Series: Lee Savino
Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“Aww, he’s hungry.” Wren sets down a platter of different flavored syrups and a saucepot of the bananas foster topping she made because it’s my favorite. She drops into a seat beside me.
“You can’t come in,” Teddy lectures Everest. “No bear forms in the house.”
“Everest,” Matthias states quietly.
Everest drops out of sight. I’m not sure when I’m going to get used to seeing a giant bear just hanging out inside a house. Or on a rugby field.
“Will I ever meet him in human form?” I murmur.
Darius stretches his arm over the back of my chair. “He’s shy. We’re opposites. I never let my bear out. He stays in bear form all the time.”
“He needs to get used to being a man,” Teddy says with an unhappy look at Matthias who’s seated at the head of the table.
Matthias nods. “We’re working on it.”
“We’re trying to set the ‘no bear forms in the house’ rule now before the baby comes,” Lana whispers to us. She rubs her round belly, biting her lip. She looks a little guilty, watching Everest lumber off into the woods.
“Good rule,” Darius says, stacking pancakes onto my and Wren’s plates. “It would’ve kept Teddy and me from destroying our bunk beds three times.”
“Us too,” Hutch says around a mouthful of food.
Axel elbows him. “Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
“Remember that one Christmas–” Bern starts, and Canyon laughs, interrupting to say, “We thought we’d catch Santa coming down the chimney–”
“And we tore apart the mortar holding the stones,” Hutch ends the story. The triplets and Axel crack up with laughter. Even Matthias chuckles.
Hutch sobers. “It destroyed the structural integrity of the cabin, and we had to move.”
“Yeah, good times,” Canyon says, and the other triplets elbow him.
Teddy rubs a hand over his face. “No wonder our mother is hibernating.”
I sneak a glance at Darius, but he’s smiling, his face clear. He’s no longer triggered by the stories of him and his brother’s out-of-control bears.
After breakfast, Darius and I go on a hike. Wren and triplets troop along behind us, carrying picnic baskets full of pancakes. After a few minutes, they split off to find Everest.
Darius and I wander hand in hand on a worn trail. The forest is peaceful, with birds chirping and fluttering from tree to tree. There’s a smoky edge to the chilly air. Winter is coming. Thanksgiving is almost here.
I have a lot to be thankful for. My family is safe. Wren, Starlight, and I will have the freedom we’ve always longed for, plus all the love and support of our newfound family. This morning’s breakfast was a taste of the gentle chaos of being around so many boisterous bears, and I soaked it in. Wren did too. She’s already made herself at home.
Plus, it’s nice to know, if anyone threatens us, the bears could make mincemeat of our enemies.
“So you’re good with this?” Darius breaks the silence. “Staying on Bad Bear Mountain?”
“I was just thinking this place is paradise. Fresh air, gorgeous views. A sexy Viking in my bed.” I tilt my head. “What about you? Will you miss New York?”
He blows out a breath. I think part of him is coming to terms with how much he loves his family and his home. How much he belongs here. “Not really. My employees mostly work remotely. I could let the lease on my office and penthouse go tomorrow. I wouldn’t even have stuff to pack.”
“It was never really your home,” I say.
“No.”
I keep silent for a few paces, letting that sink in. “There’s nothing to keep us from visiting.”
“Yeah, I’d like that. I do have some friends I’d like you to meet. Sully, the guy who helped us get to the safe house, is one of them. But I think the mountain is where we belong.”
I smile, but then have a thought. “What about Lockepoint?”
“I have people looking into it. Thom’s estate is tied up with creditors. And from what Kylie can tell from her hacking, a lot of his wealth was gifted to a few private companies dedicated to conservation.”
“Like…conservation efforts to save the earth?”
His expression turns grim. “We think they might really be shell corporations for the Venatores.”
A chill runs through me. The Venatores are still out there. Still a threat.
“You and Wren are safe here,” Darius says.
“I know. Thank you.” This is probably the safest place in the world for us.
“We’ll keep digging. But when it comes to Lockepoint… I don't know if you and Wren will get any inheritance.”
I shrug. “That’s okay. We don't need his blood money. I can make my own.” I squeeze his hand. “I’m still waiting for an official invite to work at Mountain Top Investments.”
Darius goes still. “You’d do that? Come work with me?”
I face him. “Of course. I like trading. I just don’t want to be anyone’s slave.”