Toxic Game (GhostWalkers #15) - Christine Feehan Page 0,165

you.”

She glanced up at his face. “I had no problems taking them out, Draden. None. Zero. They were dead the minute Whitney put me on their trail. I wasn’t certain how you’d react. I’m still not certain. There’s a part of you holding back from me. That’s part of who I am. I track down the ones that think they can escape justice. I don’t hesitate because I believe they need taking out. I absolutely know there is no other way.”

“Are you apologizing to me?” He sounded and felt incredulous. “Are you out of your mind? I thought you were magnificent. I was so fucking proud of you I could barely breathe. Not to mention you’re the hottest woman in the world. Watching you work is a thing of beauty, Shylah.”

He meant it. He meant every word. Relief swept over her. Love swamped her. She wasn’t ever going to have to try to hide that side of her. Not from him. He stopped abruptly and turned to pull her into his arms, taking her mouth, pouring love and fire into the darkest corners of her soul.

20

Shylah perched on the counter, drawing her legs up as she watched Zara Mazza add two lemons and two limes, both cut in half, as well as half an orange to salted water in a Dutch oven. She loved watching Zara’s face when she was cooking for everyone. Shylah had helped her with the main dishes—Cajun chicken pasta as well as salad and freshly baked bread. The pasta was homemade by Nonny, so they knew it was good. The fresh bread was Zara’s, and it was so fragrant they’d been fending off the men all evening.

A voice rose, a hiss of displeasure, Pepper telling Wyatt he could just go to hell. The women exchanged looks with mixtures of concern and amusement. Pepper was always the most accommodating with Wyatt. Anything he wanted, she gave him. She always spoke in low, almost sensual tones. There were never raised voices where Pepper was concerned.

The triplets rushed in, alarm on their faces. Ginger had her hands pressed to her ears. There were tears on both Thym’s and Cannelle’s faces. It was Cayenne who reached down to lift Thym into her arms to reassure her. Shylah hesitated. The girls didn’t know her as well, but she figured it was time they did. The perfect time. She held out her arms to Cannelle and the child immediately rushed to her. Shylah had just been thinking having babies with Draden was out, but holding the little girl made her rethink, just for a moment. The child put her little arms around her neck, snuggling into her.

Shockingly, it was Trap who leaned down and swept Ginger into his arms. “Nothing’s wrong, Ginger,” he reassured gruffly. “Your mama is having the babies and doesn’t always feel good. She’s just letting your daddy know that right this minute, she’s the boss and he’d better not cross her. Women get to do that when they’re having babies. It’s all about making that experience exactly what she wants, and she needs to be able to communicate that.”

Shylah nearly fell off the counter, even with Draden standing right in front of her, one hand on her knee, the other rubbing Cannelle’s back gently.

“She’s yelling. She never yells,” Ginger objected with a little sniff.

All three girls looked soberly at Trap for an explanation. Shylah thought that was very telling. Trap didn’t talk much as a rule. In fact, he ignored what was going on around him. Most of the time his attention was centered solely on Cayenne or his work. She was beginning to know the other members of GhostWalker Team Four.

Shylah found herself looking at Cayenne, not Trap. Her gaze was fixed on her husband’s face. She was pregnant, and actually much further along than she appeared, but she didn’t flinch under Thym’s weight. She was looking to Trap for his explanation just as the girls were. That, more than anything, really brought home the fact that both Pepper and Cayenne had no knowledge of childbirth or parenting. They were relying on their spouses and Nonny.

In spite of her age, or maybe because of it, Nonny was clearly the center of Team Four. She had the biggest heart, and everyone was always in her home, underfoot. She never seemed to mind. She’d left the cooking to Zara, Bellisia and Shylah while she helped Wyatt deliver. Ezekiel was with them and Wyatt had told two of the others,