“Ry –”
“You don’t protect a life-threatening condition behind nearly unhackable passwords, Cal. Something’s wrong here. I don’t like it and I haven’t had time to give it my full attention.”
Callum sighed. “You do if she’s destined queen to a secret society and that knowledge in the wrong hands would make her vulnerable. She’s had her gifts since birth, her father knew about them for f**k’s sake. She and I have talked about it. Her father likely made some explanation to her doctor. Gregor nearly came out of his skin when he’d heard she’d had a turn and he’s not a male prone to showing his reactions. My instincts tell me his reaction was not because of some nefarious plot but because the thought of her in pain hurt him. Lassiter probably told him about her gifts as well but even if he didn’t, he’s a vampire who’s lived with Sonia for years. He’d notice it. It took me a bloody week. If Lassiter didn’t tell Gregor, it probably took him about as long as it took me. What she can do is unusual for a human but she’s amongst those who’ll accept her now. It’s fine. She’s fine. Let it go.”
At that, Ryon uncharacteristically lost patience and clipped, “Just let me do my f**king job, all right?”
Callum studied his cousin. He’d known him a long time and Ryon’s instincts were as sharp as Callum’s.
And what would it hurt?
Therefore, he gave in, “All right, Ry, if you feel so strongly about it, do your job.”
It was then, both their heads cocked as they sensed Sonia’s approach.
Ryon’s eyes locked on Callum and he whispered in a voice so low Sonia wouldn’t hear but also that strangely sounded like a warning, “She’s in love with you, you know. She has been for years.”
Callum simply smiled because he knew and that was exactly why Sonia Arlington-McDonagh was absolutely, f**king perfect.
Therefore, he replied with contented, kingly arrogance, “I know.”
Ryon regarded him closely, communicating something Callum didn’t understand.
He also didn’t care.
His mind, again, turned to his mate.
There was a short, soft knock on the door before she stuck her head in.
“Am I interrupting anything?”
“Come in, baby doll,” Callum called and she came through the door still wearing nothing but her robe and socks, her hair back in that pretty, pink band.
He wondered as he watched her walk gracefully toward him, what she had on under the robe.
He hoped it was just his chain.
He turned his chair to her, she sat in his lap and as he twisted to the desk, she looked to Ryon.
“Hey cuz,” she greeted on a smile.
“Hey cuz,” Ryon smiled back, either over it or hiding his earlier intensity.
Then she turned to Callum and announced with mock irritation, “I’ve just been treated to a thirty minute interrogation about my claiming in the kitchen. Mara and Callie are screamingly nosy. My excuse of ‘being human’ isn’t working anymore.”
Callum grinned at her and advised, “So tell them.”
Her eyes grew wide and she cried, “No way! That’s between you and me.” Then she gasped on some sudden thought, her head twisted sharply toward Ryon and then back to Callum where her eyes narrowed. “You haven’t –”
“No,” he cut her off and her body relaxed against his. “At least not yet,” he went on and her body got rock-solid. He was chuckling when he finished on a tease, “I just haven’t had the time.”
“You…!” she cried shortly, clearly too incensed to go on.
At the same time, Ryon noted roguishly, “I’ll look forward to that.”
She twisted her head to look at Ryon before twisting it again to Callum. He lifted his hand to cup and therefore control the moments of her neck so she didn’t give herself whiplash.
“Don’t you dare!” she snapped at him and he smiled yet again but this was a different smile.