Mateo carefully takes her from Ezra and gently rocks her. Then he holds his other arm out for Eziah. Sparks of happiness burn in his eyes. I hand Eziah over, and Mateo sits in the armchair with both babies.
“If you fear her, she will fear herself.” I inform them. It’s a reminder, or a warning if they may, to keep in mind they must support their daughter and treat her the same as her brother.
Ezra slowly nods as he appears to be deep in thought. “Will she be ok then?” He asks, stroking her cheek as he leans down, glancing over Mateo’s shoulder.
“Of course, she has a Goddess for a mother and two overprotective fathers.” I chuckle. “She will be fine, embrace her, don’t fear her.”
They all nod, and none try to toss out assumptions or ideas, so we enjoy the brief moment of silence.
“They will be fine,” Mateo echoes to Ezra, looking up at him.
Ezra smiles and leans down to kiss him, cupping his cheek in his hand, and deepening the kiss before pulling away. Kat watches them with a silly grin on her face.
Ezra pulls away like he forgot my father and I are standing in the room. “Sorry,” he mutters. I shrug, not caring in the slightest. Love is love, I couldn’t ever be bothered by two men kissing, especially if those are the men that make my sister happy.
“Nothing to apologize for, he is your mate. Speaking of mates, I should get home to mine before she attempts to kill my Beta. That is if she hasn’t killed Zane already,” I chuckle and walk over to Kat. “I will bring Sage to see you as soon as I can. Whenever she proves, I can trust her not to run,” I tell Kat, kissing her forehead.
Before I leave the place, I give Mateo’s cheek a quick peck. Then I kiss Eziah and Marabella’s little foreheads. Ezra pulls me into a tight hug and pats my back a couple of times before releasing me.
“I might pop over in a few days once Kat is settled in,” my father tells me. I nod, giving him a quick side hug.
It feels so damn awkward touching him. I know he is my father, but still the relationship is strained. I can’t claim he isn’t trying to involve himself in my life, though.
However, I feel more comfortable showing affection to my brother-in-law than I do to my own father. Maybe because I grew up calling another man dad? But like many other matters, this is for me to think about another day. First, I needed to check on Sage.
Walking out, I grow slightly excited to get home to see Sage. However, I do feel like an absolute piece of shit, knowing I lost my temper with her and locked her in the car’s trunk.
The entire drive home all I can think about is how much she hates me and probably now fears me. I should never have locked her in the trunk, but she needed to learn I will not tolerate her being a brat when I am trying to help her.
She doesn’t need to fear me, and I’m already over her looking at me like I am some kind of monster. Driving around the mountain and up the winding road on uninhabited land, I screech to a stop when two figures step out onto the path.
Donnie presses forward at the sight of the rogues crossing the road. They look like deer in headlights, completely frozen until the car stops barely a few inches from them. Both men let out a breath of relief that the car stopped in time.
I toss the driver’s door open, step out, and I instantly recognize them. However, this time, I don’t have anyone around to distract me or Donnie. They have our full attention, and this time, they won’t get away.
I mindlink Zane as I keep my focus on both men. “Get the basement ready and meet me out front,” I tell him.
“Okay, what about Sage?” He asks, a little hesitant.
“Is she asleep?” I ask him, hoping to the Goddess that my little mate is.
“Yes, Alpha,” he replies.
“Carry her upstairs and lock her in the room. I don’t want her to see me bring them in.” I instruct Zane.
I am not trying to win Sage’s favor by getting these filthy bastards into my basement, but let’s just say this is one of those ‘the one that got away’ situations. Besides, these bastards have taken something from my mate I will never forget. My hatred of them is far more intense than any other rogue I’ve crossed paths with before. I would ensure they would last long enough for me to enjoy every scream.
They ruined her. Made her fear everyone, even her own mate. Took everything she had left and did their best to crush her spirit. I didn’t go and hunt them, their decisions and actions delivered them onto my path, nothing more or less. Karma is a bitch, and I can even hear her cackle as she watches the revenge she’s planned for these creatures, to force them in front of me again.
I focus back on the two men, who are both still frozen in fear. Strolling to the trunk, I pop it open. If they have any brain cells left, they won’t make me chase and hunt them down. But then again if I were in their shoes, I would rather take my chances and run, knowing what I have in store.
“Get in,” I order them. They nudge each other, trying to will the other to go first.
“1… 2,” I count, and the shaggy long-haired one steps forward. I grab his arm and toss him in the trunk.
I think of how my mate was there hours ago, and that thought makes me even more disgusted. These men don’t deserve to breathe the same air she does, let alone share the experience of a ride in a goddamn trunk.
The other man’s eyes darted to the trees, and I clicked my tongue. “Try it, and I will skin you and put you on an ant’s nest,” I promise, and he gulps, stepping closer.