Kraven (VLG Series Book 2) (32 page)

“What in the hell was that?”

“Nothing. Let’s strap in. You heard Ronnie.”

She paled. “We’re screwed, aren’t we?”

“No.” He hooked her waist, leading her to the seats. “We aren’t.”

“Why did you shut the door? What else did he say?”

Kraven hated to lie but he did at that moment. “I just wanted to make certain my people are on the ground waiting for us. They are.”

“So it’s safe? We’re not going to blow up in a ball of flames?”

He gently deposited her into a seat and crouched, hooking her belt snuggly over her lap. “What did I say about our chances of being in another crash? Slim to none.” He took the seat next to her and put on his own belt.

“I see you’re not inviting me to sit on your lap this time.”

He twisted in his seat and leaned toward her, firmly gripping the armrest on her other side to pin her in place better. He picked up the panicked tone in her voice. “Look into my eyes. I can take away the fear.”

“You’re willing to go all glowy for me?”

“Only with your permission. I’ll never use this power otherwise.”

She gave a sharp nod. “Do it. I can feel we’re losing altitude.” She gripped his arm with both hands. “Please. Just don’t make me think I’m a cow. I’ll be pissed if I get the urge to eat grass or moo. Fair warning.”

“I would never do that.” He focused on her, allowing his Vampire traits to slowly ease out. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m right here, Hellion. Just relax and remember the things we did in bed a little while ago.”

The tension left her features and she smiled. “You’re too good in bed. You blow my mind.”

“I feel the same way about you.” It was really tempting to implant that she could trust him, but he refused to take advantage of his mate that way. He’d have to give her time to get to know him better and earn her trust. “I think you’re beautiful, and I love you.” Those were things he’d already told her but he wanted her to hear it until she believed. He just had to choose his words carefully while he had the ability to control her mind. “You’re going to see your sister soon. Think about what you want to say to her.”

“I’m going to ask if Biker Bear is good to her. I’m worried about that. He’s not her type.”

“You’re a loving sister.” Kraven was aware of the engine noises changing and heard something along the belly of the plane. It was probably the landing gear coming down. “Are you going to discuss Dr. Brent with her?”

“I’m going to tell her everything. She’ll be relieved that our dad knew what Mom was. I know I am.”

“Brace,” Ronnie said over a speaker in the cabin.

“I want you to go to sleep until I say wake,” Kraven ordered. “Now, Hellion. Sleep.”

She closed her eyes and her body went lax. He ignored the belt painfully digging into his hips as he strained his body closer to her and tucked her head against his chest.

The jet hit the runway and bounced slightly. Kraven gripped the armrest tighter, his other arm wrapping around Bat. The wheels touched down firmly and the pilots applied the brakes. The engines grew louder.

Kraven hissed as his body lurched from the jarring pressure, and he cushioned Bat’s limp form. The belt held but he might have bruises later. They’d fade fast. The armrest he gripped made a popping noise but didn’t come loose.

The momentum eased quickly and the jet came to a halt. He took a deep breath and kissed her cheek.

“Wake up, Bat. It’s over. We’re on the ground safe.”

She stirred and her eyes opened. “Thank you.”

He released the armrest and straightened, unbuckling his belt. “Not a problem.” He slid out of his seat to his knees and got in front of her, unfastening her belt. “Anything hurt?”

“Did we overshoot the runway?” She looked around.

“No but the belt might have dug into you a little. I think I kept you in place fairly well, but I want to make sure.”

“I feel great.”

He climbed to his feet and helped her stand. “We’re back in Alaska…and we didn’t crash this time.”

“Oh, goodie. How thrilling.”

She amused the hell out of him. “Try to hide that sarcasm around my parents. They love this state.”

“Got it. Lie my ass off and pretend I’m in the Bahamas.”

He chuckled. “Exactly.”

“Does your mom really look as young as your father?”

“Yeah. VampLycans don’t age the way humans do.”

She grimaced. “Shit. Does that mean you’re going to look the same in say a hundred years and people are going to mistake me for some cougar grandma dating a hot young dude?”

“No. You already look younger than you really are, but sharing my blood will show your aging process down even more.”

“That’s a bonus. You should have mentioned that when you told me we were mates.”

He cocked his head, confused. “Why would that matter?”

“You’re such a man. Never mind.”

Ronnie came out of the cockpit. “Do you want to deplane now or do you want a ride to the hangar? Georgio is about to back up and drive us there.”

“Where are my people?”

“Outside. They’re leading us to where we’re supposed to park for the day.”

Kraven’s phone buzzed. He reached down and answered it. “Yeah.”

“Are you coming out?”

He grinned. “Hi, Red. Thanks for coming.”

“There are eight of us. Four will protect the Vamps until they can fly out tonight and my team will escort you home.”

“We’re heading out.” He hung up and nodded to Ronnie. “Just open the side door. We’re getting off here.” He spun, strode into the bedroom, and collected his bag and Bat’s suitcase. He carried them back into the main area of the cabin.

Ronnie had already unsealed the door and had it open. “Do you want me to extend the stairs?”

Kraven walked to the opening, looking down. “No need. Red! Head’s up.” He tossed out the bags one at a time.

“Dickhead,” Red yelled, but caught each one.

Kraven chuckled and spun around, scooping Bat up in his arms next. “Time to meet the family.”

“Don’t you fucking dare,” she ordered.

He turned sideways to avoid bumping her against the opening and jumped. Bat screamed and tightened her arms around his neck. He bent his knees a little, landing gracefully on his feet before straightening.

“You rotten son of a bitch,” Bat ranted. She fisted his hair with one hand and gave it a tug. “You suck ass. That was a horrible thing to do. What if you’d dropped me? What if you broke your legs and we both ate shit?”

He ignored her and lifted his head, staring up at Ronnie. “Thanks for the ride,” he called out.

“Good luck.” Ronnie closed the door.

“Are you listening to me? Don’t jump out of planes! What’s wrong with using the stairs?”

“This is why I’m single.”

He turned, grinning at Red. “You don’t know what you’re missing, cousin.” He held Bat’s gaze. “I’d never drop you. It saved time to just jump. Do you want down or should I keep carrying you? Our escort home is here. You remember Red, don’t you?”

Bat turned her head. “Hi. Is he always this damn crazy?”

“It was only about twelve feet. That’s nothing.” Red shrugged. “I’d worry if it were fifty feet or so, since he’s carrying you. That can fuck up our balance a little.”

Bat buried her face against his neck and groaned. “Why did I even bother to ask? You’re all nuts.”

She always amused him. Kraven winked at Red. “It’s good to be home.”

“At least you didn’t toss
her
out at me.” Red had the nerve to laugh.

Bat jerked her head up and glared at him. Kraven grinned. “I’d never do that. She’s a keeper.”

“Let’s go.” Red bent and hefted up their bags he’d placed on the tarmac
.

Chapter Twenty-One

Bat paced the living room of Kraven’s home, her gaze constantly straying to the front door. “Where is she?”

Kraven sat on the couch, watching her. “They were sleeping. Give them a few minutes to get dressed. They’ll be here.” He sighed. “All of them.”

That halted her. “What does that mean?”

“My parents will show up too. Try to remember they lead this clan, and are used to being respected, okay? Pretend they’re some high-end client or something.”

He actually seemed worried. She admitted some nervousness on her part too. “Kiss a little ass. I got it.”

The front door opened and Bat spun, spotting Dusti. Her sister entered first, with the big Biker Bear right on her heels. Their gazes locked and Bat rushed at her, grabbing her around her waist and hugging her tight. Relief that she looked fine, despite her messy hair and baggy clothing, brought tears to Bat’s eyes.

“I’m okay,” Dusti assured her.

Bat eased her hold enough to get a good look at her sister’s face. “You
shot
our grandfather? What were you thinking? You’ve never touched a gun in your life! You could have been killed!”

“It’s a long story.” Dusti squeezed her arm. “Come on, are you really surprised? You know how much I’ve always hated him. I only regret that he didn’t die. Who
does
that? I got him six times!”

Bat would never forget Kraven taking three bullets to the chest. “They aren’t human. Why would you go after him? That’s something
I’d
do.”

“I was being you.”

“What?” Bat was confused.

“He grabbed a little girl and wanted to exchange her for you. The moron thought you were the one in Howl, instead of me. So I played
you
.” Dusti wiggled out of her hold and straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin, and her expression hardened. “It wasn’t too hard. I just threw some lawyer terms out there and ranted about my messed-up clothing.” Dusti smiled and her body relaxed. “The dumbass bought it right up until I shot him.”

“You still could have been killed.” Bat tried to remain calm but the thought of Dusti with a gun, facing off against their grandfather, terrified her. She looked at Drantos. “How could you let her do that?”

He shook his head. “I didn’t. She snuck out—and my
mother
helped her do it. Don’t blame this on me. I’m still furious.”

“Hey.” Dusti drew her attention. “Ease up, big sis. This was all on me. My plan. That kid was just a baby. You’d have done the same thing. Not to mention, you know how much I’ve always hated Decker Filmore. I don’t regret shooting him but I’m sorry he’s still alive. He deserves to die for all he did to Mom and us.”

Bat just gawked at her, stunned.

“Are you disappointed in me for saying that?” Tears shone in Dusti’s eyes. “I know you think it’s important that we have family but I don’t agree. He’s a piece of shit.”

“I had a change of heart,” Bat admitted. “I wish the bastard was dead too. He put you in danger. I’ll never forgive him for that.”

Kraven came up behind Bat. “It’s good to see you, Drantos. Do you have any leads?”

“He never showed up at the airport, but someone reported a bush pilot missing forty miles from here. We sent an enforcer with one of Aveoth’s men to that location. They picked up VampLycan scents at the man’s home, including Decker’s. They must have forced him to fly them out of the area in his helicopter.”

“Damn.” Kraven wrapped his fingers around Bat’s hip and tugged her back against him.

She allowed it, glancing between the brothers as they stared at each other. Both of them showed grim expressions. “What exactly does that mean?”

Kraven answered. “He could be anywhere. Alaska. Canada. Hell, Russia. It depends on the range of the helicopter or if he just had it fly him to somewhere with other transportation. Trains, buses, or other airports. For all we know, he could have avoided civilization altogether.”

“He’ll go for the cities,” Drantos predicted. “It’s easier to get lost and we don’t venture there often.”

“I agree. He had the Vampire Council put a bounty on her head so he’s buddy/buddy with them right now.”

“Fuck.” Drantos snarled.

Bat pressed back against Kraven. His brother’s fangs had extended and he looked scary. He wrapped both of his arms firmly around her waist and held her close.

“He reached out to the Lycan packs too,” Kraven added. “I’m guessing he’s on his way to L.A. That’s why I wanted to get the hell out of there. One of the packs tried to turn Bat over to him. They admitted being in contact with him. The Vamps stopped them and flew us home.”

“Against council orders?” Drantos frowned.

“That’s another long story,” Kraven admitted. “I need to talk to Dad.”

Drantos leaned and placed a kiss on Dusti’s cheek. “You stay here with your sister. Kraven and I are going to see our parents. I asked Maku to keep an eye out for you two. He’s right outside. Stay put…for once.”

Dusti turned and wrapped her arms around the big Biker Bear, grinning up at him. “Promise.”

Bat studied the couple. Some of her reservations about their relationship disappeared at observing the loving way they gazed at each other. Drantos hugged her sister close, kissing her again.

Dusti suddenly laughed. “You’re so bad. Is that my reward if I’m good?”

Drantos winked at her sister and she laughed again.

“What am I missing?” Bat looked up at Kraven.

He held her gaze. “They’ve bonded.”

“So?”

He lowered his head, putting his lips close to her ear. “They can think words and hear each other without actually speaking them aloud,” he whispered. “Watch them. They’re having an entire conversation. We just can’t hear it.”

Bat studied her sister and her Biker Bear again. They were staring into each other’s eyes, and sure enough, their expressions changed, almost as if they were talking. Drantos kissed her sister once more and reached up, brushing her cheek with his fingers. Dusti suddenly placed her hand on his stomach and shoved at him, laughing again. He grinned in response.

It kind of freaked Bat out. “Dusti?”

Her sister turned her head, looking at Bat. “Sorry.”

Kraven eased his hold. “I’ll be back soon.”

Bat nodded. She waited until the men left and the door closed. She had questions and she wanted answers. “What was
that
?”

“It’s called mate bonding. It’s kind of hard to explain.” Dusti smiled. “I have a lot to tell you.”

“No shit. You have telepathy with Biker Bear?!”

Dusti took her hand. “This is a conversation best had sitting down.”

Bat just nodded and turned, taking a seat on the couch. Dusti kept hold of her hand and sat next to her. “Hit me with it.”

“Drantos is my mate. I was weirded out by that at first but…he’s amazing, Bat. I love him so much. He loves me too.” Dusti smiled wider. “We can send thoughts and words at each other if we’re close. I can feel what he feels too. The sex is amazing when we’re linked.”

Bat tried to take all that in.

Dusti squeezed her hand. “I know it sounds crazy. It’s real though. I didn’t believe it until our bond snapped into place. I can feel my hands on him like it’s my own body. You know how we joke about how it sucks sleeping with men who can get off so easily during sex when it’s tougher for us? Not anymore. Drantos getting off gets
me
off.”

It was tough for Bat to wrap her mind around.

“I take it you and Kraven haven’t experienced that yet?” Dusti’s tone softened. “He’s
your
mate, Bat. Did he tell you that? He is. Drantos shared that information with me.”

“Kraven told me.”

Dusti leaned closer. “You’re fighting it, right? Stop. For once in your damn life, listen to what I’m saying. Having a mate is the best thing that ever happened to me. I don’t know Kraven, but I do know Drantos. And they’re brothers, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he’s an incredible person too. You’ve always been afraid of being hurt again. These guys aren’t like the ones we’ve known. My marriage was a damn joke. A sad, unfunny one. What I have with Drantos doesn’t even compare. It’s intense and beautiful. He’d never hurt me. He can’t without hurting himself. It will be the same way with Kraven if you stop fighting becoming his mate. He’ll feel what you feel. He hurts you, he does it to himself too. He makes you sad,
he’s
sad. It’s how it is. Really.”

“I don’t know what to think,” Bat admitted.

“I know. I was reluctant to believe until I experienced it firsthand. It seemed too damn weird.” Dusti smiled again. “But you trust me, and I wouldn’t lie to you. I’m not brainwashed or anything either. I’m just in love and really happy.”

“Doesn’t it bother you that they’re VampLycan?”

“So are we, to an extent. We just didn’t know it.”

Dusti had a point. “I talked to Dr. Brent.” Bat shared what she’d learned and everything that had happened in L.A. “So Dad knew about Mom being a VampLycan, and she did try to tell me the truth. I feel like I let her down. She had to erase my memories every time she let me in on our family secret.”

Dusti released her hand and wiped away tears. “Stop beating yourself up. You were just a teenager, Bat. Hell, I’m an
adult
and didn’t take it well until the truth was unavoidable. I accused Drantos of being nuts.”

“I’m guilty of doing that to Kraven too.”

“Drantos understood why I was so resistant to believe. I’m sure Kraven doesn’t hold it against you either.” Dusti pulled her legs up, kicking off her shoes to get more comfortable on the couch. “I’m sorry that one of your bosses tried to set you up, but you knew he was an asshole. You’ve told me about Jacob. He’s the tool.”

“You’re trying to change the subject.”

Dusti laughed. “Guilty. I hate seeing you sad. I prefer mad.”

“I
am
pissed. Warren Otis admitted he told the firm to hire me. He wanted to keep an eye on me and Jacob was his little yes man, willing to do anything to become a Lycan.”

“You’re an awesome attorney, Bat. They were lucky to get you. Plenty of law firms offered you jobs. You got where you are on your own merit.”

Bat blurted out what was on her mind. “Everything is different now. I’m so confused!”

“I know.” Dusti gave her a sympathetic look. “It’s easier for me. I didn’t really care much about my job and I won’t miss my apartment. Drantos needs to live here. The winters are going to suck but he’s assured me I won’t have to go out in the snow unless I want to. I guess a lot of mates just hunker down and spend a lot of time in bed together. I’m kind of looking forward to that. Did I mention the sex between mates is amazing?”

Bat felt torn. “I’m happy for you, but I hate that we’re going to be living in two different states. Kraven offered to move to L.A.”

Dusti’s expression sobered. “He’d be miserable, Bat. You realize that, don’t you? He’s a VampLycan. They love the freedom of living in the woods. Where is he going to shift forms and run? And they’re a pack-mentality kind of species. I’ve learned a lot about them over the past few days. He’d be alone, without family and friends. You might as well stick a wild animal in a cage. That’s what you’d be doing to him by making him live in L.A. Drantos loves to climb out of bed and go for a run while shifted in the mornings. They can do that here. It’s a human-free zone, except by the main road. Drantos just steps out the back door, shifts into his other form, and it’s safe for him to do it.”

“Kraven said he’d live there with me.”

“Okay.” Dusti nodded. “But when you start feeling really sad and depressed, just know that emotion is actually coming from him. You’ll feel what he does. He might try to shield you by closing the bond, to protect you from his pain. That’s going to hurt too. Right now, I can’t feel Drantos because his parents’ house it too far and I feel like a part of me is missing. You love Kraven, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Bat had never lied to Dusti about the important things.

“Is your job worth hurting him? You could always take the bar or whatever you need to do to practice law here. It’s not as if you owe your firm anything after what Jacob tried to do. Do you really want to work with that asshole ever again? And Warren Otis is there. You’ll be stuck defending him or his employees if he stays with your firm, and that’s if he doesn’t try to kill you for what happened. Think about that.”

“I’m so close to making partner, Dusti.”

Dusti scooted closer, giving her a look. “It didn’t make you happy, Bat. You’ve been dying inside for years. I watched and said nothing because I didn’t want to be one of the people you pushed away. You’ve done that ever since our parents died. It hurts you to care. I get it. Now things are different.
We’re
different. You love Kraven and you have something to lose again. What’s more important? That’s what you need to figure out.”

Bat looked away, battling tears.

“Hey.”