Night With a Tiger (15 page)

“He wanted a child to take over for him when the time came.” She stepped off the mattress, still keeping her distance.

“Let me go first,” Adam said. “There are two more shifters at the end of the hall. They are Taber’s brothers, and are on our side.”

Daisy glanced at Taber. “He’s a bear?”

“Kodiak Bears, their sleuth is a partner of our clan. They mean you no harm. I just want you prepared when you see two large men at the end of the hallway,” Adam explained, taking the lead down the hallway. Daisy walked behind him with Ty next, and Styx and Taber at the rear.

She let out a deep sigh. “I just want to get out of here and find my dad.”

“There’s a little motel not far from here. We’ll stop to get a room so you can have a shower and change. We’ll have Galen check your wounds and then we’ll fly out.” Ty’s cell rang.

“Instead of a motel couldn’t I take five minutes to shower here? I’m filthy.”

They entered the end of the hallway when Ty called out from behind him. “I’ve got to take this call from Raja. The team can finish going through the house, but I want Adam to stay with Daisy. Have one of the other guards find her something to wear until we get to Alaska.”

“Taber, you stay with Ty.” Adam then turned to Daisy. “Come on, we’ll find a shower for you.”

Stepping past the twins, Adam holstered his gun. Soon he’d be back with Robin. Mission complete. No injuries to rack this one in the books.

Adam stood with Daisy, at the bottom of the plane steps, waiting for everyone to board. She wanted a moment to enjoy the fresh air on her face and the sun—a few of the everyday pleasures she had missed while being held captive. Ty stepped out of the SUV, coming toward them. “Everything okay, Ty?”

Ty dragged his fingers through his shoulder length, brown hair, tugging it out of this face. “Jinx won’t be flying out with us. He’ll be traveling to Ohio to meet with Korbin to act as a mediator as Korbin prepares to take over the Ohio Tigers. Once things are settled in Ohio, Jinx will return.”

“Korbin?” Adam’s surprise sprang from his tone. Korbin was a good guard and had the potential to make a strong leader, but he had no experience. He didn’t even have the experience of working closely with the Elders. Korbin was one of the guards, but wasn’t included into the Elder meetings about the clan.

“Raja’s first choices wouldn’t have accepted, unless you’ve changed your mind about leading a clan of your own?”

Adam shook his head. “No, my loyalty lies with protecting you, Tabitha, and the Alaskan clan. I want to be on the ground floor of building our future. Running a clan of my own doesn’t appeal to me as much. I do appreciate you thinking that I’m ready for such a step.”

“Then Korbin is our best hope.” Ty gazed off to the distance.

Adam understood what Ty wasn’t saying. If Korbin couldn’t get the clan under control, they’d turn on him, and kill him before moving on to wreak havoc elsewhere. Even with Jinx there to consult, Korbin will have to go in strong and gain control immediately if he expects to survive. “He’ll be fine.”

Ty let out a heavy sigh. “If not, our only backup plan is to combine Jinx’s clan with the Ohio clan. As it is, Jinx is going to take some of his members with him as guards to protect him and Korbin. There are only twelve members of the Ohio clan, but with the state of things, havoc is a strong possibility.”

Jinx walked down the plane steps bag in hand, and his cowboy hat firmly in place. “I’m set.”

Adam shook his head to stop from laughing. “You’re going to stick out in Ohio with your cowboy hat.”

“I never go anywhere without it.” Jinx pulled the hat down a little further before looking back to Ty. “If anything changes and you need backup, don’t hesitate to call. I’ll have my plane and can be there in a matter of hours.”

“Thank you, and the same goes for you. Stay safe.” Ty shook Jinx’s hand. “We’ll see you soon.”

Taber stood in the doorway of the plane. “We should be going.”

“Daisy, go on in, we’ll follow in a minute,” Ty said. As she climbed the stairs and went inside the plane, Ty turned back to Jinx. “We need you to find out everything you can about the Ohio clan and a man named Randolph. He’s a lone shifter. He’s been seen frequently with the clan, especially with the former Alpha and Henry.”

“I’ll be in touch once we gather some information.” Jinx nodded.

As Jinx walked to the SUV, Ty glanced to Adam. “That could have been your position.”

“I know, but Alaska is my home.” Adam climbed the steps to the airplane, anxious to get back to his mate. He brought the connection with Robin forward.
I’m coming home.

* * *

Darkness had fallen on the compound hours before, but Robin couldn’t sleep. She lay curled at the end of the couch, waiting as the minutes slowly dragged. Her mate would be landing soon.

There had been so many changes in her life since Adam had found her, even more in the last forty-eight hours. The biggest was the progress she had made with Tex. He seemed calm and, more assured that nothing bad would happen as long as he was in Alaska. The abuse he suffered in Texas would always leave a lasting wound. As long as he kept it under control, it wouldn’t be what controlled him. Now he was putting forth the effort to move on. Robin was glad to be a part of his journey.

If only she could have the same luck with Harmony. For now, Robin was trying to give Harmony the time she needed to adjust to the clan and for her leg to heal while they waited to find out more about Henry’s whereabouts. Connor and Lukas were busy searching for his location. So far they were drawing up blanks. Robin knew they would find Henry. It would take time—time Harmony hopefully had.

“We’ve got Harmony settled back in her room with a guard at the door. I want you to have this.” Raja handed Robin a small earpiece. “All the guards wear one and you’ll be able to hear what’s going on. If Harmony has any other issues, the guards can contact you through this. It will also keep you informed what is happening. Understand that it is a privilege, and anything you learn should be in strict confidence. We do not speak of Elder business to anyone outside the group without consent of an Elder.”

“Thank you.” Robin slipped the earpiece into her ear. It would take her time to get used to the feel and the constant chatter.

“The plane is landing in five minutes. I’m taking Tabitha to the landing strip, would you like to join us?” Raja asked.

Felix and Tabitha arrived.

“Yes, if you don’t mind.” Robin straightened, stretching her legs before running her fingers through her hair, fluffing her curls. Her heartbeat raced with the thought of having Adam’s arms wrapped around her body again, and to feel the caresses of his lips on hers. He had been gone too long. Her body ached for his touch. She wanted to share the excitement of how much her life had changed in the short time he was gone.

* * *

As he marched down the steps of the plane, Adam was surprised to find Robin standing with Raja and Tabitha. His body called to her, his shaft instantly hardening. The tiger inside of him wanted to reclaim her as his mate, to mark her scent all over his body, and to bury his shaft deep within her warmth.

Her desires pulled him. He read her thoughts of how she wanted to run to him and wrap her arms around his body, but she waited, following the other’s lead. The space between the plane and where Robin waited was only twenty feet. It felt like the longest trek of Adam’s journey. Nearing Robin, he dropped his bag and wrapped her in his arms, pulling her tight against his chest. He lifted her up so he could press his lips to hers.

Her warm lips, with the hint of lingering coffee, rejuvenated him. The weariness of the trip and the tight muscles slid away. All that went through his mind was having Robin naked and beneath him. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered against his lips.

“Oh, Adam!” She tightened her grip around his body.

Ty cleared his throat behind Adam. “Go, be with your mate. I’ll brief Raja and Felix.”

Adam didn’t have to be told twice. He grabbed his bag and then lifted Robin into his arms. “You’re mine now.” He jogged away from the gathering, heading straight to his cabin.

“It took me a while to realize it, but I’ve always been yours.” She kissed his neck. “I can walk you know?”

“We’ll get to the cabin faster this way, unless you want me to take you right here.”

“Inside is better.” Her tongue licked down his neck, gently nibbling his collarbone.

He raced to the cabin, desperate to have her now. His tiger wasn’t willing to wait any longer. Finally inside the cabin, he released her so he could open the door. Nudging her through the doorway, he growled. “I want you naked now. If those clothes aren’t off you soon, I’ll rip them off.”

“Right to the point type of guy, I like that.” She teased him and ran toward the bedroom, stripping her clothes off and let them fall to the floor in a trail of desire.

Adam slid his arm around Robin’s waist, catching her before she made it to the bed. Pulling her against his body, he ran his free hand through her hair. Pressing his lips to her neck, his control was gone. His tiger wanted her hard and fast. There would be time for gentle lovemaking later, right now was about claiming his mate again. “This won’t be slow.”

“I don’t care, as long as I have you.” She pulled his shirt from his pants, her fingers teasing over his chest. “I need you, Adam.”

He nodded, pushed her against the wall, and he leaned over her, claiming her lips again. He gave in to their desire, reestablishing their mating bond. His finger teased over her nipple until it was hard. Lowering his head, he drew it into his mouth and flicked his tongue over it.

“I want you naked and on the bed.” Her voice was full of need as she arched her back bringing her nipple deeper in his mouth. Giving it one last flick of his tongue, he let it go. He slipped his gun from its holster and placed it on the nightstand. He then unhooked his belt, letting his jeans fall to the floor.

Gliding her to the bed, he watching the way her body moved. A few scars from Bobby’s abuse were visible, but didn’t detract from the beauty he saw in her.
A beam of moonlight from the window reflected off her silky skin.

“You’re beautiful.” he said. “Every single inch of you. Let me show you.”

She laid back, exposing her body to him. He wanted to kiss his way from her toes to the top of her head, to show her just how much he loved her. Not tonight, he couldn’t hold his beast any longer. He slid on top of her, kissing his way up from her stomach. His tongue glided over the scar on her side. A growl escaped his throat, and she tensed under him.

“What was that for?” She leaned up on her elbows, looking down at him.

“Remembering how you got his.” His tongue drew lazy circles around it.

“How do you know how I got it?”

“Mates know theses things. It’s a special bond between mates. However the vision of its origin only happens the once, meaning I can touch you without seeing the images in my head again.” He balanced on his arms above her. “I thought you were supposed to be lying back, letting me show you how beautiful you are.” His fingers teased along the side of her body.

“We can explore later. Right now, I want you inside me.”

Craving her touch, he pulled her closer, trailing a path of hot, wet kisses on her breasts, pausing to nip and suck each one. His body cried out for more of her as his hands stroked and teased until he found her special central core. His fingers delved inside her. While he worked his fingers in her heat and wetness, her body moved with the motion.

“Please, I need you,” she moaned, clawing her nails into his shoulders.

“As you command, mate.” He slid between her thighs and filled her with a powerful thrust. Plunging his shaft in and out of her, they found a rhythm as passion vibrated through them. She dug her fingers in his back, pulling his closer.

Robin squirmed beneath him, arching her back as her climaxed neared.
She clenched her inner muscles around him, forcing him to go harder and faster. She screamed out his name as release found her. Her face shone with bliss. The warmth of her core drove him mad until his world splintered and he roared her name.

He used the last of his energy to roll to his side, cuddling against her. “I should have said this before I left…I love you, Robin Zimmer.”

“Oh, Adam!” She rolled to face him. “I love you, too. While you were gone I realized you’re my heart and soul.”

He squeezed her tighter to his body, feeling the warmth of her next to him. “It’s a dangerous time for shifters, but you have to know I’ll protect you.”

“I know. Will Tabitha coming out as Queen of the Tigers make the situation more dangerous?” Her fingers trailed along the muscles of his chest.

“It’s likely, though the compound is safe. With the threat of Henry heading to Alaska, we’ve doubled the guards. All this time we thought taking out Pierce would limit the threats. Now we have other dangers to watch for.”

“Hopefully we can find out where Henry is before he gets to Alaska. Harmony is having a lot of trouble, and if he was under control it would ease her worries.”

Adam bent his elbow and supported his head on his hand. He glanced down at her. “You’ve done a lot for the clan while I was away, thank you. I hear Tex is doing remarkably well. Hopefully that will continue since we’ll have to deal with the Texas Tigers soon.”