Lacey's Luhpynes [Beyond the Veil 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More)

by Honor James

  “I think that sounds like a very good idea,” she whispered. “Crap. She will be all grumbly and stuff if I don’t eat better, won’t she?” She loved Briar and had grown closer to the woman as they worked together. “Right, work.” Lord, her brains were so scrambled that she couldn’t even think about what work they had to do let alone how to do it. If she had a weapon right now she wouldn’t know which end was which, sad but true.

  “Yes, work,” Ansell said as they got off the bed. He pulled a phone out of his pocket and handed it to her. “In case you need us. We checked with Briar and she’s confirmed it won’t interfere with anything down here. So call if you need us, no matter what. We will drop whatever we’re doing and get here as fast as we can.”

  “Even if you just want to talk,” Zhubin told her. Brushing his hand over her hair he leaned in to kiss her. “Call, we always have time for our mate.”

  “I am not getting released right away, am I?” She just realized that. She just realized that they were going back to work, and she was stuck staying there. Freaking. Wonderful. “I just thought I would be coming with you,” she admitted softly. “But I guess I still need to get better don’t I?”

  “You’ll be coming home with us tonight,” Ansell said, leaning in to kiss her. “But until then, you are under the watchful eye of the doctor. Which means, finish your soup and whatever else she gives you, otherwise…” He shrugged and stepped back.

  “Oh don’t you dare otherwise me, mister.” She grumbled and took another spoonful of the soup. “And I will be coming home with you tonight or I am making you stay another night with me here.” She didn’t want to be alone. Someone had nearly killed her with a fucking flu virus on steroids and alone was not something she could be right now. She realized that just as they did.

  “We wouldn’t leave you alone, Lacey,” Zhubin said softly. He tucked some of her hair behind her ear and rubbed her cheek lightly. “Whether we are here or at home, we’ll be with you. We’re going to go and do some work so that one of us can be with you until you’re back on duty as well. So, behave and we will see you in a few hours.”

  That had her grinning. “Oh you are telling me to behave, are you?” She must be feeling a little better if she was up to teasing him, pushing the envelope even more. “I will behave but I have to ask, what do I get as a reward for being a good girl while you are off working?” Ah yes, it was going to so be worth it.

  “We have your favorite ice cream at home in the freezer. If you behave and get out of here tonight, you can have as much as you want. If not, we’re going home for an hour and eating it before coming back to breathe on you all night,” he said. “Oh, and if you do behave, we’ll give you three orgasms too.” Zhubin actually said that like it was an afterthought, unbelievable!

  “Oh that’s just so wrong. Oh, now that’s worth getting better.” She lifted her hand and wrapped it around Zhubin’s neck, pulling him close she brushed her lips to his. Smiling, she said, “Go earn a living for us, Daddy.” She liked that, a lot. She looked to Ansell and felt her heart melting again. “You too, Daddy.”

  He made a face at her but leaned in to kiss her softly. “I love you,” he said quietly. Cupping her cheek, he stared into her eyes for a long time before dropping another kiss on her lips. Only Zhubin calling to him pulled him away. “Call if you need anything.”

  “I will. I promise.” She smiled at him and nodded. “Go, both of you keep out of trouble while I’m down here trying to get better and not jump at shadows.” Sadly that part couldn’t be helped. Someone had nearly killed her. She deserved to jump at shadows, dammit. With having someone nearly kill her via a letter, she was allowed to have fear in her life.

  “Just scream really loudly. Your scream could puncture eardrums,” Ansell said with a grin. Winking, he turned and jogged out of the room and out of sight.

  A moment later Briar came bustling in with her clipboard. Stopping at the end of the bed she shot her a look that warned of painful things before looking to the bowl still in her hand. Not exactly a subtle hint.

  “I was just saying good-bye.” Lacey laughed and began to eat the soup, her eyes on Briar as she ate. Finally, she had her soup finished and leaned back with a smile on her face. “There, see. I ate it all. Aren’t you proud?”

  Taking the bowl, Briar set it aside before patting her on the head. “So proud, even prouder if you were a two-year-old who’d managed the feat instead of a fully grown woman. Two hours and you get another bowl. If you manage it and one more before they return you can go home. If not, you’re mine for another night.”

  “You are slightly terrifying when you get that glint in your eyes, you know that right?” Lacey did grin, however, and leaned back. “I think for now I’m going to nap for a bit, eat the soup and then get up and shower. If you are good with that?” She didn’t want to do anything that might cause more harm to her body than it had already been put through. “And Briar, thank you. For saving my life and…” She touched her hand to her belly, she couldn’t say the words aloud just yet.

  Nodding, the other woman moved closer to the bed. “After your next bowl of soup I’ll get rid of the IV. I think you should be fine. But if you are thirsty, definitely drink. This whole thing has taken a toll on your system so you really need to listen to your body for the next while, closely. Now, get some rest.” She reached up and turned off the light right over the bed. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Sitting on the side of the bed, Lacey kicked her feet and waited on her guys to get there. She heard Zhubin and grinned. When the door opened she flew into his arms and pressed her face to the side of his neck, only to feel Ansell at her back and holding her just as tightly. “God I’ve missed you two.” It had only been a handful of hours, but it had felt like a lifetime. “Take me home, please?”

  “Right now,” he agreed easily. She knew that Briar had already signed off, thus why she’d been waiting patiently, sort of, for her mates to come for her. Another squeeze from them both and then they were hustling her out of the medical area to the nearest elevator.

  Lacey waved back at the nurses. “Please let Briar know I will return her clothes after they’ve been cleaned.” Her clothes had made it to the incinerator. The infection that had all but leached out of her pores, covered her clothing in things that she wouldn’t trust to a washing machine. Therefore, they got burnt.

  “Enough chatter, more walking.” Ansell growled from behind her. So damned impatient, so damned right. The ride down seemed really long. Of course that may have had something to do with the hot and sensual looks both men were shooting her way.

  Lacey couldn’t help laughing. She loved that man and loved the way that he was forever hurrying her along. It was actually kind of fun to be honest. To see just how far she could push Ansell before he growled and tossed her over his shoulder. That’s when things go really, really good.

  As the elevator stopped her men put themselves in the doorway as it opened. A solid wall of muscle. Mm, delicious. And they didn’t move an inch for a long, long time. Then they each took one of her hands and led her out into the garage, keeping her close between them on the walk to their vehicle.

  If there was ever a feeling of complete and utter protection it was right now. Having these men holding her so close between the two of them, their eyes taking in everything. It was truly amazing, knowing that they loved her enough to put their lives on the line for her. Then again, it was nothing she wouldn’t do.

  They hustled her into the truck, Zhubin behind the wheel and Ansell holding her close. The trip home was quick, slower than their original race to the office, but still a bit on the speedy side. Her men just didn’t know the meaning of slowing things down. No, actually, not true. They did know it at the most inopportune times, like when they were making love to her and she wanted hard and fast, they always got it into their heads to go slow and easy.

  When they finally made it home Lacey waited until the garag
e door was closed and in the silence of the truck admitted, “Is it bad that I want to go to the other side of the Veil until we have this monster caught? Especially now that we have a child to worry about?” She could take care of herself, but anything that might harm her child scared her spitless.

  “We could arrange it,” Zhubin said. Neither man moved to get out of the truck. “If you want to go over I know Mom wouldn’t mind having you there. She’s been wanting a chance to spoil you since we told her about the pregnancy. And all her mates are around these days too, time off from their various positions, so you could get to know them as well.”

  “But you two would remain here wouldn’t you?” She didn’t like that idea, at all. “No,” she whispered finally. “After we have dealt with this monster we will go there but not before. I refuse to be without my mates, I refuse to have a moment of this pregnancy without you with me.” Both of them, dammit.

  “Then we will do it the way we’d originally planned. One of us will work the days while the other remains with you and we’ll switch off in the afternoons. We’ll both be with you at night but the hours will be screwy for a while. At least until this guy is caught, you are not going to be alone at any time,” Ansell told her.

  “Thank you for that. I don’t want to be without you and while I would love to be able to go back to work I have a feeling that simply will not happen. I’m sure between Briar and you guys I’m going to be sans working for a time, aren’t I?” Her tone told them that she honestly didn’t mind that so much, at all.

  “No, you are off on medical leave for at least a month. Briar said that she might adjust that to longer when she does your check-ups but for the time being, that’s the time set,” Zhubin said, turning in his seat so he was facing her more. “The captain said for you to take whatever time you require off, whether it’s the month or the entire pregnancy. He wants you to feel comfortable and not have any issues.”

  “That’s awfully nice of him. What happened? He typically wouldn’t be so understanding so what exactly happened that he’s so willing to simply let me take so much time off?” It had to have been her mates, she just wondered what it was that they said to make the captain give her the time she wanted and needed.

  “It was Briar actually,” he said with a chuckle. “She went in to tell him that she was putting you on medical leave for the month and he about had a heart attack, he was so pissed. She smacked him over the head with the folder she had in hand and told him to quit being an ass and shut up and listen. That if he didn’t like it to fire her. Which we all know he can’t do. Byrne and Danel would pretty much tear him limb from limb if he did and every other of the races would revolt. Besides, under the laws in place now, doctors have the right to put anyone on leave for any time they determine for any reason they determine. Which she so sweetly reminded him of right after mentioning he had an appointment for his annual coming up.”

  “Oh, good point. I forgot that. Oh crap, her mate is a Luhpyne.” Okay, so Lacey was kinda all over the map right now but she had a right to be. “Well good for her for going toe to toe with him. I’m honestly surprised that she did it but I’m glad she did.”

  “One is, Danel is an Ahnjel and when they are pissed off…” Ansell let out a low whistle through his teeth. “I saw a group of them in battle once, they are something to see, that’s for sure. Luhpyne tend to be brute strength and the fact it takes a shit load to take us out. Ahnjel are very elegant and cold when they fight. And the wings, never knew they were for anything than to fly but apparently they can be used to kill as well. For such a pretty-looking race they are serious killers.”

  Zhubin chuckled and nodded. “She even did it with us in the room. I don’t even know if she remembered we were there to be honest.”

  “Seriously?” Lacey asked in utter shock. Briar was very, very nervous around anyone from the other side of the Veil and it was completely understandable as well. “Wow. The psychiatrist she is seeing must be helping her more than I realized. Good for her. I just hope and pray one day she will be able to find love with her mates like I have with the two of you.”

  “Her time will come,” he said quietly. “Besides, she’s not too bad with us. We understand why she’s nervous around us and respect that. I just hope she one day realizes that we are not all the same as that piece of shit that hurt her. Just as all humans are not like Jack the Ripper or Ted Bundy. We are all individuals and, most of us, would give our lives to protect those who need it.”

  “I know, but it will take her time. From what I understand she was attacked because of who her mates would be. That’s hard to get over for anyone.” She shrugged and smiled. “That’s all good though, they will eventually sway her to their way of thinking, I know it.” After all, Zhubin and Ansell had swayed her.

  “Oh, they will, we are all a determined lot when it comes to our mate,” Ansell laughed. Giving her a hug he kissed her cheek. “Come on, enough of this. Let’s get you inside and tucked into bed. Then we have some news to share and, hopefully, you can help us figure out what we are missing.”

  “Sounds good. The bed part and the news as well. Whatever it is that we can do to get this over and done with, the happier that I am. All that I need and want is to be curled up between you two. I love you both and I need to have you both holding me please.”

  “Hot bath and then bed. ’Cause honestly, while Briar may have been keeping you mostly clean,” Zhubin stopped there. When she looked at them both they were making faces, their noses wrinkled up and eyes shut tight in hard squints.

  That had her laughing and shaking her head. “Okay, okay. I will get a shower but you can’t blame me for stinking. I’ve been unwell so pllbbtt.” She gave them a raspberry because she couldn’t help it. “But I look forward to either a nice, long hot shower or a nice hot bath with my guys,” she teased.

  “I think a bath would be better, you won’t need to stand,” Ansell commented, and pushing open his door he slid out and turned to help her. “Plus the tub is big enough for us all to be in it so we can sit, relax and just wind down.”

  “Oh I love how that sounds,” Lacey said with a smile. “I think that is what we should do. A nice long hot bath. Having my guys around me and all of us simply trying to relax while I get the stench of being ill off my body. Yep, sounds good to me.”

  “Then get your ass upstairs,” Zhubin said. “I’m going to grab you something to eat and drink, which you will definitely eat and drink. So go, get the tub filling and I will be there in a few minutes.”

  Ansell put a hand on her back and pushed her toward the stairs. “Come on,” he said softly.

  She didn’t hesitate. She moved with Ansell and when they could she wrapped her arm around his middle and gave him a squeeze. Looking up at him she smiled. “I’m happy. Over the moon. I just will feel far better when we have caught whoever this is that’s after me.”

  “As will I,” he said softly. “I do not like the idea of you being hunted, it doesn’t sit well with me. Especially now that you are carrying a babe,” he told her as they walked to the bedroom. “We will find him, we will stop him and then we shall have a long and happy life together.”

  “Thank you for that. I know that with the two of you helping me we will figure it out. I know that with the two overprotective papa bears watching over me we will be able to get this done. We will figure it all out, right?”

  “Wolves, if you must link us to an animal,” he said with a grin. “But I get your meaning,” he said, even though he rolled his eyes at her. He was never shy about letting her know when he thought her to be silly in her ideas. Hugging her close he urged her into the bathroom and then pushed her down to sit on the toilet. “Don’t. Move.” Turning, he got the water running for the bath before kneeling to help her out of her shoes.

  She just smiled at that. Damn she loved the man when he got all forceful on her. “Have I ever told you just how much I love it when you get all forceful and dominant on me? I love it when you tell me just wh
at it is that you want me to do and how to do it.” Okay so she was a little weird, but in a good way.

  “Only when it comes to your health and safety. I would never try to run your life, Lacey. You are too strong of a woman to take that for long anyway and we all know it. If we ever tried you’d either kick us in the nuts or it would irrevocably harm the dynamics of our mating. Neither of which option sits well with me,” he said. Setting her shoes aside he pulled off her socks and laid them over her shoes.

  “Oh I know that you would never try to run my life, I also know that you would never be able to just because I am just too much of a strong personality for that but if you wanted to tell me what to do when in the bedroom too…” She let her words trail off with a grin. Wiggling her toes, she watched him moving around and getting their bath ready. No one would ever be able to replace these men. Nothing and no one.

  “Well I don’t mind you getting a little bossy in the bedroom either, just something to note.” Grinning he added some bubble bath to the water and let it run a bit longer before shutting off the flow. “All right, up on your feet, time to strip you down to the bare, luscious bones.”

  “Oh I like that idea too. Well one thing that I really, really love is when I get to be on top. Your hands running over my breasts, your thumbs brushing my clit as I ride you. I think those are very good feelings.”

  Shaking his head, he pulled her to her feet and started to help her strip. Obviously she wasn’t moving fast enough for him. Not that she minded, it got her so much more when he or Zhubin undressed her. They couldn’t seem to do it without stroking her in some way, always a great way to getting what she wanted.

  Lacey shivered and bit her lower lip. “Goodness I love when you stroke your hands over my body. I love the way that it feels to have you touching me. Caressing me. I never want to give that up. I never want to give up your touches, your kisses, just saying.”