Tigress for Two (18 page)

When their lips broke, Taber’s hand went under her jaw and drew her toward him. “We love you for who you are, not because of desire. Never doubt that.” His lips covered hers before she could say anything. “I told you before and I’ll tell you every day. I love you Kallie. You’re my mate and you complete me.”

As if not to be outdone by his twin, Thorben kissed her shoulder. “My heart belongs to you and only you. I love you with every ounce of my being, Kallie.”

She turned to him, raising her arm so she could run her fingers across the stumble that marred his face. Thorben was her quiet mate, more laid-back and willing to follow Taber’s lead, and the over emotional of the two. He wore his heart on his sleeve and eagerly gave it to her for safekeeping. “I love you both more than I could have believed possible.” She let her hand fall from his face. “I fought this mating from the beginning, but you two restored a part of me I didn’t even know was missing. I’m whole again, and after…my past, I never thought I’d feel this way again.”

* * *

Traveling back to the compound drained Kallie of any further energy she had left. All she wanted to do was to crawl into bed and sleep. She’d prefer with both men beside her, but Taber had to report to the Elders to find out where things stood.

Raja was waiting for them at the landing strip. “Welcome back. Thorben it’s good to see you again.”

“Thank you, Raja, same to you. Anything I can do to help please let me know. I’d like to keep my mate safe as well as do my part to keep your clan safe.” Thorben shook Raja’s outstretched hand.

“Appreciated. For now you can focus on Kallie.” Raja slipped his hand into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a key. He glanced at Kallie. “I need to bring Taber up to date on a few things and then he’ll be along, if that’s okay with you, Kallie?”

“Don’t keep him too long.” She teased.

“I’ll do my best.” Raja held out the key. “You’d probably like some privacy after all you’ve been though, and with two mates to protect you, we thought cabin twelve at the far end of the compound would be suitable.”

She loved that section of the compound. It was close to the creek. “Thank you.” She smiled and accepted the key.

“It’s perfect timing for building. Our crew can get started on a new cabin. If you want to sit down with Ryan, he’s the head of the construction team, and go over floor plans. They assure me a cabin of your choice can be completed within two months.”

“Thank you, Raja.” Happiness erupted in the pit of her stomach.
A place I can truly call home.

“Go with Thorben and get some rest. I’ll be there soon.”
Taber leaned down, his lips covering hers. When he pulled away she saw a twinge of jealousy in his eyes, but this time it wasn’t aimed at Thorben. She knew Taber wanted to join her and Thorben at the cabin.

She rose onto her tippy toes and kissed him again. “I love you.” With those three little words the discomfort eased from his eyes.

“I love you, too.” He shot Thorben a quick look and nodded.

“She’ll be fine. I’ll see she gets some rest.” Thorben waved to Taber as he walked away leaving her alone with Thorben for the first time. “Where to my mate?”

“This way.” She led the way, with Korbin on their heels carrying the last few bags. She only carried her small overnight bag, while both of her men had additional bags since they wouldn’t be returning to live in Nome. The thought of their belongings in those bags warmed her heart, reminding her she was stuck with them.
Not that I want to get rid of them anyway.

Opening the door to the cabin, she was overwhelmed by the space. After living in the studio for so long she wasn’t sure what she’d do with all this space. She stepped inside so the men could get out of the chilly air. She soaked in the beauty. A large cream sectional stretched in front of a fireplace, and acted as a divider to the kitchen. It was very open and airy. The creamy brown walls added character and color to the place, and drew out the warm tones of the hardwood.

She tossed her bag next to the table by the door and made her way into the kitchen. Warm honey color wood cabinets highlighted the gold of the granite countertop.

Kallie froze. She didn’t cook! What would she to do with a kitchen that looks like it came out of a magazine?
Shit!
How could she feed two bears hungry when she couldn’t even make toast without burning it? She had already experience their hunger for food, as well as in bed—more than once.

“Taber and I both cook.” She turned to find Thorben leaning against the bar area with amusement clear on his face.

“What?” She pretended to not know what he was talking about.

“You’re staring at the kitchen with fear.” He teased. “Taber already told me you don’t know how to cook, but don’t worry, Mom made sure all her boys could cook. Heck, I can even sew, well a button. Mom wanted us to be able to help our mates with whatever they needed. She always said, the home responsibilities shouldn’t just fall on the woman, she’s got to rear the children.”

She raised an eyebrow. “She didn’t believe men should help raise the children?”

“Oh no, Mom would have killed Dad if he tried. She believed it was her responsibility to raise us, and then he would turn us into men. He took over when we were teenagers, teaching us how to build a cabin, furniture, hunt, and everything else a man should know. But when it came to discipline we were always more afraid of Mom.”

“Your mom might reconsider me as a mate for her oldest boys if she knew what a crappy mate I’m going to be.”

“Hey now.” He stepped away from the bar and walked to her. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her to his body. “It’s no one’s place to judge, plus I couldn’t have asked for a better mate. You have the courage to face danger head on when so many hide from it.”

“Courage? I think you’re talking about someone else. I have none of that.”

He pulled back from her and gazed into her eyes. “You have more courage than any woman I’ve ever known. When you knew there was a traitor in our family, what did you do? You faced it by going to the cabins with Taber and stood your ground.”

The memory came floating back. “I killed a man.”

“You saved yourself.”

“I killed someone that suffered as I had. He can’t be blamed because he went insane from being held captive. It was hell being Wesley’s pet. I can’t blame Brian because he didn’t know any other life.”

“Brian was anything but a victim. He chose to live like that.”

“No, you’re wrong Thorben. It’s not possible. I was there. He had a collar just like I did.”

“Love, I’m not doubting you.” He pulled her to him and led them to the couch. “While you were talking to Mom on the porch, Ty called with some interesting news. Brian was Wesley’s assistant. He’s the one that modified the collars.”

“That can’t be true.” She didn’t want to believe the man she felt sorry for was responsible for her years of torture.

“He preferred to be a tiger most of the time and he only wore the collar to make you think he was like you, to gain your trust.” He slid his hand down her arm. “Taber didn’t want to bring your past back to light for you when you had everything else to deal with, but the laptop Raja brought home from the scene had all the information on it. How to modify the collars and so much more.”

“I thought he was my friend. All those years we gave each other comfort, huddled together after Wesley tortured me. It was all a lie.”

“I’m sorry, Kallie. Taber was going to tell you once we were settled here. He didn’t want you to blame yourself for killing Brian and to think he was innocent.”

“Does that mean this is all over?”

“I don’t know. There’s still John. We don’t know where he stands and until we do, we can’t rule out that he means you harm. But Brian and Wesley are dead. You don’t have to worry about them anymore.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and hit a few buttons. “Wesley came to the states searching for you. That’s why Brian was here. He put the bounty on your head that Travis wanted so bad.” He turned the phone toward her. “It made the front page paper. Wesley was brutally killed, hacked to pieces not even a shifter could survive.” He set the phone on the cushion beside him. “Brian had pictures on his computer. His diary bragged about what he did. Victor Senior paid him to do it, but I don’t think he ever thought he’d have a monster on his hands with Wesley dead. I suspect he believed as you did that Wesley had kept Brian prisoner and this was freeing him.”

She laid her head in the crook of his arm, breathing in his spicy smell trying to suppress the anxiety that prickled at the back of her neck. “How did Travis get wrapped up in all of this?”

“The human I saw him with is bad news. He’s into a lot of shady dealings and has been known to act as a hired gun if the money is right. He was one of the guys who attacked the cabin that night. He’s also dead. It was him who guided Travis down the wrong path.”

“I’m sorry. He lost his life because of me.” She blinked the tears that threatened to fall.

He pressed tighter against her body. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. Travis chose his path. He knew you were mated to Taber and he didn’t care. Money was more important than family.” A deep sadness stung his voice.

Wishing she could ease his grief, she clung to him, her eyelids falling shut.

“We should go to bed. You’ve had a long few days,” he whispered against the top of her head.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Taber sat at Raja’s kitchen table with Raja, Bethany, Ty, and Tabitha. The women’s guards were in the living room, close enough if needed.

“Do you think Thorben is trustworthy?” Ty frowned.

“I do. I’ve unjustly doubted him in the past because he wasn’t following the road I wanted him to take. He has never betrayed us and he’s always been there when we’ve needed him. With the urgency of the situation and the loose rogues, we need the extra help.” Taber squeezed honey from the bottle he was holding into his mouth. “If you doubt my instincts, know that Kallie can feel his emotions as well as my own since she’s mated to us both. She’ll sense any type of betrayal.”

Ty looked to Raja before nodding. “Okay. But if he betrays us, it will be your hide on the line as well.”

“Not to mention my mate’s life,” Taber muttered. “I wouldn’t risk her or anyone here at the compound if I wasn’t completely sure.”

“Very well, bring him up to speed on everything,” Raja said. “Any news from your father if we should be concerned with John?”

“Not yet. I expect to hear from him soon, and when I do I’ll let you know. He’s family, but if he’s a threat, I want him eliminated. My mate is more important than a cousin who would betray his family. Every threat to Kallie except Victor Senior has been eliminated and it sounds as though the Russian shifters might take care of him in due time.”

“He’s with your sleuth. Devlin can deliver whatever punishment he finds suitable.” Ty stood. “Knowing your father, I believe John will get what’s coming to him if there’s even the slightest belief he was involved. For now, return to your mate, bring your brother up to date on everything, and get some rest. We’ll alert you if anything changes.”

Taber grabbed a second bottle of honey and stood. Bethany placed her hand on his arm before he left. “We’ve put more in your cabin.”

Tabitha laughed. “A lot more. We’re taking stock in the honey trade now that we have two bears at the compound.”

He smiled. She might be the Queen of the Alaskan Tigers, but Tabitha was one of the most down to earth people he had met. “Good, because we bears like our honey. Another stock market tip? The fish market, especially salmon.”