving her, especially if something might go wrong at any second.
And if it could go wrong at any second… Gus had said as soon as possible. «Maybe we could leave tonight. I’ll call my pilot friend and we can swing by my house and pick up my stuff on the way.»
The words startled her, but she covered well. «I’ll get my bag now.» She wrapped her arms around her body as she turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving behind a faint echo of fear and guilt.
Alec wanted to follow her. Comfort her. Hold and soothe her, as if hugs and kisses could protect her from whatever magic might be curled inside her. Waiting.
A danger he couldn’t fight, and it made his skin itch. If he made it to Wyoming without driving himself half-insane, it would be a goddamn miracle.
Chapter Eleven
The sun was still tucked behind the distant hills when Nelson set his tiny plane down on the landing strip Luciano Maglieri had built on the outskirts of his ranch. Marriage to the Alpha’s daughter had brought Luciano a small fortune — and a father-in-law anxious to visit his first grandchild.
Carmen had fallen asleep somewhere over Oklahoma, driven by exhaustion and lulled by the warmth and silence provided by the Cessna’s magical enhancements. Nelson made a tidy living as a supernatural taxi, and Alec couldn’t blame the shifters who’d rather pay for a private flight than endure hours in a cramped space, surrounded by humans.
Of course, it meant Nelson didn’t have time to stick around waiting for them. He pulled off his headset as soon as they were stopped and nodded toward the two trucks pulling toward them. «Looks like Maglieri’s waiting for you. I’ve got to get out to California for a pickup, but y’all just give me a holler when you need a ride back home. I’ll juggle things around. Make it work.»