Page 27 of Aaron (Dresden Pride #1)

He knew that they’d not be perfect little children, but he was all right with that as well.

They needed to have trouble once in a while because they’d need to learn the difference between good and bad.

And just because he could, he wouldn’t spoil them either.

His parents hadn’t him, and he wasn’t going to do that either.

When the sun was coming up, he got out of bed and got dressed.

Moving down the stairs to the kitchen, he was making some toast when the cook came in.

Asking her for the apple cakes she used to make for him when he’d been just a little boy, she got a twinkle in her eyes that made him think that she’d known what they’d been up to.

And he found that he didn’t care. They were adults and mates, and that was all he wanted anyone to realize when they saw them together.

The house phone was ringing when Mac joined them. She’d taken another shower, and her hair was still wet. Kissing her on the mouth, he watched as she ate her share of apple cakes with honey on them, and they talked about their day and what they were going to do.

Answering the phone when it was said it was for her, Mac went from smiling to frowning in a second.

He didn’t know who it was, but he was going to find out who took her beautiful smile from her face so early in the morning.

When she hung up, slamming the phone in the cradle when she did, he waited for her to tell him what was going on, and when she did, he told her that he’d take care of it.

“My brother wants me to give him ten grand so that he doesn’t have to tell you about what I was like as a child.

I wonder how he found out that I was here.

” He told her that they might have called the office because he’d told them that they were sharing a house with his parents right now.

“Whatever he wants, he’s not going to get it.

Because if we start paying him off, then it’ll be—why didn’t you ask me what he has over my head that ten grand would cover it? ”

“I don’t care what it is. I’m in love with you, and you love me. Whatever he has is nothing compared to that.” He kissed her again. “I’ll meet up with him and we’ll get this out in the open. We’re not going to be blackmailed for the rest of our lives, babe.”

“There’s nothing. He even said that to me on the phone.” Aaron found that he didn’t care what he might have; it mattered little to him, and he told Mac that. “Thank you for that. I needed you to say that to me, too. I love you.”

“I love you too. Where are you supposed to meet him? And I’m going.

You can too if you want, but I’m going to be dealing with his soon-to-be-dead ass.

” Mac laughed, and he joined her. “Seriously, if he gets out of hand, I’ll have my tiger take care of him.

He needs to show you how much he loves you, too. ”

She was to meet him at the bank in town.

Why there she had no idea, as she didn’t have an account in the bank here in town yet.

So they plotted and planned until his parents came home.

After telling them what was going on, it was Dad who said they should tell the police in the event that he was stupider than they thought.

And he already thought that the man was stupid.

After calling the station to let them know that Mac had been threatened and that her brother had done it, they said they’d be at the bank when the time came.

They’d not been able to be undercover in some time and were looking forward to it.

After hanging up the phone, the five of them cleaned up the kitchen mess and went to their offices.

Aaron had set himself up one a few days ago and was glad for the time to go over their plans. Dad joined him some minutes later.

“I wanted to make sure that you were all right with us staying here.” He said that he was thrilled. “We can move out at any time you and Mac think it’s too much for you. Also, we’ll give up the master suite.”

“No, you won’t. We’re happy with the room that we have now and wouldn’t want to push you out of a room you’ve been in since I was born.

Besides, the blue room has special meaning to us now.

” Dad blushed, and Aaron had to laugh. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Dad.

I didn’t think about what I was saying until it came out. ”

“At least you were less blunt than Mac was with your mother. She still blushed when she told me what she said to her.” Dad sat down in the chair.

“If you give in to this man, you’ll be paying him for the rest of your life.

And it matters little that he hasn’t anything on his sister, he’ll make you think that he does, and that will be the end of all your wealth. He’ll drain you dry.”

“I’m not going to pay him anything. And Mac said that there is nothing, and I believe her.

Whatever he tells me will be a lie, and I’ll see him out the door for it.

” He asked about his tiger. “He’ll be right there for her if I need to be.

She’s never seen him, so this might be the best time to do that, too.

Then she can see how I can protect her.”

“Just be careful. While the town knows what we are, they might not be so keen on the idea if you have to take someone to task.” Dad shook his head.

“Never mind that I said that. You do what you have to do and damn the consequences. You protect her with whatever you have, and that will be the end of him. Either way, he’s got to go. ”

“I agree.” They talked about how it was going to be a very public place for this meeting, and the man might well think that he’ll pay him off rather than make a public scene. “You might be right, Dad. But whatever he wants isn’t going to mean shit to me once I have to shift, if I have to, that is.”

“As I said, you do what you have to do to make sure he understands that you’re not going to be blackmailed no matter what he might think up as a lie.

” Dad stood up but looked at him. “I love that young woman, son, and I will continue to love her no matter what he has said. She’s going to make me a grandpa, and I’m—holy shit, son.

Your grandparents don’t know. Hot damn, I get to tell them something that he doesn’t know before me. I love it.”

He was still talking about telling his in-laws about the new mate and baby coming along soon when he left the office.

Closing down his computer, he was happy that he’d been in the kitchen when the phone rang, or she might well have not told him about it.

Smiling, Aaron was looking forward to being her knight in shining armor. Or her cat when she needed him to be.