Ruthless Game (GhostWalkers, #9)(70)

Rose tightened her hold on the gun and threw Kane an anxious look. “Why does he have to keep checking him?” she hissed, indignant. “He’s a normal baby. The man acts like he’s going to grow horns and a tail the way he carries on all the time.”

“Be right out,” Kane called, shifting off the bed. “Sebastian is sleeping peacefully.” He winced a little as he made his way toward the bathroom. “Offer them coffee.” He stuck his head around the door. “But put some clothes on first. I don’t want to have to kill anyone.”

“Offer them coffee,” Rose muttered under her breath and dragged on her clothes as quickly as she could. She was a mess. Seed running down her thighs and milk dripping from her breasts. She hurried to the doorway of the bathroom. “I can’t possibly ...” She broke off, seeing the laughter in Kane’s eyes. He had pulled on a pair of jeans, and he grinned at her, clearly teasing. “You’re so horrible.”

He bent his head to brush a kiss over her upturned mouth as he passed her. “The shower’s all yours.”

She cast an anxious look toward the sleeping baby. “I don’t want them touching Sebastian without me right there.”

His lashes flickered, sweeping down to cover his expression and then up so he was meeting her eyes. “Is trust already going out the window?”

Remorse and guilt nearly crushed her, but she wasn’t going to lie. “I don’t trust them. I know you’ve known them a long time, but I haven’t. Please be patient with me, Kane.”

“Jaimie is family—a sister to me. She’d walk into hell for me—for us. I don’t know Eric well, but he’s always been the doctor to the GhostWalkers,” Kane said. “I don’t expect instant trust for the others on your part, Rose, but I do expect you to have an open mind when it comes to my family.”

She nodded, her fingers clutching the doorjamb until they turned white. She hated that she was disappointing him. “I’ll try.” It was the best she could do. For now, she couldn’t bear Sebastian to be put into the hands of strangers without her present.

She bit down hard on her lip, more agitated than she realized. It hurt to know that she might be letting him down, but she couldn’t bring herself to hand her child over to strangers, even with Kane looking on. He didn’t view them as threats, so it would be easy to kidnap the baby. He wasn’t watching for it.

Kane padded back across the floor, his bare feet making no sound. She watched him come, heart pounding, until he was looming over her. Up close, Kane was intimidating, yet his hands were gentle as he framed her face and bent to brush a kiss across her mouth. “Sebastian is too important to take risks with. If at any time you’re afraid for his safety,

I want you to rely on your instincts. I mean that, Rose. Never be upset because you’re protecting our child.”

She would have thrown her arms around him and hugged him close, but milk was still dripping, and she’d make a mess. “I’ll work on getting to know Jaimie,” she promised.

“I know you will.” The confidence in his voice steadied her. Maybe he really knew her better than she knew herself.

Kane reluctantly allowed his hands to slip from her face, instead of caressing her as he was inclined to do. Visitors could be a major pain, he was finding, when all he wanted to do was worship Rose’s body. And kiss her. He loved her mouth, that soft, shy, velvet paradise he could lose himself in for hours.

He bent over the baby’s bed. Jaimie had found a small crib, and the boy slept peacefully, unaware that his mother was upset over company. He touched the baby’s hand, aware that Rose watched him without moving, waiting to see if he would pick up Sebastian and take him into the other room. She was naked beneath the robe, not the best garb to follow him out of the room, but she made no move, just held herself very still.

“Mommy is a little freaked out, Sebastian. Until she feels comfortable, you behave and don’t be too demanding about seeing visitors.” The little fingers closed around his, and he brushed his thumb over the child’s tiny knuckles. “Isn’t it strange to think we created this little miracle?”

“Yes.”

He shook his head over the idea that he had anything to do with such perfection. “Take a long shower, sweetheart, and don’t worry about anything. I’m closing the door, and no one will disturb either of you.”

Kane left her, strangely proud of her for telling the truth to him about her fears. She wanted to please him, but she didn’t lie or make up excuses. He closed the bedroom door softly and went to greet the visitors.

He’d grown up with Jaimie tagging along since she was a little girl. A true genius, she’d caught up with both Mack and him, attending the same school and classes. Her face lit up when she looked up and caught sight of him. Jaimie jumped out of the chair where she’d been waiting and rushed him. He braced himself for the collision. She flung her arms around him.

“Should you be walking without a cane? Are you all right?” She looked past him toward the bedroom and lowered her voice. “Rose won’t leave your side. I think she thinks one of us might try to do you in. I’m a little worried that she doesn’t get any sleep.”

“I told her to watch out for Mack. Was he pissed? He hasn’t lectured me yet.”

“That you got shot? You have no idea. And as soon as you’re a hundred percent, you can pretty much count on him yelling at you. But it’s so exciting that you found Rose and the baby.”