Page 63 of Tempest

It had taken almost two years before he’d learned that since Liam wasn’t exactly a big sharer, but it did explain the tinyairport in their territory. Even if Quinten couldn’t come as often as he wanted, he still had a way to send some of his people down to check on his baby brother, whom he was so protective of.

“Sorry,” Ore said, throwing him a quick smile that didn’t quite reach his beautiful, dark eyes. He stilled his jiggling legs and tucked his hands beneath his thighs to prevent him from fidgeting more. “I am a little nervous, but I’m also kind of excited. Do you know everyone who’s coming?”

Cash shook his head. “I know the two guys that Quinten is sending, but I’m not sure who’s coming from the Kincaid Pack. I only know a few of his people.”

Nodding, Ore leaned forward in his seat to peer up at the sky. “I thought they were supposed to be here by now.”

Cash shrugged and leaned back, throwing his arm onto the back of the seat and getting comfortable. “They were supposed to be, but I’ve learned that dealing with multiple headstrong alphas can cause delays.”

Ore shot him a wide-eyed look. “You think one of the alphas got upset? Is there a chance they won’t come?”

He thought about it for a second and then shook his head. “Quinten’s guys will come no matter what. There’s no way he’d let his brother down like that. And Kincaid? Well, let’s just say that even if I don’t agree with everything he’s done in the past year, he still has a reputation for being trustworthy and fair. He gave Liam his word they would help, so I don’t think he’d turn his back on us just because he and Quinten—or one of Quinten’s guys—got into some sort of pissing match. It probably slowed them down a bit though.”

Ore nibbled on his lower lip. “That makes sense. I still don’t remember everything that happened last year, but based on what I do recall and the things you’ve told me about all the changes the Kincaid Pack is making to the parahuman world, and the fact that Quinten is a bad-ass human alpha who takesshit from no one, it’s not super surprising the two of them would butt heads.”

Cash chuckled. “I’d say that’s an understatement. Luckily, Liam seems to play mediator quite well between the two when need be.”

“I can see that,” Ore said. “He doesn’t seem to get riled easily.”

“That’s the lion in him,” Cash said with a grin. “They’re laid-back until they’re threatened, and then they can become the fiercest protector you’ve ever met.”

Ore scooted closer to him, placing one of his small, delicate hands on Cash’s thigh. “I don’t know. I’d say you are the fiercest protector I’ve ever met.”

Having his mate touching him and talking about how well he and his panther protected him was all it took for his dick to get interested. Before he could suggest a quickie in his truck, he heard the faint but unmistakable sound of an approaching airplane.

Lifting Ore’s hand from where it was sliding upward slowly, he gently kissed each of his knuckles. “No time for that, little bit. They’re here.”

That distracted Ore immediately as he craned his head around, trying to spot the plane. “Are you sure? I don’t see anything. Oh, wait.” Ore started vibrating with excitement next to him. “I do see them. They should be here in a minute or so.” He gave Cash a pretend pout. “Definitely no time for blowjobs.”

Snorting, Cash cupped Ore’s face to draw him close, pressing a sweet, lingering kiss on his lips. “Definitely not.”

Ore shivered and stared at him with adoring eyes. If he didn’t get out of the truck soon, he’d choose spending time with his mate over doing his duty as Enforcer and welcoming their guests.

With one more quick peck, he pulled away and opened his door. He heard a faint sigh from behind him, but Ore didn’t say anything, just scooted across the bench seat and hopped down as well. It didn’t take long before the plane was landing on the cleared strip, finally coming to a stop next to the single plane hangar.

Cash threaded his fingers between Ore’s and led him forward. They stopped a few feet away from where the stairs landed on the ground.

The first face he saw was one he was very familiar with.

Nero was as good-looking as Finlay, which made Cash wonder if all vampires looked like they should be on the cover of magazines rather than ripping people’s throats out. Unlike Finlay, Nero grinned widely, rushing down the steps and wrapping Cash in a bear hug. He was wearing a T-shirt that said, “I vant to drink your blood.”

Typical Nero.

The guy was as charming and talkative as they came, though based on a few things he’d heard from Liam and some of Quinten’s other people, he was pretty sure Nero’s main job was killing people for Quinten.

“Cash, my man. How are things?” Nero said as he gave his back a couple of hearty slaps and then pulled back.

“A little tense now, but I think we’re going to fix that.”

“Hell yeah, we are,” Nero said, turning his beautiful smile on Cash’s mate, prickling his panther. He had to stop himself from stepping between them. “This the man of the hour?”

Ore gave him a sort of dazed smile, which Cash understood. Seeing someone that good-looking and personable could be a bit overwhelming.

“This is my mate, Ore.”

“Hey, little man,” Nero said, stepping over and holding out his hand. “Quinten gave us the lowdown on what happened to you. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

Ore shook his hand and then blinked a few times as he accepted the handshake. “Right, yes. Thank you. Me too.”

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