Page 76 of Magic and Muffins

Shepard nodded and got in next to me. My shaking grew more pronounced as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed my temple. I felt Cross’ gaze on me as he drove and knew they were both worried about me. I wasn’t acting like I usually did. No complete meltdown this time. What did that say about my life? Too much was happening.

I tried to tell myself the trauma of the night hadn’t been for nothing…that even though we hadn’t caught Orphia or any of her people, we had footage that should stop her from luring in more innocent people. At least for a little while.

Still, the images from tonight would run on a loop in my mind for a long time, along with the sounds of the screams and cries.

I shivered.

“We’re almost home,” Shepard said.

Home wouldn’t fix what was wrong, but it was a haven I needed to regroup. When we finally arrived, I headed for the shower and stripped off my blood-stained shirt. I was pretty sure it was splatter from vampires hitting arteries on victims.

I shivered again.

Cross followed me, turning on the water for me. His gaze swept over me as I washed.

“Want me to join you?” he asked.

I nodded.

A second later, he was behind me, naked and rubbing his hands over my back.

“What happened tonight?” I asked.

“Hugh was being cautious. He kept the team back until the meeting started, worried that the incoming vampires would scent the werewolves. He didn’t want to tip them off.”

Cross let out a heavy breath. “Even though my scent would have blended with theirs, he asked me to stay back as well because I’m too recognizable.”

He grabbed a scrubby and soaped it up.

“When your identities were revealed, we rushed the building, but those precious seconds gave them the advantage. My heart stopped beating when you bled the second time. I thought?—”

His arms wrapped around me from behind. The hold wasn’t sexual. It was desperate.

Turning in his arms, I met his dark gaze.

“I would have killed everyone in that room if anything had happened to you.”

I believed him. The webbing around his eyes was the darkest I’d ever seen.

“Nothing happened. I’m here. I’m fine. Shaken up. Angry we didn’t get what we needed after all that risk, but fine.”

He kissed me gently as the bathroom door opened, and Shepard walked in without a stitch of clothing.

Seeing them both naked at the same time sent a little jolt of panic through me.

“Is there room for one more?” he asked.

“I knew your aversion to Shross was just a front,” Cross teased, his anger bleeding away from his expression as his sexy smile appeared. “Don’t worry, Everly. Despite the kiss I gave him, he’s not my type. I think it got him curious about what I have to offer, though, since I’ve seen what he has to offer you. First impression was that it wasn’t much, by the way.”

“It was cold the morning you stole my towel at the Hunter’s house,” Shepard said. “And I’m not here to look at you.”

“So you claim. I’ll save you the trouble and embarrassment. You have a pinch more girth, and I have a smidge more length. Otherwise, we’re fairly evenly matched.”

“I’m not looking at you. Get out. It’s my turn.” His gaze locked with mine, softening.

“What? No cleaning train?” Cross asked with a laugh.

He kissed my shoulder and strutted past Shepard with a grin. Shepard’s soft growl didn’t stop until Cross wrapped a towel around his waist and disappeared from the bathroom.

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