Page 28 of Bear with Me

“I know,” Ruby agreed with a smile before wiggling in Em’s arms. “I go play now.”

Em let her down and sighed as Ruby took off at a full run, yelling like a banshee. “You two better head in.” She smiled at Brock. “Congratulations. I’m glad you and Jemma worked things out. She’s an asset to the family.”

“I’m a lucky man,” he agreed.

“As long as you know that.” She turned to Matheus. “No ice cream. If you try to sneak her sugar later tonight, I will gut you and leave you to bleed out in the dirt.”

Matheus laughed as Em walked away, not even remotely worried by his sister-in-law’s threat.

“Did Declan or Wood mention if there’s news on when Malachai will return?” Brock asked.

Matheus shrugged. “Maybe, Laramie will have an update on that.”

They were both in their own thoughts as they headed to the office and the rest of their brothers. Brock wasn’t surprised to see Holt already there with Koby and Laramie. He wasn’t a Holloway by birth, but he fit in as if he were. Brock noted that, other than Holt, the Holloways were the only ones there.

“Where are the others?” he asked as he and Matheus took a seat on the open couch. Laramie and Koby were in their usual chairs. Declan, Slade, and Holt sat on the other couch, and Jensen slouched in a chair, looking as if he’d just rolled out of bed.

“You’re late,” Laramie reprimanded. “And this is everyone. Fletch and Milo are with Helen and her family. Chance is with Jasper, and Wood’s around somewhere, making arrangements with Malachai and keeping an eye of Em and Ruby.”

“He’s heading back?” Matheus asked.

“In a few days. He’ll be bringing more people with him. Titus Walker among them. He doesn’t think Titus had anything to do with Lawrence and the attacks, but I’d like to get the two of them together and see what happens.”

“You don’t trust Malachai?” Slade asked.

“I trust him completely. I wouldn’t have my mate or Baby Bear without him. But it seems Titus wants to come here. To join us along with the rest of Em’s former pack. I need to be sure before I allow that to happen.”

They all nodded. None of them wanted another attack. Just the thought of anyone hurting Jemma again made Brock see red.

“I see you finally mated your mate,” Holt said, bringing all eyes to Brock. “Congratulations.”

“She’s going to drive you crazy,” Laramie stated with a grin, and all his brothers chuckled.

“No more than Em does you,” Brock fired back, though he found himself grinning, too. He had to admit, he looked forward to his next argument with Jemma. Anticipated it even. “By the way, no sneaking Ruby down for ice cream later. Your mate threatened to gut whoever does and leave them to bleed out.”

Laramie shook his head. “God, I love that woman.”

“Was that all you needed us to know?” Jensen asked.

“No. With everything that’s happened, I want all of us under the same roof at night. Slade, I know your mate’s preferences, but you and Rissa need to be here. Jensen, that goes for you also. No more crashing in the clinic office. Here. Brock, you’re moving Jemma into your room?”

He nodded. He understood what Laramie wasn’t saying. With Walker here and Malachai bringing another Walker, Laramie wanted the family together.

“Malachai will join us here. I’ll use Baby Bear to persuade him if needed,” Laramie admitted. “I don’t want Ruby out of our sight for a moment. We protect all the mates.”

“Xandra’s going to balk if you try to make her stay in this lodge,” Declan warned.

“All of them will,” Laramie agreed. “I’m not suggesting we put them under lock and key. Just be aware. Em, Sidia, and Jaeda are pregnant. They’re strong. They can fight. But I don’t want any of them alone.”

“Xandra will want to protect her sisters,” Declan conceded.

“Is Em aware of this caveat?” Koby asked.

“Yes, and she told me exactly what she thinks of it. Then she conceded it was wise to stick together. Her words were along the lines that I was an asshole but she’s not stupid.”

That sounded like Em. Hell, those words could have come from any of their mates, Jemma included. His mate. Who he wanted to get back to soon.

“Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s plan,” Laramie ordered, and Brock realized he had a long night ahead of him with his brothers.

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