Page 46 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

Echo scanned the horizon again and was almost ready to give up when motion caught his attention. A boat. A massive one. It looked to be at least a forty-footer, and it was headed their way.

“This might be them.”

Diego rose and walked closer, spying for himself. “About time,” he muttered.

“Play nice, please,” Echo said.

“I will, but he’s not making it any easier.”

Echo sighed and shook his head, hoping he’d not made a mistake bringing Diego—but he’d been a bit nervous coming alone, especially after he’d found out Mael’s family might be joining them. Of course, if things went sideways, it wasn’t as if he and Diego could fight off five adult orcas, but it wasn’t going to go sideways.

Mael wouldn’t let it.

Echo wasn’t sure if he believed that or was trying to convince himself.

As the other boat neared, Echo caught sight of Mael. He fought a smile. His heartbeat accelerated. Butterflies circled in his stomach. Mael captured Echo’s gaze, a soft smile on his lips.

There were two others onboard, and both of them looked enough like Mael for him to believe it was family, for sure. Three was better than five, but then the boat was huge. Two more orcas could be hiding down below.

They rafted up alongside Diego’s boat. Mael snagged the mooring line on theirs and tugged it closer, tying it to the larger craft.

Mael held out a hand to Echo and drew him across. Then into his arms.

Echo closed his eyes, the doubts fading in Mael’s embrace. When they were together, everything felt right.

“Sorry we’re late,” Mael whispered against Echo’s ear. “My brother and sister are a hot mess when they’re together. I’m sorry in advance for whatever comes out of their mouths.”

“Noted,” Echo replied.

He lifted his head and stared up at Mael, just enjoying the view. They’d only been apart for a day, but it felt as if it had been a week. Mael caressed the side of his face, smiling softly. Echo pressed his palms on Mael’s chest and leaned in closer.

Heat swirled in Mael’s eyes. Echo felt heat swirling in other places, particularly those needy places down below. Mael leaned his head down, inching his lips toward Echo’s.

Mael was shoved out of the way and his sister took his place, eyeing Echo up and down.

“Oh, he’s a pretty one, Maelstrom. If you’re not careful, I might steal him away from you,” Tempest said, giving Echo a wink.

Echo’s face grew warm.

“You’re a lesbian, remember?” Mael said. “Back away from my boyfriend.”

Boyfriend?Echo lifted a brow, his face warming even more. Were they hiding that they were mates from Mael’s siblings?

“I thought he was your mate?” his sister said. She turned to Echo. “Never let him get away with anything. Trust me. Give that man an inch, he’s taking a mile.”

“I’ve gotten a hint of that already,” Echo replied, glad he wasn’t expected to cover up their connection without warning. “But I appreciate the advice.”

“Tempest,”his sister said, holding out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Echo.”

Echo shook her hand. “Lovely to meet you, too, Tempest.”

“And that huge one over there is Havoc,” Tempest said.

Echo cast a look down the boat and was shocked to see a manlargerthan Mael, which seemed near impossible as imposing as his mate was. Havoc had to be at least two to three inches taller than his brother, though, upon further inspection, he wasn’t quite as solid. Havocwasmuscled and came close, but Mael looked more powerfully built.

“Nice boat you have here, Havoc,” Echo said, knowing how often alphas took pride in their toys and hoping it might break the ice. “You must like to entertain with something this big.”

“I teach scuba,” Havoc muttered. He raised one brow. “I need room for my students and work. No other reason.”

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