Page 57 of Enzo

"Deja, where are you?" Enzo sounded a bit strained.

"I went to the store; I'm fine."

"I knew that."

She started laughing. She could tell from his voice that he was worried something had happened to her.

"Let Ven know everything is okay. Did you talk to him?"

"I did, and you were right; he suspected, but he was waiting for me to tell him. He thought... he thought I didn't want him, that he was a burden on me. He knows better now."

She moved up in line. "Enzo, I'll see you in a few. I need to pay for the things I bought for Mia, and then I'll be home."

"Is Mia your daughter?" the cashier asked as she rang her up.

"No, I... I only have a son, but I'm hoping to have a girl soon." They chatted about the beauty of children before Deja took her purchases and left.

She hadn't talked to Enzo about the possibility of children. He had managed to have a son with a female who was supposed to be infertile; what was to keep them from having a child together? She spent the drive home thinking of names for the daughter she didn't have.

The day went fast as she made sure the backroom at The Wolves' Den was safe for Mia. She didn't have to Google that. She bought the little plastic outlet covers, thinking she was getting close to awakening her maternal instincts, or not. When the back room met her expectations, she went home to make sure her family ate before getting ready.

We're domestic.

We have a family.

Our life will be easy.

A fight is brewing.

That was her feral side. If she said a fight was brewing, Deja knew she could take it to the bank. She dressed herself and walked with Enzo and Ven to The Wolves' Den. She wanted to get there early and wait for Jessie and Mia.

She was sitting at one of the tables talking to Xander and Caden when Jessie walked in.

Jessie's scent hit her in the gut. If she could smell her, then so could the Kur'iks. She wasn't sure what she was smelling; it almost smelled like she was ripe. That made no sense. Deja stoodup and turned to look at Jessie. The howl that went up in the club set her nerves on edge.

Jessie was looking scared, her big eyes searching the room. She held a small bundle in her arms that was wiggling. Deja quickly covered the distance between them. She noted that bundle was far too small for a one-year-old.

"Jessie, I've been waiting for you." She reached out and hugged her. "Jessie will be working here as a waitress." She made the announcement loud so Jessie would know everyone heard.

Deja took her arm and led her to the employee room. When Jessie was through the door, Deja turned back to face the males in the room. Her eyes glowed with an inner fire. Her teeth elongated, and her nails grew into claws. She gave a hiss that had every male stepping back.

All eyes focused on her before a low murmur started.

"It's true," one male said.

"How did this happen?" another asked.

All eyes turned to Enzo before they moved towards him, still asking questions so low that she shouldn't have been able to hear them.

Chapter Twenty-three

"Is everything all right?"Jessie's voice came out a little shaky.

"Everything's fine. Those guys are like big pussycats. Don't let them bother you." If you like your pussycats as big as saber-toothed tigers, but they'd deal with that later.

"Have a seat. I'll show you around in a minute, besides I've been waiting to see Mia."

Jessie sat down and unwrapped her daughter. She was so small; she didn't look over nine months. The biggest blue eyes Deja had ever seen peeked at her as her bow-shaped mouth opened on a yawn.

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