Page 104 of The Huntress
Mike.
At Gabe’s thought, she twisted in his arms to shoot him a disbelieving look. His lips curled into a sensual smile before snatching a kiss from her.
No. It can’t be. I didn’t lose years when I converted.
You were young to begin with. A conversion removes decades, returning the person to the prime of their lives.
She focused on the young man’s face. The jawline was the same, as were the hook-like nose and his deep brown eyes. But the smirk teasing his upper lip was what convinced her.
Wow. I can see now that the rumors were true. I’d have let him bend me over a water cooler.She chuckled.Not now, of course.
I’d bend over you right here.Gabe stroked the curve of her backside, his mental touch devastating her senses.
She gasped and spun to throw her arms around him. Peering into his eyes, she kissed his chin.I’d let you. Behave. No more psychic touches tonight. Mike’s coming over, and I can’t be a quivering mess when I speak to him. He’s practically my father.
Gabe’s laugh warmed her heart, and she found herself sighing, drowning in the gray of his eyes. She sensed Mike staring at her and flashed him a smile.
“I ought to box your ears, converting without saying goodbye. Since you had your reasons, and you turned into something candylicious, I suppose I could be the magnanimous one and forgive you.” She raised her nose into the air and sniffed, then ruined it with a chuckle.
She tugged out of Gabe’s arms to hug Mike. He smelled the same, though with loads less cologne. She pulled away, studying his face. “How do you feel?”
“What kind of question is that? I’m twenty years younger. Forever.”
His grin had her bouncing on her toes. She loved seeing him happy. “A valid question, since you’re still my partner. There’s no way Metcalfe’s letting you back on the force. You’re a walking poster boy. Suckblood conversion is the new fountain of youth.” She waved her hand in the air as if she laid out the headlines. “I’m thinking Anna McCarthy is a no-no. Not to mention that you won’t be needing me as your wingman anymore.”
“I didn’t need a wingman. I kept telling you that.” Mike shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his denims and shook his head. “You’re on your own, my girl. I’m spending time with Dimitri and hispal’tsy. Could do with a few more skills in my repertoire.”
“I can’t break in another partner. I’ll get him killed.” She chewed on her lip and wondered if she still needed backup. As a suckblood, she had skills galore. The thought of not seeing Mike for a while was too devastating for her to form words.
“You don’t need a new one. You’ve been on your own all this time,” he said.
“He learned years ago to stay back. Trailing you closely meant you’d have to worry about him.” Leo offered Mike a handshake. “Welcome to the Hold, Mike.”
“Is that true?” The sting behind her eyes forced her to squeeze them shut for a second to deny the tears. “You kept back for my sake?” Her voice was soft, unable to speak through the pain seizing her lungs and burning her throat.
“Yes. Your father said you had a talent to survive, that it was almost supernatural. Since your birth, he said. Despite all odds, you didn’t die alongside your mother.” Mike drew her into his arms for another hug.
She went willingly, needing his familiar comfort.
“He saw your training scores, videos, and instructor’s comments. It’s why you went through so many partners. They refused to listen to your old man and tried to be the frontrunner.”
“See, my love, you’ve always been a huntress,” Gabe said. “Now, come here, release poor Mike.”
“I don’t want to.” She pouted, but she let him go, laced her fingers through Gabe’s, and allowed him to tug her back.
“I’m keeping my smartwatch, so you can talk to me anytime.” Mike showed her his wrist.
“You’ll always be my father of sorts, no matter how young you look.” She was tempted to wag her finger in his face.
“I wouldn’t expect anything else from you, my girl.” His eyes were misty, and the sight of it broke her heart.
“Now, for the good news.” Syl muted the television with a flick of his hand. “Hawkins has made amends for Delta’s involvement by supplying all the research material for the original sample.” The grin he bestowed on them was wide, brimming with excitement and satisfaction. “Rhys has offered his laboratories and staff to assist, for which I am grateful.” Syl drew in a deep breath. “We have no idea how the babies will turn out, whether immortal at birth or fully human. It’s trial and error, as horrifying as that is.” His gaze settled on Callie. “Perhaps I’ll soon be bouncing a nephew or niece on my knee.” He winked, conveying who knew what.
Was he mocking her? Was she to be the guinea pig for the new formula? The asshat didn’t even know if she wanted children or not. Her cheeks stung with heat but not from embarrassment. George was Syl’s niece, and he damn well knew it.
Small steps, sweetheart. He wants to acknowledge her, but doing so without jumping through political hoops places George in danger.
Callie huffed.That doesn’t mean I have to like his treatment of her. Why can’t he sneak in to see her?
