Mysk took care of it. She won’t hurt anyone again,” Psy said, without explaining how. It wasn’t his place to reveal Mysk had violated the code on Cassie’s behalf. “But it has alerted us to a growing need for law and order. Mysk recommends we establish a tribunal to police ourselves. I told him I would like to serve in that capacity.”
“An excellent idea,” Tigre said. “You’d be perfect for the job.”
“Agreed!” the others concurred.
“And…I have another announcement—Cassie, my genmate, has agreed to move in with me!”
His family cheered and applauded.
“That’s wonderful,” Kevanne exclaimed.
“Congratulations,” Delia said.
The men slapped his back and hugged Cassie. “We’re so glad to have you,” Inferno said.
“Th-thank you,” she replied.
Tigre bared his fangs in a smile that stretched as wide as the stripes on his face. “I’m thrilled for you—and for us all. Three of us now have met genmates in less than a year,” he said.
“I’m very happy for you,” Shadow echoed.
“Thank you,” Psy said. “For everything. The information you discovered was invaluable.” Finding the death certificate and discovering no guardianship existed had been the tip-off “Rosalie” wasn’t a misguided, overprotective parent but someone with a more sinister intent. “Could we impose upon you for one more favor?” he asked.
“It’s no imposition. I’ll help any way I can.”
He gestured to the laptop. “That’s Mentira’s computer. It’s password protected and—”
“You need me to hack into it? Easy peasy. Consider it done. Anything specific you’re searching for?”
“Emails from Cassie’s real mother, Rachel, her address, and any other information about her,” he explained. “Thank you.”
Inferno produced a bottle of champagne, and the castaways toasted their good fortune. That led to an impromptu picnic lunch on the front porch. More good cheer and well wishes got passed around with the food, and, although he desired to be alone with his genmate, it filled him with joy to see Cassie join in the conversation. She didn’t speak in long sentences, but each halting word brought a smile of happiness to her face.
I love your family, she said.
They love you, he replied, caressing her palm with his thumb.
Of course they would accept her—that had never been in doubt, but it was gratifying to see how well she meshed with his surrogate brothers and their genmates. Because he loved seeing her so happy, he tamped down his impatience to hustle her up to his room and reseal their bond in a physical way. She’d longed to belong to a big family, and he wouldn’t rob her of one second of it. But the instant they were alone…
Wingman, of all people, caught on to his impatience. After the bombardment of their planet, the Avian hadn’t been the easiest person to get along with. He’d been distrustful, easily irritated, just plain angry. And then he met Delia and her young daughter Izzy. It was amazing how a genmate could change a man. In Wingman’s case, it had mellowed him into a likable fellow.
The Avian fixed a hawkeyed stare on him and Cassie and then said to Delia, “We should pick up Izzy from the sitter. Ramona probably needs a break.”
“There’s no rush. Ramona loves having her, and Izzy loves being with Molly and the horses.”
He arched his feathery brows dramatically and jerked his head at him and Cassie.
“Oooh…yeah.” Delia finally picked up on the hint. “We’d better be going. Kevanne—didn’t you and Chameleon have errands?”
“No.” Chameleon leaned back into his chair.
“Yes, we do,” Kevanne said.
“We do?”
She jutted her head at them.
“Oh! Yes we do.”
Cassie giggled.
The others got the message then, and, after delivering some final, quick congratulations, back slaps, and hugs, they made themselves scarce.
I like your friends, but I thought they’d never leave, Cassie said.
Why didn’t you say something sooner?
Because I do like your friends, and I’m so very happy to be here. She wound her arms around his neck. One kiss led to several, and then he grabbed her hand, and they charged upstairs.
As soon as he kicked the door shut, roaming hands sent clothing tumbling to the floor. Flesh met flesh as their minds linked tighter, drawing them into a web of intimacy. All barriers had crumbled, leaving only naked need and an eternal spring of love. He’d found his genmate, his one, his only, and there could never be another.
Kissing passionately, they tumbled onto the bed. Limbs entwined, mouths fused. Desire burned white-hot, but his need for her went far deeper than the physical. You are everything to me, he said. You have turned my existence into a life.
You gave