his mate. And the kids. Both were good swimmers, and Isabelle took turns tossing them in the air, letting them splash down. It did his heart good seeing Connor act his age. A child that young shouldn’t have to see the things he did in his visions.
There were human families enjoying the pool, and Amelia was chatting up all the other kids her age. Some of the adults were nervous with all the males hanging around the patio. Kai even heard one woman ask her husband if he thought one of their group could be someone famous.
“Doubtful. They’re probably Mafia.”
“Don’t be silly. Mafia thugs wear suits and look like gangsters. These guys are trying to be inconspicuous.”
If they only knew Katherine had been born into a Mafia family.
Tessa had obviously overheard the conversation because she stood and called out, “Princess Katarina, are you comfortable? Can I get you anything?”
The human woman’s eyes widened, and Katherine grinned and waved her hand. “I am feeling rather parched. A water, if you will.”
Josie giggled. “She’s something else.” Josie turned toward Kai and laced their fingers. “Thank you for giving me this family. And yours. I’ve only met your father and brother, but I know I’m going to love your mom too.”
Kai brought Josie’s hand to his lips and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “Don’t forget my other brothers and their mates. They are just as much fun as Tessa.”
“Seriously?”
“Oh yes. Pono’s mate will give Tessa a run for her money. We should probably keep an eye on them if they put their heads together. Sefina even gives Pono headaches. She grew up on the island, and the two of them were destined to be together. Yes, they are mates, but that isn’t something that is usually figured out until after the transition. Sefina saw Pono and our brother Ranger wrestling one day. Pono was only eight, but he was already strong, so scrapping with the older boys was nothing new. Still, Sefina saw Ranger push Pono, and she flew at him like a banshee. It took both our mothers to pull her off Ranger. Instead of being embarrassed a female tried to take his brother down on his behalf, Pono was smitten. They’ve been thick as thieves ever since.”
“Ranger seems an odd name for a Samoan.”
“His real name is Rangi. Since he traveled some before he was mated, he adopted the nickname. My birth name is Manaia, but when I moved to the States, I began using Malakai. It’s less likely for someone to question where I’m from.”
Frey stepped onto the patio and strode to his mate. Abbi was sitting on the side of the pool, her feet dangling in the water. Frey bent and picked her up, carrying her bridal-style. Abbi wrapped her arms around his neck, and Frey kissed her deeply, not caring who was watching. “Let’s go, Little One. Time for supper.”
“Okay, Daddy.” Amelia told all her new friends she’d see them later, and when Frey remained where he was looking at each of them, that was their cue to head inside. The Gargoyles surrounded the mates and children as they went as one entity back upstairs.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Rafael placed his hand on Kaya’s hair. His heart was torn. He was sad and angry at what happened to his mate, while he also rejoiced she was alive and would eventually recover. She was in a medically induced coma to allow Jonas and all the various surgeons to operate and repair the damage while giving Kaya time to heal. It wasn’t fair to Sebastian and Priscilla for him to keep them sequestered at the hospital, but now that he knew what was happening outside, he couldn’t allow them to be anywhere other than at his side.
Caroline was keeping Priscilla company. She had gone shopping for the three of them, bringing them clothes and toiletries as well as formula, diapers, and all the various things a baby needed. Sebastian was only missing one thing and that was his momma.
Rafael promised both his mate and son Drago Kostas would pay for stealing their time, their home, and putting Kaya in a coma.
On top of Drago’s treachery, the mates’ plane had been sabotaged. He didn’t question whether or not Bryce was certain that was the cause of the engine failure. The male had been the Clan’s pilot for almost four decades. Rafe was thankful Julian and Bryce had designed the ejectable pod. If the plane hadn’t been equipped as such, Rafael hated to think