Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
They had. When had Gorya forgotten that his cousins had sworn an oath to one another—to him—that they would be family? That their women would be family. Sons and daughters. All would be put first and guarded carefully. Gorya had never believed himself worthy of that oath. He watched over his cousins, guarded them, but didn’t expect that same loyalty in return.
Gorya. Maya filled him with a soft feeling of something that bordered far too close to what might be growing love. You are not less than he is. How could you think such a thing? For me, you will always be so much more.
Whatever emotion it was Maya filled his mind with, he felt far more intensely for her, and it was growing every minute in her company. The sincerity in her quiet statement caught at him. Whether they would have a few days together or a lifetime, Gorya knew they were meant to be together. They had been destined mates. He wanted a lifetime with her.
We were right to do as we did, Rogue interjected with his smug attitude.
Between Timur’s intensity and Gorya’s struggle with having so many males close to Maya when he was feeling vulnerable, he might have reprimanded Rogue, but Maya’s soft laughter entered his mind like rays of pure sunshine.
“I appreciate your coming, Timur,” Gorya said, ignoring his cat. “Although I warn you, other than those right here in this circle, you can’t trust anyone in this lair or, for that matter, the territory. Not even the locals. They made far too much money in trafficking. Shutting it down has made me very unpopular.”
“I brought Arman and Kiriil with me, and if we need more, we can send for them,” Timur said, indicating the men behind him. “Ashe is with me as well.”
Maya stood, and Gorya took her hand, drawing her beneath his shoulder. She seemed much smaller standing that close to him. “This is Maya, my woman. Maya, my cousin Timur; his wife, Ashe; and two of the men from his security, Kiriil and Arman.”
Maya smiled at them a little tentatively. She appeared the picture of innocence, the young girl next door. It would be difficult to identify her as a shifter. Timur didn’t bother to hide his frown as he looked her over. He’d obviously been hoping for a warrior to aid his cousin, and looking at Maya, his hopes had been dashed.
Ashe gave her a welcoming smile. “I’m so pleased to meet you. Evangeline and Fyodor send their greetings. They were eager to come, but Timur wanted to check out how safe it was first. They have children, and we’re a little protective of them.”
Maya gave her a small smile. “It’s nice to meet you.” There was just the smallest hesitation in her voice, as if she might be intimidated by Timur, Ashe and their companions.
Gedeon and Meiling exchanged frowns. Matvei, Rodion and Kyanite appeared protective and concerned.
It was easy to view Maya through the lens she wanted others to see. She had perfected the image since she was a child. She looked and sounded vulnerable and nonthreatening. She projected the feeling of needing care, causing those around her to want to protect her. Gorya didn’t see that Timur had that reaction to her, but Ashe did.
“Are you hungry?” Gedeon asked. “There’s plenty.”
Timur inclined his head. “Very.”
“He’s always hungry,” Ashe said. “I’m the world’s worst cook. If there’s food in the vicinity, he’s got to take advantage.”
The men broke out in laughter at Ashe’s confession as they added chairs to widen the circle around the fire pit.
Gorya explained to Maya as they sat down, “Ashe tried to help Evangeline with the bakery when Evangeline was too sick to go in one morning and nearly burned it down.”
Ashe nodded solemnly when the men continued to laugh. She didn’t look in the least offended. “They can laugh all they want, but don’t let anyone tell you baking is easy. Evangeline is a miracle worker. She should be given a medal. I’d like to see any of you do what she does. I’m not in the least ashamed of what happened. In any case, that horrible Jeremiah was distracting me.”
“Jeremiah?” Maya asked, knowing it was required of her.
“Jeremiah Wheating is our problem child,” Gorya explained. “He wouldn’t be if the women didn’t spoil him rotten. Where is he, Timur? I half expected you to bring him along, especially since Ashe treats him like a sibling. She jumps to his defense the moment anyone dares to reprimand him for his million and one mistakes.”
Ashe gave a little sniff of disdain. “I do not,” she denied.
A chorus of “bullshits” went up from the men around the fire pit. Gedeon had taken orders and was busy at the grill, but even he turned back to lift an eyebrow as if to say Ashe might not be telling the truth.