Flawless Evans, Gabrielle (ebook smartphone .txt) 📖

Lynk nodded slowly. He knew Kieran had always hated the term, but to Lynk it had been a form of endearment.

“And what did he call you, sugar?”

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“Slave,” Lynk responded quietly. “That’s what I was. He wasn’t kind like you were. He was human. I couldn’t risk getting involved with another paranormal. I didn’t realize that he had connections in our world, though. One minute we’re sipping champagne on the balcony, and the next, I’m face down in the dirt in that slaughterhouse.”

“How long were you there?”

“A couple of weeks, I think, but I can’t really be sure. They kept me sedated, so everything just kind of blurred together after the first few days.”

“I’m going to go run,” Kieran said after a long silence. He bent his head again to kiss Lynk’s lips. “I’m not running away, though.

There’s a lot of shit going on inside my head right now, and running helps me think. You stay right here where it’s safe and keep the bed warm for me. I’ll be back in an hour or so.” Lynk bit his bottom lip and bobbed his head slowly. The last time Kieran had gone out for some air, it had ended in tragedy. He couldn’t keep sitting around waiting for bad things to happen, though. It wasn’t like he could lock his lover in the room and never let him leave.

“Please be careful.”

“I promise.” Kieran slid off the bed and pulled his jeans on, leaving them unbuttoned so that it showed just a hint of his groin.

“I’m coming back, Lynk. Try to get some sleep.” He must have still looked reluctant, because Kieran eased down on the side of the bed and pinched his chin between thumb and forefinger. “Look at me, sugar.” He waited for Lynk to meet his eyes before continuing. “Who takes care of you?”

“You do.”

“That’s right. Do you trust me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then trust me when I tell you that I’m going to be fine. I’m not some dumb kid like last time. I want you to take a hot shower then snuggle under the blankets and sleep until I get back.” His grin was 82 Gabrielle

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cocky as he stood from the bed and arched an eyebrow. “And if you really need me, just yell.”

“How did you do that?” Lynk scrambled to a sitting position, his mouth hanging open like a guppy. “I heard you in my head.”

“I can hear you, too, ya know. Give it a try.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me before? Why didn’t I know about this the last time we were together?” Kieran chuckled under his breath and shook his head. “I was human last time we were together, sugar. Being a werewolf has its perks, though. Now do what I said, and I’ll be back soon.”

“Same goes for you,” Lynk ordered. “If you need me, I’ll be there.

I’ll be fast enough this time.” Hopefully he wouldn’t be put to the test so soon after finding his mate again, but if the need arose, he’d be ready this time. They were facing a lot of bad shit in their future, but Lynk wasn’t going to lose Kieran for a second time.

Kieran just winked and disappeared out into the hallway. He couldn’t have made it far when Lynk heard him inside his head, though. “Hey, sugar?”

“Yes, Kieran?” Lynk grinned to himself at his mate’s playfulness.

For as fierce as he was, it was unexpected, but not unwelcome.

“I never stopped loving you, either. I just didn’t realize it until now.”

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Chapter Ten

“How do propose that we gain allies within the Snake River Coven?” Elder Cortez addressed the members of the meeting from his chair on the dais.

Kieran honestly had no interest in the meeting or in gaining allies.

The only reason he was there was to support Lynk. As an Enforcer, it would be his job to help rescue anyone being held prisoner in Snake River. As Lynk’s mate, it was his job to endure these boring meetings and pretend like he was interested when in actuality, someone could just brief him after everything was said and done.

“This has to do with you as well, you know. I’m sure Elder Tuesday is going to try to use Zasha’s supposed claim to me as leverage. I don’t know what he hopes to accomplish with that bit, though.”

It took every ounce of willpower he had not to growl like an animal, snatch Lynk up and scream, “Mine!” Kieran managed, though, settling for a grunt of annoyance instead. Let someone try to take his mate away from him. He dared them.

“You’re very sexy when you get all jealous,” Lynk observed, pushing his thoughts into Kieran’s mind.

“I’m not jealous. I’m…territorial.”

“Yes, sir,” Lynk responded, but Kieran could see the corners of his lips twitch as though he was fighting a smile.

After arriving home after his run, he’d found Lynk freshly showered and sleeping peacefully, all snuggled down in the blankets.

It had been such a heartwarming sight that he’d stood beside the bed for a long time, just watching his lover sleep. Then he’d showered 84 Gabrielle

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quickly and spent the rest of the night—and part of the day—just holding Lynk in his arms while they slept. It still amazed him how the simple act had brought him so much contentment.

“It was nice. I haven’t slept that well in a very, very long time. It’s so easy to feel safe with you, though.” If Lynk didn’t stop it, they’d be leaving the meeting early whether his smaller mate wanted to or not. The romantic in him felt all mushy at the declaration. The alpha in him, however, wanted to find the nearest flat surface and fuck Lynk into next week.

Lynk’s hand settled on his upper thigh and squeezed as he tilted his head to the side, baring the side of his neck. The vein that snaked along