Dante nodded. “Think I’ll stay for a while.”
“Yeah, me, too,” Gentry added, grinning.
Finn chuckled, shaking his head at the man who’d risked everything for a paycheck. Whether Gentry was a wolf, he’d earned his place in the pack. He’d never force his pack to do something they didn’t want to do. He wasn’t Cyrus. But there was no denying the comfort and relief that having them together—united—provided. He felt stronger, braver, and more confident in himself and his wolf.
He had to believe that Hollis would have the answers they needed. And then, he’d find Cyrus and end this once and for all.
Chapter Eighteen
Oscar had grown.
“Good to see you, sis,” Harry hugged her, placing Oscar in her arms. “Everything okay? I get the feeling there’s a lot going on we’re not supposed to know about.”
She hugged Harry, hard. Could she tell him? How could she not? They were her family, now and always. Besides, there was no way she could keep her pregnancy a secret. “Not yet, okay? But soon, I promise.”
“I’m not worried.” Harry grinned. “You’ve never been able to keep a secret.”
She sat, holding Oscar while Landon complained about school. Then Nate updated her on his progress in karate. They were happy, healthy, and here. It was the first time in a long, long time she felt at ease.
“Brown’s taking us on a tour of the refuge,” Nate said, slipping on his parka. “Said we might see some wolves.”
“Don’t worry.” Landon nudged his little brother. “You’re too scrawny to eat.”
She laughed, waving them off before going to make a bottle for Oscar.
For the time being, she wouldn’t think about anything but this. Having him cradled close, his sweet smell, the sounds of him breathing in an otherwise quiet room, were enough. She’d missed him—missed this. Being his mom and nothing else. No worries or cares, only love and comfort.
She pressed kisses to the top of his head and lay him in his crib, covering him with a thick blanket and staring down at him. He stretched, his little mouth stretching wide and one foot poking out from under the covers.
“It’s too cold,” Jessa whispered, smoothing the blanket over Oscar and resting her hand on his stomach. “Sleep sweet.”
“Okay?” Finn asked, his arms slipping around her waist.
She relaxed into him. “Better than okay.”
“He missed you,” Finn whispered against her ear.
“How do you know?” she rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at him.
“He’s his father’s son. Meaning he’s only at ease when you’re close.”
She turned, her arms slipping up and around his neck. “This is where I want to be.” She stroked the almost faded scratch on his cheek.
His gaze searched hers.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing.” He shook his head, tracing her features with his fingertips.
She stood on tiptoe, welcoming the touch of his lips on hers, the mingling of breath, and the slight tightening of his grip.
“You need to eat,” he said, sliding from her hold and taking her hand.
She didn’t argue. She was hungry. And now that they were safely at home, she had an appetite. Odd that she considered the refuge more of a home than his apartment. She was a Texas native, but this place was special.
Dante and Anders had gathered in the kitchen. Tension filled the room, threatening her appetite. If something else had happened, she didn’t want to know. Not yet. She wanted to sit, eat, smile at them, and pretend like this was a normal family dinner. “Anyone hungry?” Jessa asked, opening the refrigerator to peer inside. “Something quick.”
“I made stew,” Anders offered. “Gallons of it. Big pot in the back.”