Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(110)

Logan nodded solemnly.

Cara shook her head. “I’m really glad you boys are here, but you have to lay off the caveman-protectiveness crap. I have enough to deal with right now with your dad.”

Garrett dipped his head toward the girls. “I’m Garrett.” He flashed a dimple.

Andrea chuckled.

“No. No, no, no.” Terrent pointed at the girls. “Both of you have duties to attend to, and now is the time to get to it.”

Andrea pouted. “Somebody has to show the visitors around.”

“Not you.” Terrent bared his teeth. “Work. Now.”

Shannon rolled her eyes. “Fine, but we’ll be finished by lunchtime.” Her smile lit up the entire clearing. “We’ll see you guys then.”

“Sure thing,” Logan agreed.

Talen waited until the girls had headed across the clearing to a bunch of cabins before speaking. “You two are such complete dorks.”

“They didn’t think so.” Garrett rocked back on his heels. “I kinda liked Andrea.”

“Good. Shannon seemed to like me.” Logan fist-bumped his buddy.

Terrent growled as only a wolf could do.

Maggie smacked his arm. “Knock it off.”

“Their mothers are on that mah-jongg cruise, and we’re supposed to watch out for them.” Terrent straightened to his full and rather impressive height. “If anybody, and I mean anybody, touches either one of them, I will personally rip off his balls and shove them in his ears.”

Logan winced. “Geez, man.”

“Define touch,” Garrett murmured.

Cara gasped and slapped her son’s arm, while Talen bit his lip, obviously trying not to laugh. “Do not encourage him,” she admonished her husband.

Talen clapped Garrett at the base of the neck, and by her son’s wince, it wasn’t gentle. “We’re guests here,” Talen said.

Garrett gave a short nod. “Got it.”

“Logan?” Talen asked.

“I understand.” Logan stuck his hands in his worn jeans.

Talen released Garrett, and by the twisting of his lips, he was still fighting a proud smile. Apparently smart-asses liked that quality in their offspring. “Why don’t you guys go make yourselves useful and help the shifters drop the demons off back in town? Logan, as a demon, you should be able to ensure no demon attacks.”

“Sure thing.” Logan nodded.

Terrent pointed toward a trail into the woods. “Go that way, and you’ll meet up with Lock and Ace, who are taking care of the demons. Thanks, guys.”

The boys took off.

Talen snorted and repeated his son’s words. “ ‘Def ine touch.’ ”

Terrent grinned. “Definitely your kid, Kayrs.”

Pride glowed in Talen’s golden eyes. “Copy that.”

“Keep them away from the innocent cheerleaders, all right?” Terrent asked.

Cara hummed. The cheerleaders had seemed more than capable of taking care of themselves.

Maggie snorted. “Those two are more dangerous than Garrett and Logan put together. Assassin cheerleaders who can fight better than any warrior I’ve ever seen.”

Terrent shrugged. “Don’t care. No sex on my watch. When their mamas get back, then they can go as wild as they want.” He slung an arm over Maggie’s shoulder and tugged her into his lean body. “Morning, darlin’.”

Maggie smiled and leaned up to kiss his chin. “Did you have fun with the demons?”

“Kind of.” Terrent’s lips turned down. “Was over quick, though. Not much to do. Demon was barely an adult and gave up the information fast.”

Cara’s eyebrows lifted. “Did they say who hired them to get the samples?”

Terrent cleared his throat, his gaze going to Talen.

Cara frowned. “Talen?”

He grasped her hand, his palm instantly enclosing her knuckles with warmth. “Let’s go for a little walk, and then we can meet back here for breakfast.” Without waiting for her agreement, he started down a path toward the mountain and tugged her along at his side.

“I’ll get coffee going,” Maggie called from behind them.

Cara nodded and tripped alongside him. He slowed down. “Sorry.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

He breathed in, his muscled form blocking out the sun. “The demons were sent to take you by a purist group from Alaska.”

Her stride hitched. “What?”

“The group is against any research into negating mating bonds, and since you were the first ever infected, that they know about anyway, they want you for testing.” His voice remained low and calm, but tension swelled from him with the heat of anger.

Crap. “So I’m in danger again.”

“Apparently so, mate. Sorry about that.” He sounded more irritated than sorry.

“I’m not living my life hiding at headquarters,” she said, searching deep for both patience and strength. When he started to answer, she held out a hand. “Oh, I’m not going to do anything stupid or put myself in danger, but if we take precautions, we can still live a little.” They had the best trained forces in the entire world at their disposal, and once in a while, she needed to explore the world.