Page 56 of Master of Kayos

“I took online classes and studied psychology.I couldn’t get a degree when I wouldn’t do the clinical part of the course because that had to be done on site.Since I didn’t plan on having patients, I was okay with that.It was more an interest for my line of work.”

“Yeah?What is it you do?”

Well, hell.Quinn hadn’t thought that through.She didn’t know whether she and Kyllian should admit to their careers, but Kyllian took the question.

“I told you I would never lie to you, and this might be hard to hear, but you need to know what it is we do and why if you’re going to live with us.Before we get to that, I need to stop for fuel.I think we should grab some snacks and find somewhere to sit and talk.We’re close to the Ozarks, and we still need to decide whether or not you stay here to graduate.”

“Snacks are always good.I need to pee anyway.”

When Kyllian parked, Quinn stopped Nikita from getting out.“Let’s wait on Kyllian so he can go in with us.After what happened last time, I’d rather not have a repeat.”

“I get it.Safety in numbers and all that.”Nikita unbuckled and shifted in her seat, facing Quinn.“Is it wrong of me to be glad Mercy lost her mind?If it wasn’t for her wanting revenge, as messed up as her reasons, I wouldn’t have met you and Kyllian.”

“And I wouldn’t have met the two of you either.Kyllian told me a little about his brothers’ mates and all the bad things they had to go through to meet.We’re just adding our story to theirs.I think sometimes we have to go through a storm to appreciate the sunshine.”

“I like that.”Nikita let out a little hum.She reached out and brushed her fingers down Quinn’s cheek.“Sorry.Just making sure you’re really here.”

When Nikita went to pull away, Quinn placed her hand atop her daughter’s.“I feel the same way.Not a day went by that I didn’t think of you.”Quinn’s eyes misted, but she didn’t care.If ever there was a time for happy tears, this was it.“I was your age and scared to death going back home.So many times I tried to tell my dad what happened, but I couldn’t stand to hurt him.It was bad enough I ran away for months.He tried to find me.Called the police and everything, but I went far enough from the apartment they didn’t consider the distance.I did leave him a note telling him I needed to run so he didn’t think I’d been taken.Still, it took a toll on him.I didn’t know about his heart condition, and those months...”

Nikita used her thumbs to wipe the tears off Quinn’s face.“I can’t imagine not being able to take to my fur and run.I’d have gone nuts too.Isn’t he a shifter?”

“He’s half human, and his family lives as such.They would take a trip once a year somewhere they could shift and let the wolf go.Other than that, they shift in the house for a few minutes and that’s it.When my mom was still alive, she tried to explain the need to him, but he either forgot or he thought I’d take on part of his human genes.He didn’t understand how strong dire wolf DNA is.I don’t blame him.I have the greatest father in the world.He did what he thought best, raising a toddler, then a child, and eventually a teen with no help from anyone.Not even his family.When I returned and noticed how bad he looked, I vowed to never do anything to cause him pain again.That’s why I couldn’t tell him what happened.”

Nikita lunged at Quinn.She hugged her hard and scented her neck.Quinn had only known her father’s touch for so long, and now she had both her mate and daughter to fill that need.They held each other until Kyllian eased open the door and escorted them inside where they both used the restroom.The trio then snagged all kinds of snacks and soft drinks for the road.Back in the car, Quinn got in the front so she could hold Kyllian’s hand.After spending the last hour with her daughter, Quinn was at ease, even if they had some hard topics to cover.

“While you two ladies were in the restroom, I searched for somewhere we could sit.There’s a park not too far from here.”

Nikita didn’t wait to tear into a bag of crunchy treats.“Gah, I was starving.”

Kyllian tensed.“Why didn’t you say something?I’d have gotten you real food.”

“Dude, this is real food.Really good.Cheddar Bugles are like the best thing ever.I would share, but there all gone.Sorry.”

“Guess I know what we’ll be stocking up on.What else do you like to eat?”he asked.

“Pizza.Extra cheese with pepperoni.Burgers and fries.Oh, and strawberry shakes.A good rare steak, because wolf.Loaded baked potatoes.Mac ‘n’ cheese with bacon.Not much of a seafood person, but coconut shrimp is pretty good.No sushi.That’s just gross.Do either of you cook?If not, that’s okay.I know my way around the kitchen and a grill.Bethany couldn’t cook for shi-itake.”

“Nice save.”Kyllian laughed.There’d been a smile on his face ever since getting Nikita back.“I’m okay in the kitchen, but it sucks cooking for one person, so I either eat with my parents or order in.”

“I’m a pretty good cook,” Quinn added.“Though lately, I’ve been fixing healthier dishes.With my dad having heart issues, I’m trying to keep him around as long as possible.”

“That sucks.Is it hereditary?Like are you going to have heart problems too?”Nikita asked.

“I have no idea, but I should probably find out.I’ve never been to a doctor.”

Kyllian flipped the turn signal and pulled onto a side road.“One of the Hounds is a doctor, and his mate is a nurse.We can have them check you out if you’d be more comfortable than going to a stranger.”

“I think I’d like that.”

“Who’s gonna cook for your dad?Is he moving in with us too?”

“I’m sure he’ll stay in our house.At least for now.It’s where our business is.”

“We’re here.”Kyllian parked in the mostly empty lot away from other cars.“Grab the snacks and let’s go sit over there.”He indicated a stone table and benches under a large tree.Quinn sat next to Nikita, and Kyllian took the bench opposite.He looked around, his Eagle eyes flashing briefly, while Nikita dumped all the snacks in the middle of the table.She chose another bag of Bugles, and Quinn took the white cheddar popcorn.She’d be digging husks out of her teeth, but she’d deal with it since popcorn was her go-to snack.Kyllian grabbed a soda and uncapped it, taking a long drink.After wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, he said, “Okay, Trouble.Time for the truth.Do you know what a mercenary is?”

“Someone who kills people for money.”

“Yes.That is what I am.Your mom is my handler, which means she receives the requests for jobs.She researches the mark – the person or people we’re supposed to take out – to make sure they deserve to die.My brothers and I put down the worst of humanity.We don’t go killing indiscriminately.These are rapists, serial killers, human traffickers.People who the police either can’t catch or can’t hold them when they do.”

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