Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(116)

“Happy as hell to turn it over,” Talen drawled. “Thing’s more trouble than any of this is worth.”

Max rubbed his square jaw. “Agreed. I don’t think anything can negate a mating if the parties are both alive. No way, no how.”

Talen nodded. “I’m with you.” He looked up as Cara came from the bedroom.

Her entire face lit up when she saw Max. She reached him quickly and leaned up to press a kiss against his cheek. “Is there any chance you brought Sarah?”

“No. My mate is safely at home,” Max said, rather pointedly.

Talen barely kept himself from nodding.

Cara rolled her eyes. “The war is over, boys.”

“The war is never completely over,” Max countered. He patted her awkwardly on the arm with a hand larger than a salad plate. “But you should have a good time in Hawaii anyway.”

Her lips pressed together. “I plan to.”

Talen frowned. Was it just him, or was there a whole shitload of defiance in her tone of voice? Irritation clawed through him. He strode to the closet and yanked out the offensive green cooler. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to get rid of this thing.”

Max took it gingerly.

Cara chuckled. “There’s nothing dangerous in it, Max. Only tissue and other samples . . . nothing poisonous.”

Max nodded but didn’t lose his frown. “Do you need me in Hawaii?”

“No. The boys are coming,” Talen said, knowing full well Max wanted to get home to Sarah. They’d been trying to conceive for an entire year, but it sometimes took centuries for vampires to procreate. “As soon as you find the Sandovskys here, you need to get home.”

“Agreed. You’re safe here, too.” Max nodded. “I have men stationed at every entrance to this building, and snipers across the way. The residence in Hawaii is similarly secured, and I’ve sent two extra squads over tonight to prepare for your arrival. Also, we canceled your commercial flights. A Realm airplane will be waiting to fly you across the ocean at your convenience.”

Talen flashed his teeth. He’d forgotten how much Max hated to fly. “We’ll be fine.”

“I’m aware. I’ll let you get settled in, and I’ll give you a call later today. If that goes well, we’ll meet in Anchorage midnight tomorrow.”

Cara rocked back on her heels. “We’re going to Alaska?”

Talen slowly shook his head. “You’ll be staying in Maui with Garrett and Logan. If all goes well, I’ll only be gone a day.” He had Realm strategists putting together a strike plan that he’d tweak before going in.

Cara frowned. “You’re going after the Sadovsky group.”

“Most likely. We’ll see who we can corner here in Seattle first.” Talen glanced at her. “They’re after you, and they won’t stop, so we’re stopping them.” Sometimes it was as simple as that. “Sorry you have to fly, Max.”

Max shrugged. “I’ll make sure I have a parachute on board just in case.”

Talen grinned, but Max was probably serious. “How many of my brothers will be joining us?”

“All of them.” Max sighed and shook his head. “I think the king should stay safe at headquarters, but when I told him that, Dage hit me in the face.” Max rubbed his jaw. “Hard.”

Sounded like Dage. “We’re all spoiling for a good fight.” Talen didn’t miss the quick wince Cara gave. Yeah. His first fight was going to be with her.

Max glanced from one to the other. “Maybe the boys should come with me.”

“They’re staying here,” Cara said firmly.

Max shook his head and refocused on Talen. “Did you get your hands on the new wolf prototype?”

“Yeah.” Garrett handed over the purple gun. “Thing is awesome.”

Max turned the weapon around in his gigantic hand. “I’ll have our guys get on duplicating it and then creating defenses. We need updated bulletproof vests, anyway.”

Garrett frowned. “I wanted to keep it.”

“You can have it back after the tech guys figure it out.” Max slipped the weapon into his jacket pocket.

Talen reopened the door. “Call me with info.”

“You got it.” Max clapped Garrett on the back on his way out. “Watch out for your folks.”

“Always,” Garrett said.

The door closed behind Max, and the tension in the room naturally dissipated. Garrett shuffled his feet. “Since we have guards stationed all around the building, Logan and I thought we might hit a few bars in town.”

Talen nodded, his heart rate kicking up. He did require some alone time with his mate, after all. “Be home in time to leave for the airport tomorrow morning,” Talen said and then paused. “I take that back. Be home tonight.” He waited a beat. “Alone. Just the two of you.”

Garrett blew out air. “Seriously?”

“Yes.” Talen clapped him on the back. “Seriously.”

Logan sighed. “Let’s hit the bars anyway. I could use a drink after the fight earlier. And about five pizzas.”

Garrett’s eyebrows rose. “Pizza is a good idea. I’m starving.”

Talen slipped him cash. They’d need a lot of pizza, knowing the two of them. He waited until they’d hustled outside before shutting the door and leaning back against it.