The Tiger's Heart (15 page)

“
If you’re sure Tora won’t
mind.”

“
It’ll be fine. Come back
here at say…eight o’clock, and we’ll go together.” Raja hit the ear
bud communication. “Shadow.”

Moments later Shadow stood in the
kitchen doorway. “Please show James to one of the guest cabins.
He’ll be staying with us. Then if you would return.”

She nodded. “If you’d follow me,
James, we can get you settled.”

Chapter
Twenty-Three

Shadow let herself in and stood
patiently by the door waiting for Raja’s attention.

“
Shadow, please have a
seat.” Raja ran his hand through his hair, his body tight with
tension. The lack of sleep was taking its toll on his body. “Have
you had time to think over my offer?”

“
To be the Captain of
Bethany’s guards? Yes, I have.” She came around to sit in the black
leather chair closest to the door. Her white sweater made her look
small against the stark black of the leather.

“
And?” There was a
pregnant silence and for that brief moment, he wondered who he
would choose to guard his mate if Shadow declined the
position.

“
I’ll do it with two
conditions. One, that I still have an option for fieldwork from
time to time. I like being on active duty but this is an
opportunity I can’t pass over. I realize it’s a promotion, one that
might not come around again, and I like Bethany. I want to keep her
safe. The second condition is I want a say in the other guards. I
won’t trust her safety to just anyone.” She crossed her legs and
sat back in the chair, making herself comfortable.

“
Very well. We can arrange
for you to have fieldwork as long as there is someone
I
trust to keep Bethany
safe. As for guards, do you have anyone in mind that you would like
to work with?”

“
Styx for one. Also Drew
and Jayden.”

“
I understand Styx is a
great warrior. But Drew and Jayden, what makes them stick out from
the other guards?

“
I’ve completed numerous
missions with Drew and Jayden. They’re good soldiers, they take
orders well and have great instincts.” She leaned forward in the
chair placing her elbows on her knees.

“
Very well. I was also
thinking Milo. He’s a very experienced warrior, but since the
injury he has requested time out of the field. It will offer him a
new position and responsibilities, while still giving him the time
he needs to recover.”

Raja ran his thumb down the fold of
the couch arm as he remembered how Milo’s injury
occurred.

“
I’m aware of his injury,
but not of how it came about. Was it in the line of duty?” Shadow
asked, leaning forward in the chair with interest.

Raja nodded, taking a deep breath
before answering. “There was a rouge shifter, I took Milo and Adam
with me. It was supposed to be an easy assignment. While Milo was
getting the human woman out safely, the rogue attacked from behind.
The woman wasn’t injured, but in the fight the rogue cut through
the nerves of Milo’s arm. It helped that he was able to shift after
the incident, but still his recovery will take time.” He put his
hand over his eyes, using his middle finger and thumb to rub his
temples.

“
If you believe he’s up
for the job, then so be it. I have only heard good things about him
and his skills.” Shadow leaned back in the chair again.

“
Then we have the team
together. Brief them. If you wish to have a training session to
make sure they’ll work well together, go for it. Bethany and I will
be at Tora’s for dinner tonight. I don’t believe she’ll need guards
there, but I’d like someone on call at all times.”

“
Understood. I appreciate
the chance to lead, Raja.” She rose from the chair to
leave.

“
You deserve
it.”

* * *

He held Bethany close as
they snuggled in bed together. Breathing in the fresh coconut scent
of her shampoo, he enjoyed the way her body felt against
his.
This is what I’ve been missing all
these years. How is it possible to fall head over paws in love with
someone in such a short time? I hope that I don’t make a blunder
out of the situation.

“
You’re thinking too hard
again. Your forehead crease is back.” Bethany lay in his arms,
watching him closely.

“
I’m just thinking about
how much I love you.” He kissed her, drawing her lower lip between
his teeth and giving it a little nip. “Shall I show you again how
much I love you?”

“
I can’t handle any more
of your loving right now. As it is, I won’t be able to walk
straight,” she teased.

“
Later then.” He kissed
her again.
I can never get enough of her
sweet kisses.
“We should get ready. We’re
supposed to be at Tora’s in an hour.”

“
I need a
shower.”

“
Bath…Doc’s orders. Unless
you want me to shower with you. You have to keep your weight off
your knee for a bit longer.”

“
A bath it is then,
because if you shower with me we’ll be late.”

He kissed her check. “I’ll run the
water, then I need more coffee. Want some?” Not waiting for her
reply, he strolled toward the bathroom to turn on the water,
knowing he would be able to still hear her.

“
No thanks. My nerves are
jumpy enough without adding caffeine into the mix. Do you drink
anything besides coffee?”

“
It’s the liquid of the
gods. A gift from Heaven. To drink anything else is a sin,” he said
seriously. When she rolled her eyes at him, he laughed. “Need help
into the tub? You’ll need to keep your leg out of the water. I put
some towels on the edge that you can rest it on.”

“
I’m fine. Go drink your
gift from the gods.”

Chapter
Twenty-Four

An hour later James, Bethany and Raja
stood in Tara’s country cabin living room. The oversized stone
fireplace dominated the wall, with a large screen television
mounted above. The hardwood floors gleamed as if they were in a
showroom, while the rest of the house looked lived in. Scarlet’s
toys cluttered the floor, with a rocking pony sitting next to the
fireplace. A large, worn throw rug lay in front of the hearth,
making the area inviting.

“
Please make yourself at
home,” Tora told James as she leaned in to hug Bethany. Then she
laid a kiss on her brother’s cheek. “You’re just in time to read
Scarlet a bedtime story. I fed her early so we could have an adult
dinner tonight. Bethany, why don’t you join me in the kitchen?
James, you’re more than welcome to join us or Marcus on the deck.
He’s grilling the steaks.”

What does she have up her
sleeve?
Raja eyed his sister with
uncertainty. “Come on, James, I’ll introduce you to my
brother-in-law Marcus.”

* * *

Bethany sat at the kitchen table, her
leg stretched out to the chair across from her. She was surprised
that the kitchen was very modern compared to the living room. The
red walls made the cherry wood cabinets and the black granite with
silver swirls pop.

“
Can I help you with
dinner?”

“
No. It’s fine. I have the
mixed greens salad chilling in the refrigerator. Marcus is handling
the steak and baked potatoes, and mixed vegetables are also on the
grill. I wanted a moment alone with you.” Tora took a seat at the
end of the table next to her.

“
You did?”
What could she want? Maybe she doesn’t approve of
her brother with a human, instead of a shifter.

“
Raja means a lot to me.
He’s been all I have had for years. When our parents were killed,
he raised me, protected me. Even now that I’m mated to Marcus,
we’re still very close. I want him happy…you seem to make him
happy.” She fiddled with the silverware as if nervous.

“
Your brother means a lot
to me.”

“
I don’t wish to be
forward, but I must ask. What are your plans? I guess the main
question I want answered is once Pierce is caught, will you leave
my brother behind as if he means nothing?”

Bethany realized why Tora seemed
nervous. She was worried what Bethany’s answer was going to
be.

“
I love Raja. I don’t wish
to leave him. He has been my rock through all of this. I don’t know
how I could have done it without him. As long as he’ll have me,
I’ll stay by his side.”

“
Raja can be a hard man to
live with. He cares deeply for people around him and does his best
to protect everyone. He’s astounding at his job of Lieutenant, but
it can make it hard on his family. You would be in danger because
of his position.”

Bethany leaned into the table, trying
to catch Tora’s eye. “First you want me with Raja, now it sounds
like you’re trying to scare me away from him. Which is
it?”

“
I want you with
Raja
if
you truly
love him. I feel that you must know the complete truth. I want you
to understand what you’re getting into. Raja’s position can be
dangerous, and he’ll need a strong woman beside him. One that
understands the dangers and will take precautions when necessary.
It will make his job easier if he knows his mate will be safe.”
Tora looked away from the silverware, finally meeting Bethany’s
eyes.

“
I can’t honestly say I
completely understand the dangers, but I’m aware of some of them.
Yes, his job is dangerous, I’ll worry about him, but that’s what
you do when you love someone. I thought I was living a quiet life
with nothing to worry about, and look at me now…Pierce killed my
family and has me on his hit list. I’ll do whatever I can to aid
Raja rather than distract him.” She ran her hand down her arms,
trying to rub away the goosebumps. “Before coming here today, he
informed me he assigned guards for my protection. It’s not
something I want or feel comfortable about. He explained it was
normal for the Lieutenant’s mate to have them, but still it makes
me feel awkward. Yet I didn’t fight him on it. I realize that when
it comes to shifters, I wouldn’t be able to protect myself. The
strength I have is nothing compared to what you have.”

“
Raja assigned you guards
for your protection. It will also allow him to focus on his duties,
knowing that your guards will keep you safe. We’re living in a very
dangerous time, as things are changing for tiger shifters.” Tora’s
nerves seemed to fall away with Bethany’s answers. “Who are your
guards? Have you met them yet?”

“
Everyone keeps mentioning
it’s a dangerous time. I’m getting this feeling it’s more than just
Pierce people are referring to.” She shook her head, making a
mental note to ask Raja about it later. “Shadow is the Captain of
the Guards. I’ve met her. There are four other men I have yet to
meet.”

Raja opened the sliding glass door and
stepped in before sliding it closed behind him. “I feel as if I
interrupted something.” Raja looked at the silent women in front of
him.

“
Go read to your niece
before she falls asleep. She’s been waiting for her Uncle Raja all
night.”

He took a step close to Bethany,
leaning down to kiss her before whispering in her ear, “You sure
you’ll be okay?”

Bethany nodded. He kissed her again
and left the women alone.

“
You two make a remarkable
couple.” Tora reached across the table to place her hand over
Bethany’s. “Welcome to the family. It’s nice to finally have a
sister. All Marcus gave me was another brother.”

* * *

Family dinner was a normal occasion
that Raja enjoyed. The time he spent with Tora and her family had
been limited in the last few months, making him appreciate these
evenings more. He was anxious that Bethany would feel uncomfortable
but as he watched her out of the corner of his eye, she seemed to
be enjoying herself. Even James seemed to feel
comfortable.

The table was cleaned, leftovers
stored, dishes in the dishwasher. The evening was winding down, and
he couldn’t wait to get Bethany alone again. He could feel Tora
watching him. There was something on her mind, and he was sure he
would find out what before the night ended.

There was a light knock at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Raja told Tora as she served dessert.

He stood,
stretching.
Wonder who it is?

He wrapped his hand around the door
handle when he felt Shadow’s presence on the other side of the
door. He swung it open.

“
I’m sorry to bother you
during your family dinner, but I need to speak with
you.”

Chapter
Twenty-Five

Raja stood by the window in Marcus’s
office with Shadow and Styx sitting in front of the desk. Marcus
was generous enough to allow them to use his office instead of
standing out in the cold.

“
While we were training
with Felix and his men…I received a message from Chris.”

“
The same Chris that
betrayed his clan?” His anger raised a notch.

“
Yes. He wishes to speak
with you. Connor could set up a video conference.” Shadow shifted
her eyes toward Styx. “I brought him with me to stay with Bethany.
Chris will only be available at the number he left for a short
time. This is something that would need to be done
quickly.”