Page 44 of How to Trust a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #4)

Wilder

A s I’d predicted, Aiden did not want the money. We had a family dinner that night at Toby’s, and everyone, including Thea and Sebbie, came. Corbin and Jude cooked, because that wasn’t Toby’s area of expertise, and we all sat around and chatted.

It was noisy, loud, and rambunctious, and I knew Josh was slightly overwhelmed but also very happy.

He yelled at each of the boys at least once, and they just smiled and gave him sheepish looks.

I almost thought to tell Josh that they were going out of their way to do something to get reprimanded for, but I thought he might have already realized it.

It was kind of cute in an adolescent sort of way.

I think all the boys wanted to feel accepted by Josh, and reprimanding was his love language.

The boys knew it and were pleased each time they got told not to do something.

In return, they jokingly called him step-dad or dad, and Josh blushed adorably each time they did.

He smiled and muttered about “kids” at one point when Jude and Dexter were poking each other, and I chose not to remind him that they were all way, way older than him.

My mate preferred to ignore most of the supernatural elements, and I could respect that.

Josh liked things neat and orderly, and I was happy not to disrupt that.

“Tell me again, in detail, how you got access to the money,” Toby told Josh when we were done with dinner. He, of course, had a notepad out.

Josh sighed but did exactly as he was asked. Toby hummed and asked questions, scribbling down things as he did.

“You know, I tried to google how to transfer money from an offshore account that didn’t belong to you, and would you believe that the stupid AI answer that pops up at the top told me that I was searching something that was illegal, and then it gave me other search suggestions?” Toby grumbled.

Josh looked slightly alarmed at that, and he looked over at Liam.

“Yeah, I’ll clear his browser history and make sure he doesn’t end up on any watchlists,” Liam promised.

Toby seemed not to notice, and Dexter just looked pleased with his mate, regardless of any possible trouble he might have gotten into.

Everyone praised Josh extensively on how he’d managed to get access to the funds, and my Mei Ume just blushed and brushed it off, but I could tell he was pleased.

“Now there’s no way you’re ever paying rent,” Q declared at one point, looking smug.

I knew Josh was about to argue, and we didn’t need those two butting heads again, so I murmured to Josh, “You really did an amazing job, Mei Ume,” then I kissed him.

Eventually, we all started discussing the money.

We made a list of charities that we planned to distribute the funds to, and Liam insisted on being the one to actually do it so that Josh didn’t break the law.

It was kind of sweet, although Josh reminded him that he’d already signed into the accounts from his computer.

Liam said he’d take care of that, and then we were back to finding places to donate to.

Josh told everyone that we needed to make sure to spread the wealth over different charities but also over different locations, so that we didn’t leave a heavier donation zone by where we lived.

Everyone praised him again for being so smart, and Josh just blushed, saying it probably wasn’t necessary since the account holder wasn’t alive.

It was still good thinking, and I gave Josh a smile and murmured my appreciation.

Eventually, Josh and I found ourselves in relative privacy in the kitchen area, cleaning up the counters while everyone else chatted in the living room. I think Josh just needed a moment away from all the attention.

“You did good, Mei Ume,” I said, putting my hand on the back of his neck and pulling him in for a quick kiss.

He kissed me back, moaning softly into my mouth.

“I’m so lucky to have found you,” I murmured.

“I’m the lucky one,” Josh answered. “You really see me, Wilder, and you give me everything I need. You let me take care of you, too. I love you.”

“You are my plum blossom, and I’m glad to be the ground that holds your roots.

You keep me steady and give me shade in return, and I love you,” I answered.

I felt a little silly with my metaphor, but Josh only beamed at me.

He really was perfect for me in every way, and I would never grow tired of telling him that.

Eventually talk in the living room turned to the cult and the investigation, and Josh and I leaned against the counter and listened.

“We’ll need to get the dagger back, obviously,” Dexter stated.

Jude started to speak up, but before Josh or I could say a word, everyone else in the living room said, “NO!”

Josh snorted next to me, and I smiled as well. Somehow I thought it probably would be Jude going to get the dagger from police lockup, but I trusted he wouldn’t get into too much trouble. After all, I could sense the sheriff in my mind, a faint pulsing beacon in the distance.

Thea remained a faint pulse as well, but Sebbie was brighter and more connected to the pack. He was his usual cheerful self, although he kept sneaking glances at Corbin. Corbin stared at him more openly, and Sebbie just blushed and looked away each time he noticed.

“I think we’re going to have a new romance in our midst,” Josh joked, looking at Corbin and Sebbie.

I hummed in agreement. “Yes, those two have some things to figure out, though.”

Josh shrugged. “Yeah, Corbin is a bit quiet and mysterious. Sebbie is like a ray of sunshine, though, and I’m sure he’ll figure Corbin out.”

I chuckled at that, because I rather thought that Corbin was the one who would need to figure Sebbie out, but I wasn’t quite sure my mate was ready to hear about his friend’s gifts. Besides, I didn’t think Sebbie even quite knew himself.

Josh motioned over to Thea, who was also giving Sebbie looks every now and then. “You don’t think she’s interested in Sebbie, too, do you? Because that could get messy.”

I chuckled. “No, I don’t think she’s interested in him like that. I think she’s more interested in the story he told the police.”

Josh nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that makes sense, because there’s no way he missed Thea stabbing that lady. He’ll cover for her, though,” Josh stated, confident in his friend.

I hummed again, but my guess was that Thea was more interested in what Sebbie was and what exactly had happened after she’d stabbed the woman.

I sensed no sexual interest between them, but I thought Thea might be a good friend to Sebbie.

Corbin seemed to know it as well, because there was no jealousy when he noticed her staring at Sebbie.

As if thinking about him had drawn his attention to us, Sebbie wandered over to talk to Josh. “I stopped into the hospital this morning and I checked in on… well, you know…” he said, looking awkward .

Josh smiled at his unwillingness to say Rick’s name. “It’s okay, Sebbie. Rick is an asshole, but I don’t want him dead.”

Sebbie looked relieved. “Well, he’ll be okay.

He was stabbed a few times, but no major arteries were hit, and he’ll survive.

He’s still kind of out there mentally, according to the nurses, but apparently his brother from out of state is planning on taking him with him once he’s released from the hospital. ”

Josh nodded his head. “Thanks, Sebbie.”

Toby called Sebbie over, probably with another question about being kidnapped, and Sebbie just rolled his eyes and smiled, walking away.

“Do you want to see him before he leaves the state?” I asked Josh. “Do you need closure from everything that happened?”

Josh paused for a moment, and I was glad he was thinking it through. He sighed and looked at me after a minute.

“No, I don’t think so. I’m still seeing Helene and processing everything.

I know Rick was an asshole, and I know he was abusive.

I loved him once, but that love dried up with his actions.

Helene says it’s okay if I hate him, but I think I left before it got to that point.

I don’t like him, but I don’t want him dead, either.

I’m glad he’ll live, and I really hope he’ll work through his own shit and figure out why he’s like that,” Josh said.

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him, kissing the top of his head. “You are kind and forgiving, Mei Ume. You have a beautiful soul.”

“Mmm. Maybe. I’m just glad he’s gone from my life, and I don’t need anything more than that.

I don’t want to give him the time or energy required to see him.

It’ll take time for me to fully get over everything that happened, but I will get over it.

He isn’t my problem or my worry anymore, and it’s like a weight lifted off of me to know that,” Josh confessed.

“If you change your mind, or if you ever need to talk about anything, I’m here for you,” I promised him .

He looked up at me and smiled. “I know you are, Wilder.”

We leaned in and kissed, our mouths soft and gentle, our arms wrapped around each other.

I admit I probably would have gotten a bit more carried away—my mate was irresistible, after all—but Jude’s voice broke into the moment.

“Josh and Wilder, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G,” he sing-songed.

Josh groaned against my lips, tucking his head into my chest, and I heard a pillow getting thrown at Jude. I looked up to see Jude about to throw it back at Dexter, who had apparently been the offending party, and I just raised my eyebrows at him.

He looked a little sheepish but smiled at me. Everyone turned to look toward Josh and I, and I saw the love shining in all my boys’ eyes, not just for me, but for Josh as well. If he had been looking up, he probably would have been embarrassed.

As if they all knew it, the chatter started back up, everyone shifting their gaze away. Josh picked his head up and looked out at the group scattered around the living room.

Thea was sitting next to Corbin and Jude, and they were chatting about weapons, although Corbin’s eyes mostly stayed on Sebbie.

He was talking with Dexter and Toby, with Toby still scribbling away in his notebook as Sebbie described the basement room we’d been in.

Aiden was sprawled on the floor petting Fluffy, listening to Q complain about a customer in the shop that morning, and Liam just stared at his snarky mate adoringly.

“You did a good job with your boys, Wilder,” Josh whispered, looking up at me.

“Our boys,” I corrected, looking down at him. “They’re yours now, too.”

Josh smiled, looking out at the group. “Family,” he murmured. “I guess we’re all each others’, now. ”

“Yes, I like the sound of that,” I answered, wrapping him in my arms in front of me and resting my chin on top of his head.

We both looked out at our eclectic group, and happiness flowed through me.

Yes, there were still troubles to work through, including a rather worrisome cult, and all my boys weren’t quite settled yet.

Nevertheless, I felt peace looking at them.

Whatever troubles lay ahead, Josh would be by my side to help navigate them.

“Our family,” Josh said.

All those decades ago, when I had taken in my first son, I had never imagined it would lead to such joy. I’d thought I was fulfilled before, but then I’d met Josh.

“Our family,” I agreed, squeezing my mate tightly.

He brought new meaning to my idea of family, and I was blessed with him in my life.