Page 58 of Clash of Kings

“These will allow you to hear the conversation better.”

“Thank you.” His mom put them over her ears, and when Bas whispered to her, Kaya’s eyes shot up, and she smiled. She pulled them off to eat, but when everyone was finished and Bas got their attention, Kaya slid them back on.

“Again, thank you all for being here,” Bas said softly. “The trip to Panther will take roughly two hours. When we arrive, this is what will happen…”

Sebastian laid out his plan for the next morning. They spent an hour tossing safety concerns and logistics back and forth, and after all questions had been asked and answered, they were ready. Some returned to the bar to relax and chat. Dakota remained in the private room with Lydia to learn how to use her new bracelets. Bas stayed with the females because he didn’t want to be far from his mate. After she had the hang of it, the three of them joined the others to find Major and Anthony in a standoff. Harlow had her phone pointed at the two males, no doubt filming them and sending it to Carleigh.

“What’s going on?” Bas asked.

Anthony pointed a finger at Major. “This jerkoff is asking for it.”

“I just asked where Tabitha was.” Major had his beefy arms crossed over his chest. The smirk he wore said he wasn’t afraid of Anthony. It didn’t hurt that Maveryck and Kayden were standing beside him.

Anthony fisted his hands. “You asked if she was as hot as my mom. Not cool, fucker.”

“It’s a legitimate question,” Maveryck said, adding fuel to the fire. “Tessa is something else.”

“How would Natalia feel about you hitting on my mom?” Anthony tossed back.

“I wasn’t hitting on her. Damn, Kid. Slow your roll. Natalia has met Tessa. Even she thinks Tessa is a fireball. And I would never disrespect Gregor. I admire your parents. Major does as well.”

Gregor walked over and placed both hands on Anthony’s shoulders. “Chill, Son. You know your sister can handle herself. Besides, she could do a lot worse than Major.”

“Thank you, Gregor.” Major uncrossed his arms. “Honestly, I meant no disrespect.” He held out a hand, and after a few beats, Anthony relaxed and shook it.

When Major stepped back, Tessa was there with two beers. She offered one to the Gryphon. “Major, I appreciate the compliment, and if you want to meet Tabitha, I can arrange that, but I’ll have to warn you first.”

“Red—”

“What?” Tessa narrowed her eyes at Gregor.

He held up his hands. “Nothing. Carry on.”

“That’s what I thought.” Tessa winked at her mate, and Anthony groaned, scrubbing a hand down his face.

“My sister doesn’t need a matchmaker,” he muttered.

“Come on, Son. You and I both know your sister can handle whatever or whoever comes her way.” Gregor directed Anthony to the bar, leaving Tessa to tell Major how much of a badass Tabby was.

“Does this happen a lot?” Dakota asked.

“What? Tony being overprotective of his twin, or Tessa interfering in her kids’ love lives?”

“Yes,” Dakota deadpanned, and Bas laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

Harlow chuckled while tapping away on her phone.

“Do I want to know?” Bas asked.

Harlow glanced up. “Probably not.” She put her phone in her pocket. “Dakota, may I buy you a drink?”

“Sure.” Dakota kissed Bas before leaving him to talk with the hacker.

The rest of the evening was less eventful, and after a couple of hours, Sebastian stole Dakota away to their room where he forgot about interfering family or upcoming fights by stripping his mate and making love.

Sunday morning, Kaya called Bas and requested that he and Dakota stop by before leaving. When they got to his parents’ room, Kaya hugged them both tightly and begged them both to be careful. Dakota promised they would, and then she asked Kaya to hold onto her wedding ring.

“I’d hate to shift quickly and lose it.”

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