Page 88 of Savoring Her Snake

“Yes.”

“Boss.”

“Yeah.” I drop my hands and take the clothes from Hunter. “Warm the car. You can drive.” He nods and leaves. “I need to get you home. Are you in pain?”

“Oh, yeah,” she groans, pressing her hand to her head.

“We should go to the hospital.” I dress quickly.

“No. I want to go home.” She grips my jacket. “And never leave.”

“I won’t complain,” I drawl and slide my arms underneath her. I hold her lightly against my chest, fearful of hurting her further, but move quickly across the room.

“We’ll stay behind,” Maverick offers as I step outside.

“Don’t worry about the mess,” Saphira says, smiling.

“Thank you.” I take a moment to see all the shifters and vampires waiting for us. I doubted their loyalty to me. The panthers wait by their car, and I’m grateful to them. Rylee is in the care of a shifter doctor who has known them since they were young. Ryker, Bash, and their mates stand behind all the vehicles. The wolves hold their mate between them, talking with the cowboy cheetah. More dragons stand with Roxanne and Sally. Quinn, Micah, and their mates lean against the car the lions came in. This family, which I still don’t fully understand, has shown their devotion to the bond and the safety of mates.

“Boss?” Bane is holding the back door of the car open.

“Yes.” I doubt Bane and Hunter understand the extent of the family they have become a part of by just being here. “Sally,” I start, and she looks at me. “I am indebted to you.” Her eyes widen and then become wicked.

“Remember, he has a mate,” Juliana says, smiling at the rabbit.

“Damn, that narrows it down,” Sally pouts. “I’ll get back to you.”

“You do that,” I smirk and walk to the car. Carefully placing Juliana on the seat, I move back, and I’m surprised as she pulls my hand fiercely.

“Don’t leave me,” she whispers.

“Never,” I hiss and kiss her head. “I’m getting in the other side.” She nods, and I shut the door. “Drive fast,” I instruct Hunter and walk around the car. The vampires disappear as I open the door, and everyone else separates into their rides.

“I’m riding with you, cowboy,” Sally says, skipping beside him. “Is Saylor ready to pop yet? You’ve been hogging her. She misses me. I’m ready for a visit.” She continues to chatter and I smile before sitting beside my mate.

“Turn up the heat,” I say. Juliana is shivering. I slide next to her and put on her seatbelt. The shock is hitting her and her body is trembling. “Lean on me.” I cup her knee and carefully wrap my arm around the small of her waist. Her head lands on my shoulder, and her cold hands slide between my shirt and jacket. Her breathing evens once she is bundled against me, and her body relaxes. I press close and gratefully bask in her presence. “Be ready to move on the mom. She had a role in this,” I instruct Bane. Levi told us about his conversation with their mom, admitting he told her about me. It was too late as I was racing to find Juliana. He wanted to come, but I convinced him to stay home. I promised to update him. “Message Levi. Tell him she is safe but needs time. I’ll let him know when to visit.” Bane nods and gets his phone.

The extent of their mother’s involvement is unknown to me. What her punishment will be depends on the role she played. There are many ways I could ruin her life. She fucked with her daughter for the last time. Juliana can affect my decision, but my big-hearted mate may let her off too easily.

Luckily, Stanly didn’t go far from the house. He underestimated the town he was in and the shifters who would defend the family. I hadn’t given much thought to him or his past with Juliana. I barely noticed him before the night we met. Levi always had him near, but I didn’t know the extent of their friendship. When Hunter delved into Juliana’s past, I realized how much I overlooked him. Once he hacked into Stanly’s social media, his obsession with my mate became clear. She was clueless about his love, and I knew his dedication had grown to dangerous levels. His accounts were filled with pictures of her, more than a friend of her brother's should have been. I’m dreading the conversation with Levi, not because I am sorry Stanly is dead. I’m going to hate seeing the emotion as Levi realizes the man he idolized for much of his life was hiding his true nature.

One of the many reasons I have tried to avoid personal attachments. Micah and Quinn were a surprise, as was my friendship with them. Rylee became my sister naturally, and a ball of anxiety is sitting in my gut. She was in the living room when I arrived, but I resisted going to see her. My priority was my mate. She needed me more. Rylee will heal, but Juliana is human, and any injury could cause her death.

“Heath,” Bane says, and I blink. “We’re here.” I notice we are parked in front of the house. Micah and Quinn are standing on the porch. I wait until they leave the car and remove Juliana’s seatbelt, but she doesn’t wake. Hunter opens the door, and I pull away.

“Heath,” she mumbles.

“We’re home.” I quickly get out and speed to her door. The scent of smoke is thick in the air, irritating my nose. “I’ve got you.” She wraps her arm around my neck as I lift her.

“Shit,” she hisses, her other hand pressing to her head. “My head is pounding.”

“Go to your brother,” I tell Hunter and Bane. “I’m sure he’s worried. Take the car.”

“Keep us posted,” Hunter says, and I nod.

“Take care of her,” Bane says and walks away.

“He likes her.” Hunter smiles at Juliana before following his brother.

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