Under the Panther's Protection [Black Panthers 3]

by Leah Brooke

  Fiona blinked, looking out to see that no longer did anyone stare in their direction. “You’re imagining things. The women were all looking at you, probably wishing they were in my place.”

  Taking both of her hands in his, he leaned closer to kiss her lightly. “You’re mine, Fiona, and I won’t tolerate other men looking at you like they want to take a bite out of you.”

  Smiling, she touched her neck. “The only teeth I want on me are yours.”

  “Good. It better stay that way.” Reaching into his pocket, he produced a ring box, his gaze on hers as he opened it, revealing a turquoise stone surrounded by diamonds. “You’re my mate, which to us is a relationship much stronger than husband and wife, but I want you to marry me. I want you to have my name.”

  Stunned, Fiona gaped at him, his features blurring when her eyes filled with tears. “Joshua!”

  He took the ring from the box and tossed the box aside, taking her hand in his. “I love you, Fiona, and I know you love me. Say yes.”

  Fiona could barely breathe. Sucking in a breath, she nodded. “Yes.”

  Sliding it on her finger, he held her gaze. “It took me forever to find a stone that matches your eyes. Turquoise is a protection stone and is supposed to give the wearer strength.”

  Grinning, she leaned close to kiss him. “I love it, and I love you.”

  She laughed when her stomach fluttered, taking his hand and placing it over her abdomen. “Your son’s moving again. I think he likes the idea, too.”

  Joshua groaned and turned his chair to lean closer. “I love both of you so much.” He kissed her again, making the waiter wait to give them their menus. Once the other man left, Joshua smiled. “When Glenna was pregnant, she seemed to know whenever Joe and Leland were close because Jonas started moving around.” He frowned and glanced toward her stomach.

  Meeting his frown with her own, Fiona sat back. “What?”

  Shaking his head, Joshua straightened and perused the menu. “I just remembered that, when she tried to eat, Jonas would start moving around and upset her stomach. The baby only settled down when one of them caressed her belly.” Grinning, he took her hand in his. “I guess I’m going to have to start eating with one hand.”

  “Don’t worry, my mate. I’ll feed you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Fiona walked out of the clinic with Joshua, patting him on the arm. “There’s no reason to be mad at Mitch. You were so upset about another one of those tests to see if I’d get sick that Mitch didn’t want to ask you.”

  “So, you took it upon yourself to do it with him behind my back.” Still clearly disgruntled, Joshua frowned down at her. “No more secrets from me, my mate.”

  “You’re right, and I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

  “No. It won’t.”

  “I was only sick for twenty minutes.”

  “Twenty minutes too long.”

  Fiona shrugged. “Besides, I didn’t feel like running to town to pick up the stuff for the new bathroom you added, and I knew you were worried I would be sick and would make the trip as fast as possible.” Stopping, she turned to him. “Don’t you think it’s better to know all we can about it? Glenna’s talking about having another baby, and I’m sure we’ll have another in the future. The others could find themselves in the same predicament.”

  Joshua pulled her close. “You’re right, but I hate seeing you so sick. Leland and Joe are pissed at seeing what Glenna had to endure. You’re six months along. Did it last this long for her?”

  Upset at the memory, Fiona nodded. “Yes. I did all I could for her, but the only thing that seemed to help was that damned tea.”

  Rubbing her back, Joshua lifted her chin. “You did everything you could for her. Leland and Joe feel terrible because she felt the need to run from them. I don’t think they will ever forgive themselves for that.”

  With a hand at her back, he guided her down the new path from the clinic toward the center patio where she and Glenna liked to sit. “You can bet money on the fact that, when she gets pregnant again, they won’t be far away. Are you feeling okay?”

  “I’m fine, baby.” She smiled up at him, wondering if she could possibly love him more.

  He barely let her out of his sight and watched her like a hawk.

  Bending to touch his lips to hers, he sighed. “I’m uncomfortable letting you out of my sight. I don’t want you to be in the house because of all the mess and noise. We should be done with it soon.”

  “I can’t believe you built on two bedrooms and another bathroom so quickly.”

  “I have a lot of help.”

  “You all help each other all the time. I think that’s so wonderful.”

  Whatever involved one of them seemed to involve all of them, which also included Fiona and Glenna.

  Chuckling, Joshua leaned close again, running his hand over her swollen abdomen—something he did often. “To be honest, I think I have extra help because of your desserts. Have you noticed that a lot of the kids are around, suddenly anxious to learn how to do construction work?”

  Leland, Joe, Thomas, and Dane waited by the chairs positioned for Fiona and Glenna to talk and look at the mountains, a fire already burning in the fire pit.

  Laughing, Dane nodded. “They’re up at the house now, trying to figure out a way to ask Joshua to get you to make some more chocolate cakes.”

  “I’ll make some. I’ll go up to the farmhouse in a bit and get them started.” Her feet hurt, but she knew that mentioning that to Joshua would be a mistake.

  But nothing seemed to get past her husband.

  They’d been married in the spot she sat in now the week after he’d proposed, but only after she’d talked to her sister.

  Her worry that Glenna would be upset had been met with laughter.

  “Are you kidding?” Glenna patted Fiona’s hand. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you and Joshua. It’s so wonderful to see you happy.”

  “But how about you?”

  “I’m happy. Ecstatically happy. Joe and Leland both want to marry me, but I would never choose between them. I’m their mate, and that’s all that matters.”

  Now, watching Glenna with both of them, Fiona smiled at the obvious love between them.

  “I like your new ring.”

  A thick gold ring with an intricate design shone brightly on the third finger of her sister’s left hand.

  Holding it up, Glenna stared at it and grinned. “After you got married, Joe and Leland decided that I should have a ring so everyone will know that I’m not available.”

  Fiona smiled and sat back, glancing up at Joshua as he adjusted a blanket over her. “Anyone looking at you could tell that.”

  Joshua brushed his lips over Fiona’s temple, running a hand over her swollen abdomen. “Anyone looking at you can tell that you’re taken, too.”

  Grinning at the satisfaction in his voice, Fiona settled back, her smile falling when all five men stilled and then slowly turned toward the mountains.

  Joe cursed, and all five men moved so fast Fiona barely saw a blur before Joshua slammed into her, knocking her to the ground, chair and all.

  Joshua grunted as they fell to the side, but he wrapped an arm and leg around her as if he were trying to cover her body with his.

  Another grunt from Joshua had her struggling to get her hands free from the blanket. “Joshua?” When he didn’t move right away, she pushed at him, desperate to see his face.

  Leland appeared, laying over both of them. “Stay still, Fiona. We’ve got a shooter.”

  Lifting his head, Leland barked out orders, and although Fiona saw little but Joshua’s chest, she heard the sound of racing panthers all around her.

  “Joshua!” Wrapping her arms around her, she started to sob. “Joshua. Please. Dear God.” When her hand came away wet, Fiona lifted it over Joshua’s shoulder, horrified to see that it was covered with blood.

  “Joshua!” She screamed his name again and again, trying to push
him away so that she could see where he’d been hit, but Leland didn’t let her move.

  “Leland, Joshua’s been shot! Move.”

  “Be still. We’re going to get both of you to the clinic.”

  “Shooter’s gone.” Graham’s voice sounded raw, the anger and fear in it unmistakable. “Come on, Fiona.” He slid his hands under her. “I’ve got you.”

  Fiona gasped at the sharp pain low in her abdomen, wrapping a hand around herself when Graham picked her up and ran with her toward the clinic several steps behind Leland and Dane, who carried Joshua.

  Fighting the pain, Fiona gripped the front of Graham’s shirt. “Is he dead? Please tell me he’s not dead.”

  He must have understood her through her sobs because he lifted her higher, pressing his face against her hair. “I don’t think so, Fiona. Just calm down. He’s in good hands. Right now, you need to think of the baby.”

  He carried her into the clinic and placed her on the bed on the other side of the room from where Mitch, Leland, and Dane frantically worked on Joshua.

  “No! I want Joshua.”

  Graham held her down when she would have jumped up from the bed, his features hard as granite. “Stay put, Fiona. Please. Calm down. Joshua’s alive.”

  Another pain hit her, doubling her over. “Joshua!”

  With his hand in her hair, Graham turned to Mitch. “Mitch! Fiona’s in pain. I think the baby’s coming!”

  “Damn it! Calm her down. I’ve got to get these bullets out and get this bleeding stopped.”

  “Fiona!”

  “Joshua! Fiona’s here. She’s okay. Stay still, damn it!” The fear and fury in Mitch’s voice told Fiona how shaken the usually unflappable doctor had become.

  “I’m here, Joshua.” Another pain stole her breath, but she forced herself to sound calm. “I’m okay. You were shot.”

  “Twice.” Leland cursed. “Two in the back.”

  “Dear God! Mitch, talk to me. Tell me what’s going on!” She hated being across the room from Joshua and unable to see him.

  “I’m fine, my mate.” Joshua groaned. “Where the fuck is my mate?”

  Another pain sliced through her, so sharp she couldn’t hold back a cry. “I’m here, Joshua.” Fighting the pain, she struggled to get up. “I’m coming.”

  Graham grabbed her again. “No. Damn it. Joshua, she’s fine.”

  “Do you think I can’t feel her pain? Don’t you dare knock me out. Bring her to me.”

  The sound of something metal on metal sent a chill through her.

  Mitch blew out a tension-filled breath. “There’s one. You okay, Joshua?”

  “I’m fine. You numbed the damned thing, didn’t you? Graham, bring Fiona to me.”

  Alarmed that Joshua’s voice sounded weak, Fiona tried to get up again, only to be thwarted by Graham. “Let go of me. I need to go to him.”

  The pain in her abdomen grew stronger. “I think the baby’s coming.”

  “Graham, calm her the fuck down! I’ll be there as soon as I get this bullet out.”

  “Bring. Her. To. Me. Now!”

  Mitch cursed. “Stay still, Joshua. I’ve almost got it.”

  “You’re not fucking touching me again until you bring my mate to me!”

  “Graham, bring her over.” Leland’s voice held a harshness that Fiona had never heard in it before.

  Graham looked terrified as he picked her up, his face pale. “She’s been doubled up since we got in here.”

  “My mate needs me.”

  The first sight of Joshua terrified her.

  He looked pale, his gorgeous features tight with pain. Since he lay on his stomach, she could see his back clearly, and the damage that the shooter had done. “There she is.”

  Graham stood holding her, but she reached out a hand to Joshua, fear making it difficult to breathe. “Baby, are you okay?”

  The tension in his answering smile tightened her stomach. “I’m fine.” He closed his eyes again and rolled to his side, patting the spot next to him. “Put her here.”

  Fiona gasped when another pain hit her, the tightening in her abdomen becoming unbearable.

  Mitch cursed when Joshua rolled to his side and shook his head. “No. Let me—”

  Joshua opened pain-filled eyes and glared at Graham. “Put her the fuck down next to me right now.”

  Graham set her next to Joshua, who pressed his face against his neck.

  “Calm down, my mate. I’m okay. You’re the one I’m worried about.” He laid his hand on her swollen abdomen, his voice deep, but weak. “Just breathe, baby. We’re all okay. My son needs to stay where he is for now.”

  “I know.” Fiona breathed in Joshua’s scent, every breath calming her. “I’m scared. If I lost either one of you—”

  “Nobody’s losing anybody.” Mitch’s voice had calmed somewhat as he tended to Joshua. “I’ll give you something for the pain and to try to stop the contractions as soon as I finish with your mate.”

  Joshua moved his hand on her abdomen. “Easy. He’s raising hell in there, isn’t he?”

  “It’s getting better.” Relieved that the pains had eased, Fiona leaned back to look at Joshua’s beloved face. “I think he was upset that his daddy was hurt.”

  Joshua frowned, rolling her to face him. “Did I hurt you when I knocked you down?”

  Laying a hand on his cheek, Fiona shook her head. “I’m okay. I can’t believe someone shot you.” She gasped when another pain hit, this one weaker than the others.

  Joshua pulled her close again and began to rub her belly. “I felt that. It’s less now, isn’t it?”

  Aware of a low conversation going on between the other three men, Fiona tuned them out, running a hand over Joshua’s chest. “Yes. How much pain are you in? Don’t lie to me.”

  Joshua’s lips twitched. “Better. Anything vital, Mitch?”

  Another sound of metal on metal. “Miraculously, no. I got the second one out. I just have to stitch you up. You’ll be sore for a couple of days, but that should be it. As soon as I finish, I’ll check your mate.”

  “Good.”

  Another pain tightened her abdomen, but it was even weaker than the last. “Our son’s settling down.”

  “Hmm.” Joshua continued to lightly rub her stomach while she kept her hand moving on his chest. “Graham, take Fiona’s boots off and tuck her feet between my legs.”

  “Joshua, I—”

  “Just do it.”

  Fiona smiled when Graham did as Joshua insisted. “You worried about my feet, baby?”

  “Gotta keep ’em warm.”

  Mitch finished stitching Joshua as fast as he could, scared that Fiona would have the baby too early.

  He glanced at Leland, anxious to get to her. “Bandage this for me so I can check her.”

  Neither Joshua nor Fiona had spoken in several minutes, and it scared Mitch.

  Fearing that both of them had passed out, he moved around to the other side of the bed, staring down at the two entwined figures in disbelief.

  Joshua had his head pillowed on Fiona’s, her face pressed against his neck.

  Fiona had rolled slightly to her back at some point, allowing Joshua to rest his hand on her swollen abdomen while hers lay curled against his chest.

  And both of them had fallen fast asleep.

  He listened to both of their hearts and checked their pulses to make sure, but Joshua made a slight purring sound in his throat, confirming Mitch’s suspicion.

  Leland and Graham moved up beside him, staring down at them. Leland blinked at looked at Mitch in disbelief. “Are they both asleep?”

  Mitch smiled and breathed a sigh of relief for the first time in nearly an hour. “They are. It seemed all they really needed was each other.” He listened to the baby’s heartbeat for the second time. “Her labor stopped. The pain evidently stopped.”

  He lifted the bedrail to keep her from falling out and went around to do the same on Joshua’s side. “I don’t know what the
hell happened, but it obviously worked.”

  Leland smiled and shook his head, the tension of the last hour draining from his shoulders. “There’s obviously more to this mate stuff than any of us anticipated. When they wake up, I’m going to have to ask them about it.”

  Mitch shook out a blanket and covered them with it. “I’m going to stay in here with them until they wake up.”

  He had a lot of questions about what he’d just seen and hardly knew where to begin.

  For now, though, he was grateful for it.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Stretched out on the sofa in his living room, Joshua watched his mate closely, looking for any signs of discomfort.

  They’d woken only an hour earlier in the clinic, and after insisting that Mitch check her over, he’d brought her home.

  “Stop pacing and come here.” He pulled her onto his lap despite her objections, sliding a hand beneath the hem of her sweater, covering her abdomen with his hand.

  After checking to assure himself that the contractions had truly stopped, he smiled and urged her to lean against him.

  Frowning, she stared up at him. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Don’t worry, my mate. I heal fast. We all do.”

  Tilting her head back, she looked up at him. “Really?”

  Hoping to wipe away the lingering fear for him in her eyes, he bent to touch his lips to hers. “Really. Ask Mitch if you don’t believe me.”

  Mitch, sitting on the opposite end of the sofa, nodded. “Yes. He’ll be good as new in a day or two.”

  Fiona shivered. “You could have been killed.”

  Pulling a throw over both of them, Joshua smiled. “I wasn’t. Just lost some blood.”

  Fiona glanced at Mitch. “Did they find him?”

  “No.” Mitch grimaced. “He was gone by the time they got there. They’re setting up some booby traps now, along with some sensors so we’ll be warned if they ever try anything like that again.”

  Fiona stiffened. “Was it him?”

  “It was.” Mitch’s smile appeared forced. “But don’t worry. Everyone knows his scent now.”