Page 41 of Backstage at the Freak Show
“How was that?” I asked, searching his blue-green eyes. “Were you okay?”
I wasn’t asking about our performance this time, buthim. My gorgeous tiger shifter had been forced to perform with real fire when I found him. The burn scars on his ribs weren’t the only damage done to him in that time. This comeback tour was originally going to be just me and Raz, possibly Hunter, but Arjun stepped up saying he wanted to be part of it.
It made sense. He and Raz had performed in sideshows together many times. As two prized, rare shifters, they bonded over necessity, survival. While Raz learned to accept and eventually embraced a life of theatrics as long as it was on his terms, turning tricks on stage only seemed painful for Arjun.
“I’m your husband that’s gotten the least time with you,” he’d told me back then. “Let me stick to you like a barnacle on your arse for a bit longer. I’ll even be happy to go onstage and earn my keep.”
As long as I used my shaman ability to mimic fire, and not the actual substance that would burn him, he seemed fine. But now I really wanted to know. Even for fake fire, it was real enough for the audience and there was a lot of it.
“My love.” Arjun cupped a large hand around the back of my neck, and lowered a hot kiss to my mouth. “In your hands, I’m more than okay. Always.” He grinned at me, still feline and mischievous with human teeth. “You did amazing, Mel. I’m so proud of you.”
“I think we set some panties on fire tonight,” Raz agreed, kissing the back of my head. “The venue owner is probably clutching his insurance papers now, but I bet we’ll get a bonus.”
“Honestly,” I kicked my heels off, opting to walk barefoot to our backstage dressing room, “none of it matters. I’m just glad it’s over with.” Grabbing both of their hands, I made for the door with my name taped on it. “Let’s call home.”
14
MELODY
All the pressure and stress of the evening melted away the moment Connor’s face popped up on my phone screen.
“Hey, babe.” He spoke softly, his grin tugging at my heart from thousands of miles away. “It was getting late. I wasn’t sure if you’d call.”
“They demanded an encore.” Raz rested his chin on my shoulder. “Hey, Con.”
“Pfft, of course they did,” Connor replied. “It’s been almost two years since y’all have put on a show.”
“We’ll get you a video.” Arjun squeezed my opposite shoulder. “Our girl was incredible.”
“Knew she would be.” Connor’s pride beamed through the small screen and the ache to curl up on my Marine’s chest was fierce. “How do you feel, Mel? Victorious?”
“I was just dying to get it over with and talk to you,” I confessed. “I miss you.”
“We miss you more, babe.” Connor blew a kiss at the screen.
“Where’s Mason?”
“Right here.” Connor tilted the phone down to point at our sleeping sixteen-month-old, dead to the world on his chest.
“Fuck,” Arjun sighed. “Miss my little cub.”
“How’s he doing? Has he been fussing at all? Eating okay?”
“Babe,” Connor laughed lightly at me. “He’s fine. The first day you were gone he was a little fussy, but Hunter and I are loving on him a ton. Wolf man’s been able to bond with him more and I think he’s relieved about that.”
“Roo and Rinna aren’t upset about him being with the baby?”
“Nah, they’re independent and don’t want to spend all their time with Dad anyway. They’ve been spending time with Miriam and her guys.”
“And Jeanie?” I just could not stop asking about everyone in our busy household. “How are she and the littles?”
“Fine.” I could tell Connor wanted to tease me, but he reeled it in and answered me with patience. “We’re helping her out too. And she’s watching Mason when we need a break. Seriously, babe. All is well and everyone is stepping up when others need a hand.”
I breathed a sigh of relief and Raz pressed a reassuring kiss to my neck. Old habits died hard. Being far away from my family, when they didn’t need rescuing, wasn’t a feeling I was used to.
“Okay. I’ll let you go so he doesn’t wake up.”
“Can’t wait to see your beautiful face in person.” Connor stared at me dreamily. “I got dibs on you first when you’re back.”
