sum, he was yet another asshole wanting to claim the bounty on her head. Awesome.
As her father tucked a blanket around her legs, Mila frowned. “I’m really okay.”
“Well, we’re not, so let us fuss over you a little.” James sat next to her on the sofa. “Need more tea?”
“No, thanks.” Despite the tea and pastries her mother had plied her with, Mila could still taste the chlorine. Could still smell it, even though she’d had a very long shower. Could still remember that moment when the water flooded her lungs and made her chest feel like it would burst.
If it weren’t for the pride’s healers, her airways would no doubt be burning, and the venom would probably still be affecting her. And if it weren’t for Tate’s intervention earlier, she’d be dead. Not a happy thought.
Valentina took her empty cup from her. “I called your uncles.”
Mila winced. “Mom—”
“They can help, Mila. They have . . . certain skills.” As in, they were excellent hunters and knew a thousand ways to kill a man. They also never left bodies to find—mostly because they ate them, teeth, bone, and all.
“They also make a point of poking at Dad and trying to convince you to leave him.” She loved her uncles, she truly did. She just preferred they stay away from James.
Valentina jutted out her chin. “Your father can handle my brothers.”
“It’s Skeletor I can’t stand,” said James with a lip curl.
Valentina’s nostrils flared. “James Devereaux, you will cease calling my mother ‘Skeletor.’”
“It’s just a little nickname,” he said, full of innocence. “Nicknames are a demonstration of affection.”
Hearing knuckles rapping on the front door, Valentina shot her mate a “we’re not done here” glare and then stormed off.
Feeling the beginnings of a headache coming on, Mila closed her eyes and rubbed at her temple. It made her a bitch, really, but she wanted everyone gone. She appreciated their concern and support, she just couldn’t deal with having so many people around her right then. And her cat couldn’t relax so long as Joel and Adele were in her private space and—
“Ah, Dominic,” Valentina greeted. “It is good to see you.”
Heart jumping in her chest, Mila snapped her eyes open. Her cat’s pacing came to an abrupt halt.
Seconds later, he came striding into the living area, and his eyes instantly sought her out. Then he was making a beeline for her as if they were the only two people there, not bothering to return any of the greetings he received. Her cat regarded him carefully, a little miffed with him for staying away.
Just like the time he’d spoken with the jackal, his dominance and intensity were pulsing around him. His infectious impishness was nowhere to be seen, but it hadn’t been replaced by anger or tension or any other emotion. No, he was cool and in control. But that shrewd, ruthless, unforgiving side of him had come to the surface.
He sank straight into the spot that her father—who looked rather pleased by GQ’s arrival—voluntarily vacated. Palming her nape, Dominic pressed a light kiss to her mouth. “I came as soon as I heard. How are you feeling?”
She swallowed. There was something . . . different in the way he was looking at her. Something that made her all tingly and wary at the same time. “Okay, thanks to Tate.”
“What happened exactly? All Tate told me was that someone managed to get into the building and tried to drown you in the basement pool.”
Mila took a deep breath and then told him about the attack. “Tate got there in time to drag the fucker off me. While Luke detained him, Tate gave me CPR. The healers took care of the rest.”
“CPR,” Dominic echoed, surprised by how steady his voice was. She’d had to have CP-fucking-R. That was how close she’d come to death. That was how close he’d come to losing her before he even had the chance to explore what was between them.
Tightening his grip on her nape, Dominic shot an accusatory look at Vinnie, asking, “How the hell did he even get into the building?”
“Our theory is that he entered in his snake form,” replied Vinnie. “They can fit through all kinds of small places. We’re working on finding all those cracks so that we can ensure another of his kind can’t repeat the move.”
Dominic’s jaw hardened—because it was too little, too late. He’d trusted that she was safe there. “I’d like to see him. Where is he?”