Best Friends (New Species #15)(79)

Lash moved closer. The male sniffed, and his body tensed. He knew what the male had picked up. Mary’s scent was all over him.

He crossed his arms, daring the other feline to give him shit about it.

Jinx just gawked at him.

“She’s safe and asleep, Jinx. Keep your voice down when you speak.”

“Shit.” Jinx didn’t look happy.

“She’s not harmed. She fell from the vent but landed on those mats put under them to muffle the noise when I accidently tore them down. I stopped doing that after they were fixed.”

“Accidentally? You were doing it on purpose.”

“The old vents made noises, and I didn’t like it. You can’t blame me for making the noise stop by tearing them down. The new ones don’t creak and groan when they bring in heat and cold air. I told everyone who cared to listen that the mats weren’t needed anymore, but now I’m glad they weren’t removed. Mary could have been seriously injured if she hadn’t landed on them. They stay. I need more for under my bed, in case she ever falls out.”

“I don’t even know how to handle this situation.” Jinx reached up and rubbed the side of his face. “I didn’t really think she’d be here but was ordered to check since one section of that vent goes through your room to the mechanical room of the basement.” He dropped his hand. “You can’t just keep her, if that’s what you’re planning.”

“She’s mine.”

“Damn it. This is a mess.” Jinx reached for his cell phone. “Snow is going to throw a fit. His mate is best friends with that female. Mary doesn’t like Species.”

“She likes me.”

“She seems to like you a lot, judging by what I’m smelling. Human females are trouble, Lash. You should do yourself a favor and just hand her over to me.”

“No.”

“You’re really going to force me to make this call?”

Lash nodded. “Mary is mine.”

“How does she feel about that?”

“She is learning to trust me. I’ve made some progress.”

“What if I were to ask her if she wanted to leave?”

“I wouldn’t do that. We’d fight, because I’m not letting you take her.”

Jinx backed up a step. “You like Snow better.” He dialed and put the phone to his ear. “I found her. Lash has her, and, um…he’s not letting her go. He said she’s safe. She fell out of the vent and landed on the mats under them. No injuries.” He paused. “Because he said he’s keeping her—and he reeks of them sharing sex. He is willing to fight for her.” He paused again to listen before hanging up. “Snow is on his way.”

They waited. It didn’t take long. Snow opened the door and stepped inside. The male was dressed in jeans and a tank top. He also looked furious as he closed the door, glowering at Lash.

“My mate has been going out of her mind with worry. Did you not think we might have been looking for Mary? You could have picked up the phone to call us.” He pointed at the wall. “It’s right there. There’s even pictures next to the codes you punch in to reach whoever you want.”

“Keep your voice low. Mary is sleeping. And I don’t like phones. I knew someone would eventually search.”

Snow dropped his arm to his side and looked around. “Where is she?”

“In my bed. Don’t wake her.”

Snow advanced and stood in front of him. “I am supposed to be on my honeymoon with my mate. That means locked inside my home upstairs, sharing sex. Instead, I have a mate who is worried about a female she loves like a sister. She’s been crying. Hand over Mary so I can take her to my mate to show her that she’s fine.”

“No.”

Snow snarled.

Lash growled back and tensed his muscles, prepared if the male attacked. He’d hate to fight the canine, but he would for Mary. They weren’t taking her away. She’d run from him, and then he’d have to go after her. That meant leaving Reservation, since she didn’t live there. That would make the NSO mad at him, and they’d irritate him in retaliation.

“I can see why you were kicked out of the Wild Zone. I believed Valiant was being a bit dramatic when he threatened to kill you. Now I understand.”

“Mary is mine. I won’t let you take her, Snow.” He fisted his hands. “She’s my mate. Tell yours to leave it alone.”

“You think that’s going to work? Just tell Mel that you claimed her best friend? She’ll come down here to get Mary herself. Then I’d have to fight you for certain to protect Mel.”

“From what? I don’t hurt females. They are small and not strong.” Lash glared at him. “Just stop your mate from coming down here. It’s simple.”

Snow backed off, shaking his head. “This isn’t simple. I know you, Lash. You’re a good male, despite your annoying attitude. You’re the male who pissed off Valiant by wanting to play with his cub. You also never went after Tammy. Lions can kill each other to take over a pride to gain females. You never challenged Valiant, even though it’s probably something your instincts urged you to do.”

“He’s the one with the territorial problems. I never wanted to steal his mate or son. I just wanted to watch and learn how to interact with them, to make me a better mate and father when I found a female of my own. Now I have. I’m keeping Mary.”