The Last Warrior (Shifters Unbound #13) - Jennifer Ashley Page 0,74

to be a threat.

Walker had been communicating what was needed through the discreet earpiece he wore while talking to the Shifter Bureau agents—the advantage of having a sympathetic liaison Shifter Bureau trusted. Walker got things done for Shifters while placating the assholes at Shifter Bureau. He deserved a medal—on top of all the others he’d received while being incredibly brave in an army A-Team, whatever the hell that was, exactly.

“You could have called, you know.” Liam kept his voice gentle, but Ben sensed his displeasure. Liam not knowing what was going on might endanger the Shifters in his demesne, and Ben understood that. Even so …

“It’s not the same thing,” Ben said. “Rhianne doesn’t belong here. She has her own world, her own life. Nothing to do with the Austin Shifters.”

“Everything has to do with everything, lad.” Liam remained patient. “Though I understand why you didn’t want to expose her. But people taking videos of her in a park kind of threw the shite onto the fire.”

Connor broke in, his young voice full of glee. “Video was uploaded and viral in like ten minutes. So cool.”

Liam rubbed his chin with one finger. “You’ll have to explain to us what you were doing being swallowed by the ground, but I suppose there’ll be time for that later.”

“Mind if I go inside?” Ben gestured to the house. “Standing out here, I feel like a prisoner being interrogated in an arena.” Being surrounded by six-foot-plus Shifters did that to him.

Dylan hadn’t said a word. The hand Glory had on his arm and the presence of his daughter-in-law and grandson might have something to do with that.

Shifters were out in force, though, from all over Shiftertown. They kept their distance, but Shifter hearing was good enough that they’d be able to repeat this entire conversation to any who’d missed it.

Liam shrugged, opening his hands to indicate Ben could do what he liked.

As Ben started up the steps, his pocket chimed. He halted halfway up and dug frantically for the crystal as the chiming increased, to the amusement of Connor and Tiger-girl.

Ben finally yanked it out and gazed into the glowing crystal. “Yeah? That you, Lady A.?”

“It is.” The answer was crisp. “I wish to speak to my daughter. To tell her that it’s safe to return home.”

Chapter Eighteen

Rhianne glanced up from the glass of deep red wine Kim had handed her. Kim had poured herself a glass of water, smiling warmly as she explained she had another cub on the way.

Rhianne had scented that as soon as Kim had laced arms with her, and was startled how easily the Shifter in her recognized it. It was as though realizing she was Shifter had triggered all kinds of abilities she’d unknowingly kept dormant, but now they were happily flaring to life.

The large kitchen was bright and warm, cozy even in the wee hours of the morning. Tiger’s mate, Carly, also held a glass of wine. Tiger had taken the tiny Seth upstairs to put him to bed.

“Sweetie, you’re exhausted.” Carly had a softly accented voice and kind eyes. “Shifter Bureau is a pain in the ass, as I well know. You deserve a day at a spa.”

“It has been a long time since I indulged in a spa town,” Rhianne agreed.

Kim looked puzzled but said nothing. Carly raised her glass, and Rhianne, remembering her lessons on toasting, clicked hers against Carly’s.

“To spas,” Rhianne said.

“Amen.” Kim joined in the glass clinking.

“Word,” Carly added. “How long do you think they’ll be out there?”

Kim sighed. “However long it takes Liam to explain, in his oh so friendly way, that he’s in charge and Ben works for him. Could be a while.”

Rhianne took a sip of wine. It wasn’t bad, though little could compare to the wine grown and made around the mountains north of her home. “Ben works for no one.”

Carly and Kim both sent her a startled glance, and Carly nodded. “That’s true. Ben’s his own goblin. But he helps out from time to time.”

“He answers to too many people,” Rhianne said decidedly. “Because he has a kind heart. They take advantage of him, and that should cease.”

She noted Carly and Kim exchanging a look. Before either could argue, Ben himself charged through the swinging door from the living room. He held a bright white crystal in front of him as though it would burn him at any moment.

“It’s your mom.”

Ben thrust the crystal at Rhianne, who fumbled with her glass and nearly spilled the wine. Carly