Page 56 of Vengeful Mates

Slade dropped his deadly act for something friendlier, grinning like a cockhead and clapping Brix on the shoulder. “That’s my man. Do me proud, asshole.”

“You got it, Prez.” Brix smirked like a fucker who just won the lottery and was about to blow it in Vegas on cocaine and hookers. Stunts he pulled on his wife and kids too many times to count.

Brix’s team poured out of the room to prep for their delivery, Benny shooting Slade one last slanted brow checking if his president was sure he wanted to go through with this. Slade cocked his finger like a gun and pretended to shoot.

Aaliyah wandered into the room, nudging the door closed with her wedged sandal, carrying two iced coffees and a bag of treats to the table. Her sweet scent of vanilla and cherries replaced the stale, sweaty funk of Brix.

“Read my mind, angel.” I stretched my neck up to receive her kiss. Troubled and holding back. The run was on her mind, too.

We just had to get through tonight, maybe accompany the Lithgow chapter on another two runs until they were familiar with the process, then we were done. I just wished we were already at that stage, so my mate didn’t worry.

“Thought you could do with a cold drink before you leave.” She distributed mine and Slade’s coffees.

He accepted his, kissing the side of her head and shoving the straw in between his lips. Unlike him to stay silent and not flirt with our mate. Cocky Slade’s nonchalance was replaced with extreme caution since the cops stuck their noses in our business and the Wolves intercepted and stole our shipment of Pharaoh, dialing up the pressure for a replacement. That and Mia’s safety, wellbeing, and survival depended on us, and we weren’t about to leave Aaliyah alone to handle it.

Slade hunted inside the bag of treats, drawing out a jam pastry. “Donuts!”

I pretended to clutch my pearls and mocked her. “You gave him sugar, Nurse A?”

Aaliyah snorted. “I know I won’t hear the end of this. But you’ll be running on adrenaline for the ride. At least this will give you an added boost of energy.”

Slade rumbled his appreciation and pulled her in for another quick kiss, easing some of her uncertainty. “You know the way to my heart, sugar.” He wagged his brows and stuffed his donut in his mouth.

The silence gave my falcon the moment she needed. “You sure you want to do this, Alaric?” A question she asked three times yesterday, all with the same answer.

Fuck. No wonder Slade gave her the floor. My last test. Resolve. Commitment. Duty. I never quit. The Air Force medically discharged me for PTSD, and I went kicking and fucking screaming. If she thought I would drop this, then she didn’t know my strength and will.

Slade benched me on our mate’s recommendation. The time off gave me perspective. More time with my mate. A chance to bond with Mia and settle her into her new home.

This was my opportunity to get back into the swing of things. Mentally, I was ready for the next step. The only thing that made me nervous was losing my little birds if I went down for drug trafficking.

I bounced away my jittery energy and twisted my drink, rattling the ice cubes. “I’m sure, angel.”

She sifted through my hair, the slight tug on my scalp sparking a sweet fire. “There’s no shame in sitting this one out.”

Her gaze went to Slade as if seeking his agreement. Did he put her up to this to test me, knowing I would refuse him, but I wouldn’t her?

I entwined my fingers and clenched my hands together. “I need this.”

She played with my hair for a bit longer. “Yeah, you do.” The motion eased my disquiet. “My hawk can’t be caged.”

This woman knew my heart and its secrets.

My mate came to rest in my lap, and my arm went around her, securing her body to mine. “I appreciate your concern, angel.” I kissed behind her ear, nuzzling into her softness, her sweetness, her loving energy.

Determination on the bond solidified Slade’s decision and he nodded at me and clapped me on the shoulder. “Good to hear. I’m glad you’re back.”

I stretched out my free hand and shook his to officially mark my return to full duty. Fuck. This felt so good—the door to my cage opening and setting me free, my falcon taking flight and soaring above.

I tore off some of my donut and fed it to my mate like a good hawk would. “Eat, angel. You’ll need fuel too.”

She waved it away and placed a hand over her belly. “I feel queasy.”

Apprehension on our bond backed that up.

Slade ran the edge of his fingers along her arm to reassure her. “We’ll be fine, sugar.”

She gave a nod, but there was something else there. Something beyond her unease of this run. I went to coax it out of her, but I felt her walls come up to block me. My mate didn’t want to worry us and have us cancel everything.

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