King Cave (Forever Evermore, #2)(126)
“Why?” Cahal asked. “You have a utility vehicle.” It wasn’t a compliment.
Ezra sighed. “Dad, there’s a reason why I dropped the car off blocks away and made us walk here.” His thumb lazily brushed back and forth over mine where we were holding hands. “New and expensive cars normally have GPS systems to track them if they’re stolen.”
Cahal stared. “How is it that you know which car is best to steal? Or even how to steal one in the first place?”
Ezra’s lips twitched. “I learned a few things when I left California.”
“When you went on your unscheduled tour of the world?” Cahal’s jaw was clenched.
“Yes,” Ezra cleared his throat, pointing vaguely, “You’d better contact Mom now.”
Cahal’s expression instantly changed to caution.
I blinked, understanding the genius of Ezra’s evasive tactic.
Antonio laughed outright. “You didn’t tell her?”
Cahal mumbled, “You haven’t got a damn clue,” he rubbed his forehead, “The woman has a pair of lungs on her I normally enjoy…unless she’s upset.” Then his eyes went distant, and I realized he and Vivian had telepathy as their mate gift. The rest of our drinks arrived while he was communicating with her, but the waitress didn’t seem to notice his pained expression, staring at Antonio as she was. A minute later, he blinked, then nodded to Ezra. “She’s going to be,” Ezra’s cell rang in his pocket, “calling you.”
Ezra sighed and had to stand to get his cell, we were so crammed. “Yes, Mom?” He sat back down. And I literally pulled my head away from him when I heard the screeching over the line made by one Vivian Zeller. Antonio even rubbed at his ear as Ezra murmured, “Mom…I’m fine…Mom…I…no, of course not…wait…uh…yes, I will…it’s not…that…,” he sighed heavily, “I will. I love you, too.”
My chin was trembling in an effort not to laugh at them. Both Ezra and Cahal had the same pained expressions on their faces now. It didn’t help when Antonio pointed his beer at Cahal, stating, “I almost feel sorry for you.” He chuckled, the sound evil. “Almost.”
Cahal rubbed at his temple. “Fuck off.”
Chapter Nineteen
An hour and fifteen minutes later, all our bellies were full on a meal, free courtesy of Ezra’s power, and we were back on the road. Clyde had been in Ezra’s duffle the whole time during the meal, so he was thrilled to be out of its confines, both he and Bonnie lying in the back on all of our duffles. Ezra had growled a little at Antonio and Cahal when they both wanted to ride shotgun, so he was sitting next to me while they sat on the back seat griping about our music choices.
Ezra leaned over, nibbling at my neck while I drove, murmuring, “Dumping them somewhere is sounding excellent.” His lips lifted against my neck, purring, “Then we could have the whole back seat to ourselves.”
“Stop it,” I whispered, blushing and pushing at his shoulder, which didn’t help.
Cahal groaned behind us, and it sounded like he started moving around. “Please tell me this back seat hasn’t been used for that.”
Ezra’s chuckle rumbled throughout the SUV. “We’ve only been back there once.” His hand started roaming up my thigh, and I quickly swatted at it, my flush flaming high, knowing he was talking about the time he had drunk off me in King Hall’s parking lot. “I wouldn’t mind a longer, and more thorough, session, though.”
Ezra’s face jerked against my neck when Antonio smacked the back of his head. “Quit groping her in front of me.” He sounded ticked off. “She may be grown, but there are still some things I don’t enjoy seeing happen to my baby girl.”
I pushed at Ezra’s shoulder again.
He assented after raking his fangs against my neck once, settling back into his seat and mumbling over his shoulder, “Thanks for letting him hit me, Dad.”
Cahal grunted. “You deserved it.”
I squinted. “Oh, my God.” I bit my lip, glancing at Ezra. “Is that who I think it is?”
Ezra’s mien instantly changed from lazy playboy to alert Vampire, scanning the area. He squinted like I had, then rested an elbow on the console, covering his mouth. “Incredible.”
“What is it?” Antonio asked instantly, leaning forward. “I can’t see shit back here.”
Dry words from Cahal. “It’s my mate.”
“What?” Antonio asked, incredulous.
I started slowing for the hitchhiker — Vivian — on the side of the road, standing next to a POS car with its hood up. “You told her where we were, Elder Zeller?” I knew Ezra hadn’t since he hadn’t been able to get in an intelligent word.
“It may have slipped,” he muttered, head in his hands. “I didn’t expect her to do this.”
Dry words from the son. “It’s Mom. Of course she would do this.”
Like, risk her damn life to tag along and make sure her son and mate were alright. “Jesus.” Sighing heavily, I muttered in defeat, “You two had better make room back there.” I stopped my Hummer behind the pseudo broken-down car, her expression not one of surprise at seeing us, peering at Ezra. “You’d better behave if you don’t want your mom knowing about us.”