Part 12 (2/2)

”You may not feel the same in a few weeks time,” Kai pointed out.

She growled out, ”I've completed missions with fevers, sprained ankles, and even a broken finger. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I'll break.”

Kai moved to meet Rafe's eyes. ”Do you approve of this?”

Nikki took a step forward, but Rafe squeezed her hand still in his. ”Of course. Nikki is one of the best Protectors on Stonefire.”

Her dragon chimed in. See? He keeps his vow. We should keep him.

We'll see how he does in the field before drawing any concrete conclusions.

Kai's voice interrupted her beast's reply. ”I'll run it by Bram, but otherwise, fine, as long as you can present me with a reasonable plan. But you'll be taking Aaron and a few other Protectors with you if Bennett can get us in touch with Killian.”

Jane jumped in. ”What about me? I should go. It would make a fantastic story.”

”No,” Rafe and Kai answered in unison.

After giving Kai a nod of approval, Rafe looked to his sister. ”You're not trained if something goes wrong. And the reality is, things could go very wrong if the hunters attack before we secure an alliance.”

Not liking how the males were teaming up against Jane, Nikki spoke up. ”However, I'm sure once we strike an alliance, Jane can visit the Irish clan and find her latest story.”

Kai frowned. ”Wait a second, I didn't say she could go.”

Jane raised her brows. ”Oh, really? If you're there to protect me, I would think I'd be safe enough. Unless you're going to admit to not being a good enough Protector.”

”It's not about me, you b.l.o.o.d.y woman. It's about your safety.”

Jane tapped her chin. ”Then maybe I can find a way to go undercover. That's worked well for me in the past.”

Kai shook his head. ”Right, like the time I had to save your a.r.s.e from those males in the pub.”

Rafe cleared his throat and all eyes went to him. ”How about we revisit Jane's request later? Because if you just outright deny her, she will get herself into trouble.”

”That's not a flattering thing to say, Rafe,” Jane said with a frown.

”The truth hurts sometimes. Besides, it's better than never.”

Kai blinked. ”Since when are you so compromising when it comes to Jane?”

Nikki tried not to laugh at Kai's surprise and succeeded, just barely.

Rafe shrugged. ”Maybe I know my sister better than you do. Spend some time talking with her instead of s.h.a.gging her, and you might find out more about her.”

Kai lunged toward Rafe with a growl, but Nikki moved in front of Rafe at the same time Jane moved in front of Kai. She was definitely going to have to chat with Rafe later about not provoking Kai, or they might be stuck with the worst a.s.signments for the foreseeable future.

As it was, she needed to salvage the situation. Nikki wanted the Ireland a.s.signment more than anything she'd wanted in a long while.

Looking between the two males, Nikki threaded her voice with dominance. ”You two need to stop this. Yes, you're both alpha. And yes, you both care for Jane. But if Rafe is going to live on Stonefire for any length of time, you need to cut the s.h.i.+t and learn to work together.”

Kai's pupils flashed to slits and back. Nikki held her breath but didn't back down.

With a grunt, Kai let out a breath. ”Provided he doesn't deliberately goad me, I will call a temporary truce. If for nothing else, to have him help keep tabs on Jane.”

Jane narrowed her eyes. ”Kai Sutherland-”

Rafe cut his sister off. ”Allow Nikki to keep working until she physically can't do it anymore, and we have a deal.”

Her human squeezed Nikki's hand, and something s.h.i.+fted in her chest. Maybe human males were better when it came to pregnant females and freedom.

Kai put out a hand and Rafe took it. After shaking, Kai dropped his arm. ”Let me pitch this to Bram today. If he gives the green light and Killian agrees to meet you, you two can prep and leave in a few days. I'll let you know as soon as possible.” Kai put an arm around Jane's shoulder and hugged her close. ”Until then, you two have another job. Melanie and Tristan's twins are having their first birthday celebration tomorrow. I wasn't sure if you'd be done with the frenzy or not. But since you are, I want you two to be a part of the security detail.”

Melanie Hall-MacLeod was a former sacrifice and had released a book about dragon-s.h.i.+fters that had turned public opinion to their side. Many dragon hunters and lingering Dragon Knights would love nothing more than to hurt the female via her children. Since dragon hunters had stolen a baby from Stonefire once before, it was possible they would try again.

She half-expected Rafe to balk at the a.s.signment, but her male merely nodded. ”Nikki and I will talk with the others in charge. No child will be stolen on our watch.”

Her dragon spoke up. Look at how fierce he is with protecting children not his own. He will make a good father.

Even though Nikki didn't respond, she had to admit her beast was correct. Rafe's tone told her he took this a.s.signment as seriously as any other.

The longer she was around him, the more she started to see he had a softer side hidden beneath the alpha exterior.

”Right then,” Kai stated. ”I know I said to take the day off, but you can spare twenty minutes later today. You two can meet with Aaron and the other Protectors this afternoon to plan for the twins' celebration.”

Nikki had known Kai her whole life and couldn't help but point out, ”You've been leaning more and more on Aaron lately.”

”When I was mate-less, I had a lot more time. Out of necessity, I now have to lean on him so I can spend some time with my mate. It's part of the reason I called him back from Italy.”

Jane poked Kai's side. ”You make it sound as if I take up all your time.”

”Not all of the time. But some of it.”

Uh oh. Kai was digging a hole.

Since Kai probably had no idea since the truth was important to him, Nikki jumped in. ”Considering Kai was a workaholic before, I say it's a good change.”

With a frown, Kai looked down at Jane. ”I never said it was a bad change. You are my heart and my life, Jane.”

Leaning her head against Kai's shoulder, she gazed up at her dragonman. ”I love you.”

As the two stared at one another, Nikki smiled. Even without being true mates, Kai and Jane were meant to be together. Fate had been wrong in this instance.

Stealing a glance at Rafe, she wondered if it had been correct in hers.

Kai kissed Jane and then waved a hand toward the door. ”We'll talk later. For now, leave so I can enjoy the day with my mate.”

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