Page 70 of Ready or Not
“Yeah,” I agree, studying the brown curls falling over his forehead. “Me too.”
“Do you have any idea how pissed I was when you busted out I love you on the damn telephone?” Holt scoots closer, moving his hand into the hair at the base of my skull. “That’s not something you say for the first time on the phone. If you’re going to make declarations of love, then you look the person in the eyes while you speak.” His blue eyes sparkle as he stares directly into mine. “By the way, you adorable little pain in the ass…I’ve thought about it at great length, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I do, in fact, love not only you, but also that wiggly little princess you’re busy baking.”
I dive forward, pushing my lips to his in a very uncoordinated kiss. He chuckles, sliding his tongue around mine. It takes ages to realize that Aurora is moving, and it’s likely that he can feel it, since his stomach presses against the baby belly. His hand tightens in my hair as he nips at my lips, and it makes my nipples ache.
Dammit, that’s so weird.
I pull back to breathe, resting my hand over Holt’s heart. “I love you too.”
Glancing back at Bishop, I assure him of the same.
“I know, gorgeous.” He chuckles. “I also knew you’d eventually get your shit together.” I can only assume he’s talking to Holt. “The feeling that fills the bond when you think of Vale is the beginning of love. It just took you a couple extra days to realize it.”
“Smart-ass.” Holt chuckles. “So, I told my mom about you and the baby and how you’re now officially my wife?—”
“Wait, I thought you weren’t going to do that?” I gasp, then realize how ridiculous that sounds.
We’re freaking bonded.
There are no take backs at this point.
“I felt when you finally realized you’re stuck with my ass for life.” Holt laughs, kissing my nose. “She wants to come for a visit as soon as things settle down. Before or after the baby is born. She’d love to help out.”
“That’s very sweet.” My eyes ache as I think of my mom. Luckily, Aurora will have support from four different families. Okay, maybe three, considering how questionable things went with Mercy’s family. The thought instantly brings me back to Kate.
“That was a roller-coaster ride in the bond.” Bishop starts to purr. “I don’t want to lie and guarantee that she’s okay, but I do know Hargrove and Merryweather are excellent at what they do.”
“If they sensed a threat but couldn’t get eyes on the perp, then they probably grabbed Kate and went to a hotel or safe house.” Holt runs his thumb over my cheek. “Do not blame yourself for this.”
My head bobbles awkwardly, but he hit the nail on the head. I am absolutely blaming myself.
How could I not?
Andrew was a subscriber! It seems so obvious now that I always should have been worried about that, but it never clicked until he mentioned my live shows. I thought I was careful. Not showing my face should have given me a layer of protection, but it didn’t.
I really don’t know how I’ll be able to cope if something happens to Kate because of me. I wish he would just stop hiding so all of this could be over.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Cooper
Mercy and I spend the next several hours in his office at the command center, waiting for information. The meeting with his family pack was cut short after Vale’s phone call, but I’m cautiously optimistic that it showed them how important our work is.
Then again, they might not care.
Mercy is an anxious mess.
The tech guys are trying to trace the last call to Vale’s phone. I check in with them again at Mercy’s request, but they aren’t Merrick, that’s for damn sure. Apparently, Mercy is in boss mode, because he barks at me to touch base with the team that’s supposed to be meeting Ranger.
I do, but they’re not close yet.
“They’re an hour out.” I toss my phone down on my lap, quirking an eyebrow to indicate I’m ready for my next assignment. He knew they were leaving from Jacksonville, and it’s not like they can teleport.
“Tell me Landis isn’t powerful enough to take out two of our agents and abscond with Vale’s friend,” Mercy mutters, burying his face in his hands.
I do a double take. He’s always a rock in times of crisis. “The guy I met in that hallway would have to catch them both with their pants down to have a hope of getting the jump on Merryweather and Hargrove.”
“I’d like to believe that too,” he says, meeting my eyes. “And yet, I’m the one who assigned them. That was my call. If they fail at their job, Vale will never forgive me. Not to mention, we’ll have lost two good men.”