Page 110 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“The police left,” Ed said. “Without you.”

Mael lifted his hands to show off the chain. “The big one pushed Echo down the last few stairs.” Mael fisted both hands. Rage pumping through his veins. “Your son landed on the floor. I saw red and… I fought them. They left without us.”

Mael turned his focus to Echo. He searched his mate’s face.“Areyou okay?”

Echo nodded sidling up against Mael. “I turned and hit my side and hip mostly, not my belly.”

Mael wrapped an arm around him and squeezed tight.

“I’m sorry.”

Mael frowned. “Why areyousorry?”

“They’re frommypod,” Echo said. “They’remypeople.” He shook his head. “Though I don’t feel like claiming them right now.”

Mael kissed Echo’s forehead, focusing all of his attention on his mate so he didn’t go hunt down a few cops. “You have no need to be sorry.” He caressed Echo’s head, brushing back a few errant strands. “I’m tempted to pack you up and take you to the island—but I don’t think we’ll see them back here tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

“No,” Mael replied. “But since I don’t know what our reception would be on the island, I’m not sure it would be any better.”

“We could always go to Point Harbor and get a room at a hotel there for the night,” Echo said.

Mael nodded. “Not a bad idea.”

“Wait, wait, wait…” Ed said. “Let me make some phone calls. This isn’t how we handle things in Dolphin Bay. Stay put for now.”

Mael drew Echo closer. “I really don’t want you here. How about this? I can call one of my brothers and have them meet us north of Dolphin Bay with their boat. We drop them off back at the island… and then go to a spot that’s in neutral territory, and sleep on the boat tonight?”

“Sounds perfect,” Echo whispered. He frowned. “Why don’t you have a boat? All your brothers seem to.”

“I did, but the motor blew. It’s older, and I need to get a new one. I’ve just been lazy about shopping for one since it’s so easy to borrow one.”

“Mine’s old and not in the greatest shape. Maybe we need to buy one. Together.”

Mael grinned. “Our first major purchase as a couple, oh my.”

“Stop,”Echo said, fighting a smile. Mael was glad he could after what they’d just experienced.

“Forty-footer? Or a big dog like Havoc’s?”

Echo chuckled. “We can figure that out later.”

Mael drew Echo into a hug.

“I was really scared, Mael.”

He caressed Echo’s back. “I know. I was, too.”

“You didn’t look scared.”

“I was more scared for you than I was for myself,” Mael admitted. He leaned back and eyed Echo. “Are you sure you and the babies are okay? Maybe we should go have you checked out. I won’t lose you.”

Echo’s lower lips trembled. “And you won’t. I think I’m good. Just rattled.”

Mael brushed his lips on Echo’s forehead.

“We’re going to fight back. They’re going to wish they’d never done this,” Echo said.

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