Page 142 of My Unexpected Mate

His growls became quieter, and his breathing evened out. His eyes turned back to their normal brown color that I loved so much.

Gabriel let him go and he immediately wrapped his hands around me and pulled me to him. He dipped his head into the crook of my neck and breathed in deeply.

“You are a complete and total idiot if you think you will be taking her away from me, Jacob,” Nick said calmly, not lifting his head from my neck. “She is mine and she is not staying here with you.”

“Then I am going where she is going,” Jake said. “I am not leaving her while those fuckers are out there, trying to get her.”

Nick growled and I rubbed small circles on his back, calming him down.

“Maybe we should talk about this tomorrow,” Gabriel said. “We all had a long day, and we need a break.”

“I agree,” I said and pushed away from Nick. “There is a motel just down the road.”

“No, Minnie,” Jake said and I turned to look at him. “You will stay here. There is only one guest bedroom, but we will manage.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Of course, Ari,” Cassie responded. “We have a lot to catch up on. And I would love to get to know Annie better. We could have a girls’ night. Stay here.”

I turned to look at Nick and Gabriel. I could see they were not very happy, but a few moments later they nodded.

“I guess it is safer here than at the motel,” Gabriel said.

I gave him a big smile and turned to hug Cassie. I squeezed her tightly and she laughed.

“I missed you too, Minnie,” she said using Jake’s nickname.

I smiled and let her go.

“Come on, Annie, let’s go to the kitchen,” Cassie said, looking at Annie. “We can start on the dinner while Jake shows the boys to the guest bedroom.”

Annie and I followed her to the kitchen. It felt so good to be back with Cassie and Jake. I didn’t even realize how much I missed them until I saw them again.

I felt Nick’s eyes on me as we walked away. I turned around to give him a small smile. He smiled back, but I could see the worry in his eyes. My heart clenched painfully. How do I make him stop worrying?

CHAPTER FORTY – Worried

Gabriel’s POV

I was not sure I liked this.

I didn’t like how close they were. I didn’t like how familiar they were.

It bugged the hell out of me.

I had to admit, I didn’t really think it would be like this. I thought four years apart would have left a strain on their relationship, but it didn’t happen. She was so much more comfortable with them than she ever was with us.

And I was jealous.

Nick and I were walking behind Jacob. He was leading us toward the guest room.

Jacob opened the door and we walked inside.

The room was simple. There was a big bed in the middle and a closet on the left. A small couch was on the right next to the door to, what I was assuming was, the bathroom.

“The bed is big enough for two,” Jacob said. “The couch can be pulled out and two more people can sleep on it. But if you want, the two of you can sleep downstairs.”

“No,” Nick said sternly. “We will all sleep in here.”