Zane sat at the table next to his mother with deeds spread out in front of him. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Go ahead to the meeting and see what you can find out. We’ll be fine here.” His gaze remained shuttered.
What had Daire gotten involved with? Patience had never been one of his strengths, and he was losing what little he had. He didn’t take orders from a demon, and he sure as shit didn’t take orders from Felicity’s kid. The door burst open behind him, and he instinctively turned, putting his body between her and the threat. Zane was already up and over the table to stand by his side before the newcomer skidded to a stop.
Black hair, green eyes, cut features.
“Sam!” Zane said, striding forward to clasp what had to be his younger brother in a hard hug. They were more like two wild broncs clashing horns than a couple of guys hugging.
Daire moved to the side as Felicity hustled by him to hug her boy. The vampire-demon was twice her size and held her gently.
The door hung drunkenly from one hinge, damaged even further. Daire sighed. At this point, he should probably just move.
Felicity drew back.
“Logan?” the vampire-demon asked.
She shook her head. “Zane called you?”
“Of course.”
Felicity turned and drew him by the hand. “Sam, this is Daire. Daire, this is my middle son.”
Daire frowned. With a mental shrug, he held out a hand to shake.
Sam shook his head. “We haven’t met, but I’ve heard of you and your brothers.”
Felicity coughed. “We, ah, mated.”
Sam’s eyebrows went up. He glanced at a hard-faced Zane, down to his mom, and then at Daire. In one incredibly smooth motion, he freed his hand and jabbed it toward Daire’s chin.
Daire caught the fist, and the echo of skin pounding skin echoed around. “I’ve already taken one punch from a Kyllwood, and that’s all it’s going to be.” He shoved back.
Sam didn’t move.
Nice.
Zane chuckled. “We can kill him later, Sam. For now, let’s find Logan.”
The demon leader probably wasn’t kidding. Daire sighed and glanced down at his mate. “I swear, you had better be worth it.”
Her smile settled something deep inside him. “I figured out in the shower yesterday, when we got all hot and heavy, that I totally am worth it.”
Yeah. He figured. Grasping her hand, he led her toward the hallway. “I’d like a moment before I go.” His back stiffened, but he chose to ignore the tension suddenly emanating from Zane and Sam. Once outside in the hallway, he turned and grasped her hands. “Logan is a smart kid, and he’s tougher than most soldiers ten times his age. I’ll get whatever information I can from the Titans of Fire, and we’ll go from there.”
Dark circles marred the pretty skin under her midnight-dark eyes. But her chin was up, and her shoulders remained back. “I know. Thank you for helping.”
He couldn’t help rubbing his knuckles along her cheekbone. Her skin was unbelievably soft. “We’ll get him back, Cee Cee. I promise.”
She blinked and her eyes filled.
His chest ached. Slowly, not wanting to spook her, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers.
A throat cleared. “Ah, Mom? We have some files to go over.”
Daire slowly turned his head to catch Sam’s hard glare from the demolished doorway. Jesus. “Go ahead. If you hear any news, call me,” Daire said, nudging Felicity toward her nosy kid.
She nodded and headed back into the safety of the penthouse. Sam cut Daire another threatening look before turning on his heel. Daire glanced up at the ceiling. What had he ever done to fate to deserve the Kyllwood three sons as family? At least he could be sure Felicity would be well protected while he was gone and dealing with Fire.
“Boy have you stepped in a pile of it,” said a soft voice from the penthouse down the hallway.
He turned and grinned at Simone. “No shit.”
Her dark eyes sparkled. Dressed in faded jeans, black boots, and red leather jacket, the woman looked like an Amazon queen. “Kellach and Alexandra just landed at the airport. She’s heading into the station to see if there have been any police gains on the Apollo issue, and he’s coming here to help find Logan. I’ve been going through surveillance for cameras along the route we think the redhead took Logan, but all I’ve found is one picture of them leaving the bar.”
“Send it to my phone,” Daire ordered.
“Already did.”
He rubbed his eyes, caught between two duties. “I need Kellach on the files pertaining to you and whoever is trying to set you up. Enough people are working Logan’s case.”
Simone snorted. “One catastrophe at a time.”
“No.” Daire exhaled slowly. “It’s bad, Simone. Whoever is after you has excellent resources. If I didn’t know you as well as I do, I’d even be questioning some of the documents.”
She leaned against her doorjamb. “But you know, with certainty, that I’m not involved?”
He scowled. “Of course I know.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
Daire paused. “You said that Alexandra and Kellach are home. What about Jennie?” Alexandra and Tori’s mom was a kick in the pants but somewhat difficult to keep track of.
“She stayed in Dublin and is having a ball with a bunch of the Dunne sisters.” Simone shrugged. “Odd pairing, if you ask me. But who knows.”
Simone and Tori were an odd pairing for friends, too, but they seemed to be getting along like they’d known each other for decades. Daire glanced at the time on his phone. “Garrett said he and Logan have been staying with you.” He looked back up.
Simone flushed a light scarlet. “Those two idiots just moved in because I’m the only one with food. They’re like cockroaches. I can’t get them to leave.”
Daire smiled. The woman was definitely protesting too much. Why she hid her gooey center was beyond him. “It’s okay to like them.”
“I don’t.” She snorted but her eyes sparkled. “Go to your meeting. I’ve got things covered here.” She turned on a high-heeled boot and went back inside her apartment. Her door, unlike his, closed nicely.
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. Two steps took him to his cracked doorjamb. “Zane?”
The demon glanced up from the pile of papers on the table. “What?”
“Simone Brightston is next door, and she’s a member of the Council of the Coven Nine. It’s my job to keep her protected, and right now, she has enemies after her.” Daire spoke evenly.
Zane glanced at the doorway. “We’ll keep her covered while you’re gone. You have my word.”
He nodded. “Thanks.” He would’ve had to have been blind not to miss Felicity’s dazzling smile as he and her kid worked together. If only it were as easy as that. “I’ll be in touch.” Grabbing his coat decorated with the Titans enforcer patch from the closet, he strode down the hallway and stairs to the underground garage. Straddling his bike calmed him, but he’d have to hurry to make the meeting.
Garrett jogged into the garage just as Daire was about to light up his engine. “What?” Daire asked.
“Coming with you.” Garrett reached his Harley and swung his leg over. “The prospects and other members hang out in the bar while the board meetings take place. I’ll see if anybody knows where Logan is or if anybody knows about Apollo. I may ask to score some, if I get the right vibe.”
Good plan. Daire turned the key and his pipes roared to life. He drove into the misty Seattle evening and allowed the movement and rumble to ease his senses and focus his mind. The kid stayed on his six, and they easily made it through Seattle traffic and onto open road. The scents of pine and rain soon filled his senses.
His mind remained on one tiny blond demon. How frightened she must be with her youngest son in the hands of a bastard like Bychkov. But she’d held it together, showing the strength he’d come to expect from her. While she seemed to think he and her sons had reached a détente, he knew better. Family complicated everything.