Page 93 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Brick pulled him close. “I’m so sorry, baby. I was trying to lighten the mood. Please, forgive me.”

Aric rested his head against Brick’s shoulder.

“And as for why I’m sending you out with one of my shirts? You don’t have a romantic bone in your body, do you?” Hecraned his neck to look Brick in the eye. “So you can smell it. You know, to help you remember who you are and who you belong with.”

That was the sweetest fucking thing. Sweeter still seeing as Brick had told him he couldn’t come.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Aric leveled a keen glance at him. “Use it to help keep your head on straight so you can find our mate. Okay?”

“Sure.” This was all so weird. Aric was like a third the size of Brick, but he could make him feel loved and cherished. Something Brick hadn’t had in forever.

And telling him how I feel before I go on a mission is no bad thing.

Brick pulled him close. “I love you. I hope you know that.”

Aric smiled, then leaned in and gave Brick a kiss. “Just keep that in mind. It’ll come in handy later.” He wriggled until his back was pressed against Brick’s chest, and Brick’s nostrils filled with his delicious scent.

“You really think it’s going to work?”

Brick made sure to lock away any doubts or misgivings before replying. He didn’t want to spook Aric. Telling him nothing was ever written was not an option.

“We’ve got the best people. We’ve got Milo in the camp. Yeah, I think it’s gonna work.”

It had better. His mate’s life depended on it, as well as Jake Carson’s and Jamie Matheson’s. Plus Milo’s own mate had to be another priority since the man was risking his life to help.

Brick closed his eyes, relaxed his body, and waited for sleep. Except it took a while. He couldn’t shake the notion that he’d just missed something important.

Go. To. Sleep.

He chuckled.You’re a bossy little kitty. Are you gonna be this bossy when you’re waving me off in the morning?

Aric rolled in his arms. “About that… I can’t be there when you leave.”

“Why not? It’ll be the first time I go on a mission without you. You’re telling me I don’t even get a fond farewell?”

“No, you don’t, because I’ll cry, you’ll get upset, and then you’ll have Horvan being, well, you know… Horvan.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

Aric snuggled in. “Besides, I don’t want you going off to fight remembering me with a blotchy face, red eyes, a wobbly lower lip, a—”

“Okay, okay, I get the picture.” Brick kissed him. “In that case, I’ll say my goodbyes in bed.”

With extra cuddles.

“WILL SOMEONEstop that goddamn ringing?” Crank growled. He’d been having such a fantastic dream. He and Saul had been swimming with Vic, only Vic had shifted back into a human, and Crank’s arms were suddenly full of a smooth, slippery, lithe body, Vic’s legs wrapped around his waist while Saul kissed Vic’s neck.

The same Saul who reached over him toward the nightstand. “It’s your phone. Mine’s on silent.” He grabbed it, then nudged Crank. “Hey, sleepyhead. Wanna talk to a certain shark?”

That woke him up fast.

Crank sat upright in bed, and Saul clicked on Answer. Vic’s handsome face filled the screen. From the background, it seemed he was in a hotel room.

“Thereyou are.” He froze. “Aw fuck. My time zones are all out of whack. Did I wake you?”

“Sure you did, but we’ll forgive you.” Saul tugged Crank closer, until both of them were on camera. “Hey, baby. How are you? Any news on when we’re likely to get you back here?”

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