Page 73 of Johann

Still, Wolfe remained standing, posture ramrod straight as they waited on Danny’s verdict. A verdict Alexei had serious doubts about Wolfe honoring, were it to go any way other than what he so clearly wanted—Monroe remaining at his side.

Roman glowered from his spot in an ostentatious armchair clearly meant more for aesthetics than comfort, looking a moment away from leaping up and following Danny up the stairs. “Have you passed your message on to the den? That Jay has protectors? That he is not to be trifled with?”

Wolfe tipped his chin, his head cocked and gaze distant, half his attention clearly on trying to make out the discussion upstairs. “I did. I made some phone calls yesterday.”

Roman’s glower deepened. “And why did it take you a full week to make a few phone calls?”

Wolfe shot him a look, face placid. “It didn’t. My attentions were focused elsewhere, I’m afraid. I could apologize, if you like, but it would be terribly insincere.”

Roman waved an irritated hand, brushing off the nonapology with some vaguely French sound of disapproval.

“And that’s it?” Alexei clarified, when neither of his companions seemed eager to speak up. “Jay’s free from them?”

Wolfe shrugged genteelly. “I’ve done what I can. I alerted them Jay had found himself a mate and a den. I may also have intimated that said mate had ties to…Eastern shores.” Alexei startled at that. He hadn’t realized his Mafia ties would be any sort of deterrent to a rival vampire den. “I also dropped hints of Hendrick’s fate. If they’re smart, they won’t try to provoke a war. They’ll either disband or start building up their own resources. I’m sure they’ve managed to siphon at least some of Johann’s funds off him already.”

Alexei looked to Jay, who was plucking at the tassels on one of the couch pillows, seemingly entirely unconcerned by the prospect of his money being slowly stolen away.

“And if they come anyway?” Alexei asked Wolfe.

“Then we’ll go,” Jay said softly, eyes on his pillow, even as Alexei felt threads of sadness leak through the bond. “You and me. We won’t put anyone in danger.”

Roman stiffened at his words, a grumble of protest leaving his lips, and even Wolfe gave Jay a pained look. “Really, Johann. After I’ve gone to all the trouble of changing my loyalties…”

But it was Danny’s voice that cut in the sharpest. “Youwon’t.”

Alexei tore his gaze reluctantly off Jay to see Danny standing in the doorway to the sitting room. “You won’t go, Jay,” Danny repeated. “If they come, we’ll fight.”

“At least,someof us will,” Roman interjected, giving Danny a pointed look. Alexei had a feeling it wasn’t Roman who wanted to abstain from the fight himself but that he was reluctant to let his mate join the fray.

“We all will,” Danny insisted, his cheeks pink with heightened emotion. “Soren and Gabe have already agreed. You’re family, Jay. Or, um, our den mate, if that’s what you prefer to call it.”

“No… Family is good. I like family.” Jay’s voice came out breathless, his gaze now firmly fixed on Danny, and Alexei could feel how overwhelmed he was. Alexei realized fully for the first time just how many doubts Jay really had been having about his place here in Hyde Park, the cause of his recent anxiety.

Alexei wished once again that Vee would come back to life so he could rip her head off himself, for ever giving Jay cause to doubt how lovable he was.

“How extraordinarily touching,” Wolfe remarked dryly, clearly bored of these pledges of devotion. He raised a brow at Danny. “And my mate?”

Danny’s pleasure at Jay’s agreement dimmed visibly. “He says he’ll stay with you,” he muttered, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

Wolfe’s eyes shone, their light brown seeming for a moment to almost glow red. Alexei had another moment of pity for the poor doctor fated to be his mate and a surge of gratitude for the vampire fate had chosen for him instead.

“Excellent,” Wolfe breathed. “Then as long as he wants to remain here, I’m at your beck and call. Any aid the ‘family’ needs.”

Danny scowled at him. “I thought you were doing that anyway.”

Wolfe was already turning toward the stairs, but he waved an airy hand behind his back. “Call it extra incentive to do my part, then.”

Leaving the house, Alexei went to grab Jay’s hand only to realize his mate was busy twisting his pair anxiously. Alexei became aware of an odd mix of relief, insecurity, and doubt radiating off him.

“So much trouble,” Jay mumbled. “I’ve caused so much trouble.”

Alexei’s poor, traumatized little alien. How much reassurance would he need before he recognized love coming from someone other than Alexei?

Before Alexei could try to fix it, Danny halted their forward momentum, turning to place his hands on Jay’s shoulders, encouraging Jay to look him in the eye. “Jay, sweetie, do you trust me?”

“Of course,” Jay answered immediately. “You’re the nicest vampire I know.” He shot Alexei an almost apologetic look. “Because we’re still calling you the nicest human,” he explained.

Alexei bit back his answering smile. “Of course.”

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