Page 27 of Nanny's Mate

“Did they say anything about the family?” Barbara inquired calmly.

Beatriz nodded. “They want to take you down. They mentioned you by name. I know the woman, Wallis, but the man, apparently named Franky, I didn’t recognize.”

“Those fuckers.” Mike sent the chair he was sitting in sailing backward so hard that it smashed against the radiator.

That use of force wasn’t anything new to Beatriz … she was one of ten shifters. Overly-expressed emotions happened daily while growing up.

“That is trying to take us out from the inside,” Tristan mused, rising to his feet. “We have to act fast.”

Beatriz was still feeling groggy, the energy of the moment going to her head. The men were ready to rush out of the room when Barbara, the only level-headed person in the room, raised her hands in the air like a referee at a soccer match. Mike and Tristan went still, looking to their matriarch for a competent reply to the information they had all just received.

“Let’s keep in mind that Beatriz needs to heal. She has endured trauma. She doesn’t need to be privy to a screaming match.”

Mike’s expression altered, and Beatriz's heart dropped in her chest. He looked like a puppy dog that she wanted to cuddle into a slumber.

“I’m sorry,” Mike said, racing to her side. “Tristan and I will depart and discuss. You rest.”

He kissed her hands, and each digit was given individual attention and care.

Tristan gave Barbara a nod, then led the way out of the room. Barbara picked up the chair Mike knocked over, shaking her head sarcastically.

“These men,” she muttered. “Who knows how they manage to keep their heads on straight?”

Beatriz laughed and felt her throat strain, causing her to burst out in a coughing fit. Barbara went to the bed, laid her hands on hers, and spoke.

Beatriz found it very easy to get lost in her blue eyes, anchoring her to the moment.

“Let’s not worry about them right now. You just sit here and rest. Do you need some tea? A foot rub? Anything, darling.”

Beatriz smiled. She was thankful to have the Wolfe family around, who were clearly all going to be there for her when she needed it.

“I’m okay right now. Just going to rest, as you said. Maybe watch some TV.”

Barbara nodded, then pulled up a chair. She searched for the remote and clicked the TV on.

“They shouldn’t be long. We will just stay here for now, sweetheart.”

Beatriz was thankful that Barbara remained in the room. But she couldn’t stop thinking about Mike, about the betrayal of Wallis, and the illicit drugs being siphoned through the Wolfe bars and clubs. She also was plagued with the image of her mate being mortally wounded, all because she decided to pry into the business that wasn’t her own.

As if to read her mind, Barbara patted her hand and winked. She tried to rest while they waited.

SIXTEEN

MIKE

Mike and Tristan stormed out of the hospital room, thankful for Barbara’s calm demeanor. They returned to the spot near the vending machines where they had been waiting to hear about Beatriz's surgery and stood face to face. Two powerful shifters hell-bent on vengeance.

“Let’s take a moment,” Tristan said, taking him by the shoulders. “Tell me everything you have found so far. Let’s be smart about this and not let our emotions run amuck.”

Mike listened to his sage alpha and took a deep breath. There was no point in getting unruly just yet. He had to channel his anger into strategy and make intentional moves. Not only were his employers, the Wolfes, in danger, but so was his mate.

Tristan breathed in and out with him for a long thirty seconds, then when they were finally centered, the two men took a seat. The alpha leaned back into the chair while Mike perched on the edge, big, gigantic arms hunched over.

“Tell me then,” Tristan urged.

Mike did just that. He told his alpha about the information he’d found from Danny and Doris and how quickly the trail had run cold on the dealers. Tristan nodded, listening intently while a steady fire burned in his eyes.

“Did you get the feeling that they weren’t telling you everything?” he asked.

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