The (Not) Satisfied Dragon - Colette Rhodes Page 0,59

about this?// I snapped, concentrating on sinking into that open, vulnerable place to project my words. I didn’t want him to miss a single one. Whether he loved me or not, if he had an issue with my brother, he had an issue with me.

Hiram laughed heartily from the kitchen as Ezra led Xander into the parlor. I stood up to give him an awkward one-armed hug as the rest of my mates filed in.

I’d gotten a lot more comfortable with physical touch around the five of them, so it was jarring to be around someone who wasn’t my mate and realize how not okay with it I still was. I knew with absolute certainty that Xander would never hurt me, yet I didn’t get that subconscious feeling of safety from him that I got from my guys.

“You found me,” I said brightly.

“It wasn’t hard. Your mates are pretty well known. It’s good to see you, Shira,” Xander said with a tired smile. Not the good kind of tired either.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, gesturing to the couch and taking a seat. Xander took the spot next to me while Seff slid in tight behind me, wrapping his arm possessively around my middle. I don’t know why they acted this way around Xander, I was certain I wouldn’t be so weird with them around their sisters.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Xander sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Just new flight teething problems.”

“Your mate doesn’t approve of your criminal lifestyle?” Hiram asked, flopping into an armchair.

“What?” I asked, sitting up straighter in Seff’s arms. The idea hadn’t even occurred to me. My mates had been exceptionally relaxed about the skeletons in my closet, and Xander had done nothing near as bad as what I did.

Xander gave Hiram a dark look. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten how you spoke to my sister.” I could have sworn Hiram flushed a little.

“So? Your mate?” I asked impatiently.

“Laurel,” Xander sighed, his eyes softening. “She’s incredible. Beautiful. Compassionate. She’d do anything for anyone.”

“So the whole stealing thing is an issue for her?” I asked hesitantly.

“Maybe if it was just me.” Xander winced. “I guess she got the reject pile of mates. We’ve all had to make our own way in the world in some form or another.”

“Does she have a problem with that?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. I’d have words with her if that was the case. My brother had been through enough. He deserved to find happiness with his mate.

“We inhabit a different world to the one she grew up in. It’s an adjustment for all of us.” Xander gave me a tight smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Settle down, sis. You look like you’re about to shift and hunt her down and honestly, your temper frightens me a little.”

Seff made a strangled noise from behind me, like he was struggling not to laugh.

“I just want you to be happy,” I shot back defensively.

“I will be. I sort of am. We’ll get there.”

“The gods know what they’re doing,” Ezra added, sitting in the armchair opposite, talking to Xander but looking at me. He turned his attention to my brother, studying him carefully. “Maybe they gave you such a compassionate mate for a reason. Whatever your commercial activities are now, be very careful what you share with your sister.”

“Why? Are you expecting her to report on me, Mr Enforcer?” Xander snarked. I loved my brother, but by the gods, he didn’t possess an ounce of self-preservation. Ezra narrowed his eyes on my brother, and I was worried we were about to have a repeat of the throat-pinning incident. I was amazed Xander had come here at all, all things considered.

To my astonishment, Ezra didn’t react to Xander’s needling. His gaze slipped to mine, and he tilted his head, sweeping his arm deferentially, letting me take the lead.

“We’re running for Flight Milain’s vacant seat on the Council,” I said, impressed at how casual my voice sounded.

“You’re okay with your mates getting further entrenched in the Council? After everything?” Xander asked dubiously, side-eyeing my mates.

“We’re running. All six of us.”

Gods, you could have heard a pin drop in the neighboring den, it was that quiet. My mates seemed to brace themselves for Xander’s reaction, and Xander seemed to have stopped breathing entirely. Seff’s arm tightened comfortingly around my waist, like he could protect me from my brother’s disapproval with his presence alone.

After an exceptionally long pause, Xander burst out laughing. The kind of laughter that made his whole body shake