Lethal Game (GhostWalkers 16)

“That’s true,” Gino said. “I was with him and even Zara, my wife, was in on it. I love to hear her laugh, and the women were in the kitchen at the table with maps and brochures of resorts, and they had all kinds of plans for Malichai’s vacation. I believe ocean fishing was involved. Then they’d go off into some crazy fantasy about what would happen to you, like the fish pulling you overboard, and that one would be nixed, but laughter would ensue big-time.”

“Was it Pepper who actually chose San Diego and this bed-and-breakfast?” Malichai asked. “She was there with the little vipers. They’re never left out. Thym was on the table next to Cayenne. And little Cannelle, we call her Elle, was sitting in Nonny’s lap and Ginger was in a chair, hanging over the table, right by her mom. They were holding court as usual.”

“It wasn’t actually Pepper,” Gino said. “It was Thym. She told them you had to go right here. And she held up the brochure with the bed-and-breakfast advertised. She kept saying it every time someone chose somewhere else. Once, she got tears in her eyes and insisted. Finally, Nonny took the brochure and said Thym had chosen and that was where you were going. Thym’s little face lit up like you wouldn’t believe.”

“That’s right,” Malichai said. “I forgot that. I knew Nonny had the last word. Thym doesn’t talk much. Neither does Elle. Ginger does all the talking for the three of them. It was Thym. Those little girls are gifted.”

“Maybe in more ways than we ever suspected,” Mordichai said. “You say Thym was very insistent. Is it possible she knew you would meet Amaryllis?”

“How could she know that?” Malichai asked. He tucked Amaryllis’s hand close to him, the one with his ring on her finger.

“Hell if I know, Malichai, but how do we do what we do?”

Malichai didn’t have an answer. He shrugged. “If that little one can figure out where we can find the right woman, you need to sneak her those little round cinnamon candies she loves so much and Pepper frowns on. Maybe she’ll point you in the right direction for finding your woman.”

“You just want me to make Pepper mad,” Mordichai protested.

“You ever see her angry? Pepper doesn’t get upset and she doesn’t get angry.”

Ezekiel cleared his throat. “When she’s in labor, that might not be true,” he clarified. “Especially if your name is Wyatt and you were the one who got her pregnant.”

“With twins,” Gino said. “That seems to be a trend with Ghost-Walkers. Quite a few have twins. I’m fairly certain my woman wouldn’t be thrilled if I got her pregnant with twins.”

Amaryllis tightened her fingers around Malichai. “Yeah, I wouldn’t be that happy.”

“You remember that,” Mordichai said. “Or you’ll get yourself in trouble.”

The laughter was genuine and eased some of the tension in the room and the pressure in Malichai’s chest. “What did Pepper and Wyatt name the twins?”

“Grace, after Nonny, and Fleur, after his mother.”

“That’s so beautiful,” Amaryllis said. “I love their names. I don’t have a mother or father.” She looked at Malichai.

He shook his head. “I think a lot of little girls are going to be named Grace after Nonny.”

Ezekiel inclined his head. “I have to agree with that. She’s going to have an entire slew of little grandchildren running around all with the name of Grace.”

They laughed, but Malichai thought it might be true. He certainly would want to name a daughter after the woman he admired so much. “How is Pepper doing with all those little girls?”

“I think a better question is, how is Wyatt doing with all those little girls?” Ezekiel corrected with a grin. “The little viper trio think the babies belong to them and insist they take care of them. Wyatt is concerned about accidental bites. Pepper is exhausted trying to keep up with the feeding. Nonny, as always, is the calm in the center of the storm. Wyatt has at least two little girls on him at all times, although I think Diego is now having to hold babies whether he likes it or not.”

Malichai nearly choked on the water he’d been sipping on. Diego? Holding babies? He’d like to see that. He snuck a glance at Rubin, but if Rubin was aware of the conversation floating around him, he showed no signs of it. His face really showed signs of strain now. Of pain. It put things instantly back into perspective for Malichai. Talk of home and family had helped keep the worry of losing his leg at bay, but one look at Rubin, and he knew it was no small battle to try to save his leg.

Hours had passed and Rubin had worked steadily. He’d paused only to drink a little water and rest before taking up the task again. He didn’t talk the times he rested. He didn’t look at any of them, Malichai included. That was unusual for Rubin and boded ill as far as Malichai was concerned.