Lethal Game (GhostWalkers 16)

Her brother was now named Axel, and Malichai knew the baby was pleased with his name. He should be. Axel had been one of the few men Trap respected. He’d died in the field, saving his fellow Marines and a few of the GhostWalkers who were working on wounded. Trap had been one of those men. Malichai another. Axel was a good, strong name. But the little girl needed a name.

“Trap, what are you waiting for?” he demanded.

Cayenne cradled their little daughter to her protectively. She looked at her husband, but she didn’t say anything. Malichai didn’t expect her to. Amaryllis would have a lot to say, but Cayenne mostly went along with Trap.

“Waiting for all those tubes to be gone,” Trap said gruffly.

“Well, stop waiting, she doesn’t like it,” Malichai informed him.

Trap turned around slowly. He was pacing up and down the length of the basement, Axel in his arms. “What do you mean, she doesn’t like it?”

“She’s telepathic. Same as your son. They talk back and forth. She doesn’t like that you haven’t given her a name. In fact, she thinks you don’t want her. Apparently, you don’t hold her. Only Cayenne does.”

Trap stood very still, a deer caught in the headlights. He raked one hand through his hair, making it stand on end so that he looked like the mad scientist most everyone called him. Then he quickly dropped the hand back to his son so that he clutched the boy as if he might fall at any moment.

“Look at her,” he finally burst out. It sounded like an accusation.

For the first time, Cayenne reacted, pulling the baby in closer to her and hunching her body protectively, her eyes on her husband. “I’ll name her, Malichai.” She looked down at the tiny face and smiled. “I want you, beautiful. I had no idea you were there, lurking in the background. You’re like me, aren’t you? Axel is like your father, but you’re like me. You don’t mind being quiet while they stand in front.”

“I want her too, Cayenne,” Trap said. “You’re misunderstanding me. I can’t hold her because she’s so tiny. I’m afraid I’ll crush her. That’s what I mean when I tell you to look at her. It’s about her being so little. So tiny. Look at my hands and look at her.”

Malichai knew Trap. He heard the ring of sincerity in his voice. He loved his little girl and was panicked at the thought of hurting her. Just as he was terrified of losing Cayenne, he was fearful of losing his tiny daughter. That was most likely the real reason he didn’t want to name her.

“I’ve already picked out her name,” Trap added gruffly. “I had the name picked out before she was born. Drusilla. I want to call her Drusilla. We talked about this once, Cayenne, and you said it was all right with you.” He sounded choked up, which was very unusual for Trap. He wasn’t, as a rule, emotional.

“I know I did,” Cayenne hedged. “She’s like me, Trap. She’s quiet, but she’s a fighter.”

Trap took the seat beside Cayenne and handed Axel to Malichai. He held out his arms for his daughter. “Share, sweetheart. You’re not supposed to be holding anything too heavy. In fact, you shouldn’t be up yet.”

“She’s under the weight. Axel is just the weight.” Reluctantly, she transferred the baby very carefully into Trap’s arms.

Immediately, the little girl’s eyes opened. Malichai wanted to point out the intelligence there, but he was certain he didn’t have to. Trap would see it. How could he not? He watched Trap swallow hard and then his eyes misted over. He smiled down at his daughter.

“There you are, sweetheart. You are like your mother. Quiet and lethal, and very strong. That’s the highest compliment I can pay you.” He leaned toward Cayenne. “Kiss me, baby. I know you’re upset with good reason, but I’m not being this way because I don’t love this little one. She’s tiny, and I’m afraid of crushing her. Kiss me, Cayenne.”

Cayenne, always, always, gave Trap anything he wanted when he wanted it. She shocked Malichai by hesitating. She really was upset with her man. There were beautiful lacy webs hanging around their bed, giving them privacy, but the ones she’d woven around the portable units had been taken down by a nurse and Trap hadn’t protested.

She glanced at Malichai and he put Axel into her arms, lifted a hand and made his way upstairs to the lounge to wait for Amaryllis to finish up in the kitchen. Life was complex with another human being. Trap and Cayenne were made for each other, were perfect for each other and yet there were still complications and misunderstandings. Where did that leave him with Amaryllis? He didn’t know the first thing about relationships, and neither did she.