Page 16 of Retribution

Anything to expedite this trip, and I’d do it. I was not comfortable. I was not okay. Historically, any time we left our house, shit happened. Why would this time be any different? Sure, we were all stronger now; she was strong, like a little compact powerhouse. Add in her hormones, and honestly, she’s likely to flatten a whole city in a blink. But I didn’t want to test that theory. I preferred no blood, guts, or power exchanges.

Liberty’s fingers reached over before falling to my thigh. She leaned over. “You are like two steps away from a full-fledged panic attack.”

“I can’t help it,” I said around the deep breaths I was taking. “Why didn’t you just let me call in people and equipment? It would have been safer.”

“I needed out.” She shrugged.

“You needed to be alive,” I shot back.

“You worry too much.”

“Do I? Remember how we found you? Or maybe that one time we let you sleep away from us all? Need I remind you of that one time we went on a coffee date?”

“I’ve learned since then that I’m stronger.” Her head fell to my shoulder. “Besides, I have my strong men to protect me.”

“But if we can’t?” I countered.

“You can.” Her hand traveled up my thigh, and my breath caught. She knew my weakness, knew I couldn’t resist her when she was touching my body. Knew that anything about her was my weakness. “I miss your coffee and cookies.”

“I still bring you cookies. Daily.”

“But not with coffee.” She pouted before whispering, “Can you sneak me some?”

“Oak will smell it a mile away.” I tried once. Because really, one cup couldn’t hurt. But always the scholar, Oak read all information he could on pregnancy, even if he wouldn’t admit it. The minute he smelled her coffee and cookie combo, he shut it down so fast.

“I can also hear you plotting back there, Liberty, and now my watch will be extra vigilant.” Oak turned the vehicle into a parking garage. “We are here, fifth floor.”

“The witch doctor works in a sky rise?” Liberty questioned.

“You and I both know that’s not what she is.” Oak leveled her with a stare as he turned in his seat.

But I mean, it sort of was. “Is she not a witch and a trained medical professional?”

“Both of you, together, with a sprinkle of the other two here, is the reason I would be a drinker if I were human.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel a few times. “Please exit the vehicle, keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious, and proceed with caution to floor five.”

“Yes, daddy,” Liberty said as she climbed over me to pull open the door, and I swear I heard Oak choke. Hell, her sarcasm wasn’t even directed at me, and I felt as hard as a rock at the possibility.

I practically fell out of the vehicle before I offered her a hand to help her out. It only took moments before she was surrounded by all of us, including Michelle, Ellis, and Maggie, who had ridden in Maggie’s car. Then, we headed for the elevator with Liberty planked on all sides for protection.

The ride up to the fifth floor seemed like an eternity. Each time the floor jolted, my fear spiked. Was it Greta? Was it an unseen force she sent our way? Was it – Liberty took my hand and squeezed. “It’s just gravity.”

“I didn’t-”

“You didn’t have to say anything; you’re more anxious than Oak and Ellis combined.” She squeezed again. “It’s fine. I’ll go in, let the doctor feel around a bit, and we are done. Calm down, all of you.”

“Wait, what?” Justice's eyes began to glow.

“Hmm?”

“I believe our mate does not want to let the healer touch you,” Lenin offered.

“It’s what they do, Justice.”

Another growl filled the tiny space before it jolted to a stop, and the door dinged right before it pulled open. “No.”

“Then what was the point of this trip?” She put her hands on her hips, but you couldn’t even take her annoyance seriously when she looked so damn cute doing it. “Look, I’ll get an exam, we will leave, and I’ll buy you something at Target to soothe your anger.”

“You’re not going to Target!” Oak’s voice boomed, shaking the elevator, and honestly, I was beginning to wonder who would win that fight. She seemed dead set on going, and let’s face it; she had the power to smoke him to pieces. We’d all seen what she could do.

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