Page 128 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Dellan blinked. “Are youkidding? Less than five months ago, I discovered you weren’t dead after all. Then I missed you by I don’t know how long when Horvan raided the camp at Bozeman.ThenI find out you’re in the same camp as Seth and Jamie. Dad, what makes you think I’m ever going to be ready to be parted from you again?” He grinned. “Sorry, but you’re stuck with me.”

“And if I suddenly have my own life… someone to love… what then?”

Dellan cocked his head to one side. “In those circumstances, yeah, Imightbe willing to let you move out, on the proviso that you visit—often.”

Jake smiled. “Just checking. And as for visiting? You’ll be sick of the sight of me.” He inclined his head toward Fielding’s makeshift jail. “I’m not leaving here until I’ve had the chance to question him.”

“Horvan said as much. Fielding isn’t going anywhere, and thanks to the drugs he probably proposed and produced, he can’t shift.” He snorted. “Bet he’s regretting that now. Doc made sure he got a taste of his own medicine.”

Jake watched as one of Horvan’s team approached the guarded building, carrying a tray containing a bottle of water and a plate of food. Once the door opened, however, a small, lithe furry shape darted across the tarmac and went inside.Seconds later there were shrieks of mingled pain and rage, accompanied by a caterwauling that was so loud, it hurt the ears.

“Get this fucking cat off me!”

That had to be Fielding.

The soldier appeared in the doorway, carrying the calico kitty, who was hissing and spitting, and even at a distance, Jake could see the blood on its claws. He didn’t blame Aric, not for one nanosecond, not after the way he’d treated Seth.

Brick strode toward the soldier, hands held out, and Aric was deposited into them. Brick stroked his back. “Feel better now?”

The soldier hollered toward the main building. “Can we get a medic in here, with a first aid kit? We’re gonna need sterile wipes and wound dressings. Maybe even stitches.”

Brick chuckled. “Hey, you did good, kitty.”

There was something else Jake couldn’t miss.

I never knew until this moment that a cat could look so smug.

“Ready for your checkup?”

His heart hammered at the sound of that voice, older now, but unmistakably that of Nicholas. Jake turned to see him, aware of appearing older than his sixty-two years, the lines created by years of being subjected to the tender mercies of the Gerans.

How must I seem to him? Nothing like the young man I was the last time we met.

Then he realized he wasn’t the only one who’d aged, who’d suffered.

Nicholas’s eyes glistened. “Hello there. It’s so good to see you.”

Now. Now.

Jake’s heart thumped. “Tell me. Are you married?”

Nicholas blinked. “Er, no.”

“Seeing anyone? Involved with anyone?”

His lips twitched. “Not exactly the greeting I expected after all this time, but I’ll roll with it. No, there is no one. Not even a cat.”

“Then I’m sorry, but I can’t wait a moment longer.” Jake let go of his fears and took Nicholas in his arms.

Nicholas gave a jolt. “You’re either about to kiss me or get me in a headlock.” The expression of longing in his eyes threatened to unravel Jake where he stood. “Lord, I hope it’s the former.”

That was all the invitation Jake needed.

He kissed Nicholas, not holding back, and a moment later, Nicholas’s arms were around him, and Jake’s kiss was returned, tenfold.

“Whoa,” Nicholas said when they broke the kiss, both of them breathing hard. “You don’t waste any time, do you?”

Jake kissed his forehead. “After the last thirty-one years? I intend to never waste a single second of what time I have left.”

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