Kalkin (Apache County Shifters Book 1)
Page 32
“I can’t believe this,” Kal whispered.
“Neither can I. I thought I’d never see you again. I thought I was dead,” his brother answered. “How is…how’s Royce?”
“A man now,” he answered. “Deputy, too.”
“I’ve missed so much,” Mac answered. “I can’t wait to see everyone.”
“I think I can arrange that.” Kal laughed. “Look, I was going to take Rapier to see a site. Do you want to go with us?”
Mackenzie nodded. “I reckon so.”
“My mate is going to shit,” he whispered.
“Finally went and done it.” His brother nudged him. “Good for you. What’s she like?”
He laughed. “A pain in my ass. But, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” They walked over to the truck and got in. His head was spinning. He’d have to prepare everyone. Tell Keeley about Mac, and then Royce. His nephew had accepted his father had passed away, and knowing he lived might fuck with the kid. “You’ll meet her later.”
“I can’t wait.”
As they pulled away from the curb, the link between he and Keeley opened gently, her soft voice filled his mind, and he had to hold back the burst of excitement. What’s going on, mate of my heart?
She’s awake. Kal, Dani woke up. She’s awake.
“Shit. We need to make a detour,” he said. “We need to go to the hospital about ten miles out of town.”
Mac glanced back at him. “Everything okay?”
“A lot of crazy shit. My mate is there with her sister, who’s been in a catatonic state for six weeks since getting shot. I’ll explain it over dinner, promise.”
Rapier whistled. “Bad shit, huh?”
“Yeah,” Kal agreed. “Anyway, Dani woke up.”
“And you know this how?” Rapier cocked a brow.
“My mate and her sister are special. They have abilities.”
The man whistled again. “I’ll be damned. I thought they were all gone by now due to the PBH.”
“Hate to burst your bubble.” There were more than Rapier even realized, and close by, too. “Keeley, my mate, just let me know.”
They drove in silence for the remainder of the trip. He didn't really know how to explain what happened to them over the last few weeks, plus there was the issue with Quincy and how the hell Raymond stole this big ass lion’s land. When they pulled up to the hospital, Rapier parked them near the door, then shut off the truck.
“I can wait here,” he grunted. “You going, Mackenzie?”
His brother nodded. “Suppose so.”
They hurried into the building and he went straight to the elevator, then hit the fifth-floor button. He had so many questions for the man standing next to him. So many more for his mated-sister. He felt like he was being pulled in two directions at the moment.
When the doors opened, Keeley met them at the exit. She took a step back when she spotted his brother. “It’s okay. This is Mac.”
“Mac?” She blinked. “Your missing brother, Mac?”
“In the flesh.” Mackenzie stepped forward. “You must be Keeley?”
She glanced at them then back to Kal. “Holy shit. Your brother is alive!”
He chuckled. “Would seem so. How is Danielle?”
She giggled. “Awake. She wanted to see you.”
He nodded. “Come on, brother. You’ll like Danielle. She saved my life.”
Mackenzie growled. “Why did a woman have to save your life?”
“A long story,” Keeley said, grinning up at Kalkin.
They stepped into the room and Danielle sat up in the hospital bed. Most of the machines she’d been hooked up to were gone. The television was on and she appeared perfectly normal. He stepped inside first and her gaze met his. The smile she gifted him with almost brought him to his knees.
“You’re here,” she whispered. “And you brought a friend.”
Kalkin strode to her side. “I’d like you to meet my brother, Mackenzie.”
She gasped. “The brother you thought died?”
“The one and only,” Mac answered. “You talked a lot about me, huh?”
“A little,” Dani stated. “It’s good to meet you. Welcome home.”
His brother smiled. “Welcome back to the living.”
She laughed. “Thanks…I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
I love you, mate, Keeley said through the link.
“And I love you.” Kalkin pulled his mate into his arms and kissed her mark. A sense of peace washed over him. His brother was home, his mated-sister woke up and in a few months, he would be welcoming pups with his soon-to-be mated wife. Life didn’t get any better than this.
Later, when he stood alone on the porch of his house, overlooking the creek dividing the property, he tried to reconcile what had happened in the last twelve hours. Raucous noises filtered out from inside. Mackenzie. The bastard made it home. Never thought he’d see that coming.
Nor the fact Danielle would do something so stupid, like saving his life. However, he learned a few things over the last several weeks; he could still be surprised. The light across the way flicked on, and he shook his head. Jace had moved into Danielle’s home to help take care of Aiden and watch over the property. Caden… Caden had become introverted and finally, he kicked him out of Danielle’s house as well. The bastard hadn’t gone to see her. He hadn’t even gone when Kalkin told everyone Danielle had awakened from her coma or whatever the fuck the doctor called it. He didn’t understand his twin. They’d always had such a tight bond, but now…it seemed to be unfurling every second and he couldn’t mend it anymore.
“Hey,” Keeley said, stepping out onto the porch. “I can feel you thinking out here. Why don’t you come inside. Talk with your brother.”
“I will in a minute,” he answered, unable to keep his eyes off of Danielle’s home.
“It’ll work out if it is meant to. Beating yourself up about this isn’t going to make it any easier on you.”
He nodded.
“Come on, big guy.” Keeley laced her fingers with his. “It’s time to enjoy the rest of tonight with our family. Tomorrow, you can contemplate how you’re going to torture Caden.”
Finally, he laughed. “You’ve got a point.”
“Might also have a plan.” She wiggled her brows.
Kalkin growled as she opened the door. “I know all about your plans, mate.”
“Not all of them.”
“’Bout time your depressing ass got in here,” Mackenzie snarled. “I thought I was going to have to send for the waambulance to pick you up.”
Kalkin flipped off his brother and smirked. “You could try it, old man, but your ass will be the one crying all the way to the hospital.”
And just like that, it had been as though time dissolved in front of them. Kalkin kissed his mate, then settled onto the couch with her by his side. Keeley had been right as well. Tomorrow would handle itself. Tonight, he needed his family and his pack.
“So, as I was saying. When Kalkin had been a pup, he—”
“Whoa,” Kal yelped. “No stories involving me.”
“Too late,” Keeley laughed. “I know all about your woobie and dancing naked when you were a kid. Too bad there aren’t any pictures of it.”
“Says who?” Mackenzie cocked a brow.
“I will kick your ass, old man,” Kal snarled.
“You’re a dandy if you do,” his brother replied. “It’s been a while, boy.”
“Kalkin, don’t,” Keeley admonished him.
“Hold my beer, sweet cheeks. It’s time to take out the trash.” Kal stood with ease before pulling off his shirt. “Same rules as before.”
Mackenzie followed, yanking off his shirt as he went. “Keeley, this is how you keep your pups in line.”
“Mate, don’t listen to him. He’s old, senile and withered.”
“I’ve got your old right here, pup.” Mackenzie punched Kalkin in the jaw, sending him reeling.
Kalkin d
idn’t know how long they tussled on the ground, kicking up dirt, while grunting and growling through each punch and kick. The splash of ice cold water had Kal and Mackenzie jerking apart and cussing up a storm.
“What the hell?” Kalkin yelled.
“While it is entertaining to watch two grown men fight each other, I have other things I’d like to do with one of you,” Keeley announced, holding the bucket in her hand.
Kalkin pushed his hair out of his face as he stood. “Do you now? I don’t think Mackenzie is your type, though.”
She smacked his chest. “Asshole. I meant you.”
Kalkin grinned. “Damn straight you better mean me.” He kissed her softly then rubbed his nose against hers. “I love you.”
“Prove it,” Keeley challenged.
Kalkin gathered her up into his arms and started for the house. “I aim to. All. Night. Long.”
Keeley glanced up at him. “Promises, promises, mate.” When he growled at her, she finally laughed. “I love you, too, wolf.”
About TL Reeve
TL Reeve, a bestselling, multi-published author with Cobblestone Press, Decadent Publishing, Evernight Publishing, and Loose-Id, was born out of a love of family and a bond that became unbreakable. Living in Alabama, TL misses Los Angeles, and will one-day return to the beaches of Southern California to ride the waves at Huntington Beach. When not writing something hot and sexy, TL can be found curled up with a good book, or working on homework with a cute little pixie.
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About Michele Ryan
Michele Ryan is a new author with Decadent Publishing. She embraced her creative passion and with fellow author TL Reeve, they co-authored two books together. Michele has also published her first solo novella with Decadent. A lifelong resident of the state of New Jersey, along with her husband and three children, who she refers to as her hobbits. When Michele is not plotting or writing, she can be found either volunteering at her children’s school or reading.
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