The Rebel Queen (Outlaw 1)

I didn’t like the thought of that. “You’re sure that’s safe? Won’t Myrddin be watching our accounts?”

“Which ones?” Danny asked. “I assure you Devinshea set up a network Myrddin hasn’t untangled yet, and the security firm had instructions to move the money around on a regular basis. I’ve been in touch with them and they’ve released all of it back to us. It was weird. The Taggart on this plane sounds exactly like the one on the Vampire plane. And he’s every bit as obnoxious.”

“So we have money?” Neil asked.

“If by we you mean…” Danny began.

Dev stopped him. “Yes. We have money, and I expect you to buy the queen some clothes fit for her. And see if you can get Lee out of those tactical pants he wears all the time. We can deal with Evangeline when she gets home. She’s going to need a completely new wardrobe.”

“Good luck with that.” Danny moved away, checking himself in the mirror. “I think our daughter is a tomboy.”

“If you want Evan on board, get Fen into a suit.” I already knew how to handle my daughter. She needed to be tough, needed to be one of the boys, right up to the point that Fenrir looked at her. And Fen was easy. If I asked him politely and pointed out how nice he would look and how it was important for he and Evan to dress properly for certain functions, he would trip over those overly large paws of his to get into that suit. “She’ll say she doesn’t want pretty clothes, but that’s the warrior in her. She’s been raised around men. She’ll learn she’s got weapons of her own.”

Devinshea had been the one to teach me that lesson.

“I’ll try with Fen. I promise.” Dev leaned over and brushed his lips against mine. “We have to go. If you and Neil want to accompany Rhys into the city, I think that might be good for you. But you have to stay close to Rhys.”

“Uhm, hello, still a bodyguard,” Neil said with a sigh. “I know I look like a sad dad right now, but I can still bite a head off. I just try not to do it around the children.”

“I trust you, Neil. Stay close to Z if you decide to go into town,” Danny ordered. “And definitely if she decides to go searching the bridges on the outskirts since that’s where I’ve heard our godparents are this time of year.”

Well, I never said he didn’t know me.

Neil groaned. “I think my amazing, beautiful day of shopping is going to turn into something terrible. I should eat a little breakfast to keep my strength up.”

“How is Zack?” I hadn’t had a chance to go by his room this morning.

“He’s resting, and that’s a good thing,” Neil said, his tone more serious than it had been before. “He hasn’t slept well in years, so I’m counting it as a win.”

There was another knock on my door and then Lee was pressing through followed by his brother. Lee ignored his fathers and walked straight up to the bed, tossing his big body next to mine and putting his head on my lap. “I feel terrible, Momma.”

“He’s got a hangover,” Rhys said.

“Hush. Our mom is back and she’s going to take care of me and not be mad at me for drinking too much.” He looked up at me. “I never learned how to moderate. But in my defense, I was told Papa’s sperm actually had alcohol in it when I was conceived.”

“Lies,” Dev said with a sigh. “You two watch out for your mother today. If you have any instinct that tells you to get back to base, follow it. Your mother is your main priority.”

“Of course. I’ve got a list of supplies, too, but we’ve got a crew who are going to bring them back. After I make sure the supplies are on their way, I’ll be more than happy to escort Mom around,” Rhys offered.

“Maybe you should stay in.” I brushed back Lee’s hair the way I used to when he was a kid. He’d always been my most affectionate child, climbing into my lap when he needed a cuddle. When he was sick he always wanted me to hold his hand and read him a story.

Who had comforted him all these years? Was my absence the reason for his reckless behavior? I knew part of it was his nature as a latent vampire, but I had to wonder if going from a coddled, beloved child to a soldier on the run had pushed him to do risky things.

He shook his head. “Not a chance. I’m not letting Rhys have all the fun.” He sat up and reached for one of the croissants on the tray. “I might be exaggerating for attention. Also, I know I’ll feel better once I eat. This looks delicious. I missed breakfast.”