“You should know more than most, jaguars are happy to wait and stew. We hold onto grudges a very long time.” He shrugged slightly. “He was younger then, my cousin. But he took the jamboree over relatively quick after arriving there. It’s in our blood, the power to lead. He could have just been biding his time. Or maybe he was going to live the rest of his life and something triggered this need for revenge and spurred him into action. I don’t know. But I need answers. And this is why I think it’s very dangerous and worry about you going.”
“Too bad. I’ve got your back, Gibson.”
“Dario has my back. That’s his job.”
“You mean something very different to me than you do to Dario.”
Stubborn.
And he was glad for it. Because he wanted her there. Selfish or not, he wanted her there at his side when he went through all this. If it was his family, he’d still have to kill them if he found them. He hated it, but it was no less true or necessary. And she made him better, even when he knew what had to be done.
“Look, this is difficult because it’s not just about the job. It’s not some random cat pulling shit; this could be your blood. And I promise not to tell anyone and all, but you’re gooey for the people you love. I know you’ll do what’s right. But I know there’s a cost and I don’t want you to pay it alone.”
And what could he say to that? She touched him in ways he’d never really imagined before he’d met her. This hard-assed little cat with her perceptive gaze and wicked aim had stormed into his life and made herself at home. There was no fighting it anymore.
“If you come with me you have to obey me. You’d be like any other member of my team.”
“I know how to take orders, Gibson. Jamboree discipline and order is a lot like the military. I know what that is.”
“So why don’t you obey me at home?”
She laughed, delight washing over her features and evoking an answering smile.
“Home is different. You’re not my Bringer at home. You’re my man at home. I don’t have to obey you there if you’re being a dumbass.”
He shook his head. “Things would be more fun if you did obey me.”
She shivered at the way he’d lowered his voice. “Don’t go using your sex voice to get me off track. I do obey you in that way. It’s really in my best interests as you’re quite awesome at anything to do with naked.”
He sighed. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I hope you’ve got some ideas. If not, I’m sure I can think up a few things.”
* * *
“Let’s stop at Max and Kendra’s a moment. I want to talk with him about what I found out today. I can drop you at home first if you like.”
She liked that he referred to his place as home for the both of them.
“No, that’s fine. I like Kendra and I want to hear what you’ve got planned. Just in case you try to ditch me or something.”
He snorted. “I’m not a weak-ass kitten. If I didn’t want you going, I’d say so and risk your wrath. As wraths go, it’s pretty spectacular anyway.”
“I must tell you that your compliments are totally unique. Awesome. But only you could say those things and make me know you mean them as a positive.”
“Hm.”
He drove and she curled into the seat, just watching him. She was full to the point of bursting. Warm. Satisfied and in love.
Oh she’d tried to tell herself it was a relationship and eventually her like would be love. But it already was and more than that, she was imprinting on him. There was no going back from how she felt about Gibson. Not anymore. And she didn’t want to. It didn’t matter what her family thought. She loved them and wanted them to approve, but she wasn’t going to give him up.
“Wow, this is their house?” She sat up a little to take it in better. She sighted the guards. “Do you think three guards is enough?”
“You can see them?” He put the car in Park and turned to her.
“Sure.” She pointed. “There on the left, over there in that tree and then north, at the back of the yard. We should have brought them something to eat.”
He snorted. “God. Don’t say stuff like that. They have breaks to eat. Their job is to guard the Alpha pair, not to have a quilting bee.”
“You’re a dick. I’m sure they’d appreciate a sandwich.”
“First of all, I can guarantee Kendra has been out there messing with their schedule with her cookies and snacks as it is. I can’t boss her around. But you, missy, you I can. You said you’d obey me.”
She laughed then. Who’d have thought that he’d have such a great sense of humor?
“Har.”
“Second—and this is more interesting to me than Kendra giving my men brownies behind my back—you can see them. Why is that?”
“What do you mean? They’re right there.”
“Contrary to whatever you might think, bebe, they’re well hidden. It’s their job to be.”
“Well, I can see Matt right there.” She pointed.
“Yes, you’re supposed to. He’s the clue that they’re being guarded. But the others? Not so much.” He looked out again and then back to her. “Tell me how you saw them. What drew your attention to them?”
She cleared her throat and thought about it. “The one in the tree I saw when he moved a little. I can’t see him now, though. I caught the movement more than him. And then I focused and saw him clearer. The one to the left of the house, it was his eyes. I caught the gleam. Must have been a reflection of the headlights.”
“Christ, Mia, that was like a millisecond. People don’t see that stuff.”
“I’m not people. I’m a jaguar.”
He took her hand. “No, really. You’re very perceptive.”
“Would you have seen them?”
“Yes. But I’m the Bringer. I’ve been trained for it. And this is more than military training so don’t tell me that. You have a gift.” He kissed her knuckles, leaving her flustered and flattered.
“Well, um, thank you. And might I add that it only gives you yet another reason to take me along to Tennessee.”
“And the last one. How did you see him?”
“Her.” She peered through the windshield again, waiting. “Ah, there. She needs to use something on the scope of her rifle. It’s shiny in one small spot. Likely where the matte has worn away. I can help her with that.”
He shook his head, leaning across the center console to kiss her soundly. “You’re amazing.”
“Thank you.” He left her breathless and warm as he went around to get her door.
Kendra smiled and drew Mia into a hug when they came in. “Hello! What a nice treat to see you both.”
Gibson kissed her cheek, and it was Mia who found herself digging her nails into her palms. This was his sister-in-law. She had to repeat it a few times, but Gibson turned to see the expression on her face and he had the audacity to grin.
“Where’s my brother?”
“Galen is here, there’s some sort of sport thing happening on that 70-inch television he convinced me it was so important to buy. It’s not even a current thing. It’s some old Super Bowl game for god’s sake.” She shook her head, but she was smiling.
“Good, I need to talk with Galen too.”
“Is this work stuff?” She frowned.
“Yes.”
“Well, come on then. Renee!” She looked back to Mia. “I know it’s hard to see him hug me. I find myself, now that I’m a cat, getting all violent when I see Max hug or be affectionate with women. Even our relatives and friends. It’s odd. Gibson knows it and he pokes at Max. I find it pretty funny because Max tries to pretend it’s nothing but he bares his teeth. Ha! Mister Self-control loses his shit and it makes me laugh. I can’t help it. I’m sort of m
ean that way.” She patted Mia’s hand.
“I grew up this way. It’s... I never expected...” She shrugged not knowing how to explain it.
“The de La Vega males are all unexpected I’ve found. They’re all great big softies once you scratch the surface.”
There was a crash and they all rushed down the hall to find Galen and Max brawling. Renee stomped in and pulled Galen off by the ear. “You two! Honestly. Stop breaking his nose. It’s going to get crooked and he has such a pretty face.”
Gibson grabbed Mia’s hand and squeezed it a moment, the hint of a smile on his lips.
Mia leaned close and told him, “My brothers once got blood all over one of my mom’s rugs, and she made them both camp out in the backyard in a tent for a week.”
Kendra’s gaze lit with amusement. “Your mom sounds pretty awesome. Max, maybe your father needs to make you and Galen work out of the parking lot instead of letting you in the building. He’s still mad you two broke the chair in his office.”
Jaguar males tended to be very physical with those they trusted and loved. So it often meant brothers and friends would get into knock-down, drag-out brawls over silly stuff. Because they healed so fast, it often came with broken bones.
She was glad Gibson didn’t seem to do it like Max and Galen, though. She supposed he had less freedom to do such things because he was the Bringer. He was very serious about his job, and if he started popping people in the nose, it might seem like punishment instead of roughhousing.
Max and Galen picked up the stuff they’d knocked over and then looked to Mia and Gibson. “Hey you two. Come watch the game with us. Super Bowl 43.”
“Nice! But first I have work-related things to discuss.”
Max’s smile dimmed as he got serious. “All right. Let’s all sit down.”
They did and Gibson briefed them on the info he’d discovered and the plan of going down to Tennessee the following day.
“I’m going to take Dario and leave Matt and Robby here on you two.”
Max nodded. “Fine, fine. Take however many cats you need to. I can’t believe I missed the Bertram, Alberto connection.”
“I didn’t see it either.”
“I want you to report back frequently. And if for a moment you think Bob and the new jamboree leadership has anything to do with it, you’ll get the fuck out of there and contact me.”
“This can’t go unanswered.”
“We don’t know for sure that it’s really Tito. It’s a hunch.”
“Your hunches are spectacularly accurate.” Max blew out a breath. “Mia, you stay safe, please.”
“Of course.”
“And keep Gibson safe too.” Renee tipped her chin toward Gibson.
She grinned, but it was more feral than amused. “That too.”
“I’m going to hold off telling Dad. It’s best to wait. If we have to hurt him with this all over again, I’d rather be totally sure.”
Max agreed. “Yes, that’s best I think. You’ve gone up the chain correctly by telling me. Mia, don’t get hurt. I’m totally afraid of your grandmother.”
Mia laughed as the tension in the room eased a little. “She’d totally eat you up and spit you out if she had to.”
“It’s a good trait in a female.” Max looked to his wife with a smile.
* * *
Two steps inside the front door and Gibson had his hands on her as he pressed her against the wall, holding her there with his body. The need was always between them, just waiting to explode. But that evening had been... Well, he’d known they’d stepped into a whole new stage of their relationship.
She understood him in ways he’d never experienced outside his family. She didn’t judge him for what he had to do. And when she did judge, it was legitimate, even if he didn’t agree.
“You’re a singular female,” he managed to say as he broke the kiss.
“I am?” A smile quirked up one side of her mouth and he had to kiss it.
“Yes. Goddamn, I want you, Mia.”
“Take me then.”
He pulled the front of her blouse open, sending buttons flying. She gasped, and the sound caressed his skin, driving his cat mad with need. Her bra was open just seconds later and he dipped to taste her skin, growling when she tugged his dreads. As if he was going anywhere now that his mouth was on her nipple.
She moaned. “I’m going to knock this photo off the wall, my head is too close.”
He picked her up, his mouth still on her, and she held on as he walked her into the living room and deposited her on the arm of the couch. “Now, I can’t very well eat your pussy with your pants on.”
She made quick work of them and stood there bare to the bone. What she felt was in her gaze, and it humbled both man and cat. She gave herself to him like the gift she was. And there was no denying what she was. Not then. Not when she’d been so raw and honest with him.
He dropped to his knees before her, hugging around her waist, simply breathing her in for a moment. Her arousal spiced the air, teasing his senses. “Sit on the couch arm. I’m going to lick you until you scream and then I’m going to fuck you. I’ve wanted to bend you over this couch pretty much since I met you.”
She sat, her fingertips tracing over his brows, down his nose and over his lips. “You’re beautiful.”
He snorted, but he knew she meant it. And that humbled.
He kissed her ankle, always so delighted by the softness that wrapped the iron-hard strength of muscles just beneath. Up her calf to that spot behind her knee that always made her gasp. And she did.
Up the velvet softness of her inner thigh and to her pussy where she was desire swollen and slick. Just waiting for him. He growled against her flesh and she gasped. This was his. She was his and that was that.
He took a long lick. Over and over as her taste owned him. Marked him as assuredly as his teeth had marked her shoulder. He scooted her a little forward so he could get at her better, holding her open with his shoulders as he went back to her cunt. Beautiful as the rest of her. Her taste dug in with sharp claws as he tickled the underside of her clit with the tip of his tongue. His thumb slid back and forth over her asshole and she shivered as he kept licking and sucking.
Her hand was on his shoulder for purchase, and he knew he’d have half-moon marks from where her nails were digging into his flesh. His cat approved of her for that. His female marking him, letting anyone who looked close know there was a female who’d claw and scratch if anyone got too close.
She shook all over as he sucked her clit into his mouth, in between his lips over and over and over until she exploded all around him. He eagerly lapped her up as she calmed a little.
He stood moments later, and she watched through half-open eyes as he undid his belt and jeans to pull his cock out.
There was no time to get undressed. He needed her right then. He helped her up and spun her to bend her over the back of the couch. The arm was too low to get in deep and hard.
And that’s what he needed.
He was inside and hissing at how good it felt within the space of two breaths. She pushed back against him, taking him in all the way. He looked at the line of her back. Her scars were fading more each day as she got better, as her outside healed. He knew the inside would take longer.
She was elegant, this little cat. Petite but strong. Demanding. Vicious when she needed to be.
Her skin glistened with sweat as he fucked into her body. Her muscles bunched and relaxed under the hands he had at her waist to control his speed and depth.
His cat was restless just beneath the skin. Wanting to claim. He needed to run with her, he realized. But right then? He leaned down and licked. Licked at the salt of her skin, groaning as it mixed with the spice of her pussy, still on his lips.
His mouth w
atered and then he bit hard. Marking her. On purpose this time. With full knowledge and desire to do so. This was not merely a heat-of-the-moment bite. He was marking her as a declaration of intent.
She gasped and said his name so very softly, and yet filled with so much emotion that he couldn’t hold back a second longer. He increased his pace, harder and harder, faster and faster until he spun finally over that edge and came so hard he had to close his eyes against it.
Chapter Twelve
“She’s carrying? You two are a perfect match,” Dario muttered as they waited for her to get into the rental car.
He’d loved to watch her fly the plane, and she’d been kind enough to let him sit in the cockpit with her for some time as she did. Her attention was totally different when she worked. Intense at times. So intense it was like nothing else existed but that.
And they’d arrived. She’d suggested they do so an hour before he’d told Bob they were arriving. She was sneaky that way. Another trait he liked about her. She’d handled the rental car, insisting on keeping that low profile.
“She’s certainly not a female who needs to be babied or taken care of.” She was self-sufficient. His mother had said she had moxie and that was totally true. Independent enough to drive him crazy. But there was something amazing in the way she let him take care of her when it mattered most.
She had baggage. As did he. But she was a full-grown female who knew her mind and that was the sexiest thing ever.
She got in. “All right. The paperwork is fine. Let’s go.”
It was Dario who drove them to the first stop, Bertram’s home.
“Park a few blocks away. Let’s take the alley. I don’t want to be seen just yet.”
She approached with him, pausing to peek into the trashcans. Which were full. “Karl, I want you on this. Bring this into the garage or the backyard and look through the bags.”
“I can’t believe they haven’t done this by now,” Mia said quietly.
“They’re having to start from scratch. This is a small jamboree. I think it’s more a matter of just not having the training to run an investigation rather than incompetence or collusion with Bertram.”