Page 113 of Chasing Savannah

The house was quiet by the time Carlos made it upstairs. He’d looked in on the kids before taking a shower and washing the stench of what he’d done off his body. He now sat in his home office, waiting on the call that everything had been completed. They’d finally gotten a name. Now all they had to do was find them. He’d been grateful for Jeremiah’s guidance. The old Felix’ presence had calmed him and lent him strength. There had been no judgements or even advice, just his strong, quiet presence.

He sat up in his chair as the scent of his mate wafted into the room. He turned to greet her, his heart lifting at her presence. She looked rested, the bruises along her face, faded, the purplish hue nearly indiscernible. She’d braided her hair into a braid that went around the crown of her head, making her look years younger than she was. She wore a nightgown, the silky fabric flowing around her body.

He inclined his head and she took measured steps around his desk, sliding into his lap. He breathed in her scent, hugging her tight.

“How are you feeling?”

She burrowed into his neck. “Sore, but better.”

He withheld his growl. She lifted her head and kissed him, her tongue licking at his lips gently. He parted his lips and Savannah delved her tongue in his mouth, her kiss ravenous and eager. He adjusted her, moving her body so she straddled his lap and chair. Much better. He held her head in place while he plundered her mouth.

She pulled back from their kiss and put her forehead against his while she caught her breath.

She sighed after a moment of silence. “Has he been found?”

He studied her face, unsure how much to tell her. “He has.”

Her eyes lit, anger washing over her face. “What’s being done to him?”

He stayed quiet, rubbing his hand down her back.

“Tortured?”

He said nothing, watching her eyes go through emotions ranging from her anger, a little fear and trepidation.

“Yes.” He finally answered.

A satisfied gleam entered her eyes. “What will the council say?”

“He will not see the council.”

“How will you avoid him going to the council?”

He weighed his next words.

“I can take it, my love.” She cupped his cheeks. “I want… no, I need to know.”

“He’s not in a position to tell anyone, anything, much less the council.”

She sucked in a breath. “You mean…”she turned her head and looked away.

He waited her out.

Her heartbeat raced and then settled. “That’s that then. What about the others?”

“We’re turning them over to the council for questioning, of course, we were unable to find the last coward.”

She hummed. “And they bought it?”

“It should take more than that for them to question us about something they can’t prove.”

“Unseemly for them to pick on a new prowl. Smart to use that while we have it at our advantage, we’ll only be a new prowl for so long.”

Deep respect for his mate blossomed. She understood much more than they gave her credit for. She fell into the role of alpha female like she was born to it...which, he supposed she was.

“Quite,” he agreed.

“And your dad, what do you imagine his next move will be?”