Page 28 of Rumble of the Crumble

“What is it?”

“There’s been a sighting of Amell. I need to go.”

He blanched, but he nodded. “I’m coming with you.”

I was shaking my head. “No, you need to go stay with Maximus, please,” I begged, sensing the denial before his lips parted. “I need to know you are safe so I can do my job.”

His gaze roamed over my face while I felt him probe my thoughts. I remained open so he could read all of them. No, I didn’t think he was weak. I just knew I needed to give this my full attention and worrying for him would only distract me from the job at hand.

“I’ll go,” he said softly, reaching for his dirty clothes.

“You can wear some of mine, if you like,” I offered, pulling clean sweats and a T-shirt out of the closet for him first, then some for me. I didn’t bother with my uniform. Right now, what I wore wasn’t important, only that I had my gun with me. I shielded my thoughts as we dressed quickly.

He walked off with my cell to his ear and I went to my gun box, getting my ankle holster and another handgun I tucked into the back band of my jeans.

I raised an eyebrow when Leonidis returned, frowning. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, Gordon wants me to go to Red’s house as he needs reassurance.”

“What’s wrong with Red?”

“I told the others Amell has been sighted so I think Red’s convinced he will go after all of us. He’s worrying about the two of us.”

“You and me?”

“We’re not staying with the pride, so he’s worrying we’re vulnerable.”

I nodded, understanding the fear because it was the same fear I had for my mate.

“Red is still convinced Amell and his monsters will try to abduct one of us again after he failed at burning us alive in the house. The only time he feels safe is when Gordon and the rest of us are all close by.”

I would not dismiss his fears. Twice they’d tried and nearly succeeded. They had also a pro who had managed to disable the security cameras with a jamming device to pour lighter fluid all over the kitchen and set the fire undetected. The monster was a fucking animal who needed putting down. “Why don’t we go there then?” I suggested, warming to the idea of safety in numbers. “The last thing I want is Red to be scared.”

Leonidis’s smile returned. “For a big gruff stalk, you’re so sweet.”

I blushed at his praise. Sweet was the last thing the stalks of the town called me, particularly when I arrested them.

I packed some extra clothes into a holdall and handed it to Leonidis, grinning. “These are for you just in case we don’t get back for a day or two.” I assured him when he lost his smile, “It’s gonna be okay.”

My mate kissed my cheek after a moment of hesitation. “Thank you. And thanks for the clothes, I don’t care what they look like. It’s just a relief not to wear these.” He bent to pick up his dirty clothes. “Although these are all I have left,” he sighed forlornly.

“I know you feel like your entire world is crumbling around you, but you’re not alone. I’m here for you. We’ll figure this out together.” I needed him to know he wasn’t alone. He had his pride and the town, but more importantly, he had me.

I captured his mouth in a kiss, and he sank into it, taking all the comfort I could infuse into it and then murmured against his sweet lips, “We got this.”

Chapter Fifteen

Leonidis

“How will you afford to rebuild?” Red fretted as he clung to Gordon, his eyes puffy from the crying he’d been doing on and off since Butch had dropped me off. “Do you have insurance?”

Maximus, who’d arrived with Tim and the babies not more than an hour ago, was the one to answer. “I have insurance, but it won’t cover the cost, not by a long stalk. All I left behind, I’m gonna petition the county to claim it back. My land and money. Yeah, I’ll speak to the bank about the frozen accounts.”

“You aren’t going to leave are you?” Tim questioned, giving his mate a hard stare.

“Of course not, you silly stalk.” He kissed the top of his head. “But I will have to take a trip. I’ll need to because all the paperwork I had went up in flames with the house fire. ”He ran a gentle hand over the head of the parcel Tim held, looking worried.

“Paperwork?” Red asked wearing a perplexed look.

---