Shadow Watcher (Darkness #6)(31)

Paulie wiped his face as he ducked into his room on the second floor. The leader of these people—the hard ass who could control a guy with one look—believed in him. Sasha, the intelligent mage on top of the world, believed in him. They didn’t think he was trash or garbage. For the first time in his life, two people had looked past his mistakes and saw the man underneath.

He’d already given them his loyalty, but now he’d give his life if it meant those two people could keep breathing. He’d work his ass off to be worthy of this clan. And he’d find that panther. He still had a few favors he could call in. More than anyone else, he knew how this shit worked. He was their best bet, and he’d prove it.

Chapter Nine

“I am so sick of being pregnant!” I finished off my statement with an anguish-filled groan.

I’d been at this for eight months and one week. Except for that incident four or so months before, that shifter and his friends had taken off again. No one could figure out what the hell they wanted. Why have a look around and then keep disappearing for long stretches? It didn’t make any sense.

Obviously, this was all good news for me. Great timing, actually. I let the Watch hem and haw and strategize while I continued being pregnant and staring out the window.

The first three months had been fraught with morning sickness. That sucked, but I got over it. The middle three were bliss, except for that little situation with the breaking-and-entering shifters. The final trimester, though…that wasn’t much fun. For me, anyway. Stefan couldn’t be happier. He got to feel the babies move without peeing every five minutes, or being extremely uncomfortable, or not being able to sleep.

Yes. Babies. Plural. I was having two. At one time.

Like I said, the disappearing shifter was great news for me. I had enough on my plate as it was.

Having twins was unheard of with Stefan’s race, they had said. And they had said it, over and over. So now I was a poster child for procreation. If I didn’t win their hearts with my magic and saving their leader, this would’ve done it. I was a celebrity.

A very, very grumpy and uncomfortable celebrity. Hooray.

“Almost there, beautiful. Just a few more weeks.” Stefan held my hand as we walked down the hallway of the Mansion.

People didn’t crowd in, anymore. They knew better.

“Good evening, almost parents,” Charles said with a smile as he walked up. Paulie followed behind. “Ready?”

“We’re taking it easy as we head to the Farm.” Stefan gave my hand an encouraging squeeze.

Charles put a hand on my belly.

The next second Charles was airborne. He slammed against the wall and slid down into a heap. “Damn it, Sasha! That’s not how a new mother is supposed to react to people sharing the gift of life with her!”

“That’s how a human mother reacts.” Paulie smirked.

“Charles, I told you I didn’t want to be touched anymore. I told everyone. Why is it you are the only one who doesn’t learn?”

“Because he hasn’t figured out how to reverse the blood flow from his dick back to his head.” Jonas was waiting by the wall ten feet in front of us.

“You talk about my dick a lot, bro. I’m totally cool if you want to get on your knees and praise it.” Charles picked himself off the ground.

Jonas was in the best mood I’d ever seen him recently. I think it was because I was so surly, and had zapped Charles several times, that he figured he could take over my previous happiness. Whatever rocked his concert. Just as long as he let me keep being surly. It helped me cope a little.

As soon as we reached him, he pushed off the wall and kept pace. He glanced at Paulie, who always walked a little behind us. My newest bodyguard seemed more comfortable being just that little bit removed.

“Human male, have you heard anything from your contacts?” Jonas asked, letting some of his growl seep back into his voice.

“That shifter ain’t been around. There’s been no strange goings-on in the human world. Nothing. In fact, things seem quiet. Maybe a little too quiet.”

“Dun dun dunnnnn,” I sang. And then I scowled, just because.

In an attempt to find the shifter, Paulie had contacted some of his old “working” buddies. He’d found out that the shifter had left at the north end of the city in a black Mercedes. These connections knew people in the neighboring areas, and that Mercedes hadn’t been spotted anywhere. Whoever that guy was, he wasn’t local. And, he’d gotten out of town pretty quick.

Since that information had been so helpful, Stefan authorized a payroll. Paulie became the eyes and ears of his previous thug world, but without the illegal activity that would get him involved with the cops. He just gathered information. Since his guys knew him, and as he always paid in cash and still hated the police, it worked just fine. Nobody minded giving seemingly random information about nobodies.

“You going to stay with her, Boss?” Charles asked. He’d picked up his position right next to me. Soon he’d reach for my belly, unable to help himself, and I’d blast him again. It was like a song on auto-repeat.

“I’ll sleep there, but I need to hit a few meetings here during the day time just to make sure everything keeps running smoothly.” My hand got another squeeze. “Just a couple hours out of the day.”

Tears sprang to my eyes unbidden. I was terrified of him leaving me. Absolutely terrified. I couldn’t even think of it without crying. It felt like my lifeline was being ripped away.