a greedy little shit, but still a kid. We can just tell Isa what he was up to, and I bet she’ll settle that. She won’t let him get away with anything. He’s not that bad but I think he’ll need to be taught a lesson about greed.”
Niko smiled. “That’s what I thought you would say, so I already talked with her and sent him to see her. Bet we don’t have any more trouble out that kid.”
Ash laughed. “Yes, I imagine Grandma will change his attitude.” Ash shook Niko’s hand and stepped to the side. “Well, looks like you have everything under control. I’m going in to find my mate.”
Niko grinned at him. “Yeah, go ahead. I’ve got this covered. Go take care of your family.”
Family. What a wonderful way to say what he, Smoke, and Valentina had. Now they just had to make it permanent. He and Smoke needed to finish the full mating and mark her as theirs. His dick grew harder in his shorts.
Entering the clinic, he saw them sitting in the waiting room, a bandage on Val’s arm. He rushed to her, kneeling at her side. “Are you burned? Are you okay?”
She smiled up at him, gently cupping his cheek. He turned his face into her hand. Fuck, his mate was beautiful and warm. That smile alone calmed his dragon. “No, it was just a cut from getting out of the crevice. Smoke saved me and the others from getting burned.”
Ash glanced at Smoke with admiration. He appreciated that he had saved their mate. “You okay?”
“Yep, glad I got to them when I did. Had a few scorched scales, that’s all. I see you are doing okay. Don’t see even a scratch on your naked torso.” He suggestively raised his eyebrows.
Ash peered down at himself. “Shit, I forgot to get a shirt. I was in such a hurry to get here.”
“It’s okay. I like looking at all those fine male muscles that are mine.” Val sighed, running her nails down his pecs. His nipples hardened. “See, even your body knows it’s mine.”
Smoke laughed beside her. “I think we need to get her home soon. Don’t know how much longer I can wait for us to make her ours. Officially.”
They headed out and climbed into a resort golf cart, with Val in the middle of them in the front seat. She felt small between them if that was even possible as large as she was. She remembered her ex’s comments about her size, but her physical looks didn’t seem to bother her two men at all.
She finally realized that these two men truly saw the beauty she never knew existed in her. They pulled it out and made her see it too. And to top it off, they gave her the ability to speak up for herself. It was their belief in her and their words of encouragement about how strong and beautiful they said she was that allowed her to stand up to Tom and say what she did. She felt like a different person. Her men did that.
There she was again saying her two men. Yes, they were actually hers, or rather they would be soon. She wasn’t sure how this mating thing went, but she realized she wanted it, wanted to be theirs fully.
When Smoke pulled in front of the house, Ash helped her out. The moment she slid off the seat, Ash took her into his arms and held her tightly to his bare chest. “I was so scared we wouldn’t get to you in time to save you from the eruption.”
“I’m fine.” She stared deep into his eyes, her heart melting at the worry and love she saw in them. “I really am. Besides, I heard you got Tom. He won’t be able to hurt anyone. I was worried about Kristin from his threats, but now that you caught him, I can relax.”
“You’re right. Kristin’s safe, and so are you,” he said, squeezing her to him again. “We will never let anything happen to you, Val. Never.”
She grinned. He was so serious, and all she wanted was to get him naked. But man, his words did something amazing to her. They made her feel loved and cherished, emotions she had never felt before. It was surreal. He took her hand, and they followed Smoke up the porch to the house. When they entered, soft music played in the background. “Did you leave the player on, or is someone else here?” she