Page 70 of Kidnapping Their Third

“I love my daughter, but she isn’t always a good person. The way she acted tonight was typical and, I’m afraid, on the mild side for her. She’s selfish and can be horrible when she doesn’t get her way. David makes excuses for her, but the truth is she’s manipulative and…” Tina’s voice trailed off as she held up her hands and shrugged her shoulders.

If anyone understood dealing with a difficult family, it was Cora. She could empathize with Tina’s sense of guilt even as she admired her for the honesty.

“Consider me warned,” she said, stepping into Tina’s personal space and holding out her arms for an embrace. Tina’s face lit up, and she picked Cora up in a giant hug.

Cora felt her feet leave the ground at the same time she heard Kimble’s warning growl. “Gentle.”

It wasn’t a surprise to find Kimble had silently followed them into the garden. Tina probably knew he was there all along.

Tina made apfftsound. “Calm yourself, Kimble. I’m always gentle. Besides, I can tell our Cora here is a damn tough human.”

“True words,” Kimble commented as he stepped up and pulled Cora from Tina’s embrace. “We go home now?”

After he set her down, she patted him on the chest. “Let’s go in and talk to Mark and Pike first.”

“You did very well on this visit, Kimble,” Tina praised before looking down at Cora. “Don’t worry about leaving early, meeting new people can be exhausting! We’ll see all of you again next week, yes?”

“I’d like that,” Cora said without thinking, then realized it was the truth. She was looking forward to spending more time with Tina and Mark. Their calm, easygoing life was a sharp and welcome contrast to the chaos of her family.

Something inside her clicked, and her mind felt peaceful and calm. Something about this night and meeting the people who’d raised Pike helped quash the last of her fears.

She was ready to be flock.

Chapter 26

Kimble

Cora had a far off look on her face and was silent the entire ride home. Pike tried to get her to talk several times, but she would hum or nod instead of answering. Kimble didn’t like it. What was she thinking about that had her basically ignoring Pike, especially after visiting his family?

It wasn’t possible that Cora didn’t like Pike’s parents. They were incredibly generous and loving people, even by black bear shifter standards.

Was it Lucy?

Cora hadn’t seemed intimidated by Pike’s volatile sister, but then again, Pike hadn’t reprimanded Lucy either. Maybe Cora feared Lucy would hurt her when Pike wasn’t around. Kimble would have no problem popping the woman’s head from her body.

She used to call Pike all the time, demanding money or asking him to call in favors. He’d burned a lot of bridges to get her jobs or out of trouble and only stopped giving her all his cash when Kimble’s life was at stake.

Cora might not realize Kimble had no problem with ending Lucy’s life to protect his flock, even if it would upset Pike. He needed her to know she was safe from Lucy but couldn’t say those words within Pike’s hearing.

“You're safe, always,” Kimble murmured, hoping she’d get the hiddenmeaning.

She hummed again and snuggled closer to him but didn’t take her eyes off the passing scenery. She probably hadn’t even heard what he’d said. Should he try again?

No, he’d wait until Pike wasn’t within hearing range and then bluntly tell her Lucy wasn’t a problem.

Maybe he should slip out one night and take care of her. It would be days or even weeks before anyone realized she was missing, and he could make sure there wasn’t a body left to find.

It would be impossible to lie if Pike asked him directly, but it was unlikely sweet Pike would think to ask out right if Kimble had killed his sister. Their bond allowed for lies of omission.

The idea was gaining traction in his head when Pike pulled up to Cora’s little house. Kimble was pleased to see the place. Pike’s apartment had been a shelter but not a home. Cora’s house felt like a home to him.

As Cora slowly climbed from the car with an oddly serene expression on her face, Pike exchanged a confused look with Kimble. It was good to know Pike noticed Cora’s strange mood also.

“Anyone interested in an evening stroll?” Pike asked. “It’s a pretty night.”

Cora didn’t say anything. She took their hands in hers and led the two of them into the house. Normally, she liked a short walk in the evenings, so what was going on?

Once inside, she walked them to the middle of the living room. They still hadn’t replaced the coffee table he’d broken so there was a good amount of room for the three of them to stand in a small circle.

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